Fresh off another drama-filled lottery, the league has turned its attention to the NBA Draft Combine, with the 2026 class shaping up to feature some of the best depth in years. Prospects are getting their measurements updated and putting themselves through agility tests, workouts and scrimmages.

With mock drafts popping up from reputable sources and the draft just over a month away, let’s look at what the early indications say the Philadelphia 76ers can do with the 22nd pick.

ESPN (Jeremy Woo): Allen Graves, SF, Santa Clara

ESPN provides some of the better draft coverage out there, with Jeremy Woo spearheading their latest mock. At 22, Woo slots in Santa Clara’s Allen Graves over names like Koa Peat, Isaiah Evans, Dailyn Swain and Amari Allen.

This feels like a strong pick given the available talent. Graves has a smooth offensive game and a legitimate frame to match, measuring 6’7.75 barefoot with a 7’0 wingspan and 8’10.25 standing reach. He had a late growth spurt and brings a lot to the table offensively, with advanced ball skills, a serviceable jumper and consistent playmaking reads. His game personally reminds me of former Sixer Nic Batum, with Naz Reid being another player he shows shades of.

Graves would be a compelling pick at 22. He is relatively unproven in terms of competition level, but there is plenty to like in a vacuum and even more so as a theoretical fit with the Sixers. He could slot in alongside Paul George and Joel Embiid, providing connective play and floor spacing without sacrificing size or mobility.

Yahoo Sports (Kevin O’Connor): Henri Veesaar, C, North Carolina

Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor brings a lot more variation in his latest mock, with names like Swain, Graves and Allen all coming off the board well before pick 22. O’Connor has the Sixers selecting Henri Veesaar, an experienced third-year big out of North Carolina. Notable names still on the board in this mock include Jayden Quaintance, Bennett Stirtz, Tounde Yessoufou and Evans.

This sits toward the ceiling of Veesaar’s range, barring any last-minute rise. Most mocks have him going in the late first round or even into the second.

So what would justify the reach? Veesaar is quite different from most of the bigs Philadelphia has been accustomed to. He features a legitimate perimeter game and a real shooting touch, knocking down over 40 percent from three on solid volume, with enough offensive versatility to do damage in other ways as well. On paper, he has enough of an offensive arsenal to either back up Embiid or play alongside him in supersized lineups.

That said, I would be pretty surprised if Veesaar is the name the Sixers land on at 22. In many eyes he would not be the best available prospect, and it is hard to imagine the team using their highest pick on a big that many draft boards have sliding. However, if Embiid’s availability is that serious of a concern, spending draft capital on a center when the position figures to be overhauled this summer is not without logic.

The Ringer (J. Kyle Mann & Danny Chau): Cameron Carr, SG, Baylor

The Ringer is no stranger to controversial rankings and mock drafts. J. Kyle Mann and Danny Chau are manning their draft board this cycle, and they currently have the Sixers selecting Cameron Carr at 22. Notable names still on the board include Chris Cenac, Karim Lopez, Allen and Evans.

Carr is a fascinating pick for several reasons. He boasts a real frame to grow into, measuring 6’4.5 barefoot with a 7’7.5 wingspan and 8’8 standing reach. He is one of the better off-ball shooters in this class, with a proven jumper to go along with his wiry frame. Similar to VJ Edgecombe, Carr is also an unusually good rim protector for his size and position, offering serious two-way upside in the long view.

So what makes this pick complicated? Carr will need time and development, particularly when it comes to adding weight to his frame. The defensive flashes are real, but he will need to show stronger and more consistent effort on that end, and self-creation on offense is limited at best. Still, factoring in what he brings right now, with a standout frame and a smooth jumper, it is easy to see why the Sixers might be willing to roll with Carr even if he needs some seasoning. He would provide the largest wingspan-to-height ratio among perimeter players in this class, with real vertical ability and the upside to get even better.

If the Sixers are looking for a connective wing who can provide length behind the backcourt without sacrificing perimeter shooting, there are not many names that fit the bill better than Carr.

It’s worth noting that Carr crushed the scrimmage portion of the combine Wednesday, which might put him out of the Sixers’ range.

The Athletic (Sam Vecenie): Amari Allen, SF, Alabama

Last up is The Athletic, led by renowned draft expert Sam Vecenie. In his mock, Vecenie has the Sixers selecting Amari Allen at 22, over names such as Graves, Joshua Jefferson and Yessoufou.

Vecenie describes Allen well in his write-up as a swiss army knife type of player with a wide range of skills. Allen has excellent size at 6’5.25 without shoes, weighing in at nearly 205 pounds, with a 6’8 wingspan and 8’3 standing reach. As a wing, he is one of the better playmakers in this class, capable of making smart reads and playing well within his strengths. Unlike many prospects, he avoids forcing risky passes and rarely turns the ball over or telegraphs his intentions. Allen also features a serviceable jumper, shooting 34 percent from three and 74 percent from the foul line. The percentages are not eye-popping, but his shot passes the eye test. It is smooth and repeatable, and with some minor tweaks, could become a real strength in the years ahead. The closest comp for Allen’s overall game is the Knicks’ Josh Hart, minus the elite rebounding.

Allen’s range varies drastically depending on who you ask. Some analytics have him as high as the late lottery, while others, as seen here, slide him deeper into the first round. Teams are always hunting for wings who can handle, pass and shoot without being a liability on defense, and Allen checks those boxes. If the Sixers want a ball handler outside of their backcourt with plenty of upside to grow into at just 20 years old, they could do a lot worse than Allen at 22.

Crazy fact I found out today: It’s been six years since COVID-19 began.

Now for the shocking news, it turns out it’s actually been eight years since the last time the Knicks played basketball. Would you believe that!?

Here’s the latest from Tarrytown.

