Basketball

Hornets trade LaMelo Ball, Josh Green to Timberwolves for Naz Reid, draft picks, AP source says

Steve Reed, The Associated Press 3 minute read Updated: 9:25 AM CDT

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Charlotte Hornets have agreed to trade guards LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves for power forward Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round draft pick, three first-round pick swaps and three future second-round picks, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Thursday.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal, first reported by ESPN, has yet to be approved by the league.

The three first-round pick swaps will be in 2028, 2029 and 2030. The Hornets also will get three second-round picks in 2029, 2032 and 2033.

Ball, an All-Star in 2022, has struggled with ankle and foot injuries during his career, but he played in 72 games last season and averaged 20.1 points, 7.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game.

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Basketball

Spurs and Thunder go big, Acuff-Brown is a matchup to watch and other takeaways from the NBA draft

Brian Mahoney, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Spurs and Thunder go big, Acuff-Brown is a matchup to watch and other takeaways from the NBA draft

Brian Mahoney, The Associated Press 6 minute read 5:00 AM CDT

NEW YORK (AP) — The San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder were thinking big. Darius Acuff Jr. and Mikel Brown Jr. might be a matchup to watch among smalls.

And the one-and-done era is far from done.

Those were some of the things that stood out from the two-day NBA draft in Brooklyn, which started with the Washington Wizards taking AJ Dybantsa on Tuesday night with the No. 1 pick and continued with a number of trades in the second round Wednesday night. Among the things that stood out in between:

Spurs vs. Thunder on the court and in the draft

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5:00 AM CDT

Basketball

Jazz take Darryn Peterson at No. 2 in effort to close the gap with Thunder, Northwest Division foes

Pat Graham, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Jazz take Darryn Peterson at No. 2 in effort to close the gap with Thunder, Northwest Division foes

Pat Graham, The Associated Press 6 minute read Yesterday at 10:29 PM CDT

DENVER (AP) — The usually stoic Darryn Peterson couldn’t mask his feelings after being taken by Utah with the No. 2 overall pick in the NBA draft on Tuesday night.

His grandfather was crying. His mom was crying. So the Kansas standout got a little emotional, too.

“It was surreal,” Peterson said, “to hear my name.”

Now, the real work begins as Peterson tries to help the Jazz turn the corner inside a deep and competitive Northwest Division. Utah finished 42 games behind Oklahoma City last season — and the Thunder only got bigger (taking Michigan 7-foot-3 center Aday Mara) and acquired more shooting (picking up Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz).

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Yesterday at 10:29 PM CDT

Basketball

Mikel Brown Jr., right, poses for a photo with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, left, after being selected by the Brooklyn Nets with the No. 6 overall pick in the NBA Draftin the first round of the NBA basketball draft, Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nets put faith in Lousville guard Mikel Brown Jr., 2 forward in hopes of flipping franchise

Steve Reed, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Nets put faith in Lousville guard Mikel Brown Jr., 2 forward in hopes of flipping franchise

Steve Reed, The Associated Press 6 minute read Yesterday at 10:22 PM CDT

The Brooklyn Nets selected an NBA-record five first-round draft picks last year but didn’t have much to show for their investment, winning just 26 games in 2025-26.

They hope this year’s No. 6 overall pick Mikel Brown Jr. can help change the trajectory of the franchise.

The Nets, who were the only team in the Atlantic Division to finish last season without a winning record, took a chance on the Louisville scoring guard in Tuesday night’s draft in the hopes he can be the breakout player who’ll ignite a struggling franchise.

The Nets also added a pair of 6-foot-8 forwards, selecting Iowa State’s Joshua Jefferson with the 28th pick and UCLA’s Tyler Bilodeau in the second round.

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Yesterday at 10:22 PM CDT

Basketball

Natasha Howard, Olivia Miles lead Lynx to win over Mystics

The Associated Press 3 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 11:40 PM CDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Natasha Howard had 21 points and a season-high 15 rebounds, Olivia Miles scored 10 of her 21 points in the fourth quarter, and the Minnesota Lynx rallied from a 12-point deficit Wednesday night to beat the Washington Mystics 78-76.

