Category: Basketball

A little over a week removed from the end of the Timberwolves season, the first thing everyone should do is take a breath.

Not an “everything is fine” breath. Not one of those fake calm-down breaths right after your team gets sent home by a 7-foot-6 alien who looks like he was designed in a lab. A real breath. The kind you take when the adrenaline wears off, the message-board rage cools down, and you can finally look at the situation without immediately wanting to fire everyone, trade everyone, and build the next roster out of Anthony Edwards and duct tape.

Because in the immediate aftermath of Minnesota’s loss to San Antonio, the reaction was always going to be emotional. How could it not be?

The Wolves didn’t just lose. They ran into a test they couldn’t solve. After a strong Game 1, the Spurs punched back hard in Game 2. In Game 3, Minnesota spent over half the first quarter looking like someone had unplugged the offense. Game 4 was a win, yes, but it came with the giant asterisk of Victor Wembanyama getting ejected and Minnesota still needing Anthony Edwards to go full fourth-quarter assassin to survive. Then Games 5 and 6 arrived, and the Wolves looked too often like a team without answers, without enough shot creation, and without enough healthy bodies to keep pace with a young Spurs team that suddenly looked less like “the future” and more like “the present just kicked your door in.”

That was a rough way to go out.

It is made worse by the larger Western Conference picture, which now looks terrifying. Oklahoma City and San Antonio are not cute upstarts anymore. They are monsters. The Thunder have the reigning back-to-back MVP, a title, and a draft-pick war chest so large it feels like Sam Presti is playing franchise mode with cheat codes. The Spurs have Wembanyama, who looks poised to become the league’s most dominant force for years, plus a young core created by the kind of lottery luck that makes every Wolves fan stare into distance and ponder our choices in life.

The pessimistic case is easy to make. Maybe the Wolves peaked. Maybe this is what they are: good enough to win playoff series, not good enough to get past the new giants. Maybe Anthony Edwards spends the next few years dragging strong-but-flawed rosters deep into the spring before eventually looking around and deciding the grass might be greener somewhere else. That is the nightmare. That is the thing Wolves fans do not want to say out loud but absolutely think about.

Thankfully, the optimistic case is just as real.

The Wolves still have Edwards, and he is not even in his prime. They still beat Nikola Jokic and Denver while several key players were compromised or injured. They pushed San Antonio to six despite Ant playing on two bad knees, Donte DiVincenzo out with an Achilles tear, Ayo Dosunmu hobbled, Naz Reid nursing a shoulder, and the point guard position essentially vacant. When healthy, this team has shown it can hang with Oklahoma City and San Antonio. It has won five playoff series over the past three seasons. This is not some accidental 49-win mirage.

All is not lost, but standing pat would be malpractice. With that in mind, here are three key questions the Wolves will need to answer as we head into the off-season.

What to do with the point guard position?

The Wolves have holes. Real ones. The biggest is point guard. Mike Conley is aging into a different role, perhaps becoming the veteran-minimum, Joe Ingles-style adult in the room. DiVincenzo was asked to fill ball-handling duties, but that pulled him away from his strengths. Edwards can initiate, but his efficiency suffers when too much of the offense rests on him as the primary organizer. Dosunmu showed flashes, but whether he can be the full-time answer is a different question. The Wolves need a true organizer, someone who can run an offense, create advantages, punish defenses for loading up on Edwards, and keep Minnesota from devolving into stagnant possessions when playoff pressure spikes.

That brings us to Kyrie Irving… which is admittedly the kind of sentence that makes half the fan base immediately move to the next browser tab.

I have not been the world’s biggest Kyrie guy. The baggage is real. The injury history is real. He is not a long-term solution. But if Dallas is truly shifting into a new era around Cooper Flagg, an aging, expensive guard coming off an ACL injury may not be central to the Mavericks’ next phase. For Minnesota, though, Kyrie could be the kind of distressed asset swing that actually makes sense.

He remains a brilliant scorer. He can handle. He can close. He would take real offensive pressure off Edwards. In a series like San Antonio, where the Wolves kept running into dead ends, Kyrie’s shot creation and late-clock brilliance would have mattered. He’s not a perfect answer, but perfect answers usually cost five first-round picks and half your roster. If Irving can be acquired at a reasonable outgoing cost while keeping the core intact, it is absolutely worth exploring. Desperate times don’t always call for desperate measures, but they do call for creative ones.

Are the Wolves actually in on Giannis?

Then there is the Giannis dream.

And let’s be honest, it is a dream. A seductive, dangerous, probably-shouldn’t-stare-directly-at-it dream. Edwards and Giannis would instantly become one of the best duos in the league, maybe the best. The idea of Ant attacking downhill next to Giannis is the kind of basketball fantasy that makes you briefly forget the second apron exists.

But the risks are enormous. Giannis is older. He has an injury history. The trade cost could be franchise-altering. If Milwaukee’s required haul includes the Wolves giving up some combination of Jaden, Rudy, Naz, and Julius, suddenly Minnesota is sacrificing the very depth and defensive infrastructure that has made it dangerous. And if Giannis gets hurt at the wrong time? Congratulations, you may have just recreated Milwaukee’s Damian Lillard problem in Minnesota, only now Anthony Edwards is the superstar left staring at a hollowed-out roster.

If the stars align and Giannis somehow maneuvers his way to Minnesota at a below-market cost, you obviously take the call. But mortgaging everything for an aging, injury-prone superstar is how you end up holding an empty bag while your franchise player starts checking Zillow in other markets.

What do the Wolves do with Julius Randle?

Which brings everything back to Julius Randle.

Randle is the great offseason hinge. When he is right, he changes the Wolves. He gives them a second self-creator, a physical bully, a pressure release for Edwards, and a passer who can make the offense hum when he draws defenders and kicks to shooters. At his best, he makes Minnesota look like a championship-caliber team.

But reliability is the issue. The best ability is availabilty, and Randle deserves credit for giving the Wolves that all season. But the next best ability is reliability. Against Oklahoma City last year, he faded. Against San Antonio, he was invisible when Minnesota needed him most. That cannot happen from the centerpiece of the Karl-Anthony Towns trade and the player who is supposed to be your No. 2 offensive engine.

So yes, if a major move happens, Randle is probably involved. His contract, talent, and name value make him the clearest pathway to changing the roster. But trading him just to trade him would be reckless. He is still immensely talented. He can still generate offense. He still gives Minnesota size and physicality. Unless the Wolves are getting a clear upgrade or a cleaner roster fit, jettisoning him for the sake of emotional closure would be a mistake.

Taking a Breath…

There is also a case for continuity, even if nobody wants to hear that after a playoff loss. This roster has been in constant motion: Gobert arrives, Towns leaves, Conley ages out of a starting-caliber role, DiVincenzo gets integrated, Dosunmu arrives, injuries scramble everything. Sometimes teams need time. Boston needed years before breaking through. Denver endured playoff scars before its title. Dirk’s Mavericks spent a decade collecting postseason frustrations before everything finally clicked in 2011.

The answer is not always to flip the table.

Sometimes the answer is to make the right margin moves, stay patient with a talented core, and wait for the moment when health, matchups, maturity, and execution finally converge.

That is the line Tim Connelly has to walk now. No panic. No complacency. No fantasy trade that guts the roster unless the reward is truly worth it. No stubborn “run it back” denial either. The Wolves need a point guard answer. They need more reliable creation. They need to prepare for life without DiVincenzo next season. They need to decide whether Randle is part of the solution or the path to one.

