After ducking the media following a tough Game 5 loss to the Thunder, Victor Wembanyama is likely saving his response for tonight's high-stakes Game 6.
With his teammates publicly calling for him to take over the offense, the pressure is squarely on the 7-foot Frenchman to keep San Antonio's season alive.
As 3.5-point home favorites with their backs against the wall, our Thunder vs. Spurs predictions and NBA picks look for Wembanyama to rise to the occasion and clear his scoring prop on Thursday, May 28.
UPDATE: Added prediction for who will win & +825 SGP.
Thunder vs Spurs Game 6 prediction
Who will win Thunder vs Spurs Game 6?
Spurs: For the sake of basketball fans everywhere, can we please get a Game 7 in the Western Conference finals? San Antonio is a 3.5-point favorite on its own floor in this do-or-die contests.
The Spurs continued to stymie Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (at least from the field) and OKC’s role players haven’t performed well on the road in this series.
As for San Antonio, getting back home should help warm up its chilly shooters – providing a better all-around effort on offense - and cut down on turnovers that upended them in Game 5.
Thunder vs Spurs best bet: Victor Wembanyama Over 27.5 points (-125)
Victor Wembanyama didn’t take his first shot of Game 5 until 3:15 of the first quarter.
That passiveness trickled down into a 5-for-15 night. Wembanyama didn’t run the floor, wasn’t attacking mismatches, and, like everyone’s car with these gas prices, was running on fumes.
“He has to take more than 15 shots,” stated coach Mitch Johnson.
“We need him to be aggressive,” pleaded guard Stephon Castle.
San Antonio will get Wemby going early and often in Game 6, because it simply no longer has a choice. Projections call for 27 points with 18 field-goal attempts. I forecast at least 22 shots.
COVERS INTEL: Looking back at the last 21 times Wembanyama took 15 or fewer FGAs (without injury impact), he’s followed those quiet efforts by averaging 28 points in the next game. He’s topped 30 points in nine of those outings.
Thunder vs Spurs Game 6 same-game parlay
San Antonio continues to contain SGA, hoping the Oklahoma City Thunder’s role players take a step back on the road. The Spurs benefit from some home cooking after a disjointed Game 5 offensive effort.
San Antonio is excellent at returning serve, with a 20-6 straight up record when coming off a loss this season, including 5-1 SU in those scenarios in the playoffs.
The Game 5 final score blew the closing total of 216.5 out of the water. San Antonio wants to get out and run in transition, and with OKC’s other scorers waking up (hello Chet Holmgren), this series is trending into the shootout category.
Before the WCF, the Thunder and Spurs produced regular-season totals above 230 points. I like another higher-scoring finish on Thursday.
Thunder vs Spurs SGP
Spurs moneyline
Over 218.5
Victor Wembanyama Over 27.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Walk Tall
After skipping out on the Game 5 press conference, Wembanyama needs to have the game of his life and force a Game 7. And that has to happen on both ends of the floor.
Wemby can top his scoring total and send several shots back, especially with this series leaning toward high-scoring finishes. Tempo and shot volume leads to another Over in Game 6.
Thunder vs Spurs SGP
Spurs -3.5
Over 218.5
Victor Wembanyama 27.5 points
Victor Wembanyama Over 3.5 blocks
Thunder vs Spurs odds for Game 6
Spread: Thunder +3.5 | Spurs -3.5
Moneyline: Thunder +130 | Spurs -155
Over/Under: Over 218.5 | Under 218.5
Thunder vs Spurs betting trend to know
The Spurs are 20-6 SU and 18-8 ATS when coming off a loss on the season. Find more NBA betting trends for Thunder vs. Spurs.
How to watch Thunder vs Spurs Game 6
Location
Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX
Date
Thursday, May 28, 2026
Tip-off
8:30 p.m. ET
TV
NBC/Peacock
Thunder vs Spurs latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Four seasons, two rebrands, two top-five picks and one worst record in the league have transpired, and now, the Utah Jazz have come through the other side of the rebuild with a team that looks ready to compete in 2026-27.
But the fruits of this rebuild have not stopped blooming. Not even close. In 2028 and 2029, the Jazz could add multiple top draft picks to their roster, and it’s all thanks to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Jazz fans should keep their eyes on the Cavaliers for the next two seasons. It could be well worth their while.
What picks do Cleveland owe Utah?
In 2028, the Utah Jazz own the most favorable of their’s and Cleveland’s draft picks (a pick swap in other words). Essentially, if the Cavs are worse than the Jazz, the pick will go to Utah. This comes from the blockbuster Donovan Mitchell trade that happened in the 2022 offseason.
The Jazz also own the most favorable and the second most favorable picks between Cleveland, Minnesota and Utah in 2029.
In the last week, these potential picks have gotten incredibly interesting for Utah. It seems things have plateaued for Donovan Mitchell and Cleveland. On Monday, the Cavs lost by 37 points to the Knicks, losing the series in only four games. The previous two games were also blowouts, and game one saw the Cavs blow a 22-point lead in the fourth quarter in one of the worst choke jobs in NBA playoff history.
In game four, Mitchell could be seen yelling at his teammates in the huddle, trying to get them to lock in, even though viewers around the world could tell that Cleveland had already given up.
In a season where Boston and Indiana were not at full strength, Cleveland still was not remotely close to winning the Eastern Conference title. Even though it made the conference finals, it’s record in the playoffs was statistically the worst possible record a team could have after three playoff series, going 8-10 across three rounds. Cleveland’s season easily could have ended against Toronto or Detroit.
On Tuesday, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said on “Get Up,” that James Harden was “going to be a Cav next year.”
“He’s going to sign a new contract, in all likelihood. He’s going to opt out of his contract and sign a new deal, and that new deal will probably be structured in a way that will allow the Cavs to dip below the second apron. And once they’ve done that, it can bring in the availability of them to make a major trade.” -Brian Windhorst on James Harden signing a new deal to stay in Cleveland
Donovan Mitchell has also expressed interest in returning to Cleveland, saying he had “unfinished business” after Monday’s loss.
