Atlantic Notes: Giannis, Celtics, Edwards, Wagler, Nets
While multiple reports have linked the Celtics to Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, the two clubs have not yet had direct trade talks regarding the two-time MVP, a league source tells Steve Bulpett of Heavy.com (Twitter link).
Bulpett acknowledges the situation is “fluid,” and suggests if Antetokounmpo does get traded from Milwaukee, it’s considered “increasingly likely” to be a multi-team deal.
The Celtics reportedly expressed a level of interest in Antetokounmpo ahead of the February trade deadline, though it’s unclear how serious those conversations were.
Here’s more from around the Atlantic:
- Jay King of The Athletic answers several Celtics-related questions in a mailbag, including possible free agent targets at center or big men they might consider acquiring using their $27.7MM traded player exception. King likes the idea of pursuing either Mitchell Robinson or Robert Williams III using the non-taxpayer mid-level exception rather than using the TPE on a center already under contract for multiple seasons. As King notes, Robinson seems likely to command a long-term agreement, while ex-Celtic Williams would presumably be a little cheaper and perhaps more amenable to a short-term deal.
- While Justin Edwards showed some promising flashes in his second season, the Sixers wing failed to establish himself as a rotation fixture going forward, per Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice. Aaronson reviews Edwards’ 2025/26 season, writing that head coach Nick Nurse is a strong supporter of the 22-year-old despite his playing time dropping considerably in year two. Becoming a more consistent three-point shooter, pulling down more defensive rebounds, and improving on defense should be goals for Edwards this offseason, Aaronson adds.
- How would Keaton Wagler fit with the Nets if they select him sixth overall in next month’s draft? Brian Lewis of The New York Post explores that question in a subscriber-only story, noting that Wagler has been widely mocked to the Clippers at No. 5 due to his positional size as a 6’6″ guard. The 19-year-old was a relatively unheralded recruit, ranking outside the top 150 entering college, but quickly rose up draft boards in 2025/26 after an excellent freshman season at Illinois, Lewis writes. Wagler is lauded for his quick decision-making, versatility and ability to change speeds, but he’s not the most explosive athlete and didn’t record a single dunk last season, a rarity for a draft prospect at his size, Lewis adds. “I mean, I’ve heard it my whole life, that I’m not the most athletic, not the fastest,” Wagler said. “I think all last year I showed that you don’t have to be the most athletic to score the ball or be a really good player. And that’s kind of what I did. I just find different ways to use my body, even though I’m not the strongest, but being the aggressor, using my pace [of play] and then getting into the lane.”
2026 NBA Offseason Preview: Dallas Mavericks
The 2024/25 season was one of the most eventful years in the history of the Mavericks, for better (winning the Cooper Flagg draft lottery) or for worse (trading Luka Doncic to the Lakers). So it probably came as a bit of a relief to fans in Dallas and staffers within the organization that the '25/26 campaign was a whole lot more ordinary, especially after Nico Harrison, the general manager responsible for the stunning Doncic deal, was removed from his position in November.
That's not to say there weren't highs and lows. Among the highs was Flagg, who was everything the team hoped he would be, earning Rookie of the Year honors in a tight race with former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel after averaging 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game across 70 outings.
Conversely, star big man Anthony Davis continued to battle health issues during his second season as a Maverick. He was limited to just 20 regular season games in 2025/26 - and 29 overall after being acquired in the Doncic blockbuster - before Dallas sent him to the Wizards at February's trade deadline. Harrison's belief that Davis could be the centerpiece of the next Mavs championship team was ultimately misguided, and it was up to his temporary successors, co-interim GMs Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi, to try to salvage some value for an aging, injury-plagued star who was no longer part of the team's long-term plans.
With Davis not playing enough, young center Dereck Lively II also sidelined due to foot problems, and the team's other veteran star, Kyrie Irving, still recovering from an ACL tear he suffered in March 2025, Dallas opened the season by losing 23 of its first 35 games, quickly falling out of playoff contention. That simplified the club's decisions to trade Davis and to hold out Lively and Irving for the entire season. It also allowed the Mavs to feature not just Flagg but several other promising youngsters and breakout role players, including Max Christie, Naji Marshall, and rookie Ryan Nembhard.
With both Doncic and Davis gone, Irving and Lively returning from major injuries, Flagg still just 19 years old, and the Mavs coming off a 26-56 showing, it's fair to be dubious about the team's ability to contend again in the short term. But there are plenty of reasons for optimism in Dallas.
