Just days after he reportedly declined his $49 million player option, Young reportedly plans to sign a four-year, $212 million contract to remain with the Wizards, as the team looks to elevate itself into contention.
The Wizards also hold the No. 1 overall selection in the 2026 NBA Draft, whose first round is set for Tuesday, June 23.
Young, 27, played just 15 games last season and averaged 17.9 points and 8.0 assists per game. The Hawks traded him in early January, and Young played just five games for Washington, as he dealt with a quad injury. The Wizards, who were in a race for the bottom, also didn’t press the issue and were happy to let Young and Anthony Davis, another acquisition, recover from their injuries.
Now, the Wizards can pair Young with Davis, 2024 No. 2 overall pick Alexandre Sarr and whoever the franchise ends up with Tuesday night.
Young also has the chance to establish himself as the clear leader in the locker room, as the Wizards do have a trio of younger guards who could look to him as a model: Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson and Bub Carrington.
That could be magnified further if the Wizards opt to select Darryn Peterson out of Kansas with the top selection Tuesday night.
On the other hand, if Washington chooses to select AJ Dybantsa from BYU, Young’s play-making ability could free up Dybantsa to play off the ball more as a slasher.
Either way, the Wizards, who finished with the NBA’s worst record at 17-65, suddenly appear like a team that’s poised to make a leap in 2026-27.
Young, a four-time All-Star, led the NBA in assists two seasons ago with 11.6 per game.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 18: Former Dallas Mavericks teammates Luka Doncic #77 and Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks pose for a portrait before the NBA All-Star Game as part of NBA All-Star Weekend on Sunday, February 18, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
As far as all-time fumbles by a franchise go, the Mavericks going from having a young backcourt pairing of Luka Dončić and Jalen Brunson to having neither and nothing to show for it is near the top of the list.
It’s two of the more inexplicable moves in recent NBA history. Dallas watched Brunson excel throughout the 2021-22 season, including the playoffs, and let him walk. Then, two-and-a-half years later, they handed Luka on a silver platter to the Lakers.
Despite both being done dirty by the Mavs — or maybe even because of it — Brunson and Luka have kept a friendship throughout the years. So, when Brunson was on the verge of an NBA title in the Finals, Luka reached out to him, as he recently confirmed in a Spanish interview with the YouTube channel DrafteadosNBA.
Luka says Jalen Brunson is a winner on the court and great guy. – Did you congratulate JB on his win?
“Of course. Before the last game I said to him “One more” and then when he won I congratulated him and he texted me back, I thought he had a lot of messages”
Given how close he is with so many past and current teammates, it really seems like Luka is one of the best guys in the league. From Brunson to Dorian Finney-Smith to Kyrie Irving to Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves, Luka has so many teammates he’s close with.
Luka did an interview in Slovenia where he revealed he did not watch the Finals, but mainly because the games came on in the middle of the night. He was clearly paying attention to the scores and cheering on his former teammate.
The hope is that, next spring, it’s Brunson sending texts to Luka encouraging him to finish off a Finals win and congratulating him on his first title.
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 14: Trae Young #3 of the Washington Wizards looks on during the game against the Boston Celtics on March 14, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Washington Wizards guard Trae Young intends to sign a maximum contract extension to remain in the nation’s capital, ESPN’s Shams Charania reportedMonday.
BREAKING: Trae Young intends to sign a four-year, approximately $212 million deal to stay with the Washington Wizards, with a player option in Year 4, sources tell ESPN. The four-time NBA All-Star declined his $49M player option for a long-term commitment ahead of free agency. pic.twitter.com/BAGANqomo0
The reported four-year, $212 million max contract comes days after Young declined his $48.97 million player option for the 2026-27 season.
Young’s cap hit will rise by roughly 5% in each season of his four-year, $212M contract extension with the Wizards, sources tell Bullets Forever. The contract culminates with a player option in Year 4.
ESPN reported that Young’s contract was “equal to the max he could’ve signed elsewhere,” which signals Young had a solid free agent market that forced Washington’s front office to offer more money than some originally expected.
Young’s market changed following the league’s updated lottery rules, which brought other teams into the mix. The Wizards signed Young at a comparative league value, giving him the maximum amount opposing teams could’ve offered in free agency.
Washington could’ve offered Young an additional $75 million but signed him for one less year and significantly less money.
Young, 27, was acquired by Washington in a January trade that sent CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert to the Atlanta Hawks. The nine-year veteran averaged 15.2 points and 6.2 assists while shooting 59.5% from the field across five appearances with the Wizards last season.
Young missed 67 games due to several injuries, most notably a quad contusion and an MCL sprain that forced him to miss nearly two months following the trade. Back irritation and another quad contusion caused Young to miss the team’s final 15 contests.
The Oklahoma product was selected with the No. 5 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft and led the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021. His best season came in 2021-22 when he averaged 28.4 points and 9.7 assists en route to All-NBA Third Team honors.
Michael Winger revealed on the Ryen Russillo Show that Washington’s front office ranked Young as the top 2026 free agent. Rather than wait for Young to decline his player option and test free agency, the Wizards used their abundance of cap space to acquire him via trade.
Wizards general manager Will Dawkins applauded Young’s court vision and said the organization acquired him to serve as the team’s floor general. With an extension inked, Young’s role is now official as the team’s PG of the future.
