Category: Basketball

The San Antonio Spurs doubled down on front-court depth after selecting Jayden Quaintance with the 20th overall pick. They traded up into the first round, acquiring the 26th pick from the Denver Nuggets for the 35th pick and two future second-rounders. With that pick, the Spurs took Tarris Reed Jr., a senior big man from UConn.

Reed is a massive 6-foot-11, 263-pound center with a 9-foot-2 standing reach. He was one of UConn’s best players on the team’s run to the NCAA Championship game this season, averaging 14.7 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Reed made the All-NCAA Tournament team last season, putting up huge numbers against powerhouses like Duke, Michigan State, and Illinois in March.

Reed fills a lot of San Antonio’s needs as a big man. He’s a strong rebounder with a huge frame that will allow him to hold his own with other physical bigs in the NBA. Reed combines his strength, frame, and instincts to gobble up boards on both ends. He snatched 3.2 offensive rebounds per game as a senior at UConn, mostly with his ability to clear the paint with strength. That skill should translate to the next level.

He’s somewhat of a throwback center with his ability to score on the low block. He’s hard to move around in the paint, and he used spin moves and drop steps on the block to pin his defender behind him and create space. He’s not an above-the-rim finisher who is going to soar for dunks; instead, he uses his size and strength to clear space underneath the basket to put the ball in.

It’s unlikely Reed will be asked to post up much in the NBA, but he could play well in the Spurs’ offensive system as a screener and hand-off hub. UConn is known for its creative use of big men as playmakers, and Reed showed potential as a passer, averaging 2.3 assists per game this season.

Defensively, Reed should be a solid rim protector, thanks in most part to his strength. He is going to be a hard player to drive through. He’s a willing help defender, averaging 2 blocks in his senior season. Opponents shot just 56.2% at the rim against him last year. He’s got big hands that can poke the ball free or grab steals as they come to him. He’s going to do most of his best defensive work around the basket, but has enough quickness and length to not look completely lost against stretch big men on the perimeter.

The question with Reed in his first three seasons came down to his motor. He did not start for the Huskies in his junior season, partly because of his inconsistency. He responded well to those concerns as a senior, arguably the best player on a winning team. He’ll need his motor to run hot in the NBA to make up for some of his deficiencies as a defender. He’s not excellent positionally, fouls too much, and is not a great vertical athlete.

It’s also fair to question whether Reed will be able to bully his way to the rim against taller and stronger NBA players. He struggled in the NCAA Championship game against a 7-foot-3 big man, Aday Mara. He’s going to be an under-the-rim scorer who relies on his touch and strength. It remains to be seen if that skill will translate to the next level.

Don’t expect Reed to be a floor spacer at the next level. He didn’t take any three-pointers in his senior season, and only made one in his four-year collegiate career. He was a 58.2% free-throw shooter over the course of his career. His release doesn’t look terrible, but he struggled to convert on his jump shot.

San Antonio needs more playable guys in their front court. Reed could step onto an NBA court tomorrow and compete on the glass and in the paint. After their big man depth was exposed in the playoffs, it makes sense that the front office wanted to add a few imposing players in the paint. With Quaintance likely set to miss some time due to injury, Reed gives them a player who should be able to contribute as a third big man in his rookie season.

Reed likely won’t be anything more than a solid bench big man in the NBA. He won’t be able to play next to Victor Wembanyama due to his inability to guard on the perimeter or space the floor, but he’ll give the Spurs some muscle to back up their star.

Grade: B

The Dallas Mavericks entered the 2026 NBA Draft with the #9 pick, the #30 pick and a fair amount of trade rumors swirling around them. After selecting Morez Johnson, Jr. at #9, things went dreadfully quiet on the trade front. As subsequent picks were made and the minutes ticked by, it seemed apparent that Dallas would be making a selection at #30 instead of packaging that pick with a veteran in an effort to move up the draft board. Any hope at picking up a young guard to help in the rebuild looked bleak.

With the #30 pick, Dallas selected Koa Peat, Adam Silver said goodnight and that was that. Except it wasn’t. As the first round of the Draft was concluding, rumors started buzzing that the Mavericks were in fact making a move. Details are still being confirmed, but as it stands, Dallas will be trading the #30 pick Koa Peat and two future second-round draft picks to the New York Knicks in exchange for Sergio DeLarrea’s services. The exact second-rounders were still being determined late Tuesday night.

