Category: Basketball

Former Michigan men's basketball coach Dusty May is leaving for the NBA after leading the Wolverines to a national championship.

May, who just concluded his second season with the program, is finalizing a deal with the Dallas Mavericks. The news comes a day before the first round of the NBA Draft on June 23.

Dusty May salary, buyout: Michigan coach contract details, and what he said of extension

May will lead the Mavericks into a new era, led by former No. 1 overall pick and rookie of the year Cooper Flagg. May replaces Jason Kidd as coach, and Dallas also recently hired former Raptors executive Masai Ujiri as the team's president.

It's a tough blow for Michigan, which was starting to cement its place as one of the top programs in college basketball. Now, the Wolverines could be headed for another transitional period, where they'll hope to keep their roster together ahead of the 2026-27 season with players allowed to enter the transfer portal following the coaching change.

Why did May decide to leave Michigan, though? Here's what we know:

Why is Dusty May leaving Michigan for Dallas Mavericks?

It's unclear what changed between Michigan's national championship parade celebration in April and now, given athletic director Warde Manuel announced he and May had agreed on a new contract to keep May with the Wolverines for "many years to come."

While Michigan was positioned to compete for another national championship in 2026-27, the opportunity with the Mavericks was likely too much to pass up for May, who was always rumored to have NBA interest.

May told USA TODAY Sports on May 18 his contract hadn't yet been signed, as the two sides were still discussing "minor details." He did, however, note he was committed to staying with the program.

The Mavericks already have Flagg, one of the best young players in the NBA, and are led by Ujiri, who has already shown capable of building an NBA championship contender with the Raptors. May is the first college head coach since 2019 to leave for an NBA head coaching job, joining former Michigan coach John Beilein, who went to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

May's tactical prowess also fits the NBA style. His calm nature as a coach does, too, along with his rapid rise as one of the top coaches in college basketball.

The 49-year-old coach grinded his way to the top, starting as a student manager at Indiana without any college playing experience. He landed his first head coaching job in 2018 at Florida Atlantic, eventually leading the Owls to the Final Four in 2023 before taking the Michigan job.

At Michigan, he had a wildly impressive 64-13 record.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why is Dusty May leaving Michigan? Mavericks hire national title winning coach

Gary Harris picked up his $3.8 million player option to remain with the Bucks next year, Spotrac’s Keith Smith reported on Monday; the 31-year-old combo guard had until June 29 to pick up the option. This was widely expected, given it’s extremely unlikely that Harris would have had better offers on the table if he declined the option and entered unrestricted free agency.

Harris inked a two-year, $7.4m contract—with the second year a player option—before the 2025/26 season after leaving the Orlando Magic. Originally meant to bring in guard depth, veteran leadership, and steady three-point shooting, Harris averaged a career-low 2.7 PPG, along wth 1.3 RPG and 1.1 APG on .442/.412/.889 shooting splits. In 48 appearances, he averaged just 13.8 minutes per contest.

When he returns to Milwaukee for his 13th NBA season—assuming the Bucks don’t just waive his contract and pay him out, which could well happen—his biggest challenge will be remaining on the court. Harris struggled to break into the Bucks’ guard rotation at the start of the season and was sidelined by nagging groin and hamstring injuries towards the end.

Dusty May just led the Michigan Wolverines to one of the most dominant national championship runs in the recent history of men’s college basketball. Now he’s ready for his next step after making a stunning decision to jump to the NBA on Monday afternoon.

The Dallas Mavericks have hired May as the franchise’s next head coach in a move that sends shockwaves around both college and pro hoops. The Mavs lured May away from Ann Arbor with the chance to coach Cooper Flagg at the start of his career. Dallas also has the No. 9 and No. 30 overall picks in the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday, and three Wolverines players are expected to be lottery picks in Yaxel Lendeborg, Aday Mara, and Morez Johnson.

May is 49 years old, and felt destined to be one of college basketball’s top coaches for the next 15 years. This is a major first move from the Mavs’ new braintrust of Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz. Ujiri built the Toronto Raptors 2019 championship team, and was hired as Dallas’ new president earlier this offseason. Schmitz came over from the Portland Trail Blazers to be the team’s new GM after building his reputation as a razor-sharp draft analyst for ESPN.

May built an incredible Michigan team through the transfer portal by bringing together three de facto bigs and teaching them to play together. His teams are typically slightly better on the defensive end of the floor. Michigan finished with the No. 1 defense in America this year, as well as the No. 4 offense. It will be fascinating to see if he continues to lean into supersized lineups in the NBA.

The real intrigue for May is the opportunity to coach Flagg, who just won NBA Rookie of the Year. Flagg is perhaps the best young building block in the NBA after Victor Wembanyama, and he doesn’t even turn 20 years old until December. The Mavs are building around Flagg, and May will be the person leading his development.

May has a cool and calm demeanor that resonates well with players, and should continue to work in the NBA. He deserves to be seen as a great developmental coach after turning Lendeborg, Johnson, and Mara into lottery picks this past season when none of them were projected in that range at the start of the year. It feels like he has the ideal mentality to be an NBA coach, but life is always tough in the Western Conference, even with Cooper Flagg on your side.

The history of college coaches jumping to the NBA is a mixed bag. Larry Brown won a national championship at Kansas in 1988, and then won an NBA championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2004. Brad Stevens took Butler to the title game in college basketball before becoming a fantastic head coach (and later lead executive) for the Boston Celtics. Billy Donovan won two national championships at Florida, and then jumped to the NBA where he had a solid pro career but never won a championship. There are also some busts, like John Calipari and Rick Pitino, who made the leap to the NBA and then went back to college after failing.

I followed Michigan during its national championship at the Big Ten tournament, Sweet 16 and Elite Eight, and Final Four and national championship. I came away so impressed with May in terms of his leadership, demeanor, and schematic ability. May knew he was likely never going to have another team as good as his 2026 group again. Building through the transfer portal and fundraising NIL dollars every year is incredibly stressful. I can absolutely see the appeal of this move to the NBA for both sides.

In the end, this is about the opportunity to coach Cooper Flagg, who is already excellent at 19 years old. The Mavs also reportedly considered Duke coach Jon Scheyer and some former NBA coaches like Terry Stotts, but May offers the most upside to me because of his youth and pedigree. The Mavs swung for the fences with their first big decision of the Ujiri era, and I think they hit it out of the park.

NBA success is far from guaranteed for May. It’s going to be a big adjustment to leap to the pros. The Mavs don’t need to win right away, though. They’re on Flagg’s timeline. May can grow alongside Flagg, and I think he has the smarts and the temperament for the job long-term. What a move by the Mavs.

Mavs grade for Dusty May hire: A

Dusty May is headed to the NBA.

May, who led Michigan basketball to the 2026 national championship this past spring, will be the next Dallas Mavericks coach, USA TODAY Sports has confirmed.

The last coach to jump from college to NBA was John Beilien in 2019 — another Michigan man. Larry Brown was the last men's basketball coach to leave for the NBA after winning a national title the season before (with Kansas in 1988).

Per multiple reports, Michigan is working on elevating Michigan assistant Mike Boynton Jr. to interim head coach. Boynton spent seven seasons as head coach at Oklahoma State from (2017-2024) before joining May's staff. Boynton was 119-109 as Cowboys coach, including a trip to NCAA tournament in 2021.

Dusty May replacements: Michigan may have interim fix. But who could be long-term hire?

Opinion: Days before leaving, Dusty May sounded all-in at Michigan. Then, poof!

