Category: Basketball

James Dolan is recognizing the contributions of the Knicks’ significant others.

The Knicks owner spoke to his team on April 3 before their playoff run that ended Saturday with a 94-90 win over the Spurs that clinched the team’s first championship since 1973.

At the time, Dolan assured his players that, should the Knicks bring home the championship, their significant others will also be receiving championship rings in recognition for their contributions and support to the team.

“When we win the championship, we will get rings. When we get rings, so will they,” Dolan told his team.

“I will buy a ring for each one of your significant others, because their contributions are very important to this team win.”

Dolan had jokes too.

“If you don’t have a significant other, most of you do, find someone that you’re sharing this journey with for the next 10 weeks,” Dolan said, which was met with laughs from around the room.

When the Knicks won their championship on Saturday, Dolan, who has owned the team since 1999, addressed Knicks fans everywhere with an apology.

“Hey, New York, I’m sorry it took so long,” Dolan said as the team was presented with the Larry O’Brien trophy, its first in 53 years. “But here we are, and hopefully it won’t take that long again. Yeah!”

After falling behind 2-1 in their first-round series against the Hawks, the Knicks reeled off 13 straight wins and lost just once in that span on their way to defeating the Spurs 4-1 in the Finals.

The Knicks finished the playoffs with a point differential of +283, the biggest in NBA history.

What's the latest on Giannis and Jaylen? O'Connor offers insight originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Milwaukee Bucks are widely expected to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo sometime in the next week. According to several recent reports, the Boston Celtics are frontrunners to land the two-time NBA MVP.

By all accounts, Antetokounmpo is intrigued by the idea of playing in Boston, but acquiring him would almost certainly require the C’s parting ways with 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown. It likely wouldn’t be a simple swap between Boston and Milwaukee, however.

“Giannis wants to win. What team offers him the best opportunity to win? In all likelihood, the Boston Celtics,” Yahoo Sports’ NBA insider Kevin O’Connor said on Monday’s Early Edition. “It’s just going to be a matter of, can the Celtics find an appropriate third team to land Jaylen Brown?

“It seems like all indications are the Milwaukee Bucks don’t want Jaylen Brown as their key return. They’d rather have a haul of picks, multiple pieces, rather than just Jaylen Brown. I doubt Jaylen Brown would even want Milwaukee either at this point in his career. He wants to win somewhere else.”

The Atlanta Hawks, Portland Trail Blazers, and Los Angeles Clippers have often been mentioned as potential partners for Milwaukee and Boston in a three-team deal. Boston would get Antetokounmpo, the third team would get Brown, and Milwaukee would get draft capital and young pieces to help jumpstart its rebuild.

The Miami Heat have also reportedly been in the mix to acquire Antetokounmpo. Wherever the 10-time All-Star goes, the team that lands him will still have work to do.

“It can’t be just Giannis. There would have to be more moves to follow,” O’Connor said. “So I think for the Celtics, if they get Giannis, it’s going to be a matter of, what’s next after that? What other moves are going to completely shake up this roster?”

The Celtics’ roster might get shaken up even if they don’t end up with Antetokounmpo. O’Connor believes president of basketball operations Brad Stevens could move a disgruntled Brown in a different deal.

“I can’t imagine (Brown would) be too happy going back to Boston if they don’t end up landing Giannis Antetokounmpo,” he said. “So I’d imagine that Brad Stevens has at least a Plan B or a Plan C here to flip Jaylen Brown somewhere else for parts. I don’t know what exactly it would be, though.

“The New Orleans package with Trey Murphy, Herb Jones, and whatever other pieces, I think, is pretty intriguing with what they could do in (Joe) Mazzulla’s system alongside Jayson Tatum. I think those are winning players that have just been stuck on a losing team.”

Brown and Antetokounmpo are set to make $57 million and $58 million next season, respectively. Tatum will also make $58 million.

Antetokounmpo, who has a $63 million player option for 2026-27, would be eligible to sign a four-year, $275 million extension six months after being traded. As enticing as it is to put him alongside Tatum for the next several seasons, the new collective bargaining agreement makes it difficult to sustain success with multiple expensive superstars.

“Look, the fact is it’s hard to win with two players making $60-plus million. That’s true with Giannis plus Tatum, it’s true with Brown plus Tatum,” O’Connor said.

“We’ve seen the formula in recent years. The Knicks just won the title with a team that played one through 11 sometimes. Last year, OKC vs. Indiana, two teams that were very deep. Boston the year prior was very deep. With a new collective bargaining agreement, perhaps having one superstar-level player surrounded by good players might be the way forward.”

Whether it’s to Boston, Miami, or elsewhere, Antetokounmpo is expected to be moved before the NBA Draft on June 23.

Watch the Early Edition segment in the video player above.

Spike Lee couldn’t contain himself.

“We did it!” the legendary filmmaker shouted during an ESPN interview after the New York Knicks sealed their first NBA championship since 1973 on Saturday night. “We did it! We did it! We did it!”

If any fan can be excused for using “we” when speaking of their favorite sports team, it would probably be Lee.

Read more:ESPN's coverage of 2026 NBA Finals is setting ratings records for ABC

The “Do the Right Thing” star, director and screenwriter was 13 when he witnessed the Knicks defeat the Lakers in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden. And he was on hand in San Antonio at age 69 when the Knicks finished off the Spurs with a title-clinching 94-90 victory in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

In between, Lee has become the Knicks’ most famous and visible fan. He has been a season-ticket holder since 1985, the rookie season of Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing, and has been a courtside fixture for decades. In 2024, he was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame’s superfan gallery.

Lifelong Knicks fan Spike Lee made sure he got ALL THE ANGLES of the Knicks trophy presentation! 🥹📸 pic.twitter.com/5YpuzibtfO

— NBA (@NBA) May 26, 2026

During a 2020 appearance on ESPN’s “First Take,” Lee laughed when he was informed that his Knicks seats cost around $300,000 a year and that he had spent roughly $10 million on tickets over the years.

“I look stupid now,” he joked.

So, yeah, he’s considered by many to be an honorary member of the Knicks — and as such, he’s also considered by many to be more than worthy of an NBA championship ring. The idea has taken off on social media, with several celebrities offering their support.

Read more:Meet the Beverly Hills jeweler who crafted the Seattle Seahawks' Super Bowl ring

“Give @officialspikelee a CHAMPIONSHIP RING DAMN IT!!!!!!!!” comedian and actor Kevin Hart wrote Sunday on Instagram.

Legendary sports broadcaster Dick Vitale wrote Monday on X: “I agree with Kevin Hart - yes the LOYALTY of SPIKE LEE to the @nyknicks should be recognized & rewarded- Spike is truly a dedicated & genuine LOYAL Knicks fan .YES I agree with Kevin - SPIKE should get a Championship ring !”

“First Take” host and fellow die-hard Knicks fan Stephen A. Smith reposted on X a graphic calling for Lee to receive a ring for his “decades of loyalty.”

“I completely support this for Spike Lee,” Smith wrote. “No Knicks’ fan deserves this more than him.”

The Times reached out to representatives for Lee and the Knicks for comment but did not receive an immediate response.

Lee is likely less concerned with a championship ring for himself and more concerned with his beloved team earning another one in 2027.

“You know what I’m thinking?” Lee asked during an on-court interview with WABC-TV in New York immediately following Saturday’s victory, before shouting the answer to his own question: “Back to back!”

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Mike Brown sat to the right of James Dolan, Knicks players seated in front of them at the club’s practice facility. 

It was before the April 3 shootaround when Dolan gave an impassioned 15-minute speech, recorded on video, that implored his Knicks to sacrifice everything with an unyielding commitment across the next 10 weeks of the playoffs to compete a mission years in the making — and 53 years in all — that would make every one of them champions and kings of New York with rings for one and all for the rest of their lives.

10 Weeks to Glory.

10 Weeks that would change their lives and the lives of their loved ones forever.

The Future Was Now.

And the owner believed.

“I don’t know if you understand what it would mean to win the NBA championship,”  Dolan told his Knicks. “It would be life-changing… It will stick with you the rest of your lives. And if you don’t win, you’ll be thinking about it the rest of your lives.”

And if you do win, this team will belong up in the rafters with the 1970 Knicks and the 1973 Knicks.