“You just see the playmaking, the scoring, the presence that he has for naturally moving and sharing the ball,” Dawkins said in March.
The four-time All-Star guard has averaged at least 25 points and nine assists per game five times in his career. There have only been 16 such seasons in NBA history.
Young led the league in assists three times and is the league’s current active leader in assists per game. He ranks third all time in that category behind Magic Johnson and John Stockton.
Dawkins also praised Young’s desire to be in Washington — a feeling Young shared during a recent appearance on “The Pivot” podcast.
“I wanted to go [to Washington],” Young said. “It’s not like [Atlanta] just shipped me to Washington. Because that wasn’t the case.”
Trae Young said he wanted to come to the Wizards when he discovered he would be traded last season.
“I wanted to go [to Washington]. It’s not like [Atlanta] just shipped me to Washington. Because that wasn’t the case.”
Young projects as Washington’s starting point guard alongside Anthony Davis and Alex Sarr. That leaves openings in the team’s starting unit for two of the following players: Kyshawn George, Bilal Coulibaly, Tre Johnson and whoever Washington selects with the No. 1 pick.
No matter the starting lineup, Young believes the Wizards are ready to ascend behind their young core and group of veterans poised for a better season.
“I know our team is gonna be ready,” Young said on The Pivot. “We have young guys who have been through the rebuilding stage. They went through a lot of losing the last few years, and they’re tired of losing. I want to be there with them when we’re winning.”
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - APRIL 11: Head Basketball Coach Dusty May of the Michigan Wolverines speaks on stage during the Michigan Men's Basketball National Championship celebration at Crisler Arena on April 11, 2026 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks have officially hired Dusty May out of the college ranks to guide the team and young star Cooper Flagg into the future. Merely two-and-half months after leading Michigan to the National Championship, May departs Ann Arbor to continue his meteoric rise through the basketball world.
Tyler Edsel has a must-read piece that will tell you all you need to know (and then some) about the Mavs’ new head coach. The tangibles and pedigree are objectively digestible. May is a winner who catapulted Florida Atlantic to heights previously unseen, then helped Michigan cut down the nets for the first time in over 30 years. There are, of course, some fears that go along with a college coach jumping to the NBA, as David Trink articulates by way of the historical track record of such occurrences.
Simply put, May is an unknown quantity in the NBA, despite his impressive track record. Despite that, I would strongly contend that it doesn’t matter. Putting aside the successes of his past and any speculation as to how his future in the NBA will play out, there is an entirely different perspective I can’t help but think about – this is a massive win for the Dallas Mavericks no matter what.
The Mavericks continue to announce their new world order
Weeks ago it was reported that Dallas touched base with both May and Duke’s Jon Scheyer, with both being deemed longshots. From there, news broke about a variety of NBA assistants that were in the running and it appeared likely that would be the direction the Mavs took. Dallas would not be getting a big name ready to make the jump. Then, out of nowhere, May was hired.
This is a massive get for the Mavericks and it comes at a perfect time. Virtually no one expected May to make a move to the NBA. He had it made for at least a few more seasons in Michigan after coming off the National Championship. Dallas’ pursuit of him (and Scheyer) were reported and then almost simultaneously dismissed as a pipe dream. Actually landing May is a statement by the organization.
Masai Ujiri was a breath of fresh air – a first step toward the Mavericks having a professional basketball front office for the first time in years. The immediate follow up was expected to be the always-controversial results of the Draft. No matter the selection, there would be both supporters and detractors. However, Dallas swerved everyone with what I personally view as an indisputable win as the follow-up to the hirings of Ujiri and GM Mike Schmitz. Dallas got their guy despite him being such a longshot, and as intangible as “the get” is, it comes with juice that indicates the new regime in Dallas can make waves. Yes, the production needs to be there on the court, but May has plenty of time to find success as the Mavs rebuild around Flagg. For now, Dallas’ newly minted front office getting “their guy,” who just so happens to be the biggest coaching name in basketball outside the NBA (until a few hours ago), is a huge win for the Mavs. If nothing else, it puts the Mavs in a favorable spotlight and continues to scrub the stain of the past regime as the Mavs further build good will with the fan base. If May’s talents translate to the NBA level (which personally, I feel they will), this hiring could be paying dividends for years to come.
I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.
The Lakers reportedly contacted the Thunder about Lu Dort as Oklahoma City weighs tough roster decisions before the NBA Draft.
The Los Angeles Lakers are scrambling for ways to improve a roster that was overwhelmed by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the playoffs, and one of the players who helped eliminate them may now be on their radar.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Lakers have reached out to Oklahoma City about the availability of veteran wing Lu Dort as they explore potential offseason upgrades.
The Lakers reportedly contacted the Thunder about Lu Dort as Oklahoma City weighs tough roster decisions before the NBA Draft. Getty Images
“I’m also told that the Lakers have called the Thunder about swingman Lu Dort’s availability,” Stein reported on his Substack.
The inquiry comes at a fascinating time for the reigning Western Conference powerhouse. Oklahoma City is facing a roster crunch with 15 players already under contract and two first-round picks in the upcoming draft. That situation has fueled speculation that the Thunder could consider moving Dort after exercising his $17.2 million team option.
Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during the game against the San Antonio Spurs NBAE via Getty Images
The 27-year-old has long been viewed as one of the NBA’s premier perimeter defenders. He earned First Team All-Defense honors during Oklahoma City’s championship run in 2025 and has built a reputation as one of the league’s toughest assignments for opposing stars.
For a Lakers team that finished near the bottom half of the league defensively and struggled to contain Oklahoma City’s athletic wings during the postseason, Dort’s skill set is an obvious fit.
The challenge, however, is convincing the Thunder to move him.
While Dort’s offensive production dipped last season to 8.3 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, his defensive value remains significant. Oklahoma City still views him as a key contributor, and any trade would likely require meaningful assets from a Lakers team that is already limited in draft capital.
Luka Doncic #77 listens to LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers Getty Images
There are also questions about whether Dort’s offense would complement a roster built around Luka Dončić. After shooting better than 41 percent from three during Oklahoma City’s title season, Dort’s efficiency slipped considerably in 2025-26, raising concerns about spacing alongside the Lakers’ stars.
Still, the reported interest reveals Los Angeles’ priorities this offseason. The Lakers are expected to pursue defensive-minded wings and frontcourt help, with veteran centers Walker Kessler, Mitchell Robinson and Robert Williams III also reportedly on their radar.
Whether a deal ultimately materializes remains uncertain, but the Lakers have clearly identified the type of player that is on their radar.
If Boynton can keep Michigan’s roster together, the Wolverines possess enough talent after signing an elite recruiting class to pursue another deep NCAA Tournament run. Achieve that, and Boynton can shed the interim label.
But, this job is too good for Michigan to commit to Boynton being anything more than a one-year experiment.
Never mind Michigan isn’t a blue blood, it boasts top-tier resources, and money matters more than ever in the buy-a-player landscape. If Boynton wobbles as interim, Michigan should open the job next spring to a full search that ought to attract top candidates.
Keep Saint Louis coach Josh Schertz on speed dial. Schertz would have been a natural heir to May if the job had opened two months ago.
The good news for Michigan? Schertz isn’t going anywhere between now and March. Schertz passed on Syracuse and NC State to stay at SLU — perhaps, because he figured something better would open if he showed patience.
Well, Michigan would fit the bill as something better.
Schertz and May are good pals, too. Before SLU faced May’s Wolverines in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, Schertz spoke of his yearslong friendship with May, calling him “an incredible resource.”
“We’re always picking each other’s brain,” Schertz said then.
Josh Schertz would fit Michigan's past playbook of hiring Dusty May
May climbed the ladder from video coordinator to becoming best coach in college basketball. Schertz also knows how to grind. He spent more than a decade coaching in Division II before Indiana State smartly hired him.
Schertz would’ve been an appropriate and qualified successor to his friend. He’s more accomplished than Boynton, who proved a valuable assistant to May, but who made just one NCAA Tournament appearance in seven seasons coaching Oklahoma State, a tenure that quickly got sideways as the FBI investigated assistant coach Lamont Evans for taking bribes.
Schertz’s resume, by comparison, includes multiple D-II Final Fours, an NIT runner-up finish at Indiana State after the NCAA selection committee snubbed the Sycamores, and winning an NCAA Tournament game in his second season at SLU, while setting a school record for wins.
If Schertz outperforms Boynton this season, make the switch.
No need for Michigan to reinvent the hiring wheel. Hiring Schertz next spring would amount to dusting off the “Hire Dusty” playbook by targeting a coach who's proven himself in the NCAA Tournament, but who hasn't peaked yet. May took Florida Atlantic to the NCAA Tournament in consecutive seasons and reached a Final Four before Michigan plundered him. He needed just two seasons to take Michigan to the pinnacle.
Don't get distracted by Billy Donovan
Let Kentucky pine over Billy Donovan. Donovan’s past performance at Florida indicates potential for a high ceiling, but he last coached in college more than a decade ago. His inexperience within the landscape of NIL and transfer free agency would make him a riskier hire than you’d expect for someone with his resume.
Instead of Donovan, Michigan could target a savvy coach on the rise who’s won big without Michigan’s resources — someone like Schertz.
Schertz's brand of up-tempo, unselfish offense that tilts toward the 3-pointer suits the modern game.
“When you look at a lot of our metrics and analytics, we mirror each other (in style),” May said last season, while comparing his Wolverines to Schertz’s Billikens.
Put Michigan’s checkbook in Schertz’s hand, and see if he could replicate his friend’s success.
Making Boynton the interim for this season amounts to a low-risk option. If he crushes it, keep him. If not, you’ve burned just one season, and Michigan would be positioned to pursue top candidates at a better stage in the calendar.
While I’d put Schertz near the top of the watch list, the list also should include names like Mark Byington (Vanderbilt), Ben McCollum (Iowa), T.J. Otzelberger (Iowa State) and Grant McCasland (Texas Tech). Like Schertz, they're in-their-prime coaches in their mid to late 40s or early 50s.
If this job had opened in April, I’d have hired any of those guys ahead of Boynton, but the job opened in late June.
That’s a recipe for an in-house interim coach — with a head coach watch list stashed away in Michigan’s top drawer.