Here are the details we have at this time:

Los Angeles Lakers Received: 24th Overall Pick (Cameron Carr, Baylor)
Dallas Mavericks Received: 25th Overall (Sergio de Larrea, Spain)
Phoenix Suns Received: 30th Overall (Koa Peat, Arizona)
New York Knicks Received: Cash (Lakers), two second-round picks (Mavericks), and three more second-round picks (Suns)

DeLarrea was on the radar of a number of Mavs Moneyball staffers, perhaps none more than Tyler Edsel who wrote an excellent crash course on him and what he can bring to the Mavs. To be clear, it is unlikely he is going to have a massive day-one impact on the team, but the Mavericks really needed to do something to acquire more young talent that fit a position of need. While he may not be as flashy a name as Brayden Burries (whom the Mavs skipped over in favor of Morez) or Labaron Philon, Jr. (who somewhat surprisingly slipped to #22), Dallas really needed to do bolster the guard position and they came through.

If DeLarrea’s shooting transfers to the NBA level, it would be a big boon for a team that struggled from downtown much of last season. While not an immediate impact player, Dallas did well to move up a bit in a low-cost move that keeps all of their other assets intact for what will surely be a summer of retooling via trades and free agency.

Stay tuned for updates, as it is unclear which second-round picks the Mavericks will let go of in this deal.

I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.

You can listen to our latest podcast episode in the player embedded below, and to make sure you don’t miss a single one moving forward, subscribe to the Pod Maverick podcast feed on Apple, Spotify, Pandora, Pocketcasts, YouTube, Amazon Music, and most other places. If you use a feed not listed, let Kirk know.

You can check out our After Dark Recap podcasts, YouTube Live recordings, and guest shows on the Pod Maverick Podcast feed. Please subscribe, rate, and review.

Braden Smith, the NCAA’s All Time leader in assists, didn’t hear his name called in the first round of the 2026 NBA draft. With only one major draft board having Smith taken in the late first round, it was largely expected that Smith would go in the second round. Most of the projections place Smith being selected early in the second round between picks 35 and 40. 

However, the rest of the conference was well represented as the B1G had six players drafted in the first round. That is the second most in the first round in league history as the conference had eight players drafted in 2025. Those players and their destinations are below:

#5 Keaton Wagler (Illinois) – Los Angeles Clippers 

#9 Morez Johnson Jr. (Michigan) – Dallas Mavericks

#11 Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan) – Golden State Warriors

#12 Aday Mara (Michigan) – Oklahoma City Thunder

#14 Hannes Steinbach (Washington) – Charlotte Hornets

#16 Bennett Stirtz (Iowa) – Oklahoma City Thunder (via trade from Memphis Grizzlies)

Where Does Smith Fit Best?

With Smith going undrafted, there are a lot of options for him early in the second round that provide him with the best opportunity to have a potential impact on an NBA roster. Heading into the second round, Smith is ranked as the 9th best player overall and the 7th best guard remaining. Where would the best places for the former Purdue guard to land?

Pick #35: San Antonio Spurs

San Antonio has one of the best developmental systems in the NBA, built around teaching guards how to process the game rather than simply reacting to it. The organization places a premium on decision-making, spacing discipline, and executing within a defined offensive framework. For Braden Smith, who already operates at a high level in the pick-and-roll while limiting mistakes, being in San Antonio would be an ideal situation. The Spurs historically give guards the freedom to learn through reps in a system that emphasizes reading advantages rather than relying on isolation scoring.

In this setting, Smith would likely begin as a third guard who runs second-unit offense, with an emphasis on controlling tempo and making correct reads rather than generating his own shot volume. His path would depend on defensive improvement, but having a shot blocker like Wemby in the paint would limit some of those concerns. The biggest piece of this puzzle is simply that the Spurs would not ask him to be something he is not, but would likely refine what he already does well.

Pick #32: Memphis Grizzlies

Outside of Smith getting drafted by the Indiana Pacers, this would be the dream scenario for Purdue fans as he would be paired with Zach Edey (and a bevy of other young talent). That young nucleus in Memphis operates with a strong identity built around physicality, defensive intensity, and getting into transition offense. Their system is built around guards who can push the ball, make quick decisions in the open floor, and support Ja Morant by keeping bench units stable. Braden Smith would fit this structure as a secondary ball-handler who reduces turnover volatility and ensures the offense does not stagnate when Morant is off the court.

However, Memphis presents a more challenging environment in terms of his usage. While Smith’s passing and decision-making set him apart, his size and defensive limitations could become a limiting factor in high-level matchups. That is likely something that will follow him no matter where he is drafted.

Pick #40: Boston Celtics

Boston is one of the most system-oriented teams in the league, with a strong emphasis on spacing, ball movement, and low-error decision-making. Guards who succeed in this environment are typically those who can process quickly, avoid unnecessary risks, and operate efficiently within structured offensive sets. Braden Smith’s strengths as a high-assist, low-turnover point guard align well with this philosophy, even if he is not a primary scoring threat.

The challenge in Boston is less about fit and more about opportunity. The roster is typically deep with multiple ball-handlers and wings who can initiate offense, which makes it difficult for a second-round guard to secure consistent minutes. Smith would likely begin as a deep bench option, used in limited regular-season minutes or emergency ball-handling situations. While the system fit is strong, the pathway to a meaningful role would be the steepest among these options behind Derrick White, Jaylen Brown and the ways they use Jayson Tatum as a ball handler at forward.

