Nate Ament Declares for 2026 NBA Draft
Projected lottery pick Nate Ament has declared for the 2026 NBA draft, the freshman forward announced on Instagram.
Ament averaged 16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game for Tennessee in 2025/26 and was named to the All-SEC second team. The 6’10” forward struggled with efficiency over the course of the season, shooting 39.9% from the field and 33.3% from three despite being a capable shot-maker.
Ament found his rhythm towards the end of the season, putting together a 10-game stretch from January to mid-February in which he averaged 23.4 PPG and 6.5 RPG while hitting 38.1% of his 4.2 three-point attempts per game.
Ament is ninth on Jeremy Woo’s mock draft for ESPN and comes in at No. 8 on his big board. According to Woo, the 19-year-old likely won’t be able to come in and immediately contribute to winning at the NBA level, but has an interesting mix of fluidity and skill for his size. Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report has Ament at No. 13 on his mock draft, citing the contrast between his potential as a three-level scorer and concerns about his lack of burst or strength.
Early entrants who won’t be automatically eligible have until the end of the day on Friday to declare for the 2026 NBA draft.
Injury Notes: Gordon, Quickley, Durant, Reaves, Lillard, LaRavia
Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon will miss Game 3 against the Wolves on Thursday due to a calf injury, as first reported by NBA insider Chris Haynes (via Twitter). With the series tied at one game apiece, Gordon’s absence is significant, especially with breakout reserve forward Peyton Watson still working his way back from a hamstring injury that will cause him to miss Game 3 as well.
Gordon played 37 minutes in Denver’s five-point loss to the Wolves on Monday, and while he posted a modest stat line, his defense on Julius Randle and his offensive versatility are a major part of the Nuggets’ game plan.
The injury is being described as left calf tightness. Gordon had previously been listed as probable before being downgraded to questionable earlier today.
We have more injury news from around the playoffs:
- Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley will remain sidelined for Game 3 of the team’s series vs. Cleveland on Thursday, Josh Lewenberg of TSN notes (via Twitter). Quickley missed each of the first two games of the series due to a hamstring injury that has kept him on the shelf since April 12. Jamal Shead started each of those two games in his place.
- Kevin Durant is being listed as questionable for the Rockets‘ Game 3 against the Lakers due to a left ankle sprain, Jovan Buha notes (via Twitter). This is seemingly unrelated to the knee injury that sidelined the veteran for Game 1. Durant played 41 minutes in Game 2 and struggled against the Lakers’ constant double-teams, amassing nine turnovers to four assists.
- The Lakers could see more reinforcements on the way soon, as Austin Reaves has been upgraded to questionable, per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin (Twitter link). Reaves was expected to be out for four to six weeks due to his left oblique strain, but if he’s able to play in Game 3, he’d be back at around three weeks.
- After the Trail Blazers posted a video of Damian Lillard getting shots up, there were questions about whether the star guard could return from his ruptured Achilles tendon during this year’s playoffs. Head coach Tiago Splitter didn’t rule out the possibility completely, but he did say it was unlikely, according to Sean Highkin of the Rose Garden Report (Twitter link). When asked specifically about the return, Splitter gave a two-word response: “Probably not.”
- Jake LaRavia is day-to-day with a low-grade ankle sprain, according to Lakers coach JJ Redick, via Law Murray of The Athletic (Twitter link). LaRavia went scoreless in 16 minutes in Game 2 against the Rockets after scoring six points in 18 minutes in Game 1. The 6’7″ forward played all 82 regular season games this season for Los Angeles.
Knicks Notes: Brown, Towns, Robinson, Shamet
Much of the discussion following the Knicks‘ loss to the Hawks in Game 2 revolved around coach Mike Brown‘s decisions regarding lineups and timeout usage. Asked ahead of Game 3 whether he’ll stick with his usual substitution patterns, Brown says he’s open to tweaking his rotation, Andrew Crane writes for the New York Post.
“Anything’s open to discussion offensively, defensively,” Brown said. “Maybe changing this defensively. Maybe changing that offensively. I’m comfortable with all of our guys playing, no matter who the five is out there.”
The Knicks’ players themselves say they’re fully confident in Brown’s adjustments, per Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News, noting that it’s up to them to execute the game plan their coach lays out for them. Playing with pace and physicality are two points of emphasis among the coaching staff and the players.
“We [have to] get the ball faster, run on makes and misses,” said Jalen Brunson. “Just be who we are and don’t let things are not that important in this moment — it shouldn’t mean we’re not doing the things that we’re supposed to be doing.”
We have more Knicks notes:
- Karl-Anthony Towns took 12 shots in Game 2 and only two in the fourth quarter as the lead the Knicks had built slipped away. In a feature story for ESPN, Vincent Goodwill outlines how Brown and the coaching staff have struggled all season to maximize the star big man on offense but observes that it hasn’t impacted Towns’ desire to continue being a Knick. “He so badly wants things to work here,” a source close to Towns tells ESPN. “He wants to be a Knick for life.”