Not only do their backcourt duo of Harden and Mitchell plan on returning, but sources told ESPN that Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson will be back next year too.
So the Cavs will bring their core players and coach back, but with the potential of making a big-time trade.
Obviously, anytime there is a big trade possibility, the first name that gets thrown around is Giannis Antetokounmpo. To make a trade like that work, Harden’s contract would have to be restructured in a way that is much lower than what the star guard is used to, or — and this seems the most likely scenario — Evan Mobley would have to be involved in the trade. However, The Athletic’s Joe Vardon reported the Cavs have “shown no interest” in trading Mobley for Antetokounmpo.
All signs point to Cleveland going all in yet again next season, but what going “all in” looks like varies. The Cavs could bring everybody back, make a franchise-altering trade for Antetokounmpo, or possibly even make a trade to reunite with LeBron James — there’s been whispers of this. Faint whispers, but whispers nonetheless.
But let’s say Cleveland has another disappointing, heartbreaking, reality check of a playoff defeat in 2027. What if that is the final straw that breaks the camel’s back and sends the Cavaliers into a new rebuild era. That 2028 pick could be much higher than anticipated, and the Jazz could find themselves with another lottery pick on their roster. Even if it doesn’t happen by 2028, who’s to say it won’t happen in 2029?
Cleveland’s next few seasons have now become that much more intriguing for fans in Utah.
With the first three legs already completed, the user is only two Spurs wins away from their $1.7-million prize. Unfortunately, the likelihood of obtaining that is now much smaller than it was just 24 hours ago.
The Spurs' 127-114 loss Tuesday means they need to win each of the next two games, one at home and one on the road, to advance to the NBA Finals. They are 1-1 at home and 1-2 on the road in the series.
After DraftKings saw their $502,583.66 cashout turned down before Game 5, the offer dropped 41.6% to $293,273.26 for the customer to hand in their wager.
A DraftKings employee told Covers the bettor said they will not accept the offer.
Will the offer improve?
The Thunder have been the NBA championship odds favorites since they won last year’s championship. They’re -450 to beat the Spurs and get their shot at defending their title against the New York Knicks, although they’re expected to lose Game 6 on Thursday.
DraftKings installed the Thunder as +3.5 underdogs with +136 moneyline odds on the road for the elimination game. The Spurs’ -162 moneyline odds suggest they have a 61.8% chance of winning the contest.
Parlay cashout values can fluctuate greatly game to game, as seen by the near $210,000 change between Games 5 and 6. Holding on to the ticket until Game 7, assuming the Spurs win the all-important Game 6, would likely place the parlay’s cashout close to what was offered earlier in the week.
The Spurs have shown they can beat the Thunder, winning at home and on the road in the series after taking four of five regular-season meetings.
However, history is strongly on the side of the series favorite. Teams that win Game 5 in an NBA playoff series tied 2-2 have gone on to win the series more than 82% of the time.
Betting splits posted on DraftKings Network show that 74% of bets and 79% of the handle in the spread market are on Spurs -3.5 ahead of the matchup. Despite that, 54% of bets and 50% of money are on the Thunder moneyline.
Finals odds
The Thunder sat around +110 in odds to win the NBA Finals before Game 5. The win shortened them to -140, while the Spurs lengthened to +550.
The Knicks - who are riding an 11-game winning streak and the most dominant stretch of play in NBA playoff history - are +205.
Hypothetical Finals odds posted on DraftKings have the Spurs as -235 favorites and the Knicks as +190 underdogs. The Thunder would be -280 favorites, and the Knicks would be +225 underdogs in a series between them.
The NBA’s owners are expected to meet Thursday to approve new “anti-tanking draft reform” via a “3-2-1 lottery.” I just know they’re the type of people who love a good board game — one with rules that take a half-hour to explain, by which time their guests’ eyes have glazed over.
Think they’ll get the hint if someone asks, “Y’all got any Clue instead?”
Actually, I’d prefer to turn on the basketball game, that nuanced, ever-evolving sport that’s beautiful for its simplicity: make or miss.
What’s wild is that a league that brings together the world’s best shooters keeps missing so badly on draft reform — unless it’s actually their feet that they’re aiming at.
Still, this reported new proposal — which would start next year and expand the lottery from 14 teams to 16 and penalize the three worst teams with poorer draft lottery odds than teams with the fourth- through 10th-worst records — might benefit the … Lakers?
You know those first-round picks they’ve been holding on to so that, come draft night, they’ll have three to offer in a deal? To use as bargaining chips for either a big name like the Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo or, better yet, to acquire important foundational pieces to retrofit the roster around Luka Doncic?
Well, those three first-rounders should be much more valuable if other teams are disincentivized to trade their first-rounders, seeing how even middle-of-the-pack teams will have a shot at winning the lottery.
And not only will first-round picks be a rare commodity on the trade market going forward, but also the Lakers’ picks could prove more practically valuable than previously imagined.
Without this reform, no one would expect the Luka Lakers to be a lottery team. But under the new proposal, all it would take would be, say, their star missing 30 games and the Lakers sliding into the eighth seed, which would give the team holding that pick a 2.7% shot at the No. 1 overall selection.
And hold on, wait a minute: Will that give Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka and his growing cast of front-office colleagues pause this offseason? Imagine how it would look if they dealt away a pick that turns into one of the top guys in a future draft for a 3-and-D role player on a team that, for whatever reason, slips into eighth? It wouldn’t look good! It wouldn’t feel good.
But would it stop the Lakers from doing what they need to do this offseason? It shouldn’t. But it could! But it shouldn’t! No, really, it shouldn’t: Because after draft night, the Lakers’ next two tradable first-round picks will be in 2031 and 2033 — and, per ESPN, this week’s draft reform proposal will include a sunset provision that would allow it to expire after the 2029 draft.
At that point, if they’re smart, the owners would scrap it. Of course, they’ll probably make it even more onerous so they can feel smart?
No wonder the Lakers went and hired Rohan Ramadas — the guy with an astronautical engineering degree from USC — as an assistant general manager.