“You will forever ever be important to New York City,” Dolan said. “No matter where you go and what you do the rest of your lives, when people introduce you, even if you become the president of the United States, they’ll start off with ‘NBA champion, 2026.’  … That’s what’s at stake here.”

So seize the moment. 

“The big word is sacrifice. You’re going to have to sacrifice if you want to achieve this,” Dolan said. 

“It’s only 10 weeks, it’s not a long time. . . Sacrifice everything you got these next 10 weeks to win that championship.

“I know you can do it… You know you can do it. I believe you know you can do it.

“Will you do it?”

He offered suggestions:

He implored his Knicks to eliminate distractions and bind together even tighter.

“At the end of this 10 weeks, what you achieve is what the public’s gonna think of you — not what you say in the press conferences, etcetera,” Dolan told them.

He offered other suggestions:

“You need to bump your practice. You need to pay more attention to your diet. You need to sleep better. You need to be ready for every game… That’s not something you start on the first game of the playoffs. That is something you start right now, today!”

And one that was intended as a joke …sort of.

“I had this idea that maybe you should give up sex for the next 10 weeks — you don’t have to give up sex for the next 10 weeks — BUT — like the Spartans, you know what Spartans are? They denied themselves, right? So that they can have an edge. Get the edge.

“Go home, talk to your wives and tell them — don’t tell them you’re not gonna have sex, don’t tell ‘em it was my idea — but let them know what this is gonna be like, what your commitment is gonna be like, and how they’re gonna have to sacrifice too. Those concerns at home, they can’t come on the court. It’s not who we play, it’s how we play.

“Because I believe this team can beat anybody in the NBA.”

The Post could not immediately confirm how many of any of the players lived that Spartan existence but the Knicks sure proceeded to play with that edge across those magical 10 weeks.

“It’s a pretty serious mood going into the playoffs,” Brown told The Post. “When he said that, I was like, ‘Mike, hold yourself together. Do not fall out. Focus on his words. Focus on his words. Try to keep this as serious as you can. And let’s see how it plays out with the players.'”

“But there was no way that I could get that done,” he added with a laugh.

Dolan went on:

“When we win the championship, we will get rings. And when we get rings, so will they. I will buy a ring for each one of your significant others, because their contribution is gonna be very important to this team winning.”

He emphasized first-quarter focus and defensive pick-and-rolls and rebounding. “The next 10 days, fix those three things as part of your focus,” Dolan said, “because those are our Achilles heels, and they’ll stop us in the playoffs.

“You gotta try like you’ve never tried before.

“It’s only 10 weeks guys.

“You gotta go for it. 

“You gotta leave nothing on the table. 

“You must go for it. 

“Do it. Commit to it. Go for it.”

Applause filled the room.

“His speech was effective ‘cause it was powerful,” Brown told The Post. “It was impactful, and it added to what messaging we’ve been giving our guys from Day 1, from the Opening Night dinner going into training camp, it added to it. And it added to it on another level because now you have the top guy, the ultimate leader, the guy that owns the team, that writes the checks, saying how he feels in a deep-felt message.

“They took it very seriously. We had shirts made up with 2026 playoffs, and on the back we had 10 Weeks. And we even had the slogan 10 Weeks on the wall in the locker room, and as time went on, guys would say, ‘Hey — we got 3 weeks left, 3 weeks, let’s lock in.’

“If you can break it down to where hey, this is 10 weeks of your life. . .10 weeks of your life to reach the mountaintop.”

Dolan had lauded Brown for a collaborative approach with the players that he and Rose felt was missing under Tom Thibodeau’s sole voice. It heartened Brown.

“One hundred percent this man has my back and we’re aligned,” Brown said. “And that’s what I needed to hear. Our business, it’s a tough business, there’s too many different opinions that everybody can see and feel that can create separation or divide amongst a group. And I felt when he said those words, especially about me, that our players and everybody that was around during that speech, knew that we were truly aligned, vertically and horizontally, and it was a strong bond.”

Brown was heading for an appearance with Jimmy Fallon on “The Tonight Show.”

A parade awaits on Thursday.

“You can’t go anywhere without people hugging you and telling you how long they’ve been waiting,” Brown said. “You see grandpas saying, ‘When I was twenty-something-years-old that happened.’ Then you see parents saying ‘When I was a little kid and my parents used to take me,’ then you see their kids saying, ‘This is great!’ They don’t understand how long 54 years is ‘cause they’re 10 years old (laugh).’ You can feel how passionate and how truthful and how much pain they had over this team not winning all those years.”

The owner’s 10 Weeks To Glory speech changed everything.

According to FOX 5 NY, the New York City Mayor’s Office has finalized the logistics for the Knicks’ historic championship ticker-tape parade. The party hits the streets on Thursday, June 18, 2026.

Here are the times and locations you need to know:

The Timeline & Route

• 10:00 AM ET – The Kickoff: The parade officially begins down at The Battery (Battery Park) in Lower Manhattan.
• The March – Canyon of Heroes: The floats and players will march straight north up Broadway, rolling through the iconic Canyon of Heroes.
• The Finale – City Hall Ceremony: The route wraps up at City Hall Plaza. Immediately following the parade, Mayor Mamdani will host the official championship ceremony on the plaza to present the team with the Keys to the City.

Pro Tip: Lower Manhattan will be completely gridlocked, and several MTA subway stations along Broadway will face temporary entrance/exit closures or heavy bypasses. If you are heading down to camp out for a spot, aim for the early morning and use stations a block or two east or west of Broadway (like the dynamic transit hubs at Fulton Street or Chambers Street) to avoid the worst of the bottlenecks.

Go Knicks!

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Following the Knicks’ closeout Game 5 on Saturday that gave the franchise its first title since 1973, captain and NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson made a special guest appearance on ABC’s “The View.”

Host Whoopi Goldberg asked Brunson how he resisted retaliating against Victor Wembanyama after the Spurs star shoved Brunson to the ground in Game 3.

“I think it starts, honestly, with my parents, how they raised me,” the Knicks star said. “I’ll start there.

“I wanted to [retaliate] but at the same time, I knew that being a leader, understanding the moment, understanding the situation, you have to keep your composure. No matter when it’s being too high or being too low, you gotta stay even-keeled. That’s something I had for a long time.”

On the play referenced in the interview, there was no call, and Wembanyama avoided a flagrant foul. He had already received two flagrant foul points earlier in the playoffs for elbowing Minnesota’s Naz Reid in the jaw. Had Wembanyama been given a flagrant foul for shoving Brunson, he would’ve been at most one foul away from an automatic suspension.

NBA champion and Finals MVP Jalen Brunson credits his composure in Game 5 to his upbringing: "It starts, honestly, [with] my parents, how they raised me." pic.twitter.com/FO68ROfBQa

— The View (@TheView) June 15, 2026

Controversy surrounding officiating continued throughout the NBA Finals. In Game 1, Brunson had multiple encounters with referee Scott Foster, including one in which Brunson was seen screaming at Foster after a no-call where Brunson took hard contact from Spurs defenders.

Those that Brunson credited with teaching him to keep composure include his father Rick Brunson, the former player who is now an assistant coach with the Knicks. The father-son duo celebrated their championship together after Game 5 on Saturday.

The younger Brunson was asked in the immediate afterglow of the Game 5 win how it felt to win alongside his dad and he hesitated to answer, growing emotional as the weight of the moment overcame him.

“You can see it,” ESPN’s Lisa Salters told him in their live broadcast interview.

“You can see it,” Brunson repeated.

Think you’ve seen all the postgame Knicks celebrations?

Think again.

A series of exclusive photos obtained by The Post highlight the Knicks celebrating their NBA championship — the franchise’s first in 53 years — at Flyfish Club, the exclusive private members’ club co-founded by Gary Vaynerchuk, David Rodolitz, Chef Josh Capon and Chef Conor Hanlon, located in Manhattan’s Lower East Side.

The team boarded flights back home right after their celebrations at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio rather than opting to spend the night on the road and flying Sunday morning.

By Sunday night, a championship party was set.

A majority of the team made an appearance at the club, including Finals MVP Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, Landry Shamet, Miles McBride, Tyler Kolek, Mohamed Diawara, Kevin McCullar Jr., Trey Jemison III, Dillon Jones, Ariel Hukporti and Jordan Clarkson.