Flagg is the most obvious one, and it can't be overstated how lucky the Mavericks were to land a young cornerstone who looks like a future perennial All-Star after giving up on another player who fit that bill. Even beyond Flagg though, there are bright spots.
This roster still features several of the pieces that it did when Dallas advanced to the NBA Finals in 2024, starting with Irving, Daniel Gafford, and P.J. Washington. Throw in promising recent additions like Christie, Marshall, and Nembhard, along with the No. 9 overall pick in this year's draft, and this looks like a group capable of being competitive sooner rather than later -- especially with new president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri now running the show in the front office, bringing championship experience with him to Dallas.
Does that mean we'll see the Mavericks back in the playoffs in 2027? Not necessarily. But given that 2026 is the last draft until 2031 in which they'll control their own first-round pick, a full-fledged rebuild probably isn't in the cards here. So what exactly will Ujiri's first summer on the job look like? Let's dig in.
Jalen Williams, Ajay Mitchell Ruled Out For Game 7
The defending champion Thunder will be without two of their primary offensive initiators when they face San Antonio on Saturday in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals, tweets Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman.
Star wing Jalen Williams has been ruled out due to left hamstring strain injury management, while second-year guard Ajay Mitchell remains sidelined with a right soleus (calf) strain.
Williams returned to action on Thursday in the Game 6 loss to the Spurs, but was clearly hindered, which head coach Mark Daigneault admitted after the 25-year-old had one point, one assist and two turnovers and was minus-18 in 10 minutes. Williams aggravated a left hamstring strain in Game 2 vs. the Spurs and missed Games 3-5.
A member of the All-NBA Third Team in 2024/25, Williams initially strained his left hamstring in Game 2 of the first-round series vs. Phoenix, which Oklahoma City went on to win 4-0. He missed the entire second-round sweep of the Lakers as a result of the injury.
Mitchell was excellent against Los Angeles in the second round after an up-and-down first round against the Suns. The 2024 second-round pick had a relatively slow start to the Western finals against the Spurs, then strained his calf in Game 3.
The Thunder have gone 1-1 so far vs. San Antonio without both Williams and Mitchell, losing Game 4 on the road and winning Game 5 at home. Game 7 will be played in Oklahoma City.
Sixers To Hire Mike Gansey As President Of Basketball Operations
Cavaliers general manager Mike Gansey has reached an agreement to become the Sixers‘ new president of basketball operations, sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).
Gansey will replace Daryl Morey, who was fired after Philadelphia was swept by New York in the second round of the playoffs.
A former college basketball player at St. Bonaventure and West Virginia, Gansey was viewed as a potential NBA draft pick in 2006 but he contracted MRSA during the pre-draft process, ultimately signing a non-guaranteed training camp deal with the Heat. He was waived after being hospitalized for two weeks and losing 30 pounds as a result of the infection, per ESPN, then contracted MRSA again in his ankle, which required surgery.
“I mean people have lost lives from this, have lost body parts,” Gansey said in 2007. “It’s something you don’t want to mess around with, and if you see any little thing that looks suspicious, get it checked out. You never know what it could be.”
Gansey played in a couple of summer leagues, but never suited up in the NBA, having spent time in the G League (then called the D-League) on top of playing professionally in Italy, Germany and China. He transitioned to a front office role with the Cavaliers in 2011/12.
The 43-year-old steadily worked his way up the ranks with his hometown team. Gansey was named G League executive of the year in April 2017, then was promoted to assistant GM of the Cavs a few months later. He was promoted to GM in 2022 and has been in that role with Cleveland for the past four years.
This will be Gansey’s first opportunity to run a team of his own, as he has spent the past several years working under Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman. Bob Myers, who led the search process, is expected to collaborate with Gansey during key times of the league year, including the draft, free agency and trade deadline.
The Cavs have won 51, 48, 64 and 52 regular season games over the past four years with Gansey as general manager, making the playoffs on each occasion. Cleveland was eliminated from the postseason last week when the team was swept by New York in the Eastern Conference finals.
Gansey and Sixers assistant GM Jameer Nelson were reportedly the frontrunners for the top front office job in Philadelphia, with Phoenix Mercury GM Nick U’Ren and Timberwolves GM Matt Lloyd viewed as the other finalists. Multiple reports have indicated that Nelson, a former NBA point guard, is likely to be promoted.
Knicks Notes: Finals Mandate, Robinson, Brunson, Rose
Even before Knicks owner James Dolan spoke in January about his team “absolutely” needing to make the NBA Finals, coming out of the East had been the goal – and the expectation – for Knicks players and coaches, writes Jared Schwartz of The New York Post.