- Mitchell Robinson isn’t angry about the Hawks employing intentional fouls as a way to force him off the floor. He views it as a sign of respect, Winfield writes. “I mean, yeah, I feel like they want to get me off the court, so I know I’m threatening they ass and it be like that,” Robinson said. Despite being just 2-for-6 from the line through two games, Robinson believes that the work he puts in to practice his free throws will pay off in the end. “Sometimes, it go in; sometimes, it don’t,” he said. “Confidence still high, so still ready to go.” Brown is trying to figure out how to get the defensive-minded center more minutes, but he says it’s been difficult because the two-big lineups with Towns haven’t been effective so far this series, Ian Begley of SNY notes (via Twitter).
- The Knicks have praised Landry Shamet‘s plug-and-play ability all year, but he hit a rough patch towards the end of the season and hasn’t found a way to break out of it so far in the playoffs, Jared Schwartz writes for the New York Post. Shamet shot just 1-for-7 from the field over the first two games of the series, with six of those seven attempts from beyond the arc. The Knicks have struggled to find a stable ball-handler off the bench, as both Shamet and Miles McBride are more comfortable off the ball and have difficulty breaking down defenses off the dribble. Those two were supposed to be New York’s top guard depth, but neither has been able to get going, forcing Brown to turn to Jose Alvarado instead as a source of energy and ball-handling.
Isaac Bonga, Alpha Diallo Have Drawn NBA Interest
Plenty of players in the EuroLeague get checked in on by NBA teams during the course of the season, but two were particularly close to moving to the United States this season, according to Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews: Isaac Bonga and Alpha Diallo.
Bonga, who plays for Partizan Belgrade in Serbia, had interest in returning to the NBA after multiple teams expressed strong interest, Urbonas notes. Because Bonga’s contract, which runs through 2027, didn’t contain an in-season exit clause, Partizan blocked any such move.
While that put an end to his efforts to get to the NBA during the season, Bonga does have an NBA out clause that he could take advantage of during the offseason.
The 2025 Adriatic League Best Defensive Player averaged 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game this season while hitting 36.5% of his threes. Still just 26 years old, Bonga last played in the NBA during the 2021/22 season, when he appeared in 15 games with the Raptors. He played four years in the league, from 2018-22.
According to Urbonas, Diallo was considered one of the best all-around players in the EuroLeague this season. He was voted the Best Defensive Player by EuroLeague general managers after ranking second in steals.
The 6’7″ forward drew the eye of at least one NBA team, Urbonas reports, and while his contract with AS Monaco runs through 2028, he also has an NBA out that could allow him to explore a move during the offseason.
Diallo went unselected in the 2020 draft after playing four years at Providence.
Northwest Notes: Henderson, Watson, Gobert, Edwards
It hasn’t been an easy season for Scoot Henderson, who didn’t play until February due to a torn hamstring. In fact, it’s been an up-and-down first three years in the league for the guard selected third overall by the Trail Blazers in the 2023 draft.
However, Henderson enjoyed a career night on Tuesday, scoring 31 points in a 106-103 victory that tied the series with the Spurs at one game apiece. His head coach, Tiago Splitter, was blown away by the performance, Ramona Shelburne writes for ESPN.
“I don’t know if I have words for it,” Splitter said. “That was the best game of the season for him, maybe his career. To have a game like that in playoffs against a great team like the Spurs, it’s something else. Not just offensively, but defensively. He carried us, scored when we needed, got stops and really won a game for us.”
Henderson, at one point, was considered the 1B draft prospect to Victor Wembanyama‘s 1A, which led to the two players facing off in an exhibition game when the point guard was with the G League Ignite and Wembanyama was still a member of the Metropolitans 92. Both players showed the best of what they could do in that exhibition, but since then, Henderson has dealt with injuries and has struggled to find his rhythm.
“I’m so blessed to even play in a situation like this,” Henderson said. “Playoffs, third year, younger team, with great vets. The picture couldn’t have painted itself better.”
We have more from around the Northwest Division:
- Peyton Watson is still working his way back from a hamstring strain as he seeks to get back on the court for the Nuggets. He has been ruled out for Game 3 of the series against the Wolves, but was able to get some work in on the side of Denver’s practice today, Anthony Slater writes for ESPN. Vinny Benedetto of the Denver Gazette adds (via Twitter) that Watson was mostly working out with and against the coaching staff on Wednesday.