The world champs have the No. 24, No. 31, and No. 55 picks in this week’s draft.
WHO HAVE THEY WORKED OUT IN THE NO. 24 TO NO. 31 RANGE?
Michigan PF Morez Johnson Jr.
Arkansas guard Meleek Thomas
Duke wing Isaiah Evans
St. John’s big man Zuby Ejiofor
UConn forward Alex Karaban
Arkansas forward Trevon Brazile
Houston guard Emanuel Sharp
South Florida big Izaiyah Nelson
Virginia big Ugonna Onyenso
WHAT ARE POSITIONS OF NEED?
That depends on what the Knicks plan to do in free agency.
Mitchell Robinson, Landry Shamet, Jordan Clarkson, Jeremy Sochan, Mohamed Diawara (restricted), Ariel Hukporti (restricted), Kevin McCullar Jr. (restricted) and Trey Jemison (restricted) are free agents. Jose Alvarado has a player option. Miles McBride is eligible for an extension.
Apr 30, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) shows emotion after a play against the Atlanta Hawks in the second quarter during game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. / Brett Davis - Imagn Images
If Robinson and Shamet are back, the Knicks probably look at size on the wing or a player who can handle the ball. Ejiofor has some fans in the organization. If they think they are losing Robinson or Hukporti, maybe the Knicks draft a center? Tarris Reed Jr. from UConn would be a strong pick in New York’s range.
**Owner James Dolan said recently on WFAN that he doesn’t want to spend into the second apron. I have to think that Dolan was mistaken, referencing the penalties a team incurs when it is in the second apron for three out of five seasons. The Knicks would need to get into the second apron to re-sign Robinson and Shamet. So it wouldn’t make sense for the club to limit spending at below the second apron. Especially a team coming off of a championship whose best player (Jalen Brunson) took a pay cut to help build out the roster. If Dolan is serious about the second apron, it will significantly impact the Knicks’ offseason.
WHO HAVE THEY WORKED OUT IN THE NO. 55/UNDRAFTED FREE AGENT RANGE?
The No. 24 pick is their own first-rounder – which is a rarity for the franchise. As things currently stand, the next time the Knicks have their own first round pick is in 2030. They will send their 2027, 2029 and 2031 first-rounders to Brooklyn as part of the Mikal Bridges trade. They also have a first-round pick swap with the Nets in 2028.
The No. 31 pick is from Washington as part of the 2022 NBA Draft night trade of the No. 11 pick to Oklahoma City. The Knicks will get Washington’s second-round pick in 2026 and 2027 as part of that trade. The deal was executed as part of an effort to clear enough cap space to sign Brunson in free agency.
The No. 55 pick is New York’s own selection. Including the 2026 draft, the Knicks have at least six second-round picks in the next three drafts.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 24: Rui Hachimura #28 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on after a three-point basket as teammates celebrates during the second quarter of an NBA game against the Orlando Magic at Crypto.com Arena on February 24, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
While the Lakers are set to potentially have a lot of cap space this summer, it comes with a lot of moving parts attached.
That cap space is only created if the team renounces the cap holds on certain players — namely LeBron James — and only matters if they have players they want to sign or acquire via trade. It’s going to be a juggling act for the Lakers that could, and likely will, leave someone as the odd man out.
Could that be Rui Hachimura? The wing is set for a big payday after a strong regular season and playoffs as a shooter. In a recent piece for ESPN, Dave McMenamin revealed that some around the league wonder if Rui might have to look elsewhere for that payday.
The biggest unknown is swingman Rui Hachimura. The 28-year-old forward followed up a strong regular season (11.5 points per game on 51.4% from the field and 44.3% from 3) with a brilliant playoffs (17.5 points on 54.9% overall and 56.9% from 3) while playing on an $18.3 million expiring deal.
Several league sources told ESPN they believe Hachimura could be the odd man out and that he might need to explore the market to find a desired deal.
The market for Rui is almost certainly going to be at the mid-level exception, given how few teams have cap space. That will allow the Lakers an idea of what to expect in his next contract and plan accordingly.
But Rui and the rest of the free agents aren’t obligated to wait on the Lakers. If he wants a deal quickly while the team wants to wait to see how things across the league play out, that deal might have to come from some other team.
Boynton joined May's staff in 2024 after serving seven years as Oklahoma State's head coach. Boynton was on Brad Underwood's staff for a year at OSU before Underwood left for Illinois. Boynton was elevated to head coach and posted a 119-109 (.522) record, which included two NIT quarterfinals appearances and a trip to the 2021 NCAA Tournament.
Prior to his time in Stillwater, Boynton worked for Underwood for three seasons at Stephen F. Austin. Boynton then followed Underwood to Oklahoma State for one season, before Underwood left for Illinois and Boynton was promoted to head coach.
Boynton has had assistant coaching stints at Furman, Coastal Carolina, Wofford, South Carolina, Stephen F. Austin and Oklahoma State, before being promoted to head coach at OSU after Brad Underwood took the Illinois job in 2017. In seven seasons at Stillwater, Boynton posted a 119-109 (.522) record, which included two NIT quarterfinals appearances and a trip to the 2021 NCAA Tournament.
What was Mike Boynton's role at Michigan?