“We all had that aspiration regardless, so we didn’t really need to hear that because we all wanted that moment, we all wanted to see that, especially after last year being in the Eastern Conference finals and coming up short,” Knicks big man Karl-Anthony Towns said. “We understand that we’ve gotta take that next step. So what he’s talking about is also how we all felt.”
Dolan’s Finals-or-bust mandate raised some eyebrows at the time. At that point in the season, the Knicks were in the midst of a four-game losing streak and a stretch of nine losses in 11 games, which allowed the Celtics to pass them for good in the Eastern Conference standings. But according to Josh Hart, the team didn’t feel any additional pressure as a result of Dolan’s remarks.
“Not pressure, because I think that’s the goal that we all kind of have,” Hart said. “Obviously, it hits a little bit different when the big dog says it. But that’s the goal that each and every one of us has. And we’re our own biggest critics, so this kind of adds a little bit more fuel to that internal fire of the hunger to get there.”
We have more on the Knicks:
- Mitchell Robinson‘s broken pinky finger didn’t occur during a game or practice, according to head coach Mike Brown (Twitter link via Fred Katz of The Athletic). When Brown was asked a follow-up question about how Robinson injured the finger, a Knicks media relations staffer stepped in and said, “We’re not going to get into specifics.” As we relayed earlier today, Robinson is undergoing surgery to repair the fracture and is aiming to suit up in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday. According to Jeff Stotts of In Street Clothes (Twitter link), no player since 2005 has missed fewer than 14 days due to a pinky fracture that required surgery, so Robinson will be looking to beat that timeline by a considerable margin.
- With New York just four games away from a championship, current Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon was asked about her December 2023 assertion on ESPN that the Knicks wouldn’t be able to win a title while being led by a small guard like Jalen Brunson. “I don’t know why everybody’s so stuck on that,” Hammon said this week, per Devon Henderson of The Athletic. “I said it two years ago. I stand by it. There’s no air to be cleared. I said what I said. He proves me wrong, he proves me wrong. Good for him. But I do think the two best teams are in the West.
- The Knicks’ run to the NBA Finals is a testament to Leon Rose‘s decision-making and roster-building, according to Ian Begley of SNY.tv, who suggests certain moves the president of basketball operations didn’t make – such as trading for Donovan Mitchell – were as important as the ones he did make.
- Who will the Knicks be rooting for in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals on Saturday? James L. Edwards III of The Athletic considers whether New York would match up better with the Thunder or Spurs, ultimately concluding that San Antonio would be the more favorable opponent.
Magic To Hire Sean Sweeney As Head Coach
The Magic are finalizing a deal with top Spurs assistant Sean Sweeney and will hire him as their head coach, sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link). He’ll receive a four-year deal, reports Chris Mannix of SI.com (Twitter link).
Jake Fischer and Marc Stein of The Stein Line had reported earlier today that Orlando was “very interested” in Sweeney, who was connected to multiple teams with head coaching vacancies this offseason. The Magic had also been considering Jeff Van Gundy and Billy Donovan, who were the club’s other finalists, per Charania (Twitter link).
Sweeney, who joined the Nets as a video coordinator in 2011, was promoted to an assistant coaching role in Brooklyn in 2013, then followed Jason Kidd to Milwaukee, working as a Bucks assistant from 2014-18. Following a three-year stint as a Pistons assistant from 2018-21, Sweeney reunited with Kidd in Dallas, serving as an assistant for the Mavericks from 2021-25.
A year ago, Sweeney left Dallas to become the lead assistant under Mitch Johnson in San Antonio. He earned the title of associate head coach with the Spurs and was responsible for running the team’s defense, which improved from 25th in defensive rating in 2024/25 to third in ’25/26.
After they parted ways with former head coach Jamahl Mosley, there was a sense that the Magic might be seeking a veteran head coach with prior experience, since they were seeking a candidate who could help the team make a deeper playoff run following three consecutive first-round exits. However, the Magic will opt for another first-time head coach, as Sweeney “blew away” the team during the interview process, as Charania writes in a full story.
According to Charania and Stein (Twitter link), Magic officials flew to San Antonio during the Western Conference finals to meet with Sweeney. The plan is for the veteran assistant to finish out the remainder of the postseason with the Spurs before joining the Magic. That could happen within the next few days if the Spurs are unable to beat the Thunder in Game 7 on Saturday.
The Bulls had interest in Sweeney, who was also said to be in the mix for the Pelicans’ head coaching job before New Orleans hired Mosley. Additionally, there was a belief that the Mavericks might seek a reunion with their former assistant, though there hasn’t been much chatter about that job, so it’s unclear if Dallas ever really pursued him.