No Current Picks: Indiana Pacers

This is the best landing spot for Smith but until the Pacers can make the move to get back into the early parts of round 2, they can’t be higher on this list.

Indiana plays with one of the fastest and most movement-heavy offensive systems in the NBA, built on constant pace, ball movement, and transition opportunities, a tailor-made fit for a player like Smith. Braden Smith’s style of play where he plays at an elite level in terms of tempo control, quick reads, and facilitating offense fits neatly into the Pacers’ identity.

Smith would very clearly slide in as a backup point guard to Tyrese Haliburton and would likely replace veteran backup TJ McConnell. Ironically, Smith’s best projection as a player is McConnell who has thrived as a backup in Indiana. With that second unit, Smith would be playing alongside a bunch of shooters that he could find open on the wings in transition. He isn’t going to be asked to do things differently, but rather to sustain it while keeping spacing and movement intact. The main limitation is simply that Indiana doesn’t have a pick in the 2026 draft but they have made it very clear of their intentions of getting into the 2nd round to draft Smith.

Might Oscar Cluff Hear His Name Called?

Of the other three players that Purdue could find themselves with an opportunity in the NBA, Oscar Cluff seems to have the best chance at being drafted alongside Smith. Cluff is currently listed as the 4th best center and 28th best overall player heading into the second round of the draft. Cluff is a throwback type of post player that doesn’t play above the rim but is elite in what he does well: offensive rebounding, scoring touch around the rim, and showed good footwork in drop coverage on defense.

Spurs center Victor Wembanyama returned to the spotlight in style at Paris Fashion Week after San Antonio’s NBA Finals loss to the Knicks.

The 7-foot-4 Frenchman was all smiles while attending the Louis Vuitton menswear Spring-Summer 2027 show in Paris on Tuesday.

Wembanyama, who is an ambassador for Louis Vuitton, donned a beige colored suit by the French fashion house and black-tinted sunglasses.

He posed for photos with rapper Lil Baby and was seen chatting with French swimmer Léon Marchand.

Rapper Pharrell, who is the men’s creative director at Louis Vuitton, unveiled the collection for the first time at the show — which included an immersive beach environment in the middle of the city.

View this post on Instagram

Earlier in the day, Louis Vuitton shared images of Wembanyama modeling a dark pinstripe suit and a logo duffle bag.

The new collection is described as “dandy” with “technical expressions of suiting where silhouettes inspired by the coast and the ocean evoke the nonchalant spirit of the surfer.”

Wembanyama attended the Fête de la Musique festival in France on Sunday, as seen in videos online.

The global phenom is enjoying his NBA offseason in his home country, more than a week removed from the Spurs losing to the Knicks in the 2026 NBA Finals.

New York won four of five games to clinch their first championship in 53 years.

The Spurs dropped the first two games of the series at home in San Antonio and beat New York in Game 3.

After blowing a 29-point lead in Game 4 to give the Knicks a 3-1 advantage in the series, the Spurs lost Game 5 at home 94-90 on June 13.

In his third NBA season, Wembanyama helped lead the Spurs to a 62-20 regular season mark to clinch the second seed in the Western Conference.

The Sacramento Kingsselected Darius Acuff Jr. with No. 7 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, but they weren't done just yet one Day 1.

Sacramento completed a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers to acquire the No. 29 pick in the NBA draft in exchange for the No. 34 pick and a future second rounder, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.

The Cavaliers selected Connecticut forward Alex Karaban to send to the Kings. Karaban stands at 6-foot-7, 225-pounds as Sacramento adds another swingman to their roster.

Karaban played four seasons at UConn where he became a two-time NCAA national champion (2023, 2024) and a runner-up in 2026. He averaged 13.2 points per game on 46% shooting.

The Knicks made a number of trades during the first round of Tuesday's 2026 NBA Draft.

New York first traded down from No. 24 to No. 25 in a deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, and they used their pick on guard Sergio De Larrea. 

New York also received cash considerations in the NBA Draft day trade, while the Lakers took Baylor guard Cameron Carr with the No. 24 pick.

Once the first round was over, however, SNY's Ian Begley reported that the Knicks traded De Larrea for what would be five second-round picks and cash considerations.

ESPN's Shams Charania reports that the Knicks flipped De Larrea to the Dallas Mavericks for No. 30 pick Koa Peat and two second-round picks. The Knicks then traded Peat to the Phoenix Suns for three second-round picks and cash considerations. 

Charania adds that the Knicks will enter the second round of the NBA Draft with the No. 47 pick to go along with their original No. 31 and No. 55 picks for Wednesday night.

