Category: Basketball

This NBA Draft has been lauded as one of the deepest in recent years.

Despite having a pick late in the first round, the Lakers still traded up to No. 24 and drafted Cameron Carr, providing the team with an explosive guard who immediately improves this team’s athleticism.

Considering where they were drafting, the Lakers did the best they could, picking a player with good defensive instincts and a certified 3-point shooter.

Here’s a look at the grades from a number of outlets for the selection.

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J. Kyle Mann, The Ringer

Grade: A

Carr was reportedly projected to go as high as 14, and the lowest I’d heard he could slide to was 19. But this could end up being a blessing in disguise. Luka streamlines the games of the players around him, and he’ll give Carr more catch-and-shoot 3-point opportunities than he can handle. The Lakers need perimeter depth—they’re currently composed mostly of guards and beefier wings like Rui Hachimura, who’s an unrestricted free agent—so trading up a spot to grab a player they didn’t expect to be available was a nice piece of business.

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John Hollinger, The Athletic

Grade: B+

I had Carr rated five spots higher than this and like his fit in L.A. as an athletic shot-maker who can do more than just make jump shots. I think Carr has a chance to be the player the Lakers thought they were getting when they picked Dalton Knecht. The Lakers paid to trade up and make sure they got their guy. 

Bryan Kalbrosky, USA Today

Grade: A

Cameron Carr was surprisingly still available this late in the first round despite having arguably the best performance of anyone at the 2026 NBA Draft Combine. Arguably the best athlete of anyone, especially among prospects in this range, Carr also provides value as someone who can stretch the floor as a shooter as well. With a wingspan nearly 7-foot-1, he should make a defensive impact breaking up passing lanes and blocking shots as well.

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Zach Buckley, Bleacher Report

Grade: A

The Lakers were routinely linked to centers throughout mock draft season, which made sense in that the position was clearly a big need. There probably wasn’t enough said about the other needs on this team, though, like defensive playmaking and athleticism on the perimeter, which Cameron Carr will provide in droves.

Carr crushed it during the predraft process, which should’ve surprised no one. He has incredible length (a near 7’1″ wingspan jutting out of his 6’4.5″ frame), anti-gravity hops and an incendiary three-ball. His game is easy on the eyes, even if there are some questions about his creation chops.

It is entirely easy to envision him in a three-and-D role, although he needs to get stronger and more comfortable playing with physicality to really thrive in it. It also takes a good amount of optimism to picture him growing beyond that label, since his handle lacks wiggle, and his playmaking lacks vision.

Carr could have gone 10 picks earlier than this, and it wouldn’t have raised eyebrows (or received a harsh grade). This is awesome value at this spot in the draft, and Carr’s play-finishing should shine alongside a shot-creator like Luka Dončić.

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Ricky O’Donnell, SB Nation

Grade: B

Carr is knockdown three-point shooter on the wing with a 7’1 wingspan and the hops to dunk the ball and block shots at the rim. What’s not to like? Well, I worry he doesn’t have much utility in terms of driving and passing, and I think his defensive projection is a little overrated because he struggles to contain the ball. This is still a pretty good value play, and his shooting will definitely fit well next to Luka Doncic.

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Kevin O’Connor, Yahoo Sports

Grade: A-

Luka Dončić said in a recent interview that he’d ideally like to be paired with shooters that can space the floor so he’s not doubled as often. Well, he got his wish here with Carr after the Lakers traded up to the No. 24 pick with the Knicks. You could have watched every Tennessee game for two years and genuinely not known that Carr existed. Then he transferred to Baylor, and led the team in scoring, shot nearly 40% from 3 on high volume, and looked like a 3-and-D role player who also has blossoming skills off the dribble. With NBA genes in his blood, as the son of former player Chris Carr, Cameron has the skills to make it in the NBA. But at 184 pounds with not a ton of games under his belt, he’s going to get introduced to the NBA’s physicality in a way college basketball never did. The Lakers could use his shooting and creation, though, as another wing on the roster.

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Adam Finkelstein, CBS Sports

Grade: B+

Carr definitely slipped a bit, but his physical traits and shotmaking is hard to find at this point in the draft. Carr followed up on his breakout season at Baylor with a terrific showing at the combine. Has a rare overlap of bouncy athleticism, extreme length (7-foot-plus wingspan), and shot-making, which is the basis for high long-term upside projections. Carr is a true three-level threat who can be a tough shot-maker from the perimeter, a constant threat to rise and fire in the mid-range area, and a straight-line slashing threat.

Carr is one of the few perimeter prospects in this draft who can combine length, athleticism, and shot-making. He still has some maturing to do, but Carr gives the Lakers physical tools and shooting range to match. He lacks physical strength and may not have an NBA-ready frame, which could be initially problematic on both ends of the floor. 

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Stephen Noh, The Sporting Tribune

Grade: A–

The Lakers traded up one pick in order to select Carr, who slid from his projected range in the mid-to-late teens. This is a nice fit for him. He’s not great at creating his own shot, but he won’t need to while playing next to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. What he can do is jump out of the gym and shoot 3’s. He’s the perfect play finisher to put next to those two. And he has one of the best gunners in NBA history in JJ Redick to draw up plays for him.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

The Giannis Antetokounmpo trade saga was the narrative of the summer. Rumors swirled about whether or not the Milwaukee Bucks would prefer the four quarters on the dollar trade from the Miami Heat or the star-for-star swap from the Boston Celtics. Once the Bucks decided to accept Miami’s trade offer over Boston’s for Giannis, the narrative shifted from one star to another.

