Samwise NBA Newsletter
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Washington Wizards Select AJ Dybantsa No. 1 Overall
AJ Dybantsa, the top-ranked prospect in the 2026 class, was selected by the Washington Wizards with the first overall pick in the NBA Draft at Barclays Center on Wednesday night. The 6-foot-7 forward out of BYU led Division I in scoring this past season, averaging 25.5 points per game while shooting 51% from the field. The Wizards’ general manager called Dybantsa the “obvious” choice at No. 1. He joins a roster that includes All-Star guard Trae Young, who publicly welcomed the rookie to Washington and offered a hint about his jersey number.
Sources: NBA.com Yahoo Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Bucks Trade Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami Heat in Blockbuster Deal
After 14 years in Milwaukee, Giannis Antetokounmpo is headed to South Beach. The Milwaukee Bucks will send Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat for Tyler Herro, Kasparas Jakucionis, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, the No. 13 pick in the 2026 Draft, three future first-round picks, a pick swap, and a 2033 second-round selection. The deal becomes official July 6. Antetokounmpo and his agent informed the Bucks since May 2025 that he wanted a change of scenery. In Miami, Antetokounmpo pairs with All-Defensive big man Bam Adebayo, giving the Heat one of the NBA’s most formidable defensive frontcourt combinations.
Sources: ESPN Yahoo Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Utah Jazz Land Guard Darryn Peterson With No. 2 Pick
The Utah Jazz selected Kansas guard Darryn Peterson with the second overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Peterson averaged 20.2 points per game in his lone college season with the Jayhawks, establishing himself as one of the class’s most reliable scoring options. He is only the second No. 2 pick in Jazz franchise history, joining Darrell Griffith, selected out of Louisville in 1980. Peterson joins a Utah roster that includes Keyonte George, Ace Bailey, Lauri Markkanen, and Jaren Jackson Jr. Peterson expressed excitement, saying he and George could form “one of the best backcourts in the NBA.”
Sources: NBA.com Yahoo Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Memphis Grizzlies Nab Duke’s Cameron Boozer at No. 3
Duke forward Cameron Boozer went third overall to the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2026 NBA Draft, bringing a Naismith Award-winning season in tow. Boozer averaged 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists for the Blue Devils while shooting 39.1% from three, earning ACC Rookie of the Year, ACC Player of the Year, and national player of the year honors in a single season. At 6 feet 9 inches, he brings efficient scoring, elite passing, and versatility to Memphis. Boozer is expected to slot alongside center Zach Edey, giving the Grizzlies a formidable frontcourt pairing for the future.
Sources: Yahoo Sports SI.com Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Champion Knicks Trade Out of First Round, Stack Second-Round Capital
Flush off their first NBA championship in 53 years, the New York Knicks maneuvered aggressively on draft night to protect cap flexibility, trading out of the first round entirely. New York entered the draft holding the No. 24 overall pick, then executed a series of swaps with the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, and Phoenix Suns, moving back three spots and ultimately out of the first round in exchange for five second-round selections and cash. The Knicks then dealt picks Nos. 31 and 55 to Houston for picks Nos. 39 and 53, plus Sacramento’s 2029 second-round pick, accumulating assets with an eye toward staying below the second apron.
Sources: Yahoo Sports NBA.com Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Grizzlies Acquire Center Isaiah Stewart From Detroit Pistons
The Memphis Grizzlies added frontcourt depth by acquiring center Isaiah Stewart from the Detroit Pistons on draft night in exchange for three future second-round picks. Stewart, 25, averaged 10 points on 55% shooting with five rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game off the bench for Detroit, finishing seventh in Sixth Man of the Year voting after a Pistons season that topped 60 wins for the first time in 20 years. Detroit clears approximately $15 million in cap space with the deal, creating flexibility for the Cade Cunningham-led team to target a scoring option this summer.
Sources: Yahoo Sports ESPN Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
UNC’s Henri Veesaar Slides to No. 52, Lands With Atlanta Hawks
North Carolina center Henri Veesaar, considered a potential first-round pick after an excellent junior season at UNC, unexpectedly slid all the way to No. 52 in the 2026 NBA Draft. The Los Angeles Clippers selected him and immediately traded him to the Atlanta Hawks for the No. 57 pick and cash considerations. Scouting reports cited concerns about Veesaar’s two-way play — specifically his defense and rebounding as a seven-footer — as drivers of the fall. The slide came at significant personal cost: Veesaar had declined an NIL deal worth more than $5 million to remain in what turned out to be one of the strongest draft classes in recent memory.
Sources: Yahoo Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
LeBron James Free Agency Decision Looms as Lakers Face Uncertain Future
With NBA free agency opening June 30, the league’s biggest storyline centers on 41-year-old LeBron James, whose two-year, $101 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers has expired, making him an unrestricted free agent. Initial talks between James’ camp and Lakers management have been minimal, with no contract numbers exchanged and James not committing to playing next season, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne. James has indicated his decision on retirement or continued playing may not crystallize until August. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors have been named as potential alternatives. The Lakers hold exclusive negotiating rights through June 30.
Sources: Yahoo Sports ESPN Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
2026 NBA Playoffs — Final Results
Eastern Conference
Conference Finals: Knicks def. 76ers, 4–0
Western Conference
Conference Finals: Spurs def. Thunder, 4–3
NBA Finals
🏆 New York Knicks def. San Antonio Spurs, 4–1
Jalen Brunson named Finals MVP — Knicks’ first title since 1973
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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