Grizzlies’ Brandon Clarke Dies At Age 29
Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke has died, according to an announcement from his agency, Priority Sports (Twitter link).
Clarke, who has spent the past seven seasons in Memphis after being selected with the 21st pick in the 2019 draft, was 29 years old.
“We are all beyond devastated by the passing of Brandon Clarke,” his agency’s statement reads. “He was so loved by all of us here, and everyone whose life he touched. He was the gentlest soul who was the first to be there for all of his friends and family. Our hearts are so broken as we think about his mom, Whitney, his entire family, and all of his friends and teammates. From high school to San Jose State to Gonzaga to the Grizzlies, Brandon impacted everyone who was part of his life.
“Everyone loved BC because he was always there as the most supportive friend you could ever imagine. He was so unique in the joy he brought to all of those in his life. It’s just impossible to put into words how much he’ll be missed. We love you, BC.”
According to Dennis Broad of NBC Los Angeles, the L.A. Fire Department received a 911 call about a medical emergency late on Monday afternoon. When responders arrived on the scene, they declared Clarke dead. Drug paraphernalia was found at the home and the incident is being treated as a possible overdose, with an autopsy to come in order to confirm the cause of death.
A Canadian power forward who played his college ball at San Jose State and Gonzaga, Clarke was named the WCC Defensive Player of the Year in his final season with the Zags, then made the All-Rookie first team during his first professional season with the Grizzlies. He immediately emerged as a rotation player in Memphis, averaging 10.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 21.3 minutes per game across 237 contests (29 starts) in his first four years in the NBA.
However, Clarke’s fourth season came to an early end when he suffered a left Achilles tear in March 2023. That injury kept him sidelined for most of the ’23/24 season as well.
Clarke was back in the Grizzlies’ rotation in 2024/25, averaging 18.9 MPG and matching his career high with 64 appearances, but he once again saw his season come to an end in March when he suffered a PCL sprain in his right knee. The 6’8″ forward underwent an arthroscopic procedure last September to address synovitis in that same knee, and while he was able to briefly return to action in December, he played in just two games before sustaining a calf strain that sidelined him for the rest of ’25/26.
In total, Clarke appeared in 309 regular season games and another 12 playoff contests during his time in Memphis. He and Ja Morant were the Grizzlies’ longest-tenured players.
According to Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal, Clarke was also involved in the Memphis community off the court, having launched the Brandon Clarke Foundation in 2025. The non-profit was aimed at supporting local families, mothers, and children, with a focus on literacy and community resources.
Roughly a month-and-a-half ago, Clarke was arrested in Cross County, Arkansas, on charges of trafficking a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, fleeing in a vehicle exceeding the speed limit, and improper passing. He was released on bond the following day.
Subsequent reporting indicated that over 230 grams of kratom were allegedly found in his possession after he led local deputies on a “miles-long chase” while driving over 100 miles per hour. Kratom, described by the Mayo Clinic as a herbal extract that can act as a stimulant at lower doses and a sedative for pain relief at higher doses, is legal in Tennessee but is considered a Schedule 1 controlled substance in Arkansas.
The Grizzlies and the NBA (Twitter links) have put out statements confirming Clarke’s passing. The Grizzlies referred to Clarke as “an outstanding teammate and an even better person” who had a significant impact on the greater Memphis community, while commissioner Adam Silver called him a “beloved teammate and leader who played the game with enormous passion and grit.”
We at Hoops Rumors send our sincerest condolences to Clarke’s family and friends.
2026 NBA Draft Picks By Team
The Bulls, who pivoted to rebuilding mode after being eliminated in the play-in tournament in three straight years from 2023-25, and the Spurs, who went from 34 wins a year ago to 62 this season, appear headed in opposite directions. But the two organizations do have one thing in common — they’re the only two teams in the NBA who control more than three picks in this year’s draft.
Chicago, which moved up to No. 4 as a result of Sunday’s draft lottery, also controls the 15th, 38th, and 56th picks. San Antonio has just one first-rounder at No. 20, but its other three picks – Nos. 35, 42, and 44 – are in the top half of the second round.
Besides the Spurs and Bulls, nine other teams own more than the typical two picks, and several of those clubs have at least one top-10 selection. The Wizards, Grizzlies, Clippers, Nets, Kings, Hawks, and Mavericks each have three selections, including one in the top nine. The Thunder and Knicks are the other two clubs who control three 2026 picks.