Now, Jaylen Brown has shifted into the forefront as one of the league’s best players looking for a change of scenery. There have been teams linked to Brown even when it appeared the Bucks might move Brown to a third team if they received him in a Giannis return.

One of the teams that could be in the mix if they wanted to be is the Cleveland Cavaliers. In a segment on NBC Sports Boston, SI’s Chris Mannix mentioned that there is a name on the Cavs roster that is connected to a potential return for Brown.

“The name and team that came back to me is Evan Mobley and the Cleveland Cavaliers.” Mannix went on to describe how Mobley is the archetype of a player that Boston is currently interested in. There would also be some tough money matching that would need to be accomplished as the Cavaliers are currently in the second apron.

Then, once this news started swirling, it required some insight from Cleveland’s best Brian Windhorst. On his regularly scheduled call with ESPN Cleveland, Windy poured some water on this rumor: “I don’t think they are looking to move him (Mobley) right now.”

A Mobley for Brown trade could be a disaster on multiple fronts. In terms of talent acquisition, it is a real argument that Brown is more talented than Mobley. Obviously, they are two different archetypes of players, so it’s an apples-to-oranges situation. However, the basketball fit is more of a problem when it comes to Brown. Hypothetically, in a world where the Cavaliers make a version of this deal, the nucleus becomes James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, and Brown vying for possessions and shot attempts.

Brown is not a connective tissue kind of player; I would argue that the way he impacts offenses is similar to the way Mitchell does. We already saw what Mitchell looked like with Darius Garland, someone who also plays their best when they are on ball all the time, and there was strife there. Harden makes more sense next to Mitchell because Harden’s passing, even at this late stage of his career, is a step above the rest.

While Harden can make Mitchell’s shot portfolio easier, Brown would mostly be on ball to generate his own looks. The quotes coming from Brown in recent months about how this is his favorite season he has ever had would also shine a light on the fact that he wants to be the guy on his next team. Mitchell is the guy in Cleveland. Harden knew Mitchell was the guy in Cleveland, which is what made the pairing work offensively.

The situation in Cleveland could become toxic quickly and could become a “your turn, my turn” kind of offense. Kenny Atkinson’s preferred system of ball and player movement doesn’t exactly fit with what a trio of Harden, Mitchell, and Brown would likely turn into.

If the Cavaliers were serious about Brown, it would actually balance the roster more, as well as the offense, to look at a deal around Mitchell for Brown. Although that doesn’t seem like the direction the team is looking for now. At this moment, it seems like the core four group will be back together in some form.

Obviously, things can change; however, for now, it appears that even though the Cavaliers have attractive players, they are equally as attractive to Cleveland.

Austin Reaves is returning to the Los Angeles Lakers on a historic deal that seems to be one of those win-win situations you so rarely hear about.

ESPN's Shams Charania on Wednesday dropped major purple and gold news, reporting that Reaves "intends to sign a four-year, $185 million maximum contract to return to the franchise, with a player option for the final season in 2029-30."

The deal helps bring back a fan favorite who proved to be an invaluable offensive threat, and it also makes some history. The reported deal would make Reaves the highest-paid undrafted player in the league's history.

From making history to what this means for the Lakers' cap room and bringing back LeBron James, the NBA world has thoughts, opinions and analysis on the news:

Austin Reaves, Lakers contract news reactions: What it means

Breaking: Los Angeles Lakers star Austin Reaves intends to sign a four-year, $185 million maximum contract to return to the franchise, with a player option for the final season in 2029-30, sources tell @shamscharania.

Reaves lands the richest contract for an undrafted player in… pic.twitter.com/jsdIHdOkaJ

— ESPN (@espn) June 24, 2026

The Reaves agreement has no impact on the Lakers cap flexibility this summer.

The Lakers projected room takes into account Reaves $20.9M cap hold.

He will sign last after the Lakers exhaust room.

$41.3M in the first year. https://t.co/4JGInWaCNy

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 24, 2026

Good stuff for Austin, and that takes one of the few elite UFAs off the board https://t.co/YW38WIYPkO

— Nekias (Nuh-KAI-us) Duncan (@NekiasNBA) June 24, 2026

The Lakers today secured Austin Reaves' commitment on a new deal after rising interest from Detroit, league sources say.

I'm told the Pistons began maneuvering to make a real run at Reaves that would've required, among other moves, trading Isaiah Stewart for needed flexibility. https://t.co/cYZLzjSheJ

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 24, 2026

Austin Reaves is from a town of 1,200 people in Arkansas, started at Wichita State, and went undrafted out of Oklahoma.

He's now signing a 4-year, $185M max contract with the Lakers—the richest deal EVER for an undrafted player. pic.twitter.com/WLm2E2K64A

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) June 24, 2026

Good for the Lakers keeping Austin Reaves off the open market next week by giving him the max. They’ve made Luka the Face of the Franchise so they needed to lock up his best buddy. Now they have even less reason to pay LeBron.

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) June 24, 2026

"What matters if you're a Laker fan? Appeasing Rich Paul & LeBron or the future?"

After signing Austin Reaves to a new max contract, @colincowherd thinks the Lakers need to focus on the future pic.twitter.com/TjqhRDnhtS

— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) June 24, 2026

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Austin Reaves' reported Lakers contract sparks debate, reactions

One of the biggest potential free agents ahead of the 2026 NBA offseason is off the market before he reached it.

Los Angeles Lakers star Austin Reaves intends to sign a new max contract to remain with the team, according to multiplereports. Reaves and the Lakers have reportedly agreed to a 4-year, $185-million contract after he declined a $14.9-million player option for the 2026-27 season in his current deal.