But they do not need to act like the window is closed.

It isn’t.

Not with Edwards still ascending. Not with a roster that, when healthy, can compete with anyone. Not after three straight meaningful playoff runs. Not after proving again that Denver, Oklahoma City, and San Antonio are not invincible basketball gods.

The Wolves have work to do. Serious work.

But panic is not a plan.

Minnesota enters an offseason not hoping to become relevant, but trying to solve the last few riddles between very good and championship-good.

That is a hard place to be.

It is also the best problem this franchise has ever had.

It has been 27 long, agonizing, painful years for New York Knicks fans since they were last in the NBA Finals. So many years of promise before watching them slip away, so many years of seeing Spike Lee age courtside before our eyes. The years of Starbury, Melo, and the hopes of landing LeBron — none of it led to victory.

Now the Knicks are back. So much has changed since they faced the San Antonio Spurs in June of 1999 — heck, this was their starting five in those finals.

Charlie Ward
Allan Houston
Larry Johnson
Kurt Thomas
Patrick Ewing

It’s a good time to go through the wayback machine to remember what the world was like when the Knicks last had a chance to win it all.

• Four new countries have been recognized by the U.N. since the Knicks were in the finals: Serbia (2000), Timor Leste (2002), Montenegro (2006), and South Sudan (2011)
• Regular gasoline cost an average of $1.17 a gallon in the USA
• The Super Bowl played in January featured the Denver Broncos beating the Atlanta Falcons. John Elway was named MVP. The halftime show was Gloria Estefan and Stevie Wonder
• The No. 1 movie in America was Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, which was Mike Myers’ first movie since Wayne’s World 2
• The top album in the United States was Livin’ La Vida Loca by Ricky Martin, and it still slaps
• E.R. was the most popular TV show in the country. It ran for another 10 years after the Knicks were in the finals. Noah Wyle took a 16 year break and released another hit medical drama in The Pitt during the Knicks’ time off
• The world was still gripped by the Friends season five finale, in which Ross and Rachel got drunkenly married in Las Vegas
• Six months after the NBA Finals, there was the first media mention of a promising high school basketball player named LeBron James. Local beat writer Brian Windhorst said he was “very impressive.”
• Derek Jeter was 25-years-old, and made third MLB All-Star team
• Wayne Gretzky played his final season with the New York Rangers
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander turned 1, Luka Doncic was four months old, and Victor Wembanyama was negative-five
• Rick Brunson played for the Knicks, now his son Jalen is their star
• Donald Trump divorced Marla Maples, his second of three wives
• This is what NBA.com looked like

Lavar Ball is back in the headlines.

Following Monday’s 130-93 Knicks win in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals, completing the sweep of the Cavaliers, Ball took to social media to post some thoughts about the game.

And it was just as you’d expect.

“Just finished watching the Knicks and Cleveland game. Man, nothing more satisfying,” he said in the beginning. “Man, they got my son Lonzo for this exact moment. Y’all didn’t get him for the season, you got him for this right here and look how you all get BLOWN out.”

Lavar is referring to his eldest son Lonzo, who was with the Cavs since the start of the season before being traded to the Utah Jazz for draft considerations in February.

Lavar then dug deeper on what the real issues were plaguing the Cavs and how Lonzo would’ve solved their issues.

“Cuz you don’t have no easy transitional buckets. That’s what Lonzo do. Fast break points and defense. And what did y’all lose on? Fast break and defense and no intensity and no good leadership. Because that’s what Lonzo does.”

Lonzo played in 35 games (3 starts) with Cleveland and averaged 4.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 20.8 minutes per game.

Lavar finally completed his rant with a message about the future.

“But, y’all gotta learn the hard way. Big Baller knows everything. Alright Charlotte, go get them boys.”

Lavar Ball on the Cavaliers getting swept by the Knicks:

“They (The Cavs) got my son Lonzo for this exact moment. Yall didn’t get him for the season, you got him for this right here & look how you get blown out… Charlotte go get them boys” pic.twitter.com/AgKEQA9V6F

— Kyle Ingram (@SnapshotKyle) May 26, 2026

Charlotte, one of the East’s up-and-coming teams, features Lavar other son LaMelo and a talented group of youngsters around him. LaMelo averaged 20.1 points, 7.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 36.8% from three in 72 games.

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Fraternizing with the Enemy — with the enemy being Cray Allred of the Daily Thunder — continues after the Spurs made the adjustments we were all clamoring for to take a dominant Game 4 win and even the series 2-2. Now, it’s up to the shorthanded Thunder to adjust again in this extended chess match as what is now a best-of-three series heads back to Oklahoma City.

J.R. 

The playoffs are filled with ups and downs. Like I said before Sunday’s game, after a loss, you feel like you’ll never win. So the time from Friday night to Sunday afternoon was pretty low for most Spurs fans. You’re staring down the barrel of a potential 1-3 series deficit and you’re doing that knowing that a game-starting 15-point run wasn’t enough to avoid losing by 15.

As Sunday’s game began and the home team ramped up the defense to a pace that’d match the metabolism of a pygmy shrew, my unease decreased, but not much. The Spurs had played well but they didn’t have much separation, and they’d missed 6 free throws in the first half. Even worse, as OKC chipped away at the lead, it started to feel like a replay of Game 3. 

Then Wemby hit an immaculate halfcourt shot at the buzzer and suddenly everything changed. Going into the locker room up 12 is a massive difference from going in up just 9, but that wasn’t all. That heave from the logo was more than just a half court shot. It was the validation of the team’s efforts personified in Wemby and represented on the scoreboard. It was a cleansing of doldrums and a declaration of how the second half would go. It was an audacious act of a ferocious fling. That it went in felt predetermined. That it was a swish felt like a miracle. 

I asked for the team to make adjustments and they did. The main one being how they reduced/altered the doubles on Shai, which definitely had an effect of forcing other guys to make plays instead of just catching and shooting open jumpers. I expected MD to come out of intermission with an adjustment of his own, but the second half was just more of the same. 

Now we’re back where we started with an even series, but after four games, neither team is healthy and that looms large as we head back to OKC. Did Game 4 tell you anything about how the Thunder can play with just one playmaker? What worries you and what gives you hope?

Cray

How was it just two days ago that Spurs fans felt this way?

I’m not bothered that San Antonio ran away with a home win while facing down a 3-1 hole. I’m worried that Oklahoma City couldn’t buy a clean look, pass, or whistle on offense — things their second and third-best playmaker would theoretically help out with if they weren’t both stuck on the injury report. A soleus strain, suffered by Ajay Mitchell in Game 3 has already ruled him out for Game 5. And even if Jalen Williams somehow gets cleared to come back from his fourth hamstring injury in as many months, I would be worried about reinjury every second he played. 

Aside from all that misery, I’m taking heart in a 2-2 series, the bounceback capabilities of Shai and the Thunder bench, and the reality that crazy things happen in the playoffs. Shai has always been OKC’s hope, and I still believe. SGA will find a way to look more like himself, even as the sole playmaker. Game 5 will be even more intense for players and fans to head into, as will Game 6 and/or Game 7. Potentially more ups and downs than I can prepare for.

Welcome back to the playoffs, J.R. Do you think we’re going to survive years of this rivalry?

J.R. 