The homecoming party brought players together with their families, close friends and loved ones for a special night that featured a performance from A Boogie Wit da Hoodie and a champagne toast led by Brunson and his fellow teammates.

Other special guests included Yankees two-time All-Star Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Vaynerchuk, who is also a New York Times best-selling author.

Entrepreneur and Karl-Anthony Towns’ fiancée, Jordyn Woods, also made an appearance at the party.

Woods has been a big part of the Knicks’ incredible playoff run towards their title. The founder of the fashion line “Woods”, she was carrying around her own orange bag that proved to be a good luck charm for the team.

She brought the bag to each game throughout the Knicks’ 13-0 playoff run until the team lost Game 3 of the Finals to the Spurs, yet Woods was not allowed to bring it into the Garden for that game due to rules surrounding President Donald Trump’s attendance.

At the end of the run, Woods’ bag went undefeated.

Brunson’s wife, Ali, was also seen at the exclusive club to celebrate.

She was seen in the immediate aftermath of the championship win, joining in on a big group hug with her husband, Brunson’s parents, Rick and Sandra, and sister Erica.

Once he met his assistant coach and dad for a hug, the emotions started to pour out of Brunson.

“Honestly, it was like a lifetime, honestly, that’s what it felt like. I knew I had to because I knew that face would look crazy on TV,”  Brunson said on “Good Morning America” Monday. “I think the best part about it is that these guys have my back night in and night out. Made that moment 10 times more special.”

The partying won’t end on Sunday night.

The Knicks have their championship parade through the Canyon of Heroes set for Thursday, which begins at Battery Park and ends at City Hall.

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The New York Knicks winning their first NBA title since 1973 in five games was bad for sportsbooks. 

Key Takeaways

• The Knicks turned into a liability for BetMGM as the Finals went along.
  
  
• Bettors kept backing New York in both futures markets and live betting in games.
  
  
• Jalen Brunson took home Finals MVP, a small relief for operators.

The good news for operators was that they avoided bettors unloading on the Knicks in a Game 6 or 7. Still, Jalen Brunson and the Knicks captured a massive betting audience, picking up steam throughout their playoff run, attracting betting action in both futures markets and individual games.

The Knicks took a commanding 3-1 series lead with a dramatic Game 4 win and then closed out the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 on the road in Game 5, rewarding bettors. 

“Before the NBA Finals began, the sportsbook was cheering for the Knicks because the Spurs were the biggest remaining liability on the futures market,” BetMGM trader Anthony Parenti said. “However, by the time New York took a 2-0 series lead, our liability had flipped. Knicks winning the title ended up making a lot of our customers very happy."  

From beginning to end

At the beginning of the playoffs, BetMGM had taken more money on the Spurs (+450) to win the NBA title than Oklahoma City, the favorite in 2025-2026.

New York was at +2,200 to win the NBA championship at BetMGM during the first round of the playoffs. 

The Knicks even began the best-of-seven series as +170 underdogs, with the Spurs at -210. After New York took a 2-0 lead, the odds shifted to Knicks -140, and by the time they were up 3-1, the Knickerbockers (-550) had 77% of the bets and 53% of the handle. 

Massive wagering

A Knicks team that struggled to compete at times over the last two decades became a major driver of betting activity. DraftKings reported last week that Game 4 was the most-bet NBA contest in the operator’s history. BetMGM experienced an average 28.6% year-over-year increase in money wagered on each Finals game.

Had the series lasted longer, it might’ve done more damage to sportsbooks, but it would’ve produced incredible handles, especially in a Game 7, because of the hysteria surrounding the Knicks.

“The Knicks and the public are locked in on each other,” DraftKings Sportsbook director Johnny Avello told Covers last week. 

New York also did a number on sportsbooks through live betting, as the darling trailed by double digits in every game, allowing bettors to pound even better underdog odds. The Knicks were down 29 before the incredible rally in Game 4, and they came back from 16 in the first half in Game 5. 

Other Finals betting notes

The Knicks won Game 5 as 5.5-point underdogs. They were getting 67% of the spread bets and 77% of the handle. More than 50% of the moneyline handle was also backing New York at +165 to win outright and close out the series. 

A BetMGM bettor cashed a $20,000 ticket at +2,200 on the Knicks, returning a $440,000 payout. 

Brunson took home an NBA title and series MVP on Saturday night. He was a -110 favorite by the end of New York’s run to win the individual award at BetMGM, getting 22% of the tickets and 60% of the market’s handle. 

However, teammate OG Anunoby was a bigger liability at BetMGM, with his odds getting as high as +50,000 to start the playoffs and shortening to +200 by Game 5.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

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The New York Knicks’ 16-3 run to the NBA Championship was impressive.

Just not impressive enough to sway the NBA Championship odds at prediction markets like Kalshi to believe anyone other than the San Antonio Spurs or Oklahoma City Thunder can win the 2027 title.

Those two Western Conference powers have a combined 55% shot to claim the NBA title next season (Thunder 28%, Spurs 27%), which means solid returns for the other 28 teams.

The entire NBA offseason is in front of us, with trades, free agency, and the NBA Draft on deck. Before the summer circus starts, here are my three favorite NBA picks to make right now.

🏆2026-27 NBA Championship predictions

Odds courtesy of Kalshi as of 3:15 p.m. ET on 6-15.

📈2026-27 NBA Championship odds

  Miami Heat (3¢ at Kalshi)

The Heat are at the center of the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors, with the Bucks star preferring to land in South Beach. An investment now gets you out ahead of the market moves.

Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jacquez Jr., and draft picks are the reported return for the Bucks, but recent rumblings say they’re asking for more. That could draw a third team into the mix to help satisfy Milwaukee’s needs.

Adding Giannis alongside Bam Adebayo gives Miami the most potent frontcourt tandem in the NBA. The Heat will likely retain Andrew Wiggins and have promising young guards in Davion Mitchell and Pelle Larsson, along with mastermind coach Erik Spoelstra.

A trade for Antetokounmpo could also entice free agents to sign with Miami — if the sun, fun, and no income tax weren’t enough.

As the Knicks showed, the path through the East is far easier, and the Miami Heat odds will spike if and when the Giannis deal gets done.

  Indiana Pacers (4¢ at Kalshi)

It would only be fitting that the Indiana Pacers take their place as the Knicks’ biggest rivals in the Eastern Conference.

Let’s not forget, Indiana was a Tyrese Halliburton Achilles tear away from knocking off OKC in the 2025 NBA Finals. The Pacers didn’t rush their star back in 2026, playing out what was a throw-away season.

Indiana swapped the would-be No. 5 pick for center Ivica Zubac, who gives the Pacers the interior toughness needed to compete against the likes of San Antonio and OKC. 

The rest of the roster is pretty much intact, returning the depth that was the Pacers’ calling card in 2025. A free agent signing at forward (like veteran Khris Middleton) would bolster the frontcourt and have the Pacers back in the title hunt in 2026.

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  Houston Rockets (3¢ at Kalshi)

The Houston Rockets’ early playoff exit and combined 4-10 record against the West’s Top 4 teams have soured most, plunging Houston to seventh in the projected conference pecking order.

This slide seems severe considering the Rockets finished sixth in net rating last year, behind five of the Top 6 favorites to win the 2027 NBA title.

This roster is sound and should return veteran pieces that were injured last year. Kevin Durant is still an All-NBA talent and has quality players around him, with Tari Eason (RFA), Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun, and Reed Shepard all stepping up.

Houston also has a lot of future draft capital to flex, should it want to chase a big-name trade between now and the 2027 deadline. If the Rockets hold their own among the best in the West come February, GM Rafael Stone might make a move to bring in a second superstar.

I see a lot of wiggle room in the Western Conference, at least below the Spurs and Thunder. The Lakers may not have LeBron James back, Denver’s window is closing, the L.A. Clippers are caught in the Kawhi drama, and Minnesota could look very different — good or bad.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Phoenix Suns all-time leading scorer Devin Booker is one of the greatest Suns players, if not the greatest player, in the history of the organization. That statement is factually true and cannot be argued against with any real weight. 

In his 11 seasons with the franchise, Booker has taken the Suns as close to the pinnacle of the sport as they have been after going up 2-0 against the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Finals. He is an Olympic gold medalist, a first-team All-NBA selection in 2021-22, has five All-Star appearances, and has a career average of 24.6 points per game.