It is believed to be the largest NBA contract for an undrafted player, surpassing the $90-million deal Duncan Robinson signed with the Miami Heat in 2020.

Reaves, 28, went undrafted in 2021 after playing college basketball at Wichita State and Oklahoma, but latched on with the Lakers as a free agent. His scoring average has increased every year he's been in the NBA, culminating with a career-high 23.3 points per game this past season.

Reaves also averaged 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds, while shooting 49% from the field in 51 games during the 2025-26 campaign. He suffered an oblique injury late in the regular season that forced him to miss the beginning of the playoffs as well.

The Lakers now have both Reaves and star Luka Doncic signed as a backcourt tandem for at least the next two seasons. Doncic signed a new 3-year max contract extension with the Lakers in August 2025 that includes a player option for the 2028-29 season.

LeBron James still looms as a pending free agent for the Lakers this offseason, and center DeAndre Ayton and guard Marcus Smart each have player options they could exercise rather than enter NBA free agency.

Austin Reaves contract details

The 4-year, $185-million extension matches the maximum amount of money Reaves could have received from teams other than the Lakers had he chosen to enter free agency this year.

Here's a breakdown of how the annual salary breakdown of the contract could look, according to NBA salary cap reporter Keith Smith:

The Lakers and Austin Reaves agreed to a four-year maximum contract his new $185M contract. Here's how that deal will look:

26-27: $41.3M
27-28: $44.6M
28-29: $47.9M
29-30: $51.2M (player option)

Reaves' deal will get signed after the Lakers use their cap space, should they…

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) June 24, 2026

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Austin Reaves contract: Lakers to sign guard to 4-year, $185M deal

The Lakers entered the offseason wanting to add depth to their roster. 

They wanted to get more athletic.

And they wanted to add elements of youth.

By trading up in the draft order with the Knicks, the Lakers selected Baylor wing Cameron Carr with the No. 24 pick in the first round of the NBA Draft on Tuesday night — accomplishing all three of their key goals.

Carr averaged 18.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.3 blocks in 33.7 minutes across 34 games in his lone season at Baylor in 2025–26 after spending two years at Tennessee.

Before Tuesday, Cameron Carr wasn’t expected to still be available when the Lakers were on the clock.

Most mock drafts from major media publications projected Carr to be selected just outside of the lottery, between picks 15–20. 

But he fell to the Lakers, who moved up one spot after a draft-day trade with the Knicks to acquire Carr’s draft rights.

Where Carr stands out

Carr’s 3-point shooting and athleticism are his clearest strengths that should immediately translate from college to the NBA. 

He shot 37.4% from beyond the arc with the Bears last season, including over 40% on catch-and-shoot 3s, while attempting 6.1 3s per game. 

And while standstill shooting is a strength, it isn’t the only time Carr proves dangerous from beyond the arc: He’s a threat spotting up, relocating, curling off screens, and even showed potential as a pull-up 3-point shooter in college. 

Carr showed he knows how to leverage his threat as a 3-point shooter into easier scoring opportunities inside the arc, where he shot 60.2%. 

He thrived with attacking closeouts or cutting into open space near the rim after defenders pressed up on him too much, using his athleticism to explode for dunks.

Carr had the second-fastest lane agility time (10.46 seconds), second-highest standing vertical leap (38 inches), and third-highest max vertical leap (42 ½ inches) at the NBA combine last month. He uses his explosive athleticism and length in functional ways as a threat in the open floor and above-the-rim finisher/lob threat when he has space in front of him. 

Even though he has several areas of improvements on the defensive end of the floor, Carr showed he can at least be a defensive disruptor by using his vertical pop and length (7 ¼-foot wingspan was the longest among players 6-foot-6 or shorter at the combine) to block shots.  

Where Carr needs to improve

The biggest areas the 6-foot-5 Carr needs to address are his strength and frame.

He weighed 184.4 pounds at the combine, which was the lightest among all players who measured at least 6-foot-3. 

Carr’s lack of strength hurts him on both ends of the floor.

He can get bumped off of his driving lanes pretty easily, making it harder for him to finish at the rim, and he can get bumped easily when trying to guard bigger guards and forwards — the types of players he’ll be expected to defend in the NBA — making it challenging for him to stay in front of his assignment. 

Carr will need to get stronger and improve his physicality to be a viable point-of-attack defender at the NBA level. 

His shotblocking in college showcased his use of timing and instincts in conjunction with his length and athleticism. With more consistent effort and attentiveness, those elements should show up in other areas on defense. 

Offensively, he wasn’t a true creator for himself or others for a variety of reasons: The lack of strength; not having much wiggle in his handle; not reading defenses the best (though he’ll make the simple pass).

Fit/Expectations 

The Lakers are as good a fit for Carr as any NBA team since they have the playmakers, led by superstar guard Luka Dončić, who’ll create easier looks for him as he takes on a lower-usage role than he had at Baylor. 

Dončić will create the spot-up 3s Carr thrived with during college, as well as connect with the uber-athletic Carr on alley-oops and cuts to the basket. 

If free agents Austin Reaves and/or LeBron James return to the Lakers, there will be even more playmakers who’ll allow Carr to focus on his strengths as an off-ball scorer.

The Lakers could use more defensive proficiency on the wings, but Carr has the tools to be a positive on that end of the floor if he gets stronger and provides consistent effort. 

Carr should be in the mix for a spot in the rotation at the start of the season depending on what happens with the rest of the Lakers’ offseason. At the very least, he’ll be a viable depth option. 

