Atlantic Notes: Brown, Brunson, Knicks, Nets
Sometimes an executive who takes over a team’s front office has to wait until the right moment to reshape his roster. That wasn’t the case for Mike Gansey, who took a big swing in his first offseason on the job with the Sixers by trading for Jaylen Brown.
Gansey said that he would have “never envisioned” that his first months as the president of basketball operations in Philadelphia would play out this way, Gina Mizell writes for the Philly Inquirer. He decided to lean into a simple principle he learned during his time with the Cavaliers: just make the call and see what happens.
“It’s kind of like, ‘Let’s check in with Boston and see if there’s anything there,’” Gansey said. “Maybe there isn’t. But you just make that call, and they don’t say no. … It just kept going on, and they would call us, we would call them. You just keep having conversations. Next thing you know, we’re in L.A. [for free agency], and it was getting close and [feeling like] this might actually happen … That’s why, this business, you can plan all you want and prepare, but you just don’t know. Things happen.”
The Sixers now have three high-level offensive weapons in Brown, Tyrese Maxey, and Joel Embiid, all of whom will need to sacrifice some of the usage they enjoyed last year in order to accommodate each other, Tony Jones and Jay King write for The Athletic.
Their ceiling still depends on Embiid’s ability to stay healthy deep into the playoffs, which has historically been tough to bet on, but if everything goes right, the Sixers have a real chance to be a contender in 2026/27, according to Jones and King.
Here’s more news and notes from around the Atlantic Division:
- Word broke recently that Jalen Brunson had undergone a procedure to address a wrist injury that had bothered him throughout the Knicks‘ championship run. On Wednesday, Brunson stated during an ESPN Radio appearance that the injury occurred during the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cavaliers, Zach Braziller relays for the New York Post. “There wasn’t a play I remember it happening,” Brunson said. “I just remember being at the free throw line in the third or fourth quarter of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals. My wrist was starting to feel weak. I was like, ‘Where is this coming from?’ From that point on, I was trying to figure out what was going on, and how I can push through, because I wasn’t going to get anything done during that time.” He said that the realization that he’d need surgery put a slight damper on the magic of the championship summer, but it was a small price to pay.
- The league is still waiting to see where LeBron James will end up, with a decision said to be coming in the near future. The Knicks aren’t believed to be in the running for James, but they could still be significantly impacted by his choice, according to Kristian Winfield of the Daily News. Three of the teams still reportedly in the mix are the Cavaliers, Sixers, and Heat, all of whom are jockeying to take New York down from within the Eastern Conference. While Winfield notes that both Cleveland and Philadelphia would be dangerous if they were to add the four-time MVP, he believes that if James goes to Miami, it could significantly shift the dynamics of the East and give the Heat a leg up on the Knicks in the conference’s power rankings.
- Tuesday’s Summer League win over Sacramento provided a glimpse of the identity the Nets are trying to form, C.J. Holmes writes for the New York Daily News. “I think the big difference was our energy and effort defensively,” Summer League coach Dutch Gaitley said. “I mean, we forced 28 turnovers. They weren’t able to get — we had 30 fast-break points. They weren’t able to get anything going to start the game.” Mikel Brown Jr. and Egor Demin gave an intriguing preview of the future of Brooklyn’s backcourt, and Brown impressed Gaitley by requesting the defensive assignment on fellow rookie guard Darius Acuff Jr. Acuff was able to score 26 points, but Brown’s mentality in wanting the challenge still stood out to his coach.
Nets Notes: Brown Jr., Demin, Powell, Randle, Bilodeau
Nets lottery pick Mikel Brown Jr. made his Las Vegas Summer League debut on Friday and scored 16 of his 20 points in the second half. Brown added three assists, two steals and a block.