All incredible accomplishments for someone who has given everything he has to the Valley. But looking forward to the future is not as bright as we hoped it would be after his historic playoff runs in 2021 and 2023.

The question that has been asked the last two seasons: Is Devin Booker washed? Declining? Whatever descriptive term you want, and how extreme you take it, there is no arguing that he has not had the same explosive scoring seasons over the last two seasons as he had in the 2021 to 2024 seasons. Over those three seasons, Booker averaged 27.2 points per game, and in the 2024 to 2026 seasons, he has averaged 25.9 points per game.

Now let’s pause for a second. Those are still remarkably great numbers, and Booker is absolutely one of the best players in the game today. But he has not played to the level of an All-NBA, top 10 player in basketball over the last two seasons, as we Suns fans (biased as we may be) thought he was at for the first half of this decade.

It’s not just his scoring that has gone down; his field goal percentage has declined from 49% in the 2023 and 2024 seasons to an average of 45.9% in the 2025 and 2026 seasons. His three-point shooting has dropped from well above 35% to 33% over the last two seasons. Even his percentage of points scored in the midrange has dropped to just 17%, which is his lowest season since 2019-20. 

Statistically, Booker has regressed, and unfortunately, the eye test over the last two seasons tells us the same thing. He looks a little slower and does not appear to have the same ability to separate from defenders as he did during his peak seasons with the Suns.

Booker’s role has also changed from those seasons, too. In the last three seasons, Booker has been the primary ball-handler and distributor on offense. Before that, he had Chris Paul to share the load with him, but in the last two or three seasons, it has been Booker in full control of the ship. 

So can Booker get back to his first-team All-NBA, fourth-place MVP-voting season self again?

The short answer is yes, and it comes down to two things: get Booker in position to be the savant scorer he is, not the full-time table setter, and Booker has to become a better three-point shooter.

The first thing the Suns have to do is find, or develop, another ball-dominant creator who can help Booker shoulder the offensive load so Booker does not have to run every ball screen and face double teams every possession. Booker is consistently seeing defenses designed to take him away, and let anyone else on the Suns go crazy.

Think back to last season. Booker faced double teams and heavy gap defenses designed to shut off his ability to score. Meanwhile, Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green usually could isolate in their spots without facing the same tilted defense.

The one-on-one midpost isolations that Brooks got last season used to be Booker’s when the Suns had another threat like Chris Paul or Kevin Durant (before things went south). Maybe Jalen Green can eventually develop into that kind of player where Booker doesn’t need to orchestrate every possession, but that seems lofty. And if it does happen, it will take more than one season for Green to get there. As far as Dillon Brooks’ development goes, what we got last year is what we’re going to get going forward: a black hole that thinks score, score, score when he has the ball.

So if the Suns are willing to trade up in the draft or wheel and deal this offseason, finding a big wing that can rebound and shoot the ball is obviously a priority, but finding someone who can make Booker better has to be No. 2 on the list. Booker made everyone else around him better this season, the part we forget about when talking about his decreasing numbers and worse end-of-game execution. Hopefully, the Suns can find players this offseason who can help Booker be better and not just benefit from his greatness.

Organizationally, the Suns can try to surround Booker with players who can help him get free. But the other part of this conundrum is that Booker also needs to get better as well. The thing that Booker can directly control is how well he shoots from the three-point line. It is no coincidence that his best three-point shooting seasons were also his best scoring seasons as a professional. He shot a career high at over 38% from 3 the year he finished fourth in MVP voting. Is that a coincidence? I would argue it’s not.

The ability to shoot threes, especially off the dribble, creates a different dynamic that Booker has been unable to tap into the last two seasons, only shooting 33% from long range. Becoming an above-average three-point shooter will help Booker slow the ferocity of Father Time because it will make it harder for defenses to stop his ability to get to the basket and get to his patented midrange jumper if they are less willing to give up a three-point shot. Even if it’s less often than it was in the 2021-22 season, the Suns have to utilize Booker off the ball more and get him more open three-point shots to accentuate his shooting ability. Whether that is Oso Ighodaro, Collin Gillespie, or someone else in charge of running the offense, Booker has to get easier looks than he got this season, and getting him off the ball will do just that.

Combining a consistent three-point shot with Booker’s savant scoring package in the midrange, on top of his improved free-throw drawing tendencies this past season, Booker can get back to being in the conversation of a Top 10 player in basketball again. That is a conversation he hasn’t sniffed in two seasons, and it’s also not the only thing he can do to get back to it, but it looks like it could be his simplest way back unless he becomes far more explosive magically this offseason. Outside of a ginormous franchise-altering trade that brings in another superstar to Phoenix, the most crucial thing for the Suns to improve in the next couple of seasons to truly get back into deep playoff contention is for Booker to get back to his apex.

Building around the Devin Booker we’ve seen the last two seasons is futile if he is not actually good enough to take us back up the mountain anymore.

After the New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs to win the 2026 NBA Finals, front offices are all turning their attention to the 2026 NBA Draft.

An exciting postseason gave us a better indication of which types of players thrive in the modern NBA when the games matter most. Additionally, pre-draft workouts as well as conversations with folks around the league have provided more intel on where each prospect might get selected during draft nights at Barclays Center on June 23 and June 24.

Our mock draft includes data from CBB Analytics. We also spoke with P3, a sports science and athletic training company that uses biomechanical data and movement profiling to evaluate players and project NBA outcomes, to better understand how certain prospects translate physically to the next level.

Following conversations with decision-makers around the league and other trusted reporting, here are our latest predictions.

Note: All heights and wingspans (as well as the distance between the two) are listed to the nearest inch and players were measured without shoes.

1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa

• TEAM: BYU
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Massachusetts
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• WINGSPAN: 7-1 (+4)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

Expect the Wizards to decide between two players: AJ Dybansta and Darryn Peterson, both of whom have already reportedly conducted workouts for Washington. After they had the second-worst offense in the league, the franchise could instantly inject life into their offense by selecting AJ Dybantsa, the NCAA scoring champion and Julius Erving Award winner.

The former five-star recruit emphasized his case for No. 1 overall during his one game for BYU in March Madness, putting up 35 points and 10 rebounds. The Big 12 Rookie of the Year led the nation in unassisted points scored (680) by a wide margin this season, per CBB Analytics. The emerging star also had 40 points against Kansas State in the Big 12 Tournament on March 10 and averaged a stellar 28.8 points per game over his final 17 appearances. 

He would be a fascinating fit next to Trae Young and Anthony Davis, who could help him play alongside veteran talent early in his career.

2. Utah Jazz: Cameron Boozer

• TEAM: Duke
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: Florida
• HEIGHT: 6-8
• WINGSPAN: 7-2 (+5)
• DRAFT AGE: 18

While nearly every mainstream mock draft has the Jazz selecting Darryn Peterson to join Keyonte George in the backcourt, this is far from a foregone conclusion. In fact, per ESPN, the guard hasn't worked out for Utah and he "informed the Jazz that he plans to take no further team visits" after only conducting meetings with Washington.

Duke freshman Cameron Boozer, meanwhile, was dominant during his sole NCAA season and earned national collegiate player of the year honors.

The ACC Player of the Year isn’t a human highlight reel, though he performed better than expected during athletic testing at the combine in Chicago. He offers consistency and a diverse, impactful skill set, and he can bring a culture of winning after multiple championships in high school and playing on an elite Duke team that made it to the Sweet 16.

It is important to note that his father, former Jazz player Carlos Boozer, currently works as a scout for Utah. Even if this is an awkward positional fit with a crowded frontcourt, the Jazz are building a stronger core. As of right now, fans should operate under the assumption this pick is not yet decided and any one of these top prospects is in play.

3. Memphis Grizzlies: Darryn Peterson

• TEAM: Kansas
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Ohio
• HEIGHT: 6-5
• WINGSPAN: 6-10 (+5)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

While he is certainly no longer perceived as the near-certain No. 1 overall pick that he once was due to relative inconsistency and injury issues, many scouts and evaluators still feel that Darryn Peterson is the most talented player in this class. It is incredibly rare to find a prospect who is able to score as efficiently as Peterson did while holding a usage rate as high as his was this season. 

