The 2026 NBA Draft is on the horizon, bringing one of the most significant dates on the league’s calendar. 

Childhood dreams of making it to the NBA will be achieved. 

Teams will turn draft assets into tangible players who they hope will contribute to winning in the short- and long-term future.

And in the background, teams will continue to explore the options that’ll help them achieve their goals for 2026-27. 

For the Lakers, who have a first-round pick in the draft (No. 25), the opportunity the draft presents as it pertains to roster building can’t be whiffed on.  

In their pursuit of assembling a roster that’ll be competitive against the 2026 Western Conference champion Spurs and 2025 NBA champion Thunder, the Lakers have two main options for their first-round pick: trade it for a player who’s ready to compete for a title now alongside Luka Doncic or select a prospect whom they plan to develop and hope will help now and in the future. 

If the Lakers choose the latter, there isn’t a shortage of options. 

Toward the top of that list should be Houston big man Chris Cenac Jr., whose potential and upside may be too enticing for the Lakers to pass on.

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Chris Cenac Jr., Houston big

2025-26 stats: 9.5 points (48.5% shooting — 55.1% on 2s, 33.3% on 3s), 7.9 rebounds, 24.8 minutes

Measurements: 6-foot-10 ¼ (without shoes), 239 pounds, 7-foot-5 wingspan, 9-foot-0 ½ standing reach  

Why draft Chris Cenac Jr.?

Cenac’s mix of size, fluidity and athleticism make him one of the more intriguing long-term prospects who could be available when the Lakers are on the clock with their first-round pick. 

He runs the floor and changes ends like a much smaller player. He’s a constant threat in transition and at the rim — as a lob finisher and straight-line driver — because of his physical tools and motor.

His hustle and willingness to play through contact was evident in his rebounding. Cenac averaged 2.2 offensive rebounds and did well converting second-chance opportunities. 

He showed flashes of reliable shooting from beyond the arc and midrange, with his perimeter shooting being one of the swing skills that’ll determine whether he reaches his potential. 

His ball-handling skills are more advanced than most players his size.

Cenac should be able to switch onto perimeter players in the NBA because of his size, quickness and effort.

He isn’t a traditional rim protector for a big man, but he showcased the ability to be a weakside shot blocker. 

The Lakers know they need to get younger and more athletic to keep up in the Western Conference, and Cenac would address both of those areas.

It’s important to point out that Cenac is repped by WME, the same agency that represents Doncic as well as Lakers big men Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes.

Areas of improvement?

Cenac needs to get stronger to be a reliable big-man option.

He hustles and has a high motor, but needs to strengthen his frame to keep up with the NBA’s physicality and be able to play with force at the next level. 

His offensive game needs significant development: His lack of polish led to inconsistencies with his scoring.

The tools and potential — from his passing to shooting — are evident, but he isn’t a reliable offensive creator because of the inconsistencies. 

His 62.1% free-throw shooting with Houston is discouraging when it comes to hopes of him becoming a reliable perimeter shooter.

He also struggled with his non-dunk finishes, showing a lack of touch.

Cenac needs a team that’ll be patient with his development.

Tyrese Maxey’s 2025-26 campaign started very similar to his year from a season prior. He was tasked with an incredible minutes load in order to lead whatever starting lineup was able to make it onto the court for the Sixers that night. Unlike the previous season, he was ready for the burden.

Coming out firing, Maxey was one of the league’s top scorers averaging 30.8 points per game through the first two months of the season shooting 46% from the field and 39% from three-point range. Even as his averages dipped as the season went on to 28.3 points and 6.6 assists per game on 46%/36%/89% shooting splits, it was still good enough for him to earn his second All-Star appearance and first selection to Third Team All-NBA.

On top of being the league leader in minutes per game, a reason Maxey’s production waned was a finger injury he suffered in March that sidelined him for roughly three weeks. He was able to return to form before the end of the regular season and played as big a part as any in the team’s comeback from down 3-1 in the series to defeat the Boston Celtics in the first round.

He tweaked that finger again early in their second-round matchup against the New York Knicks. Looking hampered, Maxey and the Sixers were dead on arrival against the eventual 2026 champions.

Despite having a familiar end, Maxey’s regular season was a delight from start to finish. He became the efficient scorer he needed to in order to be the No. 1 option of an offense, he handed the keys off to VJ Edgecombe enough to allow him to grow as a long-term running mate in the backcourt, and his chemistry with Joel Embiid made it possible to integrate the big fella quickly after extended absences.

Turning production into wins was the next step in Maxey’s journey. There’s still a lot of room for him to grow, but for the first time in Embiid’s career, it was a genuine debate as to weather he or Maxey was the most important Sixer on the floor to do so.

Obviously, the majority of the 3-1 deficit the Sixers fell into came before Embiid had returned from his appendectomy. At the same time, the only game the Sixers had a chance of taking off New York, Game 2, came without Embiid in the lineup and the difference in that game ended up being the minute and a half Maxey spent on the bench.

That’s one of many reasons why his performance in that series is weird to evaluate. The finger injury definitely hampered him. After averaging 26.9 points on 21.6 shots a game in the Boston series, he averaged just 18.3 points on 15 shots against the Knicks.

The second round series defeat highlighted a truth that had been emerging all season: it was hard for the Sixers to win if Tyrese Maxey wasn’t absolutely cooking.

That somehow hasn’t been as straightforward for the starting point guard on a max contract. The Sixers’ offense dramatically shifts to work around Embiid when he returns to the court, and it normally takes a game or two for them to figure that out and adjust. The most famous example of this may now be Game 4 against Boston.

Maxey even said during the season that he was struggling with the amount of roles he had to take on any given night.

His ability to do so is what’s made him the bridge for the franchise to transition from era to era. He sits right in between the aging former MVP trying to extend his career and the 20-year old who just had a potentially franchise-altering rookie season. For as long as the Sixers have their supposed “Big 4” on the roster, it is Maxey’s job to make it all make sense.

Once upon a time, there was no limit to the number of draft rounds. It lasted as long as there were teams interested in drafting players. As the league expanded and evolved, the draft actually became smaller, eventually adopting the two-round format we know today in 1989. Even then, the second round began at pick No. 28 because there were only 27 teams in the league. The modern draft structure didn’t fully take shape until 2004, when the NBA expanded to 30 teams, and the draft became the 60-pick event we grew accustomed to for the next two decades.

That historical context is important as we continue our journey through picks 40 through 31. If you go back far enough, many of these selections weren’t even second-round picks. The 31st overall pick, for example, was a third-round selection in 1969. In 1960, the 40th overall pick was the final selection of the fifth round.

Times have certainly changed. But regardless of whether a player was selected in the second round, third round, or fifth round, the draft slot remains the draft slot. The objective of this exercise is to determine the best player ever selected at each position, regardless of the era in which they were chosen.

Today, we close out the modern front end of the second round. Before we begin, let’s take one final look back at the players who earned the title of best player selected at each draft position from No. 60 through No. 41.

Pick	Player	Year
60	Michael Cooper	1978
59	Pat Cummings	1978
58	Kurt Rambis	1980
57	Manu Ginobili	1999
56	Amir Johnson	2005
55	Luis Scola	2002
54	Sam Mitchell	1985
53	Anthony Mason	1988
52	Rasual Butler	2002
51	Kyle Korver	2003
50	Steve Kerr	1988
49	Eddie Johnson	1997
48	Marc Gasol	2007
47	Paul Millsap	2006
46	Jeff Hornacek	1986
45	Bob Dandridge	1969
44	Malik Rose	1996
43	Michael Redd	2000
42	Stephen Jackson	1997
41	Nikola Jokic	2014

And now, on with the show…

40. George Gervin (1974)

Honorable Mentions:

• Gar Heard (1970)
• Monta Ellis (2005)

Suns Taken at 40:

• George Gervin (1974)*
• Oso Ighodaro (2024)**

*opted to stay in the ABA
**rights obtained on draft day

Ah, what might have been…

The Iceman, George Gervin, spent the first two seasons of his professional career in the ABA. Then, with the fourth selection of the third round in the 1974 NBA Draft, the Phoenix Suns took a chance on him. It was a gamble. The Suns hoped the NBA’s appeal would lure Gervin away from the San Antonio Spurs of the ABA and bring him to Phoenix. But it never happened. He remained with the Spurs until 1976, when the NBA absorbed four ABA franchises, including San Antonio.

By that point, Gervin was already a three-time ABA All-Star. When he officially entered the NBA in 1976 at age 24, he immediately established himself as one of the league’s premier scorers. What followed was an incredible run. Gervin played 10 seasons in the NBA and was selected to the All-Star Game in nine of them. The only season he missed was his final year, when he played all 82 games for the Chicago Bulls.

His first nine NBA seasons, all with the Spurs, were nothing short of spectacular. Gervin led the league in field goals made three times. He led the league in field goal attempts three times. Most importantly, he captured scoring titles in 1978, 1979, 1980, and 1982. Night after night, he was an offensive machine.

By the time his career ended, Gervin had accumulated a résumé that included nine NBA All-Star appearances, three ABA All-Star selections, four scoring championships, seven All-NBA selections, and eventual induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Not bad for the 40th overall pick. And if you’re a Suns fan, it’s impossible not to wonder. What if he had said yes?