🚨Knicks ECF SCHEDULE:

1️⃣
-Sun May 17 (if Det-Cle goes 6)
-Tue May 19 (if Det-Cle goes 7)
2️⃣:
-Tue May 19 (if Det-Cle goes 6)
-Thu May 21 (if Det-Cle goes 7)
3️⃣Sat May 23
4️⃣Mon May 25
5️⃣Wed May 27 (if nec)
6️⃣Fri May 29 (if nec)
7️⃣Sun May 31 (if nec)

⏰TBD
🏟️TBD
📺ESPN &/or ABC pic.twitter.com/CWbx3Vzj33

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) May 14, 2026

Mike Brown

On OG Anunoby’s limited participation in practice on Wednesday:

“(The medical staff) told me what he can do today, and then they’ll tell me what he can do [on Friday], so I don’t know what he’ll be able to do for Game 1. He practiced today, some aspects of it. Some parts of practice. When we went live, he did not go live. Anytime anyone is able to do stuff, you get encouraged.”

On how Anunoby looked during his on-court work:

“The stuff that he went through, he looked fine.”

On balancing preparation, rest and scouting during the layoff:

“You try to get the input of everybody in the different departments, try to do the best you can to keep it competitive while keeping guys sharp while giving them a break as well. That’s what we’re trying to do. We’re trying to mix it up with some live stuff, some shooting stuff while watching some film. Not trying to do the same thing every day. Touching base on both opponents to a certain degree, but making sure it doesn’t get overwhelming. It’s a fine balance.”

On limiting live work this time of year:

“You don’t want to have too many days of live [work]. The last thing you want this time of year is an injury so we mixed in some live today. Not sure if we’ll do it again. Maybe we’ll do it one more day. That would be on feel and based off of whether we play sooner or later.”

On the value of versatility in the postseason:

“You need versatility especially come playoff time. Every step you go the teams are better. They are better on both sides of the ball so it becomes more challenging. But it can be challenging in different ways. To have guys you can move around to help you out is definitely huge.”

On empowering Karl-Anthony Towns and leveraging playmaking bigs:

“It’s my job as a head coach, as well as [our] assistants, to try to put guys in position to help them out. Being able to do stuff off-ball is another way to attack a defense. When you have guys that pass the ball like Draymond Green, like Sabonis, like KAT, you try to utilize their strengths to help others out and make others better. Putting KAT in that position knowing we have great screeners and great cutters, and like I said a great facilitator, it was easier to say, ‘Let’s try it and do it more.’”

On offering condolences following Jason Collins’ passing:

“[Jason] was a great man. I knew him personally through Jarron, and it’s gotta be tough times to go through what they’re going through when you’re dealing with the passing of somebody so young. So my best condolences go out to him, his family and all their friends.”

Jalen Brunson is asked if he, as a star, is bothered at all by not having the ball in his hands as the Knicks' offense adapts:

"One, I'm not a star. Two, I want to win." pic.twitter.com/h0hLqcFEjJ

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) May 13, 2026

Jalen Brunson

On embracing a reduced on-ball role for the team’s benefit:

“Was there any concern (about playing more through KAT)? No. What was the dialogue? The dialogue was, ‘OK, let’s do it.’ It was that simple. There’s not really much you can talk about at that point when you’re down 2-1.”

On rejecting the ‘star’ label and prioritizing winning:

“One, I’m not a star. Two, I want to win. I’m not self-centered. That’s why.”

On maintaining rhythm during the extended layoff:

“I think we have our plan. Obviously, utilize rest, but then when we’re in the gym, no, we’re doing everything we have to do to stay in rhythm, stay having the edge that we need to have.”

On focusing inward while awaiting an opponent:

“Obviously, we have to prepare for one of these two teams. And then we’ve talked about the differences between the two and all that, but just focusing on what makes us the best thing we can be as well.”

On staying focused despite the success to date:

“I think the most important thing is our mentality and making sure that we’re not comfortable.”

On chasing a breakthrough in the conference finals:

“[I’m driven to clear that hurdle] a lot. But it’s something that you can’t just continue to dream about. You’ve got to continue to prepare the way you’ve been preparing and obviously find a way to push through.”

On Mike Brown’s open communication style:

“He’s always one to have open dialogue since Day 1. Obviously, he’s the coach and makes decisions and everything. Whether they’re good or bad opinions, they’re talked about and they’re decided on later. I’m pretty comfortable with it. I think a lot of us are comfortable with it.”

Josh Hart brought a guest to the press conference pic.twitter.com/t9RREezSgz

— Stefan Bondy (@SbondyNBA) May 13, 2026

Josh Hart

On the extended downtime compared to earlier in the playoffs:

“The first series, we had, what, four days break, I think it was? That was good enough, yeah. This right now, I think, what, at least a week… nine days? It’s a long time. Obviously, it’s good for recovery. But mentally, I’m watching the games, I’m just like, just waiting… It’s a little long.”

On keeping the focus internal during the layoff:

“Every day we’re focused on ourselves. Obviously we don’t know who we’re going to play. If we continue to just focus on ourselves and take care of the things that we can take care of we’ll be in a good position. So that’s all today was. The next couple of days until we figure out who we’re going to play. You’re not just a guy that goes out there, plays basketball, sleeps, and goes back out there for a game, so it’s a ton of [free] time, but I think the guys that we have, we talk consistently, whether it’s here, group chat or our own separate conversations.”

On praying through his hand injury scare:

“When I had the hand, I obviously walked back and got X-rays of that. I’m sitting there praying about it. That’s my first go-to. I’m just sitting there praying that I’m healed, praying that I’m good, and I was blessed with it not being a fracture. For what it is, I can play with [it], and I was happy with that.”

On facing pressure after the title-or-bust comments made by James Dolan:

“I don’t think we look at it as a pressure situation. Obviously, we’re in New York and everything that we do is amplified. Whether it’s winning three games in a row [and] people crowned us champions. Lose three games in a row and people crowned us a team that’s tanking. You know what I mean? Our job right now is to stay even, to focus on that task at hand. If or when guys’ minds wander, we have a good enough team, a good enough camaraderie to hold everyone accountable and bring everyone back into the fold. So it’s not really pressure in terms of that. With that character of guys that we have in the locker room you’ll never see anyone that’s more judgmental or criticizes themselves more than ourselves individually. And when you’re your hardest critic there’s no other pressure. Because at the end of the day I’m going to look at myself in the mirror and wonder what I could do better and no one that’s not in my shoes can tell me what I could do better.”