But what are we doing here? All this variance and randomness, all these rules on top of regulations, none of it is exactly arbitrary, but neither is it fair. Since the draft lottery odds were flattened in 2019, the team with the worst overall record has not once lucked into the No. 1 overall pick.
The NFL would never! Oh, that plucky little league. With its antiquated worst-picks-first draft system? Seems to be going OK.
The worst thing about what the NBA is up to is how much work it has made it to follow along at home. You’ve heard of fan service? This league trades in fan disservice.
The league already ceded its regular season to the offseason, leaning into free agency drama as a driving source of year-round intrigue, letting team-building trump teamwork.
It already asked fans to bone up on contract law to be able to spell out the differences between the NTMLE (non-taxpayer mid-level salary exception) and RMLE (room mid-level salary exception).
Then the NBA introduced rules that incentivized stars to avoid free agency and to try, instead, to get traded — except then the league added a first and second apron to make it harder for teams to trade.
So the possibility of a dream sign-and-trade that has fans fired up? Odds are it won’t happen because it can’t; sign-and-trades are not permitted if the player acquired keeps a team above the first apron.
Perfectly clear? No?
Well, this won’t help: Let’s slather on another thick layer of basketball bureaucracy. To discourage tanking. (And encourage mere mediocrity! Middling is about to be the NBA’s new sweet spot.)
Let us proclaim that, oh, teams can’t land back-to-back No. 1 picks.
Unless they can. Unless it’s Team A, by virtue of selecting first using Team B’s pick the previous season, that is eligible to pick first in consecutive seasons. Team B, though, it’s out of luck the next year, no matter what goes wrong.
Don’t forget, class, that some picks won’t be able to be protected. No, not the top few picks — there will be no protections on Nos. 12, 13, 14, or 15.
Yes, that appears actually to be a caveat of the proposed new system. Which, yes, is actually designed to sell Advil.
Fans can figure this stuff out, but at some point soon, they’re not going to feel like it. At some point, everyone’s eyes are going to glaze over and it’s going to be 3-2-1, turn the TV off!
In 2023, during an NBA Today discussion on ESPN about the Knicks being stuck in purgatory, Becky Hammon shared a hot-button take about Brunson's ceiling. Hammon asserted New York didn't have "a dude" or true No. 1 superstar to win a championship. Analyst Kendrick Perkins pushed back, saying the Knicks had Brunson, but Hammon didn't agree.
The Aces coach argued the 6-foot-2 guard was "too small," citing examples such as John Stockton, Steve Nash and Allen Iverson. Hammon mentioned Stephen Curry as the lone exception to the rule. With the Knicks now in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, Hammon's comments have resurfaced. The Las Vegas coach appears to be catching some heat from fans, but remains unfazed.
"The two best teams are probably in the West, but I'm up for being proven wrong," Hammon said. "And that's the other thing. I think Jalen Brunson's a hell of a player. A hell of a player. I'm speaking historically on the NBA with what I said ... I stand by it."
In response to the recent online backlash, Hammon didn't understand why her comments had resurfaced when it's been over two years. A media member said they were giving Hammon a chance to "clear the air," but she didn't subscribe to that notion.
"There's no air to be cleared. I said what I said. (If) he proves me wrong, he proves me wrong," she said. Hammon, who spent time in the NBA from 2014 to 2021 with the San Antonio Spurs as an assistant coach, emphasized again she believes the two best teams in the league were in the Western Conference.
"You know who I'm cheering for," Hammon said, smiling.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 16: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Chuck's Global Stars brings the ball up court against Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks and Shaq's OGs during the 74th NBA All-Star Game at Chase Center on February 16, 2025 in San Francisco, 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Rockets fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
The Houston Rockets are used to this. Pretty much every name that might be available on the trade market has been linked to them. That’s been happening for a while now. Houston has historically been a pretty aggressive team when it comes to trades, and that reputation has remained through GM Rafael Stone’s tenure. The Rockets were linked just yesterday to Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics. They’ve also been linked this offseason to Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, Donovan Mitchell, and Giannis Antetokuonmpo.
What we want to know is, out of those five players, which one would you most like to see on the Rockets?
Cast your vote, tell us in the comments, and we’ll be back soon with the results.
Travis Kelce attends Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference finals between the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Cleveland on May 23. (Sue Ogrocki / Associated Press)
Travis Kelce has become the latest athlete to buy into a professional sports team, purchasing a minority stake in the Cleveland Guardians, the MLB franchise he rooted for growing up in Cleveland Heights, a vibrant suburb 15 minutes from downtown.
Ballplayers buying into professional sports franchises has become almost routine. And why not? They are wealthy, love sports and often want an ownership stake of a team in a city full of fans who love them back.
Kelce is the latest to do so. The only question is, what took him so long?
“I have so much love for this city,” Kelce told ESPN. “I say it all the time: I’m just a kid from the Heights living the dream. I credit every good thing in my life to Cleveland and being raised here with the values and the people and the work ethic.
“Cleveland Heights is such a diverse and dynamic place. Every friend, neighbor, teacher and teammate — they all made me the man I am today.”
And that man is very wealthy. The Kansas City Chiefs tight end and burgeoning business titan has earned $111 million playing in the NFL. He and his brother Jason have a $100-million deal with Amazon Wondery for their popular New Heights podcast.
Kelce, 36, also makes an estimated $35 million a year from endorsement deals with Nike, Pfizer, State Farm and other major brands.
Oh, and let’s not forget that his fiancee, Taylor Swift, is the wealthiest female musician in the world with an estimated net worth of $1.6 billion.
Although Swift has never publicly mentioned owning a sports franchise, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell did comment on the possibility at a Super Bowl news conference two years ago.
Tom Brady had been approved as part owner of the Raiders, boosting season-ticket sales, leading to this question posed to Goodell.
Goodell grinned and replied, “I really don’t know the answer to that one. If she’s interested, she has the ability to do it, let’s put it that way.”
The list of athletes who own a piece of sports franchises is long. Begin with Magic Johnson and Billie Jean King, part of the group that owns the Dodgers and Sparks. Kelce’s Chiefs passing partner Patrick Mahomes has been a minority owner of the Kansas City Royals since 2020.