- The Timberwolves believe that Rudy Gobert‘s performance against Nikola Jokic through two games is emblematic of why voters made a grave mistake this season, Tyler King writes for The Denver Gazette. “It’s a joke that he wasn’t a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year,” head coach Chris Finch said after the Wolves won Game 2. King notes that Jokic went 1-for-8 in Game 2 when guarded by Gobert, and seven of those shots came in the fourth quarter. “I know who I am,” Gobert said. “It’s not the first time I get disrespected, probably not the last. If they want to disrespect greatness, take it for granted or whatever, sooner or later, they’ll realize the impact.”
- Anthony Edwards‘ stats for the Timberwolves in Game 2 were impressive, but it was his “superstar energy” as he fought through pain in his knee that really fueled his team, writes Dave Campbell of The Associated Press. “It definitely uplifts me,” Julius Randle said. “I feel like I can’t let him down. If he’s out there battling, then there’s no excuse why I can’t give my best and make the extra effort plays and just go out there and compete at the highest level.” Edwards finished the game with 30 points and 10 rebounds despite clearly being bothered by the knee ailment that kept him out for 11 of the team’s last 13 regular season games.
Heat Notes: Offseason, Wiggins, Jaquez, Jovic
Despite some highlights and internal growth from their younger players, the Heat had a disappointing season that ultimately ended with a play-in loss. Now the team has to determine its next steps as it looks to regain a competitive foothold in the East.
After re-signing Davion Mitchell and extending Nikola Jovic, Miami is not expected to be a cap space team this summer, but the club still has real financial flexibility, Yossi Gozlan writes in his offseason preview for The Third Apron (Substack link).
The Heat have 13 roster slots accounted for, including their first-round pick in the 2026 draft, which projects to be No. 13, barring a change on lottery night. The Heat will also be able to trade up to four first-round picks this summer. That leads Gozlan to suggest that a consolidation trade could make sense.
The team will also have access to its $15.1MM non-taxpayer mid-level exception, Barry Jackson notes for the Miami Herald in a two-part look at potential roster additions. He lists CJ McCollum, Ayo Dosunmu, and Quentin Grimes, as potential guard and wing targets using that exception.
Miami also needs help at the power forward spot, Jackson writes in part two of the column, noting that Rui Hachimura, Kristaps Porzingis, and John Collins could be among the team’s targets if it looks to address its frontcourt using the MLE.
We have more from the Heat:
- One factor that will help determine how much spending flexibility the Heat have is what Andrew Wiggins chooses to do with his $30.2MM player option, Ira Winderman writes for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Wiggins has until June 29 to pick up the option or until June 30 to decline it and work out an extension, if both sides want to pursue that route. Exercising the option could make a star trade easier for the Heat, but the decision ultimately rests with the 31-year-old. “I’m not sure yet,” he said of his future plans. “I’m going to see what’s going on and talk to my agent. Obviously, I love Miami.”
- Jaime Jaquez Jr.‘s excellent season wasn’t rewarded with a Sixth Man of the Year award, but his play in 2025/26 has left him feeling better than ever, Anthony Chiang writes for The Miami Herald. “I feel a lot more confident,” Jaquez said last week. “I feel like I really belong in this league. I think this year kind of solidified that for at least myself, knowing that I can really do this. And going forward, continue to stay ambitious, continue to strive for more, continue to improve, continue to help this team win games.” After a disappointing sophomore season, Jaquez turned in an impressively versatile third year, one that he’s eager to build on moving forward.
- Jovic has expressed frustration with his play as well as the standards he feels held to by the coaching staff, but says that former Heat teammate Duncan Robinson has helped him navigate the ups and downs of his uncertain role. However, coach Erik Spoelstra says that the 6’10” forward needs to get out of his head and out of his own way, Winderman write. “Niko’s objective this offseason?” Spoelstra said. “To not have a victim mindset about it, to not blame anything, just get to work and improve the things that he needs to improve — take it on his shoulders and he’ll be just fine.”
Pacific Notes: Suns, Smart, Reaves, Doncic, Lakers
The Suns have ruled Mark Williams out for Game 2 against the Thunder on Wednesday, Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic notes (via Twitter), adding that the big man is still in a walking boot.
Williams, who was previously considered questionable, is still experiencing soreness related to a left foot third metatarsal stress reaction that kept him on the shelf for 15 straight games in March. He returned for four contests in early April before being sidelined again.
Jordan Goodwin has also been ruled out while Grayson Allen has been upgraded to available after both warmed up with the intention to play, Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic reports (Twitter link). Head coach Jordan Ott acknowledged earlier in the day that Allen was the most ready to return of the trio, having been a full participant in shootaround and shown the ability to sprint at full speed.
Goodwin missed the second half of Game 1 as he continues to fight through a calf injury that has limited him since February. Allen is dealing with a hamstring strain that has kept him sidelined since April 10.
