Day 1 – Kings Play Acuff and Sharp

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Much pressure has been put on the Warriors to steady the ship amongst turbulent waves over the last few seasons. Missed playoff berths and underwhelming postseasons have dialed up the Warriors’ desperation to keep competitive basketball alive.

Through just a few Summer League games, incoming rookie Yaxel Lendeborg is showing he will have a heavy hand in keeping the ship afloat. 

Yaxel Lendeborg Is Making a Statement in Summer League

Lendeborg’s first two games exemplified the exact type of player the Warriors need. His ability to score in traffic, knock down the three-pointer, and be a focal point defensively fits what the Warriors have lacked. 

In his first game of the California Classic, he went a perfect 4-4 from beyond the arc en route to a 19-point outing. Against San Antonio in the following game, he added 11 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks. 

Lendeborg’s defensive instincts stand out most, with his ability to read and react being critical. One of his blocks initiated a fast break between him and Will Richard, allowing Lendeborg to score in transition. He has fully utilized his lengthy wingspan by turning away opponents’ shot attempts and making life difficult for them.

The Warriors have sorely lacked someone who can not only shoot, but finish through contact. He has the size and marksmanship of someone they have longed for since the team’s last championship.

While many critics were skeptical of his high draft selection due to his age, he is showing that experience and IQ are advantageous in adapting quickly to NBA action.

Taking a Three-Point Leap

Last season, the Warriors ranked 20th in the NBA in three-point percentage. While the two Summer League games are a small sample size, Lendeborg believes he can maintain solid efficiency from distance. On a team in great need of shooters, he could be a huge asset in that department. 

Lendeborg deserves plenty of runway this season. While they’re without Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody, Steve Kerr has no choice but to play him. 

For Lendeborg, the more reps he gets from shooting, the quicker his confidence rises.

“Every year, my three-point attempts have gone up tremendously,” he said. “This year it’s taken a big big jump…I never really had the confidence to shoot it until last year at Michigan, and now here, I feel a lot more confident shooting the ball.”

Lendeborg will be playing alongside the greatest shooter in NBA history; he isn’t required to be the offensive engine, but he can ease Stephen Curry’s load. Lendeborg knows he doesn’t need to be Curry. As long as he is a respectable shooter, he will open up the floor for teammates and make defenses pay.

“I definitely think I can probably be in the 37 (percent) plus range from three if I continue shooting it with confidence,” he said.

Off the court, Lendeborg is already integrating with his new teammates. He has talked most with Moses Moody, but has also heard from Brandin Podziemski and fellow Dominican Al Horford. 

Yaxel Lendeborg Is Leaving Promising Impressions

Summer League is where expectations are set and excitement brews. Teams and fans get a glimpse into how players could fit into their squad, gaining more clarity on their future.

The Warriors have yet to see what Lendeborg looks like playing with the main rotation guys, but if his performances are anything like he has displayed in Summer League, he will give Dub Nation a reason to be hopeful.

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The Boston Celtics answered questions about trading Jaylen Brown for the first time on Monday, July 6.

Last week, on Wednesday, July 1, the Celtics traded Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers. In exchange, they received Paul George, two first-round picks, and two second-round picks.

President of basketball operations Brad Stevens and majority governor Bill Chisholm spoke publicly during a 45-minute question-and-answer session with reporters at the Auerbach Center, just hours after the NBA league office made the trade official.

Stevens explained his rationale for the deal, and Chisholm discussed the ownership group’s involvement in the decision.​

Here’s the latest from the Celtics’ front office on questions surrounding roster construction and spending.

Brad Stevens’ Team Decided to Trade Jaylen Brown

Perhaps the biggest question surrounding the Celtics’ decision to trade Brown was: whose idea was it?

According to Stevens and Chisholm’s answers, Boston’s regular decision-makers were responsible for deciding that it was Brown’s time to go.

“Brad and his team came with a recommendation; this is the way we’re gonna win,” Chisholm explained on Monday. “I looked at it, and I had the same reaction; I was like ‘wow.’ This is the fan in me, like really tough.”

Chisholm said the package was hard for him to stomach at first, but he eventually came around to it.

“We came to the conclusion; they convinced me that this is the best way for us to win. I got there, but it was hard. It was really hard.”

During Chisholm’s introductory press conference as governor back in August 2025, following the finalization of the Celtics’ $6.1 billion sale to Chisholm’s investor group, he expressed faith in Boston’s front office infrastructure and even referenced a “new owner curse” as a reason that he wanted to leave basketball decisions to Stevens and his team.

“The way the decisions have been made here to date, that’s what you’re going to see going forward as well,” Chisholm said in the press conference last August. “Those basketball decisions — Brad [Stevens] is driving that.”

The Celtics are still Stevens’ franchise, at least as far as they are willing to let the public know. So what was his motivation for trading Brown?

Why Did the Celtics Trade Jaylen Brown?

When Stevens was asked about whether he believed in Brown and Jayson Tatum as a championship duo during his exit interview in April, he responded “yes” before the question was over.