Tennis superstar sisters Venus and Serena Williams became the first black women to hold a stake in an NFL team when they became minority owners of the Miami Dolphins in 2009.
Giannis Antetokounmpo expressed his love for Milwaukee by purchasing a stake in the Brewers baseball team. The Lakers are rumored to possibly trade for the Milwaukee Bucks superstar this offseason. Would that make Antetokounmpo a candidate to take the Angels off the hands of Arte Moreno, who at games has been blistered by a large group of shirtless fans chanting “sell the team?”
Because he is an investor in the Fenway Sports Group, Lakers star LeBron James owns a piece of the Boston Red Sox, Liverpool FC, the Pittsburgh Penguins and RFK Racing. The 41-year-old veteran of 23 NBA seasons makes no secret that he someday wants to own an NBA team.
“I got so much to give to the game. I know what it takes to win at this level. I know talent,” James said in 2021. “I also know how to run a business as well. And so, that is my goal. My goal is to own an NBA franchise.”
James is the first active NBA player to achieve billionaire status, and his estimated net worth of $1.3 billion to $1.5 billion puts him in Swift territory. He might not need to preface his ownership stake with the word minority.
Kelce, meanwhile, is happy for now to own just a piece of the Guardians, whose value has risen from $1 billion four years ago to $1.7 billion today. “I’ve been lucky enough to have a front-row seat to good ownership in my career, and I know the best teams prioritize culture,” Kelce said. “Everyone is there to play their role, and right now, I’m here to observe and learn and really to support the team and the city when and where I can.”
Now that the Knicks have swept the Cavs in the Eastern Conference Finals and won 11 straight playoff games, they must wait for a winner to be crowned in the West.
In the WCF, the Thunder lead San Antonio Spurs 3-2. In a seesaw series, Oklahoma City struck back last night, when their frontcourt (including the well-compensated OAKAAKUYOAK Isaiah Hartenstein) bottled up a visibly tiring Victor Wembanyama to secure a 127-114 win. A possible close-out game will be played on May 28 in San Antonio. Game Seven will occur on Saturday in Oklahoma, if necessary.
Covering his bases, coach Mike Brown is combing through tape on both teams as he prepares New York for the big dance. With the 2026 NBA Finals set to begin next Wednesday (ABC, tip-off at 8:30 p.m. ET), the question is: which is the more favorable matchup for our heroes?
The Case for Wanting the Spurs
Don’t believe the record books: the Knicks own the season series with the Spurs. On December 16, 2025, in Las Vegas, New York beat San Antonio 124-113 to win the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks to their first NBA Cup title and earned tournament MVP honors—the first of his two MVP trophies this season, alongside the Larry Bird Eastern Conference Finals MVP award. Because NBA Cup games don’t count toward the regular-season series (email your complaints to Adam Silver), the official tally is split: the Spurs won the rematch on December 31 (134-132), and the Knicks rolled them at MSG on March 1 (114-89).
Everything starts with Wemby. The 22-year-old Defensive Player of the Year combines elite rim protection, perimeter shot creation, and an absurd eight-foot wingspan into the league’s most impressive two-way force.
Stephon Castle made a massive leap in his sophomore year, averaging 16.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 7.4 assists while earning All-NBA votes. Devin Vassell remains a valuable floor spacer and secondary creator despite a slight offensive dip this season. Keldon Johnson thrived as a high-energy sixth man, earning Sixth Man of the Year honors. Rookie Dylan Harper has averaged 11.8 points and 3.9 assists, made All-Rookie First Team, and delivered a standout 24-point, 11-rebound, seven-steal performance in the Western Conference Finals. Veteran De’Aaron Fox added 18.6 points and 6.2 assists in his first full season in Texas, although a lingering ankle injury has diminished his explosiveness in the playoffs.
Why would the Knicks prefer the Spurs over the Thunder? First, they’ve already beaten San Antonio twice, record books be damned. More importantly, the Spurs are starting to look tuckered out. This is the longest run of games (83+ regular season plus deep postseason) in their young core’s careers, and the mileage is taking its toll. Wembanyama has carried a massive load, Fox is physically compromised, and fatigue tends to erode discipline. The Knicks, by contrast, have stayed fresh and healthy, thanks to making short work of the Eastern Conference, and they’re well-positioned to capitalize on the mistakes of a tired, young squad.
The Case for Wanting the Thunder
Sure, yeah, the Knicks lost both regular-season meetings with the Thunder in 2025-26. On March 4 at Madison Square Garden, New York pushed OKC to the wire before falling 103-100, with Chet Holmgren dropping 28 points and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander adding 26 despite Karl-Anthony Towns’ 17-17 double-double. In the rematch on March 29 in Oklahoma City, the Thunder pulled away for a 111-100 win behind SGA’s 30 points, outdueling Brunson’s 32.
That was then, this is now.
In the postseason, New York blossomed into a fast-paced, quick-pass team that ran circles around the Sixers and Cavs. More than that, they’re shooting the lights out, with Landry Shamet and Mikal Bridges seemingly incapable of missing.
Meanwhile, the Thunder are getting beaten up in a demanding WCF against the Spurs. Their accumulated fatigue from a more competitive playoff path would benefit the Knicks in the Finals. The biggest concern is Jalen Williams, who left Game Two of the WCF between the first and second quarters after playing just seven minutes. Now he’s dealing with his fourth hamstring issue, and this latest one is a reaggravation to his left hammy. Then there’s Ajay Mitchell, who bowed out of the Thunder’s Game Three win over San Antonio and is listed as out with a right soleus strain.
Oklahoma City’s frequent use of smaller, switch-heavy lineups creates exploitable opportunities for Towns. When the Thunder downsize for speed and perimeter versatility, they can become vulnerable on the glass and in the interior, allowing Towns to punish mismatches, dominate offensive rebounding, and generate second-chance points. While Hartenstein and Holmgren are excellent defenders, the Bolts lack a singular rim-protecting force on the level of that French delight. Wemby’s elite shot-blocking fundamentally warp offenses by erasing shots at the rim and forcing teams to shoot from farther away. OKC’s defense might be elite, but it lacks that same suffocating interior deterrent.
