Category: Basketball

Julius Randle may have missed the parade, but he’s returning to New York City. As a member of the Brooklyn Nets, that is.

On Monday evening, NetsDaily welcomedall to the “Sean Marks Trade Zone,” now that there are under 24 hours to go until the NBA Draft. As we noted: “Nine years out the 10 he’s been GM, with the exception of 2022, Marks has made at least one move in said zone.”

One hour later, Shams Charania of ESPN broke the news that the Brooklyn Nets had traded for Julius Randle in a three-team deal that send Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls…

Just in: Minnesota is sending Julius Randle and the No. 28 pick in the NBA Draft to the Brooklyn Nets in a three-team trade that sends Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls, sources tell ESPN. The Timberwolves will acquire Brooklyn’s No. 33 pick for Randle and No. 28. pic.twitter.com/TvADMMNDlg

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 23, 2026

So now, it’s 10 out of 11 with a day to go!

The trade calculous goes like this:

— The Minnesota Timberwolves clear cap space to sign shooting guard Ayo Dosunmu (which they did to the tune of $112 million over five later in the evening), and a starting role for Naz Reid. They also acquired Mouhamadou Gueye, a second year player who’s on a non-guaranteed deal, and generated a $33.3 million trade exception good for a year.

— The Chicago Bulls receive a functional center for nothing other than the cost of his slightly overpriced $22 million annual salary.

— The Brooklyn Nets receive a three-time NBA All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection making about $69 million over the next two seasons, or just over 20% of the cap. Put plainly: The Brooklyn Nets just paid $27 million over the next two seasons to replace Claxton with Randle. They also got a second first round pick, the No. 28, from the Timberwolves.

Randle will turn 32 years old in November, and just averaged 21/7/5 in his second and final season with the Wolves, during which there was noise about his fit (or lack thereof) in the locker room. With the Nets, Randle gets to return to New York City, where he wore a Knick uniform for five seasons, and attempt to help lead the Nets toward a playoff spot.

The pick the Nets acquired is the result of an exchange of first and a second rounders five places apart: Brooklyn gets the No. 28 pick from Minnesota in return for the #33 pick. As of Monday evening, the Nets currently own the Nos. 6, 28, and 43 picks in the 2026 NBA Draft, which begins on Tuesday evening. Minnesota likely agreed to swap picks as a cost-cutting maneuver; the financial difference between any first-rounder and second-rounder, even just five spots apart, is significant. The 28th pick will make a guaranteed $3 million next season. The second rounder carries no such guarantee. Currently, the Nets are looking at eight players making $38.1 million on rookie deals next season, namely the Flatbush 5, Noah Clowney plus the two firsts.

Yossi Gozlan of the Third Apron laid out the Nets financial situation following the trade…

The Nets increase their payroll by $13 million by trading Nic Claxton for Julius Randle and #28.

They have $20.2 million in room remaining and the $9.4 million room mid-level to spend after.

They now have 15 first-round picks through 2033, including two selections tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/gkssN205t5

— Yossi Gozlan (@YossiGozlan) June 23, 2026

The cap figure could go up if, as expected, the Nets do not exercise their team options on Day’ron Sharpe, Ziaire Williams, Josh Minott and Malachi Smith.

As for the Nets going into the Draft, the trade doesn’t necessarily mark the end of their activity in the trade market. They could use the No 28 pick (in conjunction with the 43rd pick and/or of the 10 tradeable firsts they have) to continue moving up in the first round. The trade won’t be finalized for a couple weeks.

Nic Claxton was the No. 31 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, and was the only Net to witness the entire rise and fall of the squad. The Clean Sweep signing, the Steve Nash experience, both James Harden trades, the arrival and departure of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, his own leap and subsequent decline, the tanking years, all of it.

One NBA decision-maker said that the trade could be a needed tonic for Claxton. “Claxton looks so disinterested,” the executive told ND. “Needs a new home. Too much losing impacts his mentality. Will be better somewhere else. “

Now, he’s a Chicago Bull. Time flies.

Randle on the other hand is on his fifth NBA team after being drafted by the Lakers in 2014. He played four years in Los Angeles, one in New Orleans, five in New York and the last two in Minnesota. His most productive seasons in terms of individual stats came with the Knicks where over his tenure he put up better 22 points a game, grabbed nearly 1o boards and nearly five assists, winning the Most Improved Player award in 2021. But the Knicks did not win and Leon Rose sent him to Minnesota in a blockbuster trade that brought Karl-Anthony Towns to MSG. We know how that worked out.

One fan who might need some explaining is Randle’s young son Kyden who was famously depicted exiting Barclays Center in tears back in 2021 after his father’s Knicks lost to the Nets. “I hate them,” Kyden told his mother, pointing at a sign featuring Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden…

.@J30_RANDLE's son does NOT LIKE THE NETS. 😭

(🎥: @KendraRandle_) pic.twitter.com/avkxrfh8Fc

— theScore (@theScore) April 6, 2021

It’s a business, Kyden. Ask Nic Claxton.

• Nets trade for Julius Randle in three-team deal in pre-NBA draft stunner – Brian Lewis – New York Post
• Sources: Wolves to trade Randle to Nets; Claxton off to Bulls – Dave McMenamin – ESPN
• Nets to acquire Julius Randle, first-round pick in trade sending Nic Claxton to Bulls: report ($) – C.J. Holmes – New York Daily News
• Timberwolves trade Julius Randle to Nets in 3-team trade involving Bulls – Brett Siegel – Clutch Points
• Breaking Down Randle Trade To Nets – Steve Lichtenstein – Steve’s Newsletter

An NBA trade broke late Monday night … but not that one.