Kayla McBride made five 3-pointers and finished with 19 points for the Lynx (14-4).

Miles hit a step-back jumper that cut Minnesota’s deficit to a point with 3:32 to play. After a Mystics timeout, the Lynx forced a shot-clock violation before Miles fed Howard for a wide-open layup that made it 72-71 — Minnesota’s first lead since 17-16 — and hit a 3 with 1:07 remaining that made it 78-74.

McBride hit the last of her four first-half 3-pointers with 1.1 seconds left in the second quarter to make it 40-all at halftime, but the Lynx made just 3 of 16 (19%) from the field in the third and trailed 65-53 with seven minutes to play.

Basketball

The NBA draft brings more paint presence to the Southwest Division with a plethora of big men

Brett Martel, The Associated Press 7 minute read Preview

The NBA draft brings more paint presence to the Southwest Division with a plethora of big men

Brett Martel, The Associated Press 7 minute read Updated: 12:32 AM CDT

The NBA's Southwest Division could become a showcase next season for rookies who do their best work in the paint.

Memphis took Duke forward Cameron Boozer third overall in the NBA draft Tuesday night and added forward Karim Lopez of Mexico later in the first round.

The Dallas Mavericks used their top draft choice to select Morez Johnson Jr. at ninth overall from the reigning NCAA national champion Michigan — just hours after announcing they had hired new coach Dusty May away from the Wolverines.

The defending Western Conference champions added a big man, too. The San Antonio Spurs took Kentucky forward and center Jayden Quaintance at 20th overall — and then traded for another big man — UConn's Tarris Reed Jr. — at No. 26.

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Updated: 12:32 AM CDT

Basketball

Clippers take Wagler, Kings add Acuff as NBA’s Pacific Division loads up on promising guards

David Brandt, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Clippers take Wagler, Kings add Acuff as NBA’s Pacific Division loads up on promising guards

David Brandt, The Associated Press 6 minute read Yesterday at 10:01 PM CDT

The Los Angeles Clippers selected Keaton Wagler and the Sacramento Kings took Darius Acuff Jr. in this week's NBA draft, with both teams using top 10 picks on young, high-scoring guards they hope will be franchise cornerstones for years to come.

Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors grabbed seasoned forward Yaxel Lendeborg at No. 11, adding a 23-year-old who could provide an immediate impact as the franchise tries to capitalize on the final years of Stephen Curry's prime.

Wagler was the No. 5 pick on Tuesday night, giving the Clippers an all-around player who was part of the country’s loaded freshman class. The 19-year-old is the third Fighting Illini player selected in the top 10 in the modern NBA era, joining Deron Williams (No. 3, 2005) and Kendall Gill (No. 5, 1990).

“I’ve got to continue to prove myself to show everyone that I belong here and can be one of the best players in this league,” Wagler said.

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Yesterday at 10:01 PM CDT

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Basketball

AJ Dybantsa, right, poses for a photo with NBA commissioner Adam Silver, left, after being selected by the Washington Wizards as the first pick in the first round of the NBA basketball draft, Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Wizards move up in 2nd round to select Okpara after making Dybantsa the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft

Charles Odum, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Wizards move up in 2nd round to select Okpara after making Dybantsa the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft

Charles Odum, The Associated Press 5 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 9:52 PM CDT

The Washington Wizards moved up in the second round to draft Tennessee forward Felix Okpara on Wednesday night, one night after making BYU forward AJ Dybantsa the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft.

The Wizards began the night with two second-round picks before acquiring the No. 46 pick from Orlando to add size with Okpara (6-11, 242).

Southeast Division teams made news in a busy week leading up to the draft.

The Miami Heat claimed the biggest headline of the offseason when they acquired star Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night in exchange for a massive haul of players and draft picks.

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Updated: Yesterday at 9:52 PM CDT

Basketball

Toronto Raptors take Arizona guard Jaden Bradley 50th overall in NBA Draft

John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Toronto Raptors take Arizona guard Jaden Bradley 50th overall in NBA Draft

John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 11:04 PM CDT

Jaden Bradley has been keeping his eye on the Toronto Raptors, and now they're going to get to see him up close too.