Conclusion: Bring on the Spurs
The Knicks should root for San Antonio to eliminate Oklahoma City.
A tired, occasionally undersized Thunder team would give Towns and Mitchell Robinson clearer opportunities to dominate the glass and punish mismatches inside. While San Antonio presents a tougher stylistic challenge (Wemby’s defensive gravity, their impressive young talent), Oklahoma City remains the more dangerous opponent overall. Egregious flopper or not, SGA is the MVP, after all, and his team iss the defending champion.
The betting odds agree. FanDuel currently has the Thunder as heavy favorites to win the title at -155, with the Knicks sitting at +230 and the Spurs longshots at +550. Vegas clearly believes New York has a better chance against San Antonio. Who would you rather they face in the Finals? State your case in the comments below.
May 25, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) dunks in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers during game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
An Indiana Hoosier will be competing on the grandest stage in men’s professional basketball for the second consecutive year.
OG Anunoby has returned to the NBA Finals for the first time since winning his first championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019, this time with the New York Knicks. He follows Thomas Bryant, who joined the Indiana Pacers during the 2024-25 regular season before their run through the playoffs.
Anunoby, recognized as one of the top defensive players in the NBA, currently averages 16.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 38.6% from 3-point range, starting in all 67 of his appearances.
Anunoby joined Indiana as a member of the high school recruiting class of 2015 under head coach Tom Crean, taking a leap as a sophomore in Crean’s final season prior to a season-ending injury in January. With Crean’s dismissal, Anunoby declared for the 2017 NBA Draft where he was selected by the Raptors with the 23rd overall pick.
(If you wanna be funny you could count Dante Exum on the 2023-24 Dallas Mavericks and say it’s three years, really.)
Vivek Ramaswamy posted a courtside picture with his wife from Monday’s Cavaliers vs. Knicks Game 4 at Rocket Arena, captioning the post, “Date night in Cleveland. Let’s go Cavs…all the way back!”
The Knicks swept the Cavaliers in dominant fashion. NBAE via Getty Images
Meanwhile, Ramaswamy snagged a courtside seat that perhaps cost five figures, although it is unclear if he actually bought his seat or it was a comp from the team as he runs for governor of the state.
The Knicks swept Cleveland in four games to clinch their NBA Finals berth, where they await the winner of Spurs-Thunder in the Western Conference finals.
Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani posts from the nosebleeds at Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals. X, @NYCMayor
“I prayed for it, I hoped for it but I didn’t want to jinx it. It is incredible,” Mamdani said. “You know, 1999 is the last time the Knicks were in the Finals. Ricky Martin’s ‘Livin’ la Vida Loca’ was at the top of the charts.
“We are incredibly excited to play this song in New York City again today because we’re hopeful. We’re excited, it’s truly an incredible time to be a New Yorker.”
The Knicks will meet one of the Western Conference powers as massive underdogs on June 3 for Game 1 of the NBA Finals, regardless of who they play.
BROOKLYN, NY - APRIL 5: Josh Minott #00 of the Brooklyn Nets drives to the basket during the game against the Washington Wizards on April 5, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 09: Day'ron Sharpe #20 reacts with Ochai Agbaji #30 of the Brooklyn Nets during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Barclays Center on March 09, 2026 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Nets won 126-115. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As Brooklyn Nets fans wait to see just how much general manager Sean Marks plans to shake the soda can this offseason, it’s worth taking a closer look at the team’s own free-agent outlook before Brooklyn starts hunting in the market and bolstering the roster through the draft.
The Nets’ internal free-agent decisions will come into sharper focus at the end of June, when teams must make qualifying offers to players eligible for restricted free agency and decide on player, team and early termination options. Once the NBA Finals wraps up, teams can begin negotiating with their own free agents.
June 30 marks the final official day of the 2025-26 NBA league year, as well as the last day for players eligible for veteran extensions during the season to sign them. That evening, teams can also begin negotiating with free agents from other clubs.
On July 1, the 2026-27 league year officially begins and the NBA’s moratorium period opens, allowing restricted free agents to sign offer sheets while teams can begin signing players to minimum contracts, two-way deals, rookie-scale contracts for first-round picks and second-round pick exception deals. Teams can also begin exercising third- or fourth-year rookie-scale team options for the 2027-28 season
The first wave of summer basketball follows with the Salt Lake City Summer League from July 4-7, before the moratorium ends on July 6, when teams can officially sign players, complete trades and begin the 24-hour clock to match restricted free-agent offer sheets signed during the moratorium. The Las Vegas Summer League runs from July 9-19, while July 13 serves as the final day for teams to unilaterally withdraw qualifying offers to restricted free agents.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s take a closer look at some of the key decisions Marks and his front office staff will be tasked with this offseason.
Club Options
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 09: Day'ron Sharpe #20 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Barclays Center on March 09, 2026 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Nets won 126-115. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Day’Ron Sharpe
His physical maturity stands out so much on a young, developing Nets team that Sharpe may look like everybody’s uncle, but he’s really just 24 years old.
With just a $6.3 million club option, retaining Sharpe should be a no-brainer. Fresh off the best season of his career, the University of North Carolina product averaged 8.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game, all career highs, while appearing in 62 games and starting seven.
“One thing we know is Day’Ron is going to play extremely hard,” Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez said, after Sharpe finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and two blocks during his first start of the season. “I really liked how hard he played, how engaged he was, and how he took advantage of the opportunity.”
Ziaire Williams
When Williams put up 25 points in just the second game of the regular season, it felt like we might have been witnessing the first signs of a career-altering leap. That leap hasn’t fully taken place yet, but the 24-year-old forward remained a steady contributor off the bench, particularly during the final stretch of the season.
Despite making 32 fewer starts and playing slightly fewer minutes overall, the Alabama product still managed to narrowly edge out his scoring output from the previous season, averaging 10.2 points do go along with 2.4 rebounds and a career-high 1.4 steals per game.