Those 11 teams own a combined 35 picks in June’s draft, while eight others control two apiece and nine more have one each. That means there are just two teams without a pick this year: the Pacers and Trail Blazers. Both teams had protected first-rounders, but Portland sacrificed its lottery-protected pick when it earned a playoff spot, while Indiana had a worst possible outcome in the lottery, as its top-four protected pick fell to No. 5.
To present a clearer picture of which teams are most – and least – stocked with picks for the 2026 NBA draft, we’ve rounded up all 60 selections by team in the space below. Let’s dive in…
Teams with more than two picks:
- Chicago Bulls (4): 4, 15, 38, 56
- San Antonio Spurs (4): 20, 35, 42, 44
- Washington Wizards (3): 1, 51, 60
- Memphis Grizzlies (3): 3, 16, 32
- Los Angeles Clippers (3): 5, 36, 52
- Brooklyn Nets (3): 6, 33, 43
- Sacramento Kings (3): 7, 34, 45
- Atlanta Hawks (3): 8, 23, 57
- Dallas Mavericks (3): 9, 30, 48
- Oklahoma City Thunder (3): 12, 17, 37
- New York Knicks (3): 24, 31, 55
Teams with two picks:
- Golden State Warriors: 11, 54
- Miami Heat: 13, 41
- Charlotte Hornets: 14, 18
- Toronto Raptors: 19, 50
- Denver Nuggets: 26, 49
- Boston Celtics: 27, 40
- Minnesota Timberwolves: 28, 59
- Houston Rockets: 39, 53
Teams with one pick:
- Utah Jazz: 2
- Milwaukee Bucks: 10
- Detroit Pistons: 21
- Philadelphia 76ers: 22
- Los Angeles Lakers: 25
- Cleveland Cavaliers: 29
- Orlando Magic: 46
- Phoenix Suns: 47
- New Orleans Pelicans: 58
Teams with no picks:
- Indiana Pacers
- Portland Trail Blazers
Trade Speculation Emerges After Lottery Results
The Wizards won the top prize in Sunday’s lottery, but it’s premature to assume that pick will be AJ Dybantsa, according to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated. The BYU star has topped nearly every prominent mock draft for several months, but Washington officials plan to sift through all their options for the next six weeks before making a decision.
Mannix reports that the Wizards aren’t ruling out the possibility of trading down, as insiders view this as a “top-heavy” draft without a consensus No. 1 pick. General manager Will Dawkins will review the scouting reports of all the top prospects, and if a player stands out who could be available later in the draft, sources tell Mannix that the team would be willing to deal.
Mannix suggests the Jazz, who drew the No. 2 spot, might have some interest in moving up to land Dybantsa. Utah’s front line is set after trading for Jaren Jackson Jr. in February, so there’s not a pressing need for another big man like Cameron Boozer. Keyonte George, who represented the team at the podium for Sunday’s lottery, appears to be the point guard of the future, so Darryn Peterson is less attractive than he might be to other teams. Dybantsa is the best fit, but the Jazz would likely have to pay a high price to move up.
There’s more on the draft lottery:
- Winger confirmed to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (subscription required) that he’s willing to listen to offers for the No. 1 pick. Winger said winning the lottery is “not a savior moment” and he views this year’s selection as another piece to the puzzle on top of several years of productive draft picks and the mid-season trades that brought in Trae Young and Anthony Davis. Jazz president Austin Ainge also expressed a willingness to deal, telling Fischer, “We’re open. We’ll always listen.”
- There’s a chance that the No. 3 pick held by the Grizzlies could be on the move as well, Fischer adds. Sources tell him that Memphis is receiving “no shortage of trade interest,” with one agent in Chicago suggesting that it could be sent out as part of a Ja Morant deal. Fischer is doubtful that the Grizzlies will part with that asset just to unload Morant, noting that team president Zach Kleiman has a history of trading up or into the draft, as he did last year when he moved up to No. 11 to snag Cedric Coward.
- Fischer tabs the Nets as the biggest loser in the lottery as they fell from third to sixth and likely have no path to land one of the consensus top four prospects. Brooklyn has a lot of future draft assets to offer in a trade, and general manager Sean Marks promised “to look at everything” in an effort to move up, but team officials throughout the league are skeptical that anyone would be willing to trade all the way down to No. 6. Any movement at the top, Fischer adds, will probably be a “shuffling” of the top four teams.
- Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic hears the same message, with one high-ranking team official telling him, “A team in the top four would be stupid to trade out.” Several team executives tell Vorkunov that Peterson isn’t a lock for the second pick, assuming Dybantsa is the first name off the board. Some teams would consider taking Boozer or Caleb Wilson ahead of the Kansas guard.
Draft Notes: Dybantsa, Wizards, Mocks, Jazz, Tanner, More
BYU forward AJ Dybantsa has been the prospect most frequently cited as the frontrunner to go No. 1 overall, and he reacted to the Wizards landing the top pick at the draft lottery, per Chase Hughes of Monumental Sports Network (Twitter video link).
“Obviously I’ve been betting on myself for a little while to be a No. 1 pick,” Dybantsa said. “So initially just thinking like how I would fit into the team. I think I’m pretty versatile, adaptable, so I think I can play anywhere.”
Asked about what he knew about Washington, D.C., Dybantsa said he “knew a little bit.”
“The Jordan Brand Classic was there last year,” the 6’9″ forward said. “I got to tour their facility a little bit. I know a couple of their players. Tre Johnson, played against him at length (in high school/AAU). I’ve been watching AD (Anthony Davis) for a long, long time. Trae Young, even when he was at Oklahoma. So I know a couple of guys there.”
An anonymous NBA general manager told Jeff Goodman of the Field of 68 that he thinks the Wizards will end up taking Dybantsa (Twitter link).
“I don’t they can take the risk with (Darryn) Peterson even though I think his upside is even higher than Dybantsa,” the GM said. “I think Washington will go with Dybantsa because it’s a safer pick and they can’t afford to screw this up.”
Monumental basketball president Michael Winger, who was the Wizards’ lottery-drawing representative, released a statement after Washington won the lottery.
“Today is another encouraging day for Wizards fans and our entire organization,” said Winger. “To choose first among this inspiring group of athletes is a welcomed opportunity, and challenge, for our group. We look forward to adding another high performing young player to our ascending team.”
Here’s more on the 2026 NBA draft:
- Just like in the recent mocks from ESPN and Yahoo Sports, Dybantsa goes No. 1 overall to the Wizards in the updated 2026 mock drafts from Sam Vecenie of The Athletic and Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report. The mocks from Vecenie and Wasserman are actually identical for the first nine picks, with Peterson (Jazz), Cameron Boozer (Grizzlies), Caleb Wilson (Bulls), Keaton Wagler (Clippers), Darius Acuff (Nets), Kingston Flemings (Kings), Mikel Brown (Hawks) and Brayden Burries (Mavericks) selected two through nine. Vecenie is a little lower on New Zealand Breakers forward Karim Lopez than other evaluators. Vecenie has Lopez going 20th to the Spurs, while Wasserman has him at 10th (Bucks). Interestingly, all four mocks have the Thunder taking Michigan big man Yaxel Lendeborg at No. 12 and three of the four have the Heat selecting Labaron Philon at No. 13, while two have the Bulls drafting Jayden Quaintance at No. 15.
- The Jazz moved up in the draft lottery for the first time in franchise history, according to Gordon Monson of The Salt Lake Tribune, who thinks the future is looking bright in Utah after the team added Jaren Jackson Jr. at the deadline to a core featuring Keyonte George, Ace Bailey, Lauri Markkanen and restricted free agent Walker Kessler. The Jazz will be selecting second overall, up from fourth in the pre-lottery odds. “It feels great, a big relief,” president of basketball operations Austin Ainge said, per Sarah Todd of The Deseret News. “It’s a really important tool for us to help build this winning team. So, couldn’t be more happy.” Ainge told the Deseret News it would be easier selecting second than fifth or seventh. “For sure, a lot easier,” Ainge said. “We just have to figure out who believe is No. 1 and No. 2… It’s much easier, but we still have to get it right.”
- Vanderbilt guard Tyler Tanner, who is testing the draft waters, tells Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress (Twitter link) he’ll be competing in the scrimmages at this week’s combine as he looks to boost his stock. “I’ll do whatever it takes to stay in the draft. I’m not running from anything. I love to play,” Tanner said. The sophomore guard said he’s focused on getting drafted “as high as I can,” addressed his size (he’s listed at 6’0″) being a perceived weakness, and listed his goal during the pre-draft process (All Twitter links). “My goal is to play in the NBA. Always has been since I was a kid,” Tanner told Givony. “I’m fully focused on making it. This is another opportunity to show what I can do. The way I make those around me better and raise the level of my teammates. I’ve always built my game on that.”
