Samwise NBA Newsletter
Saturday, June 27, 2026
AJ Dybantsa Selected No. 1 Overall by Washington Wizards in 2026 NBA Draft
The Washington Wizards selected BYU forward AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft on Thursday at Barclays Center. Dybantsa, 19, led Division I with 25.5 points per game in his lone BYU season, shooting 51 percent from the field and breaking a 48-year-old program scoring record. The 6-foot-9 forward projects as a Day 1 starter in Washington alongside Trae Young and Anthony Davis. Utah Jazz selected Kansas guard Darryn Peterson at No. 2, Memphis Grizzlies took Duke’s Cameron Boozer at No. 3, and Chicago Bulls chose North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson at No. 4.
Sources: Yahoo Sports ESPN Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Bucks Trade Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami Heat in Pre-Draft Blockbuster
The Milwaukee Bucks agreed to send two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat in a seismic pre-draft trade. Milwaukee received Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, three first-round picks including No. 13 in the 2026 Draft, one pick swap, and a second-round pick. The Bucks used No. 13 to select Nate Ament. The deal finalizes July 6 per NBA calendar rules. In Miami, Giannis joins Bam Adebayo, creating one of the most imposing defensive frontcourts in the league. The move ends his 13-season run in Milwaukee following months of trade deliberation.
Sources: ESPN ESPN Trade Grades Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Charlotte Trades LaMelo Ball to Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid and Draft Capital
The Charlotte Hornets traded franchise cornerstone LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three second-round picks, and first-round swap rights in 2028, 2029, and 2030. Charlotte is also expected to re-sign Coby White in the immediate aftermath. Ball had three years remaining on his contract and was eligible for a two-year, $119.2 million extension starting July 6. For Minnesota, Ball forms a new backcourt alongside Anthony Edwards. The deal was finalized just 12 hours after trade conversations first accelerated, per reports.
Isaiah Hartenstein Agrees to Three-Year, $75 Million Extension With Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein agreed to a new three-year, $75 million contract extension, tying him to the franchise through the 2028–29 season, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. The deal includes a 15 percent trade kicker and a mutual option allowing both sides to renegotiate before the final season in 2028. Oklahoma City declined Hartenstein’s prior $28.5 million team option in favor of the new agreement. In two seasons with the Thunder, Hartenstein averaged 10.3 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists as the starting center. His new contract brings his total guaranteed earnings with Oklahoma City to five years and $134 million.
Sources: ESPN Yahoo Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Boston Celtics Engage Trade Talks on Jaylen Brown After Missing on Giannis
The Boston Celtics are actively engaged in trade discussions surrounding All-NBA forward Jaylen Brown in the wake of their failed bid to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. Brown, who averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists in 2025–26 and earned All-NBA Second Team honors, has not requested a trade, per league sources. Boston’s asking price is reportedly a minimum of four first-round picks. The Houston Rockets, New Orleans Pelicans, and Cleveland Cavaliers have all held trade dialogue with the Celtics. Brown still has three years and nearly $182 million remaining on his current contract, complicating any potential deal.
Sources: Yahoo Sports ESPN Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
LeBron James’ Future With Lakers Unresolved as Free Agency Opens June 30
LeBron James enters NBA free agency this summer with his future unresolved, as his two-year, $101 million Lakers contract has expired. The negotiation period opens June 30, giving Los Angeles until that date for exclusive talks before other teams may approach him. James has not committed to returning or to a 24th NBA season, with retirement also a possibility. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors are among teams with potential interest. No contract figures have been discussed between James and the Lakers organization, and the two sides have had only limited communication since the end of the 2025–26 season.
Sources: Yahoo Sports ESPN Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Exercises $21.6 Million Player Option, Returns to Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope exercised his $21.6 million player option for the 2026–27 season, choosing to remain in Memphis for the final year of his three-year, $66 million contract, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. Caldwell-Pope, 33, joined the Grizzlies from the Orlando Magic last offseason and averaged 8.4 points, 2.7 assists, and 2.5 rebounds over 51 games before undergoing surgery on a misaligned right pinkie finger in February, missing the final 31 games of the season. His return provides veteran shooting guard depth to Memphis heading into the 2026–27 season.
2026 NBA Playoffs — Final Results
Eastern Conference
🏆 CHAMPIONS: New York Knicks
Finals: Knicks def. Spurs 4–1
ECF: Knicks def. Cavaliers 4–0
First Round
Knicks def. Hawks
Cavaliers def. Raptors (7 games)
Pistons def. Magic
Celtics def. 76ers
Western Conference
Finals: Spurs def. Thunder 4–3 (G7)
WCF: Spurs def. Thunder 4–3
First Round
Thunder def. Suns
Spurs def. Trail Blazers
Timberwolves def. Nuggets
Lakers def. Rockets (6 games)
Finals MVP: Jalen Brunson (NYK) — 32.6 PPG, 45 pts in Game 5 clincher
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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