On casually arriving with a puppy at Wednesday’s presser:

“Just hanging. Just vibing. We’re a dog friendly establishment. It’s good vibes around here. Whatever makes good vibes, we’re good.”

Karl-Anthony Towns

On finally being able to showcase his full skill set with Brown’s Knicks:

“I feel like I’ve always had this my whole career. It’s just I never had the opportunity to utilize that skill set.”

On being outbid for a prized collectible card:

“This has us SICK. Thought it was ours for the taking, until a last-minute NUCLEAR bid snuck in! Who has this card now!? We have to know!”

Steve Kerr

On the Knicks’ Game 4 offensive performance in Philadelphia:

“That first half was one of the greatest offensive displays I’ve seen in a playoff game. They are playing so fast. So aggressively. Every single guy is playing with incredible confidence. There is an energy and juice about them that jumps off the screen. It is hugely impressive watching them play. It’s beautiful to watch, but it’s not an accident. I believe Mike was the perfect guy for that job.”

On Mike Brown steadying the team during tense stretches:

“There was a vibe there at the Garden where you could tell everyone was on edge. That’s probably life in New York, but it’s also life as a contender when you are starting out the season with great expectations from fans, ownership and management. The beauty of Mike is he’s very comfortable in his own skin. When you go through these difficult nights like the one they had in March against us, Mike is exactly the right guy. When people are freaking out, Mike is the guy you want to steady the ship. He did that all year. Now, they are playing their best basketball. They are confident. fast, loose and aggressive. It’s beautiful to watch.”

On how far the Knicks can go this season:

“They’re already in the conference finals. They are really, really damn good. I think they will be a heavy favorite in the conference finals. Regardless, they are one of the very best teams in the league. I think Mike recognized that when he got there. He knew the great work Tom had done and he knew the foundation was there and he wanted to take it and see if he could build on that. It seems like he has.”

“I think they have the best 9-10…bench excellent..Improvement OG…KAT…Brunson most unique player I’ve watched in my life…Inch for inch maybe one of the best I’ve ever seen…

I root for the Knicks like they’re my team

I think they’re championship driven”

— Rick Pitino

📰⬇️ https://t.co/uzqS73kCmzpic.twitter.com/s6CCGdkVLf

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) May 14, 2026

Rick Pitino

On the Knicks’ depth compared to other contenders:

“I think they have the best nine or 10 players. They may not have the best three, they have the best nine or 10. Their bench is excellent, [coach Mike Brown] uses them great. The improvement offensively and defensively in OG, the improvement in Karl-Anthony Towns away from the basket with his passing, Brunson is the most unique player I’ve ever watched in my lifetime. I love it. I root for the Knicks like they’re my team. I do think they are championship driven.”

On the Knicks’ ball movement compared to earlier in the year:

“They look for each other much better than before. If you watch Cleveland and Detroit, you know the ball is going to Cunningham or Harden is going to create or the ball is going to be in Donovan’s hands. Although Brunson is a great scorer, they are sharing the basketball so well that keying on Brunson is not enough to stop this team. Before the Atlanta series, keying on Brunson was the way to stop the Knicks. That’s no longer working because of their ball movement. They went from a one-on-one team to a ball movement, player movement team. They do a lot of different offensive things that are much more pleasing to the eye.”

On Brunson’s skill set and shot-making ability:

“How a player that size with that vertical can get off any shot around the basket, he’s got Tiny Archibald in him around the basketball. He has the best midrange game. He gets off any shot midrange and he’s become a great 3-point shooter. He’s just an amazing, amazing 6-foot, 2-inch basketball player. Pound for pound, inch for inch, maybe one of the best players I’ve ever seen.”

On home-court concerns and overall outlook:

“The only negative is the home court. Outside of that, I think the Knicks have the best team. Now OKC obviously is great, they’re the defending champions. But the Knicks are deep, talented, and the way they are playing offensively — I don’t mean 3-point shooting, I’m talking about the ball movement, player movement — it’s so much better than what I watched in January.”

walking out of my movie at AMC Lincoln Square and seemingly was the only person to catch two girls trying to get into a movie dressed in a giant trench coat and disguise? i love new york city pic.twitter.com/s6jOSJAmHi

— Matthew Ivan (@matthewivan77) May 14, 2026

The Utah Jazz are looking to trade up to the No. 1 draft position up from No. 2 in the 2026 NBA Draft. And former Brigham Young star AJ Dybantsa is also open to staying in Utah, according to Sam Quinn of CBS Sports. Here is the “money quote.”

CBS Sports’ Adam Finkelstein reported this week from the NBA Combine in Chicago that Dybantsa was hoping to remain in Utah. When asked about possibly trading up from No. 2 to No. 1, Smith told The Deseret News that “everything should be on the table.” The Washington Wizards hold the top pick, and team president Michael Winger told Jake Fischeron lottery day that Washington was at least open to moving down. 

Now, again, are the Wizards likel trading their No. 1 pick to the Jazz and move down? Based on how most teams are, they will ultimately keep their No. 1 selection. However, the Wizards should listen just to get a full read on what is out there for the No. 1 pick in a hypothetical trade situation, whether with the Jazz or anyone else.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Jason Collins was an icon, not simply because of his ability on the court, but for his profound bravery off it. Collins became the first active player in a major four sport to come out of the closet, announcing that he was gay in 2013. It may have been the twilight of his career, but he became a north star for other athletes simply by continuing to play team basketball while being out in the open.

Collins’ family announced on Tuesday that he had died at home at the age of 47, taken far too soon by stage-4 glioblastoma, a relatively common, but aggressive form of brain cancer. Inside the NBA gave a tribute to Collins on Wednesday night in the wake of his death, and while Kenny Smith spoke kindly of Collins’ contributions to the NBA, the most poignant statement came from Charles Barkley who both lauded Collins for his bravery, while also acknowledging that we still live in a prejudiced, homophobic world.

Inside The NBA: While discussing Jason Collins' passing, Charles Barkley: "We live in a homophobic society … anybody who think we ain't got a bunch of gay players in all sports, they're just stupid."