As he watched the NBA playoffs unfold from there and watched their rival, the New York Knicks, win the 2026 Finals, Stevens admitted to reflecting on Boston’s path back to championship aspirations.

“When I looked at our team, looked at where the league is heading, looked at the way we’ve finished the past couple of years, and also looked at the unbelievable way we’ve played in the regular season the past couple of years, the path looked more difficult to me with 70 percent of our cap and such a high percentage of our usage tied into two players.”

Stevens later noted that when Boston won the 2024 NBA Finals, Tatum and Brown accounted for only 47 percent of the salary cap.

George will cost only $3.6 million less than Brown for 2026-27. However, should George pick up his $56.6 million player option for 2027-28, as he is expected to, he will be an expensive, expiring contract that Boston could package with picks to go big-game hunting for top targets.

Stevens made clear he does not want Brown and George compared one-to-one as players. Instead, he believes George can be an impactful player for them in a complementary role, helping them remain competitive next season while adding two potential high-value draft picks.

While Stevens’ explanation of his thought process was insightful into the basketball reasons the Celtics settled on the trade they executed, Chisholm’s comments are the most relevant to answering the Boston fanbase’s biggest questions about how ownership is conducting business.

Ownership Distrust in Boston

Chisholm and his investment group inherit a Boston fanbase that does not give ownership the benefit of the doubt.

Years of skepticism surrounding the Red Sox and Bruins have left many fans questioning whether ownership groups are truly willing to prioritize championships over ownership spending. Similar concerns have followed the Celtics since Chisholm’s group agreed to purchase the franchise, particularly given the involvement of the private equity firm Sixth Street Partners LLC. There is a fear among fans that the firm could hold leverage over Chisholm, Stevens, and the Celtics if they try to outspend a theoretical budget.

Asked whether Boston’s trades of Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, and now Brown were primarily salary dumps, Chisholm rejected that characterization, insisting each move was made for basketball reasons and with the franchise’s long-term championship outlook in mind.

“I don’t agree with the premise that they were salary-based,” Chisholm said. “Every decision that was made prior was a basketball decision. We would’ve gutted the team for the future had we not done those things. The second apron is real. Those were not about money; those were basketball decisions. I put this one in the same category as well.”

More importantly, Chisholm acknowledged that words alone won’t convince fans.

“I know there’s some people who feel like, ‘Oh, there must be a smoking gun somewhere on the money,’ but that’s just not what this is about,” Chisholm said. “I can say it, and I’ll keep saying it, but I’ll also prove it to you when the time comes… It’s fine to keep asking the question, because I know we have to prove it, and we will.”

Bill Chisholm Says “The Mandate Is To Win” From Ownership

Trading the No. 1 player in regular season and postseason wins since entering the league is not a typical win-now move. However, Chisholm holds that winning championships remains the Celtics’ top priority.

“This was all about trying to win. I think trusting our process — I think we have the best front office in the NBA,” Chisholm said. “They put in their work, and they came to the conclusion that this is the best way for us to win. That’s the mandate: to win. We’ll spend whatever it takes to do that.”

As the Celtics have navigated the current CBA, which has required roster deconstruction, the front office has maintained that winning championships is still their guiding principle.

Last August, Chisholm explained what his directive to Stevens is regarding championship contention.

“My high-level direction to Brad and the team is: let’s do whatever we can to win championships and raise banners, and raise as many as we can in the near term, but also in the medium- to long-term as well. The flexibility that Brad talks about is paramount to doing that.”

The Jury Is Still Out on Celtics Ownership

There are still significant questions surrounding the Celtics’ long-term direction. Chisholm and his ownership group have outlined their philosophy, but the decisions that follow will ultimately determine whether fans believe it.

Bill Chisholm couldn’t have expected to win fans over on Monday, either on the ownership group or on the Brown deal. He used the opportunity to touch base with fans, and he still intends to earn their trust.

If future opportunities to improve the roster are met with the spending that Chisholm says the Celtics’ ownership has no problem doing, his words from Monday’s press conference will prove true about ownership’s commitment. If they aren’t, it will be remembered as a public-relations cover-up rather than the truth.

Two years is simply not a large enough sample size to draw conclusions about how the Celtics’ new ownership group plans to act.

For now, Chisholm has said what fans want to hear if the Celtics are serious about putting together the best possible championship contender in the near future. The next few years will determine whether they can believe him.

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The time has come for LeBron James to begin his next, next, next, next chapter. After informing the Los Angeles Lakers that he would not be returning, fans everywhere have been speculating where LeBron could go.

Many reports suggest that James would be willing to accept a veteran minimum contract. This means that he could essentially play for whoever he wants, as every team can afford such a small deal. Naturally, James is likely to join a contender where he can add more rings to his collection. Rumors of a team-up with Steph Curry in Golden State, Giannis Antetokounmpo in Miami, or even a return to Cleveland have all surfaced.

There is one team, though, that has started to pop up in LeBron conversations. A team with a superstar he’d love to play with that has plenty of supplementary contributors.