May and Michigan had been in talks about a new contract, but as of May 18, the deal hadn’t been signed, May confirmed to USA TODAY's Jordan Mendoza. May said there are “minor details” being adjusted between both parties, but he said he was committed to staying with the Wolverines.

“We’d like to build one of the most consistent, greatest basketball programs in the country,” May said.

A request for clarification on whether May had signed his contract was not immediately returned to USA TODAY Sports at the time this story published.

May, 49, went 64-13 in two years in Ann Arbor after guiding Florida Atlantic to the Final Four in 2023. He compiled a 190-82 record (.699) in eight college seasons.

The Mavericks finished 26-56 last season, hired Toronto Raptors executive Masai Ujiri as team president, and parted with head coach Jason Kidd on May 19.

Dallas has the No. 9 pick in this year's NBA Draft and are in the midst of a rebuild led by last year's top pick Cooper Flagg.

Dusty May contract: How much is coach's buyout to leave Michigan for Mavs?

Why is Dusty May leaving Michigan? What we know of new Dallas Mavericks coach

May was busy this offseason reshaping Michigan's roster after key players Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr. declared for the NBA Draft, and Big Ten Player of the Year Yaxel Lendeborg exhausted his eligibility.

Michigan brought in a a trio of proven transfers in Moustapha Thiam (Cincinnati), JP Estrella (Tennessee) and Jalen Reed (LSU) to pair with a top-five freshman class in the nation, led by McDonald's All Americans Brandon McCoy and Quinn Costello.

Dusty May contract information, buyout details

May's previous deal was set through 2030, and offered him an annual increase of $250,000 for the next four seasons, according to his contract obtained by USA TODAY Sports. His base salary in 2025-26 was $4.6 million and was set to increase to $4.85 million this season, under his previous contract.

May's buyout on his previous contract was reduced to $5 million after April 30, 2026.

Report: Mike Boynton Jr to be named Michigan basketball interim coach

The former Oklahoma State coach worked with May as one of Michigan's top assistants, overseeing the defensive game plans for the Wolverines. Given his head coaching experience and familiarity with the program, Boynton would be a seamless fit to take over for May.

Mike Boynton coaching record

Boynton joined May's staff in 2024 after serving seven years as Oklahoma State's head coach. Boynton was on Brad Underwood's staff for a year at OSU before Underwood left for Illinois. Boynton was elevated to head coach and posted a 119-109 (.522) record, which included two NIT quarterfinals appearances and a trip to the 2021 NCAA Tournament.

Possible long-term Dusty May replacement Michigan coach candidates

From USA TODAY Sports' Paul Myerberg:

Mike Boynton Jr., Michigan (interim)

Boynton ran the defense under May — his work helped the Wolverines outscore opponents by nearly 20 points per game. Boynton has the qualifications and experience to step into the job at a late date and potentially keep the roster intact, or at least strong enough to stay a factor in the Big Ten and Final Four hunt.

Josh Schertz, Saint Louis

The list of outside candidates begins with Schertz, a close friend of May’s and a coach with a similarly prolific up-tempo offensive scheme. His system could be installed fairly seamlessly and mesh well with the Wolverines’ current roster. Schertz has also proven himself by winning 32 games at Indiana State in 2024 and then leading Saint Louis to 29 wins and the second round of this year’s tournament, where the Billikens were bulldozed by Michigan.

Nate Oats, Alabama

Oats signed a massive extension that links him to Alabama through 2032 and has experienced his share of controversy, most recently this past season with Charles Bediako’s eligibility debate and guard Aden Holloway’s suspension in the wake of felony drug charges. But he’s also won 70% of his games, reached the Final Four, made two Elite Eight trips and advanced out of the tournament’s opening weekend in each of the past four years. He also spent a decade coaching high school basketball in Michigan before being hired as an assistant at Buffalo in 2013.

Billy Donovan

Donovan is currently out of coaching after stepping down from his spot with the Chicago Bulls after the end of the regular season. While he had his share of NBA success, Donovan is best known for the powerhouse he built Florida, where he claimed back-to-back national championships. Despite his time away from the college game, Donovan has essentially been linked to every major NCAA job opening since he left the Gators over a decade ago. Is Michigan the position that would bring him back?

T.J. Otzelberger, Iowa State

Otzelberger seems very content in Ames, having already declined overtures from more historically relevant programs since kickstarting the Cyclones’ current run in 2022. Since taking over five seasons ago, he’s led Iowa State to three Sweet 16 berths, four 20-win seasons and at least 25 wins in each of the past three years.

Brian Dutcher, San Diego State

Formerly a longtime Michigan assistant who was on the staff for the 1989 national champions and then spent another 18 years under former Michigan coach Steve Fisher with the Aztecs, Dutcher has won at least 21 games in every season since replacing Fisher in 2017 and led SDSU to the national title game in 2023. A few factors not in Dutcher’s favor are his age — he’ll turn 67 in October.

Can Michigan basketball players enter transfer portal with Dusty May leaving for Mavericks?

Yes, NCAA rules allow for the creation of a special transfer portal window following a head coaching change. At that time, players can enter the portal and potentially sign with another team.

According to the NCAA on Jan. 14, 2026, the Division I Cabinet enacted immediate rules changes for the transfer portal, including those for a team going through a coaching change.

Per the NCAA:

When a head coaching change occurs, a 15-day period will open five days after the new head coach is hired or publicly announced. If a new head coach is not announced within 30 days of the previous head coach's departure — and the 31st day after the head coach's departure is after the championship game — a 15-day window will open. The additional head coach departure window is available only after the basketball transfer window opens through Jan. 2.

Five days after Michigan hires or publicly announces its hire, the 15-day transfer portal will open, allowing players to enter and potentially sign with a team. The 15-day window will open if the Wolverines are unable to make a hire within 30 days of May's departure for the NBA.

That is separate from a 15-day transfer window that opens the day following the championship game, which in 2026 was on April 4.

This story will be updated.

USA TODAY Sports reporter Zac Al-Khateeb and Detroit Free Press reporter Tony Garcia contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dusty May news: Mavs hire coach, Michigan picks replacement, long-term candidates

We have some new Huskies to discuss and a new name in the mix for the final roster spot that could be very intriguing. Also, shoutout to Colben Landrew for getting a Team USA nod in the U18 AmeriCup.

In this episode of the podcast, we discuss the state of the roster, Steph Castle in the NBA Finals, Alex Karaban and Tarris Reed’s NBA Draft prospects, and the addition of new assistant coach Mike Pegues.

Enjoy!

Two years ago, the Sixers waltzed into the offseason with roughly $60 million of salary-cap space. Those days are long gone.

With Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey all on max contracts, the Sixers already project to be over the 2026-27 salary cap even with only six players under guaranteed contracts. Once they fill out the rest of their roster, the luxury-tax line and the aprons will be their bigger concern.

The good news is that the Sixers do still have a fair bit of flexibility (for now) under the tax line and aprons. The bad news is that it won’t take much to wipe that out, particularly with Kelly Oubre Jr. and Quentin Grimes both set to become unrestricted free agents.

With that in mind, here’s our primer on where the Sixers stand financially heading into the draft and free agency.

The Sixers’ current cap sheet

The three-year max extension that Embiid signed in September 2024 is set to begin this season. Until we know the exact salary-cap figure, we won’t know exactly how much he’ll earn on that contract.