Via @ESPNNBApic.twitter.com/TJMIPoytHE

— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) May 14, 2026

“Kenny, in fairness now, if another guy did it, it would still be a big deal, because we live in a homophobic society. That’s unfortunate. First off, anybody who thinks we don’t have a bunch of gay players in all sports, they’re just stupid. There is so much animosity towards the gay community, and that’s what’s really unfortunate. If anybody thinks him, and I know a couple of soccer players that came out — if you don’t think there’s more gay players in the NFL, Major League Baseball, and the NBA — you’re just stupid.”

Collins didn’t put up huge traditional numbers, but carved out a 13-year NBA career on the back of his basketball IQ and defensive ability. The No. 18 pick in the 2001 NBA Draft, he played for six teams, putting up his best seasons with the New Jersey Nets as the starting center on a phenomenal team that boasted Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, and Richard Jefferson as its nucleus. Predominantly a piece of the puzzle who understood his role, every team, every locker room was made better due to the contributions of Jason Collins.

Barkley also discussed homophobia he’s witnessed in the black community, and implored people struggling with their sexuality to find peace with who they are. “Do you,” Barkley said, “gay people have the right to do what they want to do. Its nobody else’s business at all. For him to come out, it was great. […] I was proud of him for coming out, and when I got that news yesterday it just sucked.”

There’s nothing else to say, because what Chuck added to this conversation was already perfect.

The Dallas Mavericks hold the No. 9 overall pick in the NBA Draft this year, but they need more than another flashy rookie to get their team back on track.

Something the Mavs didn’t have much of during the 2025-26 season was good health. Those fortunes will need to reverse themselves in order for Dallas to attempt to get back into contention in the Western Conference.

Rolando Blackman, the Mavericks’ representative at the NBA Draft Lottery, spoke about the team’s need to stay healthy.

“The first thing they need,” Blackman said via team reporter Dwain Price, “is to be able to have the luck of staying healthy.”

According to Spotrac, the Mavericks had 18 players miss a game on the injury report at some point during the season. Over the course of the season, that adds up to over $72.6 million, which is ranked second in the league behind the Indiana Pacers, who did not have All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton for the entire season due to injury.

Kyrie Irving’s absence makes up for a good chunk of that, but if the Mavericks hadn’t traded Anthony Davis in February to the Washington Wizards, it’s possible that the Mavs could have leapfrogged the Pacers on this list.

Another top-10 pick, a full offseason for Cooper Flagg and a healthy Irving should help make the Mavs more competitive in the 2026-27 season, but they will need their whole roster to be healthy in order to make it work.

Mavs Moneyball community, what do you make of Blackman’s comments? Chime off in the comments section below.

There are a number of things happening in the NBA Draft Combine that is worth UNC fans keeping an eye on, but the most important when it comes to what next season could look like is the Matt Able situation. The former NC State guard is going through the draft process to get feedback, but the door was always left open that he could stay in the draft. That has made Carolina fans nervous, and of course, it has made NC State fans troll harder than usual.

Following an excellent showing in yesterday’s scrimmage, someone asked Able whether or not he might stay in the NBA Draft. Here is what he had to say:

Matthew Able says he’s “back and forth” on his stay-or-go NBA draft decision.

“It’s definitely a tough decision. I love UNC, I’m excited to get over there at some point … I’m still back and forth on it. I gotta think about it some more, get with my camp and figure it out.” pic.twitter.com/ssG9OxA4LQ

— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) May 13, 2026

“It’s definitely a tough decision. I love UNC, I’m excited to get over there at some point … I’m still back and forth on it. I gotta think about it some more, get with my camp and figure it out.”

Able goes on to say that where he is projected to go will determine if he will play for UNC in the 2o26-27 season. It’s not terribly surprising to hear him say that, but what is giving fans deja vu is that Henri Veesaar essentially said the same thing before deciding to completely commit to the NBA. Does that mean that Able will decide to do the same thing? Not necessarily, but it cannot be ruled out that he may take second-round money over whatever UNC is paying him.

It’s worth noting that Able’s former teammate, Kevin Thomas, just committed to UNC, and Able took to Instagram to respond to the news:

Matt Able per his Instagram story 👀

Able and Thomas played AAU together and could potentially be teammates again this fall if Able was to return to college. pic.twitter.com/nn5BByejZO

— UNC Zone (@unc_zone) May 13, 2026

There is an existential paradox that goes: everything is nothing, nothing is something, and something is what you make of it. One could argue that it applies to this situation — does his Instagram post mean anything? What about him wearing a Tar Heels shirt during his interview? Also, can we really take what he said about how he’s making his decision at face value? It all means nothing until it means something, but hopefully it will mean something soon so Michael Malone will know what next steps to take in building his roster.

NBA prospect AJ Dybantsa puts Steph Curry in odd spot in his ideal starting five originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

AJ Dybantsa has turned heads as the projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

But the former BYU standout also turned heads when he was asked to build an ideal NBA starting five with current players.

“I’m about to get canceled from some of this,” Dybantsa said Wednesday at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. “I’ll put LeBron [James] at the one, I’ll put [Nikola] Jokić at the five. I’ll play the three. I’ll put [Kevin Durant] at the four, and I’ll have [Steph] Curry at the two, but he’s strictly there to shoot.”

Thoughts on AJ Dybantsa's ideal current starting 5? 🤔

PG: LeBron James
SG: Steph Curry
SF: Himself
PF: Kevin Durant
C: Nikola Jokic

On Curry playing shooting guard:

"He's strictly there to shoot."

(via @SportsCenter)pic.twitter.com/PZobAs6V43

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 13, 2026

Even though Curry changed the game of basketball with his shooting as it is currently played, he’s a point guard.

But it would make sense for Dybantsa to move the Warriors superstar to the two-guard position to make room for James, a four-time NBA MVP.

This hypothetical squad could run into some defensive issues, too.

And with 41-year-old James, 38-year-old Curry, and 37-year-old Durant, Dybantsa would have to be the youthful lifeline to even out the group’s energy.