That team is the Denver Nuggets.

Eliminating the Other Options

Obviously, huge markets, big-name players, and other flashy factors will play a role in LeBron’s decision. However, for now, let’s focus on the logistics.

Championships are seldom won by just superstars. Teams need balance, chemistry, depth, leadership, and other qualities that are not automatically solved by “superteams.” Organizations that forgo these virtues end up paying the price. Players like Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook prove this time and again. Don’t believe me? Ask Nets, Rockets, Suns, Wizards, and Clippers fans.

Sure, James would likely love to play with Curry. But what happens when one of them gets hurt? Suddenly, his last chances at a championship rest on the shoulders of players like Brandin Podziemski and Yaxel Lendeborg. Additionally, if the Warriors trade for Anthony Davis to pair with James and Curry, as they have been rumored to want to do, the supporting cast would be even worse.

The Cavaliers are a well-constructed team. They have shooting, rim protection, and depth. However, Harden, Mitchell, and James sharing the court would not work out. All three are incredibly ball-dominant players who would struggle to gel together. Plus, James is likely going to want to team up with a true A+ superstar, and the Cavaliers have nobody who fits that description.

The Heat are a very interesting option. James wanting to team up with Antetokounmpo is very plausible. Plus, with Bam Adebayo, Davion Mitchell, Andrew Wiggins, and intriguing depth pieces, Miami certainly fits the mold. Like Cleveland, though, their concern already lies with team fit. Many are already wondering how Antetokounmpo and Adebayo will be able to coexist. Now throw James into the mix, and the water becomes even murkier. Not to mention, a starting lineup with Antetokounmpo, Adebayo, and James would struggle drastically from three at a time when threes are everything.

Why are the Nuggets a Fit for LeBron James?

From a roster perspective, Denver is the place to be. Jamal Murray, Cameron Johnson, and Aaron Gordon are all great shooters who would love to spot up as James facilitates. However, if he wants to relax or needs help, all three of those guys can also create their own shot. Despite Christian Braun‘s flaws, he is a great slasher who would pair well with James. Meanwhile, assuming the Nuggets bring back Watson, he could effortlessly cover for him on the defensive end.

Already, the fit makes sense, and we haven’t even gotten to Jokic yet. 

Jokic will make James’ life a dream. If James wants the ball, it will appear in his hands immediately. When he makes a cut, Jokic will fire an absolute dime. If he wants to take a play off, all James has to do is throw it into the three-time MVP and watch him work. Jokic’s rebounding will make his life easier and ensure him extra opportunities. Additionally, with Jokic and James heading leadership roles, everyone on the Nuggets will get right in line.

Meanwhile, the stars have begun to align. James and Jokic have already played together in three All-Star games, with several funny moments having gone viral. Additionally, James has, on numerous occasions, expressed his admiration for Jokic’s game.

But that’s not all. If James takes a minimum deal, the Nuggets would be able to justify bringing back Watson, who could be the difference between winning a ring and not.

And who is Watson’s agent? Oh, that’s right, he’s a Klutch client.

Denver Is Going to Be LeBron’s Best Place to Ring Chase

Sure, the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder are very tough competition. But otherwise, the West is far more open than the East. Should he join the Cavaliers or Heat, James would have to run through a gauntlet against Jalen Brunson and the Knicks, Joel Embiid and the newly formidable 76ers, and Jayson Tatum and the still-dangerous Boston Celtics. That’s not even to mention Cade Cunningham‘s Pistons, Kawhi Leonard‘s Raptors, and Tyrese Haliburton‘s Pacers, plus the Hawks, Magic, Hornets, and whichever of the two Eastern conference teams he does not join.

Meanwhile, Denver essentially already has a top-four seed locked up. Having played in the Western Conference for the last eight years, LeBron is far more familiar and comfortable there. 

The Nuggets have the elite superstar to pair with James, which is more than most teams can say. They also have other great pieces, which even fewer teams can say. They have the path, they have championship and veteran experience, and credible insiders like ESPN’s Brian Windhorst are giving them a real shot.

Denver has already reached out to James. Now all they can do is wait to see if the king will come to bring them their crown.

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On June 30, Nuggets sharpshooter Tim Hardaway Jr. signed with the Miami Heat. The sniper proved vital to Denver all season, putting up 14.5 points per game and finishing third in Sixth Man of the Year voting.

Now, as the Nuggets retool this offseason, they will need another scoring wing to help supplement his production.

In the draft, Denver opted for size with both of their second-round picks. First, they drafted lanky 6-foot-10 center Trevon Brazile. Next, they went for physical 6-foot-7 forward Bryce Hopkins. Both are guys with potential down the line, but neither seems like a Hardaway Jr. replacement.

So far, the Nuggets’ only new free agency signing has been backup big Marvin Bagley III. Other teams are signing top players left and right, so whatever Denver decides to do, they need to do it quickly.