Before trading him, Begley noted that the thinking was that the Knicks would own De Larrea's rights, but, similar to 2021 draft pick Rokas Jokubaitis (who returned to play for FC Barcelona), they could keep those rights without signing him to an NBA contract. If De Larrea is stashed, he would not impact the 2026-27 team salary.

De Larrea, a 20-year-old from Valladolid, Spain, has played with Valencia since 2021 and made his senior debut in EuroLeague play at age 17 in 2023. He averaged 9.7 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game over 18.3 minutes in 28 games during the 2025-26 season.

The 6-foot-5 guard was named the Liga ACB Best Young Player in 2026, an award given to players 22 or younger and playing 10-plus minutes per game. He also made the All-Liga Best Young Players Team in 2025 and 2026.

De Larrea has represented Spain in international tournaments, helping them win the silver medal at the 2022 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup and the gold medal at the 2023 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup.

Round 1, Pick 11 – Yaxel Lendeborg – UAB – Golden State Warriors

While the 6-foot-9 forward starred last season for the title-winning Michigan Wolverines, Lendeborg is (or at least should be) known for his prior stardom under Andy Kennedy for the UAB Blazers. After two spectacular seasons in Birmingham, the New Jersey native decided to join former FAU head coach (and now Dallas Mavericks coach) Dusty May in Ann Arbor.

Coming off a national championship season with Michigan, Yaxel now heads out West to join the Golden State Warriors. Head Coach Steve Kerr welcomes in the forward alongside aging stars Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, the second of whom could be a valuable mentor to the animated Lendeborg. The Dubs could slot their recent lottery pick into the three spot if needed (he played the small forward with Morez Johnson and Aday Mara this past year at Michigan), starting the veteran with the rookie in a dangerous duo. Either way, our former mid-major darling will be well taken care of by some elite pedigree in the 2026-27 season.

Round 1, Pick 16 – Bennett Stirtz – Drake – Memphis Grizzlies (Traded to Oklahoma City Thunder)

If any of Bennett Stirtz’s three collegiate programs get the credit for putting him on the path toward playing in the NBA, it’s not the Iowa Hawkeyes, and no, not even the Drake Bulldogs. It is the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats, the program that hosted him for his first two collegiate seasons before he and head coach Ben McCollum began the adventure of a lifetime.

From the DII level, Stirtz took his elite productivity to Drake alongside McCollum, and after one season there, they went to the power-conference ranks at Iowa. The Liberty, Mo., native now joins a title contender in the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he adds himself to a guard room featuring two-time reigning league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Stirtz’s ability to stay on the court and shoot well while distributing at a high clip could be a great addition to a team looking for a guard who can work well off its star player.

Round 1, Pick 19 – Allen Graves – Santa Clara- Toronto Raptors

The highest drafted player coming straight from a mid-major this year didn’t start regularly for Herb Sendek’s Santa Clara Broncos. The 6-foot-8, 226-pound forward did, however, light it up in the West Coast Conference, winning sixth man of the year and freshman of the year, which earned him the right to be in a place where he now is headed to Toronto.

Graves now gets added to a Raptors team with an incredible amount of youth. Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram led the squad to the five-seed in the NBA Playoffs this past year, and now Graves gets to find his role in a lineup with a significant hole at the four position.

Round 1, Pick 28 – Joshua Jefferson – Saint Mary’s – Minnesota Timberwolves (Traded to Brooklyn Nets)

The 6-foot-8 forward averaged just 8.1 minutes per game during his freshman season at Saint Mary’s, but coming off a big summer, Jefferson found a way to carve himself into a vital piece of the Gaels’ roster in 2023-24. That productive sophomore season attracted the attention of Iowa State coach TJ Otzelberger, the coach he played for for his final two collegiate seasons as he earned second team All-American honors this past year.

Jefferson now joins a Brooklyn Nets roster looking for overhaul following the departure of key stars over the past few years. Playing under Michael Porter Jr, the rookie will gain some valuable knowledge from one of the most electric scorers in the Eastern Conference.

It’s been over a week since the Knicks won the NBA title, but Spike Lee’s celebration of New York’s latest championship is showing no signs of slowing down.

The filmmaker and diehard Knicks supporter made an appearance at the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Tuesday night and was still very much basking in his favorite team’s big win.

Lee sported a big orange and blue jacket for the festivities and appeared to gloat about the Knicks’ victory when broadcast cameras panned to him at the event.

Lee, a fixture courtside during the Finals run, held up five fingers on his right hand and pointed to it with his left in what seemed to be an effort to acknowledge that it only took New York five games to beat the Spurs in the NBA Finals.

Lee later joined former players and analysts on ABC’s set and talked a little basketball with the guys.

He praised New York native Jose Alvarado, before he sounded quite pleased with the way the Knicks — via a trade with the Lakers — landed 20-year-old Spanish forward Sergio De Larrea in the draft’s first round.