Typically, a max extension for Embiid would begin at 35 percent of the 2026-27 salary cap, which is currently projected to be $165 million. That would put Embiid’s starting salary at $57.75 million, with 8 percent annual raises from there.

However, the maximum salary in the first season of a new contract is never less than 105 percent of the player’s previous salary. Since Embiid earned $55,224,526 this past season, his max salary would be no lower than $57,985,752, which is the figure we’ll use for now.

Beyond that, there isn’t much uncertainty about the Sixers’ financial picture heading into the offseason. They have team options on Dominick Barlow ($3.4 million), Trendon Watford ($2.8 million) and Dalen Terry ($2.6 million). Only $250,000 of Jabari Walker’s $2.6 million contract is guaranteed, and Adem Bona’s $2.3 million contract is fully non-guaranteed, although it’d be surprising if they waive him. A veteran-minimum contract for anyone with two or more years of NBA experience is projected to be $2.45 million, so the Sixers would save roughly $150,000 by keeping Bona around.

With that said, here’s their full cap sheet heading into the offseason, including the nearly $3.6 million cap hold for the No. 22 pick. We used their total guaranteed salary rather than their total salary while calculating their proximity to the tax line and aprons so you can see the maximum amount of flexibility that they could have this summer.

Player	2026-27 (all)
Joel Embiid	$57,985,752
Paul George	$54,126,380
Tyrese Maxey	$40,770,520
VJ Edgecombe	$11,663,880
No. 22 pick	$3,597,840
Dominick Barlow	$3,415,000 (team option)
Trendon Watford	$2,801,346 (team option)
Jabari Walker	$2,584,539 ($250,000 guaranteed)
Dalen Terry	$2,584,539 (team option)
Justin Edwards	$2,411,090
Adem Bona	$2,296,271 (fully non-guaranteed)
Johni Broome	$2,150,917
GUARANTEED	$172,706,379
TOTAL	$186,388,074
SALARY CAP	$165,000,000
CAP ROOM	-$21,388,074
LUXURY TAX	$201,000,000
TAX ROOM	$14,611,926
1ST APRON	$209,000,000
1ST APRON ROOM	$22,611,926
2ND APRON	$222,000,000
2ND APRON ROOM	$35,611,926

Having more than $28 million of wiggle room below the tax line might sound nice on the surface, but that’s with only seven players under contract (including the No. 22 overall pick). Even if the Sixers filled out the rest of the roster with players on minimum deals, that would add $19.6 million of salary to their books, putting them less than $10 million below the tax.

How do Oubre and Grimes fit in?

The Sixers have full Bird rights on both Oubre and Grimes, which means they can re-sign either one to anything up to a max deal even though they’re already over the cap. Their proximity to the tax line and aprons might determine which one (if either) they’re willing to bring back.

If the Sixers sign either Grimes or Oubre to a contract starting higher than $11.1 million, they’d be guaranteed to go over the tax line once they filled out all 15 roster spots. If they re-sign both of them, they could have a tough time staying under the first apron.

There are no team-building restrictions for crossing over the tax line. You shouldn’t care about the Sixers paying the tax unless you’re a member of the Harris or Blitzer family.

The aprons are the bigger concern.

Which MLE will they have?

As long as the Sixers are under the first apron, they’ll have access to the $15.0 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception and the $5.5 million bi-annual exception. Using either one of them would hard-cap the Sixers at the first apron, which is currently projected to be roughly $209 million.

If the Sixers cross the first apron, they’ll lose access to the non-taxpayer MLE and will instead have only the $6.1 million taxpayer MLE. If they cross the second apron, they won’t have a mid-level exception at all. They’d only be able to hand out minimum contracts to non-incumbent free agents.

The Sixers could enter the offseason with $36-plus million of breathing room below the first apron, but that’s before factoring in them potentially keeping Barlow (likely), Watford (maybe?), Terry (ehh…), Walker (duh) and Bona (double duh). That also doesn’t account for new contracts for Oubre and/or Grimes.

If the Sixers use the non-taxpayer MLE, it’ll likely signal that they’re moving on from both Oubre and Grimes. If they bring back both, there’s almost no way that they can use the non-taxpayer MLE and stay under their first-apron hard cap without moving one of Embiid, Maxey or George.

So, the short answer is that we don’t know which mid-level exception the Sixers will have this offseason or which one they’d even plan to use. They wound up using most of the taxpayer MLE last season, although they didn’t spend any of it during the offseason. They saved it to use in-season, which they mostly did on Barlow.

Under former team president Daryl Morey, the Sixers seemingly tried to avoid hard-capping themselves at the first apron over the past few years. It’s unclear whether they’ll immediately alter that approach under new team president Mike Gansey, although he’s coming from a Cleveland Cavaliers team that boasted the league’s most expensive payroll this past season. He has plenty of experience running pricey teams.

If both Oubre and Grimes sign elsewhere, the Sixers might not have a choice but to spend the non-taxpayer MLE in an effort to replace them. They’ll have to ask themselves which path gets them closer to a championship in both the short and long term and go with that.

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.

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The 2026 NBA Draft is just one day away, and teams are about to be on the clock to select the next franchise-altering player.

An exciting NBA Finals that saw the New York Knicks win the league championships over the San Antonio Spurs closed the book on the 2025-26 season, and now all 30 franchises know what is needed to take that next step. This is a fun draft to be part of, with so much talent that can eventually become the faces of the league.

The top of the draft order seems fairly set, and there is a growing sense of how the top 10 will shake out. But there is plenty of intrigue with the rest of the first round, as cases could be made for nearly everyone to go up or fall down the order.

1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa, BYU

All signs points to Dybantsa as the top overall pick, and he proved all he can do in a sensational season at BYU. The stats of 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists pop off, but what really made him so good was he was able to elevate his game against premier talent, showing there shouldn't be a worry in jumping the next level. He's a prolific scorer with the ability to do just about anything on both sides of the ball, and he should bring a much-needed spark in the nation's capital.

2. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson, Kansas

The Jazz can go one of two ways with the pick, but Peterson would be the right move for the franchise. Of course there's all the concerns with the injuries, but when Peterson was available he showed why he was the top overall recruit in the 2025 class. His ability to command the offense will fit well with the bigs Utah has.

3. Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer, Duke

If Memphis is looking for a player to fit the franchise's long identity of grit, Boozer is the right man. The national player of the year dominated by out-muscling opponents, while showcasing some shooting skills you wouldn't think to see from this type of player. His ability to play like a guard or strong forward will be something Memphis will lean on.

4. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson, North Carolina

The Bulls should be very happy to see Wilson fall into their lap, finally grabbing a player that can be the face of the franchise. Wilson was explosive, commanding the interior for the Tar Heels before injuries cut his season early, and it became obvious how much of an impact he made at North Carolina. The hustle will be something fans will love to see, making this a very easy decision for the new brass in the Windy City.

5. Los Angeles Clippers: Keaton Wagler, Illinois

There are a lot of avenues the Clippers can go with the pick, but if they retain it, Wagler would fit right into the franchise. He put on a bunch of high-scoring games, like dropping 46 at Purdue, but he truly boosted his stock during Illinois' Final Four run. He can score from about anywhere on the floor after he was one of the best 3-point shooters in the country, offering to be the perfect compliment to Darius Garland and Kawhi Leonard.

6. Brooklyn Nets: Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas

Even with a crowded back court, it will be hard for Brooklyn to deny the playmaking ability Acuff possess. He was an offensive nightmare for opponents at Arkansas, but what made him so lethal was his ability to perform in the clutch, a trait you can't really teach and could show up on day one. He could be the next Jalen Brunson in terms of guys that don't have size, but find ways to become stars.