Demote Christian Braun to the Bench

Denver’s first option is to stay in-house. Their lack of aggressiveness so far in free agency could be a sign of what’s to come. Many expected Christian Braun or Cameron Johnson to be on the move. Trading them would allow the Nuggets to bring back Peyton Watson without dipping into the second apron. Yet Braun and Johnson remain on the roster.

Denver was expected to go after Jaylen Brown, but he was traded to Philadelphia. They were briefly linked to Kawhi Leonard, but he went back to Toronto. They have even been rumored to be in the LeBron James sweepstakes, though it seems far-fetched. Nevertheless, the Nuggets have been very quiet, which could indicate their willingness to run it back.

No team desires to enter the second apron, but doing so is certainly a possibility. Denver is very keen on bringing back Watson. Despite that, though, Braun and Johnson trade rumors seem to have cooled down a touch. Maybe they’re unimpressed by possible return packages, or maybe they’ve changed their mind.

Some also speculate that interest in Watson regarding his current price point is dwindling, which could make it easier for Denver to re-sign him. Nevertheless, the Nuggets could keep their core intact. After Braun’s last season, Denver may not want to start him. The opposite can be said for Watson.

Denver could run a big lineup, putting Watson or Johnson at the two alongside Murray while Braun comes off the bench. Or perhaps, given Denver’s lack of guard depth, they bench Watson or Johnson and use them as the backup shooting guard.

Either way, a rotation of this nature would certainly raise some eyebrows. However, it would allow Denver to maintain their chemistry and avoid a detrimental roster change.

Julian Strawther Could Step Into the Starting Role

Julian Strawther’s possible future with the team has already been covered at length. Nevertheless, he is currently the backup shooting guard on the depth chart. 

His knockdown shooting and shot creation could perfectly fulfill the scoring wing role that Hardaway Jr. left vacant. Should Denver remain dormant this offseason, the role could be his.

Matisse Thybulle Would Fit Denver’s Needs Perfectly

Any free agent that the Nuggets want to bring in must be cheap. Between Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Braun, Johnson, and Watson, they have very little financial wiggle room.

Additionally, the shooting guard market has already begun to appear scarce. The Rockets scooped Bogdan Bogdanovic and Marcus Smart, the Warriors brought back De’Anthony Melton, and the Lakers nabbed Collin Sexton. So pickings may already be a little slim. Nevertheless, there is still some great value to be found.

Matisse Thybulle has been one of the most underrated 3-D wings in the NBA for quite some time now. He is by no means a prolific scorer. But having shot nearly 40% from three last year and the year prior, he would fit nicely in Denver’s offense.

As for defense, Thybulle is about as good as it gets. The former Washington Husky has been top seven in steals per game in all but two years of his NBA career. He also posted the best on/off defensive rating amongst players with a minimum of 300 minutes played.

Thybulle may not be able to fully replace Hardaway Jr.’s scoring. However, the NBA has shown time and again how much contenders need guys who can knock down threes and play great defense. The Spurs have Julian Champagnie, the Knicks have Landry Shamet, and the Thunder have a whole team full of such players. Thybulle could perfectly fill that role for Denver.

Khris Middleton Could Be a Steal on a Cheap Deal

Most free-agent backup wings are career bench players on consistently cheap deals who can hit threes and defend, but not much more. However, Khris Middleton profiles very differently.

Only five years ago, Middleton was averaging over 20 points a game as a second option and two-way star on an NBA Finals team. The former Buck is a three-time All-Star, renowned for his shot creation and defense.

Since then, Middleton’s career has been derailed by injuries and Father Time.

Between wrist surgery and knee soreness, he played only 33 games in the 2023 season. He missed more time in 2024 with a sprained ankle and went on to have surgeries on both ankles in the offseason. He was then traded to the Wizards and later the Mavericks. With both teams headed in younger directions, he has struggled to regain his footing, and his scoring has decreased every year since.

Sure, Middleton is not who he used to be. But he can still be a solid contributor to a contending team. Nobody wanted anything to do with him on his $33 million-per-year contract. However, his deal just expired, which means many teams may be after him since his price will drop substantially.

Denver certainly does not need him to be who he was in Milwaukee. However, he might still be able to provide steady perimeter defense, consistent three-point shooting, and scoring off the dribble. If so, the Nuggets could be getting themselves an absolute steal.

Denver Needs to Act Before the Market Dries Up

NBA free agency is a wild and constantly changing time. Trades, signings, and other front office decisions could make this article irrelevant in a matter of days. Regardless, the Nuggets need a new wing, ideally one who can hit threes and defend. After avoiding one in the draft and giving themselves little money in free agency, they will have to find themselves a diamond in the rough.

Veteran bench pieces prove to be crucial each and every year, and how Denver attacks this role could have a massive impact on their season.

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The Boston Celtics’ front office approached the 2026 offseason aggressively — but not as buyers.

Instead of making a push to acquire talent, Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens did the opposite. He had an asset he was actively trying to sell.

Boston reportedly pursued Giannis Antetokounmpo, but only at a specific price: Jaylen Brown and, at most, a few other lower-leverage assets.