However, after Lee made his appearance, the Knicks traded away De Larrea to the Mavericks for Koa Peat, who was then sent to the Suns. The Knicks ended up with cash and five second-round picks at the end of the night.

After attending all of the Knicks vs. Spurs Finals games, Lee’s been hard to miss around New York. He showed up with the newly minted champs during their appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and then he was featured prominently in their June 18 Canyon of Heroes parade.

No word on where Lee will be off to next, but it’s safe to assume the Knicks will be involved in one way or another.

When the Toronto Raptors selected Allen Graves with the No. 19 pick, a sense of uncertainty radiated across the fanbase. It was reminiscent of when the Raptors picked Collin Murray-Boyles with the ninth-overall pick nearly a year ago.

But just like with Murray-Boyles, the Raptors found a way to add a young player who will eventually play meaningful minutes and produce in significant moments during future playoff runs. Graves is the type of player who would have easily meshed and played clutch minutes with the 2025-26 New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs.

Here are two reasons why:

Defensive Versatility

While Graves’ offence is what could potentially tip post-season outcomes in the Raptors’ favour, it’ll be his defence that keeps him on the floor. Graves averaged 1.9 steals and 0.9 blocks in only 22.6 minutes per game. While he isn’t an explosive athlete, Graves is six-foot-nine and boasts a seven-foot wingspan. The youngster doesn’t turn 20 until July 28 and yet he already understands how to weaponize his positioning and instincts. It fits perfectly on a Raptors team that finished third in deflections per game (18.4).

“When you watch him play, the disruptiveness on the defensive end that really stood out,” said General Manager and vice-president Bobby Webster immediately after the draft.

Like with any rookie, there’ll be rough patches in Graves’ first season in the league. But the front-office is enamoured by his potential on the defensive side of the ball.

“I see him wreaking havoc with CMB,” added Webster.

Graves echoed that sentiment numerous times during his press conference availability. He referenced priding himself on “deflections” and “steals”, while expressing an admiration for defensive geniuses Scottie Barnes and Murray-Boyles.

“The defensive side of the ball is something I really want to focus on,” said Graves.

There’s a realistic future where opposing ball-handlers must deal with Barnes, Murray-Boyles, and Graves switching on screens or lurking in passing lanes.

Complete Offensive Ceiling

Unlike other prospects taken in this draft range, Graves has produced evidence that he can do anything an auxiliary option on a contender should be able to do. He knocked down 41.3 per cent of his three-point attempts. He crashes the offensive glass (2.8 per game) and doesn’t turn the ball over (0.7 turnovers). As a former point guard, Graves’ vision, IQ, and playmaking chops set him up to be a valuable connector, particularly in short-clock situations.

Expect Head Coach Darko Rajakovic to deploy him as a mystery box type of screener, adding a level of unpredictability in screening actions that the Raptors don’t necessarily have. Graves showcased a growing comfort level in this role, experiencing success both as a roller and a popper. Webster highlighted Graves’ “high-process” during the post-draft press conference. It consistently shows when Graves makes secondary decisions after setting a pick.

These are skills that can’t be schemed against in the playoffs. When defences force the ball out of Barnes’ or Ingram’s hands, the hope is that it’s swung to someone incapable of consistently making the right decision or with a limited skill set. Graves projects as someone who is the opposite of that.

Like with Murray-Boyles, Raptors fans will realize that soon enough.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have traded the 29th pick of the 2026 NBA Draft to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for the 34th pick and a 2032 second-rounder. The Kings selected UConn’s Alex Karaban with Cleveland’s pick.

Trading back has become more common in recent years as second-round talent increases in quality. Teams have found gems in the backend of the draft this decade and are more inclined to cut costs by trading back than they were before.

This applies perfectly to the Cavs, who are looking to trim the most expensive roster in basketball by any means necessary. They’re already working to restructure James Harden’s deal while considering choosing between some of their role players this summer. All of this comes with the goal of ducking the second apron.

Trading the 29th pick brings them closer to that goal. A rookie who is selected in the first round is guaranteed a $3 million dollar contract. But a second-round pick will only get $1.35 million. That’s not a huge difference in the grand scheme of things, but the Cavs are counting every penny right now.

Adding to this, the Cavs aren’t expecting to rely on a rookie next season. This is a team that made multiple midseason trades last year and fought through consecutive seven-game series to reach the Eastern Conference Finals. That means they are all-in on winning, and late first-round picks rarely contribute that quickly.

That’s why it makes sense for the Cavs to trade back. Their primary focus is on competing for a title in the immediate future, and a developing prospect naturally won’t be their priority. Trimming the payroll and having flexibility is more important.

Of course, it’s also important to keep searching for talent on the margins while you compete. There’s no reason the Cavs should overlook their 34th pick, as it could still reap rewards. A prospect like Henri Veesar, who can space the floor at seven feet tall, could be a useful pickup in the second round.