What if the Suns had successfully convinced him to leave the ABA and come to Phoenix in 1974? History unfolded differently, and Gervin became synonymous with the Spurs. Still, it’s one of those fascinating “what if” moments in franchise history.

Because for a brief moment, the rights to one of the greatest scorers the game has ever seen belonged to the Phoenix Suns.

39. Khris Middleton (2012)

Honorable Mentions:

• Alvin Attles (1960)
• Jerami Grant (2014)
• Earl Watson (2001)

Suns Taken at 39:

• Lloyd Kerr (1969)
• Kevin Magee (1982)
• Rafael Addison (1986)
• Russ Millard (1996)

From one of the best players ever drafted outside the top 30 in George Gervin, we move to a player whose résumé is impressive in its own right, even if it doesn’t carry quite the same historical weight. Khris Middleton is the clear choice at No. 39.

The reality is, there isn’t a ton of high-end talent that has come from this draft slot, which makes Middleton’s career stand out even more. A three-time All-Star and an NBA champion, he has spent 14 seasons in the league proving that second-round picks can become foundational pieces of championship teams.

And he’s been remarkably consistent while doing it.

Over the course of his career, Middleton has averaged 16.1 points and 4.7 rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 38.5% from beyond the arc. Honestly, I didn’t realize his career three-point percentage was that high until I dug into the numbers. That’s elite efficiency sustained over more than a decade.

What makes Middleton’s career even more impressive is the role he played in Milwaukee. He wasn’t merely a complementary player. He was the co-star next to Giannis Antetokounmpo during one of the most successful eras in modern Bucks history. When Milwaukee won the championship in 2021, Middleton was often the player tasked with creating offense late in games and delivering in big moments. That’s a lot to ask of a player drafted 39th overall.

As we work our way through the 30s, Middleton might end up feeling a little underwhelming compared to some of the names that are still to come. That’s not a criticism of him. It’s more a reflection of how surprisingly strong this section of the draft has been throughout NBA history.

Because if you told any franchise they could guarantee themselves Khris Middleton with the 39th pick, they’d sprint that card to the podium. I’d happily take that every time.

38. Lou Dampier (1967)

Honorable Mentions:

• Steve Blake (2003)
• Chandler Parsons (2011)
• Spencer Dinwiddie (2014)

Suns Taken at 38:

• Dean Garrett (1988)*

*opted to play internationally

As we arrive at the 38th overall pick, we find a collection of solid role players and long-term contributors. What we don’t find is an obvious NBA star. In fact, the best player ever drafted at this slot barely had an NBA career at all. That’s what makes Louie Dampier such an interesting case.

Normally, this exercise focuses almost entirely on NBA accomplishments. Dampier is one of the rare exceptions because what he accomplished in the ABA simply outweighs anything anyone else drafted at this position achieved professionally.

The Cincinnati Royals selected Dampier with the 38th overall pick in the 1967 NBA Draft. The Royals franchise would eventually become the Kansas City Omaha Kings, then the Kansas City Kings, and ultimately the Sacramento Kings. But Dampier never played for them. Instead, he chose the ABA, joining the Kentucky Colonels and becoming one of the defining players of that league.

Over nine seasons with Kentucky, Dampier averaged 18.9 points and 5.6 assists per game while establishing himself as one of the premier guards in the ABA. He was selected to seven All-Star Games, earned four All-ABA honors, and helped lead the Colonels to the 1975 ABA championship. For nearly a decade, he was one of the faces of the league.

Then everything changed in 1976. When the NBA absorbed four ABA franchises, the Kentucky Colonels were not among them. The franchise ceased operations, forcing Dampier to find a new home. That home became San Antonio.

At age 32, Dampier joined the Spurs and spent three seasons in the NBA. His contributions were modest compared to what he had accomplished in the ABA. He averaged 6.7 points per game during his NBA career and served more as a veteran presence than a star player.

But that’s okay. This selection isn’t about what he did in the NBA. It’s about the totality of his professional basketball career. When you look at everything Dampier accomplished in the ABA, seven All-Star appearances, a championship, multiple All-ABA selections, and nearly 19 points per game over nine seasons, his résumé easily rises above everyone else drafted 38th overall.

It’s one of those unique moments where the ABA history matters every bit as much as the NBA history. He’s in the Hall of Fame. And because of that, Louie Dampier earns the nod at No. 38. That and I just couldn’t give it to Steve Blake.

37. Nick Van Exel (1993)

Honorable Mentions:

• Mehmet Okur (2001)
• Archie Clark (1966)
• Eddie House (2000)

Suns Taken at 37:

• Phoenix has never drafted from this position

The 37th overall pick has produced some solid NBA players over the years, but there isn’t a name that immediately jumps off the page as a franchise-changing talent. That said, I’m giving this one to Nick Van Exel. Suns fans of a certain age probably remember him well. In fact, many of us remember him because he always seemed to be a thorn in Phoenix’s side.

Van Exel was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1993 and quickly established himself as one of the more entertaining point guards of his era. He played with flair, confidence, and a level of swagger that made him easy to root for if he was on your team and incredibly frustrating if he wasn’t.

His best years began in Los Angeles, where he earned the lone All-Star selection of his career in 1998. By that point, he had become one of the league’s better offensive guards, capable of scoring in bunches while also creating opportunities for teammates.

Over a 13-year career, Van Exel played for six different organizations. While many remember him as a Laker, some of his most productive seasons actually came with the Denver Nuggets. From 1998 through 2001, he averaged 17.7 points and 8.4 assists per game, proving he could be much more than a complementary player. He was a legitimate offensive engine who could run a team while still providing plenty of scoring punch.

And yes, he played well against Phoenix. That probably factors into my memory of him more than I’d like to admit. In 46 career games against the Suns, Van Exel averaged 14.0 points and 6.4 assists while shooting 40% from the field, 37% from three, and 70% from the free throw line. Those aren’t overwhelming numbers, but they felt impactful whenever Phoenix faced him.

Sometimes, certain players simply stick with you. Van Exel is one of those players for me.

36. Maurice Cheeks (1978)

Honorable Mentions:

• Clifford Robinson (1989)
• Malcolm Brogdon (2016)
• Mitchell Robinson (2018)

Suns Taken at 36:

• Art Beatty (1968)
• Jimmy Connor (1975)*
• Charles Jones (1984)

*opted to play in the ABA

Uncle Cliffy, Cliff Robinson, was drafted 36th overall and certainly deserves a mention here. He had a fantastic career and was one of the most versatile forwards of his era. But if we’re talking about the greatest player ever selected at No. 36, it’s got to be Maurice Cheeks.

Drafted in the second round of the 1978 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, Cheeks became one of the defining point guards of the 1980s. He wasn’t the flashiest player on the floor, and he certainly wasn’t the highest scorer. What he was, however, was a winner. Cheeks played a pivotal role on the 1983 Philadelphia 76ers championship team, one of the most dominant teams of that era.

His résumé is impressive. He was a four-time All-Star, a five-time All-Defensive Team selection, and one of the best perimeter defenders of his generation. Over the course of a 15-year career, Cheeks averaged 11.1 points, 6.7 assists, and 2.1 steals per game while consistently doing the little things that winning teams need.

What makes that 1983 76ers team so fascinating is the balance it possessed. You had the finesse and brilliance of Julius Erving. You had the overwhelming force of Moses Malone. Then you had Maurice Cheeks setting the tone in the backcourt, defending everybody, running the offense, and making life miserable for opposing guards. That team was loaded. And Cheeks was a huge reason why it all worked.

His career eventually took him to New York, Atlanta, San Antonio, and New Jersey, but he’ll always be remembered as a Sixer first and foremost.

And speaking of championships, congratulations are in order. More than four decades after winning a title as a player, Cheeks added another championship to his résumé this season as an assistant coach with the New York Knicks.

35. Draymond Green (2012)

Honorable Mentions:

• DeAndre Jordan (2008)
• PJ Tucker (2006)
• Rick Mahorn (1980)

Suns Taken at 35:

• Allen Murphy (1975)*

*opted to play in the ABA

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more impactful player drafted 35th overall than Draymond Green.

At first glance, his statistical profile might not overwhelm you. For his career, Green has averaged 8.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. Those numbers are solid, but they don’t immediately scream Hall of Fame. That’s because Draymond’s value has never been fully captured by the box score. His impact comes from everything else.

It comes from his defensive versatility. It comes from his leadership. It comes from his basketball IQ. It comes from his willingness to do all of the dirty work that winning teams require. And yes, it comes from the attitude and edge he brings to the court every single night.

Love him or hate him, Draymond Green helped define an era of basketball. The Golden State Warriors won four NBA championships with Green serving as the emotional heartbeat of the team. While Stephen Curry was the engine and Klay Thompson was the flamethrower, Green was the connective tissue that made everything work.

Green is a four-time All-Star, a two-time All-NBA selection, a nine-time All-Defensive Team honoree, and the 2017 Defensive Player of the Year. He has spent more than a decade serving as one of the league’s most versatile and disruptive defenders. For a second-round pick, that’s extraordinary value.

Finding a player who can become a franchise cornerstone is difficult enough in the lottery. Finding one at No. 35 overall is the type of outcome that changes the trajectory of an organization. That’s exactly what happened in Golden State. Draymond Green may never be remembered as the greatest scorer or the most talented player from his era, but his impact on winning is undeniable.