Nonetheless, it’s fun to use our imagination sometimes.

The NBA world will begin to use theirs with Dybantsa set to soon sport an NBA team’s jersey in just a few months.

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Daryl Morey’s tenure as Sixers’ president of basketball operations has come to an end. He will be remembered in Philadelphia as another key figure who couldn’t get over the hump that is the second round of the playoffs. 

He leaves the Sixers in a very similar situation to how he found them. The Joel Embiid and Paul George contracts are team-building anchors just like those of Tobias Harris and Al Horford. Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe are the enticing prospects in spite of that, like Embiid and Ben Simmons were at the time. 

Throughout the hits and misses of his tenure — of which there were many — one thing became clearer as Morey had more time in the big seat for Philly. This was not the innovative, forward-thinker the fanbase thought the team had hired in the fall of 2020. 

Back when he was running the Houston Rockets, the term coined for adopting the most optimized shot diet was literally called “Moreyball.” Fast forward to his final years running the Sixers, he is complaining about teams taking too many threes as his team finished 21st in three-point attempts and fielded multiple starting lineups where the starting forwards wouldn’t attempt one. 

Morey’s track record at drafting in Philadelphia was surprisingly better than many expected, but the lack of creativity showed in many of his free-agent acquisitions and trades. The latter ended up being far more important for a team looking for the final pieces to push them over the top into true title contention. 

The best trades he made for the Sixers also resembled his best move for the Rockets: trading James Harden. Both acquiring and shipping off Harden were net positives for the Sixers, but Morey’s process came with a cost. 

Sitting on Simmons as long as he did until Harden became available got them an All-Star while giving the Nets what was becoming one of the worst contracts in the league. Waiting as long as they did sunk their chances of competing in a fairly open Eastern Conference that season. As they were trying to figure out the Embiid-Harden pairing on the fly, the 2021-2022 Sixers’ season ended in six games to the No. 1 seeded Miami Heat. 

He did the same thing when Harden didn’t want to play for the Sixers anymore, letting the trade request linger into the season. Again, the return he got was seen as favorable, but it again left the roster incomplete for Embiid to carry as he was improving on an MVP-caliber season. 

This time, Embiid’s knee broke down as he carried a flawed roster through the regular season. Entering Golden State already hobbled, he suffered a meniscus tear in January 2024 that he is still trying to fully get back on track from. 

If the Harden saga wasn’t enough, Morey continuing to go back to his Houston Rocket pool continued to the verge of parody. In his first offseason after adding Harden to the Sixers, Morey got the Sixers hit with tampering charges in the process of acquiring P.J. Tucker and Danuel House, two guys from Harden’s heyday in Houston. 

Morey ended up bringing so many ex-Rockets of his, that a Sixers beat writer at the time thought it was worth making a sporcle quiz to see if fans could guess all of them. 

The pivot Morey made out of the Harden situation was another sign that the league had passed him by. With another season of Embiid’s prime punted to load up on cap space, Morey threw a max contract at Paul George, solidifying the roster with three max guys under a new CBA that is very harsh to big spenders. 

The constraints to fill out a roster immediately became a problem. The team was unable to withstand consistent injuries to the max guys and the team won 24 games as a result. They got better injury luck and lottery luck the following year and were able to win a playoff series, but the top-end nature of the roster helped to sink them against a true title contender in the New York Knicks. 

Morey’s tenure wasn’t all bad for sure. He leaves reasons of hope that whoever his replacement is can turn the Sixers into a serious basketball team again. If there’s one thing he wasn’t during his tenure here, it was the guy in Houston who was always one step ahead of the rest of the league.

Game 5 is always huge in a tied series in the NBA Playoffs, and the Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers both knew the stakes entering their pivotal Wednesday night showdown. A high-pressure atmosphere in Detroit produced arguably the best game of the series so far, with Cleveland outlasting Detroit, 117-113, in overtime to put the Cavs one win away from the Eastern Conference Finals.

Should the game have even gone into overtime? The final sequence of regulation was the main talking point after the buzzer. Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell held the ball for the last shot, but he stripped on his drive in a spectacular defensive play by Pistons wing Ausar Thompson. As Thompson ran to recover the loose ball, he was knocked over by Jarrett Allen. Detroit was in the bonus, and Thompson would have been going to the line for the game-winning free throws if the refs blew the whistle. Instead, there was no call, and the Cavs won in OT.

Should this have been a foul? Watch the play yourself:

AUSAR THOMPSON WITH THE BLOCK 😮

WE ARE HEADED TO OT IN DETROIT ON ESPN. pic.twitter.com/7Ezdb0lgbM

— NBA (@NBA) May 14, 2026

Here’s another look at the play:

Refs genuinely watched Jarret Allen trip Ausar Thompson in broad day light and called NO foul pic.twitter.com/mcXlvyM5cV

— dj (@dj2heem) May 14, 2026

Pistons fans were losing it on social media over the no call. The team also partially blamed the no call for the loss after the game.

Detroit head coach JB Bickerstaff ripped the refs after the game. “He fouled Ausar. It was clear. He tripped him going for a loose ball.”

J.B. Bickerstaff when asked what he saw on the final play of regulation:

“(Jarrett Allen) fouled Ausar. It’s clear. He trips him when he’s going for a loose ball. End of game situation, that’s tough.” pic.twitter.com/WgLfGMh6M5

— Hunter Patterson (@HunterPatterson) May 14, 2026

Cade Cunningham agreed with his coach after the game that Thompson was fouled:

Cade Cunningham on the final play of regulation:

“We all saw the play, I think it’s pretty clear it was a foul. (Ausar) has the ball in his possession, he’s running forward, he gets tripped up. It’s a foul, it’s been a foul the whole rest of the game. Wasn’t a foul that time.” pic.twitter.com/JBPHGV1QOp

— Hunter Patterson (@HunterPatterson) May 14, 2026

Even unbiased media members like ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said it was a foul. I’m sorry, but I can’t agree.