It certainly is a place of misery that a fan walks through after a game like that. My wife watched with me last night and she commented on the way the OKC players looked on the bench in the fourth, particularly Holmgren. I had to tell her that Chet looking miserable on the bench wasn’t news because that’s how his face has been all series so far. When he sits, I mean. You’d have to tell me what his face looks like when he plays because it’s like I’ve barely seen it. Is he actually disappearing or is it just me?

As to what this series will do to us over the years, how can I answer that when I can’t even tell where I’ll be emotionally one game from now! Let’s review the series so far through the lens of my mental and emotional well being. I thought I liked the Spurs chances coming into G1, but while I watched, my body reacted like I’d just jumped into ice cold water. Heart rate through the roof and no hope of controlling it. Spurs win, and I’m on top of the world while ignoring all of the warning signs. After a loss in another close game, I’m convinced that there’s nothing to worry about because SA takes the first at home. After that failed to happen, there’s no hope because OKC took the Spurs’ best punch. Now the series is even and I’m suspecting that there’s not much the Thunder can do because they lack ball handling and initiating. Does any of this seem healthy to you? I guess there’s a reason we’ve shortened the word ‘fanatic’ to fan – it’s so that we can forget its origins are in extremes: a person with an extreme, uncritical, and often irrational enthusiasm or devotion to something. 

How is your fanatic’s heart handling this, where do you see room for improvement, and what do you expect from Game 5?

Cray

Chet always looks haggard on the bench, because he throws that frail body around fearlessly. The delay in action due to his bloodied finger is nothing new for OKC fans – we’ve even got a Twitter account dedicated to tracking whether he got hit in the face each game. Holmgren does look extra deflated, but he is playing with incredible energy and impact on defense. Per databaller, he’s been the fourth most frequent Wemby defender these playoffs; outside of racking up fouls, Holmgren has done the best job of any big trusted to guard the alien for more than 25 possessions. He’s done that while also holding the rest of the Spurs rotation players not named Dylan Harper under 50% True Shooting. San Antonio has a 106 offensive rating when Holmgren’s on the court.

What it takes to exert that force on both ends, against these Spurs, is more to blame than any lack of edge or determination from Chet. But it is showing up more on offense. Also nothing new for Thunder fans: wanting Holmgren to attack as a playmaker more when the guard rotation is thin. We were upset that he only bumped his scoring average (17.1ppg on the season) up by 1.2 points when Ajay and JDub were both out in February and March – seeing it drop to 11.3 against the Spurs is…what’s the word…deflating.

I don’t know if it’s realistic to expect him to put the ball on the floor against these guards, but he can at least be a more willing three-point shooter. He’s taking the fewest threes (2.3 per game) of his career, fewer than he has against any other postseason opponent. For a team desperate for points, a little chucking could go a long way. Of course some of that’s the Wemby effect, but there’s no one on OKC with a higher release point to try and get those off aggressively. 

I’m done guessing how any game will play out, but I’m predicting we’re going 7. I can only concur with Dr. Wilco’s diagnosis: we are unhealthy fanatics. So I’m staying very up on my blood pressure medication as prescribed by my IRL doctor, and might pop an extra before Game 5.

Knicks guard Jalen Brunson sealed New York’s Eastern Conference finals sweep of the Cavaliers with a kiss.

After being named the series MVP by a unanimous vote, Brunson and his wife, Ali, embraced in an emotional moment on the court at Rocket Arena, as seen in photos of the pair Monday night.

“I can’t wait to tell Jordyn her dad is going to the NBA Finals,” Ali wrote in an Instagram Story post, including a snapshot of the couple’s 1-year-old daughter, who was sporting a Brunson tee.

Ali, who is a pilates instructor and a licensed doctor of physical therapy, reposted a Knicks flyer announcing Brunson — who scored 15 points in the Knicks’ 130-93 Game 4 clincher — as the 2026 Eastern Conference finals MVP.

She added a crying emoji and heart emojis.

Brunson averaged 25.5 points and 7.8 assists per game against Cleveland, while shooting 48.7 percent overall in that series.

Knicks legends, Walt “Clyde” Frazier and Patrick Ewing presented Brunson with the Larry Bird MVP trophy.

The Knicks have won 11 straight games en route to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.

“It’s an honor to be here in this city and this organization,” Brunson said in his postgame press conference. “I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

View this post on Instagram

“We’re still writing our story, but I like the journey that we’re on right now.”

Knicks fans were partying like it was 1999 on Monday night.

After making the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years by winning 11 straight playoff games, the players are still in awe of their faithful — and perhaps unique — fans.

“Knicks fans are a specific species of human that should be studied,” Knicks bench player Landry Shamet said on “Inside the NBA” after the 130-93 Game 4 win. “It’s special, man. They’re crazy. They’re crazy. They fly out to Cleveland on Monday. They’re everywhere. They take over arenas. Everywhere you walk in the city, that’s what you hear. The buzz is unbelievable. You could try and explain what’s going on in New York right now for Knicks fans but good luck. It’s different. Knicks fans are different.”

Knicks fans by the thousand were outside of Madison Square Garden and Penn Station on Monday night after the Knicks blew the Cavaliers out of the water in Game 4.

Fans even climbed onto anything they could find as MSG looked more like a zoo than a sports arena after the New York Liberty vs. Portland Fire game Monday night.

View this post on Instagram

Knicks fans were even getting arrested as they climbed onto street signs with chaos unfolding at every turn on the city streets.

It wasn’t just on the streets, either, as opposing teams were imploring their ticket holders not to sell their seats to Knicks fans for playoff home games.

To no avail, though, as Knicks chants echoed in the road buildings throughout the playoffs, but especially in Philadelphia and Cleveland.

Shamet’s name was even being chanted on the streets at one point, as the role-playing wing could do no wrong for the Knicks down the stretch of Game 1 and throughout the Eastern Conference finals.

The reserve wing who couldn’t get off the bench for much of the playoffs last year when Tom Thibodeau was the coach was on an incredible heater versus the Cavaliers, going 11-for-12 from 3-point range (91.6 percent).

The Knicks will look to stay hot as the Spurs and Thunder beat each other up in the Western Conference finals, with the teams tied at 2-2 entering Tuesday’s Game 5.

The NBA Finals don’t begin until June 3, giving the Knicks nine days’ rest between series.

One of the great things about the NBA Draft process is the gamesmanship and skullduggery. If somebody wanted, say, BYU star AJ Dybantsa, that team might plant doubts about his workouts or attitude, hoping to push him down the draft order.

Unless you get a crack at Shaquille O’Neal or Hakeem Olajuwon, where there’s no doubt who will go first, it always happens. It doesn’t always work, but somebody always does it. Sun Tzu would have loved the NBA Draft.

We’re not at all sure what’s happening with Cameron Boozer, but something is bubbling away. People are suggesting all sorts of things. There are subtle suggestions that the Washington Wizards might opt for him with #1. There are accounts that Utah may take him with the #2 pick.

This much is indisputable: Dybantsa’s family has moved to Utah and apparently quite likes living there. Dybantsa has said a couple of things that indicate he would like to stay in Utah. That would probably happen if Washington takes Boozer with the #1 pick.

And it’s worth remembering that Oklahoma City has a ton of draft picks that will devalue if they don’t make a trade to move up in the draft or at least move them further into the future.

OKC is a real wild card. If they decided that they wanted, let’s say, Boozer, they could work a trade with either Memphis or Chicago and send them a huge collection of future picks.