7. Sacramento Kings: Kingston Flemings, Houston

If you're starting every game for Kelvin Sampson as a freshman, there is clearly something special about you. Flemings fits the mold of being a great defender, leading Houston in steals, but his offensive game was something new, and he flourished. He's a great 3-point shooter and can play downhill to get near bucket, and that fearless approach to playing ball should excite Sacramento.

8. Atlanta Hawks (via New Orleans Pelicans): Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville

The time at Louisville didn't go exactly as planned for Brown, but he did put on some amazing performances that show there is plenty of potential at the pro level. Atlanta can trust him to handle the ball and take matters into his own hands when the moment calls for it, like knocking down a deep shot.

9. Dallas Mavericks: Brayden Burries, Arizona

Dallas will have to decide if it wants a guard next to the returning Kyrie Irving or a wing player alongside Cooper Flagg. With Burries still on the board, Dallas should get someone that can easily fit into a shooting guard role. He showed he can do it when he had some big-time scoring performances playing in the loaded Big 12. His defensive skills are also underrated, and he could be a major player if it translates to the NBA.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Karim López, Mexico

This pick will say a lot about where Milwaukee stands with Giannis Antetokounmpo. With the threat of him leaving, Milwaukee gets some backup in another international player. López might not be as known the rest of the prospects, but he has game takeover talent, able to drop buckets and command the boards. While this might come off as a surprise, it's the right move for the Bucks.

11. Golden State Warriors: Aday Mara, Michigan

The Warriors haven't had much luck with big men recently, but Mara has the tools to break that and get Golden State back to contending. He's obviously tall at 7-feet-3-inches, but he knows how to play rather than just be present on the court. He can protect the rim, play in the midrange and make teams have to figure out how to play him, offensively and defensively. He's not Victor Wembanyama, but he could be a force in a few years that could give the rest of the league headaches.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Clippers): Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan

Do the Thunder really need anything? Not really, but if they are going to make a roster addition, Lendeborg is the right fit. Teams may be wary of his age (23), but the other way to look at it is he is ready to make contributions out of the jump. He might not be superstar level, but he definitely can be a difference-maker. He powered Michigan to a national title thanks to some heroic basketball, and he could step up when his name gets called.

13. Miami Heat: Hannes Steinbach, Washington

With solid big men awaiting at the end of the lottery, Miami gets Bam Adebayo some assistance with Steinbach. Washington didn't do much this past season, but Steinbach was a rebound machine for the Huskies, leading the country in boards (11.8 per game). Combine it with the fact he can score at a solid rate and he can help the Heat form a solid front court.

14. Charlotte Hornets: Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan

With Charlotte clearly looking for some bigs, and Johnson the best player available, it makes for a the perfect fit. He was a two-way force for the Wolverines, able to be physical defensively and powering his way to the rim on offense. An experienced player, he could find himself in the starting lineup early in his career.

15. Chicago Bulls (via Trail Blazers): Nate Ament, Tennessee

How the season ended likely cooled off Ament's stock, but you have to remember before that he was putting up some big numbers for Tennessee. He has great size and his length will be major assets for him at the next level. With Chicago selecting Wilson earlier in the draft, Ament gives the Bulls a solid front court to build around.

16. Memphis Grizzlies (via Suns): Christian Anderson, Texas Tech

With reports of Ja Morant potentially on the move, Memphis will be looking for a new lead guard. Luckily, it will be almost like Anderson falls right into its lap. He already proved he can score, but was it a sight to see him run point and dish it out left and right for the Red Raiders. He may not be an immediate starter but his eye for the game will have him making big contributions.

17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via 76ers): Labaron Philon Jr., Alabama

With two first round picks, Oklahoma City can do all sorts of things with this pick. If it wants to add speed on the floor, Philon is the way to go. His ability to get down the floor in the blink of an eye screams X-factor in the NBA. He thrived in Alabama's relentless offense and he is out to score the ball, so it will be crucial for him to find buckets out of the jump. If he can be consistent, the Thunder can have another key role player.

18. Charlotte Hornets (via Magic): Cameron Carr, Baylor

The Hornets can round out the future of the franchise by getting Carr to be at the wing. He possess great offensive skill, able to move around the floor quickly while ability to find his shot make him a potential weapon. He is an experienced player that can adapt to the NBA quickly compared to other players around this range.

19. Toronto Raptors: Ebuka Okorie, Stanford

Okorie lit it up at Stanford to assure himself he would be a first round pick, and Toronto could find the right way to make him an effective player. It will be a transition to go from the do-it-all-guy to playing with a well-rounded unit, and he will have to figure out to not get exposed with his small size, but he is pretty elusive and creative in finding ways to score.

20. San Antonio Spurs (via Hawks): Allen Graves, Santa Clara

The Spurs have a knack for just finding guys that fit in their brand of basketball, and Graves fits the mold. He's willing to get down and dirty, simply outhustling others to make contributions. He thrived off the bench for Santa Clara so he will be comfortable in that role in the pros. There's the obvious concerns of playing for a mid-major and not having elite opposition, but Graves showed he can play against anyone.

21. Detroit Pistons (via Timberwolves): Bennett Stirtz, Iowa

At every level he played at during his college career, Stirtz was a certified bucket. His knack for knocking down shots, but what really stands out is his ability to be an iron man after rarely sitting on the bench. He knows how to be productive for every second he's on the court. His shooting prowess will be a key for a Detroit team looking for another piece to take that next step toward a championship contender.

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

The 76ers could have a hidden gem awaiting them in Jefferson. He literally did everything at Iowa State, from scoring to rebounding to dishing it out to playing solid defense. The track of all trades archetype will benefit him in finding a multitude of ways to impact games. Jefferson has the potential to be the steal of the draft and can be a serious contributor out of the gate.

23. Atlanta Hawks (via Cavaliers): Chris Cenac Jr., Houston

Cenac didn't make a major impact in his time at Houston, but he has all of the traits able to succeed in the NBA. The bright spots of his college career came when he was owning the glass, and he showed off that he can score when he is hot. His size is ridiculous and he can play out in the wing if necessary. It will probably take some time to find his path but Cenac can be a playmaker in due time.

24. New York Knicks: Tarris Reed Jr., Connecticut

The defending champions have a solid core, so they will need some depth, specifically in the center position. Reed had a strong finish to the season, powering Connecticut to the national championship game. His physicality and ability to go up against anyone standing opposite of him gives a chance to win in the interior and it will help New York defensively.

25. Los Angeles Lakers: Koa Peat, Arizona

It's obvious Peat comes from a football family because his athleticism is among the best in the country. He can be physical and bully his way to any spot on the court, something Los Angeles needs with Luka Doncic back and an aging LeBron James. He definitely needs to work on his outside shot, but the physical traits give him a good starting point to succeed in the association.

26. Denver Nuggets: Isaiah Evans, Duke

The Nuggets are in need of filling in the wings, and Evans will be able to thrive with the talent around him. He's a spot-up shooter, making it easy for Jamal Murray or Nikola Jokić to dish it out to him to knock it down. He will have to be able to step it up defensively, but Denver can get another player that make a difference offensively.

27. Boston Celtics: Meleek Thomas, Arkansas

Given how much Boston values guys that shoot at high clips, Thomas feels like an obvious way to go. He can score at-will and the Celtics will be salivating at how well he shoot from 3-point land. Excelling in the fast pace Arkansas played will help him with the flow in the NBA, and he could be another weapon for the offense.

28. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Pistons): Alex Karaban, Connecticut

Minnesota is trying to finally get to the playing for championships, and it could help adding someone that knew all about it in college. Karaban was Mr. Reliable for Bobby Hurley, a key piece in two national championship for the Huskies. He can easily fit into the role of 3-point shooter while being a disciplined defender. It's not a superstar, but a piece the Timberwolves could really needed.

29. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Spurs): Henri Veesaar, North Carolina

Cleveland already is set at the guard position, and it desperately needs help at the bigs. Veesaar is in an intriguing option for the Cavaliers because he's effectively around the rim, but he can also play out in the perimeter, adding an extra layer that could come up big come playoff time.

30. Dallas Mavericks (via Thunder): Dailyn Swain, Texas

After getting a guard earlier in the draft, Dallas sticks with the position to give Kyrie Irving some backup in Swain. It's the perfect role for him to start since he can play both sides of the ball, able to handle the ball and get to the rim while playing some solid defense.

NBA mock draft second round

31. New York Knicks (via WAS): Ryan Conwell, Louisville

32. Memphis Grizzlies (via IND): Zuby Ejiofor, St. John's

33. Brooklyn Nets: Sergio de Larrea, Spain

34. Sacramento Kings: Baba Miller, Cincinnati

35. San Antonio Spurs (via UTA): Richie Saunders, BYU

36. L.A. Clippers (via MEM): Trevon Brazile, Arkansas

37. Oklahoma City Thunder (via DAL): Nick Martinelli, Northwestern

38. Chicago Bulls (via NOP): Braden Smith, Purdue

39. Houston Rockets (via CHI): Emanuel Sharp, Houston

40. Boston Celtics (via MIL): Milos Uzan, Houston

41. Miami Heat (via GSW): Maliq Brown, Duke

42. San Antonio Spurs (via POR): Tyler Bilodeau, UCLA

43. Brooklyn Nets (via LAC): Ugonna Onyenso, Virginia

44. San Antonio Spurs (via MIA): Jack Kayil, Germany

45. Sacramento Kings (via CHA): Izaiyah Nelson, South Florida

46. Orlando Magic: Felix Okpara, Tennessee

47. Phoenix Suns (via PHI): Ja'Kobi Gillespie, Tennessee

48. Dallas Mavericks (via PHX): Jaden Bradley, Arizona

49. Denver Nuggets (via ATL): Nick Boyd, Wisconsin

50. Toronto Raptors: Tobe Awaka, Arizona

51. Washington Wizards (via MIN): Otega Oweh, Kentucky

52. L.A. Clippers (via CLE): Bryce Hopkins, St. John's

53. Houston Rockets: Keyshawn Hall, Auburn

54. Golden State Warriors (via LAL): Tyler Nickel, Vanderbilt

55. New York Knicks: Dillon Mitchell, St. John's

56. Chicago Bulls (via DEN): Tobi Lawal, Virginia Tech

57. Atlanta Hawks (via BOS): Rafael Castro, George Washington

58. New Orleans Pelicans (via DET): Kylan Boswell, Illinois

59. Minnesota Timberwolves (via SAS): Aaron Nkrumah, Tennessee State

60. Washington Wizards (via OKC): Bruce Thornton, Ohio State

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NBA mock draft: Latest projections for all 60 picks

On the heels of a national championship and the best season in program history, Michigan is expected to make history once again on Tuesday night, with the chance to have three players selected in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft.

The players we’re talking about are Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson Jr., and Aday Mara. With just over 24 hours to go until the draft commences, let’s see where some of the web’s latest mock drafts have the former Wolverine stars heading.

ESPN – Jeremy Woo

Aday Mara – 11th overall (Golden State Warriors)

Morez Johnson Jr. – 12th overall (Oklahoma City Thunder)

Yaxel Lendeborg – 15th overall (Chicago Bulls)

Jeremy Woo of ESPN starts things off on Monday morning with Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr. going back-to-back near the end of the lottery. Mara can slot in right away as the Warriors’ starting center, while Johnson joins the big-man rotation and likely will have championship aspirations in year one with the Thunder. Yaxel Lendeborg, meanwhile, can also compete for a starting spot with the Bulls and would likely be something of a culture-setter for one of the younger teams in the association.

Yahoo Sports – Kevin O’Connor

Aday Mara – 11th overall (Golden State Warriors)

Yaxel Lenebrog – 12th overall (Oklahoma City Thunder)

Morez Johnson Jr. – 14th overall (Charlotte Hornets)

One of the most prominent voices in the NBA Draft space, Kevin O’Connor, sends Aday Mara to the Warriors as well. He also sends a Wolverine to Oklahoma City with Yaxel Lendeborg, whose age and development likely fit the Thunder’s timeline pretty well. Morez Johnson Jr. heads to Charlotte, where he can compete for minutes in an inexperienced rotation of big men.

USA Today – Brian Kalbrosky

Aday Mara – 12th overall (Oklahoma City Thunder)

Morez Johnson Jr. – 14th overall (Charlotte Hornets)

Yaxel Lendeborg – 16th overall (Memphis Grizzlies)

Michigan just misses out on having three lottery picks in Kalbrosky’s draft from Saturday afternoon. The Thunder could use another big man after Chet Holmgren’s playoff struggles and a salary crunch that leaves Isaiah Hartenstein’s future in doubt. Similarly, Johnson would fit like a glove in a light and inexperienced big man rotation with the Hornets. With Lendeborg going to Memphis, he’d likely be one of the Grizzlies’ best players immediately, with Ja Morant a trade candidate this offseason.

CBS Sports – Cameron Salerno

Aday Mara – 9th overall (Oklahoma City Thunder via projected trade with Dallas)

Yaxel Lendeborg – 11th overall (Golden State Warriors)

Morez Johnson Jr. – 14th overall (Charlotte Hornets)

Cameron Salerno of CBS projects the Wolverines will get three players selected in the lottery. Mara and Johnson end up in Oklahoma City and Charlotte once again, respectively. Lendeborg, however, ends up with the veteran-laden Golden State Warriors. With a need for the Warriors to get younger, it’s unclear how Lendeborg fits their timeline, but he’d still play a role in the rotation early on behind the likes of Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green.

SB Nation – Ricky O’Donnell

Yaxel Lendeborg – 11th overall (Golden State Warriors)

Morez Johnson Jr. – 12th overall (Oklahoma City Thunder)

Aday Mara – 15th overall (Chicago Bulls)

In Sunday’s mock draft from SB Nation’s Ricky O’Donnell, the Warriors select the first Wolverine of the night with Yaxel Lendeborg. The Thunder once again go after a Michigan big man, but this time it’s Morez Johnson Jr. as more of a power forward than a traditional center like Mara. As for Mara, this is the lowest we see him in the latest round of mock drafts, falling just outside the lottery at 15 to a Bulls team that has plenty of guard depth, but almost nothing in the front court.

For just the fifth time in franchise history, the Washington Wizards have the first pick in the NBA Draft. In what may turn out to be a rare stroke of good fortune, they’re at the top of a loaded draft class.

The consensus on the 2026 draft is that Brigham Young forward AJ Dybantsa will be the top pick. That’s the story from the Rookie Scale Consensus Big Board, and — despite recent reporting that Washington’s decision-makers are leaning towards Kansas guard Darryn Peterson — the FanDuel betting odds are essentially unchanged.