Brown’s inclusion in the Antetokounmpo package was an early hint at the decision Stevens had made: not only was Brown expendable, but the Celtics wanted to move him.

On July 1, Boston traded Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paul George, two first-round picks, and two second-round picks. This return for a 10-year franchise cornerstone, who just finished sixth in MVP voting, is massively disappointing.

With that underwhelming return, Stevens made his intentions clear.

The Celtics are now officially, unquestionably, Jayson Tatum’s franchise.

Why Did the Celtics Trade Jaylen Brown?

The relationship between Brown and the organization appeared to be nearing its breaking point with another offseason of trade rumors. However, Boston’s front office being the party that has had enough comes as a surprise.

“Whether it was personal situations between the two players or whether it was just the on-court basketball fit, the Celtics had just made the determination that, moving forward, they can no longer win a championship with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum,” ESPN’s Shams Charania said the following morning.

Charania has repeatedly stated that Brown never requested a trade.

In one of Brown’s final public comments on the Celtics before the deal, he said during a May 7 Twitch stream, “If it was up to me, I could play in Boston for the next 10 years.”

With three years remaining on his current contract, Brown had little leverage to force his way out even if he wanted to. The decision to move on was Boston’s.

The Celtics initially sought four or five first-round picks in exchange for Brown, per Charania. George and two first-round picks is obviously well below that asking price. It’s a stark contrast to their negotiations with the Milwaukee Bucks for Antetokounmpo, where they were entirely unwilling to move off their price.

Boston’s front office decided moving on from Brown was more important than maximizing the return.

Exactly what caused the relationship to reach this point may not become public for months — or even years. Whether it was an interpersonal issue, a basketball fit, or something else entirely, only those inside the organization know for certain.

After nearly a decade of building around the Jays, Stevens decided the team’s future belongs to Tatum.

Celtics Look to Tatum for New Identity

Not only did the Celtics suffer a historic collapse in the 2026 playoffs, but they looked truly lost as the ship went down.

Head coach Joe Mazzulla, after a tremendous regular season that earned him Coach of the Year honors, struggled to empower all of Tatum, Brown, and the supporting cast simultaneously. It was a tough task doing so while trying to bring Tatum back into the lineup in March, but the taking-turns elements of the Jays’ combination still reared their heads at times.

Truly maximizing each roster spot means getting a group of players who all enhance one another. The Celtics have about a decade’s worth of data to evaluate which player most elevates their teammates. Brown’s career season included significant growth in his playmaking for teammates. He still led the league in total turnovers (fifth in turnovers per game). His volume initiating, while improved, is not as great as Tatum’s.

It’s not that Brown wasn’t talented or that he doesn’t make players around him better — but the Celtics determined that he wasn’t at a high enough level in either capacity to justify an imperfect fit next to the player they evaluated as their best possible offensive engine: Tatum.

Building Around Jayson Tatum

The Celtics could have waited until next year, or even the deadline, to get a similar, if not better, package. Repairing the relationship would not have been easy, but it would have been doable. Even after learning the market was not in their favor, the Celtics were still intent on dealing Brown.

Stevens appears to have seen this as a necessary step to establish a new identity under Tatum.

In some ways, Brown’s leading the Celtics to 56 wins and the No. 2 seed may have reinforced Stevens’ belief that Boston’s infrastructure was strong enough to hold with one true superstar at the top of the hierarchy.

The Celtics’ +12.9 net rating (via DataBallr) with Brown off the court last season, in his career year, may be one of many indicators of why the organization could have reached this conclusion.

George will not replace Brown as an offensive engine. Instead, Boston is asking him to complement Tatum. Alongside Derrick White and Payton Pritchard, George gives the Celtics another smart secondary creator who is an excellent shooter, has strong defensive instincts, and can be efficient without high usage.

White and Pritchard’s expanded responsibilities last season have gone from a Gap Year experiment to a preview. Both excelled as decision-makers, generating shots for teammates and minimizing turnovers. Their growth last year elevated the players around them, a theme across the backcourt, George, and Tatum.

Mitchell Robinson’s arrival also reflects Stevens’ vision of surrounding Tatum with role players who can excel in clearly defined positions. His lob-catching radius will be a great tool alongside Tatum, who has thrived with rim-running bigs in the past.

The End of the Jays Era

As Tatum and Brown grew up in the NBA together, having two players capable of handling such hefty responsibilities made for a stellar winning formula that yielded incredible team success.

The Jays were a valuable collective in their formative years. Brown’s contributions to the Celtics, especially in helping close out their 2024 championship run (as if the other decade of excellence didn’t exist), speak for themselves.

The Celtics were spoiled having two All-NBA offensive engines, especially with so much high-end talent around them on the 2024 Finals team. But as several teams passed Boston by during its Banner 18 roster deconstruction, Stevens now needs roster flexibility to make up ground.

Brown was a pivotal part of the Celtics’ last decade. His legacy in Boston is stamped.

As Boston attempts to work its way back into the championship mix, Stevens felt dissatisfied with the team’s identity. It seems as though roster hierarchy was a concern of his.