“Seeing my teammates, getting them open shots, seeing the ball go through the hoop obviously gets you going as well. But I know how much work I put in to get to this point,” Brown told Brian Lewis of the New York Post. “The ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ are coming just because that’s just how I play. Yeah, I mean, like I said, I’m a savant when it comes to this stuff, man. I love the game of basketball. I love when my teammates look successful. It brings me joy because that means it’s not just me, but everybody got it going.”
Backcourt partner and 2025 lottery pick Egor Demin was impressed.
“He’s extremely talented overall,” Demin said of Brown. “His shooting ability, his ability to create his own shot, and how shifty he is, he’s gonna give a lot of trouble to the defenders just because of his feel for the game and his talent. Now the part of his game is to adapt to the physicality, which took me a while last year.”
Here’s more on the Nets:
- Demin has bulked up, adding 13 to 15 pounds of muscle, and is playing with more aggressiveness, according to Lewis. “You see the growth from him being more aggressive, playing more physical. He got adapted to that style of the ball,” Brown said. “The NBA is very physical; you’re playing against grown men. So you’ve got to be able to adapt. And you can see it. He’s way more physical. He’s more adamant about getting into his spots. No matter how tough and how physical the defender is, he’s going to get to his spots regardless. So you can see the growth from that.”
- Another 2025 first-rounder, Drake Powell, hasn’t helped his cause during Summer League action. During the California Classic, Powell made just one of 17 shot attempts in two appearances. Last year’s No. 22 pick could be in danger of not getting his 2027/28 option picked up by the club before the Oct. 31 deadline, Lewis suggests. “Offensively, just trying to simplify it for Drake,” Summer League coach Dutch Gaitley said. “Hey, if you’re open, shoot it. If you’re not open, drive it. Sometimes he gets caught in between he maybe should’ve shot it.”
- Julius Randle says he’s ready to embrace a leadership role with Brooklyn after getting dealt by Minnesota in a blockbuster trade. “They’re really excited to have me here. (Head coach) Jordi (Fernandez) is really excited. He feels like going into every game, we’ve got a chance to win every single game,” Randle told Lewis. “To have that confidence from your coach is amazing. … I get to come in and be a leader, show guys how to be a pro. We’re coming in trying to win. It’s as simple as that. However we can help give the younger guys experience and confidence and help them fast-track or whatever it is to contribute to winning basketball, that’s really all that matters. All I care about, at the end of the day, is winning, and I know that’s what those guys care about. If I can help give them that experience, great.”
- The Nets took a flier on Tyler Bilodeau in the second round of the draft because of his shooting ability. Now, the former UCLA forward must prove he can do more than just make outside shots, Lewis writes. “When the shot isn’t falling, how is he able to impact the game?” Gaitley said. “Physicality: hitting the glass, honing into our offensive staples. Then defensively, challenging himself to step outside. He played a lot in the paint defensively [at UCLA]. Now, if he’s going to have success in the NBA, he’s got to be on the perimeter. I don’t know if we’re going to challenge him, ‘Hey, go guard the point guard,’ but we switch a lot. How can I switch, contain my man, but if I’m going to get beat I’m going to dictate where he’s going instead of playing on my heels.”
Atlantic Notes: Simons, Gansey, Brown, Diawara
Free agent guard Anfernee Simons signed a two-year, $12.3MM contract with a second-year player option to join the Sixers and he’ll be a massive addition, Adam Aaronson of Philly Voice opines. Simons is one of the league’s most prolific three-point shooters and might be their best option to back up Tyrese Maxey.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Simons addressed concerns that the Sixers are now undersized in the backcourt.
“When a team has a common goal of competing on that side of the ball and stays connected, I think a lot of those things can be mitigated…that’s one of the things I learned instantly when I came to Boston. The intensity defensively has to be higher,” Simons said, per Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports (Twitter link).
Here’s more from the Atlantic Division:
- New Sixers president of basketball operations Mike Gansey reshaped the roster with his blockbuster trade for Jaylen Brown and other moves this summer. As Aaronson points out, it is imperative that Sixers ownership understands how challenging it will be for Gansey to accumulate championship-caliber depth without paying the luxury tax. Joel Embiid, Brown and Maxey will make over $500MM combined across the next three seasons, eating up a significant portion of the team’s cap.