We have more from around the Pacific Division:
- Marcus Smart was tasked with taking the Kevin Durant matchup for the Lakers in Game 2’s win over the Rockets and he delivered, Dave McMenamin writes for ESPN. Durant made 1-for-3 shots and committed three turnovers when guarded by Smart. The former Defensive Player of the Year served as the team’s tone-setter, according to Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times, scoring 25 points and adding seven assists along to go with his five steals.
- The Lakers are weathering their first-round series without their two top scorers, but they are encouraged by the progress Austin Reaves (oblique) and Luka Doncic (hamstring) have made, Khobi Price writes for the California Post. Reaves has already begun his return-to-play protocols, while coach JJ Redick says that Doncic will be following suit soon. There is still no exact timeline for either player to be reactivated.
- Through two games, Smart has joined LeBron James and Luke Kennard to form an unexpected “big three” for the Lakers, Broderick Turner writes for the Los Angeles Times. The trio combined for 76 points and 16 assists in the club’s Game 2 victory, led by James’ 28-point, eight-rebound, seven-assist performance. “When you’ve got two big guns out like we have, we all got to pick up our play,” the four-time MVP said. “And that’s all it’s about. We’re all just trying to contribute, make contributions in all facets of the game, pick up our play. Obviously, we’re missing Luka and missing AR, so we’re just trying to seize the opportunity. That’s all.”
Hawks’ Keshon Gilbert Undergoes Core Muscle Surgery
Keshon Gilbert, a guard on a two-way deal with the Hawks, underwent surgery on a core muscle on Tuesday, according to the team (Twitter link via Lauren L. Williams of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution).
Gilbert, a 6’4″, 22-year-old rookie, played just one game with the Hawks this season after signing with the team in March. He started the season with the Wizards, making three NBA appearances during his time in Washington after going undrafted out of Iowa State in 2015.
Gilbert scored 11 points and added nine assists in 26 minutes of action during the last game of the season for the Hawks, a 143-117 loss to the Heat.
He will be reevaluated in June, and his status will be updated at that time.
Gilbert’s two-way contract with the Hawks is a two-year deal that covers 2026/27, so the team won’t have to decide this June whether or not to issue him a qualifying offer.
Isaiah Evans Declares For 2026 NBA Draft
Duke wing Isaiah Evans has declared for the 2026 NBA draft, he announced on Wednesday (via Instagram). The university’s basketball program confirmed the report on Twitter.
Evans is a 6’6″ wing who spent two seasons with the Blue Devils and made the 2025/26 All-ACC third team after making the third-most three-pointers in the conference this season. He averaged 15.0 points and 3.2 rebounds while knocking down 36.1% of 7.4 three-point attempts per game. Last season, in a more limited role, he hit 41.6% of his threes on 4.1 attempts per contest.
Evans currently sits at No. 21 on ESPN’s big board, and Jeremy Woo describes him as a gifted movement shooter with good positional size. The 20-year-old from North Carolina is very thin, weighing in at 175 pounds, which has raised questions about his ability to hold up defensively against stronger wings. Still, he was an active defensive play-maker in college and showed solid instincts, averaging 0.7 steals and 0.7 blocks per game this year.
Evans’ teammate at Duke, Caleb Foster, is returning to Duke, the team announced (via Twitter). Foster, who is unranked on ESPN’s board, averaged 8.3 points and 2.8 assists on .447/.398/.582 shooting splits in 33 games this season.
College underclassmen who want to go pro or test the NBA draft waters have until the end of this Friday to file their paperwork. Our early entrant tracker can be found right here.
Kevin Durant Considered Questionable For Game 2
Kevin Durant missed the first game of the Rockets‘ series vs. the Lakers – a 107-98 loss – due to a knee injury. He is listed as questionable for Game 2 on Tuesday after going through a portion of the team’s practice on Monday, per The Athletic’s Will Guillory (Twitter link).
ESPN’s Shams Charania provided more clarity on the injury during an appearance on NBA Today.
“My understanding is Kevin Durant is dealing with a deep bruise in his right patellar tendon that he suffered last Wednesday during a practice drill when he was chasing after a loose ball and collided that knee with a teammate, and that has since caused swelling (and) pain. It has impacted his range of motion in the leg as well,” Charania said (Twitter video link). “For Kevin Durant to miss a playoff game, that speaks to the severity of the injury in and of itself.”
When asked what he’s looking to see from his star player ahead of Game 2, head coach Ime Udoka said it comes down to one thing.
“I would say mobility probably,” he said, per Will Guillory (via Twitter). “The pain tolerance is one thing, but actually moving and feeling comfortable doing all the movements is going to be the biggest thing.”
The Rockets struggled to string together offense without Durant, shooting 37.6% from the field and missing eight of their 25 free throws.
Charania adds that Houston is optimistic that Kevin Durant will be available, but his status will be determined by how the leg responds between now and tip-off on Tuesday at 10:30 pm ET.