Draft grade: B+

Carr’s lack of strength, and how that affects his upside on both ends of the floor, is the biggest swing factor for his career. 

But his 3-point shooting, cutting, slashing, length and athleticism should make him an impactful player from Day 1 as he develops his body. 

Drafting a player of his caliber late in the first round was great value for the Lakers even with the clear areas of improvement.  

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Rick Brunson needs to see a longer body of work before he is ready to crown his son. 

Soon after the Knicks won Game 5 of the Finals to secure their first championship since 1973, Rick went viral for going out of his way to make it clear that he does not yet think Jalen Brunson is the best-ever Knick. Brunson had just delivered a Finals masterpiece for the ages, scoring 45 of the Knicks’ 94 points. 

“I love my son,” Rick said on ESPN not long after the final buzzer. “Patrick Ewing is the best Knick that I’ve ever witnessed.”

Rick expanded on that sentiment and explained why the claims from a plethora of fans that Brunson had elevated above any other Knick were premature. 

“You have to understand we strive for perfection,” Rick told New York Magazine. “I’ve always pushed him. I’m going to continue to push him. People get caught up in the things he’s done in a short period of time, which is tremendous. I mean, look, I’m a proud father, but you have to do this for a long time to be great. I tell him that all the time. You can’t take away from the great ones — the Walt Fraziers, the Willis Reeds, the Patrick Ewings. They did it for a long period of time. So we still have a long way to go, but we’ll get there.

“You always think about next season. That’s how his mind works. We want to get back to where we were this season and hopefully have a chance to compete for another championship. You want more.”

Rick was teammates with Ewing during his two brief stints with the Knicks as a player. 

Ewing has all the franchise’s statistical records and carried them through an iconic ‘90s era that fell just short of a title. Frazier was the engine of the two previous championship teams — in 1970 and ‘73 — and the King of Cool who later became a beloved announcer for the team. Reed was the anchor of those two championship teams, winning Finals MVP both times along with the NBA MVP award in ‘70 and delivered one of the most iconic moments in league history. 

One thing they all have in common is their longevity, not just in the league but with the Knicks specifically. Right now, that’s something that Brunson does not yet have. 

“Patrick Ewing, obviously, [that] I witnessed, is the greatest right now,” Rick said previously on “CBS Mornings.” “All-time leading rebounder, points, he has all the stats. But just the type of person Pat was, the type of teammate he was, the work ethic was similar. Pat was the hardest working guy we had and he was the best player. 

“Pat did it for 15 years, Jalen did it for four. I don’t rank these players by championships, although it’s great. Pat’s always been a champion in my book. As of today, Big Fella is my favorite.”

Opposites attract. At least sometimes.

Cameron Boozer’s big night at the 2026 NBA Draft led fans wanting to know more about his girlfriend, Yva Lauren Cao.

Here’s everything we know about her and how she’s been there to support Boozer through his big career moments.

She’s a cheerleader

Cao was raised by her Cuban parents in Miami and attended Our Lady of Lourdes Academy.

There, she practiced cheer and earned All-Dade First Team honors.

The cheerleader often posts Instagram photos and TikTok videos about cheering and traveling with her teammates, which include getting ready for gamedays.

She’s currently a cheerleader at the University of Miami and pursuing a degree in public relations.

They have a sports rivalry

Cao and Boozer started dating in August 2023 and attended several proms together before their final one in May 2025.

But with Cao attending Miami and Boozer playing at Duke, the two had a sports rivalry this past season.

Cao cheered at several Miami football games in the 2025 season, including the national championship against Indiana in January 2026.

Boozer, meanwhile, made a name for himself at Duke, averaging 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds per game in his lone season with the Blue Devils.

Despite their rivalry, Cao still attended Duke games last season and shared posts tied to Boozer’s performances. Before a March Madness game, Cao posted a shirt featuring Boozer’s No. 12 jersey.

The cheerleader also made headlines for her gameday fashion, sharing images to Instagram with custom boots and the words “Boozer” on them during March Madness.

She was at his side for the 2026 NBA Draft

Cao was also at Boozer’s side for his greatest accomplishment yet.

The cheerleader went to Barclays Center in Brooklyn on June 23 for the 2026 NBA Draft, where Boozer was drafted No. 3 overall by the Grizzles.

Wearing a red dress, Cao was the last person Boozer hugged before going on stage to greet NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.

Cao also shared a message with her boyfriend on his draft night.

“Memphis just gained the best there is!!” Cao wrote on a photo of Boozer at the draft. “So proud of you and beyond grateful to watch your dreams become reality.”

“Your talent is undeniable, but who you are is what makes me proudest. I love you endlessly. This is only the beginning. Here we gooo.”

Boozer joins a Grizzles team in desperate need of a spark after a woeful 25-57 season, and will instantly become a key piece for head coach Tuomas Iisalo.

And who knows, maybe Cao will make some trips to Memphis.

Austin Reaves is staying in Hollywood.

Confirmed by The California Post, Reaves intends to sign a four-year, $185 million contract to the LA Lakers — the only franchise he’s ever played for.

After declining his $14.9 million player option, Reaves will get the maximum contract extension he was wanting. He will have a player option for the final season.

Reaves’ new contract is the largest in NBA history for an undrafted player.

Reaves is set to make $41.3M in 26-27; $44.6M in 27-28; $47.9M in 28-29; and $51.2M (player option) in 29-30.

One of the most sensational stories in the NBA, Reaves had a four-year college career that began with two seasons at Wichita State. He transferred to Oklahoma and averaged 18.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game as a senior — albeit on an inefficient 30.5% from three.