If Peterson is the choice, where would he rank among the franchise’s top draft prospects? The team’s draft history goes back to 1961, when they came into existence as the Chicago Packers. They became the Zephyrs the following season (a definite name upgrade).

They got a new city and a new name for their third season when they became the Baltimore Bullets. After 10 years in Baltimore, they moved to DC, played one year as the Capital City Bullets, then 23 seasons as the Washington Bullets. “Wizards” has been their most enduring moniker — 29 seasons and counting.

While the team’s draft haul has been…spotty…they’ve also drafted some truly accomplished players. Using only their pre-draft accomplishments and accolades, here’s my top 10 prospects in franchise history. At the end, I’ll figure out where Peterson would fall, if he turns out to be Washington’s pick this year.

1. 1961 — Walt Bellamy, C | Indiana| Round-Pick: 1-1 — Terrific prospect. Two-time All-American at Indiana University and starting center on the 1960 gold medal U.S. Olympic basketball team. That team included Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, and Jerry Lucas — all of whom Bellamy joined in the Hall of Fame. It also included future Chicago/Baltimore teammate Terry Dischinger. He lasted a little over four seasons with the franchise before getting dealt to the New York Knicks for three players and cash.
2. 2010 — John Wall, G | Kentucky| 1-1 — Big, fast, strong, great leaper. Wall was an elite high school player (No. 2 recruiting rank behind Derrick Favors, who must have been something in high school), He led a dominating Kentucky squad and collected an array of NCAA accolades, including first-team All-American, SEC Player of the Yea, Freshman of the Year, and SEC Tournament MVP). He was a very good NBA player — five-time All-Star, second team All-Defense, third-team All-NBA, and he even won a dunk contest.
3. 1962 — Bill McGill, C | Utah| 1-1 — Credited with inventing the jump hook, McGill was kinda the Dybantsa of his time. Allegedly, he taught the shot to Bob Petit, who turned it into a go-to scoring move that took him to the Hall of Fame. McGill led the NCAA in scoring in 1961-62 (38.8 points and 15.o rebounds per game), carried Utah to the Final Four, and was a three-time All-American. He got one full season with the Zephyrs, and part of a season with the Bullets. He ended playing three seasons in the NBA, three more seasons in the minor league North American Basketball Association, and two seasons in the ABA.
4. 1968 — Wes Unseld, C | Louisville | 1-2 — Taken after Elvin Hayes (they’d team up to win a title for Washington in 1978), Unseld became the greatest player in franchise history. He joined Wilt Chamberlain as the only player to win Rookie of the Year and league MVP in the same season. He was a great college player — All-American and two-time Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year.
5. 1994 — Juwan Howard, F | Michigan | 1-5 — A key member of the Fab Five squad at Michigan, Howard was first team All-American, a strong candidate for NCAA Player of the Year, and was a key contributor to a team that made consecutive runs to the NCAA championship game. The Bullets/Wizards helped undermine his career (in my view) by attempting to make him into a SF when his entire game was 12-feet and in. He was never particularly great in the NBA (he was an All-Star once and would not have gotten that honor in an era with semi-decent analytics), but he did last 19 seasons.
6. 1962 — Terry Dischinger, G/F | Purdue | 2-10 — NCAA scoring champion, three-time All-American, member of the gold medal 1960 Olympic team. Dischinger played two good seasons for the Zephyrs and Bullets, got traded to the Detroit Pistsons, served two years in the military (he was in ROTC in college), and then played another six seasons with the Pistons and the Portland Trail Blazers.
7. 1967 — Earl Monroe, G | Winston-Salem State | 1-2 — Monroe was a small college superstar. He led the “College Division” in scoring (41.5 per game) and might be the greatest player to ever emerge from an HBCU. He got four seasons in Baltimore before they traded him to the Knicks.
8. 1963 — Rod Thorn, G | West Virginia | 1-2 — Two-time All-American, NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player in 1960, led WVU to the Final Four. He lasted one season in Baltimore before they sent him to the Pistons with Dischinger. He played eight seasons in the NBA and made a name for himself as a coach and executive.
9. 2013 — Otto Porter Jr., F | Georgetown | 1-3 — Porter was a very good college player — second-team All-American, Big East Player of the Year, finalist for the National Player of the Year Award. After a quasi-redshirt rookie season (hip injury), he became a deadly shooter and excellent team defender. He got five-plus seasons in Washington before the Wizards traded him to the Chicago Bulls. Porter was a starter on the Golden State Warriors’ 2022 championship team, and played 11 seasons in the NBA.
10. 2012 — Bradley Beal, G | Florida | 1-3 — SEC Freshman of the Year, First-Team All-SEC, and allegedly the second-coming of Ray Allen. Beal worked hard to improve his ball handling, passing and strength, and he became a three-time All-Star and third-team All-NBA selection. He’s played 14 seasons so far, with at least one more still to come.

A few honorable mentions:

• Rasheed Wallace, 1-4 — second team All-American, first-team All-ACC, ACC Tournament MVP
• Kwame Brown, 1-1 — McDonald’s and Parade All-American
• Greg Ballard, 1-4 — First-team All-Big Ten, honorable mention All-American, leader of Indiana’s undefeated national championship team (1975-76)
• Jeff Malone, 1-10 — First team All-American, SEC Player of the year

Peterson — if he is indeed the pick — would have to crack the top 10 on this list despite playing just one season of college basketball. On his pre-draft resume:

• Naismith High School Player of the Year
• McDonald’s All-American Co-MVP
• honorable mention All-American
• All-Big 12 Second Team

Where would that fit in Washington franchise history? To me, it’s clearly behind the top three. I think he slots in at four — behind Unseld and ahead of Howard. I’d accept arguments for slotting him as low was eighth. That’d be after Monroe and Dischinger but ahead of Thorn, Porter and Beal. I don’t really see a way to put him any lower.

No matter how I look at it, if Peterson is the pick, he’ll join the team as one of the top prospects in franchise history.

Milwaukee Bucks star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to be traded to the Miami Heat or the Boston Celtics before the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Monday morning on “Get Up.”

Jaylen Brown would be part of the Celtics deal, according to Charania. The Heat, meanwhile, are ready to part with Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and the No. 13 overall pick in the draft, NBA insider Marc Stein reports.

Antetokounmpo, 31, has been rumored to be on the trade block since the end of the season, with the front office reportedly making the decision to trade the star.

For a while, it seemed that the Heat had the inside track for Antetokounmpo, but the Celtics have ramped up the pursuit in the last week. 

The Greek Freak would approve a trade to either team and doesn’t have a preference, according to Charania, who adds a third team will not be involved in either trade scenario.

Antetokounmpo has spent his entire career with the Bucks after being drafted in the 2013 NBA draft. He helped the Bucks win the NBA championship in 2021.

A 10-time All-Star and two-time MVP, Antetokounmpo has career averages of 24.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5 assists while shooting 55.4 percent from the field. He was limited to 36 games this past season in which he averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists while shooting 62.4 percent.

The Milwaukee Bucks failed to make the postseason in 2025 after reaching the playoffs for nine consecutive seasons. The team will now hope to build around guards Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr. 

It’s time for the Milwaukee Bucks to make a decision in the long-rumored Giannis Antetokounmpo trade sweepstakes. The 2026 NBA Draft is Tuesday night, and if the Bucks want to acquire more picks in this draft, now is the time to trade their franchise player. Bucks ownership has already indicated that Antetokounmpo will be traded this summer if he doesn’t sign a contract extension as he enters the final year of his deal. There’s reportedly only two teams left in the bidding.