Boynton was hired as an assistant coach on May's inaugural staff at Michigan in 2024, and also served as the program's defensive coordinator.
Mike Boynton NCAA Tournament record
Boynton has a 1-1 record at the NCAA Tournament as a head coach, with his lone win coming against No. 13 seed Liberty 69-60 in the first round in 2021. Oklahoma State subsequently fell to No. 12 seed Oregon State in the second round, sending the Cowboys packing.
It was a disappointing finish for the Cowboys, especially as they were led by future No. 1 overall pick and first-team All-NBA guard Cade Cunningham, now of the Detroit Pistons. It was the only season of his seven as a head coach that his team reached March Madness.
Mike Boynton coaching career timeline
Here's a look at Boynton's full coaching history, including each stop of his career:
2004-05: Furman (graduate assistant)
2005-07: Coastal Carolina (assistant)
2007-08: Wofford (associate head coach)
2008-13: South Carolina (assistant)
2013-16: Stephen F. Austin (assistant)
2016-17: Oklahoma State (assistant)
2017-2024: Oklahoma State (head coach)
2024-2026: Michigan (assistant)
2026-present: Michigan (interim head coach)
Where did Mike Boynton go to college?
Mike Boynton played four seasons at South Carolina, where he later served as an assistant coach from 2008-13.
He started 47 career games for the Gamecocks, averaging 4.3 points with 2.0 assists per game from 2000-04.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - MARCH 14: Koa Peat #10 of the Arizona Wildcats drives against Chris Cenac Jr. #5 of the Houston Cougars in the second half during the championship game of the Big 12 Tournament at T-Mobile Center on March 14, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We’re now a day away from the 2026 NBA Draft, set to be one of the best of the decade with a strong class of intriguing young prospects. The Sixers, as many of you know, hold the 22nd selection. With the draft closing in fast, talent evaluators from all corners are publishing their final mock drafts ahead of the big night. Let’s check in around the league and see who’s being projected to Philadelphia at 22.
Let’s keep things on our homecourt, starting with SB Nation. Ricky O’Donnell has the Sixers selecting Jayden Quaintance out of Kentucky, over names such as Ebuka Okorie, Allen Graves and Joshua Jefferson.
For those unfamiliar with Quaintance, my colleague Will Rucker wrote an excellent profile outlining his strengths and weaknesses. The basic rundown: Quaintance is a true bruiser with a legit frame at 6’10, 253 lbs, and a 7’5.25 wingspan. He’s still raw and just 18 years old, which suggests a longer development runway compared to most prospects in this range. The big red flag is health related, as he tore his ACL in February 2025. He played only a few games for Kentucky before being shut down entirely due to knee swelling during the ramp-up process.
Quaintance at 22 would be a big swing, but a healthy version could make this a pick people look back on fondly. He’d blend well alongside Joel Embiid, embracing the dirty work with rebounding and finishes around the basket. By most accounts, though, the knee is a real concern that could cause him to tumble well below 22. ESPN’s Jeremy Woo reported that ‘multiple team sources fear could cause [Quaintance] to miss time next season’. Will the Sixers be willing to take that chance? We’ll know soon enough.
Shifting over to ESPN, Jeremy Woo’s yearly mock draft has the Sixers selecting Ebuka Okorie over names such as Chris Cenac Jr., Henri Veesaar, Jayden Quaintance and Zuby Ejiofor.
For those unfamiliar with Okorie, Will Rucker also wrote his draft profile, which can be found here. The basic rundown: Okorie is a small guard (I already hear the comments) at 6’2.5 with a solid 6’7.75 wingspan, legit burst and shiftiness, and stellar ball handling. The red flags are defensive concerns, mainly tied to size rather than effort, and finishing around the basket. That said, he’s one of the better shooters and scorers in this draft, capable of creating his own shot. His numbers test well, and the eye test backs them up. He has one of the deeper bags in this class.
Okorie, in a vacuum, is a solid guard prospect. If the Sixers want a proven scorer, it’s hard to do much better than him. Most of the hesitation here would stem from his size, but after last season’s postseason run, I’d set fit concerns aside. This team just needs guys who can play. Not only can Okorie play, he might be the best prospect on the board at No. 22.
Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman is one of the more renowned names in the draft world, and he just published his final intel-based mock draft. At 22, he has the Sixers selecting Chris Cenac Jr. over names such as Hannes Steinbach, Zuby Ejiofor and Meleek Thomas.
For those unfamiliar with Cenac, you can check out Greg Frank’s draft profile on him found here. The gist: he’s a legit big man with a 6’11 frame at 240 lbs. He’s a strong rebounder with a good motor, which bodes well for what the Sixers need. He’s also a strong athlete, capable of running the floor and finishing lobs. On top of that, he’s a willing jump shooter with good mechanics, which would hypothetically open up his game at the power forward position. His weaknesses mainly pertain to overall refinement. He’s a raw player who needs to be coached up to reach his ceiling, gets in foul trouble often, and doesn’t shoot great for his size.
Cenac has long been linked to the Sixers for obvious reasons. They simply need a better answer at backup center, with or without Embiid. Cenac has skills that should translate from day one, and if you believe in his upside, he should be able to play alongside Embiid or without him. It’s hard for me to see Cenac as the best player available at 22, but the theoretical fit is undeniable.
Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor published his mock draft 10.0, with the Sixers taking Veesaar at No. 22 over names such as Tarris Reed, Dailyn Swain, Ebuka Okorie, Zuby Ejiofor and Joshua Jefferson.
Veesaar is a skilled big man boasting a near 7-foot frame. He’s a smart basketball player, capable of being a connective piece and making quick reads as a playmaker. Offensively, he has soft touch and finishes well around the basket, with floor spacing capability to boot. Defense is where most of the red flags pop up. He isn’t the most athletic big in this draft, being heavy footed and lacking vertical pop on that end. The closest NBA comparison I can think of is Kelly Olynyk, who offers offensive skill but not much on defense outside of rebounding and the occasional block.
While Veesaar is a safe option, he might just be that. The Sixers need an innings eater at the backup five spot, but I’m not sure how much upside Veesaar truly offers beyond what he gives you from day one. I’d comfortably go Swain in this mock draft, but it’s clear many talent evaluators around the league are prioritizing the Sixers adding a young big.
Finally, we’ll check out The Athletic, spearheaded by Sam Vecenie. In this mock draft, the Sixers go with Koa Peat, over names like Chris Cenac, Tarris Reed, Zuby Ejiofor and Ebuka Okorie.
Peat, like Cenac among many others, is one of the few players we know worked out for the Sixers. The fit makes sense. The Sixers value forwards who can play next to Embiid and embrace the dirty work, and Peat does exactly that. He excels as a rebounder and hustle player, is switchable, and can hang with most wings and even some centers. He has serious bounce and would inject athleticism into the roster. On the other hand, his shot needs serious rework, as he’s essentially a non-factor from range. As a player who relies heavily on physicality, adjusting to bigger, faster, and stronger NBA competition could be a challenge. You’re likely looking at a project player when it comes to Peat.
Peat fits the profile of a player the Sixers should be targeting. At 22, though, better options are likely available. If the Sixers were to trade back into the draft in the second round, he’d be a very intriguing name that makes a lot of sense.
Two months after claiming the second national championship in program history, Michigan has found itself in the market for a new men’s basketball coach.
The last coach to leave right after winning the tournament was former Kansas coach Larry Brown, who made a habit of leaping from one spot to the next in his well-traveled career.
Dusty May was not supposed to follow that same path. After a steady building process resulted in one of the best teams in recent NCAA history, the belief coming out of this year’s Final Four in Indianapolis said that May was poised to become one of the faces of college basketball.
Boynton will have this coming season to convince Michigan to give him the full-time job. Looking toward next winter, here’s USA TODAY Sports’ glance at where Michigan could eventually go to permanently fill May’s shoes:
Boynton ran the defense under May — his work helped the Wolverines outscore opponents by nearly 20 points per game — and was the head coach at Oklahoma State from 2017-24. The results were very mixed: OSU won 20 games three times and reached the second round of the tournament in 2021 but went just 119-109 overall and 51-75 in Big 12 play. Still, Boynton has the qualifications and experience to step into the job at a late date and potentially keep the roster intact, or at least strong enough to stay a factor in the Big Ten and Final Four hunt.
Josh Schertz, Saint Louis
The list of outside candidates begins with Schertz, a close friend of May’s and a coach with a similarly prolific up-tempo offensive scheme. His system could be installed fairly seamlessly and mesh well with the Wolverines’ current roster. Schertz has also proven himself by winning 32 games at Indiana State in 2024 and then leading Saint Louis to 29 wins and the second round of this year’s tournament, where the Billikens were bulldozed by Michigan. Schertz could come eventually with May’s recommendation, which might carry weight in the school’s search.
Nate Oats, Alabama
Oats signed a massive extension that links him to Alabama through 2032 and has experienced his share of controversy, most recently this past season with Charles Bediako’s eligibility debate and guard Aden Holloway’s suspension in the wake of felony drug charges. But he’s also won 70% of his games, reached the Final Four, made two Elite Eight trips and advanced out of the tournament’s opening weekend in each of the past four years. He also spent a decade coaching high school basketball in Michigan before being hired as an assistant at Buffalo in 2013. Oats is in a good spot with the Crimson Tide but could be enticed by the opportunity to coach a program with more support and resources.
Billy Donovan
Donovan is currently out of coaching after stepping down from his spot with the Chicago Bulls after the end of the regular season. While he had his share of NBA success, Donovan is best known for the powerhouse he built Florida, where he claimed back-to-back national championships. Despite his time away from the college game, Donovan has essentially been linked to every major NCAA job opening since he left the Gators over a decade ago. Is Michigan the position that would bring him back? May showed how quickly the right coach can make things happen in Ann Arbor. But it’s unknown whether Donovan is interested in navigating the current landscape of college sports.
T.J. Otzelberger, Iowa State
Otzelberger seems very content in Ames, having already declined overtures from more historically relevant programs since kickstarting the Cyclones’ current run in 2022. Since taking over five seasons ago, he’s led Iowa State to three Sweet 16 berths, four 20-win seasons and at least 25 wins in each of the past three years. While Otzelberger’s teams have been more recognized for defensive intensity, he’s proven himself to be malleable enough as a coach to potentially blend in his style with the tempo that defined May’s tenure.