Bradley was selected 50th overall by the Raptors in the second round of the NBA draft on Wednesday night. The six-foot-three guard said he's been following Toronto's defensive evolution closely and hopes to slot right in.

"Definitely paying attention, obviously, to Jamal Shead, Scottie Barnes, the other guys as well," said Bradley in a video conference call shortly after he was drafted. "They guard on the other end, I feel like that's big. That wins games."

Shead is an obvious comparable to Bradley.

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Updated: Yesterday at 11:04 PM CDT

Basketball

Duke’s Isaiah Evans lands with Minnesota in Round 2 of the NBA draft

Aaron Beard, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Duke’s Isaiah Evans lands with Minnesota in Round 2 of the NBA draft

Aaron Beard, The Associated Press 3 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 8:52 PM CDT

It took a little longer than he had hoped, but Duke's Isaiah Evans has his landing spot in the NBA draft.

The sophomore guard is heading to Minnesota, the move coming after the Brooklyn Nets selected Evans with the 33rd overall pick in Wednesday night's second round with a pick that will be shipped to the Timberwolves as part of a pre-draft trade.

The 6-foot-6, 186-pound Evans had a seat in the green room through Tuesday's first round, but ultimately spent a difficult night without hearing his name called by league commissioner Adam Silver to join him on stage in New York.

Evans wasn't among the list of attending prospects released by the NBA for Round 2.

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Updated: Yesterday at 8:52 PM CDT

Basketball

Keaton Wagler’s whirlwind leap from only two Power Five offers to the Clippers as the No. 5 pick

Beth Harris, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Keaton Wagler’s whirlwind leap from only two Power Five offers to the Clippers as the No. 5 pick

Beth Harris, The Associated Press 3 minute read Yesterday at 7:40 PM CDT

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — The unexpected rise of Keaton Wagler — from just two Power Five scholarship offers to the No. 5 pick in the NBA draft — has the 19-year-old guard's head spinning.

“It’s kind of crazy just seeing how fast things moved, especially kind of being underrecruited and underrated,” he said. ”I didn’t think it was going to happen this fast."

Wagler was introduced Wednesday to about 200 Los Angeles Clippers fans on the court at Intuit Dome. The overhead halo board welcomed him. He was accompanied on the trip by his parents, brother, sister and girlfriend.

Wagler spent three days with the Clippers in a predraft visit.

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Yesterday at 7:40 PM CDT

Basketball

FILE - Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) shoots after getting past Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren, center, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, right, in the first half of Game 1 in a second-round NBA basketball playoffs series May 5, 2026 in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips, File)

Lakers will re-sign Austin Reaves to a 4-year, $185 million deal, AP source says

Greg Beacham, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Lakers will re-sign Austin Reaves to a 4-year, $185 million deal, AP source says

Greg Beacham, The Associated Press 3 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 1:04 PM CDT

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Austin Reaves is re-signing with the Los Angeles Lakers on a four-year contract worth $185 million, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal is not yet official for Reaves, who cements his status as one of the most successful undrafted players in recent NBA history with this contract.

Reaves is declining his $14.9 million player option for the upcoming season to reach this deal with the team that signed him out of Oklahoma after the draft in 2021. The shifty guard has grown into one of the NBA's most effective scorers and playmakers, increasing his scoring average in every season of his five-year career.

The 28-year-old Reaves averaged 23.3 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds last season despite missing two significant chunks of the year with injuries that followed him into the postseason. He has also developed a close bond with his Lakers backcourt partner, NBA scoring champion Luka Doncic.

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Updated: Yesterday at 1:04 PM CDT

Basketball

Caleb Wilson, right, poses for a photo with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, left, after being selected by the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the NBA basketball draft, Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

NBA draft provides another look at Bryson Graham’s vision for the rebuilding Chicago Bulls

Jay Cohen, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

NBA draft provides another look at Bryson Graham’s vision for the rebuilding Chicago Bulls

Jay Cohen, The Associated Press 4 minute read Updated: 9:13 AM CDT

CHICAGO (AP) — Bryson Graham took over the Chicago Bulls when he was hired as executive vice president of basketball operations in May. At his introductory news conference, he referenced the acronym SLAP — size, length, athleticism, physicality.