Peterson will reportedly only conduct meetings with the Washington Wizards at No. 1 overall, per ESPN. But that won't prevent a team like the Utah Jazz or Memphis Grizzlies from calling his name when either are on the clock if Peterson is still available to them should the Wizards not select him.

If the Grizzlies do draft Peterson, it would give them a fresh start with a new floor general to run the offense and give them even more incentive to potentially trade longtime franchise star point guard Ja Morant.

4. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson

• TEAM: North Carolina
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Georgia
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• WINGSPAN: 7-0 (+3)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

Bryson Graham, who was recently hired as the new executive vice president of basketball operations for the Bulls, has a simple task: Select whichever of the four players is still available.

North Carolina freshman Caleb Wilson is not just a consolation prize. He is a perfect fit for what Graham wants to build in Chicago, as he values size, length, athleticism, and physicality. Wilson did more than enough to earn this placement before his injury.

According to Bart Torvik, before the injury, the All-ACC big man led the nation with 67 dunks recorded and was one of the best vertical athletes who tested at the combine in Chicago. He was also the only player under 20 years old to reach specific thresholds for both block, steal and defensive rebound percentage.

5. Los Angeles Clippers: Keaton Wagler

• TEAM: Illinois
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Kansas
• HEIGHT: 6-5
• WINGSPAN: 6-6 (+1)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

The Clippers received this pick from the Indiana Pacers as part of a package involving Ivica Zubac, but Jake Fischer reported that he is "hearing considerable curiosity" about whether or not the Clippers will actually use this pick or potentially trade it for a win-now player. Whether it's their front office or another on the clock at No. 5 overall, look for them to potentially call on Illinois standout Keaton Wagler, an ideal fit next to Darius Garland.

“I’ve always played with a chip on my shoulder,” Wagler told USA TODAY Sports. “Just trying to go out each game and prove myself and do whatever it takes to win.”

The 19-year-old guard played a crucial role in helping the Fighting Illini reach the Final Four, finishing with 20 points and eight rebounds against UConn in the national semifinals after scoring 25 points in the Elite Eight. He projects as one of the best 3-point shooters in this class, hitting 39.7% from beyond the arc as a freshman and connecting on as many as nine 3-pointers in a game. Wagler is a cerebral basketball player who averaged 5.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game this season.

6. Brooklyn Nets: Mikel Brown Jr.

• DRAFT AGE: 20
• TEAM: Louisville
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Florida
• HEIGHT: 6-4
• WINGSPAN: 6-8 (+4)

During this rebuilding chapter, the Nets would love to add a player like the talented Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr., even though they drafted three point guards last season. He has already completed a second workout for Brooklyn; a person with knowledge of the situation who was unauthorized to speak publicly on the matter confirmed to USA TODAY Sports.

The All-ACC guard has deep shooting range and ranked among the freshman leaders in 3-pointers made from beyond 25 feet (27) this year, per CBB Analytics.

Brown Jr. was averaging 29.2 points per game over his last five appearances, including a 45-point outing against NC State on Feb. 9 in which he hit 10 3-pointers, before an injury on Feb. 28 forced him to miss March Madness. “I got cleared by the medical staff from the league at the Combine, so we’re all green,” Brown Jr. told USA TODAY Sports. “I feel like myself again.”

7. Sacramento Kings: Darius Acuff Jr.

• TEAM: Arkansas
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Michigan
• HEIGHT: 6-2
• WINGSPAN: 6-7 (+5)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

The Kings need a potential star and according to Yahoo's Kevin O'Connor, folks around the league "widely believe" they are targeting Arkansas freshman Darius Acuff Jr. in this class.

En route to the Sweet 16, the SEC Player of the Year proved he is one of the most enticing offensive prospects in recent memory. Acuff Jr. led the nation for points created (1,394) either by himself or through an assist, per CBB Analytics. The speedy guard led freshmen for field goals made in transition (72) and field goals made from both the left and right side of the court. He was among the freshmen leaders in alley-oop assists (17) as well.

P3’s evaluators highlighted his “really impressive start-stop tools” and ability to generate separation in multiple directions, key traits for a high-usage guard translating to the NBA.

He has significant defensive deficiencies but is one of the most exciting offensive prospects in recent memory. It's also worth noting Kings executive Scott Perry coached Acuff's father in college and it's hard to imagine a scenario where he falls below this pick.

8. Atlanta Hawks (via New Orleans Pelicans): Brayden Burries

• TEAM: Arizona
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: California
• HEIGHT: 6-4
• WINGSPAN: 6-6 (+2)
• DRAFT AGE: 20

With the pick the Hawks received from New Orleans, Atlanta is expected to pick a guard, and one potential target is Arizona freshman Brayden Burries.

He was an exciting prospect to watch during the Big Dance, making it all the way to the Final Four and dropping 23 points against Arkansas. He had two breakout games in January, which helped solidify his draft stock.

But the All-Big 12 guard continued to display his tantalizing talent, scoring 31 points with seven rebounds and five steals against Colorado on March 7 and 20 points with 12 rebounds and five assists during a victory against No. 14 Kansas on Feb. 28. He has proven productivity, and he is able to defend, relocate, move the ball and make 3-pointers off the dribble.

9. Dallas Mavericks: Kingston Flemings

• TEAM: Houston
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Texas
• HEIGHT: 6-3
• WINGSPAN: 6-4 (+1)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

After hiring Masai Ujiri as president of basketball operations and Mike Schmitz as general manager, the Dallas Mavericks can add a lottery talent to grow alongside Cooper Flagg. One name to consider is Houston freshman Kingston Flemings.

The All-Big 12 guard has several games when he has recorded at least three steals, notching eight against Arizona State earlier this season. He scored 42 points against No. 11 Texas Tech on Jan. 24. Flemings helped lead Houston to the Sweet 16, and with highs as high as his were this season, it will not take long for him to hear his name called on draft night. 

Flemings' smaller wingspan did him no favors at the combine but he measured with a 40.5-inch max vertical and elite speed across all his agility testing, projecting as one of the fastest guards since De'Aaron Fox.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Aday Mara

• TEAM: Michigan
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Spain
• HEIGHT: 7-3
• WINGSPAN: 7-6 (+3)
• DRAFT AGE: 21

While leading his team to win the NCAA championship, Aday Mara became one of the prospects who helped himself the most during March Madness. The 7-foot-3 big man, who transferred from UCLA, is a fantastic rim protector. Opponents only attempted 20.4 percent of their field goals at the rim when the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year was on the court, per CBB Analytics, which ranks near the lowest among all NCAA players. He could potentially hear his name called even higher than this, too, as teams look for large defenders like Mara (who measured with a 9-foot-9 standing reach) as front offices value bigger bodies to throw at Victor Wembanyama.

11. Golden State Warriors: Karim López

• TEAM: New Zealand (International)
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: Mexico
• HEIGHT: 6-8
• WINGSPAN: 7-0 (+3)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

Karim López had a low usage rate and played fewer minutes than other players in this range while playing against pros, but was still very productive for the NBL Next Stars program in Australia. According to The Athletic's Sam Vecenie, his "range" starts at this pick to Golden State.

The Mexican-born forward is physically gifted, athletic, and universally seen as the top prospect from this class currently playing overseas. He exploded for 32 points (11-of-13 FG) with eight rebounds, two blocks and one steal against Melbourne on Jan. 30 earlier this year. According to someone with knowledge of the situation who did not have authority to speak publicly on the matter, Warriors executive Mike Dunleavy attended that game.

Despite his age, he played a huge role for his team defensively for a team that won the NBL Ignite Cup. López measured well, weighing just shy of 222 pounds and with a 38-inch max vertical. He is also a consideration for the Bulls at No. 15 overall.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Clippers): Nate Ament

• TEAM: Tennessee
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Virginia
• HEIGHT: 6-10
• WINGSPAN: 7-0 (+2)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

While the Thunder may not actually use this pick because they have such an abundance of talent on its roster already, this is a fair range for Tennessee freshman Nate Ament, who has reportedly had a pre-draft workout with the organization.

The forward reportedly considered returning to college to aim for the No. 1 pick in the 2027 NBA Draft. His decision to declare for this class, instead, suggests he is likely comfortable with the pre-draft feedback he received.