After a slow start early in the season, Fernandez showed Williams some tough love by challenging his energy levels while also acknoweldging his unique defensive potential.
“Be ready for the next opportunity” Fernandez said. “And when it comes, then just take it and sustain it and be the best defensive player on the team and one of the best in the NBA, which I believe he’s more than capable of doing.”
Josh Minott
The final player among the bunch to have a club option, Minott turned heads later in the season after originally spending some time on Long Island after being acquired in a trade from the Boston Celtics on on Feb.5.
Late in the dog days of the season, the former Celtic brought life to a Nets roster searching for a spark, showing that his high-character presence could make him a personality for the young players to lean on and seek inspiration from when the waters get rocky.
The best game of his career came on March 12, when he scored 24 points while knocking down 4-out-of-7 three point attemtps during a loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
“So, (I’m) excited for him. … The thing that stood out is we’re asking him to pressure the ball, to pick up full court, and he did an amazing job,” Fernandez said after the game. “He’s trying to do everything we ask him to. You see the size. He’s going to let it fly. Those things are positive. So I’m excited to watch him play.”
Malachi Smith
Smith signed a 10-day contract with Brooklyn on March 13 before ultimately signing a two year, $2,216,755 contract, just a few months after being traded to the Long Island Nets on Sep.9.
While appearing in 15 games with Brooklyn throughout the 2025-2025 campaign, he averaged 8.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.
Neither Shams nor the Nets provided details on the contract, but in the past, Brooklyn has signed a number of players to multi-year, non-guaranteed deals late in the season, among them Kessler Edwards, David Duke Jr. and current Net Jalen Wilson. In those cases, the players contracts only became guaranteed for the second year if they made the final roster the following October.
Restricted Free Agents
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 05: Jalen Wilson #22 of the Brooklyn Nets shoots the ball against Julian Reese #15 of the Washington Wizards during the second quarter at Barclays Center on April 05, 2026 in New York City. 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 Pamela Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Jalen Wilson
Wilson will likely be playing the waiting game again, just like last year, after taking a step back and seeing noticeable decreases in starts, minutes and every major statistical category.
After leading the team in total minutes during the 2024-2025 season, the Kansas product averaged just 15.9 minutes per game while averaging 7.4 points and 2.1 rebounds per game.
Whether Marks and his staff plan to retain Wilson will heavily depend on which depth pieces they think they can take a swing at in free agency.
On one hand, Brooklyn’s coaching staff and much of the roster are already familiar with Wilson, who has no reported character concerns. However, moving on from him could also be part of letting go of a previous era of Nets basketball and welcoming in the new wave.
Ochai Agbaji
The 26-year-old shooting guard also arrived in Brooklyn on Feb.5, after spending the past two seasons with the Toronto Raptors.
With increased minutes, Agbaji showcased his ability to score relatively efficiently. After seeing more playing time throughout March, the former Raptor notched his two best scoring outings of the year with a pair of 18-point performances against the Sacramento Kings and Memphis Grizzlies.
Overall, he averaged 6.7 points and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 45.5% from the field and 34.9% from beyond the arc through 20 games in Brooklyn. His best NBA season came during the 2024-25 campaign, when he averaged a career-high 10.4 points and 3.8 assists per game while appearing in 64 games and making 45 starts.
Two-Way Free Agents
INGLEWOOD, CA – JANUARY 25: E.J. Liddell #9 of the Brooklyn Nets shoots a three point basket during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers on January 25, 2026 at Intuit Dome 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
E.J. Liddell
A talented scorer at the college level who has shown offensive flashes as a pro, Liddell is the most intriguing two-way player of the bunch. After receiving limited playing time through the first two seasons of his NBA career, Liddell finally took advantage of a larger opportunity when called up to Brooklyn.
During the 2025-26 campaign, he averaged a career-high 5.7 points and 2.7 rebounds per game, highlighted by a 21-point performance on 7-for-9 shooting against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Now in his final year of two-way eligibility, Liddell gives Brooklyn a solid practice body for its developing defenders and remains an intriguing developmental piece himself, especially if he can round out his game and build on his scoring ability.
Chaney Johnson
Another player with remaining two-way eligibility, Johnson’s gradual progress as a raw prospect over the past five years gives Brooklyn reason to keep him in its deck of cards.
After being named Gulf South Conference Player of the Year following a dominant run at the University of Alabama Huntsville, Johnson made the jump to the SEC, where the 6-foot-7, 220-pound wing served as Auburn’s defensive anchor during its run to the Final Four.
Don’t expect Johnson to slide into a starting role, but his athletic potential and high motor could keep him off Long Island sooner than expected.
Tyson Etienne
Known as a fan favorite for his time dominating down in Long Island, Etienne still has two remaining seasons of G League eligibility, and it would be a surprise if Brooklyn doesn’t use that to its advantage.
Last season, the 26-year-old guard 16.2 points and 3.8 assists for the Long Island Nets, also averaging 7.9 points and shooting 40% from the field while appearing in 24 games and starting 2 games with Brooklyn.
After being seen cheering on the Cavaliers as they faced the Knicks, Travis Kelce is set to become a minority investor into his hometown Guardians, he told ESPN.
Kelce, 36, is famously a native of nearby Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and said he has “so much love for this city.”
Travis Kelce, a Cleveland Heights native, is seen throwing out the first pitch at a Guardians game. Getty Images
“I say it all the time: I’m just a kid from the Heights living the dream,” he said. “I credit every good thing in my life to Cleveland and being raised here with the values and the people and the work ethic. Cleveland Heights is such a diverse and dynamic place. Every friend, neighbor, teacher and teammate — they all made me the man I am today. It just fueled such a deep appreciation for life and community and service. That mentality of Cleveland against the world runs deep.
“I’ve been lucky enough to have a front-row seat to good ownership in my career, and I know the best teams prioritize culture,” he continued. “Everyone is there to play their role, and right now, I’m here to observe and learn and really to support the team and the city when and where I can.”
It’s not clear what percentage of the team Kelce will own, though the franchise is currently valued at $1.7 billion, according to Forbes.