34. Carlos Boozer (2002)

Honorable Mentions:

• Don Buse (1972)
• Jae Crowder (2012)
• Mario Chalmers (2008)
• CJ Miles (2005)

Suns Taken at 34:

• Don Buse (1972)*
• Tyler Ulis (2016)

*opted to play in the ABA

I honestly forgot Carlos Boozer wasn’t a lottery pick. Coming out of Duke in the early 2000s, it felt like every notable Blue Devil ended up hearing his name called in the first half of the first round. But Boozer slipped all the way to No. 34, where the Cleveland Cavaliers selected him in the 2002 NBA Draft.

Looking back at the history of the 34th pick, it’s kind of interesting. You see names like Don Buse, Jae Crowder, and Mario Chalmers. None of them were superstars, but all of them carved out meaningful careers. It feels like this is the lunch pail draft slot, the place where teams find players who show up, put their heads down, and go to work. Boozer certainly fits that description.

After beginning his career in Cleveland, he eventually landed with the Utah Jazz, where he played the best basketball of his career. It was there that he became a two-time All-Star and earned an All-NBA Third Team selection. For several seasons, Boozer was one of the more productive power forwards in the league. He wasn’t flashy. He wasn’t revolutionary. He simply produced. Night after night, he gave you points, rebounds, toughness, and consistency. That’s why coaches loved him and why he remained a valuable player for so long.

By the time his career came to an end, Boozer had spent 13 seasons in the NBA while averaging 16.2 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. Those are impressive numbers for any player, let alone one drafted 34th overall. Was he a franchise-changing star? No. But he was dependable. He was productive. And he was always there. Sometimes that’s exactly what makes a player successful.

33. Jalen Brunson (2018)

Honorable Mentions:

• Bob Love (1965)
• Kevin Duckworth (1986)
• Happy Hairston (1964) What a name…

Suns Taken at 33:

• Lamar Green (1969)
• Scott English (1972)
• Gary Melchionni (1973)
• Butch Feher (1976)

Jalen Brunson, the newly minted NBA Finals MVP, was selected 33rd overall in the 2018 NBA Draft. And yes, it’s one of those drafts that can drive Suns fans insane if you stare at it for too long.

The Suns didn’t draft Luka Doncic. Shai Gilgeous Alexander went after Mikal Bridges. And Phoenix selected Elie Okobo while Brunson remained on the board. That’s why it’s usually best not to spend too much time looking backward. If you do it long enough, you’ll lose your mind.

When you look at the history of the 33rd overall pick, there are some solid players. Plenty of guys carved out respectable NBA careers. Brunson is different. He’s already a three-time All-Star. He’s already a three-time All-NBA selection. Now he’s an NBA champion and an NBA Finals MVP. And he’s only 29 years old.

If there’s one word to describe Jalen Brunson, it’s winner.

There is one word you can use to describe Jalen Brunson: Winner

— John Voita, III (@DarthVoita) June 14, 2026

He won at the AAU level. He won at Villanova. He won in Dallas. And now he’s won at the highest level the sport has to offer. Everywhere he goes, success seems to follow.

What’s most impressive is the way he’s done it. Brunson isn’t an overwhelming athlete. He isn’t physically imposing. He doesn’t possess the size that teams traditionally look for when building around a franchise player. He simply knows how to play basketball. He’s tough. He’s smart. He’s disciplined. And when the game gets tight, he consistently delivers.

The Knicks didn’t win this championship because Brunson was along for the ride. They won it because he was the engine. He was the primary reason they reached the mountaintop. He was the player opposing defenses were trying to stop. He was the player making winning plays when the pressure was at its highest. For the 33rd overall pick, that’s about as good as it gets. And unless someone comes along with an even more decorated résumé, Jalen Brunson may hold this spot for a very long time.

32. Rashard Lewis (1998)

Honorable Mentions:

• Bill Bridges (1961)
• Caldwell Jones (1973)
• Ivica Zubac (2016)

Suns Taken at 32:

• Nick Vanos (1985)
• Chad Gallagher (1991)*
• Davon Reed (2017)
• KZ Okpala (2019)

*opted to play internationally

As we prepare to close out the second round, the 32nd overall pick presents an interesting case. There isn’t a long list of All-Stars at this draft slot. The most accomplished player selected here is Rashard Lewis, whom the Seattle SuperSonics drafted directly out of high school in 1998.

Like many high school prospects of that era, Lewis needed time to develop. The talent was obvious, but it took a few seasons before everything came together. By his fifth year in the NBA, he had blossomed into one of the league’s better forwards, averaging 18.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game while showcasing the kind of size and shooting ability that would become highly coveted in the years that followed.

Lewis earned two All-Star selections during his career, the first with Seattle in 2005 and the second with the Orlando Magic in 2009.

His move to Orlando elevated both his profile and his impact. With the Magic, Lewis became a key piece of a team that consistently competed near the top of the Eastern Conference. Alongside Dwight Howard, he helped usher in a modern style of basketball that relied heavily on floor spacing and three-point shooting from the power forward position.

The Magic never quite got over the hump, but they came close. In the 2009 NBA Finals, Lewis averaged 17.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Orlando ultimately fell short, but Lewis played well on the biggest stage.

After his time with the Magic ended, he was traded to Washington in a deal involving Gilbert Arenas. From there, his career slowly began to wind down. Still, there was one final accomplishment waiting for him. Lewis joined the Miami Heat and won an NBA championship in 2013. His role was limited by that point, and he played only 12 minutes during the Finals, but a championship is a championship.

When it was all said and done, Lewis put together a career that most second-round picks could only dream of. He became a two-time All-Star, a key contributor on a Finals team, and eventually an NBA champion.

31. Danny Ainge (1981)

Honorable Mentions:

• Doc Rivers (1983)
• Bojan Bogdanovic (2011)
• Manute Bol (1985)

Suns Taken at 31:

• Fred Saunders (1974)
• Joe Ward (1986)
• Negele Knight (1990)
• Elie Okobo (2018)
• Rasheer Fleming (2025)*

*rights obtained on draft day

We have some good names at the 31st overall pick, including Doc Rivers and Manute Bol. Both have strong cases, and both left their mark on NBA history. But this one is Danny Ainge’s.

The pesky, annoying son of a bitch out of BYU was drafted by the Boston Celtics in 1981 and quickly became the type of player opponents hated, and teammates loved. Long before Dillon Brooks was irritating fan bases around the league, Ainge was doing it in Boston. He was a pest. An agitator. An annoyance. And he played a key role on two Celtics championship teams during the 1980s.

By 1988, Ainge had fully come into his own. After becoming a regular starter during the 1984-85 season, he earned the lone All-Star selection of his career in 1988. That same season, he led the NBA with 1.8 made three pointers per game, a number that feels quaint today but was impressive for the era.

Boston eventually traded him to the Sacramento Kings in February 1989. The Kings then dealt him to the Portland Trail Blazers that offseason, a move that would eventually intersect with Phoenix Suns history.

Ainge helped Portland eliminate the Suns in the 1992 Western Conference Semifinals, a series that proved to be a turning point for the franchise. That 53-win Phoenix team had grown tired of postseason disappointment, and the loss helped push the organization toward the blockbuster trade that brought Charles Barkley to the Valley. Ironically, the Suns also brought in Ainge that same offseason via free agency.

His arrival paid immediate dividends. Ainge played 80 games for Phoenix during the 1992-93 season and helped the Suns reach the NBA Finals. It was the sixth Finals appearance of his career and his second consecutive trip after reaching the championship round with Portland the year before. Unfortunately for Ainge and the Suns, Michael Jordan was waiting on the other side. Just as Jordan had denied Portland in 1992, he denied Phoenix in 1993.

Ainge would spend the final three seasons of his career with the Suns, serving as a veteran leader and valuable contributor during one of the best stretches in franchise history. He would then join the coaching staff, and towels were thrown. You know the story.

When it was all said and done, he played 14 NBA seasons, averaged 11.5 points per game, and shot 37.8% from beyond the arc. More importantly, he won two championships, made an All-Star team, appeared in six NBA Finals, and built a reputation as one of the fiercest competitors of his generation.

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And with that, we close the book on the second round and step into territory where the talent pool starts getting a little richer.

What stands out most from picks 40 through 31 is how many different paths to success exist in professional basketball. Hall of Famers, champions, All-Stars, role players, and a few fascinating “what ifs” all emerged from this stretch of the draft. It’s a reminder that value can be found anywhere if an organization knows what it’s looking for.

The lottery may grab the headlines, but NBA history has always been built on finding gems long after the spotlight has moved on.

Ticker.

Tape.

Parade.

My guy Jordan Clarkson grabbed my phone to get his POV
💙🧡💙🧡💙🧡💙🧡💙💙🧡💙#CHAMPIONS#KNICKSpic.twitter.com/FyVTCGf0KG

— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) June 18, 2026

James Dolan

On the future of the Knicks:

“We’re gonna keep working to bring you even better basketball. Although it’s hard to imagine that we get much better than this. But we will, right fellas?”

On delivering a championship to New York City:

“When I look out over the Knick fans here, you all don’t look older than 53 years. Some of you weren’t waiting 53; you weren’t born yet, but we’re very, very happy to have brought you a championship. I’m very proud of our team.”