Should a playoff series really swing on a foul 70-feet away from the basket? I don’t think so. This was an example of two guys going for a loose ball. Just because one of them fell over doesn’t mean it’s a foul. It also easily could have been a flop by Thompson. He wouldn’t have had enough time to get off a game-winning shot either way. There was less than a second left on the clock. The only chance he had of winning the game in that situation was falling to the ground and praying for a foul call. It’s good for the game that he didn’t get it.

The Pistons still had a chance to win in overtime, and they blew it. If we’re being honest, the Pistons are extremely lucky to even be here. They were down 3-1 to the Orlando Magic in the first round when Franz Wagner got hurt. If Wagner stays healthy, the Pistons likely would have lost in the first round as the No. 1 seed.

Of course, there were also some bad calls that went against the Pistons throughout the game. How the heck is this a defensive foul?

Pistons got called for a defensive foul on this… pic.twitter.com/0uUxhALTRw

— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) May 14, 2026

It doesn’t change the fact that the refs made the right call by not letting a Game 5 be decided because someone fell over going for a loose ball 70-feet from the hoop. The players should decide the game, not the refs. It happened in Game 5, and Cleveland won in OT.

Detroit has to win a road game now to keep its season alive and force a Game 7. Here’s hoping we get it.

When the Philadelphia 76ers prevailed over the Boston Celtics in impressive fashion, coming back from a 3-1 series deficit, the consensus in the NBA universe was that this series was going to be much more competitive than what you would expect from a 3-vs-7 matchup. While the overall consensus had the Knicks prevailing, there was a loud minority who fully believed that this was finally the year for Philadelphia:

See you in the Eastern Conference Finals, again pic.twitter.com/FpSm8ARqUh

— Marshall Green (@MarshallGreen_) May 11, 2026

And why shouldn’t they believe that? After all, the Sixers were finally healthy and conquered their longstanding demons in the last round. A big sticking point for many Sixers fans and some national reporters was that the last time these two teams faced off in 2024, it was an instant classic of a series.

And they’re right about that. A six-game series full of hyper-competitive games, thrilling finishes, and heated moments between two regional rivals was fresh in everyone’s minds when this matchup was revealed, and they seemed to be fairly evenly matched on paper

But the thing about sports is that said paper can easily be ripped to shreds, similar to how the Sixers were in a devastating, historic four-game sweep that led to the axing of President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey on Tuesday.

Whatever way you thought that these two teams were evenly matched, the Knicks showed that there were levels to this.

In 2024, Tyrese Maxey enjoyed his true breakout moment against the Knicks in the playoffs. In six games, he averaged 29.8 points and 6.8 assists on 48/40/89 shooting splits, headlined by a 46-point masterpiece to save Philly’s season in an improbable Game 5 comeback. After he had continued to improve in the two years since, there was no reason to believe that things would change, right?

Tyrese Maxey in round 2 when guarded by Mikal Bridges:

🔶 14 PTS
🔶 7-16 FG
🔶 0-5 3PT
🔶 7 AST
🔶 9 TO

Bridges had him BOXED. pic.twitter.com/UIyYzhdPxo

— Dylan Backer (@DylanBackerESM) May 11, 2026

Oh. Turns out the acquisition of Mikal Bridges, one of the league’s premier guard defenders, who has the speed to keep up with the dizzyingly fast Maxey around screens, made an impact.

That’s not all of how the Knicks boxed up one of the league’s best guards. They blitzed him 30 feet from the basket to speed up his decision-making, they showed everything, they refused to let him go over a screen and abuse drop coverage. There were fewer pull-up 3s attempted (4.6/game) than he did in 2024 (5.5/game) and he had less of his shot attempts register as “wide open” compared to just “open” and “covered”.

Joel Embiid averaged 30 a night in 2024, including a 50-piece in Game 3, on one knee and with Bell’s palsy. He’s healthier now and he grilled Mitchell Robinson during the season. How will the Knicks be able to stop him?

How many times did Joel Embiid fall to the floor in the Knicks series? 👀

We went through all three games he played and grabbed them. pic.twitter.com/GpN4X7DPKq

— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) May 12, 2026

Well, the problem with ever predicting Embiid’s performance is that his health is never truly known. Sure, while he wasn’t playing on a torn meniscus or had anything truly major going on, he was very clearly hampered by knee, ankle, and hip soreness while recovering from an appendectomy. What you got in the end was an extremely immobile Embiid who was BBQ chicken on the defensive end and extremely reliant on pull-up jumpers on offense.

Knicks finish the series scoring 70 points in 55 possessions going at Embiid in the pick-and-roll when the ball-handler shot or passed to a teammate who shot, per @SynergySST. If an offensive player averaged 1.273 PPP, he'd be the most efficient pick-and-roll player in the NBA. https://t.co/iBi3g7rTgu

— Dan Devine (@YourManDevine) May 10, 2026

Was the Sixers supporting cast this year better than 2024? On paper, sure. Edgecombe and George are better than Tobias Harris and Kyle Lowry, but they suffer from inconsistency. As good as VJ is, he struggled at times, looking all the part of a rookie thrown into the spotlight. George shooting like prime Klay Thompson was never sustainable for that long anyway, either.

And thinking that the two biggest Sixers’ issues, the depth and the rebounding, wouldn’t rear their ugly head against a much deeper team that’s elite on the boards was always just foolish.

The Sixers were coached like Tom Thibodeau was on the sideline, going legitimately 6.5-deep on some nights with sixth-man Quentin Grimes struggling. It led to guys like Maxey looking gassed by the time crunch time comes around. In the games that they went down early and wound up being blown out, they didn’t have the second wind to go on a run.

Andre Drummond is the team’s only above-average rebounder, so it was no surprise when Josh Hart, Mitchell Robinson, and even OG Anunoby were bullying them on that end.

In the end, the Sixers were better than they were in 2024, but their level of improvement was microscopic compared to the overhaul in what the Knicks did, and the fact that people pretend like the Knicks didn’t have Donte DiVincenzo as their second option in that series was always incredibly disingenuous.

What the Knicks have figured out as of late is something truly different, something that makes them just as formidable as the vaunted OKC Thunder or even the upstart Spurs. As they wait to find their next opponents, Mike Brown knows that the formula he has used in this dominant, seven-game stretch has upgraded the Knicks from a regular No. 3 seed to a Terminator.