Update – it looks like that’s exactly what the Thunder are trying to do, and they have the resources to pull it off. It just depends on how badly they want him.

Barring that, the current wisdom is that Boozer will go either #3 to Memphis or at #4 to Chicago, but it doesn’t appear to be written in stone just yet.

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As the old saying goes, it’s usually the team that loses four games by a combined 77 points that actually is the one that should have emerged triumphant.

James Harden reacted defiantly Monday night to a question about “how much better” the Knicks are than the Cavaliers after they completed their four-game sweep.

“I can’t even answer that question, honestly. Yeah, I don’t think we had a chance as far as our best shot from a standpoint of the circumstances,” Harden said after the 130-93 home loss. “Obviously, they dominated us 4-0, but I don’t know if I can necessarily answer that question because, genuinely, I do feel we are the better team. But series-wise didn’t show it, so tough question to answer.”

It’s one thing to hear this kind of refrain from a player after a close series with games that went down to the wire, but the Cavaliers lost each contest by at least 11 points. They couldn’t even stay within striking distance at home and lost by 37 on their home court in an elimination game.

This series simply did not come down to one shot or one play.

And even if Harden wants to point to Sam Merrill’s potential game-winning shot going halfway down and then rimming out, the Cavaliers were still below a 22-point lead in that game, and then got outscored by 11 points in overtime in one of the biggest choke jobs in NBA playoff history.

Much in the same way that coach Kenny Atkinson’s comment about the Cavaliers being ahead in the series advanced on analytics, Harden’s comments seem tone deaf considering the series outcome.

Harden may actually have been the one who gave the Cavaliers the best chance to show they were the better team in Game 1 when he was isolated against eventual Finals MVP Brunson with Cleveland nursing a big lead, but Brunson kept targeting him and scoring at will.

The 36-year-old, who famously has never reached the NBA Finals, averaged 16 points per game in the series and went out with a whimper, scoring 12 points on 2-for-8 shooting and 0-for-6 in Game 4.

He pointed to shot-making as the difference in the series, while adding that he felt he did “pretty good” in his first postseason with Cleveland after being acquired in a midseason trade.

Harden has a contract option and said he wants to remain in Cleveland.

“They made shots, some open and some just tough shots,” Harden said.

“I don’t think we made really any.”

The Knickssteamrolled the Cavaliers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals in Cleveland to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.

Here's how the back (and front) pages in New York City reacted...

I’m gonna go get the papers, get the papers: back page edition pic.twitter.com/y4YC0b6qb9

— Robert Shields (@rshields37) May 26, 2026

I’m gonna go get the papers, get the papers. pic.twitter.com/GsCCdNmQSS

— Robert Shields (@rshields37) May 26, 2026

The New York Knicks completed their sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers to advance to their first NBA Finals since the 1998-99 season, when they lost in five games to the San Antonio Spurs.

To put things in perspective, the New York Islanders were five years into their 23-season playoff series win drought at the time, coming off a 24-48-9-1 season, tied for the second-worst record in the NHL.

This was also Mike Milbury's final season as the team's head coach.

Following an 11-game winless streak, he stepped away from the bench to focus solely on his role as general manager, handing the coaching reins to Bill Stewart, who took over on January 21, 1999.

The Islanders’ leading point scorer was Robert Reichel, who had 56 points in 70 games before being dealt to the Phoenix Coyotes on March 20, 1999, for then-21-year-old Brad Isbister and a 1999 third-round pick.

Other notable Islanders from that season included Žigmund Pálffy, who was traded to the Los Angeles Kings during the 1999 offseason, and Zdeno Chara, who was in the second of four seasons during his initial stint with the Islanders.

At the time, Roberto Luongo and Mike Rupp were also prospects in the Islanders’ system, though both would be with new franchises by the 2000 offseason.

The Knicks will now face either the reigning NBA Finals champion Oklahoma City Thunder or the San Antonio Spurs in a 1999 rematch.

After the New York Knicks advanced to the 2026 NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani seized the moment to take a playful jab at the Cleveland Cavaliers on social media, reflecting the city's excitement in the team’s historic run in 27 years.

Just minutes after the Knicks defeated the Cavaliers 130-93 in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, completing a decisive 4-0 series sweep, Mamdani tweeted a clever message: “I’d like to report a sweep,” tagging New York’s Department of Sanitation.

The department quickly joined in the fun, replying, “Clean up in Cleveland!!” The playful exchange captured the city’s jubilant mood as fans celebrated the Knicks’ dominant performance and their long-awaited return to the NBA’s biggest stage.

Mamdani, a well-known Knicks supporter, was spotted at Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden, cheering on the team alongside fellow fans.

Looking ahead, New York will face either the San Antonio Spurs or the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals, with Game 1 tipping off on June 3.

It's been a big week for Mamdani's favorite sports teams with Arsenal clinching its first English Premier League title since 2004, also set to play on May 30 in the UEFA Champions League final.

More: These Knicks are historic. Can they actually win the NBA Finals?

Reports have emerged that the Suns would like to trade into the first round. John Doehass at Bright Side of the Sun also proposed five potential trades for the 17^th, 26^th, 29^th, 30^th, and 31^st picks in the 2026 NBA Draft. I have written several articles in the past looking at who the Suns might acquire with the 47^th pick in the second round. Some of the players I identified previously have risen in mock drafts to become potential first round draft picks, including Henri Veesaar, Ebuka Okorie, Joshua Jefferson, and Zuby Ejiofor.

However, my previous analyses didn’t look at players I thought had no chance of falling to 47, particularly players showing up routinely in the late teens. Therefore, I’m putting together three articles over the next few days that will look at three classes of players that I haven’t already covered: guys whom the Suns should look at if they have the 17th pick, ones who will be available at 26 (but probably not by 29), and late first/early second (29-31) prospects.

I looked at and statistically analyzed 16 of the top mock drafts to identify who the Suns should focus on at each of these three draft areas. The players listed here all meet a team need: I did not include players who play positions or roles the Suns already have filled (shooting guard, small forward, centers who can’t shoot the three).

Prospects at 17

The players in this section are ones who realistically might be there at 17, which would happen if the Suns traded with the Oklahoma City Thunder, who currently possess the 12^th and 17^th picks. There’s almost no chance they’d still be around at 26. This includes four players: Hannes Steinbach, Morez Johnson, Jr., Bennett Stirtz, and Chris Cenac Jr. If the Suns are set on acquiring an athletic power forward, and Morez, Jr. is off the board, Chris Cenac would still be a good consolation prize at 17, given there’s only modest odds (17%) he’ll still be available at 26.

Morez Johnson, Jr. (Michigan, Sophomore, PF)

Morez Johnson Jr. is a physically imposing, high-motor big man and key anchor for the Michigan Wolverines. Standing 6’9” barefoot with an elite 7’3″ wingspan and weighing 250 pounds, he possesses excellent lateral mobility and defensive switchability.

Key Statistics

25.1 MPG, 13.1 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.2 stocks, 62.3 FG%, 34.3 3PT%, 78.2 FT%

Strengths

• Defensive Versatility: Possesses the rare ability to switch 1-through-5. His nimble footwork and core strength allow him to contain smaller, quicker guards on the perimeter.
• Rebounding: An elite, high-effort rebounder who controls the glass through determined positioning, length, and strength.
• Interior Offense: Highly efficient finisher around the rim, operating as an excellent lob threat and playing well above the rim. He also projects as a high-quality screener who rolls effectively in pick-and-roll.
• High Motor: Known as the “heart and soul” of his team, bringing consistent energy, toughness, and defensive instincts to every possession.