- One GM told Goodman he doesn’t think there’s much difference between the first and ninth picks in what’s viewed as a deep class (Twitter link). “I don’t see much disparity from No. 1 to the No. 8 or 9 pick,” the GM told the Field of 68. “I think the No. 3 or 4 pick may be the best because you won’t get crucified for not taking Dybantsa, Peterson, Boozer or Wilson down the line. The decision will be made for you.”
Draft Notes: Pacers, Wizards, Mock Drafts, Jazz, Grizzlies, More
Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard released a statement (via Twitter) after the team’s top-four protected first-round pick landed at No. 5 and conveyed to the Clippers. Indiana also sent Los Angeles its unprotected 2029 first-rounder, Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson and a 2028 second-round pick (via Dallas) in exchange for 2024/25 All-Defensive center Ivica Zubac.
“I’m really sorry to all our fans. I own taking this risk,” Pritchard wrote. “Surprised it came up 5th after this year. I thought we were due some luck. But please remember – this team deserved a starting center to compete with the best teams next year. We have always been resilient.”
While the Pacers lost their coin flip, the Wizards landed the No. 1 overall selection, becoming the first team to win the lottery with after finishing with the worst record in the league since the NBA flattened the lottery odds in 2019. Jeremy Woo of ESPN and Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports have updated their 2026 mock drafts after the lottery results, with identical top fives: AJ Dybantsa to Washington, followed by Darryn Peterson (Jazz), Cameron Boozer (Grizzlies), Caleb Wilson (Bulls) and Keaton Wagler (Clippers).
Here are a few more notes about the 2026 NBA draft:
- Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress (Twitter link) has an identical three through five, but he has Peterson going No. 1 and Dybantsa No. 2. While the Wizards will undoubtedly perform their due diligence, Michael Wallace of Grizzlies.com suggests (via Twitter) the Jazz would be thrilled if they’re able to select Peterson, whom Keyonte George and other members of the team congratulated. According to Wallace, many people around the league think the Grizzlies will be making a “tough choice” between Boozer and Wilson.
- The mock drafts from ESPN and Yahoo Sports have 13 overlapping players in the 14-team lottery, but there are some differences in where they’re selected. For example, O’Connor has the Hawks selecting Michigan center Aday Mara eighth overall, while Woo has the Spanish big man going 14th to the Hornets. Among the overlapping picks: Tennessee forward Nate Ament to the Bucks (No. 10), Mexican forward Karim Lopez to the Warriors (No. 11), and Michigan big man Yaxel Lendeborg to the Thunder (No. 12).
- In addition to Trey Kaufman-Renn (Purdue) and Jacob Cofie (USC), who were previously mentioned as G League combine standouts, Keith Smith of Spotrac (Twitter link) hears from NBA scouts and executives who said Aiden Tobiason (Temple), Rafael Castro (George Washington), Aaron Nkrumah (Tennessee State) and Nate Bittle (Oregon) helped themselves on Day 1 of scrimmages.
Southwest Notes: Champagnie, Pelicans, Rockets, Grizzlies
Julian Champagnie‘s improved rebounding has been an overlooked part of the Spurs‘ success this season, writes Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News. Head coach Mitch Johnson tasked Champagnie with improving his work on the glass at the start of 2025/26 and the fourth-year small forward responded by averaging a career-high 5.8 rebounds per game after pulling down 3.9 RPG a year ago.
Champagnie has been steadily productive in the playoffs, averaging 10.8 PPG, 5.9 RPG and 1.3 SPG while shooting a blistering hot 55.0% from three-point range in eight appearances, all starts (28.1 MPG). He grabbed 12 boards — a career playoff high — during Friday’s win in Minnesota, Orsborn notes.
“It’s a vital part of a playoff team,” Johnson said of Champagnie’s rebounding. “Typically, you have to do more than just one thing in terms of being a specialist. And when you become an elite rebounder like that, it’s a really, really impactful thing because it is the transition from your defense to your offense or it’s creating more opportunities for your offense.”
Champagnie, 24, is eligible for a veteran contract extension.