The freshman averaged 21.6 points per game, while shooting 38.9 percent on 3-pointers, during a 13-game stretch before an injury against Alabama on Feb. 28. The All-SEC forward then had 27 points (4-of-6 on 3-pointers) with eight rebounds, four assists, three blocks and a steal against Auburn on March 12. He was not as efficient during March Madness, but it will only take one team to fall in love with Ament, and that team is likely picking this forward with a standing reach exceeding 9-foot-1 near the lottery.

13. Miami Heat: Hannes Steinbach

• DRAFT AGE: 20
• TEAM: Washington
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Germany
• HEIGHT: 6-10
• WINGSPAN: 7-2 (+4)

German big man Hannes Steinbach, who will get looks starting as early as around No. 10 overall, should make some sense for the Miami Heat. The center reportedly turned down NIL opportunities “worth up to $10 million” rather than return to college. While his Washington team missed the tournament, the All-Big Ten center is an instinctive rebounder with great hands, including an absurd 24 rebounds against USC on March 4. Additionally, Steinbach was one of the more prolific pick-and-roll finishers in college basketball. He impressed during the FIBA U19 World Cup, too, and scouts love that he is a smart basketball player who can make great reads.  

14. Charlotte Hornets: Morez Johnson Jr.

• TEAM: Michigan
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Illinois
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• WINGSPAN: 7-4 (+7)
• DRAFT AGE: 20

Morez Johnson Jr. is one of the best two-way players in the NCAA. He was a crucial part of the Michigan identity this season and has thrived since transferring to the Wolverines from Illinois. Johnson's shooting form at the free-throw line looks good, and he scores well near the rim, especially when cutting to the basket. The former FIBA U-19 Team USA standout and All-Big Ten big man is a trustworthy defensive playmaker, too, and should carve out minutes at the next level. Johnson was a big winner during measurements at the combine, recording a 39-inch max vertical and testing with elite agility for his position.

15. Chicago Bulls (via Trail Blazers): Cameron Carr

• DRAFT AGE: 21
• TEAM: Baylor
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Minnesota
• HEIGHT: 6-5
• WINGSPAN: 7-1 (+8)

The Chicago Bulls received this additional pick because the Portland Trail Blazers advanced past the play-in tournament and the player who improved his draft stock the most during the combine was Baylor junior Cameron Carr.

He scored 30 points in a five-on-five scrimmage, recorded a 42.5-inch max vertical and had great physical measurements. This should grab the attention of teams that tend to like athletic prospects, which new Bulls executive Bryson Graham indicated.

According to P3’s internal models, Carr grades as a 95th-percentile athlete with a rare “hyper flexor” force-production profile, a combination evaluators described as “double unique” for pairing elite explosiveness with unusually fluid movement mechanics.

The All-Big 12 wing brings shooting touch in addition to his shooting and, per Bart Torvik, he was the only player to make at least 40 field goals that were dunks and more than 60 field goals that were 3-pointers this season. Baylor outscored opponents by an additional 28.5 points per 100 possessions when he was on the floor relative to when he was not, via CBB Analytics, which ranked as the fourth-most of any high-major player in the NCAA. 

16. Memphis Grizzlies (via Suns): Yaxel Lendeborg

• TEAM: Michigan
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: New Jersey
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• WINGSPAN: 7-3 (+7)
• DRAFT AGE: 23

Yaxel Lendeborg showed on his way to winning the national championship that he is perhaps the most NBA-ready player in this draft class. The Athletic's Sam Vecenie, however, reported that "there is potential for him to slip out of the lottery" on draft night.

Despite his age, he will intrigue teams like the Grizzlies, who have another first-round pick thanks to the Desmond Bane trade. The Grizzlies have shown a willingness to pick older, more experienced players in the past.

A few years ago, research indicated that the Memphis front office tends to value a few statistical similarities in their draftees: Efficient shot selection, added value beyond scoring and defensive playmaking. For the second year in a row, the Big Ten Player of the Year was an impactful dribble-pass-shoot forward who met many of the qualifications that led Memphis to find players who spent many years on their roster.

17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via 76ers): Chris Cenac Jr. 

• DRAFT AGE: 19
• TEAM: Houston
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Louisiana
• HEIGHT: 6-10
• WINGSPAN: 7-5 (+7)

If the Thunder do not trade this pick, one name to consider is Chris Cenac Jr., whose range begins around No. 14 overall.

Cenac played into his role and caught fire at the perfect time. In his first NCAA tournament game, the big man recorded a season-high 18 rebounds while also knocking down a 3-pointer and grabbing a steal. He followed that up in the Round of 32 by showcasing more scoring touch, finishing cuts to the basket for 17 points against Texas A&M. Cenac was quieter in the Sweet 16 but still pulled down 10 rebounds.

“I got to earn my minutes. I got to do the little things… defending, rebounding, spacing the floor,” Cenac told USA TODAY Sports. "Whatever team takes me… they’re getting a winning player that loves winning and is going to buy into whatever to help that team win."

Cenac also impressed at the NBA Combine, posting a 37-inch max vertical and strong agility numbers for his size.

P3 places Cenac within its “bigs plus” model, a rare archetype combining traditional size with wing-like mobility. Evaluators pointed to his “unique tools” and described him as a potential “matchup nightmare” due to his movement profile and physical traits, which suggest his significant untapped upside.

18. Charlotte Hornets (via Magic): Labaron Philon Jr.

• TEAM: Alabama
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Alabama
• HEIGHT: 6-3
• WINGSPAN: 6-6 (+4)
• DRAFT AGE: 20

The Hornets could find a fairly compelling player in Alabama sophomore Labaron Philon. Even though the All-SEC guard was not playing at 100 percent during March Madness due to injury issues, he played well in the tournament, recording 35 points during a loss against Michigan. He also notched 29 points in his first-round game and 12 assists in his second. The guard averaged 22.0 points per game this season, and he improved his 3-point shooting from 31.5 percent as a freshman to 39.9 percent as a sophomore, while also managing 5.0 assists per game in the process.

19. Toronto Raptors: Bennett Stirtz

• TEAM: Iowa
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Missouri
• HEIGHT: 6-3
• WINGSPAN: 6-6 (+4)
• DRAFT AGE: 22

The Raptors need another guard and should have Bennett Stirtz, who reportedly had a pre-draft workout with the organization, on their priority list. After transferring from Division II to a mid-major and then to a high-major program, he is at the top of the class in creating his own shot off the dribble in isolation or the pick-and-roll. The All-Big Ten guard can also finish plays from dribble handoffs. His play during March Madness, which included 24 points against Illinois and 20 points against Nebraska, earned him a spot in the Elite Eight. The Raptors play at a slow pace, which would translate well for Stirtz, who did the same at Iowa. 

20. San Antonio Spurs (via Hawks): Ebuka Okorie

• TEAM: Stanford
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: New Hampshire
• HEIGHT: 6-1
• WINGSPAN: 6-8 (+7)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

Stanford freshman Ebuka Okorie is an interesting early entry candidate in the 2026 NBA Draft. The first-team All-ACC guard was a day-one starter in the NCAA who is potentially capable of earning rotation minutes for a team like the 76ers. He averaged 23.2 points per game, recording 40 points against conference rival Virginia Tech and seven other games with at least 30 points. Okorie has earned serious first-round buzz and should intrigue the Spurs, who often fall in love with players who boast a high assist-to-turnover ratio like he did (2.3) last season.

Expect the Spurs to also consider Allen Graves, who reportedly had a pre-draft workout with the organization.

21. Detroit Pistons (via Timberwolves): Dailyn Swain

• TEAM: Texas
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Ohio
• HEIGHT: 6-7
• WINGSPAN: 6-10 (+4)
• DRAFT AGE: 20

After transferring from Xavier to Texas during the offseason and helping lead the Longhorns to the Sweet 16, Dailyn Swain emerged as one of the more intriguing breakout players in college basketball.

The All-SEC forward is versatile and contributed across the board on both ends, scoring efficiently in the paint and in transition. Another appealing element is his effectiveness in isolation, where he can create for himself against defenders. Swain is quick, bouncy and a solid rebounder, and his 81.5% free-throw percentage suggests promising shooting touch. While he has three years of college experience, he’s still just 20 years old, the same age as several NCAA freshmen.

P3 categorizes Swain as a “kinematic mover,” a fluid, efficiency-driven archetype that allows players to “get wherever they want on the court” and has produced the highest density of NBA All-Stars in its data.