- Mikel Brown Jr., the sixth pick in the draft, made his Summer League debut in the California Classic on Monday. The new Nets guard showed off his play-making skills while piling up 10 points and four assists in the fourth quarter, C.J. Holmes of the New York Daily News writes. “He’s electric. He showed his ability to get downhill,” Summer League coach Dutch Gaitley said.
- Restricted free agent forward Mohamed Diawara signed a four-year deal with the Knicks on Monday. As the only true backup wing forward behind Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby, Diawara could wind up playing 25 minutes regularly, opines Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News.
Atlantic Notes: J. Brown, Tatum, James, M. Brown
News of the Sixers’ trade agreement for star wing Jaylen Brown sent shock waves across the basketball world, as it marks the dissolution of one of the most successful NBA partnerships of the generation.
Brown’s game is often scrutinized, but he’s coming off one of the most successful individual seasons of his career and he will bring attributes the Sixers desperately need to make their offense more dangerous, Adam Aaronson writes for the Philly Voice.
Brown’s tough shot-making should help Philadelphia achieve one of its primary goals – being less reliant on Joel Embiid‘s creation – and should allow the team to be more competitive when Embiid is off the floor. The longtime Celtics wing is also a strong on-ball defender and should be able to boost the Sixers’ perimeter defense, given his combination of size and speed.
As Aaronson writes, potential causes for concern include the diminished rim pressure volume Brown displayed last season, in conjunction with some questionable shot selection and struggles as an off-ball defender.
The important part is that the Sixers will be a better basketball team as a result of the trade, according to Tony Jones of The Athletic. Brown functions as a three-level scoring threat and is significantly more durable than Paul George, which is crucial for a team still reliant on Embiid. Just how good Philadelphia can be in 2026/27 will come down to how well Brown meshes with his new big man co-star.
We have more from around the Atlantic Division:
- Brown’s former Celtics co-star Jayson Tatum took to Instagram to offer a farewell to his teammate of nine seasons and championship partner. “Forever grateful for all that we accomplished together, for pushing me to be a better player,” Tatum wrote, as relayed by Bobby Manning of Celtics CLNS (via Twitter). “From first round exits to winning a chip together, I’m thankful for it all. Nothing but love and respect for you as a player and as a person.” The 28-year-old Tatum, who is looking to come into next season fully recovered from his Achilles tear, will be entering his first NBA season without Brown.
- Whether or not anything comes from the rumored mutual interest between the Sixers and top free agent LeBron James, the fact that they’re in the conversation at all speaks well of the offseason they’ve had, Jones writes for The Athletic. The Sixers seemed stuck heading into the offseason but suddenly can make a real fit-based pitch for James’ services, even if they still remain something of a long shot. That alone signals that the team is moving in the right direction.
- After missing his first two Summer League games, it’s unclear whether Nets rookie guard Mikel Brown Jr.‘s will make his debut on Monday, according to Summer League head coach Dutch Gaitley. “That is above my pay grade,” Gaitley said, per Brian Lewis of the New York Post (Twitter link). “I think the plan is that he is going to play; but I don’t make the final decisions.” The specific reason Brown sat out the first two games is unclear, though he missed a good amount of time in his lone college season due to a back injury.
Nets Sign Mikel Brown To Rookie Deal, Tyler Bilodeau To Two-Way
Two players selected by the Nets last week in the 2026 draft have signed their first NBA contracts, according to the league’s transaction log.
Sixth overall pick Mikel Brown Jr. finalized his rookie scale deal, which will pay him roughly $8.8MM in 2026/27 and nearly $40MM in total over the course of four seasons, assuming his third- and fourth-year team options are eventually exercised.