53 years & it was still worth the wait 🗽🏆

[📸: via/ IG mitch.ritter ] pic.twitter.com/ImxzTjVFY5

— Complex (@Complex) June 19, 2026

Mike Brown

On Knicks fans and playing at Madison Square Garden:

“Playing in front of you guys when we had our ups was fantastic, but you’re the most knowledgeable foundation in the whole NBA. Your guys’ energy when we had our downs was off the charts, and I want to thank you for it. There’s nothing better than walking into the iconic building of MSG and getting down night after night after night in front of you guys. You guys made us feel the energy that brought us over the hump when we didn’t feel like playing, when our game wasn’t at the top again.”

"There's a lot of people

Who have a lot of opinions

But when you prove em wrong

You don't have to say shit to them

Nah

They don't deserve it.

Thank you"

–– Jalen Brunson pic.twitter.com/03Y1Hck4eb

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) June 18, 2026

Jalen Brunson

On believing the Knicks would finish the job:

“Somehow, some way. I knew we were going to find a way to get this done. Most importantly, thank you to the fans. Not gonna lie, though, y’all. Y’all are some pretty hard critics, but we appreciate it.”

On winning the championship:

“Damn, we really did it, dawg.”

On his critics and doubters:

“There’s a lot of people who have a lot of opinions. But when you prove them wrong, you really ought to, you don’t have to say s–t to them. Nah, they don’t deserve it.”

Update: https://t.co/4t6MW3WiPupic.twitter.com/iQAIu5iOcP

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) June 18, 2026

Miles McBride

On the championship parade:

“Couldn’t have imagined a better turnout. Thank you, Knicks nation.”

"We both made it"

–– Ariel Hukporti & @alanhahn interview each other from the float

Live coverage @KnicksMSGNpic.twitter.com/jXcnL9sXCK

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) June 18, 2026

Tyler Kolek

On being mistaken for a fan and nearly tackled by the cops:

“I swear I’m on the team, bro.”

Now that I have service I present to you… Josh the champion pic.twitter.com/RxYprfngyI

— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) June 18, 2026

Leon Rose

On Mike Brown and the coaching staff:

“Mike Brown and our entire coaching staff, you came in this season with enormous expectations and completely exceeded them, and you did it with so much class that resonated with New Yorkers.”

Clyde's got the keys 🔑

Walt Frazier is leading the Canyon of Heroes parade in a 1952 Chrysler Imperial Parade Phaeton 🗽 pic.twitter.com/ufc2r35XfU

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 18, 2026

Walt Frazier

On the championship parade crowd:

“This has exceeded any expectations I ever saw that we had. I mean, when we played, everybody was from the USA, so mainly our audience was black and white, but now they’re Hispanics, they’re Chinese, all different races that follow the NBA. It’s just been a magnificent thing to witness.”

On the 1973 celebration:

“That day was a lot of hoopla for us. Maybe we had 200 people here and some dignitaries, so we were very happy with that.”

On seeing the city embrace the Knicks:

“They would be amazed at what has happened to the Knicks and how they’ve really captivated the city this year. This has exceeded any expectations I ever thought that we’d have.”

pic.twitter.com/San0dVxjv9

— Memes (@PardonMyMeme) June 18, 2026

Carmelo Anthony

On the championship’s impact:

“The whole city won. New Yorkers are, as they say, ‘lit’ right now.”

After getting a key to the city, Brooklyn born Knicks star Jose Alvarado is eating rice and beans at Toñita’s playing dominos with congressional candidate Antonio Reynoso, his campaign tells me. pic.twitter.com/DMseqx5Am6

— Jeff Coltin (@JCColtin) June 18, 2026

Spike Lee

On attending his first championship parade:

“I’ve never been to a parade ever. But I’m glad it’s this one!”

here is Mamdani's entire speech at the Knicks parade, which is easily the best speech I've ever heard at an event of this sort pic.twitter.com/FiTxy81Yq3

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 18, 2026

Zohran Mamdani

On New York during the Knicks’ championship run:

“New York City has just had some of the two most magical months in as long as any of us can remember. Over these past few weeks, as the Knicks kept winning, our city has come together as one.”

On the 53-year wait:

“For 53 long years we have watched, and we have waited. We have watched from nosebleeds and through gritted teeth, on televisions in the windows of electronic stores, and from projectors balanced on fire escapes. We have watched alone in our apartments with our heads in our hands, shoulder to shoulder at bars where the signal flickers, alongside friends and family who we wish, more than anything, could be here today, sharing this moment.”

On finally seeing a championship in New York’s streets:

“We waited without ever knowing if this day would come. We waited because we knew deep down in our sick, suffering hearts that it would. New York City, this team has done it. The New York Knicks are NBA champions.”

On the parade bringing the city together:

“So often, when this city comes together, it is because we are forced to by a moment of tragedy or adversity. What a gift it is to be brought together by pure, unfiltered joy.”

On why the championship reflected New York City:

“Let’s not pretend that this was inevitable. If you will allow me, I want to travel back in time. Eight days, Game 4, nine minutes and 33 seconds left in the fourth quarter. The Knicks are down 20. The analytics guys, the sports betting companies, the pundits who watch from far away, they do what they do. They run the numbers, they calculate the odds, they write the Knicks off, they give the Spurs a 99.6% chance of winning the game, a 99.6% chance of tying up the series 2-2, of reclaiming the momentum with the next game in San Antonio, a 99.6% chance of silencing the Garden of another year of watching and waiting, but there is one thing that the pundits just don’t get about this team, they just don’t get about this city. It is in that .4% that we go to work.”

On New York’s identity:

“Most of all, it’s in that .4% that the Knicks do what New Yorkers have always done. When we are told something is impossible, we find a way, we win. Standing here before what feels like the entire city, there is a Jalen Brunson quote I can’t stop thinking about. ‘You are allowed to think about the worst possible scenario, but you got to go out there and do something about it.’ The Knicks did not just win for New York City, they won like New York City. What is New York if not your back up against the wall, a dream that feels just out of reach, a rent payment you don’t know how you’ll ever make? What is New York if not 99.6% of the world stacked against you, and who are New Yorkers if not people who hear those odds and smile, who look at a .4% chance of success and ask, why are you giving me a head start? This is our city. This is our team.”

The Onion doesn’t miss: https://t.co/QyPqn1x9l8pic.twitter.com/MlcSrEPnOJ

— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) June 18, 2026

Mark Levine

On New York’s resilience:

“We do not back down, no matter how far behind we are. We were down on 9/11, and we came back. We were down in (Hurricane) Sandy, and we came back. We were down during COVID, and we came back. We were down against the Cavs, against the Spurs and we came back. We are New York. We don’t stop fighting. You should be afraid of us. We are the champs because of the New York Knicks.”

best city in the world pic.twitter.com/Wiibns4Ko0

— NYC DOT (@NYC_DOT) June 18, 2026

Aaron Judge

On New York sports success:

“A Knicks championship in June and a Yankees World Series in October would bring world peace. There’s a lot of winning going on in New York, so we got to keep that going. I like the team we have. I like the opportunity we’ve got in front of us. It’s going to be an exciting rest of the year.”

On attending Game 4:

“I went to Game 4 with my wife. We were kind of worried in the third quarter, but we knew the Knicks. Like [Jalen] Brunson said: They show up about thirty minutes late, take care of business. That was a special game. Never forget it.”

Ja Rule speaks on the artists that performed at the Knicks parade pic.twitter.com/7y0LlTVwCO

— 2Cool2Blog (@2Cool2Blog) June 18, 2026

RZA

On Wu-Tang’s role in the Knicks’ run:

“At the end of the day, the first thing goes to the hard work of the coach and the players. But energy is everything. Energy can multiply. And so when the Wu-Tang came with that energy, we put a spark. So I like to tell people, we lit that wick that led to that explosion.”

On the Madison Square Garden vibes after the Game 4 performance:

“The building felt different after our performance. I think eventually that energy resonated and just permeated into our great New York team. Bong bong.”

On which other game could Wu-Tang have saved:

“Game three. I’m only saying game three because, look, if Wu-Tang would’ve performed, I don’t think the President would’ve took a nap. Our President, he’s a New Yorker. When that Wu joint would’ve been on, he would’ve been like, ‘Yo, you know what? Let’s keep the party rocking.’”

My favorite video I’ve ever taken.

Absolutely surreal. pic.twitter.com/XP5UVrvtq8

— Dylan Burd (@Dylan_Burd) June 18, 2026

Kendrick Perkins

On Vincent Goodwill calling the title a participation trophy:

“That was a bunch of bulls–t. It was all the way disrespectful, and when I heard him say it, the first thing came to mind is that your ass never was an athlete then. You couldn’t have never participated or been a basketball player or played on anybody’s team talking that type of nonsense. That was the most asinine thing that I’ve ever heard.”

On Goodwill’s disrespect of current and past champions:

“You disrespect the guys who are champions by saying it’s a participation trophy. Like what the f–k are we talking about? Do you know that one in those eight teams that won over the last eight years, one of them was Steph Curry. And I guarantee you if you go ask Steph Curry which one of them was his greatest championship, nine times out of ten he’s going to say the fourth one, not just because he won Finals MVP but because he had to overcome the obstacle of being a defensive liability. And he did that.”

