Samwise NBA Newsletter
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Washington Wizards Select AJ Dybantsa No. 1 Overall in 2026 NBA Draft
The Washington Wizards selected BYU forward AJ Dybantsa with the first overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday night, ending months of speculation about the top selection. Dybantsa, 19, led all of Division I with 25.5 points per game during his lone season at BYU, shooting 51 percent from the field and showcasing elite athleticism and scoring versatility. The Massachusetts native joins a retooled Washington roster featuring Trae Young, Anthony Davis and Alex Sarr, giving the Wizards a potential Day 1 starter at the wing. Analysts awarded Washington an A-plus grade for the selection.
Sources: ESPN, Yahoo Sports
Giannis Antetokounmpo Traded to Miami Heat in Predraft Blockbuster
The Milwaukee Bucks closed the book on the Giannis Antetokounmpo era in a predraft blockbuster, sending the two-time MVP and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat for Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, three first-round picks including No. 13, one pick swap and a second-rounder. Antetokounmpo informed Milwaukee repeatedly since May 2025 that he wanted a trade. Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslem ultimately chose Miami’s offer over a Boston package centered on Jaylen Brown, concerned Brown would eventually also seek a departure. Miami becomes eligible to offer Antetokounmpo a four-year, $275 million extension six months after the trade is finalized.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, ESPN
Peterson Goes No. 2 to Jazz, Boozer No. 3 to Grizzlies, Wilson No. 4 to Bulls
After AJ Dybantsa went first to Washington, three highly regarded prospects followed in rapid succession at Tuesday’s 2026 NBA Draft. Kansas guard Darryn Peterson landed with the Utah Jazz at No. 2, providing a taller scoring backcourt option to complement Keyonte George. Memphis selected Naismith Award winner Cameron Boozer — a Duke forward — third overall, while North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson went to the Chicago Bulls at No. 4. Analysts noted both Boozer and Wilson were prospects who would have topped many previous draft classes. The 2026 class is widely considered the deepest in years.
Sources: ESPN, Yahoo Sports
Champion Knicks Turn No. 24 Pick Into Five Second-Round Selections
The New York Knicks executed a series of draft night trades Tuesday, converting their No. 24 first-round selection into five second-round picks and cash. The Knicks initially selected Baylor wing Cameron Carr, then dealt him to the Dallas Mavericks for the No. 30 pick and two second-rounders. They subsequently traded No. 30 — Koa Peat — to the Phoenix Suns for three additional second-round selections. Owner James Dolan has committed to keeping the club below the second tax apron. Restricted free agent Mohamed Diawara has indicated his intention to sign a multiyear deal worth more than $10 million to return to New York.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, SI
OKC Thunder Trades Up to Land Iowa's Bennett Stirtz at No. 16
The Oklahoma City Thunder moved up one slot at the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday, trading the No. 16 pick and two future second-rounders to the Memphis Grizzlies to select Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz. Stirtz played his way from Division II basketball to Drake to Iowa, averaging 19.8 points on 47.7 percent shooting with 4.4 assists per game in his lone Hawkeye season. Stirtz reacted publicly to joining OKC, a franchise that has established itself as one of the league’s elite development organizations behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a roster built through systematic drafting.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, Yahoo Sports
Celtics Listening to Jaylen Brown Trade Offers After Missing on Giannis
The Boston Celtics are entertaining trade offers for Jaylen Brown following the team’s unsuccessful pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, who reported the news during Tuesday’s predraft coverage. Brown has roughly three years and $183 million remaining on his contract. Houston, Atlanta and Portland have been identified as potential suitors. The Celtics had positioned Brown as the centerpiece of a Giannis bid that Milwaukee declined in favor of Miami’s package. Analyst Brian Windhorst noted there remains a meaningful chance Brown stays in Boston alongside Jayson Tatum, as trade talks are expected to take considerable time.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, Yahoo Sports
Timberwolves Send Julius Randle and No. 28 Pick to Brooklyn Nets
The Minnesota Timberwolves moved Julius Randle on Tuesday draft night, sending the veteran forward and their No. 28 first-round selection to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for the No. 33 pick and Mouhamadou Gueye. As part of the same deal, Brooklyn sent center Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls. Minnesota had been gauging Randle’s trade value throughout the offseason as the franchise looks to reshape its roster. The No. 28 pick gives Brooklyn additional draft capital as the Nets continue a long-term rebuild. Separately, Chicago also added Caleb Wilson as the No. 4 overall pick in Tuesday’s draft.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, ESPN
2026 NBA Finals — Final Results
Eastern Conference Champion
🏆 New York Knicks — 2026 NBA Champions
Defeated San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 (NBA Finals)
First Knicks title in 53 years
Western Conference Champion
San Antonio Spurs — Western Conference Finals winners
Lost 2026 NBA Finals to New York Knicks in Game 5
NBA offseason underway — 2026 Draft Round 1 complete — Round 2 tonight
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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