Here’s more from around the Southwest:
- Fans in New Orleans were paying close attention to Sunday’s draft lottery even though the Pelicans didn’t control their own pick, as Rod Walker of NOLA.com writes. Walker’s story was released before the lottery results, which saw the Hawks acquire the No. 8 overall pick to complete last year’s Derik Queen trade. The full trade saw the Pelicans receive the No. 13 overall pick in 2025 (Queen), while the Hawks acquired No. 23 overall pick in 2025 (Asa Newell) and No. 8 overall in 2026 (to be determined). “Human nature kicks in,” head of basketball operations Joe Dumars said at the end of the season. “Of course I’m going to follow it.”
- The Rockets‘ offseason could be complicated by Tari Eason‘s restricted free agency and their proximity to the 2026/27 tax aprons, and there’s a chance their free agent signings might not be finalized until the fall, similar to the Warriors’ situation with Jonathan Kuminga last year, Yossi Gozlan of Third Apron (Substack link) states in his offseason preview. Gozlan identifies 2025 free agent addition Dorian Finney-Smith as a potential salary-dump candidate since he’s entering the final guaranteed year of his contract after offseason surgery limited his effectiveness with Houston in ’25/26. Moving Finney-Smith without taking money back could put the Rockets below the luxury tax line, depending on what other moves they make, Gozlan adds. Amen Thompson (potential rookie scale extension), Eason, and Fred VanVleet ($25MM player option) are among the other contract situations Gozlan examines.
- Memphis jumped up from No. 6 to No. 3 in today’s draft lottery after injuries and tanking measures down the stretch. The Grizzlies also control the 16th overall pick (via Phoenix) and the 32nd pick (via Indiana). While adding elite prospects to a young core featuring Cedric Coward, Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells will be their top priority, finding a trade for Ja Morant is the other major decision hanging over the Grizzlies’ offseason, Keith Smith writes in his preview for Spotrac.
Wizards Win 2026 NBA Draft Lottery; Jazz, Grizzlies, Bulls In Top Four
The Wizards, who had the worst record in the league during the 2025/26 season, have won the 2026 NBA draft lottery.
Washington entered the lottery tied for the best possible odds (14%) to land the No. 1 overall pick. It was the first time since the current draft lottery format was implemented in 2019 that the league’s worst team claimed the first overall selection.
The full lottery order for the 2026 NBA draft is as follows:
- Washington Wizards
- Utah Jazz
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Chicago Bulls
- Los Angeles Clippers (from Pacers)
- Brooklyn Nets
- Sacramento Kings
- Atlanta Hawks (from Pelicans)
- Dallas Mavericks
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Golden State Warriors
- Oklahoma City Thunder (from Clippers)
- Miami Heat
- Charlotte Hornets
The Wizards have won 15, 18, and 17 games in the last three seasons, but didn’t have a clear-cut franchise player to show for it yet. They drafted Alex Sarr second overall in 2024 and slipped to sixth in 2025, opting to select Tre Johnson at that spot. This year, the ping pong balls landed in their favor and have put them in position to draft a long-term centerpiece.
While BYU forward AJ Dybantsa is the favorite to be the top pick, the Wizards figure to seriously consider prospects like Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, Duke forward Cameron Boozer, and UNC forward Caleb Wilson before making their selection on June 23.
The lottery results were also great news for the Jazz, who entered the day fourth in the pre-lottery order and moved up to No. 2. Like the Wizards, Utah has been rebuilding for multiple years and had been preparing to take a step forward in 2026/27 even before the lottery outcome was known. While Washington traded for Trae Young and Anthony Davis ahead of this year’s trade deadline, Utah acquired former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. in February.
Now, the Jazz are set to land a potential future All-Star to a roster that already features Jackson, Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George, 2025 lottery pick Ace Bailey, and restricted free agent center Walker Kessler.
Notably, both the Wizards and Jazz had technically traded away their 2026 first-rounders, but both picks included top-eight protection, meaning they remained in Washington and Utah, respectively.
The same can’t be said for the Pacers, who traded their 2026 first-round pick with top-four protection to the Clippers in February’s Ivica Zubac blockbuster. After posting the second-worst record in the league this season, Indiana entered the day with a 52.1% chance of retaining that pick. Instead, L.A. won what was essentially a coin flip, with the pick slipping just outside of the top four. It’s a best-case scenario for the Clippers, who get the No. 5 overall selection and will add a young building block from a strong draft class to their core.