He went undrafted in 2021 and was set to sign a two-way contract with the Lakers before that was upgraded to a standard contract in September, a month before the NBA season was set to begin.

Los Angeles Lakers star Austin Reaves intends to sign a four-year, $185 million maximum contract to return to the franchise, with a player option for the final season in 2029-30, sources tell ESPN. Reaves declined his $14.9M player option for the new max deal. pic.twitter.com/5T8Ze6v0kF

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 24, 2026

As the Lakers stumbled in Reaves’ rookie season to a 33–49 record, he asserted himself as a part of the rotation after appearing in 61 games (19 starts) and averaging 7.3 points in 23.2 minutes per game.

He continued his rise the following season, playing in 64 games (22 starts) and averaging 13.0 points in 28.8 minutes per game. He also emerged as a dead-eye shooter from deep, knocking down 39.8% of his threes as the Lakers made the Western Conference finals.

The 2023–24 season is when Reaves truly asserted himself as a core part of the Lakers. He played in all 82 games (57 starts) and bumped his scoring average to 15.9 points on 11.5 shots per game, including knocking down 36.7% of his threes.

He continued to get better every season, averaging 20.2 points per game in 2024-25 while starting in all 73 games he played. Reaves also proved his worth as an off-ball guard when he combined with Luka Doncic to give the Lakers one of the more dominant scoring backcourts in the league.

All that hard work culminated in a major breakout season this past year. If not for a few injuries, Reaves played at an All-Star level when he averaged 23.3 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game on 36% shooting from deep.

With LeBron James missing the early part of the season, Reaves carried the Lakers to a 13–3 record before the calendar flipped to December. He averaged 32.0 points per game in six October games (including a 51-point performance against the Kings) and 26.9 points per game in 10 November games.

Now Reaves has his maximum contract and the Lakers have made it clear that they’re building around Doncic and Reaves as their core moving forward. Whether two offensively talented guards with limited defense is enough to win a title remains to be seen, but the Lakers have made it clear which direction they’re choosing to go in.

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As his first big move as president of basketball operations for the Philadelphia 76ers, Mike Gansey selected Labaron Philon with the 22nd overall pick of the 2026 NBA draft. While getting another consensus draft faller a la Tyrese Maxey in 2020 is certainly cause for excitement, it’s possible the Sixers could be done for now. The team does not currently have a selection in Wednesday night’s second round. Philadelphia’s 47th overall pick was sent out as part of the 2021 trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder to acquire George Hill. Subsequent trades had the pick move along to Phoenix and now New York, following a deal last night between the Suns and Knicks for Phoenix to move up into the first round and select Koa Peat with the 30th overall pick.

However, things could change on the second round front for the Sixers. In comments following the first round, Gansey indicated the team may be trying to acquire a selection in tonight’s second round.

Gansey said he's "going to be aggressive." Said the team has several needs and they could look to target someone in the second round. https://t.co/3nLPv6h7eT

— Paul Hudrick (@PaulHudrick) June 24, 2026

Mike Gansey on potentially trading into tomorrow's second round: "We don't have a pick now, but [we'll discuss] where we can get in, who we want to target."

Gansey says the Sixers want to be aggressive and points out that "we have roster spots."

— Adam Aaronson (@SixersAdam) June 24, 2026

The Sixers currently have 11 players under contract: Joel Embiid, Paul George, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Dominick Barlow, Trendon Watford, Dalen Terry, Jabari Walker, Justin Edwards, Adem Bona, and Johni Broome. Barlow, Watford, and Terry are club options, while Walker and Bona are non-guaranteed deals. Obviously, Philon will take a 12th spot when he signs a contract. Gansey also mentioned last night the team has had contact with the representatives for Kelly Oubre Jr. and Quentin Grimes, so bringing those guys back in free agency is definitely on the team’s radar. However, as Gansey said, there’s certainly room for a second-rounder to enter the mix.

Historically, teams are much more willing to move second-round picks, as those obviously don’t carry nearly the same value as first-round selections. Early indications are that nothing will be different this year.

Memphis, like the Knicks at No. 31, is actively fielding offers to move the No. 32 pick for Night 2 of the draft, per sources. So picks 31 and 32 are up for auction in trades around the NBA — with future assets being proposed. https://t.co/HUbpZCinlB

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 24, 2026

We’ll see what happens tonight, but if Gansey and the Sixers are motivated, it appears the opportunities will be there to acquire a pick in the second round. Stay tuned.

The 2026 NBA Draft had enough talent to make a lot of teams happy. My instant draft grades included eight A’s and only three C’s. Teams made sensible decisions throughout the first-round that went about as we expected. In fact, my final mock draft was determined to be the most accurate one on the internet. A lifetime of having no actual skills led to this moment.

I have to admit there were no actual losers from the first-round of the draft — just a few teams where I would have done something different with the pick. Most of my analysis is informed by my evaluations from my final big board. I always believe the draft is about chasing the best player available, while free agency and trades are where teams should maximize fit.

Let’s dive into some post-draft analysis for our winners and “losers” from round one. Check back in a few years and feel free to call me out on whatever I got wrong.

Winner: Memphis Grizzlies

If you read this site, you know I love Cameron Boozer by now. I think he’s going to be the best player from this draft, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s one day competing for MVPs. I realize that’s a crazy amount of pressure to put on an 18-year-old, but this is the trajectory Boozer has been on from a young age. The Grizzlies landed a franchise player, and if Zach Edey can stay healthy, I think this front court will be totally dominant.