After determining that the Celtics need to run through Tatum, he may have felt that Brown’s stature, coming off a career season, was a threat to that.

Brad Stevens Betting on Jayson Tatum

Jayson Tatum has lived in the NBA spotlight since leading a Celtics Eastern Conference Finals run in his rookie season. Pushing prime LeBron James to Game 7 for a chance at the Finals was the first indication of Tatum’s readiness for stardom.

Tatum has always welcomed those challenges as one of the self-proclaimed best players in the world.

As long as he is who he and Brad Stevens believe him to be, the Celtics should be in playoff contention once again next season, with improved roster flexibility for the future.

Trading Jaylen Brown did not make the Celtics better for next season, and it does not feel like a trade that can ever go down as a win for Boston. However, it made the Celtics’ intentions crystal clear: the franchise’s next title push will be with Tatum as the defined superstar.

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The NBA Draft is where franchises, like the Denver Nuggets, are built. Few organizations have found greater value in the later stages of the draft than Denver.

The team famously selected three-time MVP Nikola Jokić with the 41st pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. Now, the choice is regarded as the greatest second-round pick in NBA history. With this year’s draft recently concluding, it’s worth revisiting the greatest selections in Nuggets’ history. 

Although the Nuggets drafted Jokić, they have not always found consistent success in the draft. The top four players in the team’s draft history are relatively easy to rank.

That said, the debate begins at number five. Denver has drafted several borderline All-Star-level talents, including Michael Porter Jr. and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf. However, since joining the NBA in 1976, the Nuggets have drafted and developed just four All-Stars: Jokić, Jamal Murray, Carmelo Anthony, and Dikembe Mutombo.

Keeping this in mind, here’s who should be considered the five best draft picks in Nuggets’ history.

5. Michael Porter Jr. 

As mentioned, the number five spot is the most controversial. However, Michael Porter Jr. takes this position because of his important role in the Nuggets’ first and only NBA championship to date. 

The Nuggets selected Porter Jr. 14th overall in the 2018 NBA Draft. He became a staple piece of the core for many years. After sitting out his entire rookie season due to injury, Porter went on to play six seasons with the Nuggets. Before being traded to the Brooklyn Nets during the 2025 offseason, he provided reliable three-point shooting and rebounding, which greatly helped the Nuggets during their 2023 championship run.

During MPJ’s tenure with the Nuggets, he averaged 16.2 points on great efficiency (50% overall, 41% from three, and 80% on free throws), along with 6.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. In his final year in Denver, he averaged a then-career-high of over 18 points per game across 77 games played.

Ultimately, MPJ secures the fifth spot, although valid arguments can be made against this ranking. He is not far ahead of his competition, but MPJ’s crucial contributions during the Nuggets’ title run separate him from the rest.

4. Dikembe Mutombo 

Dikembe Mutombo was an all-time great who was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2015. Selected fourth overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 1991 NBA Draft, it is only fitting that he lands fourth in these rankings.

Mutombo was not able to achieve the same level of playoff success in Denver as others on this list. However, he led the Nuggets to a historic upset. Mutombo and the Nuggets became the first No. 8 seed in NBA history to beat a No. 1 seed, defeating the Seattle SuperSonics in 1994.

Although his time in Denver was relatively short, some of the best basketball of Mutombo’s career came while wearing a Nuggets uniform.

Mutombo spent five seasons with the Nuggets before signing with the Atlanta Hawks in 1996. Across his time with Denver, he averaged 12.9 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks per game. He also won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award and earned three All-Star Game selections.

Mutombo’s dominance defensively and historic impact in Denver make him one of the Nuggets’ greatest draft picks.

3. Jamal Murray

Just ahead of Mutombo, Jamal Murray comes in at No. 3.

Despite being the second option on a title-winning team, Murray played a fundamental role for the Nuggets during their championship season in 2023. His playoff success with Denver edges him over Mutombo in the rankings.

Drafted seventh overall in 2016, Murray has been a staple for the franchise ever since. After earning his first All-NBA and All-Star selections last season, Murray has further cemented himself at the third spot. 

Murray has spent 10 years in Denver, one of which he missed entirely due to an ACL injury. Across his nine playing seasons with the franchise, he has averaged 18.9 points (46% FG, 39% 3PT, 87% FT), 5.0 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game. Last season was Murray’s best. He averaged a career-high 25 points per game on borderline 50/40/90 shooting splits. 

Beyond being one of the best players the Nuggets have ever drafted, Murray has become one of the best players in franchise history.

2. Carmelo Anthony 

The original No. 15 before Nikola Jokić was Carmelo Anthony, who is No. 2 among the best selections in Nuggets’ history.

Selected third overall in the 2003 NBA Draft, Anthony is tied for the highest draft pick in franchise history. Although Anthony has had a rocky relationship with the Nuggets ever since his departure, there is no denying his talent and impact on the franchise. 