[RELATED: Pacers Hopeful Of Retaining Pick But Won’t Regret Zubac Deal]
Assuming neither the Jazz nor the Wizards do anything too surprising with the top two picks, the Grizzlies and Bulls, the day’s other two big winners, should have their choice of the remaining two prospects from a consensus top four of Dybantsa, Peterson, Boozer, and Wilson.
Memphis, sixth in the pre-lottery order, had a 27.6% chance of moving into the top three, while Chicago made the biggest move up, from No. 9 to No. 4. The Bulls had just a 20.2% shot at a top-four pick entering the lottery.
The next tier of prospects in the 2026 class is made up of a handful of guards, including Illinois’ Keaton Wagler, Arkansas’ Darius Acuff, and Houston’s Kingston Flemings. Louisville guard Mikel Brown, Tennessee forward Nate Ament, Arizona guard Brayden Burries, Alabama guard Labaron Philon, Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg, and Mexican forward Karim Lopez are among the other players in the mix for teams with top-10 picks.
That group of teams in the top 10 is rounded out by the Nets, Kings, Hawks, Mavericks, and Bucks. Besides Milwaukee, each of those teams fell one or more spots as a result of the lottery outcome. That’s especially disappointing for Brooklyn and Sacramento, two retooling teams whose rosters lack star power.
Atlanta was likely also hoping for a better result, having controlled the more favorable of the Pelicans’ and Bucks’ first-rounders entering the lottery. While the Hawks had a 40.2% chance at a top-four pick, they instead moved down a spot from No. 7 to No. 8, as New Orleans was leapfrogged by Chicago while Milwaukee’s pick remained at No. 10.
That pick was the one the Hawks acquired from the Pelicans at last year’s draft — we now know that the terms of that trade turned out to be Derik Queen for Asa Newell and this year’s eighth overall pick.
After teams eliminated in the play-in tournament won each of the past two draft lotteries – Atlanta in 2024 and Dallas in 2025 – there was no movement among this year’s play-in clubs, with the Warriors remaining at No. 11 and the Heat and Hornets staying at No. 13 and No. 14, respectively. Additionally, the Clippers’ own first-rounder, which was controlled by the Thunder, remained at No. 12 — it’s safe to assume the rest of the NBA breathed a sigh of relief when that envelope was opened and OKC’s logo was revealed.
Although the NBA doesn’t air the actual lottery drawing process during its half-hour broadcast announcing the results, the league has put out a behind-the-scenes video that shows the draw taking place. It can be viewed right here (via Twitter).
Raptors Rumors: Dick, Poeltl, Barrett, Ingram, Mamukelashvili
Former lottery pick Gradey Dick would be amenable to a trade this offseason, according to Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca, who suggests that moving off the 22-year-old is something the Raptors will likely consider as they look to manage a tricky cap situation.
Dick was drafted 13th overall in 2023 and showed some promise during his first two NBA seasons, knocking down 36.5% of his three-pointers as a rookie and then averaging 14.4 points per game as a sophomore. But his playing time (14.0 MPG), scoring average (6.0 PPG), and three-point rate (30.1%) all dropped off in 2025/26, casting doubt on his future in Toronto as he enters the final year of his rookie scale contract.
Dick’s $7.13MM salary for 2026/27 is fully guaranteed. He’ll be eligible for a rookie scale extension beginning in July and would be on track for potential restricted free agent during the 2027 offseason if he doesn’t sign a new deal this year.
We have more on the Raptors:
- Confirming a prior report indicating that the Raptors inquired on Jaren Jackson Jr. at the deadline before the Grizzlies traded him to Utah, Grange says Toronto was actually “working hard” to try to acquire Jackson at that time, but Jakob Poeltl‘s contract was a sticking point, since no team was willing to take it on without being heavily incentivized to do so.
- Poeltl was still dealing with a back injury around the trade deadline, but the big man said his back didn’t bother him after the All-Star break or during the playoffs, per Grange. Still, that doesn’t mean Poeltl will have significantly more trade value this summer, since teams will remain reluctant to take on a deal that still features at least $81MM in guaranteed money.
- The Raptors appeared very willing to move RJ Barrett at the trade deadline, while Brandon Ingram earned an All-Star nod and led the team in scoring, but it was Barrett, not Ingram, who was more valuable in the postseason, Grange writes, wondering if the team might explore moving Ingram this offseason. Barrett will be entering the final year of his current contract, and while he’s an extension candidate, Toronto may be hesitant to lock him up long-term, as Grange and Eric Koreen of The Athletic point out, since he’s the only Raptor who will be on a big expiring deal that could be appealing in a trade. For his part, Barrett said on Monday that he hopes to stick with his hometown team.