Late on Monday night, the Brooklyn Nets acquired Julius Randle via trade, jettisoning Nic Claxton and moving five spots in the NBA Draft, from #33 to the back of the first round at #28.

On Tuesday night, Brooklyn selected Iowa State forward Joshua Jefferson with that pick, a player that wasn’t invited to the Green Room but showed up anyway and triumphantly made his way down from the stands when his name was called…

Jefferson, a 6’9″ 22-year-old, played two years at St. Mary’s before transferring to ISU for his final two seasons, where he developed a reputation as one of the best passing forwards in NCAA basketball. In 2025-26, he averaged 16/7/5 while securing All-America Second Team honors. The Nevada native also shot 34.5% from deep on over three attempts per game this season, both career-highs; though his stock dropped toward the end of the season, there had been often lottery buzz surrounding him.

Scouts commend his instincts for the game on both ends, racking up assists and deflections, though his athleticism at the next level is in question. How often can he finish at the rim, how often can he explode past defenders? Doesn’t he sound like a perfect Net? In any case, few prospects are better equipped to be making passing reads from the top of the key, as we saw Brooklyn’s bigs do frequently under Jordi Fernández last season.

Joshua Jefferson joins a crowded group of Nets on rookie contracts, now the eighth including the Flatbush Five, Mikel Brown Jr., and Noah Clowney. While Brooklyn could still trade him in the coming days or weeks, he does seem to fit their vision and could compete for rotation minutes as a rookie.

“I’m just a do-it-all forward,” said Jefferson. “I compete on the defensive side of the ball, I’m able to score, rebound, and facilitate. I think that’s my best attribute is just being able to connect the team and get a lot of assists.”

In a bit of a departure from Brooklyn’s recent draft history, Jefferson told reporters that he believes his physicality is his most translatable skill…

He also discussed the feedback he got from Brooklyn during the pre-draft process: “They felt I fit in a lot of spots because of my versatility. So I think I’m where I need to be; the Nets took a great chance on me and Im very thankful for that.”

• Nets go big with Iowa State All-American Josh Jefferson at No. 28 – Brian Lewis – New York Post
• Nets select F Joshua Jefferson with 28th pick in 2026 NBA Draft – Sharif Phillips-Keaton – USA TODAY

Mr. Arizona will get to begin his pro career in his home state.

Arizona forward Koa Peat was taken 30th overall in the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday night, the final selection of the first round. He was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks but is headed to the Phoenix Suns in a trade that also involved the New York Knicks.

The 6-foot-8 Peat helped the UA return to the Final Four for the first time in 25 years in his lone college season, averaging 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists. His career started with a bang, going for 30 points, seven rebounds and five assists against defending national champion Florida, and in the NCAA Tournament he averaged 17.2 points and 7.6 rebounds.

Yet a disappointing performance at the NBA Draft Combine in May led to speculation that Peat might opt to return to the UA for another season. The school had saved a roster spot was reportedly prepared to pay him a lot to come back, but Peat bet on himself and became the 29^th 1st-round pick to play for the Wildcats, moving past Indiana for 7th-most in NBA history.

Peat joins UA teammate Brayden Burries, who went 10th overall to the Milwaukee Bucks, to give the Wildcats multiple 1st-round selections for the sixth time in school history and first since 2022.

A native of Gilbert, Ariz., Peat won four state titles with Perry High School before joining the UA.

He is the second 1^st rounder in his family, as older brother Andrus Peat was taken in the 1^st round of the 2015 NFL Draft and is heading into his 12^th pro season. They’re the second siblings to be 1st-round picks in different sports, joining ex-ASU wide receiver Jordan Tyson (NFL, 2026) and 2024 NBA draftee Jaylon Tyson.

AJ Dybansta spent about as much time in a barber’s chair as he did on a basketball court to prepare for the NBA draft this week.

During a sitdown interview with ESPN analysts on Tuesday night, the former BYU star revealed he got a staggering amount of haircuts in the span of 48 hours to make sure he looked good for his big moment at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

“Three haircuts in two days,” Dybansta said, before adding that was a personal record for him.

Dybansta put his trust in Mario G Robinson’s clippers to make his hair pop for the special night, and Malika Andrews made it clear she was a fan of the stylist’s work.

“I gotta say my friend,” she told Dybansta while live on-air, “your lineup, it’s clean.”

Dybansta certainly agreed, as he called the cut “crispy,” before he gave a shoutout to Mario.

All eyes were on Dybansta and his hair earlier in the evening, when the Washington Wizards took him with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.

In addition to looking sharp in front of the crowd and their cameras, Dybansta also used the opportunity to show love to his father.

Dybansta requested Adam Silver introduce him by his real name, Anicet Dybansta Jr., to pay homage to his dad, Anicet Dybansta Sr.