That vision is beginning to come into focus.

Chicago selected Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain in the first round of Graham's first draft with his new team on Tuesday night. It was part of a busy stretch for the Bulls, who reportedly acquired Nic Claxton as part of a three-team trade on Monday night. Tiago Splitter was hired as coach last week.

The 6-foot-9 Wilson and 6-7 Swain are known for their athleticism and finishing ability, and the 6-11 Claxton shot 57% from the field while averaging 11.7 points for Brooklyn last season. The three additions — along with Splitter's arrival — provide the strongest indication yet of how the Bulls might look under Graham.

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Updated: 9:13 AM CDT

Basketball

NBA draft finishes up in New York, where some second-round picks are revered

Brian Mahoney, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

NBA draft finishes up in New York, where some second-round picks are revered

Brian Mahoney, The Associated Press 5 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 10:13 PM CDT

NEW YORK (AP) — Some of New York's biggest basketball heroes were second-round draft picks.

Like Jalen Brunson, the guy marching through Manhattan with the Larry O'Brien Trophy in his arms last week during a joyous championship parade celebration. And Willis Reed, the guy who limped onto the floor before and during the early minutes of Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals to lift the Knicks to their first championship.

So when the NBA draft resumed on Wednesday night in Brooklyn with the Knicks on the clock with the No. 31 pick, every team had hope of finding someone who can be a key piece of a title team.

They drafted Ohio State guard Bruce Thornton, but had already agreed to trade the rights to the pick to Houston by the time NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum announced the selection.

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Updated: Yesterday at 10:13 PM CDT

Basketball

Duke’s Isaiah Evans among top talent still available after sitting through Round 1 of the NBA draft

Aaron Beard, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Duke’s Isaiah Evans among top talent still available after sitting through Round 1 of the NBA draft

Aaron Beard, The Associated Press 5 minute read Yesterday at 5:00 AM CDT

Isaiah Evans arrived at the NBA draft expecting to become a first-round pick after a two-year stay at Duke. Instead, he sat through a difficult Tuesday night in the green room without hearing his name called by the league commissioner to join him on the stage in New York.

That means the floor-spacing guard will join Arkansas guard Meleek Thomas and North Carolina big man Henri Veesaar on the list of top talents still available entering Wednesday night's second round.

Evans had a seat in the green room — an honor designated for likely first-round picks — and was shown on the ESPN broadcast at a table featuring a gold basketball sporting his name. He wore a dark double-breasted suit featuring millions of dollars in diamonds between a broach and a chain, according to the New York Post.

He was considered a first-round prospect before he elevated his game last year, averaging 15 points while shooting 38% on 3s in two seasons. He had a highlight moment with a clutch final-minute winner to beat reigning national champion Florida, and the most pressing concern was a need to add strength to a 6-foot-6, 186-pound frame to handle physical play.

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Yesterday at 5:00 AM CDT

Basketball

Nate Ament greets NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, left, after being selected by the Milwaukee Bucks as the 13th pick in the first round of the NBA basketball draft, Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

A dizzying NBA draft wraps up with flurry of trades swapping spots and players

The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

A dizzying NBA draft wraps up with flurry of trades swapping spots and players

The Associated Press 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 9:49 PM CDT

The NBA draft for 2026 featured yet another flurry of swaps and trades over two rounds and two nights that started before the first name was announced and involved the last player selected.

This draft started quietly Tuesday night with teams selecting players and keeping them at least through the first 12 spots. The trades started at No. 13 involving the teams that were part of the massive swap agreed to on Monday involving Giannis Antetokounmpo, the first of nine involving 10 players over the final 18 selections.

Keeping up with the trades Wednesday night proved far more challenging with the draft rights of 17 players swapped and picks dealt more than once during the second round in deals that will not be official until July 6.

A look at the players picked and traded in this draft:

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Updated: Yesterday at 9:49 PM CDT

June 25, 2026

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