As much of the league is awaiting resolution with Giannis Antetokounmpo, a three-team trade has reportedly come through that sends forward Julius Randle from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Brooklyn Nets.

According to ESPN, Randle and Minnesota’s No. 28 selection in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft are headed to Brooklyn for the No. 33 pick — tantamount to a salary dump — while the Nets are shipping center Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls.

By trading Randle, the Timberwolves are unloading his $33.3 million salary next season, leaving space for Minnesota to fill out its roster.

BLOCKBUSTER: Giannis Antetokounmpo moves to Miami after Bucks pull off trade with Heat

Guard Ayo Dosunmu, who emerged as an offensive force for the Timberwolves in the playoffs, is set to become an unrestricted free agent once the new league year begins, and the Timberwolves have already made an offer to retain their new star with a five-year contract after they acquired him before the February trading deadline.

Randle, who has spent the past two seasons in Minnesota after being traded from the New York Knicks as part of the Karl-Anthony Towns blockbuster deal, also has a player option for 2027-28, worth $35.8 million. The 31-year-old averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5 assists and 1.1 steals per game, while shooting 48.1% from the field in 79 games this past season.

The Nets, who have abundant cap space, add another veteran into their program, and the Bulls shore up their front court after they traded Nikola Vučević in February.

Dosunmu agrees to return to Minnesota on 5-year deal

Free agent guard Ayo Dosunmu intends to sign a five-year, $112 million contract to return to the Minnesota Timberwolves, with a player option in the fifth season, ESPN reported late Monday night.

Free agent guard Ayo Dosunmu intends to sign a five-year, $112 million contract to return to the Minnesota Timberwolves, with a player option in the fifth season, sources tell ESPN. Timberwolves made it a major priority to lock in Dosunmu after his tremendous postseason. pic.twitter.com/xw93nAUhJt

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 23, 2026

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Julius Randle trade: Timberwolves, Nets, Bulls engage in 3-team deal

One of the first trade dominos dropped Monday evening, but it wasn’t what everyone was waiting for. Well, everyone outside of Minnesota at least. ESPN‘s Shams Charania announced that the Timberwolves are salary dumping Julius Randle to the Brooklyn Nets, attaching pick number 28 in tomorrow’s draft in order to do so.

The loss of Randle was to be expected.

It was speculated that after his name was included in trade rumors for Giannis Antetokounmpo last February, he had somewhat checked out. It was evident in his play to end the regular season, and even more so in the postseason. If it wasn’t clear that his days in Minnesota were numbered by then, he skipped exit interviews altogether.

The “return” that Minnesota’s President of Basketball Operations, Tim Connelly, for being able to ship out Randle might seem lackluster at first. No matter what your opinion is of Randle and his final months in a Wolves jersey, this is still a multi-time All-NBA and All-Star player who is in the middle of his prime. He had a huge hand in defeating both the Lakers and Warriors during the Wolves 2025 playoff run. Next year, bottom-feeding teams hoping to avoid the “relegation zone” will enjoy the extra regular season wins that the 31-year-old will likely bring. He is set to make a somewhat modest 20% of the salary cap this upcoming year, as well as a player option for the same amount in the 2027-2028 season.

Having to attach a late first round pick doesn’t look great for a guy who was the featured return for recent NBA champion, Karl-Anthony Towns.

That said, it is clear as day that Randle’s fit with this iteration of the Timberwolves had been clunky, and somehow became even clunkier. His lack of consistent effort and focus on the defensive end, as well as his tunnel-vision style of offense, has been maddening for Minnesota fans to watch. He was rendered useless in the final playoff series for the Wolves the last two years. Being able to shed his salary to gear up for bigger moves has to be considered a win.

Minnesota does acquire the 33rd pick of the draft (second round taking place on Wednesday), and that should be of note as well. Will Connelly just send it away for another seven-foot giant, future seconds and cash considerations like he did with the 31st pick last year? Or will he draft a future three-time MVP? 50-50, I’d say.

This now sets the stage for the Wolves to have lots of wiggle room to handle the negotiation of unrestricted free agent, Ayo Dosunmu. A player who Connelly publicly announced as their highest priority this summer. Perhaps most exciting will be the fact that Naz Reid‘s time as a bench player has finally come to an end. Unless the Wolves make another dramatic move this summer, the former Sixth Man of the Year will finally be able to take center stage along with the core of Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels.

It’s thrilling to think about what Minnesota will look like now. Reid isn’t without his own flaws, especially on the defensive end. However, advanced metrics has long been favorable to the pairing of Reid and Gobert for multiple seasons now. The Wolves will inevitably be playing with more offensive pace as well.

The future is now.

With the draft looming, trade rumours are flying once again. By the looks of things, Milwaukee may be the first team to start an “everything must go” sale. After an underwhelming season that ended 11 games behind even play-in contention, the era of Giannis in the Cream City could very well be over.

If he departs, it’s likely the Bucks will try to unload as many older players as they can, starting their rebuild with a stockpile of assets. Picks, young players, and space in the salary book will be at a premium for them. 

Inevitably, other teams are now waiting to see what they can scavenge from this roster to bolster their own. The good news is Toronto might be one of those teams.

Toronto’s need at center was made abundantly clear with a first round exit caused by Jarrett Allen who put Cleveland on his back in game 7. Who better than to go toe-to-toe with the likes of Allen and the league’s other big men than Myles Turner?

Myles is 11 years into his career. He’s pretty solid, playing at least 60 games every season except for two. In his best year, he averaged almost 18 points and 8 rebounds with over 2 blocks a game. He’s a great 3-point shooter, cashing in over 38% on 5.4 attempts per game last season. He’s also a good rim protector and lob threat, and moves well in pick and roll situations:

MYLES TURNER UNLOADS WITH TWO HANDS 😳

🏀 Pacers/Bucks on ESPN
🏆 Winner advances to Championship in Las Vegas on Saturday pic.twitter.com/9ZFVCMP1qr

— NBA (@NBA) December 7, 2023

Basically exactly what we need. 