With Sweeney headed to Orlando, three head coaching searches are now complete, as the Magic join the Pelicans (Mosley) and Bucks (Taylor Jenkins) in hiring new coaches. The Bulls, Mavericks, and Trail Blazers still have openings.
Fischer/Stein’s Latest: Sweeney, Sixers, Snyder, Harden, Bulls
A league source tells Jake Fischer and Marc Stein of The Stein Line (Substack link) that the Magic are “very interested” in hiring Spurs associate head coach Sean Sweeney to fill their head coaching vacancy. Orlando officials were planning a trip to San Antonio this week to interview Sweeney during the Western Conference finals, according to the authors.
Sweeney, who’s in his first season with the Spurs, is considered the architect of the team’s aggressive defense that has helped to fuel this year’s playoff run. The Magic were perennially among the league’s best defensive teams under Jamahl Mosley, so the infrastructure is already in place for Sweeney to succeed.
Former Bulls head coach Billy Donovan and current Clippers assistant Jeff Van Gundy are the only candidates reported to have interviewed for the Magic opening since Mosley was fired May 4. Sweeney has also been linked to the head coaching vacancies in Chicago and Dallas.
Fischer and Stein share more inside information from around the league:
- Cavaliers general manager Mike Gansey and Phoenix Mercury GM Nick U’Ren recently had interviews in Philadelphia to become the Sixers‘ head of basketball operations. Sources tell Fischer and Stein that Gansey and Sixers assistant GM Jameer Nelson are considered the leading candidates for the position.
- An extension for Hawks head coach Quin Snyder has been considered “inevitable” since the team’s playoff run ended, according to Fischer and Stein. They cite regular season rumors that Snyder could have been a potential candidate to replace Kenny Atkinson in Cleveland, but sources tell them that Atkinson was always expected to remain with the Cavaliers for a third season.
- Fischer and Stein’s sources also say the Cavaliers are optimistic about re-signing James Harden to a multiyear deal with a lower annual salary than the $39.4MM he made this season. “Rough early estimates” are in the range of $30MM per year, which could help the team escape the second apron.
- The Bulls are closer than the Mavericks to completing their head coaching search, but they’re still talking to several prospects, according to Fischer and Stein. Known candidates so far include Minnesota’s Micah Nori, Miami’s Chris Quinn, Cleveland’s Johnnie Bryant, Oklahoma City’s Dave Bliss and former New Orleans interim coach James Borrego. Nori is also a finalist for the Trail Blazers‘ opening, along with Van Gundy, Boston’s Tyler Lashbrook, Utah’s Mike Williams and acting head coach Tiago Splitter.
Cavs’ Altman Hopes To Reach Extension With Donovan Mitchell
Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman confirmed at Friday’s end-of-season press conference that reaching an extension with Donovan Mitchell will be a priority, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com writes in a subscriber-only piece.
“Donovan is our guy,” Altman told reporters during the 32-minute exchange. “He’s elevated everything about this franchise and this organization, so when he professes his love for being here, we’re fortunate to have him and we’ll work out those details when it comes time.”
The 29-year-old guard has one guaranteed year left on his current contract at $50.1MM, along with a $53.8MM player option for 2027/28. He will become extension-eligible July 7 when the Cavs can offer a new four-year deal worth up to $272MM, but Fedor notes that it may be in Mitchell’s best interest to wait.
Mitchell will be a 10-year veteran next summer, which allows him to sign a five-year supermax deal in the neighborhood of $350MM. He will also become eligible for certain contract perks, including a no-trade clause.
Altman didn’t directly answer a question about whether he plans to submit an extension offer to Mitchell on July 7, Fedor adds.
“All I can tell you is Donovan has been steadfast in how much he loves it here and so there hasn’t been any question of will he be here and does he want to be here,” Altman said. “I think that’s the biggest thing, right? That’s the best thing, right? When we have a superstar of his caliber that wants to be in Cleveland, that’s our best ambassador, that’s our best recruiter … I think the bigger question is the one that’s been answered is, does he want to be here and does he want to be here long term? I think he’s answered that. He’s still playing the best basketball of his career, and he finally broke through to get to a conference finals and he wants more. We’re getting him at his peak right now and we hope that that continues.”
Mitchell indicated a desire to remain in Cleveland after the team’s playoff run came to an end on Monday, saying “I love it here” at the post-game press conference. He also expressed confidence that the organization can continue to compete for a championship.