[RELATED: Rookie Scale Salaries For 2026 NBA First-Round Picks]
Brown battled back issues during his first and only college for Louisville in 2025/26 but still put up big numbers, averaging 18.2 points, 4.7 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 29.2 minutes per game. His shooting line was .410/.344/.844. Our full story on Brooklyn using the No. 6 pick to draft Brown can be found here.
Meanwhile, No. 43 overall pick Tyler Bilodeau has completed a two-way contract. Reporting on draft night indicated that a two-way deal was the plan for Bilodeau, a 6’9″ forward from UCLA who was considered to be one of the best shooters in this year’s class. He averaged 17.6 points per game as a senior while connecting at 51.8% from the field and an impressive 46.4% from three-point range.
The third member of the Nets’ 2026 draft class, former Iowa State forward Joshua Jefferson, is not yet officially on the roster since his rights will be included in the Julius Randle/Nic Claxton trade that can’t be made official until Monday. The No. 28 overall pick will be able to sign his own rookie scale contract once that deal is finalized.
Siegel’s Latest: Beal, Jovic, Murray, Holiday, Randle, Wade
The Heat and veteran guard Bradley Beal have mutual interest after the two-time All-Star opted out of his $5.62MM player option to become an unrestricted free agent, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.
However, Siegel suggests Miami’s interest in Beal may be contingent on the 33-year-old’s willingness to accept a minimum-salary contract. As Siegel explains, the Heat are pursuing several other targets in free agency and have a limited amount of financial flexibility to fill out their roster.
On a related note, Siegel’s sources say the Heat have been exploring trades involving Nikola Jovic to free up more money in free agency. The 23-year-old is entering the first season of a four-year, $62.4MM contract that likely has negative trade value after the Serbian forward struggled for much of 2025/26.
Here’s more from Siegel’s most recent story:
- While the Nuggets have been linked to Jaylen Brown, the Celtics haven’t pursued a trade involving Jamal Murray and Cameron Johnson, per Siegel. Multiple sources who spoke to ClutchPoints have downplayed the possibility of Murray being dealt this offseason.
- Jrue Holiday is expected to draw trade interest after the Trail Blazers acquired Ja Morant from Memphis, according to Siegel, who’s heard talk of the veteran guard being available even before the surprising move. The six-time All-Defensive member, who turned 36 earlier this month, is owed $72MM over the next two years, including a $37.2MM player option for ’27/28.
- The Nets don’t have any “immediate plans” to flip Julius Randle to another team after agreeing to acquire him from Minnesota, sources tell Siegel. No. 6 overall pick Mikel Brown Jr. said he’s talked to Randle about improving the team’s standing around the league, tweets Erik Slater of ClutchPoints. “I was talking to Julius Randle about it the other day and he told me, ‘We’re gonna shock the world.’ That’s what we plan on doing,” Brown said of the Nets.
- There appears to be a robust market for Cavaliers forward Dean Wade, who may receive the full mid-level exception (projected to be worth $64.7MM over four years) in free agency, Siegel reports. According to Siegel, the Pistons, Spurs, Lakers, Nets and Sixers are among the teams with interest in the former undrafted free agent. Siegel points to Philadelphia as perhaps the most prominent suitor for Wade.
Nets Use No. 6 Pick To Draft Mikel Brown
The Nets have selected guard Mikel Brown with the sixth overall pick in the 2026 draft.
Brown, 20, had a strong freshman season for Louisville in 2025/26, averaging 18.2 points, 4.7 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 29.2 minutes per game. His shooting line was .410/.344/.844.
Unfortunately, the 6’5″ guard battled back issues for much of the season and was limited to 21 outings, including 19 starts. He didn’t suit up after February 28 and admitted after the season that he kept trying to play through the injury even though his back was “messed up.”
However, that back strain isn’t considered a problem going forward. One front office executive referred to it earlier this month as “a thing of the past” and said that Brown was extremely impressive during the pre-draft process, showing off “star potential” during his workouts.