His stint in Milwaukee didn’t do him any favors, as he dropped across pretty much every statistical category in his sole year there. Largely due to the players he had around him and lower usage, but he definitely didn’t look like he did with the pacers, especially with a polished guard like Tyrese Haliburton setting him up. 

He fits our timeline, would have solid guards to set him up, and would likely fill one of the most significant gaps that currently exists. The real question is what we have to offer to Milwaukee. Turner is owed almost 84 million over the next three years, so matching it while still providing value is the biggest hurdle.

Trade Proposal: Jakob Poeltl, Gradey Dick, and a first round pick

Poeltl needs to be a part of the deal to match salary. He’s solid, but his contract isn’t and he doesn’t match the timeline for the Bucks at all. A straight one-to-one doesn’t make sense for Milwaukee.  He could be moved, but there isn’t really anyone in the league that would want him for the money he’s being paid.

Gradey’s year hurt his stock badly, and while it’s more than possible he could bounce back from this, especially with the lack of opportunity he had this year, he is young and fits the timeline and could develop into a solid piece. 

Still, not the most alluring for the Bucks.

Hence the pick. Mikal Bridges pulled five first rounders (but they got a championship so honestly who cares). Harden garnered three, and Gobert was four. Myles is not the caliber of some of those guys, so I would hope one would be the most we’d have to part with. Ideally, it’s next year’s pick though so Toronto is able to shore up other needs in the draft tomorrow.

Only time will tell, but this would definitely be a step in the right direction for the Raptors.

The Nets — who always seem to deal right before draft night — have been looking to add a second first-round pick and another veteran scorer. They pulled off both, landing Julius Randle and the 28th pick for Nic Claxton and No. 33 in a three-team swap.

The Nets — one of the few teams in the league with ample cap space — used it to acquire Randle, a two-time All-NBA forward and three-time All-Star. They also moved up from the top of the second round into the bottom of the first in a loaded draft, and potentially opened a starting spot for Day’Ron Sharpe.

GM Sean Marks shipped Claxton to Chicago, and since the Bulls are acquiring the center with cap space, the deal — first reported by ESPN and confirmed by The Post — can’t be finalized until July 6. The Nets will keep the No. 6 overall pick — likely to be used on a lead guard — and also have Nos. 28 and 43.

The 6-foot-9, 250-pound Randle was just one year into a three-year, $100 million deal with Minnesota, but the Timberwolves were desperate to free up cap space to re-sign guard Ayo Dosunmu (and a starting spot for Naz Reid). Now the former Knick — who spent five years in the Garden — comes back to New York.

Michael Porter Jr. shouldered the burden of being Brooklyn’s lone reliable scorer last season. Randle averaged 21.1 points and 6.7 rebounds in 79 games.

With Randle earning $33.3 million this season and having a player option of $35.8 million next season, Brooklyn increased its payroll by $13 million. They’ll still maintain $20.2 million in room left, per cap guru Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron, and have the $9.4 million room mid-level to spend afterward.

Brooklyn now has 15 first-round picks through 2033, including two Tuesday.

Two among Louisville’s Mikel Brown, Illinois’ Keaton Wagler and Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr. should still be on the board at No. 6. But with Wagler likely to be off the board, Brown — with deep range, an elite passing bag and a risk-taking mentality that must get reined in — has had at least three meetings and one workout with the Nets.

“Yeah, it’s definitely a relationship built there,” Brown said. “Talking with them constantly, with Mr. Marks and Coach Jordi [Fernández], the biggest thing that he emphasized — if I get selected to go there — is building that relationship with Jordi.

“At the end of the day, you’ve got to have a great connection from point guard to point guard. [Fernández] played point guard as well. So to be able to pick his brain on a lot of things and learn his system and to be able to come in and make an impact right away was big.”

Ex-Nets assistant GM Bobby Marks — now an ESPN insider — told The Post that taking three first-round guards last year shouldn’t deter them from taking another, because that’s where the value sits at No. 6. He also said they might be best suited using cap space in trades rather than signings, and that’s exactly what they did.

Acuff has both visited with and worked out for the Nets and is the most polished offensive guard in the class, but his defense is a concern. Wagler worked out for the Bulls (who have the fourth pick) and the Clippers (who’ll select fifth), then canceled a scheduled workout for Brooklyn.

“Just hearing from them and kind of just knowing where I stood, I kind of knew I didn’t need to work out,” said Wagler.

Brown said he would be excited to land with the Nets.

“It’d mean a lot. Big city. It’s the big city, bright lights. A lot of big-time names come out of Brooklyn, so to be able to represent that means a lot,” said Brown.

“I would handle it. I’m very calm and down to earth. I’m about this basketball stuff. I keep the main thing the main thing. The focus is to try to win a championship.”

St. John’s star Zuby Ejiofor, Texas wing Dailyn Swain or Houston forward Chris Cenac Jr. — who said of joining the Nets, “I think it would be great, I love New York City” — could be targets at No. 28.

The Nets are acquiring Julius Randle from the Minnesota Timberwolves in a three-team trade that will see Brooklyn send Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls.

The deal, as first reported by ESPN's Shams Charania, will see Brooklyn send a second-round pick (No. 33 overall) in Tuesday's NBA Draft to Minnesota, in exchange for Randle and a first-round selection (No. 28 overall).

The Nets will send Claxton to Chicago, who will use cap space to add the center, meaning the deal can not be made official until July 6. The Bulls are also sending Mouhamadou Gueye, a 27-year-old forward out of Staten Island and the University of Pittsburgh, to Minnesota.

