NBA Player News

Peterson was selected by the Jazz with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Peterson entered the collegiate ranks as one of the most highly touted recruits in the country and showed flashes of greatness during his lone season at Kansas. Recurring cramping issues occasionally impacted his availability, but the guard was a dynamic scorer when on the floor, averaging 20.2 points on 43.8 percent shooting from the field and 38.2 percent from beyond the arc to go along with 4.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.4 steals in 29.0 minutes per contest across 24 appearances. The 19-year-old primarily operated off the ball in college and therefore still has room to grow as a playmaker and ballhandler, but Peterson's pure scoring ability makes it easy to understand why he was selected at No. 2 overall and is viewed as a potential superstar. With the Jazz, Peterson will slot into the backcourt alongside emerging standout Keyonte George (hamstring) as Utah attempts to turn the corner on its rebuild.

Dybantsa was selected by the Wizards with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Dybantsa has been on the national stage since his freshman year of high school, when he earned Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year honors. The 19-year-old forward is coming off an impressive freshman campaign at BYU, where he led Division I basketball in scoring and averaged 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 51.0 percent from the field and 33.1 percent from deep in 34.8 minutes per game across 35 outings. His three-point shot remains a work in progress, though he's a versatile offensive weapon who can get downhill, score from mid-range and draw fouls. He also offers strong upside on the defensive end thanks to his size and mobility. Dybantsa has the tools to be a franchise cornerstone and figures to command a sizable role right out of the gate alongside Trae Young (quadriceps) and Anthony Davis (finger).

Powell is unlikely to re-sign with the Heat this offseason, Shams Charania reported Tuesday on The Pat McAfee Show.

Powell is an unrestricted free agent this summer, and it sounds like Miami is preparing to go in a different direction as it tries to manage its payroll following Monday's acquisition of Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf). The All-Star guard averaged 21.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.2 steals and 3.0 three-pointers in 32.6 minutes per contest through 60 regular-season games last year, so his market value could be higher than the Heat are willing or even able to meet.

The Cavaliers exercised Porter's $2.41 million team option for the 2026-27 season Monday, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.

After signing with the Cavaliers as an undrafted free agent in 2023, Porter has proven to be a developmental success story through his first three seasons in the league. He appeared in a career-high 64 games in 2025-26, shooting 45 percent from the field and 35.5 percent from downtown while averaging 4.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.6 blocks in 17.9 minutes per contest. Though he was left out of the rotation for most of the Cavaliers' postseason run while the team was at or near full strength, Porter's playmaking ability and disruptiveness on the defensive end made him a trusted member of the second unit during the regular season. The 26-year-old is expected to serve as a depth piece in the backcourt once again in 2026-27.

Harris (groin) exercised his $3.82 million player option for the 2026-27 season Monday, Keith Smith of Spotrac.com reports.

Harris likely would have had to settle for a non-guaranteed contract or one-year deal for the veteran's minimum had he chosen to pursue free agency, so his decision to pick up his player option isn't overly surprising. During his first season in Milwaukee, the 31-year-old appeared in 48 games (two starts) and averaged 2.7 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 13.8 minutes per contest. With Milwaukee likely to put an emphasis on finding minutes for its younger wings in 2026-27, Harris could struggle to crack the rotation in most games.

Jakucionis was traded to Milwaukee on Monday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports. Also included, the Bucks will receive Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez, Tyler Herro and picks, while the Heat will acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis.

Jakucionis spent his inaugural season with the Heat. While the 2025 No. 20 overall pick wasn't a consistent producer, he showed flashes of promise by averaging 8.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 0.3 blocks, 0.8 steals and 45.8 percent shooting from deep across 24.3 minutes in 12 regular-season starts. Jakucionis is viewed as a young, up-and-coming player, though he may be a few years away from earning a stable role in the Bucks' rotation. With that in mind, he still could exceed expectations throughout training camp and earn meaningful minutes early in the 2026-27 campaign.

The Heat traded Ware, Tyler Herro (foot), Jaime Jaquez, Kasparas Jakucionis, three first-round picks, one pick swap and one second-round pick to the Bucks on Monday in exchange for Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) and Bobby Portis (wrist), Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

After spending the first two seasons of his career in Miami, Ware will get a fresh start in Milwaukee. The 22-year-old center saw similar playing time in his second season compared to his first, though he still took a step forward in 2025-26. Over 77 regular-season appearances (34 starts) last season, the big man averaged 11.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, 0.8 steals and 0.7 assists in 22.1 minutes per contest. With Antetokounmpo no longer in Milwaukee, the future of Myles Turner (ankle) is up in the air. Ware could see a larger role in Milwaukee than he did in Miami, especially if Turner is traded.

The Heat traded Jaquez, Tyler Herro (foot), Kel'el Ware, Kasparas Jakucionis, three first-round picks, a pick swap and a second-round pick to the Bucks on Monday in exchange for Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) and Bobby Portis (wrist), Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

After a strong 2023-24 rookie season, Jaquez took a major step back in Year 2. However, he rebounded in 2025-26, averaging career highs in points (15.4), rebounds (5.0), assists (4.7) and minutes per game (28.3) while shooting 50.7 percent from the field. The Bucks may not be done making moves after trading away their two-time MVP, but as things stand heading into the 2026 NBA Draft, Jaquez is in line for a consistent role on the wings for his new squad.

Herro (foot) was traded from the Heat to the Bucks on Monday along with Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez, Kasparas Jakucionis, three first-round picks, a second-round pick and a swapped pick in exchange for Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) and Bobby Portis (wrist), Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

Herro has spent his entire career with the Heat, averaging 19.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 0.2 blocks, 0.7 steals and 38.2 percent shooting from deep across 32.5 minutes in 394 regular-season appearances. Without question, the 26-year-old is a capable scorer, though his defensive limitations can be a problem. Herro has also had issues staying healthy over the years, most recently logging only 33 regular-season appearances during the 2025-26 campaign. He underwent a minor foot procedure in April, but he should be ready to go for training camp. Herro is also set to hit free agency in the 2027 offseason, assuming he can't work out a long-term agreement with the Bucks.

The Bucks traded Portis (wrist) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) to the Heat on Monday in exchange for Tyler Herro (foot), Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez, Kasparas Jakucionis, three first-round picks, a pick swap and a second-round pick, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

Portis spent six years in Milwaukee, winning a championship with Antetokounmpo in 2020-21 while playing a steady role off the bench throughout his tenure. He's averaged at least 10 points and five rebounds per game while shooting at least 35 percent from deep in each of his past nine seasons. Portis figures to be a key part of the new-look Heat, who lost most of their depth while acquiring a two-time MVP to pair with Bam Adebayo.