Brian Dutcher, San Diego State
Formerly a longtime Michigan assistant who was on the staff for the 1989 national champions and then spent another 18 years under former Michigan coach Steve Fisher with the Aztecs, Dutcher has won at least 21 games in every season since replacing Fisher in 2017 and led SDSU to the national title game in 2023. A few factors not in Dutcher’s favor are his age — he’ll turn 67 in October — and that SDSU has taken a bit of a recent dip, dropping out in the First Four of the 2025 tournament and missing this year’s bracket altogether.
The Mavericks are hiring Dusty May from Michigan University to be their next head coach. He is the first coach since John Beilein in 2019 to make the leap, who resigned in February of 2020 after winning just 14 of his 54 games. Beilein, much like May, coached at Michigan and had a winning percentage north of 60 percent in his college career, making both established winners before their NBA tenure. While Beilein quickly flamed out in the big leagues, the Mavericks hope May follows a different path.
To find a different outcome, the Mavericks are going to have to fight history. Of the last 12 college coaches to get hired by an NBA team, only two had winning records. Billy Donovan is the lone survivor still coaching from this group, and has a very respectable career record of 469-413 (53.2 percent). Brad Stevens is the other great hire over the last 30-plus years, who went 354-282 over his eight seasons in Boston before famously making the transition to General Manager, where he has excelled since. Stevens is surely the guy that Dallas had in mind when making this decision, but the rest of the group gives enough pause to be cautious when setting expectations for the defending National Champion’s success at the next level.
Of the ten “duds”, three won over 100 games in the NBA and five won under 70. Two were fired early in their third season, and four lasted two or fewer. The flame-outs were quick and obvious, and given that all six guys hired between 1994 and 2000 had losing records, there was good reason just six more coaches were hired in the same fashion over the next 26 years.
What none of those guys did, however, was win a national title the year they left college. May is coming off a fantastic year that ended with nets being cut and the culmination of his meteoric rise to prominence. The closest any of the guys over the last 32 years (the full list is here) came to doing that was Rick Pitino in 1997, when he lost the National Championship game and then accepted a job to coach the Celtics. He did not win more than 36 games in any of the next four seasons as Boston’s head coach.
While history may not be on May’s side, he certainly has the resume to believe that he is closer to Brad Stevens than John Beilein. He has won everywhere he has coached; he hovered above .500 for four seasons at Florida Atlantic (FAU) and then exploded for 124 wins in 150 games over his next four at FAU and Michigan. That run included two Final Fours, two conference championships, and one National Title. He is a proven winner and is an exciting hire for Dallas. But he will have to overcome the hurdles that present themselves when transitioning from a college locker room to one with grown men. It’s okay to be happy that the Mavericks think they have their guy, but be aware that there are real and repeated failures with previous poachings of college coaches.
With free agency set to begin on June 30, James appears to be keeping every option on the table, from returning to the Los Angeles Lakers to exploring other opportunities — or even retirement.
According to ESPN insider Ramona Shelburne, initial conversations between James’ camp and the Lakers have remained informal and exploratory.
LeBron James is still weighing his options ahead of a massive NBA decision that could reshape free agency. Getty Images
“LA is the first team he can talk to because they’re their own free agent,” Shelburne said on SportsCenter. “My understanding is they had initial conversations with LeBron James’ representative, but he has not even fully committed to returning next year in these conversations.”
LA Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka has his work cut out for him during free agency. Getty Images
Shelburne described the discussions as little more than both sides “keeping in touch,” noting that no contract figures have been discussed and no commitment has been made.
“I think that’s been interpreted as something like, ‘LeBron is still assessing his options,’” Shelburne said. “Whether that is retirement or whether that is other teams.”
That uncertainty was echoed by James’ longtime agent Rich Paul, who recently dismissed widespread speculation surrounding the four-time NBA champion.
“There’s nobody that knows anything about anything that pertains to LeBron,” Paul said. “LeBron James is gonna take as much time as he needs and wants.”
James and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder look toward the heavens. Getty Images
Paul added that roughly 10 to 12 teams have already expressed interest in James should he decide to leave Los Angeles.
Despite turning 42 during the upcoming season, James remains one of the league’s most productive players. He averaged 21.3 points, 7.2 assists and 6.2 rebounds across 70 games during the 2025–26 campaign, proving he can still impact winning at a high level.
The financial component could complicate matters. James earned $52.6 million last season, while the Lakers may prefer greater salary flexibility as they continue building around Luka Dončić.
Luka Dončić listens to James during the Lakers’ third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Getty Images
According to Shelburne, James may be reluctant to take a substantial pay cut, particularly after feeling his sacrifices in recent years have gone underappreciated.
The Lakers remain in contact. Rival teams continue to monitor the situation. And LeBron James, perhaps for the first time in years, appears to be carefully evaluating every possible path before making what could become one of the most consequential decisions of the NBA offseason.
Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters
Hang uno up in the rafters. Booker is in his #15 era.
New number, new Book. Scoring 70 points in a loss Book is out, and gold medal Book is in. The Olympic 3 and D Book. The “I’ll do it” Book. The being-anything-the-team-needs-him-to-be Book.