Randle, 31, spent the past two seasons in Minnesota after he was acquired in a three-team deal with the Knicks and Hornets that saw Karl-Anthony Towns join New York in late September 2024.

In 79 games last season with the Wolves, Randle averaged 21.1 points on 48.1 percent shooting with 6.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.1 steals in 33 minutes.

He played five seasons with the Knicks, making three All-Star teams and two All-NBA Teams (second in 2021 and third in 2023). He was the league's Most Improved Player in 2021, when he averaged 24.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 6.0 assists while playing 37.6 minutes.

Claxton, 27, was the 31st overall pick (Round 2) by Brooklyn in the 2019 draft. He appeared in 69 games for the Nets last season and averaged 11.7 points on 57.1 percent shooting with 6.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks in 27.8 minutes. In total, Claxton played 380 games (297 starts) with the club over the first seven seasons of his career.

Brooklyn now has two selections to make in the first round, No. 6 and No. 28. Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr. and Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr.are seen as possibilities for the first of those two picks. The Nets also have the No. 43 selection for Round 2 on Wednesday.

Editor's note: USA TODAY Sports is providing live updates for the Fever vs. Mercury here.

It might be the NBA offseason, but Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton is still dishing assists.

Haliburton was sitting courtside at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the Indiana Fever's matchup against the Phoenix Mercury on Monday, June 22 when he sprang into action.

After the ball got lodged behind the backboard with 8:22 remaining in the first quarter, Haliburton used a Fever court mop to poke it free so play could resume. After successfully completing the task, Haliburton gave a triumphant fist pump as the crowd applauded his efforts.

good looks, Ty 🦸‍♂️ https://t.co/CF8nCCM5Bypic.twitter.com/XMcTAGBiFj

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) June 23, 2026

Haliburton has been a mainstay at Indiana Fever games and attended the Fever's season-opening loss to the Dallas Wings last month.

Haliburton is just returning the favor. Caitlin Clark and several Fever players, including Lexie Hull and Aliyah Boston, attended multiple NBA playoff games in support of the Pacers' run to the 2025 NBA Finals. Haliburton suffered a right Achilles tear in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals and subsequently missed the 2025-26 season.

Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at @CydHenderson.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news —  Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tyrese Haliburton gives Indiana Fever an assist with stuck ball

In the war room where it happens, on the eighth floor of HSS Training Center in Sunset Park, this is crunchtime, and not just for the Draft. Historically, Sean Marks makes most of his trades right around the Draft, not the trade deadline in February … that is, if you don’t count the superstar distress sales sending James Harden, Kyrie Irving and Kyrie Irving elsewhere.

So, we have now entered, once again, the “Sean Marks Trade Zone,” the 48-hour window on either side of the Draft when in the past, a lot of has happened in that room. Before Monday night, nine years out the 10 he’s been GM, Marks has made at least one move in said zone: a trade, a signing, etc. Then shortly after 10 p.m. Monday, ET, he did it again. Why is the Draft so popular? Unlike the trade deadline, everyone and everything is available. And there’s a deadline.

Some were small, but a few not so small, like trading the franchise’s leading scorer, Brook Lopez, and the 27th pick, for D’Angelo Russell in 2017, or the 2024 combo of the Mikal Bridges trade with New York, after a 43-year hiatus, and the exchange of picks with the Rockets.

Here’s the record.

2016

On the morning of the Draft, the Nets traded Thaddeus Young to the Pacers for the rights to Caris LeVert and a future second, which became Kessler Edwards in 2021 Draft. Young’s wife at first said she couldn’t believe it, having liked her time in Brooklyn, but then noted it was Woj who broke it.

2017

The Tuesday afternoon before the Thursday night draft, the Nets traded Brook Lopez and the rights to the 27th pick, Kyle Kuzma, to the Lakers for D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov. An extremely unpopular move at the time. Lopez had broken the Nets all-time scoring record on the last night of the season, but the Nets saw the move as “transformative.” D’Lo at the time was 21 years old and a former No. 2 overall pick.

2018

Nets traded Mozgov, two future second rounders and $5 million in cash to the Hornets for Dwight Howard who they waived. At first, it looked like the trade would finally end the “Dwightmare” that had consumed fans and the organization since 2012 when at the last minute the All-NBA center opted out of a trade that would have brought him to New Jersey. Nets saved $17 million in the deal.

2019

On Draft Night, the Nets traded the rights to Mfiondu Kabengele to the Clippers for a first rounder in 2020 and the rights to Jaylen Hands, a salary dump to prepare for the Clean Sweep and the need for cap space to pay KD, Kyrie and D.J. (A couple of weeks earlier, they had traded Allen Crabbe and two firsts, including the 17th pick in 2019, which turned into Nickeil Alexander-Walker, for Taurean Prince and a future second which turned into Marcus Zegarowski. Prince was a good friend of Durant’s.)

2020

The Nets, Pistons and Clippers did a three-team deal broken into two components, one two days before the Draft, the other during the second round on Draft Night. The Nets sent out Dzanan Musa, the rights to Hands, a future second, the rights to Saddiq Bey, getting Bruce Brown, Shamet and the rights to Reggie Perry in return.

2021

Two hours before the Draft, the Nets traded Landry Shamet to the Clippers for Jevon Carter and the 29th pick, giving the Nets two picks late in the first round. The pick was more important than Carter because without it, the Nets would have had to choose between Cam Thomas and Day’Ron Sharpe. Instead, they were able to draft both … and the rest, as they say, is history.