Brown worked out for the Nets and they were reportedly hoping he would still be on the board when they picked. The Nets had a handful of first-round selections last season but none of them stood out as All-Star level players. Brown provides hope of being that type of talent.
He’ll battle some of the second-year players — including Egor Demin, Nolan Traore, Ben Saraf and Drake Powell — for playing time. The Nets were the worst shooting team in the league last season — 44.3 percent — and Brown can help change that.
Draft Rumors: Wagler, Brown, Ament, Hawks, Pelicans, Mavericks
The Clippers appear likely to keep their pick at No. 5 in tonight’s draft and decide between Illinois guard Keaton Wagler and Louisville guard Mikel Brown, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. Although there’s been speculation since the lottery that L.A. might be willing to part with the selection in exchange for veteran help, Siegel states that there wasn’t “an ounce of chatter” over the weekend about the Clippers making a deal.
Siegel notes that Wagler could develop into an elite shooter alongside Darius Garland and can handle some play-making responsibilities as well. Brown offers a unique mix of size and athleticism for a guard and could become the team’s top scorer in the future.
Siegel states that Brown is virtually locked into being the fifth or sixth pick because the Nets are targeting him as well. Their opinion on Wagler is less clear, Siegel adds, and they’ve been listening to trade offers over the past few days in case Brown is off the board. Siegel suggests that Brooklyn might be willing to move down into the 8-12 range and target Nate Ament, Aday Mara or Morez Johnson.
There’s also a chance that the Nets could stay at No. 6 and take Ament, with multiple sources telling Siegel that they have “real interest” in the Tennessee forward. If that happens, it’s possible that Sacramento selects Darius Acuff with the seventh pick and Wagler falls all the way to Atlanta at No. 8. However, Siegel is skeptical of that scenario, saying that multiple teams outside the top 10 would like to trade up for Wagler and will become more motivated to make offers if he slips past the fifth pick.
Siegel has more on tonight’s first round:
- The Thunder have expressed interest in Ament if they’re able to package the 12th and 17th picks to move into the top 10, Siegel states. The Mavericks at No. 9 and the Bucks at No. 10 are also eyeing Ament if he’s still on the board.
- Siegel hears that the Hawks are listening to offers for their picks at No. 8 and No. 23. He considers it unlikely that Atlanta parts with the eighth pick, but says multiple teams have inquired about it, including the Thunder before the clubs agreed to the Aaron Wiggins trade.
- The Pelicans are trying to trade into the lottery, and Siegel states that the Warriors, Mavericks, Thunder and Hornets have been listening to their offers. All those teams are hoping to acquire Trey Murphy III, but Siegel says New Orleans is still seeking “multiple valuable assets” to part with Murphy. If the Pelicans are able to obtain a lottery pick, Siegel hears that they like Ament and Cameron Carr.
- Sources tell Siegel that the Mavericks have been shopping center Daniel Gafford and their 30th pick over the past week in hopes of moving into the top 20. Siegel cites the Raptors (No. 19) and Hornets (No. 14 and 18) as teams that might be interested and points to Carr and Labaron Philon as players that Dallas may target. He also states that the Mavs recently worked out Hannes Steinbach, who could be a long-term replacement for Gafford.
Draft Notes: OKC Picks, Peterson, Wagler, Brown, Pacers
Could the Thunder trade up in the draft? Holding the Nos. 12 and 17 picks, Oklahoma City is discussing a deal with the Mavericks in which the Thunder would swap both picks for Dallas’ No. 9 overall selection, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line. The Thunder are facing a roster crunch, so making room for multiple first-rounders could prove difficult. Meanwhile, the Mavericks could continue to surround Cooper Flagg with more young talent.