Fifty games into his eighth season in Denver, he was traded to the New York Knicks after requesting a trade. Over those eight seasons, he averaged 24.8 points (46% FG, 31% 3PT, 80% FT), 3.1 assists, and 6.3 rebounds per game. He also earned four All-Star nods and four All-NBA selections during his time with the Nuggets. 

Even though Anthony never brought the Nuggets to the championship, he did lead them to the Western Conference Finals in 2009. At one point, this was the furthest the franchise had advanced in the playoffs since 1985, until Jokić and Murray led Denver back to the Western Conference Finals in 2020.

Despite Anthony leaving on a bad note, he remains one of the best players to ever play for the Nuggets.

1. Nikola Jokić

No surprise here. Coming in at the top spot is Nikola Jokić.

He was picked during the middle of the second round in 2014. However, few could have imagined he would become the greatest draft pick in franchise history.

Jokić has put together one of the greatest careers in league history. He led the Nuggets to their first championship. Jokić has also earned three MVPs, a Finals MVP, eight All-Star selections, and eight All-NBA honors. Last season, he also became the first player ever to lead the league in both assists and rebounds. 

Jokić has spent 11 seasons with the Nuggets, averaging 22.2 points (56% FG, 36% 3PT, 83% FT), 7.5 assists, and 11.1 rebounds per game across his lengthy career in Denver. Over the last two seasons, Jokić has averaged a triple-double. This is an achievement accomplished by only one other player in NBA history: Russell Westbrook.

Overall, Jokić stands alone as the greatest draft pick in Nuggets history and one of the most impactful selections in the NBA ever.

The post Who Are the Best Draft Picks in Denver Nuggets’ History? appeared first on The Lead.

LeBron James was under contract with the Los Angeles Lakers for quite some time. In fact, exactly 2,913 days. The moment he inked his deal to wear the purple and gold on July 9, 2018, “The King” put the entire city of L.A. on his shoulders.

Eight years later, LeBron has announced that his time with one of the NBA’s most historic franchises will be coming to an end. Now, he is preparing to play elsewhere next year.

Now that he is set to depart the team for good, one question is worth asking. Where should the 22-time All-Star rank among the illustrious list of the Los Angeles Lakers’ greats?

Analyzing LeBron James’ Lakers Legacy 

Without question, James is a great player and reached legendary milestones while suiting up with the Lakers. Among his accomplishments was bringing the team an NBA championship in 2020.

Unfortunately, it won’t be enough to quell some who will say LeBron’s stint in L.A. was mediocre or a disappointment.

It’s rather unfair considering the 319-223 record, which is how the Lakers performed combined in both the regular season and playoffs. Although he went 32-31 in the postseason, James navigated difficult competition and an inferior supporting cast during parts of his tenure with L.A.

Recently, fans and the NBA world saw him carry the Lakers to a 4-2 victory over the Houston Rockets. He did so without arguably the team’s best player: Luka Dončić. Austin Reaves, the other star in L.A., missed the first four games of the playoffs coming off an injury.

Then, LeBron’s supporting cast failed him in the Western Conference Semifinals versus the Oklahoma City Thunder. At 41 years old, James averaged 23.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game, but the Lakers were swept.

The former champions would send James home for the final time as a Laker in a devastating defeat.

But the recent loss doesn’t encapsulate his era playing at Crypto.com Arena. James, without a doubt, is one of the best players ever to wear the Lakers jersey.

It isn’t hard to prove why.

Ranking James Among The Lakers’ Greats 

Throughout his eight years with the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James averaged 25.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per contest. On paper, it’s better than the number of former Lakers players. That even includes familiar names, like James Worthy and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, whose stats, compared to LeBron’s, were inferior. Of course, Worthy and Jabbar played together, absorbing stats in the process.

Additionally, LeBron succeeded and, at times, dominated in a more advanced and arguably more difficult league. Keep in mind: the Lakers’ frontcourt of Kareem and Worthy was also led by arguably the greatest playmaker ever in Magic Johnson. Johnson himself has a rank above James, even though they’re both superb players. 

As a five-time champion, he’s claimed the ultimate prize one more time than James overall, and all as a Laker. Nonetheless, LeBron is in the upper echelon of the best Lakers players ever. He’s sitting alongside Kobe Bryant, Magic, Kareem, and Shaquille O’Neal.

The Final Verdict

Now that we’ve singled out the contenders, it’s time for a final verdict on where LeBron James should rank among the all-time Los Angeles Lakers players.

James could be considered the fourth-best Laker of all time. This puts him behind Shaq at third and Kobe at second, with Magic earning the top honor.

Some might consider Bryant to be the best, especially with five rings of his own. However, Magic is a three-time MVP, compared to Kobe’s one. Bryant’s resume is obviously still outstanding, which is why the 18-time All-Star is the second-best Laker of all time. 

He stayed after Shaq left for the Heat in 2004. Of course, O’Neal was essential to the franchise’s three-peat from 2000 to 2002, which is why Shaq is third all-time after his own eight-year tenure in L.A.

LeBron has a place over Kareem. After all, James took his place as the league’s all-time leading scorer. Some might not think it’s enough to replace the former captain of the Lakers, but Jabbar experienced his own era of underwhelming results with the Lakers before Magic arrived in the summer of 1979. 