On the need for more media responsibility:

“As the media, we have a f–king responsibility, man, to make sure that we say and do the right things. We don’t go on the stage, on the platform, right after somebody just been crowned champions and call that s–t a participation trophy. Even if you’re thinking that, you don’t say that.”

"Need that for the parade"

–– Josh Hart IG comment 3 days ago on this Alex Moss pendant which he he's been wearing since pic.twitter.com/cBQcFOHr6E

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) June 18, 2026

Alex Moss

On creating the Knicks Larry O’B pendant:

“I knew they were going to win. I f—king knew they were going to win this thing. So I made it.”

On supporting New York creators:

“I think that it’s important to embrace people from this city who are doing great things for the city. We live and breathe New York, everyone in the company. Imagine if someone like Jason of Beverly Hills was making the Knicks pieces. It just doesn’t make sense.”

NUEVAAAYOOOOOOOLLLL MI GENTE LATINO AND SOCHAN pic.twitter.com/lNHjqiTsM6

— sports live tweeter yadira (@jonmoxIeys) June 18, 2026

Stephen A. Smith

On Jalen Brunson saving the NBA from French-mad copycatters:

“He [Brunson] literally saved the NBA because if Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs had captured an NBA championship, everybody would be evolving their game planning, their drafting, their analysis and everything that come with it. Everything would have been evolving around ‘How we do knock off the [7-foot-4] alien from France?’”

On Brunson’s influence on basketball:

“To see him [Brunson] play and to use his marvelous footwork, basketball IQ, poise, seasoning and fearlessness… to see him do that, just think about what that would mean to everybody. Think about what that does for the game of basketball. Without him winning this title, our default position would’ve been ‘How are we going to deal with the [7-foot-4] alien’?”

On drafting taller players to counter Wembanyama:

“You would’ve seen cats who might’ve been inferior talent, but they would’ve still turned around and drafted them anyway just because they were 6-foot-10 or 6-foot-11 or 7-feet tall because you need height when you’re going up against Wemby.”

On the Knicks being the best team in the East for 2027:

“We’re gonna keep it a buck. [The] New York Knicks shouldn’t be the favorites next season, even if they are the champions. If you know basketball and you’re covering basketball, you know what happened this year. You could look at this team and legitimately say the New York Knicks deserve to be the favorites coming out of the East. Without question, the Knicks should be the favorites to represent the Eastern Conference in next year’s NBA Finals — not the Celtics. I don’t give a damn if Jayson Tatum is healthy, okay?

On the Thunder being the No. 1 team in the West:

“We can’t put anything past the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Oklahoma City Thunder were in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals. The Oklahoma City Thunder were without Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell, your second and third [best] scorers.

“When [Williams] is healthy, you can’t key on [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander] the way [the Spurs] did, double and triple teaming him. As a result, the reigning two-time MVP is free to get loose…so gotta look at it from that standpoint. Ajay Mitchell, some were debating whether he was better than Jalen Williams or not, that’s how much of a stud they both are, and they were both out.”

On his 2027 NBA Finals prediction:

“If they’re healthy, they beat the Spurs in the conference finals. Spurs ain’t in the Finals, they beat the Spurs and they would’ve been favored over the Knicks. So I think because that’s the reality, Oklahoma City is number one, Knicks number two and then everybody else is behind them. I believe right now, if you’re making a prediction, it should be the New York Knicks and the Oklahoma City Thunder will meet one another in the NBA Finals next year.”

After three straight years, it’s finally become the norm for a UConn player to get drafted in the first round of the NBA draft. The only other schools with that distinction, the last three years? Purported  NBA daycares Duke and Baylor.

I still remember the delight of hearing James Bouknight’s name called. 

But for the Huskies to take that streak another year, they’ll need teams to fall in love with Tarris Reed Jr and/or Alex Karaban. Both are projected fringe first rounders, and as we saw with Liam McNeeley last year, draft night brings a whole lot of variance and uncertainty. 

I’m going to pretend NBA front offices read TheUConnBlog and put on my best sales pitch for Tarris and Alex. First up is Captain America. 

Initially this was a tough task, because UConn listed him at 6-foot-8, and the comparisons were lacking. There were tons of 6-foot-8 floor spacers in the NBA, but not many in Karaban’s mold. Then the combine measurements came out, and he checked in at basically 6 -7, and the answer was clear.

Be Sam Hauser 2.0.

I mean, look at this:

Sam Hauser

Height (Barefoot): 6’6.75″

Weight: 217.4 lbs

Wingspan: 6’9.25″

Standing Reach: 8’6.0″

Alex Karaban

Height (w/o shoes): 6′ 6.75″

Weight: 225.2 lbs

Wingspan: 6’11”

Standing Reach: 8′ 8.50″

Alex is actually a little longer and heavier. Hauser went undrafted in 2021 after four years in college, but he broke through with the Celtics in 2022-23, and was a key figure in their 2024 title run, averaging nine points per game and shooting 42% from three.He averaged 25 minutes per game last year, a career high.

Hauser might be the better pure shooter, but Alex has more intangibles, physicality, and playmaking chops. Finding an organization that can imbue those traits — not make him just a ‘stand in the corner and stretch the floor’ guy — will be the key.

Hauser’s shooting shows that doing one thing at an elite level can make you stick in the NBA. But Alex has a chance to be a wholly unique player, one with Hauser’s shooting but with a little more to offer. 

But heading into draft day, it’s nice to know there’s a blueprint out there for Alex, a path forward where he can break out with the right team.

Spurs forward Emanuel Miller turns 26 today.

Miller signed a two-way contract with the Spurs on February 23rd. He took the revolving door third spot replacing Stanley Umude (who replaced Kyle Mangus in December, who had replaced Riley Minix just days before). Miller joined David Jones Garcia and Harrison Ingram on the two-way roster. Though he never received playing time in San Antonio, Miller was exposed to all the bells and whistles of the 2026 playoffs.

Born in Canada, Miller eventually found his way to Texas, playing college ball in both Texas A&M and TCU. In 2024, he went undrafted before signing with Dallas Mavericks for Summer League. He eventually played for their G-League affiliate, the Texas Legends. Two months later, he signed a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls. He was with the Bulls organization until last February when he was part of a three-team trade that landed him in Cleveland. The Cavaliers waived him and he signed on with the Spurs.

No telling where Miller will land next season, whether he stays with the Spurs or heads toward greener pastures. But for today, in the strange window between the Finals and the NBA Draft, Miller is still considered a member of the Silver & Black, and as such, is entitled to best wishes.

Happy birthday!

---

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Oklahoma City is exactly where Dallas wants to be. The Thunder have a clear star, in reigning two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. They have the perfect types of talent around him to accentuate his strengths and have created a juggernaut. But all that talent comes at a cost, and the Thunder will have to make some decisions by the draft. Should they consolidate picks and cut some of the talent further down their bench to help financially? One of the most popular scenarios, and one that makes a lot of sense, is trading with the Mavericks. The Thunder own the 12th and 17th picks in the 2026 draft. The Mavericks own the 9th and 30th. Is it time to make a deal with the devil?

How did the Thunder get here?

The Thunder, as widely disliked as they are (at least around here), have built its team from the ground up through the draft. Gilgeous-Alexander came over in the Paul George trade with the Los Angeles Clippers. That trade included a slew of picks that are paying off for the Thunder, particularly the 2022 first-round pick that became Gilgeous-Alexander’s all-star running mate in Jalen Williams. Chet Holmgren was also selected in the 2022 draft, as he’s turned into an anchor defensively, being the runner-up for the 2025-2026 Defensive Player of the Year Award. But all that talent comes a heavy price. The Thunder are paying all three of their stars each over $40 million a year over the next five years. That’s about 75% of their cap space. Oklahoma City, if they keep this roster going into next season, would be $41 million over the first apron and $28 million over the second. They need to shed salary. And Dallas may be the perfect suiter.

What deal makes sense and how would it work?

The Mavericks are in dire need of guard help. This draft is loaded with star-quality talent, particularly towards the top. Dallas holds the 9th pick and will likely have options among guys like Kingston Flemings, Brayden Burries, Darius Acuff Jr. Mikel Brown Jr., and Labaron Philon Jr. If there’s one thing we know about Masai Ujiri, he’s had a keen eye for draft prospects. The former Toronto Raptors president selected names like Pascal Siakam (27th pick in 2016), O.G. Anunoby (23rd pick in 2017), and Scottie Barnes (4th pick in 2021). He’ll need to do his homework on who he wants this time around, because Dallas might want two bites at the apple in the top 20.

There are a couple different routes the Mavs could take with the 9th pick. Of course, they could keep it if they felt it were too risky to slip any further than 9th to make their selection. Names like Kingston Flemings, Darius Acuff Jr., and Mikel Brown Jr. probably won’t be available at 12, so if the Mavs are set on one of those guards, they should stay at nine. If Dallas wants to look at making a deal, here’s how the framework could look.

Scenario 1: Thunder consolidate and Mavs aggregate.

The simplest scenario is for the Thunder to send their 12th and 17th picks to the Mavs for the 9th pick. No frills and straightforward. Oklahoma City will still need to do some significant consolidation with their roster before the season starts, but one simple move is sending two picks for one. The Thunder get a top 10 talent, and the Mavs get two swings in the top 20. In this scenario, Dallas most likely wouldn’t have to include the 30th pick, meaning they would have three picks in the first round: 12, 17, and 30.