“Everything I do is for him,” Dybansta said when addressing the temporary name change. “It’s the name he gave me. It’s really his name because he’s Sr. So I also wanted to honor him on this day too.”

Dybansta also said he’s already heard form a few of his new Wizards teammates, and he can’t wait to get his pro career started in D.C.

The Post’s Zach Braziller grades the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft.

1. Washington Wizards — AJ Dybantsa, F, BYU

The best player in his class since the eighth grade, the 6-foot-9 wing is wired to score. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him lead the league in scoring one day. Perhaps most importantly for the chronically rebuilding Wizards, Dybantsa is an intense competitor. He won’t just sit back and accept more losing.

Grade: A

2. Utah Jazz — Darryn Peterson, G, Kansas

There is some risk involved, despite Peterson’s prodigious talent. He was unreliable in his lone year at Kansas, missing 11 games and good chunks of several second halves due to an assortment of mysterious injuries. Nobody is questioning his talent — he has the highest upside of anyone in this draft.

Grade: A-

3. Memphis Grizzlies — Cameron Boozer, F, Duke

Boozer will enter the league with a chip on his shoulder. Ahead of the draft, the do-it-all forward said, “down the line, people are gonna look back and say that I should’ve been” in conversations to go No. 1. He has a point, as the fifth freshman ever to be the consensus National Player of the Year. Three of the other four — Anthony Davis, Zion Williamson, Cooper Flagg — all went No. 1. Only Kevin Durant went No. 2. Pretty good company for Boozer to keep.

Grade: A

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

In a regular year, Wilson is a No. 1 pick contender. That’s how loaded this class is. There isn’t a better athlete in this draft than this 6-foot-9 jumping jack of a prospect who averaged 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists as a freshman for the Tar Heels.

Grade: A

5. Los Angeles Clippers — Keaton Wagler, G, Illinois

Give me Mikel Brown Jr., Darius Acuff Jr. or Kingston Flemings over Wagler. This pick will age poorly. The Clippers passed on three better players — now and in the future.

Grade: D

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

At least the Nets didn’t reach for Wagler, thanks to the Clippers. I would’ve gone with Acuff from Arkansas, but as long as Brown’s back isn’t an issue — and the Nets met with him several times, so one would think they aren’t concerned about it — the shot-making guard out of Louisville has the potential to be a difference-maker in the backcourt.

Grade: B

7. Sacramenton Kings — Darius Acuff Jr., G, Arkansas

The Kings get a steal at No. 7, the second-best guard in this draft after Peterson. Acuff makes difficult shots and can run a team. The Clippers and Nets are going to regret passing on the 6-foot-2 playmaker.

Grade: A

8. Atlanta Hawks — Kingston Flemings, G, Houston

The young Hawks core adds a potential two-way dynamo in the Houston guard. If his 3-point shot comes along — while he made 38.7 percent as a freshman, he attempted only 2.9 per game — Flemings has All-Star capabilities. A tandem of Flemings and Dyson Daniels is a flat-out scary defensive duo on the perimeter.

Grade: A-

9. Dallas Mavericks — Morez Johnson Jr., F, Michigan

The Michigan Mavericks. New coach Dusty May is bringing one of his Wolverines with him to Dallas. Somewhat of a surprise considering where he was projected, but the 6-foot-9 Johnson profiles as an impact defender, a dogged rebounder, and there is offensive potential beyond what he has shown in two years of college.

Grade: B+

10. Milwaukee Bucks — Brayden Burries, G, Arizona

He is ready to contribute immediately and will get plenty of minutes for the rebuilding Bucks. Surprised Milwaukee didn’t take a bigger swing here, but it’s hard to argue against a well-coached, two-way player who shot better than expected — 39.1 percent from deep on 4.9 attempts — in his lone year of college.

Grade: B

11. Golden State Warriors – Yaxel Lendeborg, F, Michigan

The Warriors believe they can contend, and the 24-year-old Lendeborg will provide immediate help as a versatile defender, shotmaker and slasher. What a journey for the Pennsauken, N.J., native, who was working at a warehouse, thinking he was done with the sport. Now, he’s teammates with Stephen Curry.

Grade: B+

12. Oklahoma City Thunder – Aday Mara, C, Michigan

Welcome to the NBA, Aday. Now, go defend Victor Wembanyama, the Thunder’s nemesis. The 7-foot-3 center was one of the biggest risers over the past two months and winds up in the back end of the lottery after helping Michigan win its first national championship in 37 years.

Grade: B

13. Milwaukee Bucks – Nate Ament, F, Tennessee 

This is the swing I was talking about. The 6-foot-10 Ament needs to get stronger and be more efficient, but he has the length and shotmaking prowess teams covet on the wing. He is also used to tough coaching, after spending his freshman year with Rick Barnes at Tennessee.