2022

The Nets had no picks but the ringer on the mobile phones were set at the highest volume. Brooklyn had no picks in the Draft. There was talk that another team had offered a first rounder for Cam Thomas but the Nets declined. Of course, the big news of the week was the report that Kyrie Irving had given the Nets a list of five teams he’d prefer if he and the Nets couldn’t reach an agreement on an extension. Nothing evolved … then.

2023

This one came a couple of days after the Draft: Cam Johnson, acquired in the February 9 trade that had sent Kevin Durant to Phoenix, agreed to a four-year, $108 million deal, higher than most pundits had expected but more than enough to scare away the competition. A few days later, Marks dispatched Joe Harris and Patty Mills along with three second rounders and big trade exceptions.

2024

It looked like a boring Draft Night. The Brooklyn Nets had no picks in either round of what looked like the worst selection in a quarter century. It was. Then, all of a sudden, things changed… big time. The Nets made two ginormous trades, one with the Knicks that sent Mikal Bridges across the East River to the Knicks, returning five first round picks, a first round swap and a second rounder, and a pick exchange with the Rockets in which the Nets got their 2025 and 2026 first rounders back and the Rockets both picks and swaps. The two were for all intents and purposes, one big deal that saw 10 picks and swaps change hands. It changed the trajectory of the franchise for years.

2025

The night before the Draft, in their first big salary dump of the off-season, the Nets facilitated a deal between the Celtics and the Hawks, the biggest piece being Kristaps Porzingis, and was rewarded with the 22nd pick the next night. The pick became Drake Powell; the cost $1.1 million in cash. The team also acquired Terance Mann and his $47 million, three-year deal. Then between the first and second nights of the Draft, the Nets traded their own second round pick, re-acquired in the Bridges trade, to the Suns for two future seconds, the first of which will be the Nets 43rd pick in Tuesday’s draft. The was later folded into the seven-team trade that sent Kevin Durant to the Rockets.

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In 2026? We’ve already seen the three-team trade that will bring Julius Randle to Brooklyn and send Nic Claxton to Chicago. Should we expect more? Of course.

Michigan head coach Dusty May is leaving the Wolverines and heading to the NBA, becoming the Dallas Mavericks next head coach.

Here are the key takeaways from May’s departure.

Current college basketball climate swayed May’s decision

Matt Norlander of CBS Sports had some enlightening insight into a conversation he had with May back in April. Dealing with agents of transfer portal players and all the NIL dealings presently and the roster turnover that goes along with it are just some of the factors that influenced May heading to the Mavericks. Further, May wanted to test his chops in the NBA.

From CBS Sports

I remember how May stopped texting and looked up from this phone when I asked him: “Do you think you’ll be coaching Michigan in three or four years?”

“No,” he admitted. “I can’t see myself doing this for too much longer.”

By that he meant: running a college basketball program when roster prices were increasing by 300% every year. The constant roster churn, the lack of the NCAA’s institutional control over college basketball, the way the system stole some of the fervor and celebration windows from Michigan’s coaching staff after pulling off one of the best seasons of the past two decades. 

May told me he aspired to coach in the NBA someday. He craved to know if he could do it and felt compelled to eventually find out — especially if the state of college basketball was going to be perpetually chaotic. I left him wondering how long it would take for that day to arrive.

Warde Manuel has a habit of losing championship coaches

Jim Harbaugh won a national championship for the football program and then departed for the Los Angeles Chargers after Manuel said a contract was being worked at the podium of the national championship celebration. Manuel then did the same thing after Michigan basketball won the national championship, saying that a new contract with May was agred upon only for May to leave for the Mavericks a little over two months later.

Maize n Brew’s Nick Durand summed up Manuel’s lack of getting deals done perfectly

Yet that’s what the university has become under Manuel’s leadership. In both May’s and Harbaugh’s cases, rumored contract extensions were on the table for them at the time of their departures. In fact, Manuel claimed at the national title celebration that he and May agreed to terms on a new contract. It’s not abnormal for coaches to have aspirations beyond just winning a national title at the college level; Harbaugh’s flirtations with the NFL were no secret, and the same was clearly true for May. It shouldn’t matter, though, when your university is one of the best, richest and historic in the nation.

The Mavericks job is an appealing one

The Mavericks have a young star in Cooper Flagg and a still game-changing veteran in Kyrie Irving. The Mavericks have three picks in the NBA Draft, which starts on Tuesday, and the Mavericks could wind up drafting one or two Michigan players.

From The Athletic’s Christian Clark

In coaching circles, the Mavericks’ job was considered appealing because of Flagg’s presence. The Mavericks are expected to go into next season with Flagg and Kyrie Irving as cornerstones. They control the Nos. 9, 30 and 48 selections in this week’s NBA Draft.

They have discussed a variety of trade-back scenarios, including one, according to league sources, that would net Dallas the No. 16 pick that Memphis currently controls. Three Michigan players who suited up for May last season — Aday Mara, Morez Johnson Jr. and Yaxel Lendeborg — are expected to be first-round picks Tuesday.

A former TCU men’s basketball star is getting involved with his alma mater in a special advisory role.

Desmond Bane, a six-year NBA veteran and former first-round draft selection in 2020, has been named TCU’s chief basketball officer. In this role, Bane will serve as a special advisor to head coach Jamie Dixon and volunteer his time to the men’s basketball program. The role is described on TCU’s website as a mentorship role where Bane will “offer guidance on career management and serve as a liaison to the NBA.”

Welcome to the staff, Desmond Bane!

🤝 CBO @DBane0625#GoFrogspic.twitter.com/zB3KElZAX7

— TCU Men's Basketball (@TCUBasketball) June 22, 2026

Bane, who currently plays for the Orlando Magic, averaged 20.1 points and shot 39.1 percent from 3-point range while starting all 82 games. Bane played his first five years with the Memphis Grizzlies. At TCU, Bane was a two-time All-Big 12 selection and still ranks as the Horned Frogs’ all-time leader in 3-pointers (249), wins (84) and games played (141). Bane also ranks third all-time in points with 1,784, third with 659 made field goals and fifth in 3-point accuracy at 43.3 percent. His No. 1 jersey was retired at TCU on Feb. 18, 2025.