Scenario 2: Thunder help the Mavs with depth

If Dallas is enamored with someone who could fall to 12 (most likely Burries or Philon Jr.), they could package that 9th and 30th picks to the Thunder in exchange for the 12th and 17th picks, as well as another rotation guy to help Oklahoma City shed salary (like Isaiah Joe or Aaron Wiggins), who both largely fell out of the rotation for the Thunder in this year’s playoff run. The Thunder don’t necessarily have to include extra salary to make the deal work, but it would make sense for them and the Mavs could add more wing shooting and depth.

Another player worth watching is Cason Wallace, who the Mavericks drafted in 2023, and traded to the Thunder for Dereck Lively II. Wallace has developed a reputation as one of the best defenders in the NBA and he’s only 22. If the Mavericks part with the 9th pick, they could drive a hard bargain for Wallace. It would be much more difficult for them to pry away Wallace, but he would be an ideal fit in Dallas, and the Mavs could use his perimeter defense.

The 17th pick presents a whole new opportunity for the Mavs. Some options that could be available then could be names like Allen Graves (6’9 forward who can shoot the lights out), Karim Lopez (6’8 forward with a 7’ wingspan and two-way monster), and Dailyn Swain (6’8 athletic forward who can get downhill and great slasher). If the Mavericks traded that 9th pick, the 17th pick could be the big payoff, adding more athleticism and youth around Flagg.

There have been rumors centered around P.J. Washington in a Thunder deal, but Oklahoma City isn’t in a position to take on any more significant salary. For now, this type of deal would be centered around the Thunder optimizing talent, while the Mavs collect as much of it as they can.

Looking ahead

The draft is less than a week away and there will likely be a flurry of moves that happen both leading up to June 23/24 and on the draft nights themselves. What will dictate a deal is who the Mavs center their attention around at the guard position. Is it more worth it to optimize a singular pick in this draft or get multiple opportunities at top 20 talent in a loaded draft? We’ll find out in a few days.

The Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors are swirling and there are people talking about how the Celtics could make a deal without including Jaylen Brown.

That is not something that the Boston Celtics should be doing.

Yes, a Big 3 of Antetokounmpo, Brown and Jayson Tatum would be awesome but in this 2nd apron era, it would be too difficult to build a true contender around those three players for a lot of reasons.

Let’s start with what Boston would need to give up. Derrick White, Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser would all need to go out in the deal to make it legal and even still, the Celtics would be taking in more money than they’d be sending out. That means Boston would be hard-capped at the first apron of $209 million.

It would also send out all of their remaining future draft capital and probably one or two of their young wings of Hugo Gonzalez, Jordan Walsh or Baylor Scheierman, which limits all flexibility they have to get better around those three players.

It would really limit their ability to get better around the three stars. Having three guys making $174 million with a $209 million hard cap would put them at a disadvantage that would be close to insurmountable. This isn’t football where they can push money into future years. Boston would be trapped with those three players at those salaries.

Sending out three of your most important role players without the ability to replace them is not a business that the Celtics should be getting into.

We have seen a team try and build around three players making 35% of the cap in the apron era, the 2023-24 and 2024-25 Phoenix Suns. It was an epic failure, the Suns didn’t win a single playoff game over those two years and missed the Play-In Tourmanent in 2025 before breaking up the team last summer.

Now, Antetokounmpo, Tatum and Brown is a better trio than Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, but unlike Boston would be able to, the Suns spent into the 2nd apron to try and build around those three players. Boston, meanwhile, would only be allowed to spend $35 million to fill out the last 12 players on the team.

If you look at the past two NBA champions, the Knicks and Thunder, those two teams were built around their stars and a bunch of high level players around them. Even the 2024 Celtics had Tatum and Brown making 35% maxes but Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis were all great support players. Swapping Brown for Antetokounmpo allows for Boston to continue building that way; trading three of their top 6 players does not.

In conclusion, if you are hoping that the Celtics could trade for Giannis while keeping Jaylen Brown, don’t hold your breath. It is complicated to pull off and it would limit the Celtics team-building so extremely that it could close any championship window they would be hoping to have.

The Washington Wizards are less than a week away from the NBA Draft. Hell, it’s next Tuesday, June 23! And the Wizards are rattling sabers behind closed doors. NBA Insider Marc Stein reported on his newsletter last night that they are taking a closer look at Kansas guard Darryn Peterson.

With only a few days to go before Tuesday night’s first round of the NBA Draft, multiple draft experts have passed along that they legitimately believe Washington could select Kansas’ Darryn Peterson over BYU’s AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 overall pick.

“Increased consideration” is the way one well-placed insider put it.

Just so everyone is aware, if we haven’t said it a million times already, consideration doesn’t mean that the Wizards WILL do something. But it is food for thought.

The draft odds on FanDuel still favor Dybantsa as well, though Peterson is clearly No. 2.

Meanwhile, the NBA world still seems to be focused more on the New York Knicks winning the 2026 NBA Finals. Good for them. The San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder are the early favorites to win the 2027 Finals per FanDuel. In our national SB Nation Reacts survey, fans are more keen on the Thunder.

SB Nation reacts' national results are focused on the Knicks NBA championship. We're still more focused on the draft. Still, here are the national survey results. pic.twitter.com/Mmj8nfkbpC

— Bullets Forever (@BulletsForever) June 19, 2026

So if you ask me right now if I think Dybantsa is going to the Wizards? My answer is yes. And yeah, I’m happy that the Knicks won an NBA title once in my lifetime. I’ll be even happier to see the Wizards win a title in my lifetime.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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Jerry West was a famously complex man. He wrestled with his demons for most of his life, the emotional wreckage of a difficult and traumatic relationship with his father, and a constant battle with depression that tormented him without end.

Yet he remains one of the greatest basketball players in NBA history, so revered that his silhouette was used for the league’s logo. After his playing career, his time as GM of the Los Angeles Lakers rivaled that of Red Auerbach of the Boston Celtics, with West’s teams winning six championships to Auerbach’s seven.

By any definition, he had a brilliant career. However, West’s focus was always on the shortcomings. He never beat Boston in the NBA Finals as a player, and as a GM, would not set foot in Boston Garden, finding it too physically stressful.

One of West’s greatest plays came against the New York Knicks in 1970 in the NBA Finals. Dave DeBusscherre hit a shot from near the foul line to give the Knicks a 102-100 lead with three seconds to play.

West got the ball and took a few steps, then launched a 60-foot shot to tie the game and put it in overtime.

Later, he said he wished he’d never made it. Why?

Because the Knicks won in overtime, 111-108, and would later win the series, which devastated West. He was convinced that L.A. was the best team in the league after Bill Russell retired, but they came up short yet again.

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The Cleveland Cavaliers have some tough decisions to make this summer. Anything they choose to do will come with a risk. From making another blockbuster trade to simply running back the same squad. The latter feels like something they can’t afford to do.

That’s because reality has caught up with the Cavs. They’ve built this roster on speciality players that fill specific roles. And while the rest of the NBA is thriving on versatility, Cleveland’s Jenga Tower of one-dimensional skillsets is starting to teeter.

You can dissect the roster and find overlapping talents at every position. Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley share the frontcourt. James Harden and Donovan Mitchell dominate the backcourt. There isn’t a whole lot that separates those duos from their counterpart.

The stars of this team aren’t multifaceted. Neither is the supporting cast. They’re a layered collective that looks to be greater than the sum of its parts. That can lead to wonderful things when everything is going right. But relying on that many moving pieces is nearly impossible.

The Cavs need to consolidate.

And since all indicators suggest that the front office is committed to the core four, that turns our eyes to the supporting cast. Flipping one of their three-point specialists for a player of greater variety could help them find long-term solutions in the playoffs.

Max Strus and Sam Merrill come to mind.

Now, I want to be clear. Both Merrill and Strus have been positive contributors. This is not meant to be a knock on either of them. They are fantastic role players to have on your squad, and you can never have enough shooting. Parting with them isn’t easy.

But a team that lacks size and athleticism can not continue to overindex on two three-point specialists who play the same position (even if they’ve refined other aspects of their game).

Look at the teams that have made it to the Finals this decade. You’ll see a clear pattern of length and mobility on the wing. Switchability and versatility enable them to meet any challenge thrown their way. They have players who can provide a counter option when the three-point shot isn’t falling. Cleveland doesn’t.

The Cavaliers’ front office hasn’t successfully added those types of players this decade. That’s not Merrill or Strus’s fault, but moving one of them might offer the clearest path towards finally addressing that this summer.

Of course, this is easier said than done.

It’s one thing for me to tell you the Cavs need to upgrade at a specific position. It’s another thing to actually suggest a realistic deal that will appease both sides. That’s why I’m a blogger, not a GM. I can point out flaws better than I can fix ‘em.

Still, the Cavs should have a clear goal this offseason: get more athletic and versatile. That likely comes with the difficult decision to part with one of their more helpful role players. Making the tough choice should result in a deeper roster that has more answers to problems that can emerge in the playoffs.

The Boston Celtics have recently been at the forefront of a seemingly endless cycle of rumors and speculation.  

With the NBA Draft and free agency rapidly approaching, one might expect those events to dominate the conversation. However, amid the flurry of developments surrounding a possible trade, those offseason milestones have largely taken a backseat, until now.  