Weaknesses

• Offensive Hub Limitations: He does not possess a true perimeter scoring package yet. He rarely attempts jump shots and relies primarily on put-backs, lobs, and interior dump-offs rather than self-creation.
• Raw Passing & Playmaking: His playmaking upside remains limited, often forcing turnovers or lacking playmaking vision when forced to distribute from the high post.
• Undersized Center Profile: While his wingspan allows him to play bigger, he still lacks the pure height of a traditional back-to-the-basket NBA center, meaning he will need to rely heavily on his leaping and positioning to protect the rim.

Draft Range

Between 12 and 25, with an average of 17.4 and a median of 17. 55% chance he will still be available at 17.

Why the Suns Should Take a Look

I’m not going to lie: of all the players I’ve looked at in the draft so far, Morez Jr. is the one I’d most like to see land on the Suns. He ticks all the boxes: absolutely killed it on the measurements, vertical athleticism, and agility at the combine. He’s done well against the top competition in the nation. Shoots the three well, and his high free-throw percentage suggests that he will get even better.

Young enough that substantial improvement is possible. He’s “got that dawg in him” metaphorically, and is “aligned” with the hustle and heart that underlie the team concept of the Suns. The only tepid criticisms I can offer are that he’s still raw enough that he won’t immediately come in and lead the Suns to the second round, but he’s also instantly the team’s starting power forward.

Per Tankathon:

NBA Comparisons

Isaiah Stewart, Aaron Gordon, and Patrick Patterson

Hannes Steinbach (Washington, Freshman, PF)

Hannes Steinbach is a highly coveted 2026 NBA Draft prospect and elite rebounding big man. Following a stellar freshman season at Washington, the 6’10.25″ (barefoot) 248-pound forward averaged 18.5 points and a nation-leading 11.8 rebounds per game, solidifying his status as a probable lottery or first-round selection.

Key Statistics

34.6 MPG, 18.5 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.3 stocks, 57.7 FG%, 34.0 3PT%, 75.9 FT%

Strengths

• Elite Rebounding: His rebounding is widely considered the best in the 2026 draft class. Averaging 11.8 boards (including an elite 4.2 offensive), he pairs an aggressive motor with a massive wingspan and remarkably large hands to secure the ball at its apex.
• Soft Touch & Catch Radius: Steinbach catches almost everything thrown his way and is an exceptionally efficient finisher inside. He converts at a high rate on hook shots, push runners, and leaners.
• Fluid Movement: He runs the floor effortlessly for a big man. He handles the ball well in transition, allowing him to snake around defenders and face up in space.

Weaknesses

• Rim Protection: He relies more on positioning and energy than explosive vertical leaping. His low block rate raises slight concerns about his ability to function as a traditional, heavy-minute rim-protecting center.
• Defensive Versatility: Translating his interior presence to the next level requires proving he can either anchor the paint or effectively slide over to defend the power forward position in modern, switch-heavy lineups.

Draft Range

Between 11 and 29, with an average of 16.3 and a median of 15. There is a 44% chance he will still be available at 17 if the Suns pick there.

Why the Suns Should Take a Look

The Suns really don’t have a reliable PF/C who can both rebound, defend, and space the floor. It’s not hard to imagine slotting Steinbach in alongside Fleming, Williams, Oso, or Maluach. He’s a much better positional defender than Sabonis, and there’s a strong chance his three-point percentage will continue to improve.

His athleticism and measurements are excellent, but not elite like Cenac, Johnson, Jr., and Brazile. The biggest red flag is that aside from rebounding, none of his stats show him to have any elite skills. He’s above average in many, below average in only one (defensive rating, which is a red flag), but the best players need more than one elite skill.

All in all, Steinbach looks to have the tools, size, and athleticism to carve out a long NBA career.

NBA Comparisons

Domatis Sabonis with a three-point shot. Nikola Vučević, Drew Gooden. Worst case: Frank Kaminsky

Bennett Stirtz (Iowa, Senior, PG/SG)

Bennett Stirtz is a crafty, highly efficient 6’4” 184-pound guard known for his elite basketball IQ, outstanding shooting, and steady playmaking. Originally a standout at the Division II level who transferred to Drake before finishing his college career in Iowa, Stirtz profiles as a high-floor, plug-and-play rotational guard.

Key Statistics

37.7 MPG, 19.8 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.4 steals, 47.7 FG%, 35.8 3PT%, 84.8 FT%

Strengths

• Elite Shooting: A deadeye marksman who is especially dangerous in catch-and-shoot scenarios. He creates separation comfortably using a lethal step-back jumper and shows deep range.
• High-Level Decision Making: Possesses a phenomenal assist-to-turnover ratio. He is a calculated pick-and-roll orchestrator who plays at his own pace and rarely forces bad shots.
• Crafty Finisher: Though he relies more on touch and angles than raw vertical athleticism, he is incredibly efficient scoring in the paint. He utilizes a high-arcing floater and scores well with either hand.
• Off-Ball Intelligence: Excels at relocating for open looks and reading defender habits, making him a dangerous cutter.

Weaknesses

• Physical Profile: Firmly average by NBA standards in terms of vertical and horizontal athleticism. He does not blow past defenders and is mostly a below-the-rim player.
• Defensive Questions: Stirtz’s lack of elite length or lateral quickness can lead to struggles when isolated against quicker NBA guards.
• Shot Creation Against Elite Size: Against top-tier, long-armed defenders, he can occasionally struggle to get his shot off or finish inside the arc without drawing fouls.

Draft Range

Between 17 and 28, with an average of 21.1 and a median of 19. There is an 88% chance he will still be available at 17 if the Suns pick there.

Why the Suns Should Take a Look

There is strong consensus that Stirtz is a mid-to-late first round pick, and 10 out of 16 mocks have him going in the late teens. He’s a great shooter, a slightly above-average athlete according to combine results, and has a great basketball IQ. The downsides are his defense, rebounding, and fit with the current roster. He also seems to lack a skill or quality you can point to that is elite rather than just “very good” (like his shooting, particularly from the corner).

The biggest question I have with Stirtz is his fit next to Booker. The general opinion is he’s a tweener guard who can play either position, but he’s not a true point guard, and may be better suited to a secondary initiator role. How close is this to Gillespie? Jalen Green? It’s hard to say, but the Suns should be wary of adding what amounts to a 5^th shooting guard to the roster behind Booker, Green, Goodwin, and Allen.

NBA Comparisons

Payton Pritchard, Landry Shamet, and Jeff Hornacek

Chris Cenac (Houston, Freshman, PF/C)

Chris Cenac Jr. is an elite, modern frontcourt prospect. Standing 6’11” with an impressive 7’5″ wingspan, the former five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American has declared for the 2026 NBA Draft, where he is projected as a first-round selection.

