NBA Basketball 24 Hours

Last updated: June 24, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

NBA DRAFT & PLAYER MOVEMENT

The 2026 NBA Draft officially kicked off with the Washington Wizards selecting AJ Dybantsa with the first overall pick, opting for the BYU star over Kansas' Darryn Peterson. Peterson ultimately landed with the Utah Jazz at pick number two, while the Memphis Grizzlies continued their rebuild by taking Duke's Cameron Boozer at number three. The Chicago Bulls bolstered their frontcourt by selecting North Carolina's Caleb Wilson with the fourth pick, hailed as perhaps the draft's best athlete with significant upside according to draft insiders. Morez Johnson Jr., a Michigan forward, was taken ninth by the Mavericks and reunited with former Wolverines coach Dusty May, becoming one of three Michigan players selected in the lottery alongside Yaxel Lendeborg, who was drafted 11th by the Warriors. Karim Lopez made history as the first Mexico-born player selected in the first round, going 21st to the Detroit Pistons before being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Fantasy basketball managers are assessing the fallout from various offseason moves, with Andre Snellings and Eric Moody breaking down the fantasy impact of recent trades, including Julius Randle's move to Brooklyn. Snellings has also identified 2026 draft picks with fantasy potential. Meanwhile, Lakers guard Austin Reaves intends to sign a four-year, $185 million maximum contract to return to Los Angeles, including a player option for the 2029-30 season.

TEAM & COACHING NEWS

Amidst reported trade talks for Jaylen Brown, Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens stated that the star forward remains "valued" by the organization and a "big part of us." In Milwaukee, Bucks GM Jon Horst declined to discuss specifics regarding superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo but repeatedly emphasized a theme of "building" following the team's draft selections. Aces coach Becky Hammon acknowledged that Knicks star Jalen Brunson has reached a unique level of play, but maintained her stance that smaller guards generally don't lead teams to championships, stating her prior opinion on Brunson was wrong but she wouldn't apologize for holding it. She further clarified that Brunson is an "outlier" in her assessment of guard play.

LEAGUE & PLAYER NOTES

Kevin Durant, a decorated Olympian and USA Basketball's all-time leading scorer, is set to take on a coaching role in a 3x3 charity tournament this summer. The second round of the NBA draft continues to produce significant talent, with players like Jalen Brunson and Nikola Jokić having emerged as standouts from later selections. The league's next generation of stars, including Boozer and Dybantsa, made a stylish entrance for the 2026 draft proceedings in Brooklyn.