Here’s more draft-related news:
- Darryn Peterson only worked out for the Wizards, but if he’s not the top pick, he’ll be happy to play for whichever team takes him, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype tweets. “Just a decision that was made,” Peterson told the media on Monday. “I’m definitely not dodging any team. Whoever takes me, I’m going to come in and be delighted to be there. Wherever that happens to be, they’ll get the best me.” Peterson did recently meet with the Jazz, who hold the No. 2 pick, Jake Fischer of The Stein Line tweets. Peterson declined to say whether it was an in-person meeting, but said it was more of a draft combine-like interview than an on-court workout.
- Illinois guard Keaton Wagler confirms he canceled a workout with the Nets due to the expectation he’ll go in the top five, ClutchPoints’ Erik Slater tweets. “I already worked out for the Bulls, and I was going to the Clippers. That’s four and five,” he said. “Hearing from them and knowing where I stood, I knew I didn’t need to work out for [the Nets]. But still meeting with teams and talking to them.”
- Louisville freshman guard Mikel Brown has worked out for the Nets, he confirmed on Monday to the New York Post’s Brian Lewis (Twitter link). The Nets possess the No. 6 overall pick. Brooklyn is hoping Brown is still on the board when it’s their turn, Clutch Points’ Brett Siegel tweets. Otherwise, they could look to trade down. Arkansas guard Darius Acuff also worked out for them, Lewis tweets, and Acuff stated it went well and it included defensive drills.
- The Pacers don’t hold a pick in either round but that could change, Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star reports. While it would be difficult to find a trade partner in the first round since Indiana intends to hold onto its core players, a trade into the second round is a real possibility. Jarace Walker‘s $8.5MM salary could be offloaded in a draft-night deal.
Draft Notes: Wilson, Philon, Wagler, Brown, Pelicans
The question of how the top three picks in the 2026 NBA draft shake out has become one of the bigger storylines leading up to Tuesday’s first round, but despite the relative lack of drama regarding the No. 4 spot in the draft, Caleb Wilson is more than a consolation prize, Forbes’ Adam Zagoria writes.
“I think in a lot of other drafts, he could be No. 2,” said Paul Biancardi, ESPN’s national director of recruiting. “And maybe in some drafts, he could be No. 1. He reminds me of James Worthy, who played at North Carolina. He has that type of game in my eyes.”
Wilson’s game lacks some of the polish of a player like Cameron Boozer or AJ Dybantsa, but his physical gifts project as being elite from day one, with ESPN’s Jay Bilas calling him “probably the most dynamic athlete in the class.” He also showed a growing offensive repertoire during his lone season at UNC.
According to Zagoria, Wilson is enthusiastic about the prospect of being drafted by the Bulls, who hold the No. 4 pick in this year’s draft.
“I would be really excited to land there,” Wilson said. “I feel like I would bring a lot to their team, a lot of energy and charisma. Also I feel like I would be a leader, and that’s something I would bring to whatever team drafts me. And I would be as excited as I can be to be drafted by any team in the NBA because it’s always been a dream of mine.”
We have more notes from around the draft:
- Alabama guard Labaron Philon will work out for the Timberwolves, reports Chris Hine of the Star Tribune. The Wolves have the 28th pick in this year’s draft, while Philon’s expected draft range is considered to start in the late lottery. This has led to speculation that the Wolves may be considering moving up in the draft to target a player they like, as they did in the 2024 draft when they traded for the 8th pick to select Rob Dillingham. The Wolves are expected to pursue additional ball-handlers this summer, and Philon would certainly qualify.
- Keaton Wagler and Mikel Brown Jr. have both cancelled visits with the Kings, who hold the seventh overall pick, but Wagler may still visit the Nets prior to the draft, Jake Fischer of the Stein Line reports (via Twitter). Brown has already worked out for Brooklyn, which owns the No. 6 pick and appears to be high on the guard out of Louisville.
- The Pelicans are rumored to be looking to trade into the lottery. If they’re able to do so, there are some clear needs the team should be desperate to address, according to Rod Walker of NOLA.com: rebounding, rim protection, and three-point shooting. Nate Ament is one prospect the team reportedly has interest in.