What could the player that Steve Kerr named the “Unsung MVP” of the 2024 Olympic gold medal team bring to the run-it-back Suns? I say, he’ll bring what he’s always brought, exactly what his team needs to win.
Steve Kerr went on to say this about Devin Booker.
“He’s probably the guy who has been the most adaptable to go from a different role in the NBA to a new one here. He’s adapted to being an on-ball guy, ball mover. The offense clicks when he’s out there, the defense is really good.”
In my opinion, the Suns need Booker to fill a new role in the 2026-27 season. More CP3, less Kobe. More Gary Payton, less Allen Iverson. This Suns team doesn’t win a playoff series or nab a 4-5 seed because Booker takes more shots. Not if that means Jalen Green has to take fewer shots. Or Dillon Brooks gets trigger-shy. Or Collin Gillespie defers. This isn’t the 2017 Suns, or the CP3 Suns that needed Booker to flame on every night. Booker doesn’t have to provide the bulk of the shots on this Suns team. SG1 isn’t a winning strategy. Let Ant and Spida spin their tires in the conference finals, chasing that title. The answer isn’t always more gas.
You know what the run-it-back Suns need more than 25 shots a night from Booker? Some of that Paris Olympics defense.
<br>
For being a team that wants to build off the defensive side of the ball, the Suns couldn’t keep anyone out of the lane, and by the time they got to the playoffs, the secret was out. Expect teams to attack the Suns with the drive until the tape gives them reason to pause. The Suns can’t be the type of swarming defense Jordan Ott envisions if they can’t stay in front of the ball. The coaching staff and front office are surely working to address that weakness, but could the Suns’ best player be a part of the solution?
Booker played good defense last season. Can he make that a more consistent part of his game? Can he step up and take on a difficult assignment in a playoff series? Could he hold up when he gets switched onto Ant, Luka, or Shai. What would that allow the rest of the team to do? If Booker is mixing it up on defense, game in and game out, what kind of effort are you going to get from Jalen Green? How does that intensity transfer to the young core? How aggressively do Collin, Oso, Fleming, and Dunn play? A great individual offensive performance can increase everyone’s confidence shooting the ball. Could great individual effort from Book on the defensive end have a similar effect? The rising tide raises all boats. The Suns need Devin Booker to be the rising tide, on the defensive end, and as a playmaker on offense.
Booker’s numbers weren’t as off from previous seasons as the fan reaction would have you think, but the efficiency numbers were down. Yet the biggest critique from Book’s post-season performance was that he wasn’t aggressively seeking his shot. Then people see Jalen Brunson in the finals relentlessly attacking, and everyone stands up and says, “See! That’s what Booker needs to do.” But when Booker was at his best, making finals runs, getting MVP votes, and making all NBA teams, he was efficient. His 45.6 FG% last season was the lowest it’s been since the 2017-18 season, and his 33.0 3PT% was the lowest it’s been since the 2018-19 season. How does forcing contested shots help that?
Booker is great when he’s pushing the 50/40/90 mark. If he has to shoot it 15-17 times a game instead of 20 to get there, so be it. Booker needs to leverage his basketball IQ and gravity to be a playmaker first, like you see from superstars like Jokic or Lebron. Not just to create open looks for his teammates but also to open up better looks for himself. Lebron and Jokic don’t attack the wall teams build to contain them. They work the ball around the wall until the defense has to come out to cover the corners of the court they thought they could sacrifice. That’s when Jokic or Lebron start scoring. That’s how they get the looks they want, not the looks the defense wants.
Booker would benefit from being a more opportunistic scorer this upcoming season. When he’s playing with the bench unit at the end of the first quarter. Go nuts. When the Suns brick consecutive shots, and the other team sparks a run. Get aggressive, get a bucket. When he catches Austin Reeves in rotation. Take him to the hoop. But you don’t need to kill yourself in the first half getting to your spot if Green or Brooks are getting good looks. Be smart about when you spend your energy. The Suns don’t need Booker to take over in the second quarter; they need him to get buckets in the 4th. That’s how, on any given night, Booker can take fewer shots than Jalen Green or Dillon Brooks and still be the franchise player the Suns pay him to be. CP3 had it down to a science.
Booker can’t stay 2023 forever. I’m sure he looks at guys like Lebron and CP3, who stretched their careers out long past their expected expiration date, and thinks how he could do the same for his career. Their games evolved with age, with the way defenses played them, with the teams they had around them. Booker’s game will evolve too.
From coming off the bench for Calipari at Kentucky to hitting corner threes for Steve Kerr in the Paris Olympics, Devin Booker has always been willing and able to assume whatever role he needs to play to win. For over a decade, he’s been the Sun’s offensive engine wearing the number 1. Maybe that’s not what the Suns need right now. Maybe the Suns need the Olympic Booker. Maybe it’s time for Suns fans to open their minds to what #15 has to offer.
Or maybe I’m wrong. Maybe the only thing that will change about Devin Booker is his number. Let me know in the comments what you expect from Book next season. Will we see a new Book? Or will SG1 strike back?
Just one sleep remains before the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft in Brooklyn. The 2026 class is been considered one of the deepest and most talented in recent memory, headlined by a quartet of generational one-and-dones as well as explosive guards, and elite veteran forwards. With the draft almost here, here are John Fanta's picks for all 30 first-round selections.