As a freshman, Bane guided the Horned Frogs to the 2017 NIT Championship, the program’s first postseason championship. The following season, Bane led TCU to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 20 years while leading the Big 12 in 3-point accuracy at 46.1 percent. As a junior, Bane was an All-Big 12 Second Team selection and an USBWA All-District VII choice.

The right man for the job

🔗 https://t.co/DruesudA42#GoFrogspic.twitter.com/REX7bSsJkm

— TCU Men's Basketball (@TCUBasketball) June 22, 2026

As a senior in 2019-20, Bane averaged 16.6 points, which ranked second in the Big 12. He became the first TCU player to earn All-Big 12 First Team and also earned USBWA All-District VII and NABC All-District 8 honors. He never missed a game in his career and missed just one practice.

Thus far in free agency, I’m absolutely loving what the Phoenix Suns are doing. They entered the offseason prioritizing the returns of both Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin, and they’ve successfully brought both players back on what I would consider franchise-friendly contracts. That is important on numerous levels. It sends a message to the rest of the league that if you come to Phoenix, put in the work, and develop within the organization, you’re going to be compensated for it. More importantly, it shows that the Suns are beginning to create an environment where players want to stay.

Gillespie could have chased more money. Goodwin likely had other opportunities available to him as well. Yet both chose to remain in Phoenix. Part of that is financial security. Part of that is opportunity. But part of it is also being part of a franchise that values you and puts you in a position to succeed.

For a team that continues to talk about alignment, identity, and development, these signings reinforce that message. And that’s a very positive place for the Suns to be.

When you look at the Collin Gillespie contract, four years and $48 million, it’s exactly where I felt the contract would land. If you look at who the Phoenix Suns are today and who they might ultimately want to become, the Gillespie contract helps accomplish both the short-term and long-term goals of the franchise.

In the short term, the Suns are still trying to understand what it means to have Jalen Green on the roster. Yes, it’s not ideal to have someone who could be viewed as duplicative of Devin Booker, your highest-paid player. But in the same breath, he really isn’t. Green is less of a combo guard and more of a true two guard than Booker. He also attacks the rim with far more frequency and aggression than Booker does. 

In the modern NBA, where many teams employ two combo guards in the backcourt, having Green isn’t the worst thing in the world. I’d argue Bradley Beal was a much worse fit. A big part of that was the size of his contract and the existence of the no-trade clause.

Jalen Green is owed $72.3 million over the next two seasons, but the unfortunate reality for the Suns is that they only got 32 games to evaluate him last year. That simply wasn’t enough time to fully understand how he fits in Phoenix and whether extending him down the road is the right decision.

Because of those injuries, the door opened for Collin Gillespie to earn more starting opportunities, and he took advantage of them. Make no mistake about it, he earned the contract he just signed with Phoenix. There are plenty of teams around the NBA that would love to have a player of his caliber. He’s a quality three-point shooter, an aggressive defender, and somebody who competes every possession.

Did he begin to fade at the end of the season? Absolutely. It looked like shoulder issues, fatigue, and the grind of a long NBA season finally caught up with him. That’s understandable given the role he was asked to assume. Even so, when you look at the numbers, lineups featuring Gillespie alongside Devin Booker and Jalen Green actually performed well. Three guard lineups featuring that trio posted a +6.7 net rating and were a +46 overall in plus-minus.

I'm not a fan of the PHX 3-guard lineups, as it puts Brooks out of position, shrinks the defense, and limits interior scoring

That said, here is what Booker/Green/Gillespie lineups produced last year:

21 GP
224 MP
+46 +/-
47.0 FG%
42.0 3PT%
118.4 OFFRTG
111.7 DEFRTG
+6.7 NETRTG pic.twitter.com/zeP6YOM1zK

— John Voita, III (@DarthVoita) June 21, 2026

All that being said, I still believe the best path forward for Phoenix is utilizing Gillespie off the bench and fully leaning into the Booker and Green backcourt. The Suns need to find out exactly what that pairing can become. Doing so also allows Dillon Brooks to slide into his natural position at small forward, while giving the Suns flexibility at power forward. Whether that’s a sophomore version of Rasheer Fleming earning those minutes, or Royce O’Neale once again stepping into the role to provide additional shooting, Phoenix has options.

Perhaps most importantly, they’re all familiar faces. Yes, continuity is part of the short-term process, and bringing back both Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin helps accomplish that. But that’s the beauty of the Gillespie contract.

Right now, he essentially serves in a T.J. McConnell-type role as a backup point guard, and he’s being paid similar money. If he continues to come off the bench, that’s stability for your second unit. It gives the Suns someone who can play aggressively on both sides of the ball, shoot from the perimeter, and help maintain the team’s identity when the starters sit. When you zoom out and look at the long-term landscape of the organization, that’s where the real value of the contract comes into focus.

Let’s play out a hypothetical. Let’s say next season the Suns determine that Jalen Green next to Devin Booker isn’t the right fit. That the overlap is real, and that moving Green with one year remaining on his contract becomes the best path forward. A player carrying a $36 million expiring contract should return assets, whether that’s players, draft picks, or some combination of the two. At that point, you can slide Gillespie into the starting lineup.

Now your starting point guard is making an average annual salary of roughly $12 million. That’s tremendous value. That’s why this deal works for both the short-term and the long-term viability of the Suns. In the present, Gillespie provides stability, depth, and continuity. In the future, he gives the organization optionality if circumstances change. Those are the kinds of contracts good organizations make.