The Celtics have multiple avenues to bolster their depth at both guard and center this offseason. Below are four potential draft-and-free agent pairings that could help accomplish that goal.  

All the free agents featured in these scenarios are projected to command contracts at or below the value of the Celtics’ non-taxpayer Mid-level exception (MLE), which is worth just over $15 million. The same approach was taken with the draft prospects. Each player highlighted is currently projected to be available around Boston’s No. 27 overall selection, although anyone who follows the draft closely knows those projections can shift dramatically in the blink of an eye. 

The ultimate question, however, is one I will leave for the community to answer: Which of these combinations would benefit the Celtics the most? Be sure to hit the comments (respectfully).  
 
Anfernee Simons (FA) + Tarris Reed (Draft) Center – UConn  

After being traded to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Nikola Vucevic, former Celtics guard Anfernee Simons was asked whether he could envision a return to Boston at some point in the future. Simons did not hesitate with his response. 

“For sure,” Simons replied. 

Now just because someone says something doesn’t mean it’s true, but I do think a much nicer phone call from Brad Stevens to Simons this summer wouldn’t hurt. In 49 games wearing green, Simons averaged 14.0 points per game while shooting 39 percent from beyond the arc on seven attempts per contest, establishing himself as one of the league’s most prolific flamethrowers off the bench.  

After not seeing the floor in the Celtics’ Game 7 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, it appears increasingly unlikely that Nikola Vučević will return to Boston next season. While his departure would create an opening for another big man, a position we’ll revisit shortly, it would also leave the Celtics in need of additional scoring punch off the bench. Simons is an unrestricted free agent and should be in the early to late teens range as far as per year money. I think the team could really use his shooting regardless of what the team ends up looking like around him.  

At the center spot we have 22-year-old big man Tarris Reed who is a physically imposing college center known for his interior scoring, rebounding, and defensive presence in the paint. At roughly 6’10” and 260+ pounds, he plays with a traditional big-man profile, using his strength and frame to establish deep position on the block. His most consistent offensive production comes from close range, where he finishes through contact, converts put backs, and punishes switches or smaller defenders in the post. He also made a huge jump as a passer last season which helps him fit even better for a team like the Celtics.  

Defensively, Reed projects as a paint protector who can anchor a second unit or situational lineups. He is a strong rebounder on both ends (nine rebounds per game) and has shown the ability to alter shots simply through size and positioning, even if he is not an elite vertical athlete. Reed also holds his own well on the perimeter for a big of his size, adding valuable defensive versatility. He provides even more value as he is a good defensive playmaker. Aside from his two blocks per game last season, Reed also has great hands and anticipation that helped him average a steal per.  

He has slowly been creeping up mock drafts as of late, but I don’t see him going too far outside of Boston’s range.  

Ebuka Okorie (Draft) Guard – Stanford + Jock Landale (FA) 

If you’re anything like Brad Stevens and think Boston could use a jolt of rim pressure, Okorie Island is exactly where you want to be. The freshmen guard ranked in the 99^th percentile last season in rim attempts per 100 possessions (13.1) and unassisted rim attempts. Averaging 23.2 points per game on shooting splits of 46/35/83 further solidified him as one of the premier shot creators in the draft class, an archetype the Celtics could greatly benefit from adding to their roster. 

Okorie leverages a polished handle and impressive speed plus quickness to create access to virtually any area of the floor. The jump shot may not be the most visually appealing, but the results are strong: 35 percent from three on six attempts per game, 83 percent from the free-throw line on seven attempts, and 43 percent from mid-range, efficiency indicators that are hard to dismiss. 

Okorie’s draft projection is among the most difficult to pin down at this stage. He has been mocked as high as No. 8 to the Atlanta Hawks and as low as No. 26 to the Denver Nuggets. While Draft Night is inherently unpredictable, his range stands out as one of the widest projections in the first round. 

Jock Landale is a physical, traditional center who has carved out a steady role in the NBA as a backup big capable of providing interior scoring, screening, and rebounding in short bursts. At 6’11”, he relies more on strength, positioning, and touch around the rim than vertical explosiveness, making him effective as a roll man in pick-and-roll actions and a reliable finisher in tight spaces. 

In his most recent season, the 30-year-old put up career numbers averaging 10.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game on 59/38/63 shooting splits. While not a high-impact defender, he brings functional size, boxing out, and scheme-based rim protection that make him serviceable in rotational minutes on competitive teams. 

Even though he is coming off his best season, Landale is an aging center that missed the playoffs with an injury. He is fully expected to be ready for his next campaign and put that ankle sprain behind him, but those two factors can be a reason why a franchise gets him for a really team friendly number.  

Collin Sexton (FA) + Henri Veesaar (Draft) Center – North Carolina  

Before being traded from the Charlotte Hornets to the Chicago Bulls, Collin Sexton was having a really underrated season.  

In Buzz City, he averaged 14 points and four assists on efficient shooting splits of 48/39/87, a really impressive line for a guard of his size. With an expanded role in Chicago, he increased his scoring output by a couple of points while maintaining that same level of efficiency. Despite not being able to play meaningful basketball for a while now, I’ve always liked the relentless nature and competitive stamina that Sexton brings every night. The scoring guard has had four straight seasons of at least 39% from three as his volume from there continues to grow.  

At 27 years old, he enters unrestricted free agency with what doesn’t seem to be a robust market. Boston could benefit from this and bring him in on a smaller deal.  

Henri Veesaar is a modern big man prospect known for his combination of size and developing offensive skill set.  

Standing at nearly 7 feet tall, Veesaar has the potential to bring real shot making versatility to an NBA team. He averaged 17 points last year on outstanding efficiency for a big who shoots all over the floor. His 60/43/61 shooting splits helped him achieve a 66.4 true shooting percentage which ranked in the 99^th percentile. However Veesaar is asked to score, he has the skill set to do so. Unlike many stretch bigs, he is comfortable putting the ball on the floor for a few dribbles, attacking closeouts, and making the extra pass when defenses rotate. He has also flashed the potential to be more than just a stationary handoff passer. While he does a strong job of keeping the offense connected by moving the ball quickly to guards and maintaining flow, he also shows intriguing rip-and-run reads that add an element of creativity to his playmaking. 

While he isn’t the greatest athlete or the strongest body inside, his length, skill, and timing allowed him to be really effective around the rim as he shot 79% from there last season. He has an array of hooks and floaters when he has to create for himself, plus he can be a vertical threat when rolling to the rim. He also shot 48% from the mid-range.  

Veesaar was effective on the glass last season, posting a 21.9% defensive rebounding rate and averaging 8.7 total rebounds per game. Defensively there is some work to do but at the very least he showed the ability to use his size and length to block and contest shots at the rim nicely.  

I haven’t seen Veesaar inside the top-20 in any mock draft I’ve come across, so as things stand, it appears Boston could have a realistic opportunity to select him. 

Sergio De Larrea (Draft) Guard/Wing – Valencia + Robert Williams III (FA) 

Spainsh guard Sergio De Larrea is a very intriguing prospect with outstanding positional size.  He is known for his poise, playmaking ability, and improved catch and shoot three point shot and when you couple that with measurements of 6’6” barefoot and a 6’9” wingspan, things really get interesting. 

Off the dribble, he is comfortable running pick-and-roll sets, using his size to read the floor over the top of defenses and make simple, correct decisions. He tends to play with patience, rarely forcing tough shots, instead probing defenses until he can deliver the ball to the roll man, kick out to shooters, or reset the action. His handle is solid rather than flashy, but it is steady enough to keep him in control in half-court settings. 

Defensively, De Larrea’s size and instincts give him real versatility in the backcourt. He has the frame to defend multiple guard types and competes well at the point of attack, using positioning rather than pure explosiveness to stay in front of ballhandlers. With that being said, he isn’t the best athlete, and the lack of foot speed versus quick handlers can be hard for him. His maturity, feel for the game, and ability to manage possessions stand out for his age. 

At the beginning of the process, I had only seen De Larrea in the second round of mocks but in the last couple days he has snuck into the bottom of the first round to the Dallas Mavericks at pick 30. I wouldn’t be surprised if he sneaks up even more before the draft, but there is still a good chance he’s available when Boston selects.  

Robert Williams III remains an elite defensive center, with his impact defined by rim protection, vertical athleticism, and instinctive play as an anchor on the back line. 

Last season, Robert Williams III recorded 4.1 blocks per 100 possessions, placing him in the 98th percentile league-wide. Even when he wasn’t directly blocking shots, his rim deterrence remained elite, as opponents shot 14% worse at the rim against him as the primary defender, ranking in the 92nd percentile.  

Offensively, Williams is still one of the best vertical spacers, offensive rebounders, and quick decision makers at the center position. He also has begun to stretch out his shooting range as he shot 39% from three in the regular season but on only 23 total attempts. He did manage to hit three in the Blazers five-game series with the Spurs. He averaged an impressive 10.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game in that series. 

The primary concern with Robert Williams III has long been, and likely will continue to be, his durability. However, he is coming off his healthiest season in a while and further reinforced his value with an impressive playoff series vs. the Western Conference champions. 

