Samwise NBA Newsletter
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Giannis Trade Talks Intensify, With Heat Emerging as Frontrunner
Trade talks surrounding Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo have intensified over the past week to ten days, with the Miami Heat emerging as the most likely destination, according to league sources cited by NBC Sports. Antetokounmpo has focused on wanting to join Miami, though the Bucks reportedly are not in love with the Heat’s package centered on Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and picks including No. 13 in this draft. The Boston Celtics remain involved, with a potential offer built around Jaylen Brown. Milwaukee continues discussions with multiple teams, with a resolution expected before the June 23 draft.
Sources: NBC Sports · Sports Illustrated
Bulls Hire Tiago Splitter as Head Coach to Succeed Billy Donovan
The Chicago Bulls hired Tiago Splitter as their new head coach, the team announced Tuesday, June 16. Splitter, 41, succeeds Billy Donovan, who stepped down after the season. Splitter spent last season as Portland’s interim coach, guiding the Trail Blazers to a 42-40 record and a playoff berth as the No. 7 seed after Chauncey Billups was placed on leave following federal charges. Bulls executive vice president Bryson Graham said Splitter stood apart for his basketball intellect and ability to develop players. A former Spurs center who won a 2014 title, Splitter beat out finalists including Micah Nori and Wes Unseld Jr.
Sources: NBC Sports · Yahoo Sports
Wizards Center Alex Sarr Has Surgery to Repair Fractured Right Foot
Washington Wizards center Alex Sarr underwent surgery to repair a fractured right foot and is expected to be healthy for the start of next season, the team announced. The 7-foot, 21-year-old big man sustained the injury on a contact play during an offseason workout late last week. Sarr, drafted second overall in 2024, is entering his third season after averaging 16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in 48 games last year. Washington, which acquired Trae Young and Anthony Davis to accelerate its rebuild, hopes Sarr remains central to its plans alongside the franchise’s upcoming No. 1 overall draft pick.
Sources: Sports Illustrated · TheRX
Darryn Peterson Visits Wizards, Declines Meetings With Other Teams
Top draft prospect Darryn Peterson has visited the Washington Wizards, who hold the No. 1 overall pick, but does not plan to meet with any other team, sources told ESPN. The Kansas guard’s camp reportedly is declining additional meetings out of belief that Washington will select him first overall. BYU wing AJ Dybantsa, the other leading candidate for the top pick, has visited both the Wizards and the Utah Jazz, who own the No. 2 selection. Rival lottery teams have taken note of Peterson’s decision to grant access only to Washington. Round 1 begins June 23 at 8 p.m. ET.
Sources: Yahoo Sports
Updated Mock Draft Projects Dybantsa, Peterson, Boozer as Top Three
With the NBA draft one week away, ESPN released an updated mock projecting all 60 picks for the June 23-24 event at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer remain the consensus top three, all viewed as franchise-caliber prospects. The Washington Wizards hold the No. 1 pick, followed by the Utah Jazz at No. 2. ESPN noted the race between Dybantsa and Peterson could come down to which team picks and what it values, with very little separating their talent. Teams across the league continue awaiting a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade expected to shape draft night.
Sources: ESPN
Walker Kessler at Odds With Jazz Over Restricted Free Agency
Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler is at odds with the team’s front office over its handling of his restricted free agency, The Salt Lake Tribune reported. Kessler is upset that the Jazz never offered a contract extension and has leveraged their right of first refusal to limit his market. The Indiana Pacers tried to trade for the 24-year-old before instead acquiring Ivica Zubac, according to The Athletic. The Los Angeles Lakers, prioritizing a long-term answer at center, are among teams monitoring Kessler closely. As a restricted free agent once the window opens June 30, Kessler can sign an offer sheet that Utah may match within 48 hours.
Sources: Salt Lake Tribune · Hoops Rumors
Trae Young Faces June 23 Player Option Deadline in Washington
Washington Wizards guard Trae Young faces a June 23 deadline to exercise his $48.9 million player option for the 2026-27 season, a move multiple reports consider unlikely. If Young declines, he has until June 30 to sign an extension with Washington carrying a maximum value of three years and $156 million, though reports project a deal closer to $120 million through 2028-29. The Hawks traded Young to Washington in January. The prevailing expectation is that the 27-year-old stays with the Wizards on a new long-term deal, though a few teams have weighed pursuing the point guard, according to Yahoo Sports.
Sources: Yahoo Sports
Austin Reaves Draws Nets Interest as Lakers Seek to Re-Sign Him
Lakers guard Austin Reaves is expected to draw strong interest in free agency, with the Brooklyn Nets prepared to offer a four-year deal worth roughly $178.5 million, according to NBC Sports. Reaves holds a $14.9 million player option and is widely expected to decline it before free agency opens June 30. Los Angeles can offer a five-year maximum worth about $239.3 million and remains expected to re-sign him, though the final figure is the central question. Atlanta and Detroit are also among Eastern Conference teams interested in the 28-year-old, giving Reaves leverage during the Lakers’ exclusive negotiating window.
Sources: NBC Sports · Yahoo Sports
2026 NBA Playoffs — Final Result
NBA Finals: New York Knicks def. San Antonio Spurs — series 4–1 (clinched June 13, 94–90 in Game 5)
Finals MVP: Jalen Brunson (45 points in Game 5; first Knicks title since 1973)
Season over — 2026 NBA Draft June 23–24, free agency opens June 30
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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