Samwise NBA Newsletter
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Giannis Focused on Heat as Bucks Resist Miami’s Offer, Windhorst Says
Giannis Antetokounmpo is focused on joining the Miami Heat, but the Milwaukee Bucks do not love Miami’s offer, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported Monday on Get Up. Windhorst said an Antetokounmpo trade should happen soon, though the destination remains unclear despite the two-time MVP’s preference. He said talks have intensified over the past seven to 10 days, with third and fourth teams involved. Miami’s expected package includes Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., either Pelle Larsson or Kasparas Jakucionis and up to three first-round picks. Windhorst added that the Boston Celtics have emerged as a threat, with Jaylen Brown likely central to any Boston offer.
Sources: Hoops Rumors · RealGM
Bulls Reach Deal to Hire Tiago Splitter as Head Coach
The Chicago Bulls have reached a deal to hire Portland Trail Blazers interim coach Tiago Splitter as their new head coach, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Monday. Splitter, 41, succeeds Billy Donovan, who departed in April. Splitter guided Portland to a 42-40 record and the Western Conference’s No. 7 seed last season after stepping in amid the adversity stemming from Chauncey Billups’ federal charges. Charania reported Bulls executives landed on Splitter because of his leadership and focus on player development. Splitter was one of four finalists, alongside Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori, Hawks assistant Ryan Schmidt and current Bulls assistant Wes Unseld Jr.
Wizards Center Alex Sarr Has Surgery on Fractured Right Foot
Washington Wizards center Alex Sarr underwent surgery Monday on a fractured right foot, the team announced. Sarr, 21, sustained the injury last week during a workout that involved a contact play. The 7-footer is expected to be healthy by the start of the upcoming season, which will be his third NBA campaign. Selected No. 2 overall in the 2024 draft, Sarr averaged 16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game last season, though he was limited to 48 games by hamstring and toe injuries. The setback arrives as Washington holds the No. 1 overall pick in next week’s draft.
Sources: ESPN · Yahoo Sports
Walker Kessler Unhappy With Jazz Over Restricted Free Agency
Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler is unhappy with the team’s handling of his restricted free agency, Sam Amick of The Athletic reported. According to Amick, the Jazz have leveraged their right of first refusal to minimize Kessler’s market, leading the 24-year-old to strongly consider playing elsewhere down the line. Kessler was already frustrated after Utah declined to offer a rookie-scale extension last offseason. Beginning July 1, he could sign an offer sheet, pursue a sign-and-trade, or accept his $14.6 million qualifying offer toward unrestricted free agency next summer. League expectation remains that the Jazz will match any offer sheet Kessler signs.
Sources: Hoops Rumors · RealGM
Darryn Peterson to Work Out Only for No. 1 Pick Wizards
Kansas guard Darryn Peterson will work out only for the Washington Wizards ahead of the June 23 draft and does not plan to grant any other team a meeting, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Monday. Peterson’s decision is notable because Washington holds the No. 1 overall pick, and his camp believes he has a real chance to go first while preferring not to land with the Utah Jazz at No. 2. BYU wing AJ Dybantsa, long penciled in atop most boards, worked out for both Washington and Utah. Duke big man Cameron Boozer remains part of a tight top-pick race.
Sources: Yahoo Sports
Clippers Surface in Three-Team Framework for Jaylen Brown
A three-team trade framework circulating in league circles would send Boston Celtics wing Jaylen Brown to the Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Celtics and the Clippers’ No. 5 overall pick to the Bucks, Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal reported Monday. Sources stressed the framework is only one of several scenarios being modeled around a possible Antetokounmpo trade, and that no deal is considered close. The proposal highlights the Clippers’ newfound flexibility after landing a top-five pick and their aim to contend around Kawhi Leonard. Any Brown movement would hinge on Milwaukee finalizing a Giannis deal first.
Sources: Dallas Hoops Journal · Yahoo Sports
NBA Adds Six Prospects to Draft Green Room, Bringing Total to 20
The NBA extended green room invitations to six more prospects for the 2026 draft on Monday, bringing the total to 20 players, Yahoo Sports reported. The second wave included Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, Duke forward Cam Boozer, North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson, Illinois guard Keaton Wagler, Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr. and Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. Fourteen players were invited last week. The league determines invitations after asking teams to vote on the 25 prospects expected to come off the board first, so invitees can feel confident about first-round selection. The draft is set for June 23-24 in Brooklyn.
Sources: Yahoo Sports · Sports Illustrated
2026 NBA Draft Watch — June 23–24, Brooklyn
Top of the Board
No. 1 Washington Wizards — deciding between Dybantsa & Peterson
No. 2 Utah Jazz
Contenders for No. 1: AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer
Key Offseason Dates
June 23–24 — NBA Draft
June 30 — Free agency opens
Giannis trade deadline target: before the draft
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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