That’s why I like this deal so much. The Suns didn’t simply retain a good player. They retained flexibility. They rewarded development. They reinforced continuity. And they did it without committing star-level money to a role player.

Maybe Gillespie spends the next four years coming off the bench as the steady hand running the second unit. If that’s the outcome, the contract still works. Every good team needs players who understand their role, embrace it, and consistently deliver value. But if circumstances change, and they always do in the NBA, Phoenix now has options. If Jalen Green proves to be a long-term fit, Gillespie remains one of the better backup point guards in basketball on a manageable contract. If Green ultimately isn’t the answer, the Suns already have a proven alternative in-house.

That’s what makes this deal feel different. It isn’t solely about what Collin Gillespie is today. It’s about what he allows the Suns to be tomorrow. Stability now. Optionality later. For a franchise trying to build something sustainable while navigating the realities of the second apron era, that’s exactly the kind of contract you want on your books.

Draft season is lying season.

It’s ill-advised to read too much into the tea leaves.

But everything the Nets do — and everything league insiders say — points toward GM Sean Marks picking the best available player Tuesday at Barclays Center.

And more and more, that’s looking like it could be Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr.

In this generational class with a host of elite lead guards, two among Brown, Illinois’ Keaton Wagler and Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr. should still be on the board at No. 6.

And of the trio, Brown — with deep range, an elite passing bag and a risk-taking mentality that must get reined in — appears to be the likeliest pick and to have developed the closest relationship with the team.

“Yeah, it’s definitely a relationship built there,” Brown said. “Talking with them constantly, with Mr. Marks and Coach Jordi [Fernández], the biggest thing that he emphasized — if I get selected to go there — is building that relationship with Jordi.

“At the end of the day, you’ve got to have a great connection from point guard to point guard. Head coach [Fernández] played point guard as well. So to be able to pick his brain on a lot of things and learn his system and to be able to come in and make an impact right away was big.”

Speaking of point guards, ex-Nets assistant GM Bobby Marks — now an ESPN insider — told The Post that taking three first-round guards last year shouldn’t deter them from taking another, because that’s where the value sits at No. 6.

While they’ve looked at moving up, getting into the top four may be cost prohibitive, and Brown may have the most star upside outside that group.

Acuff has both visited with and worked out for the Nets and is the most polished offensive guard in the class, but his defense is a concern. 

“Every team you go to make you play defense, so you do different defensive drills,” said Acuff. “You’ve got to show you can defend a little bit.”

Wagler worked out for the Bulls (who have the fourth pick) and the Clippers (who’ll select fifth), then canceled a scheduled workout for Brooklyn.

“I already worked out for the Bulls, and then I was going to the Clippers. That’s four and five. Just hearing from them and kind of just knowing where I stood, I kind of knew I didn’t need to work out,” Wagler said. “Still meeting with teams and talking to them … but I just felt like I didn’t need to work out, honestly.”

Houston guard Kingston Flemings told ClutchPoints he hasn’t met or worked out with the Nets, who’ve also been linked with Tennessee forward Nate Ament and Michigan behemoth Aday Mara.

But the Ament buzz has the feel of misdirection.

And all the signs point to Brown — as do the mock drafts.

“It’d mean a lot. Big city. It’s the big city, bright lights. A lot of big-time names come out of Brooklyn, so to be able to represent that means a lot,” said Brown, confident of handling the spotlight of being the face of a New York rebuild.

“I would handle it. I’m very calm and down to earth. I’m about this basketball stuff. I keep the main thing the main thing. The focus is to try to win a championship.”

After suffering the ignominy of watching the Knicks actually win a title, Brooklyn needs to move from two years of tanking to building a foundation that can compete.

This pick will be the biggest brick in that foundation.

To that end, the Nets met with Brown at least three times — including a workout in Brooklyn and visiting his family in Orlando.

“It’s definitely unique,” Brown said of the visit. “Obviously there’s definitely been interest there, as there is in almost every single other team. But yeah, definitely, it made an impact. They got to talk to my mom and my dad. It was a great conversation.”

Will it be the start of a great relationship?

Miami Heat acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo in blockbuster trade with Bucks, according to reports originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Greek Freak is relocating.

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo was traded to the Miami Heat, according to news reports.

In one of the biggest trades in NBA history, the Heat acquired Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis from the Milwaukee Bucks, in exchange for Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis and a massive package of draft picks, ESPN and AP reported late Monday.

Milwaukee will receive the No. 13 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The Heat are sending unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 to the Bucks. Miami is also including a 2030 pick swap and a 2033 second-round pick in the trade.

According to ESPN, Milwaukee chose Miami’s offer over Boston’s because it provided more young talent, draft assets, and long-term flexibility.

The trade marks the end of Giannis’ legendary run in Milwaukee and the start of a new era for both franchises.

Antetokounmpo, 31, is one of the highest-profile players to ever be traded. He is a 10-time All-Star, two-time MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Most Improved Player, NBA champion and Finals MVP.

Over 13 years and 895 games with the Bucks since being drafted in 2013, Antetokounmpo averaged 24.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 5.0 assists. He has played in 84 playoff games, leading the franchise to an NBA title in 2021 after scoring 50 points in the championship-clinching Game 6.

Antetokounmpo has resisted requesting a trade in recent years despite the Bucks’ declining success. The team’s last-ditch effort last offseason was to waive the injured Damian Lillard and sign Myles Turner, which didn’t changed their fortunes. Milwaukee went 32-50 in 2025-26, with Antetokounmpo playing in just 36 games due to injuries.