Expect the Pistons to have serious interest in Swain, based on multiple people who spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity, though Detroit will also strongly consider shooters like Christian Anderson and Isaiah Evans.

22. Philadelphia 76ers (via Rockets): Joshua Jefferson

• TEAM: Iowa State
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Nevada
• HEIGHT: 6-8
• WINGSPAN: 6-11 (+3)
• DRAFT AGE: 22

The Philadelphia 76ers have a new front office led by president of basketball operations Mike Gansey and vice president of basketball operations Jameer Nelson. One name they may have their eyes on with the first-round pick they acquired after trading Jared McCain is Iowa State forward Joshua Jefferson. The All-Big 12 standout was an impactful dribble-pass-shoot forward who got hurt during March Madness and otherwise could have come into the pre-draft process with even more hype and momentum due to his unique skill set.

23. Atlanta Hawks (via Cavaliers): Jayden Quaintance

• TEAM: Kentucky
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Ohio
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• WINGSPAN: 7-5 (+8)
• DRAFT AGE: 18

Jayden Quaintance recorded just one start during his sophomore campaign as he recovered from a torn ACL, meniscus and fractured knee. Evaluators are "consistently expressing concern around his medicals" about the big man, per ESPN's Jeremy Woo.

The big man is still one of the youngest players in this class, though, and he showed elite flashes during his time at Arizona State and Kentucky. When healthy, he is arguably the most talented defender in this draft class and could help a team that may need frontcourt help, like the Hawks. During his freshman year when he was just 17 years old, per CBB Analytics, he led all D-I players in blocks per 40 minutes (0.7) on 3-pointers, regularly swatting shots on the perimeter.

While his draft stock is not what it once was due to health concerns, his youth and frame give him an opportunity to become a special player in the NBA.

24. New York Knicks: Allen Graves

• TEAM: Santa Clara
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: Louisiana
• HEIGHT: 6-8
• WINGSPAN: 7-0 (+4)
• DRAFT AGE: 20

One of the most under-the-radar prospects in college basketball this season was Santa Clara freshman Allen Graves, who came close to becoming a March Madness hero. The WCC Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year turned heads after posting 30 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and two steals on Feb. 7 against Washington State.

The Knicks have prioritized scrappy, high-motor players like Josh Hart, capable of winning the possession battle through rebounds and turnovers. That's an area where Graves stands out among the best in this class and is likely one of the reasons he chose to turn pro rather than return to college.

The only players under 21 with a higher box plus-minus, per Bart Torvik, were Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson. All teams that prioritize analytical modeling in the pre-draft process will have Graves ranked highly.

25. Los Angeles Lakers: Koa Peat 

• TEAM: Arizona
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Arizona
• HEIGHT: 6-7
• WINGSPAN: 6-11 (+4)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

Arizona forward Koa Peat is potentially an appealing option for the Los Angeles Lakers. He is naturally bouncy and athletic with good positional size, a strong frame and a near 7-foot wingspan. Peat is also a solid rebounder and passer for his position. The All-Big 12 forward will need to improve his jumper to carve out consistent, high-impact minutes at the next level, but he’s still worth first-round consideration based on his body of work so far. Peat arguably had the most interesting decisions to make when it was finally his turn to announce if he would stay in college or turn pro.

26. Denver Nuggets: Christian Anderson 

• DRAFT AGE: 20
• TEAM: Texas Tech
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Georgia
• HEIGHT: 6-1
• WINGSPAN: 6-6 (+5)

The Denver Nuggets tend to look for players with a strong assist-to-usage ratio because they rely on high-efficiency passing and off-ball movement. Texas Tech sophomore Christian Anderson is a potentially perfect fit. After moving from the two-guard to point guard, the All-Big 12 Most Improved Player recorded more than twice as many assists per 100 possessions as a sophomore compared to when he was a freshman. Anderson managed to do that while also scoring well on spot-up possessions and handoffs. Even though he is a bit undersized, there are few better offensive creators in this class than Anderson.

27. Boston Celtics: Isaiah Evans

• TEAM: Duke
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: North Carolina
• HEIGHT: 6-6
• WINGSPAN: 6-9 (+3)
• DRAFT AGE: 20

Boston tends to favor players with a high effective field goal percentage, low turnover percentage and low usage rate. They also like players who make quick decisions on catch-and-shoot opportunities and on corner 3-pointers. Evans scored 218 points when shooting off the catch, per Synergy, which ranked third-best among ACC players last season. He also matched 30 corner 3-pointers, according to CBB Analytics, which trailed the top-ranked high-major player (34) by just four field goals made. Expect the Celtics to potentially have Evans higher on their big board than other teams might. UConn's Alex Karaban, who reportedly had a pre-draft workout with the organization, also fits the bill.

28. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Pistons): Meleek Thomas 

• TEAM: Arkansas
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Pennsylvania
• HEIGHT: 6-3
• WINGSPAN: 6-7 (+4)
• DRAFT AGE: 19

Arkansas freshman Meleek Thomas averaged 16.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 43.2 percent on 3-pointers during his 21 games as a starter last season. He was efficient using off-ball screens and handoffs and occasionally showed some on-ball flashes as a pick-and-roll ball handler as well. He led the SEC in corner 3-pointers made (32) last season, per CBB Analytics, and his plus-four wingspan gives him solid length as a young guard who is still improving on both sides of the court. Thomas answered one of the biggest questions in college basketball when he decided to turn pro rather than return to the NCAA.

29. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Spurs): Henri Veesaar

• TEAM: North Carolina
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: Estonia
• HEIGHT: 6-11
• WINGSPAN: 7-2 (+3)
• DRAFT AGE: 22

We have seen a remarkable improvement from Henri Veesaar after transferring from Arizona to North Carolina. The 7-foot big man from Estonia has an excellent shot diet on offense. The All-ACC big man is scoring efficiently at the rim (especially when cutting or rolling) and on 3-pointers, while also holding his own as a rebounder and passer. Any team looking for a big man who can provide NBA minutes will have him high on their priority list. He presumably feels comfortable with his draft range, considering he was reportedly offered "at least $6 million" in the transfer portal, per CBS Sports.

30. Dallas Mavericks (via Thunder): Tarris Reed Jr. 

• DRAFT AGE: 22
• TEAM: Connecticut
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Missouri
• HEIGHT: 6-10
• WINGSPAN: 7-4 (+7)

UConn senior Tarris Reed Jr. helped himself quite a bit during the NCAA tournament en route to an appearance in the national championship game. He recorded four double-doubles during March Madness, notching 31 points and 27 rebounds against Furman. Reed also had 26 points with 9 rebounds, 4 blocks and 2 steals during a win over Duke.

There is plenty of interest in Reed from teams picking between No. 16 and No. 30 overall, based on our intel.

During the combine, he did the dirty work, recording 5 rebounds with 1 steal and 1 block in his first game and then scored 17 points (7-of-9 FG) with 5 rebounds and 2 blocks in the second. Reed also tested with elite agility for his position. Expect him to come into the league and find a role sooner, especially considering his paint dominance, rather than later.