Key Statistics

24.8 MPG, 9.5 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 0.7 APG, 1.3 stocks, 48.5 FG%, 33.3% 3PT%, 62.1% FT%

Strengths

• Physical Profile & Mobility: Cenac possesses rare athletic fluidity for a 6’11” big man. He runs the floor with long strides in transition, boasts a 37-inch vertical leap, and possesses excellent second-jump capabilities.
• At-Rim & Roll Finishing: He is highly efficient as a play-finisher, placing in the 97th percentile in at-rim efficiency. He serves as an elite lob threat and frequently capitalizes on weakside putbacks, logging an impressive 9.8% offensive rebounding percentage.
• Stretch Potential: Unlike traditional rim-bound bigs, Cenac displays a clean, smooth, and repeatable shooting motion. Shooting 33.3% from beyond the arc on notable volume provides an intriguing foundation as a pick-and-pop floor spacer.
• Rebounding Production: He has a natural knack for tracking the ball off the rim. He led Houston in rebounding as a freshman—becoming the first freshman to do so for the program since 2012—and recorded standout double-doubles, including a 17-point, 17-rebound showing against Kansas.

Weaknesses

• Physicality & Post Strength: Despite a 240-pound frame, Cenac can play tentatively when absorbing contact in the paint. Stronger, more physical low-post centers occasionally out-muscled and pushed him out of position during his collegiate tenure.
• Interior Defense Discipline: While his perimeter switchability and footwork allow him to contest wings effectively on the outside, his interior paint protection is an ongoing work in progress. He has a tendency to bite on pump fakes and pick up premature fouls.
• Offensive Creation: He is primarily a complementary, off-the-ball scorer. When forced to create his own shot in isolation, he can become overly reliant on settling for difficult mid-range jumpers rather than attacking the rim.

Draft Range

Between 16 and 32, with an average of 21.9 and a median of 22. There is an 17% chance he will still be available at 17 if the Suns pick there.

Why the Suns Should Take a Look

Cenac projects as an athletic PF/C with a reach and wingspan nearly identical to Rasheer Fleming, but better hops and agility. He’s only a freshman, and projects well as a rebounder and defender. He shot 33.3% from three in college and did well in the three-point star drill at the NBA draft combine. However, his corner three numbers there left a lot to be desired (near the bottom at 9 of 25).

However, he’s still very raw, and the nuances of the game are still coming to him. He doesn’t really move the ball well (his assist numbers are abysmal, and his low turnover rate is because he doesn’t pass much either), and he doesn’t move well with the ball. Even more than Fleming, he’s a long-term investment for whatever franchise picks him. If he by some chance falls to 26, he’s fallen and likely won’t fall much further. The Suns seem to be taking a more patient approach now, and Chris Cenac would be a great insurance policy on the development of Fleming and provide some depth and versatility at PF/C.

However, between Cenac, Steinbach, and Morez, I would pick Morez over Steinbach, which is why Chris Cenac fell to this tier.

NBA Comparisons

Jaren Jackson Jr., Naz Reid, and Kel’el Ware

Coming tomorrow, players available if the Suns were to trade up into the 26th pick with the Denver Nuggets.

Thanks to some lottery luck, the Washington Wizards own the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft for the first time in 16 years.

John Wall, the team’s top selection in 2010, was considered by many as the consensus No. 1 pick. So it came as no surprise when Washington made Wall the franchise’s centerpiece.

Sixteen years later, Washington is faced with a more complex situation surrounding their choice at No. 1.

Will it be AJ Dybantsa, the high-flying BYU product who led college basketball in scoring with 25.5 points per game and is currently -390 to be the No. 1 pick, according to FanDuel Sportsbook?

Does Washington instead opt for the draft class’s top guard prospect in Darryn Peterson, Kansas’s talented scorer who averaged 20.2 points per game on 38.2% 3PT as a freshman? Or will the Wizards surprise everyone by selecting Cameron Boozer, the 2026 Naismith Men’s College Basketball Player of the Year who some have labeled the top prospect in the 2026 draft class?

Below is an overview of which prospect several NBA Draft experts believe the Wizards will select at No. 1.

ESPN (Jeremy Woo): AJ Dybantsa

Yahoo (Preston Palm): AJ Dybantsa

SB Nation (Rickey O’Donnell): AJ Dybantsa

CBS Sports (Adam Finkelstein): AJ Dybantsa

Bleacher Report (Zach Buckley): AJ Dybantsa

The Ringer (J. Kyle Mann): AJ Dybantsa

ClutchPoints (Brett Siegel): AJ Dybantsa

NBC Sports (Raphielle Johnson, Kurt Helin): AJ Dybantsa

It appears Dybantsa is the overwhelming favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft.

Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder in the NBA Draft. It wasn’t long ago James Wiseman looked like an obvious bust in the 2020 class, but the Golden State Warriors still used the No. 2 overall pick on him. Some bozo at this website wasn’t sold on the Pelicans taking Trey Murphy III just outside of the lottery the next year, and that worked out just fine for New Orleans.

The 2026 NBA Draft is quickly approaching, and the playoffs always have a way of revealing what’s actually most important in high leverage games. Our instant mock draft immediately following the lottery tried to take a stab at how the picks will actually come off the board when the first-round begins on June 23.

Now, here’s a mock draft based on what I would do with every pick.

What are my qualifications? I’ve been covering the NBA Draft since 2013, when Rudy Gobert was bending at the waist to talk to me at the combine. I have a long list of both hits and misses on my resume like any other draft evaluator, but it never stops me from giving my unbiased opinion on the next year’s class. These picks are made in combination my personal board (which hasn’t been publicly updated since mid-season) and team fit. Let’s get into it.

1. Washington Wizards – Cameron Boozer, F, Duke

Boozer is the top player on my draft board, and in my estimation he’s the obvious No. 1 pick. I’ve been chronicling Boozer’s brilliance since he was in high school, and all he did as a freshman was win national player of the year in a nearly unanimous vote (59 out of 61). The Wizards should not be making team-building decisions with Anthony Davis in mind. Boozer was only four years old when AD was drafted. Washington needs shot-creation, shooting, and rebounding, and Boozer provides all of that at a high level. Alex Sarr should be a nice defensive complement to him in the frontcourt. This really shouldn’t be that hard.

2. Utah Jazz – Darryn Peterson, G, Kansas

I had Peterson over Dybantsa on my preseason board and my midseason board, and while I thought about moving off that take at times during Peterson’s bizarre freshman year, I’m sticking with it now. Peterson is just a better fit for what the Jazz need, and I do think Utah is potentially good enough for next season to be thinking about fit. Keyonte George needs a defensive-minded off-guard with volume three-point shooting next to him, and that can be Peterson. Of course, Peterson can also be so much more than that if he fully recovers from the strange soft tissue and cramping injuries that plagued his time at Kansas. Dybantsa would have some overlap with Ace Bailey if he’s the pick here. I like a lineup of George-Peterson-Bailey-Lauri Markkanen-Jaren Jackson Jr. with Walker Kessler off the bench. That feels like a playoff team with some real upside to me.

3. Memphis Grizzlies – AJ Dybantsa, F, BYU

Dybantsa probably won’t still be on the board at No. 3 on draft night, but if he is it would set up a fascinating decision between him and Caleb Wilson for Memphis. I give Dybantsa the edge simply because of his shot-creation ability. There just aren’t many players in the world this size — 6’8.5 barefoot, 217 pounds, with a 7-foot wingspan — who can create shots for themselves and others like Dybantsa. I’d love to see him take a little more pride in his defense and up his three-point volume, but he’d be a wonderful addition to Memphis’ rebuild.