Now on the Heat, Antetokounmpo will pair with Bam Adebayo as part of a loaded frontcourt. Pat Riley and Co. have plenty of work to do to fill out the roster with free agents, but the core of the team is now locked in.

Antetokounmpo will become eligible to sign a four-year, $275 million supermax extension on Oct. 1, 2026. If he doesn’t sign an extension, he could become an unrestricted free agent next summer in 2027 if he declines his $62.8 million player option.

Miami Heat acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo in blockbuster trade with Bucks, according to reports originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Greek Freak is relocating.

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo was traded to the Miami Heat, according to news reports.

In one of the biggest trades in NBA history, the Heat acquired Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis from the Milwaukee Bucks, in exchange for Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis and a massive package of draft picks, ESPN and AP reported late Monday.

Milwaukee will receive the No. 13 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The Heat are sending unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 to the Bucks. Miami is also including a 2030 pick swap and a 2033 second-round pick in the trade.

According to ESPN, Milwaukee chose Miami’s offer over Boston’s because it provided more young talent, draft assets, and long-term flexibility.

The trade marks the end of Giannis’ legendary run in Milwaukee and the start of a new era for both franchises.

Antetokounmpo, 31, is one of the highest-profile players to ever be traded. He is a 10-time All-Star, two-time MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Most Improved Player, NBA champion and Finals MVP.

Over 13 years and 895 games with the Bucks since being drafted in 2013, Antetokounmpo averaged 24.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 5.0 assists. He has played in 84 playoff games, leading the franchise to an NBA title in 2021 after scoring 50 points in the championship-clinching Game 6.

Antetokounmpo has resisted requesting a trade in recent years despite the Bucks’ declining success. The team’s last-ditch effort last offseason was to waive the injured Damian Lillard and sign Myles Turner, which didn’t changed their fortunes. Milwaukee went 32-50 in 2025-26, with Antetokounmpo playing in just 36 games due to injuries.

Now on the Heat, Antetokounmpo will pair with Bam Adebayo as part of a loaded frontcourt. Pat Riley and Co. have plenty of work to do to fill out the roster with free agents, but the core of the team is now locked in.

Antetokounmpo will become eligible to sign a four-year, $275 million supermax extension on Oct. 1, 2026. If he doesn’t sign an extension, he could become an unrestricted free agent next summer in 2027 if he declines his $62.8 million player option.

AJ Dybantsa expects to be the No. 1 pick.

Darryn Peterson believes he should be the No. 1 pick.

Cameron Boozer said he deserves to be in the conversation for the No. 1 pick. 

There might not be a right answer for the Wizards in Tuesday’s loaded NBA draft at Barclays Center — three impressive prospects who all have an argument to be selected first. 

“There’s definitely competition. You see what they did. Great players who averaged the same amount of points,” Dybantsa said Monday, as the draft green room invitees met members of the media at Lotte New York Palace in Midtown. “But I’m gonna bet on myself.”

The general expectation is that the 6-foot-9 Dybantsa will go first, followed by the 6-5 Peterson and the 6-8 Boozer. A Western Conference executive broke it down this way: Dybantsa is a safe choice with upside, and the Wizards need a No. 1 scoring option. The Jazz, at No. 2, aren’t afraid of taking risks, and finding an elite guard like Peterson is difficult. That leaves the Grizzlies and Boozer at No. 3. That’s not a consolation prize. 

“He will be a stud,” the executive said. 

Boozer had the most successful season of the three, leading Duke to the Elite Eight and the ACC regular-season and postseason crowns. He became the sixth freshman to be the consensus National Player of the Year after averaging 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and shooting 39.1 percent from 3. If not for injuries to his supporting cast, Boozer might have been the first freshman to lead his team to a national championship since Duke’s freshmen in 2015.

Experts, however, see Dybantsa as the top talent in this draft. In his lone year at BYU, he produced 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists, and has been considered the front-runner for quite some time. As early as eighth grade, he was ranked No. 1, and he never lost that spot. 

“He’s the best guy. He’s the most well-rounded player in the first five. There aren’t people who do what he does,” an NBA scout said. “The kid continuously worked on his game and got better. With all the other distractions, he ended up getting better.”

Of the three, Peterson is somewhat of a mystery. He dealt with an assortment of injuries, cramps and illnesses and missed 11 games. Frequently, he played sparingly in the second half of close games. His motor and desire have been questioned. After the season, he told ESPN that high doses of creatine led to severe cramping. 

“The questions that I have are about s–t I can’t answer, and they won’t answer them,” the scout said. 

Despite a recent report that Peterson would only meet with the Wizards, he spent time with the Jazz over the weekend, though he only worked out for Washington. Peterson was adamant he isn’t dodging any team. 

“Whoever takes me, I’m going to come in and be delighted to be there,” he said. 

Asked about the doubts, Peterson responded: “I’m back, period. That’s it. I’m myself again, I’m feeling great. I never felt better, actually.” 

He was impressive when he was on the floor for Kansas, tallying 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and shooting 38.2 percent on 6.9 attempts from distance. Peterson believes he’s the best player in the draft. 

“I’m supposed to [feel that way], I think I prove it all the time,” he said. 

This is far from a three-player draft. North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson would be a No. 1 contender most years and seemingly a lock to go to the Bulls at No. 4. The next wave, featuring guards Mikel Brown Jr. of Louisville, Darius Acuff Jr. of Arkansas, Kingston Flemings of Houston and Keaton Wagler of Illinois, wing Nate Ament of Tennessee and center Aday Mara of Michigan, is full of highly regarded prospects. This draft has been talked about for years as not only being elite at the top but impressively deep. 

“I think there are some hidden gems,” Dybantsa said. “When we see ourselves in 15 years, I think a lot of us will still be in the league, and it will be [considered] one of the best draft classes [ever].”