The Cavaliers have focused on building a title contender around Mitchell ever since he was acquired from Utah in the summer of 2022. He’s coming off his seventh straight All-Star season and earned Second-Team All-NBA honors after averaging 27.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.7 assists in 70 games.
“Eight long years to get back here,” Altman said of the conference finals appearance, which was the team’s first since 2018. “The four years without him, no playoffs. Four years with him, playoffs.”
Cavaliers Considered Unlikely To Pursue Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Cavaliers‘ concerns about whether Giannis Antetokounmpo would sign an extension in Cleveland will likely keep them out of the trade sweepstakes for the Bucks star, according to Jake Fischer and Marc Stein of The Stein Line (subscription required).
There has been some speculation that the Cavs might be willing to part with Evan Mobley to acquire Antetokounmpo and maximize their title chances by teaming him with Donovan Mitchell and James Harden. However, sources tell Fischer and Stein that Cleveland “should be regarded as unlikely to factor into the trade chase” for Antetokounmpo.
The authors note that Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman seemed to verify that sentiment as his end-of-season press conference Friday morning when he stated that Mobley is “part of our future.” Altman sidestepped a specific question about Antetokounmpo, telling reporters, “We’re not going to speculate on any player outside these walls.”
The report from Fischer and Stein gels with a weekend story from Joe Vardon of the Athletic claiming that Cleveland hasn’t expressed any interest in a Mobley-Antetokounmpo swap.
Antetokounmpo will earn $58.5MM next season and holds a $62.8MM player option for 2027/28. The ability to opt out and become an unrestricted free agent next summer gives him a degree of control in choosing his next team. It also makes potential suitors reluctant to part with valuable assets such as Mobley without an assurance that Antetokounmpo plans to stay long-term.
Fischer reported earlier this month that the Cavaliers might be viewed as a reasonable destination for Antetokounmpo if they encountered playoff disappointment again. The team wound up reaching the Eastern Conference finals, but mostly wasn’t competitive during a four-game sweep by New York.
Fischer and Stein also state that the Cavs are reluctant to part with Mobley because he’s only 24 and can provide “a legitimate bridge to a successful post-Mitchell future.” They add that team officials haven’t forgotten how difficult it was to rebuild after LeBron James left Cleveland in 2010 and 2018 and they’re hesitant to part with Mobley unless it’s a “sure-thing trade.”
Southeast Notes: Black, Diabate, Wizards
The sixth overall pick in the 2023 draft, Magic guard Anthony Black will become eligible for a rookie scale extension this offseason as he enters his fourth year in the league. With significant long-term money already owed to Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Desmond Bane, and Jalen Suggs, Orlando will likely be cautious in its negotiations with Black. But he has emerged as a key part of the team’s rotation, so it seems safe to assume the club will be interested in a new deal.
Black would absolutely reciprocate that interest, suggesting to Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel (subscription required) that he’d welcome the opportunity to sign an extension with the Magic in the coming months.
“It’s just an opportunity to officially stamp it as like my home,” Black said. “It’s just something I’ll be looking forward to doing. Starting my young life, this is the first city I’ve played in, so it would mean a lot being able to play here for years.
“Obviously I want to win a lot too and I feel like we’re in a great position to do that and we came really close to doing that,” he continued. “So, for me, that would be ideal, but it’s the NBA and it’s always a decision that has to be made.”
We have more from around the Southeast:
- Hornets center Moussa Diabate had a breakout year in 2026/27, establishing career highs in points (7.9), rebounds (8.7), assists (1.9), and blocks (1.0) per game as he started 47 games in the middle. The 24-year-old, who is entering the final season of his minimum-salary contract in Charlotte, tells Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer that he has no intention of getting “complacent” and wants to continue improving, especially on the offensive end. “Not saying that at the end of the day, I want to (have) a pull-up jumper and all this, but being a threat offensively is going to make me even better, and it’s going to help my teammates,” Diabate said. “So for me, definitely being comfortable with the ball more. Whether it’s me pushing it on the break or just on my handoffs or anything like that, me driving to the basket. Just really expand my game.”
- NBA fans in Washington haven’t had much to cheer about in recent years, as the Wizards have been below .500 for eight straight seasons and haven’t won more than 18 games in a season since 2022/23. However, as Josh Robbins of The Athletic details, ticket sales are soaring in D.C. in the wake of trades for Trae Young and Anthony Davis and the team’s draft lottery win. President of business operations Jim Van Stone told Robbins the team has seen a 190% increase in new full-season ticket revenue from 2025 to 2026.
- In case you missed it, we rounded up several notes on the Heat on Thursday night, including items on Pelle Larsson, Davion Mitchell, and the team’s offseason plans.