I didn’t love what the Grizzlies did with the second pick, trading back twice and landing another power forward in Karim Lopez, who I wasn’t super high on. Whatever. The Grizzlies’ front office is way smarter than I am. Memphis walked away with the best player in the draft, and that makes them the biggest winner.

Winner: Oklahoma City Thunder

The rich get richer. The Thunder drafted Michigan center Aday Mara at No. 12 and then traded up for Iowa point guard Bennett Stirtz at No. 16 to address the two small holes that existed within their roster. Mara is a giant at 7’3 with a 9’9 standing reach, and he gives OKC another big body to throw at Victor Wembanyama in future playoff matchups. Mara doesn’t have much coverage versatility defensively, but he’s very good in drop, and he’s entering an ideal scenario for a drop big with so many nasty point-of-attack defenders in front of him. The Thunder were also hurting for extra ball handling and shooting on last year’s playoff run amid injuries, and Stirtz checks both boxes. He’s a wicked shooter on- or off-the-ball, and he’s one of the draft’s best pick-and-roll operators. Sam Presti crushed it again.

Loser: Milwaukee Bucks

I feel bad for putting the Bucks here because their picks weren’t that bad. Brayden Burries is a nice off-ball guard who can shoot and defend, and I think he’ll be a solid fit next to emerging star (is that too rich?) Ryan Rollins. Nate Ament was not my favorite, but at No. 13, the value isn’t too bad. I just would have gone in a different direction with those picks. I really think the Bucks did well in the Giannis trade, but they have to nail their picks to make this rebuild work. I’m not sure they did that on Tuesday night.

Winner: Chicago Bulls

Bryson Graham knocked it out of the park in his first draft as a lead decision-maker in the NBA. Caleb Wilson was a no-brainer choice at No. 4. His combination of extreme athleticism, high-IQ, and elite work ethic is a great sign for his future. The Bulls went with Dailyn Swain at No. 15, and I’m also a big fan of that pick. Swain is a nasty slasher for a 6’7 wing with a tight handle and the ability to change directions on a dime. Chicago has a pretty big logjam of forwards now with Matas Buzelis, Noa Essengue, and Leonard Miller already on the roster, but I think Swain can play the two long-term if he makes any progress with his jump shot. The Bulls aren’t good enough to worry about fit; they just had to get the best available talent. I think they did that with both picks.

Loser: Los Angeles Lakers

A lot of people like Cam Carr, and I get it. He’s a very good off-ball shooter, he’s super long, and he’s got serious hops around the basket. I just worry he could be pigeonholed as a specialist because he’s not much of a ball handler or playmaker, and he struggles to defend at the point of attack with a thin frame. The Lakers needed some shooting, but they also had a lot of other holes, especially in terms of wing defense. I’m not sure how much Carr is really going to help.

Loser: Sacramento Kings

Listen, Darius Acuff was electric at Arkansas. John Calipari has coached a lot of great guards, and I’m not sure any of them had a better freshman year than Acuff. With that said, I’m a bit lower on his NBA projection because I think his defense is terrible and I’m not sure he’ll continue to be a 44 percent career three-point shooter. He could definitely make me look dumb because Acuff is an awesome floor general and a great scorer, but I liked some of the other guards more. The Kings also traded up to take Alex Karaban at the end of the first round, and he wasn’t in the top-45 of my board. I’m sorry, Kings fans! I want good things for you, so I hope your picks prove me wrong.

Winner: Detroit Pistons

I’ve been wanting to see what Cade Cunningham looks like in a less heliocentric role, and the Pistons traded up to deliver him an awesome young point guard. Ebuka Okorie has the best first-step in this class. The Stanford guard is lightning fast with the ball in his hands, putting pressure on the rim and getting the opposing defense in rotation. I was impressed by his shooting, and I think he defends bigger than his size, too. Okorie rules, and I love the fit in Detroit.

Winner: Golden State Warriors

I had Yaxel Lendeborg at No. 5 on my board, and this is a perfect landing spot for him. Yes, he’s going to be a 24-year-old rookie, but he’s a two-way forward with size, shooting, passing, and athleticism. Warriors fans should read my story on his inspiring journey to become a lottery pick.

The Lakers have taken care of one of their biggest items in free agency.

Austin Reaves has agreed to re-sign with the Lakers, as first reported by Shams Charania of ESPN. Reaves will sign a four-year, $185 million deal.

Los Angeles Lakers star Austin Reaves intends to sign a four-year, $185 million maximum contract to return to the franchise, with a player option for the final season in 2029-30, sources tell ESPN. Reaves declined his $14.9M player option for the new max deal. pic.twitter.com/5T8Ze6v0kF

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 24, 2026

This is a max deal for Reaves, but over four years instead of five. The AAV of this deal will be $46.5 million. Though the deal is announced now, he won’t sign it until after the Lakers finish with free agency as his $20.9 million cap hold will give the Lakers more flexibility to operate this offseason.

Charania also reported that the Pistons were among the expected suitors if Reaves got to unrestricted free agency and were ready to offer a max contract. The Lakers ensured it would not get to that point by agreeing to a deal before any other team had a chance to negotiate.

Reaves was expected to receive free-agent interest from multiple teams — such as Detroit — on maximum-level salary, so the Lakers stepped up on Wednesday to lock in their homegrown talent. Reaves went from undrafted to a two-way player — to making the Lakers roster and now… https://t.co/gft1J4pThc

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 24, 2026

Last summer, it was reported that Reaves wanted over $30 million per year in his new deal, but after a season where he averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists, all career highs, a $40 million per year deal became much more likely.