Narrowing down the five best fits for Warriors in a loaded 2026 NBA Draft originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Narrowing the best fits for the Warriors in the NBA draft this year down to a top five was harder than usual. This is, of course, great news for Mike Dunleavy ahead of his highest pick yet as Warriors general manager at No. 11. The Class of 2026 is that deep, giving Dunleavy and the Warriors’ front office an abundance of options. 

Where’s Labaron Philon Jr.? What about Aday Mara? Karim Lopez? Chris Cenac Jr.? Or even Nate Ament, Christian Anderson, Bennet Stirtz and a handful of others? Excluding some players wasn’t an easy pill to swallow.

The Warriors have holes all over their roster, but most of all, they need as much talent as possible to open the doors at Chase Center and walk into their locker room. The Warriors will explore every avenue in the 2026 NBA raft. These five prospects fit the bill and make the cut above the rest in a year where the honorable mentions place an emphasis on honorable. 

Cameron Carr, SG/SF, Baylor 

The combination of the highest upside and every tool to be what everyone wants from a modern 3-And-D wing makes Carr the ideal fit for the Warriors. 

He has the length and shot-making ability to play shooting guard and small forward. He had a slow start to his college career and then burst onto the scene as one of college basketball’s premier breakout stars as his talent caught up his one year at Baylor. Carr had 15 games of 20-plus points last season as a redshirt sophomore, which are five more than the prospect below, and one fewer than the leader on this list.

At 6-foot-5 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, Carr is the cutout teams search for. He just has to get stronger after weighing in at 184 pounds. The rest of the combine, however, was all his. Carr registered the second-highest standing vertical leap (38 inches) and max vertical leap (42.5 inches), as well as the lane agility sprint (10.46 seconds). 

Once he was in a game setting for his scrimmage at the NBA draft combine, Carr took over. The 21-year-old, who will turn 22 in late November, dropped 30 points on 9-of-18 shooting and went 6 of 12 from three in under 27 minutes. Carr also had seven rebounds in the game, blocked two shots and frequently made his way to the free-throw line. 

Look at how easy Carr’s high and long 3-point shot goes down. Look at how he glides and accelerates on these dunks, and look at his two-way potential. 

Carr in the very least will be a super scoring sixth man. It’s very easy to see him become more. 

Yaxel Lendeborg, F, Michigan 

While Carr is more of a bridge prospect between the present and the future, Lendeborg is viewed as a quintessential plug-and-play pick. Starting the 2026-27 NBA season without Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody, but being able to trust a rookie from Day 1, would be quite the luxury for the Warriors. Lendeborg could be the answer there. 

Lendeborg already has played so many different roles through his one of a kind path to the draft. He will be 24 years old before he plays his first NBA game, yet Lendeborg is a late bloomer. He barely played any high school basketball at all, spent three years in junior college, was a two-time AAC Defensive Player of the Year in his two years at UAB and then starred in whatever Michigan needed him to do while winning a national championship and counting awards. 

What Lendeborg did for any previous critics this past season was show he can evolve, and that there still is potential to be tapped. In two seasons at UAB, Lendeborg made multiple threes in six games. Lendeborg at Michigan reached that number in his first eight games, and he finished with 20 such games. 

On a national championship team that featured three soon-to-be first-round 2026 draft picks, Lendeborg ranked first on Michigan in points per game (15.1) and steals per game (1.1), and second in rebounds per game (6.8), assists per game (3.2) and blocked shots per game. He also led them in 3-point percentage (37.2 percent) and was one behind the leader in total threes, 68 to 67. 

Yaxel Lendeborg regular season highlights

Best player in the Big Ten?? pic.twitter.com/a7DxFpavzB

— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) March 9, 2026

The Warriors need a bit of everything, and Lendeborg brings a bit of everything. He has an NBA-ready frame at 6-foot-9, 241 pounds with a wingspan over 7-foot-3. His floor is worth questioning the ceiling. 

Brayden Burries, G, Arizona

Watching strong guards like Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper power their way to the paint in the NBA playoffs only made the desire for these types of players that much more. Burries, at 6-foot-4, is slightly shorter and doesn’t have the same massive wingspan as a Castle or Harper, but he might be even stronger at 215 pounds. He then had the fourth-highest standing vertical at the combine (35 inches) and the fourth-fastest lane agility run (10.59 seconds). 

Burries checks all the boxes of the kind of combo guard Warriors coach Steve Kerr would love. He had 14 20-point games, one fewer than Carr, and impacts games in so many ways. Burries had 22 games of five-plus rebounds, including three of 10-plus, 21 games of multiple threes and 18 with multiple steals.

The advanced stats love him, too. Burries ranked second in the Big 12 in win shares (6.4). He was fifth in offensive win shares (3.7) and third in defensive win shares (2.7). There’s a reason he’s the least likely of the bunch to be available for the Warriors. 

BRAYDEN BURRIES HIVE

pic.twitter.com/YO6cOY29nT

— Tyler Rucker (@tyler_rucker) February 25, 2026

If he is there, the Warriors should have a happy draft room. It doesn’t hurt that Burries showed out in front of Kerr in the Sweet Sixteen with 23 points on 7-of-11 shooting, five rebounds and two threes. 

Morez Johnson Jr., PF/C, Michigan

Winning teams will all love Johnson on the court, and it’s easy to see why he’d be loved in the locker room. Just turn on the tape of the national championship game and it’s easy to see why. 

Johnson in that game went to work down low to score 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting. He led Michigan with 10 rebounds – five offensive and five defensive – and swatted a game-high two blocked shots. Johnson ranked second in defensive rating in the Big Ten (96.1) and fifth in offensive rating (135.4)

Versatility separates Johnson defensively with the chance to be the best player from this draft on that side of the ball. He can play the 4 or the 5 with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, but he guards out to the wings and beyond. Johnson wants the challenge of defending 1 through 5 and can back it up. 

The Warriors ranked last in dunks last season and are begging for athleticism. Johnson is the kind of athlete they’re lacking, and he has all the right intangibles in his game. 

Hannes Steinbach, C/PF, Washington

Can the Warriors find their Alperen Şengün after missing out on him in the 2021 draft? Steinbach is right around the same size as Şengün. He doesn’t pass as well as him, but he rebounds just as well or better, can score around the rim like him, and has shown the ability to be a real stretch big man down the road. 

Most teams want to make sure their top pick has at least one elite trait, and Steinbach clearly does. His strong and massive hands help him be the best rebounder in the draft. Steinbach positions his body well and he just has a knack for the ball. He led the country in rebounds per game (11.8) and he also ranked second in the Big Ten with 126 offensive rebounds. 

Since his college season ended, Steinbach has proven to teams he has the size to be a center after coming to the combine at over 6-foot-10 barefoot and weighing in at 248 pounds. Steinbach has a strong international background in Germany, and players as productive as him at a high level in Europe and college are going to stick around for a long career. 

These are some of Hannes Steinbach’s best buckets imo

He’s really efficient, positions himself well, uses his body well, & has good speed/power with the ball already

(Also has clear 3pt shooting upside)

He’s got so much room for growth, especially developing his skillset… pic.twitter.com/QEI3OMU8Bs

— ItsAllLove (@nbanerdd) June 7, 2026

From a production standpoint, Steinbach’s freshman season was as good as it gets. He had 16 20-point games and averaged 18.5 points per game, shooting 57.7 percent from the field. The possession battle is becoming so important in today’s NBA, making Steinbach a trusted pick with a lot to like.

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The Knicks just made their hoop dreams a reality.

New York’s heroes in orange and blue are inspiring an entire generation of players ready to take the game to new heights at their Long Island high school gyms next fall, as these teens learned that anything is possible from the 2026 NBA champs.

“The Knicks had to wait a long time, but it came, and I feel like for anybody, you just take that into your own life,” Sachem North forward Jacob Steffens told The Post of snapping the 53-year drought.

“We haven’t made a long playoff run in a long time, we haven’t won our league in 20 years, so I think it could just keep going after it,” added his teammate, guard Sean Galvan.

Greenport guard and all-county star Troy Myers is taking in a lot of the Knicks’ recipe for success that he’ll bring to the Porters next year.

“Nobody on their team has egos; everybody plays together. I just love how they all bond together, even in tough times,” said Myers, who recently moved from North Carolina and fell in love with the Knicks. “When games get tougher, we all just have to stay together. … When we get down, we just can’t let ourselves be down about it. We’ve had to keep going and just keep pushing.”

Delaney Walters of New York state Catholic league champion St. Mary’s High School learned something similar from Jalen Brunson’s bunch as the Lady Gaels aim to win it all again.

“A big thing about them this year was just never giving up. … They definitely didn’t sulk when something didn’t go right, like they just kept their head up and they just kept playing,” the guard said.

“They taught me when things aren’t going how I plan them to go on the court, or if my shots aren’t falling, not to keep my head down, just keep my head up, and just go for the next play,” she added.

Other champs, like Matt Grande of the Nassau title-winning South Side Cyclones, relate to being counted out prematurely after their star guard, John Pericolosi, got injured midyear.

“The Knicks are an underdog story because they were just so bad for so long, I feel like that’s kind of the same way with us,” said the guard, who was all smiles at the parade Thursday.

“Everybody wants to win again. I feel like that was with the Knicks, too — the last guy on the bench to Brunson and the starters encouraging each other … that’s a big role we saw with the Knicks to bring to our gym.”