NBA Basketball 3 Days

Last updated: June 26, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

NBA Draft & Offseason Moves

The NBA draft saw the Washington Wizards select AJ Dybantsa with the first overall pick, opting for the BYU prospect over Kansas' Darryn Peterson. Dybantsa, who will wear No. 4 for the Wizards, was one of several highly touted prospects to hear their names called, with Cameron Boozer landing at No. 3 to the Memphis Grizzlies and North Carolina's Caleb Wilson going fourth to the Chicago Bulls. Beyond the top selections, the draft also featured notable players like Duke's Isaiah Evans, who went in the second round, and Karim Lopez, who became the first player born in Mexico to be drafted in the first round before being traded to the Grizzlies. Early projections for the 2027 draft are already surfacing, with Tyran Stokes among the top prospects to watch.

In significant contractual news, restricted free agent Mark Williams is set to re-sign with the Phoenix Suns on a three-year, $38 million deal. Guard Coby White also intends to return to the Charlotte Hornets, agreeing to a three-year, $74 million contract. Meanwhile, Al Horford plans to continue his career with the Golden State Warriors, reportedly signing a two-year, $14 million deal. Lakers star Austin Reaves is also expected to stay in Los Angeles, with intentions to sign a four-year, $185 million maximum contract extension.

The Hornets appear to be active in trade discussions, with sources indicating they are seriously pursuing talks for star point guard LaMelo Ball. These discussions involve multiple teams aggressively pursuing Ball, who is reportedly being traded to the Timberwolves along with Josh Green, in exchange for Naz Reid and draft picks. On the trade front, the Detroit Pistons are sending Isaiah Stewart to the Memphis Grizzlies for three future second-round picks. The Boston Celtics are also reportedly engaged in trade talks for All-Star forward Jaylen Brown, though team president Brad Stevens stated Brown remains a "big part of us."

Coaching & Franchise Developments

The Portland Trail Blazers have named Micah Nori their new head coach, a move that has drawn criticism from some in the coaching community. Bickerstaff, president of the National Basketball Coaches Association, called the structure of Nori's contract a "slap in the face" to coaches. Nori himself expressed gratitude for the opportunity, having been a second choice for several NBA teams before landing the Blazers' top spot. In other franchise news, Trail Blazers governor Tom Dundon is firm in his stance that only public funds should be used for the proposed $600 million renovation of the Moda Center.

In a unique situation, draftee Narcisse Ngoy, selected 57th overall, has opted to play college basketball at Auburn next season instead of joining the NBA. This decision comes as other draft picks are already making their fashion statements, with AJ Dybantsa's choice of jersey number and style drawing attention. Dybantsa's selection has also drawn commentary from existing players, including Trae Young, who welcomed the No. 1 pick to Washington, and an early look at potential 2027 draftees like Tyran Stokes.

Player & Team Commentary

Golden State Warriors legend Stephen Curry has publicly commented on his new teammate Yaxel Lendeborg's draft selection, with Lendeborg himself admitting he "used to hate Steph" as a Kyrie Irving fan. Aces coach Becky Hammon has also addressed her previous criticisms of Knicks star Jalen Brunson, stating her "opinion was wrong" but not apologizing for holding it. She acknowledged Brunson's unique ability to defy general assumptions about smaller guards leading teams.

Fantasy basketball analysts are already dissecting the impact of offseason moves, including the potential fantasy benefits for players like Tyler Herro following a hypothetical trade involving Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the fantasy implications of Julius Randle's move to Brooklyn. The league is also preparing for various events, with Kevin Durant set to coach in a 3x3 charity tournament for USA Basketball.