At the end of the day, an exercise like this is entirely subjective. Some fans in Lakers Nation might have Elgin Baylor or Wilt Chamberlain as the greatest Laker of all time, or one of the aforementioned names like Kobe and Magic.

What’s irrefutable is the love the city of Los Angeles will have for LeBron James forever.

The post Where Does LeBron James Rank Among All-Time Lakers Stars? appeared first on The Lead.

The Washington Wizards headlined the highly anticipated 2026 NBA Draft. Entering the draft, this year’s class profiled as one of the most talented the league has seen in years. Fortunately for Washington, it had the opportunity to pick first overall.

After weeks of debate over whether AJ Dybantsa or Darryn Peterson should hear their name called first, Washington made its decision and took Dybantsa.

Later in the second round, Washington also owned the No. 51 and No. 60 overall picks. On draft night, the team traded both selections to the Orlando Magic for the No. 46 overall pick: Felix Okpara. 

In combination, the Wizards acquired a future star and much-needed frontcourt depth, making an already-promising 2026-2027 season even more interesting.

Washington Wizards Made Right Choice Taking Dybantsa

Few freshmen entered college basketball garnering as much attention as AJ Dybantsa.

Expectations were sky-high before he ever stepped on the floor at BYU. He exceeded nearly all of them. Dybantsa led the nation in scoring with 25.5 points per game on superb efficiency (51% shooting). 

It wasn’t just the production, but how he produced.

Dybantsa combined long strides, explosiveness, and shooting confidence, showcasing someone who could be an unstoppable scorer in the future. He’s the definition of “the guy” a team looks for to get a bucket.

So, Wizards’ fans should expect the ball to be in his hands a lot. When Dybantsa catches it, expect a hesitation-dribble and bump-fadeaway that will leave a defender wondering what they could have done better. Don’t underestimate him as a pick-and-roll ball handler, either. 

This is all to say: he’ll fit the mold perfectly in the District.

Although he was a volume scorer for BYU, Dybantsa won’t have to worry about those back-breaking responsibilities. He will be taking the court alongside Trae Young and Anthony Davis, two former All-Stars.

On defense, while Dybantsa still brings undeniable energy with his 6-foot-9 frame, there’s room for improvement. That said, he has Bilal Coulibaly and Alex Sarr by his side.

Washington’s front office saw the hard-to-miss upside from a player who has proven to be flashy and productive at just 19 years old.

On the other side of the No. 1 pick debate was, of course, Peterson. Some believed he possessed even more upside. The NBA media compared Peterson to Bradley Beal and even Kobe Bryant by virtue of his three-level scoring and two-way abilities. The jumper is pure, the pull-up is quick, and his change-of-pace is real. His talent was never in question.

However, Dybantsa made the most sense with Washington’s roster. The Wizards made Young their franchise guard when they acquired him, then signed him to a new contract. 

Washington made the right choice, and Dawkins got the guy that’s been on his radar for years.

Why the Second Round Worked Out

Picks 31 through 60 have obviously never been the massive draw, at least compared to the first round. But executives still give it the same amount of attention. Washington is no different.

Trading up and leaving two later picks in the dust can work, especially when there’s someone worth grabbing. The Wizards did just that by taking Okpara, who was not projected to fall too far in the second round. 

Washington sustained a hole in their backup center spot for much of the year after trading Marvin Bagley III to the Dallas Mavericks. While Tristan Vukčević has earned minutes, he doesn’t supply the skill set that Okpara brings to the table.

The Tennessee center sets physical screens, rebounds with force, and can put the paint on lockdown. Okpara projects as someone who could help improve Washington’s league-worst defensive rating. On the other end of the court, he could also rack up quick and easy points through lobs and putbacks.

The Wizards’ young core is the real deal, but the bench still needs space to grow. Okpara could accelerate that progression through his energy and may add another promising Wiz-Kid to the reserves.

The Future Is Here for Washington

It’s no secret just how bad the Washington Wizards have been the past few years. They were the first team ever to lose at least 64 games in three straight years.

But their reasoning wasn’t something kept under wraps either. It was to be rebuilt from the ground up.

Now, with the draft pieces in place, Washington can finally compete again.

No longer are the days of the Wizards intentionally losing to get the best pick possible. They have it. Dybantsa will be the key component for years to come. He will be the face of the franchise. Sarr, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, and even Will Riley are adding to it, and soon, Okpara will as well.

Around the league, optimism surrounding the franchise is growing. Expectations should be high. When was the last time they had a roster like this, one with both star power and exciting young potential?

It starts in July when Summer League begins, and Dybantsa makes his debut. But it’s more than just his debut; it’s the start of a fresh chapter in Washington’s history, one with direction and hope.

The new Wiz-Kids on the block, fresh out of the draft, will show what Washington Wizards basketball could look like next season.

The post The Washington Wizards Hit On All Marks at the 2026 NBA Draft appeared first on The Lead.