NBA Basketball 3 Days

Last updated: June 25, 2026, 5:31 PM ET

NBA DRAFT & PLAYER MOVEMENT

The 2026 NBA draft saw the Washington Wizards make a significant move by selecting AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 overall pick ushering in a new era. Dybantsa, who impressed coaches with his upside compared favorably to other top prospects, will wear the No. 4 jersey in D.C. hoping to turn the franchise's fortunes around. The Utah Jazz followed by taking Kansas guard Darryn Peterson at No. 2 after he was considered a potential top pick, while the Memphis Grizzlies bolstered their rebuild by selecting Duke's Cameron Boozer at No. 3 accelerating their club's reset. Other notable selections included North Carolina's Caleb Wilson to the Chicago Bulls at No. 4 touted as the best athlete with high upside, and Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. to the Dallas Mavericks at No. 9 reuniting with former coach Dusty May. The draft also saw Karim Lopez become the first player born in Mexico selected in the first round, going to the Detroit Pistons at No. 21 before being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies marking a historic selection.

Several key player transactions and contract situations have also emerged. Guard Coby White intends to sign a three-year, $74 million deal to return to the Charlotte Hornets according to sources. In a significant move, the Hornets are reportedly trading star guard LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid and multiple draft picks in a deal that sources say is progressing. Furthermore, Lakers star Austin Reaves is set to sign a four-year, $185 million maximum contract extension, including a player option for the 2029-30 season sources told ESPN. Veteran Al Horford plans to continue his career with the Golden State Warriors, intending to sign a two-year, $14 million contract once free agency opens next month he told ESPN. Amidst swirling trade rumors, Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens stated that Jaylen Brown remains "a big part of us" despite active discussions, though multiple teams are reportedly interested in acquiring the All-Star forward sources indicate.

The blockbuster trade of Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat has sent shockwaves through the league. The Bucks reportedly sent Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to the Heat in exchange for Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, and three first-round picks, including the No. 13 selection in the upcoming draft sources confirmed. This move is expected to significantly impact fantasy basketball leagues, with players like Tyler Herro potentially becoming beneficiaries of the new team structure according to fantasy analysts. Bucks GM Jon Horst remained tight-lipped about the specifics of the Antetokounmpo trade, instead emphasizing the team's ongoing "theme of building" he stated. The trade also involves a three-team deal that will see Julius Randle and the No. 28 pick go to the Nets, Nic Claxton to the Bulls, and Minnesota receiving the No. 33 pick sources reported.

FRANCHISE & ARENA NEWS

The Golden Knights founder and majority owner, Bill Foley, has announced his intention to launch a bid to bring an NBA franchise to Las Vegas he stated Monday. In Portland, Trail Blazers governor Tom Dundon is firm in his stance that public funds should exclusively finance the $600 million renovation of the Moda Center he is digging in his heels. Meanwhile, Pistons coach and National Basketball Coaches Association president J.B. Bickerstaff has criticized the contract structure of new Trail Blazers coach Micah Nori, calling it a "slap in the face to our members" he commented.

PLAYER & COACHING NOTES

Golden State Warriors legend Stephen Curry briefly commented on an Instagram post celebrating his new teammate, Yaxel Lendeborg, who admitted to being a Kyrie Irving fan growing up and "used to hate Steph" he shared. Aces coach Becky Hammon has acknowledged that Knicks star Jalen Brunson has achieved an elite status in the league, but she maintained her previous stance that smaller guards generally do not lead teams to championships, stating her initial opinion on Brunson "was wrong" but she is not apologizing for it she said Tuesday. The second round of the NBA draft has historically been a source of significant talent, with players like Jalen Brunson and Nikola Jokić emerging as prime examples as noted by analysts.

FANTASY BASKETBALL & COLLECTIBLES

Fantasy basketball analysts are evaluating the impact of offseason moves, including the trade of Julius Randle to the Brooklyn Nets, for fantasy league implications as broken down by experts. to the 2027 NBA draft, prospects like Tyran Stokes are already generating buzz, with discussions about whether he will remain the projected No. 1 pick early mock drafts suggest. A 1-of-1 numbered 2018 Panini Prizm Choice Nebula rookie card of Jalen Brunson commanded a record-breaking $312,000 at a Fanatics Collect auction, setting a new benchmark for any Brunson card the sale occurred.