After the Michigan Wolverines won the National Championship, head coach Dusty May and his staff had to quickly get to work putting together the roster for next season. They knew a large chunk of their core team would be out of college eligibility, but they also had questions about some guys who declared for the NBA Draft while maintaining their college eligibility.

Aday Mara, Elliot Cadeau and Morez Johnson Jr. were among those in the latter group, and they were all in very different positions related to the draft process. Mara’s size and production made it seem like he was going to go pro if he received strong feedback from NBA scouts. Cadeau was the opposite, going to get feedback and advice to come out for the draft after next season. Johnson was the true wildcard.

The 6-foot-9 forward put together a strong sophomore season in Ann Arbor, averaging 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks while shooting 62.3 percent from the field. His offensive profile steadily expanded as well, as he knocked down 34.3 percent of his threes compared to not making any the season prior.

The uncertainty of Johnson’s future made it tough for May to round out his roster through the transfer portal. Nonetheless, he has enthusiastically supported his guys going through the process, hoping they receive information and advice that will put them on a path to success.

“We have one (open roster) spot — we’re just waiting and taking a wait-and-see approach with Morez and certainly anticipating him having a difficult decision because of how well he’s played in Chicago,” May told Andy Katz at the Combine. “But we’ll support him, and then if he does stay in, we’ll be prepared to pivot. We like our team regardless, but obviously, he raises our ceiling like (Yaxel Lendeborg) did last year.”

Johnson has been taking part in the NBA Combine this week, and the early reports are he has earned himself some money. He measured 6-foot-9 barefoot and 251 pounds, with a 7-foot-3 wingspan and 8-foot-11 standing reach. He had the highest maximum vertical (39 inches) among forwards and drilled 17-of-25 three-pointers during the star-shooting drill, a promising development after he took 35 threes this season at Michigan.

Morez Johnson Jr. 17-of-25 on threes pic.twitter.com/e8OoS3gVfZ

— Clayton Sayfie (@CSayf23) May 12, 2026

While it is a small sample size, Johnson has firmly placed himself in the Top-20 conversation, making it more likely he stays in the process.

In the latest round of NBA mock drafts, CBS Sports’ Adam Finkelstein, The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie and Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor all projected Johnson to go at No. 17 overall to the Oklahoma City Thunder. ESPN’s Jeremy Woo projected him at No. 20 to the San Antonio Spurs.

While May would love to have Johnson back, his skillset screams NBA player right now.

“Dusty (May) been very supportive,” Johnson told CBS Sports’ Isaac Trotter. “Not pressured me to come back at all. He wants me to attack this thing two feet in, until otherwise.”

Johnson is still weighing his future. However, with the week he has had at the NBA Combine and the fact he is creeping up draft boards, he should stay in the draft and take advantage of the opportunity. The deadline for players to withdraw from the draft and return to college is May 27 — if Johnson ultimately chooses to stay in the draft, he should hear his name called on June 23 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

The Cavaliers got a bit of a favorable road whistle.

With three seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of a tied game Wednesday in Game 5, Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell was blocked by Pistons stud defender Ausar Thompson as he attempted a game-winning shot.

As the ball trickled toward the sideline, Thompson gave chase with roughly one second remaining, only for Jarrett Allen to come crashing in, appearing to step on Thompson’s leg and sending him to the ground while the ball scooted away and the clock expired.

Should this have been called a foul on the Cavs? pic.twitter.com/2rIJadnyNl

— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) May 14, 2026

Many believe that a loose-ball foul should have been assessed on Allen, which would have led to free throws for Thompson that could have potentially sealed the game for Detroit.

Instead, the Cavaliers used their fourth-quarter momentum to down Detroit in overtime, 117-113, to take a 3-2 series lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The Pistons were furious with the no-call.

“[Jarrett Allen] fouled Ausar,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters postgame. “It’s clear. He trips him when he’s going for a loose ball. End of game situation, that’s tough.”

“That’s a foul,” said star Cade Cunningham. “It’s been a foul the whole game — wasn’t a foul at that time.”

“We, the Pistons, we know it was a foul,” fill-in starter Daniss Jenkins added. “But we don’t expect that.”

Crew chief Tony Brothers defended the decision to not blow the whistle.

“During live play, both players were going for the ball and there was incidental contact with the legs with no player having possession of the ball,” Brothers told a pool reporter.

The NBA league office will review the play and issue a report on whether a foul should have been assessed.

The Cavaliers’ favorable whistle isn’t isolated to this play — they have shot 100 free throws in the last three games — while the Pistons have shot just 54.

Cleveland has won these last three games and has an opportunity to close it out at home Friday, with the Knicks waiting in the Eastern Conference finals.

Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors are heating up, with the Bucks reportedly open to offers from teams across the NBA.

Let's be real for a second. Nobody saw this coming when Giannis Antetokounmpo was an 18-year-old kid from Athens who could barely speak English and was playing for a Bucks team that won 15 games. The Greek Freak era in Milwaukee was supposed to be the kind of story that only happens in movies — small market, generational talent, one championship, genuine loyalty.

It was a great run, but it's seemingly over. The Milwaukee Bucks are officially open for business. According to Shams Charania, the franchise is fielding trade calls and offers for their two-time MVP heading into the NBA Draft combine, with ownership and the front office expecting a robust market.

The Milwaukee Bucks are open for business on trade calls and offers for two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo entering the NBA combine and over six weeks away from the draft, sources told ESPN.

New on ESPN: https://t.co/dF56qBtMMR

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 11, 2026

How did they get here? A combination of bad luck and bad timing. Antetokounmpo is still an elite player — he averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists while shooting 62.4% from the field this season — but he played only 36 games. That's the problem in a nutshell. The body isn't cooperating the way it used to, and for a franchise betting its entire future on one player staying healthy, that's a terrifying proposition. The Bucks also didn't help themselves in the lottery, holding the 10th overall pick when they hoped to move up significantly to change the calculus of a post-Giannis rebuild.