4. Chicago Bulls – Caleb Wilson, F, North Carolina

Wilson is the obvious ‘best player available’ choice for the Bulls here. This draft has been defined by a ‘big three’ since these players were in high school, but Wilson was so good at North Carolina that it can now credibly be called a ‘big four.’ Wilson is a bit of an odd fit on the Bulls’ current roster with some overlap with Matas Buzelis, Noa Essengue, and Leonard Miller — the team’s three most appealing young players. Ultimately, that doesn’t matter. There’s a strong chance that Wilson is better than any of them, and Buzelis has developed as a shooter enough to play the three. Take Wilson and figure out the rest later.

5. Los Angeles Clippers – Aday Mara, C, Michigan

This is the first big decision of the draft. I’m torn between Mikel Brown Jr., Yaxel Lendeborg, and Mara, but ultimately it’s harder to find a 7’3 center with a 7’7 wingspan than point guards or forwards. Mara was the single biggest riser of March Madness, but I’ve been on him as a potential top-10 pick since he was entering UCLA out of Spain. His size is a game-changer in the middle, and he also has ridiculous passing feel for someone so big. I know the Clippers drafted Yanic Konan Niederhäuser at the end of the first-round last year, but I was never too high on him. After trading Ivica Zubac to the Pacers for this pick, the Clippers find their center of the future.

6. Brooklyn Nets – Mikel Brown Jr., G, Louisville

Yeah, the Nets took four pseudo point guards in the first-round last year, but that can’t stop one of the league’s worst rosters from drafting the best available player. Brown fits that description to me as the highest-upside prospect still on the board. The Louisville guard brings super-high volume three-point shooting, creative passing, and some downhill attacking ability to an offense desperately in need of juice. Brown’s frame is very thin and he doesn’t even have hair on his face yet, but the Nets need to be thinking long-term, and Brown is oozing with potential over time.

7. Sacramento Kings – Kingston Flemings, G, Houston

The Kings falling to No. 7 in the lottery is a huge bummer, but the upside is that the team really wanted a point guard, and there will be multiple great ones to choose from here. There’s already rumors that Sacramento has a preference for Darius Acuff, and that would be fine, but I like Flemings more. The Houston guard is a lot more disruptive defensively off the ball, and I give him a slight edge as a live-dribble playmaker. KINGSton Flemings to the Kings would be a very good fit for both the player and team.

8. Atlanta Hawks – Keaton Wagler, G, Illinois

The key to modern basketball is the intersection of positional size, shooting touch, and IQ. Wagler checks all three boxes while also having worst in class explosion and length for a point guard. How does a 6’6, one-and-done lottery pick finish the season with zero dunks? This will be the first time it’s ever happened, at least for as far back as the statistics go. The Hawks have had some trouble with smaller guards, so Wagler is at least tall while having the ability to play on or off the ball. His pull-up shooting would be really good next to Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels, and Jalen Johnson, and the first two guys there could help insulate him defensively. He’ll probably go higher than this, but I like the fit in Atlanta.

9. Dallas Mavericks – Yaxel Lendeborg, F, Michigan

I will have Lendeborg higher than No. 9 on my personal board, and I seriously considered him at No. 5 for the Clippers. I didn’t love his fit in Brooklyn, Sacramento, or Atlanta, but I do think he makes plenty of sense for the Mavs. Dallas should be ready to accelerate this thing around Cooper Flagg pretty quickly, in part because they don’t control their first-round pick from 2027-2030. Lendeborg will be a 24-year-old rookie, but he has unique strengths as a massive wing who can play on the perimeter or bang down low for some small ball five minutes. Critics of this pick will say Dallas already has PJ Washington, but he can be traded. Yaxel is four years younger, would be on a cost controlled deal, and in my opinion should be better pretty quickly. I like the idea of pairing Flagg with a defensive-minded forward who can stretch the floor and give the Mavs positional versatility.

10. Milwaukee Bucks – Jayden Quaintance, F/C, Kentucky

I thought Quaintance would be a top-5 pick coming into the season. Instead, he rushed back from a torn ACL, and shut it down after only four underwhelming games at Kentucky. Quaintance explained his decision to end his season early to me at the combine. If he’s healthy, he has a case as the best defensive player in the class. While he’s a tad short for an NBA five at 6’9 barefoot, JQ measured well with a hulking 253-pound frame and 7’5+ wingspan. His offense is a huge question mark, but his defense should be bankable if he can stay healthy. Assuming the Bucks finally trade Giannis this summer, they will need a new identity long-term, and Quaintance can help that start on the defensive end.

11. Golden State Warriors – Hannes Steinbach, F/C, Washington

The Warriors could really go in any direction here, and I remain intrigued by the Mara fit from my instant mock if he’s still on the board. Given the way this draft goes, Steinbach feels like he would be a good choice to add some physicality and rebounding to the frontcourt. Steinbach’s offensive rebounding is potentially the single best skill in this draft class (behind Cameron Boozer’s brain), and he could feast off misses from Steph Curry and Brandin Podziemski to generate extra possessions.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder – Morez Johnson Jr., F/C, Michigan

Johnson is the best kind of tweener with the ability to be additive on both ends at either the four or the five. The 6’9 big man has a hulking 250-pound frame with 7’3.5 wingspan and boundless athleticism. He’s one of the best defenders in the class with the strength to wall up inside, the quickness to switch some screens, and outstanding ability to patrol the backline as a low man. I think he’s going to be shoot long-term, and if you agree, he has to be a lottery pick.

13. Miami Heat – Darius Acuff, G, Arkansas

I have questions about Acuff’s scoring process and worry that he might be the worst defensive player in the NBA, but at a certain point he’s too productive to continue passing on. This pick would absolutely be in play in a potential Giannis trade.

14. Charlotte Hornets – Dailyn Swain, F, Texas

The Hornets really need some beef inside, but this class just isn’t very deep in big men after Motiejus Krvias and Patrick Ngongba pulled out. I’ve liked Swain for a while as a bouncy wing stopper who made big offensive strides as a slasher and shooter during his junior season at Texas, but he wasn’t too impressive with his measurements or play at the combine. Still, this feels like a plug-and-play rotation piece for what should be an excellent team in the East next season.

15. Chicago Bulls – Brayden Burries, G, Arizona

I’d prefer Morez Johnson or possibly Jayden Quaintance here, but both are off the board in this mock. Burries will likely be long gone by the time Chicago comes on the clock at No. 15, but he would add two-way physicality to the backcourt with good shooting projection. I don’t think Burries has the shot-creation or the playmaking to be in an on-ball role that would give him star upside, but he checks a lot of boxes as a role player. He’s a player who feels like he’s pretty good everywhere but without a signature skill to fall back on.

16. Memphis Grizzlies – Bennett Stirtz, G, Iowa

Stirtz is a high-volume creator who doesn’t turn the ball over and also offers floor spacing potential with a quick and accurate trigger from three-point range. He’s not the biggest lead guard and he’s likely to have some issues defending at the point of attack, but he’s such an additive player offensively that he can work in a variety of roles. I’m curious what Stirtz would look like in a faster system and more scaled down role after creating every advantage and playing nearly every minute for Iowa during his senior season.

17. Oklahoma City Thunder – Nate Ament, F, Tennessee

Ament couldn’t live up to the top-5 hype in the preseason he as struggled with physicality and failed to score efficiently from any part of the floor. Still, there’s a reason he was so highly touted entering the year, and it’s easy to see the outline of an athletic, two-way four man who can still impact the game in a more scaled down offensive role. Ament’s 29 percent usage rate was tops on Tennessee, and giving him that much offensive responsibility on a team without great spacing was always too much to ask. I’d like to see what he looks like as a more of a fourth option on offense who can space the floor and attack closeouts while using his 6’10 frame to alter shots defensively.