The Chiefs’ tight end was a star baseball player in high school, and his latest investment will see him form an MLB rivalry with his good friend and teammate Patrick Mahomes.
Mahomes joined the ownership group of the Kansas City Royals in 2020, though he and Kelce also invested in the Alpine F1 team together.
Ever the dedicated Cleveland sports fan, Kelce and his girlfriend Taylor Swift sat courtside Saturday as the Cavs hosted the Knicks in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Kelce and girlfriend Taylor Swift cheered on the Cleveland Cavaliers last weekend NBAE via Getty Images
However, his attempts to rile up the crowd with a beer chug were unsuccessful as the Knicks won Game 3 and ultimately swept the series.
Kelce is gearing up for his 14th season of NFL action after re-signing with Kansas City on a one-year deal in March.
He racked up 76 catches for 851 yards and five touchdowns last season as he still proved to be one of the league’s better tight ends.
New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change.
There’s nothing quite like the Garden in spring.
That’s never been more true than these past few weeks when Jalen Brunson and the red-hot New York Knicks mounted a historic postseason run where they’ve won 11 consecutive games and earned themselves a spot in the 2026 NBA Finals.
However, watching Mike Brown’s club ball on TV only tells part of the story.
To actually see Brunson, KAT, The Warden, OG and Josh Barkley play in person at MSG is a whole different ballgame.
“Nothing compares to Knicks playoff energy,” Post social media guru and Knicks diehard Olivia Silio told us in an exclusive interview.
“The roar of the crowd, the fans jumping up and down after every shot, the celebrities hyping up the crowd, the MSG organist leading the chants, the announcer after every point. MSG makes you feel like you’re a part of history.”
Silio has attended a handful of games during this year’s improbable unbeaten stretch and, as a result, has had the good fortune to witness hoops history up close and personal at the Garden.
“When Landry Shamet hit the three to send Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals to overtime, the building felt like it was moving,” Silio smiled. “My ears were ringing for hours after I left The Garden.”
Yet, she believes the best is yet to come.
“I think the Finals are going to be surreal,” Silio predicted. “The City has been waiting for this moment for 27 years. If you thought the celebrations on Seventh Ave. were crazy before, you’re not ready for what’s to come. Win or lose, this series will be a part of the Knicks legacy forever.”
All that being said, Silio is a pragmatist and understands just how expensive tickets are to attend Finals games at Madison Square Garden.
On that note, she said “if you have the money, it’s totally worth going.”
Want Need to be there?
For more information, our team has everything you need to know and more about attending Knicks Finals games at MSG below.
New York Knicks playoff home game tickets
A complete calendar, including all announced Knicks NBA Finals home game dates and the best prices on tickets, can be found here:
New York Knicks NBA Finals home game dates
Game 3Monday, June 8
Game 4Wednesday, June 10
Game 6Tuesday, June 16 (if necessary)
Knicks playoff giveaways
Silio let us know that there are some perks to attending games at MSG.
“The first home game of the series, you’ll go home with a souvenir t-shirt, commemorating the game,” she said.
“Other games have ‘Always Knicks’ towels for fans to keep as well as interactive arena bracelets, used for light shows and hyping up the crowd. Another bonus is you may see your favorite actor, singer or athlete, rooting alongside you.”
Huge concerts at MSG in 2026
Not sure what to do once the final buzzer sounds on the 2025-26 NBA season?
MSG has you covered.
The legendary venue has booked a number of exciting acts to entertain audiences all summer long.
Here are just five of our favorites we can’t wait to see live.
• Bon Jovi (July 7-9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26)
• Earth, Wind, and Fire with Lionel Richie (July 11)
• Phish (July 22, 24, 25, 27, 29)
• RUSH (July 28, 30, Aug. 1, 3)
• J. Cole (Aug. 2, 4)
Want to see who else is Big Apple-bound? Check out this list of all the upcoming events at Madison Square Garden to find the show for you.
This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.
PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 19: AJ Dybantsa #3 of the BYU Cougars dribbles the ball while being guarded by Tramon Mark #12 of the Texas Longhorns during the second half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Widely regarded as the best prospect and top overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Anicet “AJ” Dybantsa is one of the most NBA-ready college freshmen ever. He is a rare breed, a perfect blend of size, athleticism, and skill that should translate well to the NBA. He’s good at just about everything and is one of the most highly touted prospects in the past 30 years. At just 19, he’ll enter the NBA as a matchup nightmare for the other 29 teams. Congrats, Washington, you don’t have to be the laughingstock of the NBA anymore.
The basics
Born on January 29, 2007, in Boston, Massachusetts, Dybantsa grew up in nearby Brockton (and yes, he’s a Celtics fan). He is of Congolese and Jamaican descent. He originally attended Saint Sebastian High School, where he was named Massachusetts Boys’ Basketball Gatorade Player of the Year following a prolific freshman season – averaging 19.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 2.5 blocks per game. At just 14, Dybantsa led Saint Sebastian’s to the NEPSAC Class A state championship, but lost to Milton Academy by a single point, 77-76.
He then transferred to Prolific Prep in Napa, California, for his sophomore year. In July 2023, he led the Nike Peach Jam in scoring at 25.8 points per game as a member of Expressions Elite, an Amateur Athletic Union team from Boston. Dybantsa ended his high school career at Utah Prep Academy in Hurricane, Utah.
Dybantsa was named the top overall prospect by ESPN as a high school freshman in the 2026 class and later re-classified into the 2025 class. He officially committed to Brigham Young University (BYU) in December 2024, electing to stay in Utah. He is the highest-ranked basketball recruit to ever attend BYU.
Following a nearly impeccable season at BYU, Dybantsa averaged 25.5 points (first in the NCAA), 6.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. He added to his accolades, earning first team All-American, the Julius Irving Award, NCAA Scoring Champion, Big 12 Freshman of the Year, and Big 12 All-Freshman Team. He has also been named a McDonald’s All-American (2025) and FIBA Under-19 World Cup MVP (2025). Dybantsa’s accomplishments and incredible freshman season have him primed for the NBA level.