ESPN’s Shams Charania said the Bucks will “reach a resolution” on the Giannis trade saga before the draft. Charania said Giannis is ready to be traded, and it currenly looks like it will be a two-team deal rather than a multi-team construction.

There’s strong mutual interest between the Miami Heat and Antetokounmpo. The Heat’s offer has been similar since the Feb. trade deadline, with a package built around Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and multiple first-round picks, including the No. 13 overall selection in the 2026 draft. The Bucks are reportedly lukewarm on taking back Herro, a Milwaukee native, and could re-route him to a third team, with the Detroit Pistons being connected to the scoring guard over the weekend.

The Boston Celtics are the other team in the mix for Antetokounmpo, and they are now reportedly willing to include Jaylen Brown in their trade offer. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that “Brown is on the table, and he could get traded for Giannis in the short-term future.” Watch the full clip here:

"Jaylen Brown is on the table, and Jaylen Brown could get traded for Giannis Antetokounmpo in the short-term future."@WindhorstESPN with the latest on the Bucks possibly trading Giannis Antetokounmpo 🏀 pic.twitter.com/BhGHPdlSDF

— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) June 22, 2026

It remains unclear what else Boston would include in the deal. The Celtics have three tradable first-round picks, starting with the No. 27 pick this year, as well as first rounders in 2031 and 2033. Can Milwaukee get Payton Pritchard in the deal, too?

Giannis’ injury history, age, and contract are all factors in the deal. Antetokounmpo turns 32 years old in December. He’s only played in three playoff games since 2022 because of untimely injuries. He’s likely about to negotiate a max contract extension.

My read on this is that if the Bucks liked the Heat’s offer, they would have taken it already. Does this mean Giannis will be wearing Celtics green next season? Stay tuned. Read our latest 2026 NBA mock draft here for more on this incoming class of rookies.

Imagine a world where we all had collective amnesia, specifically about the NBA Draft.

Weird world, right? How did that happen? It doesn’t matter. Life is the same as before, only nobody knows where any NBA player got drafted. Please note that this is not a pitch for a Sci-Fi movie.

Consider Jabari Smith Jr. That guy is pretty good, right? He’s not a superstar, but at roughly $24 million per season, anyone would be happy to roster a 6’11” wing who can shoot the three, protect the rim from the weakside, and survive in space defensively. Smith Jr. is pretty good:

He’s just not third-overall pick good.

By now, that’s a moot point – he’s not third-overall pick paid, either. Still, fans want more. Smith Jr. himself seems to want more.

Can he give more?

Rockets’ Jabari Smith Jr. has something to build on

Let it be said that Smith Jr. responded to his contract extension by having the best season of his career.

In 2025-26, he averaged 15.8 points per game while shooting 36.3% from deep, both career highs (although the latter is a tie). As with virtually every NBA player ever, much of Smith Jr.’s value is tethered to his three-point shooting. Smith Jr. shot exactly 36.3% from deep in his sophomore year as well, but last year he shot a career-high volume (6.3 per game vs 5.0).

Otherwise, little changed about Smith Jr.’s shot profile. In 2025-26, 50.1% of his field goals came from beyond the arc, compared to 48.9% last year. His percentage of attempts in every area was comparable to the previous year. Smith Jr. simply increased his overall field goal attempts.

Some fans would like to see Ime Udoka run more sets that find Smith Jr. in the midrange. He did hit a solid 52.4% of his attempts between three and ten feet this year, although the 42.4% he hit between ten and 16 left something to be desired. Still, Smith Jr. is reliable in that ten-foot area.

It’s somewhat a case of eating your vegetables before you can have your dessert. There’s a world where Smith Jr. middies become a larger staple of (to extend the metaphor) the Rockets’ offensive diet, but it’s more pressing that he continues to build on his three-point shooting.

He’s a…let’s say less than prolific ball-handler. Smith Jr. can get to his spots by virtue of his height, and he’s increased his physicality when looking to create his own shot. Still, life would be easier if defenses were more concerned with his three-pointer.

There’s also the omnipresent reality of the Rockets’ spacing. Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson need the paint. Kevin Durant loves the midrange and is much more effective there. The team’s (presumed) 2026-27 roster won’t be set up to explore Smith Jr.’s midrange mastery.

Perhaps it’s something to explore down the road. For now, the key to success for Smith Jr. in 2026-27 remains behind the three-point line. If he can increase his efficiency on comparable volume, or increase his volume with limited efficiency regression, he’ll earn his keep again.

One more note: I’d like to see Udoka explore lineups with Smith Jr. at the 5 more frequently. I’ve long abandoned my pipe dream of him as a full-time five. Still, he spent 32% of his time there as a sophomore (the same year that he matched that 36.3% from deep, which may be a statistical blip, but big men have a harder time closing out…) and a career-low 10% last season.

Smith Jr. is one of the very best 6’10” and up shooters in the NBA. There’s Karl-Anthony Towns, his own teammate Kevin Durant, and…that’s where I start drawing blanks. Naz Reid is comparable. Kristaps Porzingis is a candidate. Still, Smith Jr. is right there. That combination of height and shooting accuracy gives him value:

Even if it’s a bit less than you wanted from a third overall pick.

The wait is almost over for former Arizona star freshmen Brayden Burries and Koa Peat. After leading the Wildcats to their first Final Four in 25 years, the duo are less than 48 hours away from achieving their dreams of joining the NBA.

The 2026 NBA Draft takes place in New York City this week, with the first round being held on Tuesday and the second round on Wednesday. Burries and Peat are both locks to hear their names called. Three more Wildcats from this year’s team could be taken in the second round: Jaden Bradley, Tobe Awaka and Anthony Dell’Orso.

Burries, a projected lottery pick, could be one of the first dozen players taken on Tuesday, while Peat is slated to go as a mid-to-late first rounder. Here’s where the final NBA mock drafts have Burries and Peat going. Some mocks also include Bradley and Awaka.

Summaries of mock selections are italicized where provided.

ESPN

Burries: No. 9 to the Mavericks

Burries has drawn a good amount of interest inside the top 10 but has not scheduled many workouts, appearing comfortable with his potential landing spots, including the Clippers, Hawks, Mavericks and Warriors. His predraft process has largely been under the radar. Any of those teams would give him an opportunity to contribute in a role in a competitive context right away.

The Mavericks are another team that appears open to moving back in the draft and have cast a wide net with first-round workouts, with Masai Ujiri taking over in May, and Dallas keeping its options open as it builds around Cooper Flagg.

Peat: No. 26 to the Nuggets

After opting to stay in the draft rather than return to Arizona, Peat seems to be trending toward the 20s, with teams continuing to express concern about his jump shot. His physicality and defensive versatility might appeal to a team like Denver, which has been able to creatively fit different skill sets around Nikola Jokic and needs to get more athletic along the frontline.

The Nuggets should be taking a best-available approach as they work to improve their depth. They are working with cap constraints as Peyton Watson hits restricted free agency, a situation that could lead to Denver moving a veteran player to enable added flexibility.

Bradley: No. 47 to the Suns

Awaka: No. 50 to the Raptors

The Athletic

Burries: No. 9 to the Mavericks

There’s not much new information out of Dallas since my previous mock draft. The Mavericks continue to conjure a lot of speculation among sources. They’ve explored trading this selection and are considering several different players and positions, from lead guards like Flemings, Wagler, Brown, Acuff and Christian Anderson to Ament to Yaxel Lendeborg.