Reaves had some of his best ever performances this season, including a career-high 51 points in a win over the Kings. He battled back from a Grade 2 oblique strain late in the season and was able to return for the playoffs, helping the Lakers defeat the Rockets in the opening round.

While his play was a mixed bag in the postseason, Reaves did have some solid games. In Game 2 against the Thunder, he went 10-16 from the field and scored a team-high 31 points.

Retaining Reaves was clearly a top priority for the Lakers.

This has been lauded as a big off-season for the purple and gold, as they entered it with plenty of roster spots and cap space, which they need to use well to help close the gap with the Thunder and Spurs.

By bringing back Reaves, the Lakers have secured their backcourt and have made it clear with this significant pay raise that they believe the duo of Dončić and Reaves can compete in the West.

With Reaves as the starting guard for Lakers head coach JJ Redick, he’s not only continued to improve, but the team has won 50-plus games in back-to-back seasons, a feat they haven’t accomplished since 2011 when Phil Jackson was the coach.

Overall, this was an easy decision for the Lakers. Reaves has said he wants to be a Laker for life, and the franchise has matched that energy with this contract.

Los Angeles did the hard part already: finding top talent that went undrafted and helping mold them into the players they can become.

This summer was about rewarding that growth with a substantial raise and securing Reaves for years to come. Now, Reaves will remain in a purple and gold uniform, and the Lakers can focus on building out the rest of their roster.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

Riley pushed all his chips in to land Giannis. Breaking down the blockbuster trade, the fit with Bam Adebayo, and what's next for the Miami Heat.

Nobody should be surprised. That's the first thing to understand about what happened Monday night, hours before the 2026 NBA Draft was set to begin in Brooklyn. The Miami Heat trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo isn't shocking. It isn't unexpected. It is, in fact, the most Pat Riley thing that has happened in the NBA in years, and he has been doing Pat Riley things for decades.

Riley cleared the deck when Jimmy Butler walked out the door at the deadline last year, took a long look at the roster he had left, and decided the only logical next move was the biggest one available. That's who he is. That's always been who he is. You don't get to 81 years old with Riley's résumé by playing it safe and hoping the ping pong balls bounce your way. You pick up the phone, you make the call, and you find a way to get it done. Monday night, he got it done.

The Heat acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis from Milwaukee in exchange for Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, three first-round picks, including the 13th overall selection Tuesday night -- which turned into Nate Ament, who could be the steal of the draft at that selection -- a 2030 pick swap, and a 2033 second-rounder. That's the whole medicine cabinet. Every asset Miami had been quietly stockpiling since the Butler era ended got shipped to Wisconsin in one transaction.

Riley and the Heat didn't dip their toes in. They cannon-balled off the high dive.

Let's talk about what they gave up, because it matters. The Bucks chose Miami's offer over a Celtics package that reportedly included Jaylen Brown and two first-round picks, which tells you everything about how aggressive Riley was willing to be. Herro was the centerpiece heading to Milwaukee, a former Sixth Man of the Year and the kind of scorer that most rebuilding teams would love to have. Ware is a 20-year-old center with legitimate upside. Jakucionis was a first-round pick from this cycle who hadn't played an NBA game yet. And three unprotected first-rounders going out the door means Miami is betting everything -- and I mean everything -- on this working.

Now for the part that's going to generate debate all summer.

The fit isn't obvious. Giannis and Bam Adebayo together create one of the most suffocating defensive frontcourts in the history of the league -- two of the best defenders at their respective positions, both capable of guarding one through five, both elite rim protectors, both the kind of players that opposing coaches design entire game plans around. On that end of the floor, this pairing is genuinely terrifying. Erik Spoelstra is going to have a field day.

But offense is where the questions live. Giannis operates best in space, attacking the rim in a straight line, using his combination of size and athleticism to punish defenses that can't contain him one-on-one. Bam is a brilliant offensive player in his own right -- skilled in the post, lethal as a pick-and-roll operator, one of the best passing big men in the game. The issue is that they both need the paint to do their best work. Put them together, and you have two of the most physically dominant players in basketball fighting over the same real estate. It's more than fair to question Miami's ability to build a true contender around Giannis and Bam, especially on par with the reigning champion Knicks.

pic.twitter.com/dPuoEzEpEX

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 23, 2026

And then there's the roster around them. After sending out Herro, Ware, Jaquez, Jakucionis, and a small fortune in picks, what exactly is left? The Heat's depth chart after the trade is thin, which doesn't begin to cover it. Portis comes over from Milwaukee, which helps at backup center, but the situation gets worse when you factor in Norman Powell. The veteran wing is an unrestricted free agent this summer and one of the more coveted players on the market, and with Giannis's $58.5 million salary now on the books and the second apron looming, Miami almost certainly won't have the financial flexibility to bring him back. That's a 20-point-per-game scorer walking out the door right as their most important acquisition is walking in.

This team is going to need to find shooters, wings, and secondary playmakers in the bargain bin of free agency and the buyout market, all while navigating cap constraints that leave very little room for error. The roster construction puzzle that Miami's front office is going to be solving right up until opening night just got significantly more complicated.

Here's the counterargument, and it's a legitimate one: Maybe none of that matters.