SECOND ROUND

31. New York Knicks (via WAS): Zuby Ejiofor (St. John's)

32. Memphis Grizzlies (via IND): Ugonna Onyenso (Virginia)

33. Brooklyn Nets: Ryan Conwell (Louisville)

34. Sacramento Kings: Trevon Brazile (Arkansas)

35. San Antonio Spurs (via UTA): Alex Karaban (UConn)

36. L.A. Clippers (via MEM): Sergio De Larrea (International)

37. Oklahoma City Thunder (via DAL): Richie Saunders (BYU)

38. Chicago Bulls (via NOP): Izaiyah Nelson (South Florida)

39. Houston Rockets (via CHI): Baba Miller (Cincinnati)

40. Boston Celtics (via MIL): Emanuel Sharp (Houston)

41. Miami Heat (via GSW): Nick Martinelli (Northwestern)

42. San Antonio Spurs (via POR): Felix Okpara (Tennessee)

43. Brooklyn Nets (via LAC): Jack Kayil (ALBA Berlin - International)

44. San Antonio Spurs (via MIA): Braden Smith (Purdue)

45. Sacramento Kings (via CHA): Maliq Brown (Duke)

46. Orlando Magic: Tyler Bilodeau (UCLA)

47. Phoenix Suns (via PHI): Jaden Bradley (Arizona)

48. Dallas Mavericks (via PHX): Milos Uzan (Houston)

49. Denver Nuggets (via ATL): Dillon Mitchell (St. John's)

50. Toronto Raptors: Bruce Thornton (Ohio State)

51. Washington Wizards (via MIN): Ja'Kobi Gillespie (Tennessee)

52. L.A. Clippers (via CLE): Nick Boyd (Wisconsin)

53. Houston Rockets: Keyshawn Hall (Auburn)

54. Golden State Warriors (via LAL): Tyler Nickel (Vanderbilt)

55. New York Knicks: Rafael Castro (George Washington)

56. Chicago Bulls (via DEN): Tobe Awaka (Arizona)

57. Atlanta Hawks (via BOS): Kylan Boswell (Illinois)

58. New Orleans Pelicans (via DET): Jaron Pierre Jr. (SMU)

59. Minnesota Timberwolves (via SAS): Aaron Nkrumah (Tennessee State)

60. Washington Wizards (via OKC): Tobi Lawal (Virginia Tech)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NBA mock draft: Projecting all 60 picks following the season

Should Warriors take swing on Chris Cenac Jr. in loaded 2026 NBA Draft? originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The plan always was for Chris Cenac Jr. to compete for a championship in his one season at Houston and be a one-and-done player taken at the top of the 2026 NBA Draft.

Recruiting services had the same kind of thinking as Cenac. The Big Four of this year’s draft – AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer and Caleb Wilson – along with Nate Ament, were the only five players ranked ahead of him by ESPN in the Class of 2025. Cenac was seen as more of a sure-fire freshman prospect than his Houston teammate Kingston Flemings, along with Darius Acuff Jr. and Mikel Brown Jr., all of which are expected to go higher than Cenac in next week’s draft. 

“There was a lot of things I needed to improve at in my game,” Cenac said Monday after his pre-draft workout for the Warriors at Chase Center, “like motor, physicality, defense. I feel like I improved a lot in those areas at Houston and I feel like I’m ready for the next step, for sure.” 

Former Houston Cougar LJ Cryer was at Chase Center getting work in on Monday as well. The two said hi to each other, but the young big man didn’t want to get in Cryer’s way too much. He knew better after even one season coached by Kelvin Sampson. 

When Cryer, undrafted a year ago, impressed the Warriors and earned a two-way contract last season, Sampson was a constant talking point. Warriors coach Steve Kerr knew Cryer was well prepared to be a pro under the leadership of someone like Sampson. 

Though the two couldn’t be more different players, and they’re more than five years apart in age, Sampson is the kind of coach that can build a foundation for a project like Cenac to shine when he’s ready. 

“In every aspect,” Cenac said Monday when asked how Sampson has prepared him for the NBA. “The physicality, just how hard you plan, bringing that intensity every single time you’re on the court. He prepared me very well. I feel like I made the right decision going to Houston.” 

Cenac put up a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double in his college debut against Lehigh. He grabbed 13 rebounds his next game, but scored just two points on 1-of-8 shooting and was 0 of 3 from 3-point range against Towson. In a nutshell, that’s how Cenac’s freshman season went. There were highs, there were lows and there were inconsistencies for a 19-year-old who isn’t close to touching his ceiling.

Through Cenac’s first five games, he made multiple 3-pointers in three of them. But he then reached that feat only six times in 32 games the rest of the season. Cenac recorded 14 games of double-digit rebounds, but only six of those were double-doubles, and he made more than three free throws in just two games. 

During a three-game losing streak near the end of the regular season against Iowa State, Arizona and Kansas, Cenac averaged 8.7 points and 10.7 rebounds, but didn’t block a single shot, had one steal and went 2 of 14 on threes. He opened the Big 12 tournament averaging 13.5 points and 10.5 rebounds in wins against BYU and Kansas, going 3 of 4 from three against the Jayhawks, but had five points, four rebounds and four fouls in a championship game loss against Arizona. 

For his one season at Houston, Cenac started 36 of the 37 games he played and averaged 9.5 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, while shooting 48.5 percent from the field, 33.3 percent on threes and 62.1 percent at the free-throw line. 

Then at the NBA draft combine, Cenac showcased elite dimensions for a 4 and 5 at over 6-foot-10 barefoot and 240 pounds (up 20 pounds since his last game at Houston), with a 7-foot-5 wingspan and 9-foot standing reach. Cenac likes to watch Anthony Davis, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Naz Reid the most as pros he can model his game after. 

“Those 6-10, 6-11 versatile guys,” Cenac said. “Can pretty much do it all on the floor: Rebound, defend, do whatever the team needs them to do.” 

Cenac also can already envision how he’d find success on the Warriors.

“Giving all the guys on the team, [Steph Curry], space in the paint and having strong defense,” Cenac said. “With my matchup, defending, rebounding and doing whatever it is that Steve Kerr and our organization would need me to do.” 

His 92.2 defensive rating led the entire Big 12 and ranked eighth nationally. Cenac’s measurements are what teams dream of. He has gone through eight pre-draft workouts and already has accepted an invitation to the green room to be in New York for the first round of the draft. However, he likely won’t be an option for the Warriors at No. 11. 

Maybe that changes if his workout did indeed go as well as he says it did. 

“Workout went great,” Cenac said. “Amazing workout, great organization. Had a lot of fun of competing. Overall, a 10 out of 10.” 

Trading back or finding a way to get another first-round pick is a very real option for the Warriors. Cenac doesn’t graduate from being a teenager until Feb. 1. Trusting the tutelage of Sampson and the many skills in Cenac’s bag, he fits the mold of taking a swing with another crack at a loaded draft.

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This has been a summer of change at Michigan State. First, the school's president Kevin Guskiewicz left. Now, its athletic director J Batt has bolted for Kentucky after just one year in East Lansing.

Tom Izzo has been one constant at MSU — 43 years to be exact — and he vented his frustrations Monday, June 15 about the instability above him.

“Well, I’ll be very honest with you, which I’ve always been. I can’t stand what’s going on, and I’m not going to over-talk about it now, but I am in the very near future. I’ve had it," Izzo told Detroit Free Press reporter Chris Solari. "This is self-inflicted. We just lost the best president to ever been here, maybe — one of the best. And there’s other dominoes that get affected when things go wrong like that. I’m very upset about it, and I’m sick of it. And I’ll go into why when I decide to say something in the near future. I’m not going to do it right now."

Guskiewicz cited an "unstable situation" in his decision to leave Michigan State to become president at Clemson, taking an $800,000 pay cut in the process to leave MSU's dysfunction.

"I think 600,000 living alums better start rally together. If there’s ever a time that we need to rally together it’s now. And that’s all 600,000. That ain’t Tom Izzo. I’m not an alum... I’m a very invested stakeholder. But the alums better stand up. I’m asking the alums to stand up because what happened with our president is ridiculous. And he said it. We know the reasons. And I’m ashamed. I’m disgusted, hurt… Spartan Nation better stand up, all 600,000 of them.”

Izzo is entering his 32nd year as Spartans head coach with a 764-310 record (.711), 11 regular-season Big Ten titles, eight Final Four trips and a national championship in 2000.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tom Izzo goes off on Michigan State as president, AD leave

Washington Wizards forward Alex Sarr underwent surgery to repair a fractured right foot on Monday, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Washington Wizards center Alex Sarr underwent surgery to repair a fractured right foot on Monday, sources tell ESPN. Sarr sustained the injury on a contact play during an offseason workout late last week. He is expected to be healthy for the start of the season. pic.twitter.com/fxXr7iHUUL

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 15, 2026

Sarr, 21, suffered the injury during an offseason workout last week but is expected to return by the start of the 2026-27 season.

Depending on the severity, foot fractures typically require 6-to-8 weeks for the bone to knit together, according to Royal United Hospitals. That said, it could take anywhere from 3-to-6 months to regain full strength in the foot and return to high-impact physical activities.

The 7-foot big man averaged 16.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game in what was a breakout sophomore season. Sarr raised his field goal percentage to 48.2% and shot a respectable 33% from three.

Sarr missed 34 games last season due to toe, hamstring and groin injuries. He projects as Washington’s starting center alongside Anthony Davis, who prefers to play power forward.