Burries is the name I hear the most with Dallas, though, with sources around the lottery trying to determine why he’s not working out in as many places as you’d expect. There’s a lot of enthusiasm for Burries among teams who want to try to win next season, as he’s seen as a tough guard who can dribble, pass and shoot who will also defend at a high level with physicality.

Peat: No. 22 to the 76ers

Sources around the league are still trying to figure out what new head of basketball operations Mike Gansey’s type will be. So this pick might just be me wish-casting, but I can’t imagine a better fit for both Peat and an organization. With Joel Embiid playing more consistently on the perimeter, Peat could use his athleticism and strength to crash along the baseline and make smart plays while also providing tough defensive energy. The 76ers desperately need a four with some power to his game, and Peat brings that in a big way.

I have Peat higher than this on my personal board, but sources across the league are unsure where he slots into the class. His range seems to be quite wide, starting somewhere post-lottery and stretching into the back half of the first round.

Bradley: No. 51 to the Wizards

Yahoo Sports

Burries: No. 8 to the Hawks

Burries has not scheduled many workouts, and it appears his range starts with the Clippers with the fifth pick, as I reported a few weeks ago, and ends with the Warriors at the 11th pick. Burries drops smack in the middle of that range in this mock with Atlanta. Burries arrived at Arizona as a top-10 recruit, started slow, and then erupted once conference play began, helping lead his team to the Final Four. He’s a physical, versatile scorer who can beat you from all three levels, rebounds like a forward, and competes hard on defense. But he’s a methodical creator rather than an explosive one, and his shooting history before Arizona gives scouts reason to wonder whether the efficiency is real or a blip.

Peat: No. 24 to the Knicks

Congratulations to Knicks fans for winning the championship! Mitchell Robinson grabbed a clutch offensive rebound in the closing moments of the game, but he’s a free agent this offseason so the Knicks may need to replace him. Peat’s bloodline is so loaded with offensive linemen that it’s almost funny he ended up playing basketball. His father played nine NFL seasons. His uncle was a Pro Bowl tackle. Two brothers played college ball on the line. And you can absolutely see it in how he plays: powerful, physical, relentless, and it genuinely takes something special to stop him from getting to where he wants to go. He opened the season with a 30-point game against defending champion Florida and backed it up as one of Arizona’s best players all year on its way to the Final Four. Since Peat can’t shoot yet, it’ll be important that he’s paired with a floor-spacing center like Karl-Anthony Towns. Or he could serve as a small-ball center in switchable lineups. So even though Peat entered the year with top-10 hopes, it might be a blessing in disguise for him to fall to the end of the first round.

Bradley: No. 45 to the Kings

Bradley is a combo guard with a strong frame, a calm demeanor, and a knack for clutch moments. After arriving in college as a McDonald’s All-American, he lost his starting spot as a freshman at Alabama then transferred to Arizona, where he got better every year and became the team’s trusted leader. As a senior, he won Big 12 Player of the Year, Big 12 Tournament MVP, and led the Wildcats to their first Final Four since 2001. There are questions about whether he can be a lead guard at the next level, but his connective passing, improved shooting, and gritty defense all give him the potential to play big minutes.

Awaka: No. 51 to the Wizards

Awaka was college basketball’s best rebounder and helped energize Arizona’s bully-ball style over the past two years. At 6-8 with a brickhouse frame and an unrelenting style of play, he set a tone off the bench and earned Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year. The problem is everything else. He doesn’t shoot. He doesn’t pass. And he doesn’t have a clearly defined position on defense. The team that drafts him is betting it can find enough of a defensive role to keep that elite rebounding and relentless motor on the floor.

SB Nation

Burries: No. 9 to the Mavericks

There are reports that Burries is trying to land in Dallas to play next to Cooper Flagg. I like the vision even if I’m a bit skeptical Burries has the shot-creation upside to eventually be a star. The Arizona guard is a well-rounded player who defends and rebounds better than your average two-guard, and he’s a really good three-point shooter. Flagg would have to stay in more of a shot-creator role if Burries is the pick, but maybe that’s what Dallas wants. I personally wouldn’t have him as the best player available in this scenario, but Burries’ lack of a glaring weakness makes him a malleable guard who should be able to hang in the playoffs. It’s easy to understand the appeal of that with the No. 9 pick.

Peat: No. 26 to the Nuggets

Peat had the toughest decision of the withdrawal deadline to make, but I actually think he made the right choice by staying in the draft. His money surely would have been bigger at Arizona for a hypothetical sophomore season, but he risked falling off the NBA radar completely if he didn’t improve in important areas. There should still be room for him at the end of the first round with much of the depth in this class getting drained by NIL dollars. His intersection of weight, passing, and offensive rebounding will be interesting even if his shot is completely busted right now.

CBS Sports

Burries: No. 9 to the Mavericks

There’s a growing belief that this could be a scenario that both Burries and Dallas would be excited about, and even some speculation that’s why Burries is not working out for more teams. He is a strong and aggressive two-way guard who can get downhill with force, provide a formidable three-point shooter, and defend his position, all with an NBA ready frame, all of which would make him a nice complement to Cooper Flagg for the foreseeable future.

Peat: No. 22 to the 76ers

Peat is higher than this on the CBS Big Board, but his glaring lack of shooting is going to require a specific fit. The Sixers lack a long-term solution at the four, can get their floor-spacing from Embiid’s face-up skill set, and could benefit from Peat’s strength, physicality, intangibles, winning pedigree, and ability to get downhill.

Bradley: No. 48 to the Mavericks

The Big 12 Player of the Year is a downhill force, quality defender, and improved shooter. This could also reunite him with his former Arizona backcourt mate Brayden Burries.

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s offseason is already off and running.

After being eliminated by the Spurs in seven games in the Western Conference finals, Thunder general manager Sam Presti wasted no time getting his team in order and began retooling the roster when he traded bench player Aaron Wiggins to the Hawks for two second-round picks on Sunday, per multiple reports.

The second-round picks will be executed in 2030 with the Hawks’ pick, and the least favorable of the two will be executed in 2032.

Wiggins is currently playing on a very team-friendly contract where he will be paid $9.2 million this season, $8.3 million in 2027-2028, and has an $8.3 million team option for the following year.

The compensation, while small for a young guard under that team-friendly deal, saves the Thunder $61 million as their luxury tax penalty drops from $213 million to $152 million.

It is certainly possible that the Thunder are accumulating assets to make a bigger splash in Tuesday’s NBA Draft.

Wiggins was mostly buried on the Thunder bench, playing in just 5.8 minutes per game during the Thunder’s playoff run this year, the lowest of his career after being a steady contributor in years prior.

He averaged 21.8 minutes per game during the regular season, averaging 9.4 points, and was a defensive menace on the ball, forcing nearly a steal per game.

Wiggins’ .9 steals per game and .4 bolocks per game were both career highs during the regular season.

The Thunder surely had no problem arming a team in the Eastern Conference with some more firepower to compete with the Knicks after their NBA Finals run.

The Hawks were the only team to beat the Knicks more than once during the postseason and appeared to give Mike Brown’s group the biggest challenge since the playoffs began.

Atlanta also re-signed scoring guard CJ McCollum to a one-year $21 million contract for the upcoming season, which includes a trade kicker if he’s moved.

The Hawks went 46-36 last season in an impressive rebuild after they moved off of Trae Young last offseason.