18. Charlotte Hornets – Chris Cenac Jr., C, Houston

The Hornets have to come away with a big, and Cenac is the best available at this slot. While he’s likely a couple years away from making an impact, Cenac has elite physical tools at 6’10+, 240 pounds with a 7’5 wingspan. He has a confident shooting stroke from deep, and could be a valuable stretch five (or a four in bigger lineups) who also crushes the defensive glass down the line. He’s a bit raw right now and can struggle with his feel for the game, but the idealized version of Cenac would be a great piece for Charlotte as it continues to build a contender in the East.

19. Toronto Raptors – Labaron Philon, G, Alabama

Philon could inject some much needed juice into the Raptors’ halfcourt offense, which ranked No. 13 in efficiency during the regular season but struggled badly in the playoffs. The Alabama guard is super shifty off the bounce and will thrive in an NBA drive-and-kick game, and he offers scoring ability inside the arc with his floater. His three-point shot made a big leap this season (from 31.5 percent to 40 percent from deep while nearly doubling his volume), but there are some questions about how sustainable that is with a lower release point. Philon is very skinny and will probably never be a good defender, but this would be a very good value at this slot for a potential high-octane creator.

20. San Antonio Spurs – Cameron Carr, G, Baylor

For a 6’5 wing, Carr is extremely long (7’1 wingspan), highly explosive (44 dunks), and a really good spot-up shooter who hit 37.6 percent behind the arc on 205 attempts. There’s a case for him to go much higher than this, but his limited creation ability, shaky passing vision, and thin frame gives me some pause.

21. Detroit Pistons – Ebuka Okorie, G, Stanford

No one expected Okorie to be a one-and-done entering the year as a recruit ranked outside the top-100, but his creation flashes made it undeniable while playing for a middling Stanford team. Okorie has the best first-step in the class and the acceleration to separate once he gains the initial advantage. He’s more of a scorer than a playmaker right now, which isn’t ideal for a 6’2 guard. Still, his ability to create his own offense while limiting turnovers and showing a solid three-point stroke gives him real upside in this part of the draft. I’d like to see what Cade Cunningham looks like in a more off-ball role at times, and Okorie can get him there.

22. Philadelphia 76ers – Allen Graves, F, Santa Clara

Graves would fill a position of need for the Sixers at power forward while also offering two-way upside if he can cut down on fouling. The redshirt freshman from Santa Clara forced turnovers at an incredible rate this season while also shooting 40 percent from three, but his aggressive play led to a lot of hacking that kept him in a sixth man role. Graves isn’t the best athlete, but this area of the draft feels right for an analytics darling who measured well at the combine (7-foot wingspan and 225-pound frame) and has some real skill flashes.

23. Atlanta Hawks – Karim Lopez, F, New Zealand Breakers

Lopez is a big forward who can play with the ball in his hands, but there are questions about his shooting and off-ball defense. He can look good attacking in a straight line as a driver, but he’s a bit stiff athletically when he’s in need of counters. His frame and downhill ability are worth betting on at this point, and he could offer quite a bit of upside if he figures out his spot-up three-pointer.

24. New York Knicks – Joshua Jefferson, F, Iowa State

Jefferson’s ability to play with physicality on both ends while also bringing connective offensive traits makes him one of the best seniors in this year’s draft. I had Jefferson as the third best player in college basketball this year. While I doubt he’ll have quite as much creation equity at the next level, his reps in a high usage, more on-ball role at ISU will serve him well in the NBA when the ball swings to him. It feels like he fits the Knicks’ ethos well,.

25. Los Angeles Lakers – Henri Veesar, C, North Carolina

Veesar is one of the only stretch five options in this class, but he does a lot more offensively than just shoot. The 7-footer thrived in a high-low game with Caleb Wilson by showing good passing touch and efficient scoring inside the arc. He won’t be a plus defensively at center, but giving Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves a pick-and-pop big man with good feel offensively would be a nice choice after this range of the draft was thinned out by NIL.

26. Denver Nuggets – Christian Anderson, G, Texas Tech

It’s hard to find a place for all the small guards in this draft given the way the league is trending, and that means someone like Anderson could be a major steal. The Texas Tech point guard is one of the very best shooters in this draft class, and also a solid playmaker who won’t rack up turnovers. While he measured pretty small at the combine, he does have a 6’6+ wingspan that at least gives him a chance defensively.

27. Boston Celtics – Tyler Tanner, G, Vanderbilt

Tanner might be destined to return to college after being one of the most divisive players in this year’s class. He was one of the very best players in college basketball as a sophomore, but he’s just so small at a tick under 5’11 barefoot and 167 pounds with a 6’4.25 wingspan. He definitely plays bigger than his size on both ends with a sixth sense for forcing turnovers and a rare ability to dunk on your head for such a tiny guard. I have questions about his three-point shooting and creation ability at the next level. He’d be a great flier in this range.

28. Minnesota Timberwolves – Koa Peat, F, Arizona

The NBA seems to think Peat should return for his sophomore year, and it’s hard to blame them. He looks more like a run-stopping defensive end than an NBA power forward, but there’s still some potential here for a defensive wing stopper with short-roll playmaking and some play-finishing ability. His outside shot is broken and he lacks lateral quickness or agility, but he would be a fine flier in this range.

29. Cleveland Cavaliers – Zuby Ejiofor, C, St. John’s

Ejiofor is a rugged big man who can help wall off the paint defensively while adding some impressive connective passing traits in the frontcourt. He’s a disruptive defender who plays with a high motor and does all the little things good role players need to do. He’s a tad small for a five at 6’7.5 barefoot with a 7’2 wingspan and 245 pound frame, but he’ll find a way to make it work with an impressive combo of physicality and feel.

30. Dallas Mavericks – Meleek Thomas, G, Arkansas

Thomas can fill it up from outside as a microwave scorer while also not making stupid decisions with the ball. He should be able to defend a little bit better than most players in his archetype. The Mavs could stand to add some off-ball offensive firepower off the bench in this slot.

Tyrese Proctor’s rookie season came to an end Monday night as the New York Knicks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers, 130-93, sweeping the series, 4-0.

Proctor, who rarely got off the bench in the playoffs, got 9 minutes here. He didn’t score, but he got 1 rebound and 2 assists.

The Knicks move on and will play either the San Antonio Spurs, with Mason Plumlee, or the Oklahoma City Thunder, with Jared McCain, in the finals.

• Knicks at last back in NBA Finals after demolishing Cavaliers
• Cavaliers took Game 4 tickets away from famous Knicks superfan: ‘Can’t sit courtside’
•  Knicks star breaks his conference finals curse in style
• NYC erupts as Knicks sweep Cavaliers to earn first trip to NBA Finals since 1999
• Knicks deliver a painful playoff truth to the Cavs in four games – Terry Pluto
• Skip Bayless warns Knicks about Thunder, Spurs during Game 4 blowout vs. Cavs
• James Harden, Cavs Trolled by NBA Fans amid Huge Deficit vs. Knicks in Elimination Game
• ‘Don’t just blame James Harden’: What social media said after Knicks sweep Cavs in Eastern Conference Finals
• The New York Knicks – your New York Knicks – are going to the NBA Finals
• Donovan Mitchell Got Animated in the Cavaliers Huddle as Knicks Completed Sweep in Cleveland

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