Antetokounmpo still averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists while shooting 62.4% from the field this past season in the 36 games he played. When healthy, he is still one of the three or four best players alive. Pairing him with Bam and turning Spoelstra loose on a defensive scheme built around two generational defenders is a formula that could make up for a lot of offensive inefficiency. The Heat under Spoelstra have always been more than the sum of their parts. They've won playoff series with rosters that had no business winning playoff series. They went to the Finals with Butler and a collection of castoffs. What they do with two legitimate stars and a Hall of Fame coach is a different conversation entirely.

The goal now for Miami is to get Giannis signed to an extension. He becomes eligible for a four-year, $275 million supermax in January 2027, and if he doesn't sign it, he could opt out the following summer and walk. That's the sword hanging over everything here. If Riley can get the extension done -- and the expectation is that he can, given that Giannis chose Miami over Boston when he could have gone either way -- then this is a franchise-altering move that sets up the Heat for the next four or five years. If he can't, Miami just gave away its entire future for one year of a 31-year-old coming off an injury-plagued season.

The irony of all of this is that the Lillard era in Milwaukee indirectly delivered Giannis to South Florida. The Bucks waived Dame, signed Myles Turner, went 32-50 anyway, and Giannis watched all of it from the sideline while his knee healed. The relationship between player and franchise deteriorated quietly, and Riley was positioned perfectly to take advantage. That's not luck; that's decades of understanding how the league works and being ready when the moment arrives.

Should it have been more surprising? Probably not. Riley has been doing this his entire career, finding a way to the table when the biggest names become available by outworking everyone else in the room and betting on himself to figure out the rest later. He got Shaq. He got LeBron. He got Jimmy. Now, he's got Giannis.

The fit questions are real. The roster concerns are legitimate. The risk is enormous, and everyone in South Florida knows it.

But this story isn't really about Pat Riley anymore. It's about Giannis Antetokounmpo. It's about what happens when one of the most dominant players of his generation gets a fresh start, a new challenge, and an organization that believes championships are the only acceptable outcome. Miami has done more with less before. Now it has something it rarely gets: a player with a résumé that already belongs among the all-time greats. The question isn't whether Giannis can elevate the Heat. It's whether this partnership can unlock one more level in a career that still feels unfinished.

Everything about this move is a gamble. But if you're going to bet on someone, betting on a two-time MVP still in his prime is a pretty good place to start.

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Warriors reportedly receiving No. 11 pick trade offer led to draft room scene originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Warriors owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy raised eyebrows with their viral draft room interaction Tuesday night.

After joking that the two were arguing about the best golf course in San Francisco, Dunleavy downplayed the moment as a whole while speaking to reporters after the 2026 NBA Draft, adding that there were “probably some talks about trades” before the team selected Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg with the No. 11 pick.

More details about that conversation were shared by The SF Standard’s Tim Kawakami on Wednesday morning, who reported, citing multiple sources, that Dunleavy and Lacob were “brushing off a moderate offer” for the No. 11 pick.

Mike Dunleavy reacts to Joe Lacob's reaction here: "He was just getting a little anxious about us taking Yaxel." https://t.co/2Bvh7cNG2B

— Dalton Johnson (@DaltonJ_Johnson) June 24, 2026

“From our standpoint, we knew we were going to pick Yaxel at 11, he was the guy,” Dunleavy told reporters. “But you just want to flush him out, make sure you’re not missing anything that falls in your lap or makes a ton of sense. So that’s what we were doing. And I think Joe was like, ‘Come on, just let’s go ahead and pick the guy.’ I said, ‘Joe, we have time. They give you five minutes.’ He was just getting a little anxious about us taking Yaxel.

“The good thing was, because we were on the clock, nobody could swoop in and take him ahead of us. So I was willing to be patient with it.”

Now that that’s cleared up, hopefully everyone can move on from the viral moment.

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Mike Dunleavy has jokes. 

When asked about what led to the seemingly awkward exchange between him and the Warriors owner Joe Lacob Tuesday night during the NBA draft that has since gone viral, Dunleavy said the two got into an argument over the best golf course in San Francisco. 

The Warriors general manager then said it was a joke, and that the pressure of the moment with possible trades led to anxiety. 

Warriors owner Joe Lacob and GM Mike Dunleavy appear to disagree on what to do with the pick pic.twitter.com/LGKd0hvQav

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 24, 2026

“This is a really strong draft, so once we got to No. 9, No. 10 and No. 11, I felt like we were going to be anxious to see who falls there,” Dunleavy told reporters after taking Michigan star Yaxel Lendeborg at No. 11. “But we felt like at No. 11, no matter what happened, we were going to get a good player. 

“As far as the discussion with Joe and I … at that point there were probably some talks about trades and things like that. But ultimately we were all in agreement to land on taking Yaxel. I think Joe was like, ‘Come on, let’s go ahead and pick the guy’. He was just getting a little anxious about us taking Yaxel.” 

Dunleavy and Lacob’s exchange happened moments before the team ended up staying at No. 11, despite fielding trade offers. 

The toss-up for the Warriors front office was reportedly between Arizona guard Brayden Burries — who went to the Bucks with the No. 10 pick — and Lendeborg.

Mike Dunleavy explained his viral interaction with Joe Lacob in the Warriors' draft room tonight pic.twitter.com/DzYawbAvzg

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) June 24, 2026

While he’s an older rookie at 23, Lendeborg won a national championship at Michigan this past season after transferring from UAB. 

Lendeborg averaged 15.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per game while appearing in 40 games and starting 39. 

The forward was also named Big 10 Player of the Year and was a consensus First Team All-American. 

The 23-year-old, though on the older side for a rookie, will offer youth to a Warriors team headlined by 38-year-old Steph Curry, 36-year-old Draymond Green and 36-year-old Jimmy Butler.