- Sandro Mamukelashvili, who holds a minimum-salary player option for 2026/27, said on Monday that he “really wants” to return and that he loved the city and the organization, per Grange. However, if Mamukelashvili declines his option, the Raptors will only hold his Non-Bird rights and may have to use another exception to make a competitive contract offer.
- Exploring what the Raptors learned as a result of this season and their first-round playoff series loss to Cleveland, Koreen writes that Scottie Barnes is a bona fide star and that rookie Collin Murray-Boyles also looks like a long-term cornerstone, while head coach Darko Rajakovic deserves a contract extension. However, Koreen also notes that Barnes may need a co-star that better complements him and adds that the team badly needs more shooting.
Hornets’ Moussa Diabate Wins 2025/26 Hustle Award
Hornets big man Moussa Diabate is the winner of the NBA’s Hustle Award for the 2025/26 season, the league announced today.
The Hustle Award, which debuted in 2017, isn’t voted on by media members, players, or executives like other end-of-season awards. It’s based on a statistical formula that utilizes several “hustle” stats and is designed to recognize players whose efforts might not appear in the box score but “impact winning on a nightly basis.”
Among qualified players, Diabate ranked first on a per-minute basis in offensive box outs, fourth in screen assists, eighth in offensive loose balls recovered, 10th in contested two-point shots, and 11th in defensive box outs and contested three-point shots.
Diabate set new career highs in games played (73), starts (47), and minutes per game (26.0) in 2025/26, helping provide some stability at the five for a Hornets team whose center position looked like a major question mark entering the season following the offseason trades of Mark Williams and Jusuf Nurkic. The 24-year-old was among the Hornets who played key roles in the team’s improvement from 19 wins in 2024/25 to 44 victories this season.
Hawks guard Dyson Daniels was the runner-up for the Hustle Award, per the NBA, with 2025 winner Draymond Green of the Warriors finishing in third. Grizzlies rookie Cedric Coward and Knicks swingman Josh Hart rounded out the top five.
Fischer’s Latest: Snyder, McCollum, Kennard, Bulls, Morant
After leading the Hawks on a 19-5 run to close out the season after the team traded away star point guard Trae Young, head coach Quin Snyder is believed to have “strong” front office support for a new contract, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link), who notes that Snyder has one more year left on his current deal. Extension talks between Snyder and the Hawks are expected to happen soon after the team’s season ends, Fischer adds.
CJ McCollum, who will be an unrestricted free agent, was identified as a possible extension candidate shortly after he was acquired by Atlanta in January. Nothing that has happened since then has changed that, with Fischer suggesting there’s mutual interest between the veteran guard and the Hawks in working out a new deal this summer.
Here are a few more rumors from around the NBA, via Fischer:
- Although the Lakers could have a significant amount of cap room this summer, that will depend in large part on what happens with their own free agents. It remains to be seen whether LeBron James will be back, but Austin Reaves will almost certainly require a lucrative new deal, and according to Fischer, sharpshooter Luke Kennard is increasingly viewed as a player Los Angeles would like to re-sign. Kennard will only have Non-Bird rights, which would allow the Lakers to offer a starting salary worth up to $13.2MM (120% of his current $11MM salary), though they could theoretically go higher than that using cap room or – if they operate as an over-the-cap team – the non-taxpayer mid-level exception.
- Restricted free agent centers like Jalen Duren of the Pistons, Walker Kessler of the Jazz, and Mark Williams of the Suns are expected to try to generate interest from Chicago, Fischer reports. As he explains, the Bulls project to have the most cap room of any NBA team, so they have the means to make a big-money offer to an RFA center — the threat of an offer sheet could be the best way for a player like Duren, Kessler, or Williams to gain leverage and maximize his earnings, either with his current team or an outside suitor like Chicago.
- The Jazz aren’t viewed as a plausible landing spot for Ja Morant this offseason, so don’t expect him to reunite with his former Grizzlies teammate Jaren Jackson Jr., Fischer writes. However, Fischer has heard “predictive murmurs” that the trade market for Morant should be more active in the summer than it was in February, when league-wide interest in the star guard was “extremely minimal.”