So now comes the hard part, for both sides. The Celtics, Lakers, Knicks, Timberwolves, and Cavaliers all reportedly pursued Antetokounmpo at the trade deadline, and how those teams finish the playoffs will play a major role in how aggressively they come back this summer. Giannis turns 32 in December and is owed $58.5 million next season with a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28, so whoever lands him isn't just getting a player; they're making a statement about their championship window and writing a very large check to back it up.

For Milwaukee, this is the moment that defines the next decade. Get this trade right, and they have a path back. Get it wrong, and they're the next cautionary tale about what happens when a franchise doesn't maximize its superstar before the window closes.

The Greek Freak era was worth every minute. What comes next is the real question. So, let's cut through the noise. Here are eight teams that could actually make a move and what a deal could look like.

New York Knicks

This one has been brewing for years, and the pressure only grows if New York falls short of a title this postseason. The fit makes sense on paper — Madison Square Garden, the market, the moment. The complication is the return. A package centered around Karl-Anthony Towns and a surplus of future pick swaps has been floated, but Milwaukee needs a foundational young piece, and it's fair to wonder whether Towns — at his age and salary — qualifies as that. The Knicks can get this done. Whether they can get it done at Milwaukee's asking price is another conversation.

Boston Celtics

The Celtics just lost in the first round to the 76ers, and Jaylen Brown's postseason comments opened a door that many people in Boston didn't expect to see opened this soon. Boston could conceivably package Brown, Derrick White, and future picks to make the money work, and that might be the offer Milwaukee has the hardest time turning down. The risk for Boston is real, though. Giannis turns 32 in December and carries a massive contract, and counting on a player that size to maintain peak production deep into his 30s is a gamble that could age poorly in a hurry.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers have made a habit of this. Superstar becomes available, Los Angeles finds a way to make the call. The Lakers were among the teams that pursued Antetokounmpo at the trade deadline, so the interest is established and the logic is straightforward, especially if LeBron James and the franchise go their separate ways this offseason and the front office needs a new centerpiece to sell. The sticking point is the return. A package built around Austin Reaves and draft picks is probably the ceiling of what Los Angeles can offer, and Milwaukee is going to want more than that. The Lakers have the brand; whether they have the assets is a different question entirely.

San Antonio Spurs

This is the one that nobody wants to say out loud because it sounds too good to be true. Giannis and Victor Wembanyama in the same frontcourt. The comparison to Tim Duncan and David Robinson has already been made, and it's not a stretch — only this time with modern spacing and athleticism that those teams could never have dreamed of. The vision is right there. The question is whether San Antonio is actually willing to blow up a young core that is ahead of schedule to get it done. Any realistic deal almost certainly involves Stephon Castle or Dylan Harper, and that's a steep price to pay for a player on the wrong side of 31 with a massive contract. But the fit is clean, the timeline is decent, and the ceiling with Wembanyama alongside him is genuinely terrifying. If San Antonio pulls the trigger on this one, the rest of the league should be very, very nervous.

Golden State Warriors

This one is about Stephen Curry's closing chapter, and everybody knows it. Golden State was among the teams linked to Antetokounmpo as a potential suitor, and the vision is obvious — pair the greatest shooter of all time with a two-time MVP for one last run at a title. It's a beautiful story. The problem is Milwaukee isn't in the business of beautiful stories right now. They want youth and picks, and the Warriors are running low on both. Unless Golden State gets creative in ways that aren't currently obvious, this one feels more like a dream scenario than a realistic deal.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Cleveland is still alive in the playoffs, so this one is TBD, but if the Cavaliers go out in an ugly fashion, expect personnel changes to follow. Evan Mobley is the name that matters here. He's exactly the type of young, switchable, two-way big that Milwaukee would want coming back in a deal, and pairing him with a Giannis asking price of picks makes Cleveland one of the more realistic suitors in this field. Keep an eye on how their postseason ends.

Houston Rockets

Houston made a big swing last offseason for Kevin Durant, and it didn't land the way they hoped. If they decide to make another move, they have genuine foundational pieces to offer — Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., and Amen Thompson are all names that should be appealing to a Bucks front office that wants youth coming back. The question is whether Houston wants to blow up a young core that hasn't fully matured yet for a 32-year-old on a massive deal. Bold move. Not impossible.

Minnesota Timberwolves

An Antetokounmpo-Anthony Edwards pairing is the kind of thing that keeps opposing coaches up at night. Minnesota reportedly pursued Giannis at the trade deadline, and if they can't get past the Western Conference semifinals, expect them to come back harder this summer. They have movable contracts in Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle, and Rudy Gobert to construct a package, and Edwards as the centerpiece of a new era alongside Giannis is a compelling vision. The fit is there. Now it's just about whether the assets are enough to get Milwaukee to say yes.

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Memphis Grizzlies power forward Brandon Clarke was found dead at a residence in the San Fernando Valley on May 11, and authorities are investigating the circumstances of his death.

Clarke was 29 and was in his seventh season in the NBA.

After starring at Gonzaga, Clarke was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 21st pick in the 2019 Draft. He was traded to Memphis and earned All-Rookie team honors in 2020. Clarke only played two games for Memphis in the 2025-26 season due to various injuries.

He averaged 10.2 points and 5.6 rebounds in 309 games in his career.

Here's the latest information about Clarke's passing:

Brandon Clarke cause of death

According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office, Clarke's body is ready for release, and the cause of death has been deferred.

Authorities have said that drug paraphernalia was found in the home where Clark was found and that "the incident is being investigated as a possible overdose."

What happened with Brandon Clarke's arrest?

Clarke was arrested on April 1, 2026, after a mile-long chase that reached speeds over 100 miles per hour in Arkansas.

Clarke was found with over 230 grams of kratom, per an arrest affidavit obtained by The Memphis Commercial Appeal. According to the Mayo Clinic, kratom has been deemed unsafe and ineffective as a supplement and a possible way to quit opioids.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has said that kratom is a drug of concern, and in Arkansas, it is classified as a Schedule 1 controlled substance.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brandon Clarke cause of death: Latest on Grizzlies player death