The good
Dybantsa is about as good as they get. If it weren’t for an otherworldly talented draft class, he would stick out ahead of the rest like Cooper Flagg did last season. And also similar to Flagg, the 6’9, 210-pound forward is positionless and can play one through four.
There are several positives to Dybantsa’s game, but the first thing that jumps out is his scoring ability. He led the NCAA in scoring in the 2025-2026 season, with 25.5 points per game – on 51% from the floor. While his outside shooting could use some work – 33.1%, that number showed significant growth over the season, as he became more comfortable shooting from the outside. By season’s end, he was averaging shooting 4.2 threes per game and making 1.4. What makes the BYU prodigy so special is his ability to score in the midrange and inside. He is particularly dangerous in face-up situations, where he can attack downhill, get to his spots in the mid-range, or create space for pull-ups. In the paint, Dybantsa shot 56.8% (259-456), well above average for forwards and guards. His quick twitch explosiveness and ability to change directions allow him to break down defenders, while his strength lets him overpower smaller matchups and finish through contact. He has an uncanny ability to recognize mismatches and get to his spots on the floor.
Another unique part of Dybantsa’s game is his ability to facilitate. While 3.7 assists per game doesn’t jump off the page, his ability to make the right basketball play and find teammates propels Dybantsa’s game to an entirely new level. He’s the definition of a true triple-threat with the ball in his hands and doesn’t just showcase his game but elevates his teammates’ as well. He’s exceptionally good at live dribble reads like pick-and-roll and double teams. He often commands a lot of attention on the floor, a heliocentric type of player, but is witty and crafty enough to make the right decisions.
The room to improve
There aren’t many true weaknesses to Dybantsa’s game, but one is his outside shooting. With his ability to score at all three levels (three-point, mid-range, inside), it’s not a major problem that he only shot 33.1% from three last season. But the NBA is a more position-less league than the NCAA and many of the NBA’s elite teams have efficient three-point shooting forwards. If Dybantsa wants to be an elite player in the NBA, he’ll need that number to creep northward to that 36-38% mark. Initially, teams will probably leave him with space to shoot, since he’s such a mobile threat getting into the paint. He’ll need to take, and make, those.
While he does have the ball in his hands quite a bit, his 3.1 turnovers per game are high, especially for a forward. Dybantsa does tend to force his shot from time to time, rather than pass out and re-post or make another play. He’s also heavily reliant on his right hand. Mavs fans had the spectacle of watching Cooper Flagg look more ambidextrous than right-handed dominant as he attacked defenses from both sides, often favoring the left. Dybantsa will need to continue to develop his ability to attack with both hands.
Player comparison
Dybantsa is most often compared to two players: Tracy McGrady and DeMar DeRozan. He draws comparisons to McGrady because of his quickness and explosiveness off the dribble, as well as his ability to score from anywhere on the court. At his peak in the 2002-2003 season, McGrady averaged 32.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game. The other comparison is DeMar DeRozan, with Dybantsa’s heavy reliance on his midrange game. At his peak, DeRozan was one of the NBA’s high fliers, showcasing his ability to finish at the rim as well as on the perimeter. His best season in 2021-2022 had him putting up 27.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game.
Fit with Wizards and looking ahead
Dybantsa is a seamless fit for an up-and-coming Washington Wizards team. DC went all in at the trade deadline acquiring all-stars Trae Young and Anthony Davis. Plugging in an elite talent like AJ Dybantsa will create matchup nightmares for teams. Not to mention, the Wizards also have Alex Sarr, the second overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft, who averaged 16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. They also have the sixth pick from the 2025 draft in Tre Johnson (12.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists), the seventh pick from the 2023 draft in Bilal Coulibaly (11.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists), and the 24th pick from the 2024 NBA draft in Kyshawn George (14.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.5 assists).
The Wizards have a great mix of young, raw talent and veterans to not just get out of the basement in the Eastern Conference next year, but make a serious run for a top-six seed.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JANUARY 22: A detail view of the Minnesota Timberwolves' logo during a game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Chicago Bulls at Target Center on January 22, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 Tyler Clouse/Getty Images) | Getty Images
On Tuesday, the Minnesota Timberwolves announced that they will unveil their all-new uniforms in less than two weeks. On Sunday, June 7th, the Wolves will showcase the new-look jerseys in front of fans at an event at Target Center. Fans can purchase tickets for $1 to attend the event.
The Timberwolves teased the upcoming rebrand on their social media accounts.
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) May 26, 2026
The last time the Timberwolves rebranded was during the 2017 offseason, when they released their new logo in April and, in August, the updated jerseys to go along with it. They traded for Jimmy Butler in June of that same offseason.
The Wolves have desperately needed an updated look since then. Their current set of jerseys has grown stale, while their 90s throwback, Prince, and classic black tree jerseys have been incredibly popular.
It has long been rumored that the Timberwolves would soon be going through a rebrand of both their jerseys and logo. With More Lore and Alex Rodriguez taking full control of the franchise last July, it appears now is the time for them to mold the image and iconography of the franchise as it heads into a new era under their leadership.
— NBA Uniform Tracker™ (@nbaunitracker) May 12, 2026
“We’ve done a lot of work in the background. think our fan base is gonna be very, very excited,” Rodriguez said last July after he and Lore officially took control of the team. “As far as rebranding, we have good thoughts, and bringing back some of the history of the KG days is something that we’re both very aware that’s important to our fan base.”
“We really want to listen to fans,” Lore added. “That’s how we’re going to build the value system here.”
The new jerseys will not be the first major change that Lore and Rodriguez have made. This last season, they debuted their new ticket platform, Jump, and significantly upgraded the lighting inside Target Center. Lore and Rodriguez also hired Matthew Caldwell away from the Florida Panthers to be their new CEO.
The Wolves as a franchise have already experienced a lot of change since the ownership transfer last July. Next Sunday’s jersey reveal is another step in this journey of the new era of Timberwolves basketball.
COVERS INTEL: Looking back at the last 21 times Wembanyama took 15 or fewer FGAs (without injury impact), he’s followed those quiet efforts by averaging 28 points in the next game. He’s topped 30 points in nine of those outings.