Grade: A

14. Charlotte Hornets – Hannes Steinbach, F, Washington 

Charlotte fills a major need with the nation’s leading rebounder (11.8). The Hornets could lose Miles Bridges, Grant Williams and Josh Green in free agency, but land this German native who notched 22 double-doubles a year ago, tied for the most in the country with Boozer.

Grade: B

15. Chicago Bulls – Dailyn Swain, F, Texas

Loved the Bulls’ first pick of Wilson. Not nearly as high on this selection. Swain is a wing who doesn’t shoot well. He’s a slasher who will have to defend at a very high level to be a major contributor on a quality team.

Grade: C+

16. Oklahoma City Thunder — Bennett Stirz, G, Iowa 

The Thunder moved up a spot, sending the Grizzlies two second-round picks and No. 17 overall, to get the Iowa combo guard. The sharpshooting Stirtz can play on and off the ball and gives Oklahoma City another court-spacer.

Grade: B

17. Detroit Pistons – Ebuka Okorie, G, Stanford 

The Pistons are after offensive firepower to lighten the load on Cade Cunningham. Okorie, while undersized at 6-foot-1, makes sense with that in mind. But he’s going to have to improve as a 3-point shooter after shooting only 35.5 percent as a freshman to be productive at the next level.

Grade: C+

18. Charlotte Hornets – Christian Anderson, G, Texas Tech

This should’ve been the Pistons’ pick. Anderson is a lights-out shooter who improved considerably as a playmaker this past season. Prediction: Years from now, we’re going to wonder how he wasn’t a lottery pick.

Grade: A

19. Toronto Raptors – Allen Graves, F, Santa Clara 

Stretch four with an advanced feel for the game. Has offensive hub and glue guy potential. His ability to space the floor makes him a frontcourt fit next to Scottie Barnes.

Grade: B+

20. San Antonio Spurs – Jayden Quaintance, C, Kentucky

Gutsy risk by the Spurs. If the surgically repaired knee is right, this is a steal. Quaintance is a lottery talent, but health concerns dropped him to No. 20. The rim-protecting, rebounding athlete can play alongside Victor Wembanyama or back him up. The Spurs were too thin behind Wembanyama and this starts to address that weakness.

Grade: B+

21. Memphis Grizzlies — Karim Lopez, F, New Zealand Breakers

Memphis now has an intriguing forward tandem with Boozer and López. The hard-playing, physical López has elite athleticism that can make him into an upper-echelon defender. The jump shot, though, needs major work.

Grade: B

22. Philadelphia 76ers — Labaron Philon Jr., G, Alabama

Fantastic pick. Home run. One of the premier guards in the country joins one of the best young backcourts in the NBA. Philon with VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey is an explosive trio.

Grade: A

23. Atlanta Hawks — Zuby Ejiofor, F, St. John’s

The Hawks have just gained a lot of fans in Queens. The gritty Ejiofor, arguably the best Johnnie this century, becomes the school’s first first-round pick in 14 years, since Moe Harkless went 15th overall in 2012.

Grade: B+

24. Los Angeles Lakers — Cameron Carr, G, Baylor

Springy wing with in-the-arena range. Needs to get stronger and improve defensively but has the ability to be a microwave scorer. The Lakers were smart to move up for him. A lottery-level talent.

Grade: A-

25. Dallas Mavericks — Sergio De Larrea, G, Valencia Basket 

Grade: B 

Big point guard at 6-foot-6 who is a potential draft-and-stash. Highly regarded European prospect who is only 20 years old. The Knicks initially made the pick before sending it to the Mavericks. 

26. San Antonio Spurs — Tarris Reed Jr., C, Connecticut 

The Spurs aren’t messing around with their big-man depth. First was Quaintance and now Reed, centers with vastly different styles. Reed is an old-school big, a back-to-the-basket player who has made strides as a defender and rebounder. 

Grade: B 

27. Boston Celtics — Chris Cenac Jr., C, Houston 

The 6-foot-10 forward didn’t have the freshman year many expected and fell in the draft, nearly out of the first round. Still has the measurables, namely in his 7-foot-5 wingspan, that teams desire. 

Grade: C 

28. Brooklyn Nets — Joshua Jefferson, F, Iowa State 

One of my favorite players in this draft. Does everything well as a versatile 6-foot-8 forward. Most of all, he is used to winning and will impact the Nets in a positive manner. He’s a culture builder. 

Grade: A 

29. Sacramento Kings — Alex Karaban, F, Connecticut 

Karaban can make shots and space the floor, but defending wings at the next level will be a very tall task for him. He’s a limited athlete. 

Grade: D 

30. Phoenix Suns — Koa Peat, F, Arizona 

So, the Suns traded into the first round for a shooting-challenged forward who doesn’t profile as much of a defender and should’ve stayed in school? Yikes. 

Grade: F