RealGM Basketball Wiretap

11 May 2026

• 2026 NBA Draft Lottery: Wizards At No. 1, Ahead Of Jazz, Grizzlies, Bulls

  The Washington Wizards, who had the best odds at 14 percent, have won the lottery and the No. 1 overall pick. The Utah Jazz will hold the No. 2 pick ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies at No. 3 and the Chicago Bulls at No. 4.

  The Indiana Pacers were fifth and must convey their selection to the Los Angeles Clippers as part of the Ivica Zubac trade at the deadline.

  The top four picks are expected to be some combination of AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson. The 2026 draft has also became touted for its depth, especially at guard with the likes of Darius Acuff Jr., Keaton Wagler, Kingston Flemings, Mikel Brown Jr. and Brayden Burries.

  Out of all the teams in the lottery, the Jazz were most tightly connected to Dybantsa who has surpassed Peterson on many teams draft boards. But the Wizards will dictate how the draft plays out as they have a challenging decision to make at No. 1. The Wizards made a pair of trades for veteran All-Stars this season in Trae Young and then Anthony Davis.

  The Wizards previously won the lottery in 2001 (Kwame Brown) and 2010 (John Wall). The Jazz had never previously moved up in the draft lottery.

  2026 NBA Draft Lottery Results

  1. Washington Wizards
  2. Utah Jazz
  3. Memphis Grizzlies
  4. Chicago Bulls
  5. Los Angeles Clippers (via Indiana Pacers)
  6. Brooklyn Nets
  7. Sacramento Kings
  8. Atlanta Hawks
  9. Dallas Mavericks
  10. Milwaukee Bucks
  11. Golden State Warriors
  12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LA Clippers)
  13. Miami Heat
  14. Charlotte Hornets

• Giannis Antetokounmpo Believed To Want To Play For Eastern Conference Title Contender

  This summer, teams are expected to be lining up their best trade offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Several teams who have been eliminated from playoff contention have already shown interest in acquiring Antetokounmpo or reportedly could make a run at the Milwaukee Bucks superstar.

  That list includes Western Conference teams like the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers. However, Antetokounmpo is believed to prefer to play for an Eastern Conference team that is a title contender.

  That could make teams like the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat or the Toronto Raptors contenders to land Antetokounmpo. The New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves or Cleveland Cavaliers could also get involved if their playoff runs end earlier than desired.

  Antetokounmpo can become a free agent in 2027, which gives him a degree of leverage to control his destination.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo Will Likely Push For Trade To Specific Team

  On a recent appearance on FanDuel TV's Run It Back Show, Sam Amick of The Athletic talked about the likelihood Giannis Antetokounmpo gets traded from the Milwaukee Bucks. One thing Amick said to keep an eye on with Antetokounmpo is that he'll eventually push for a trade to a specific team.

  "The other thought real quick is Giannis is going to have his say here," Amick said about the Bucks superstar's potential trade desires. "He's going to put his foot on the scale, and I think at some point in terms of pushing towards a team that he wants to play for and that part is going to be a big factor as well."

  Amick also said that Milwaukee could see trading Antetokounmpo as a way to reset the franchise in a good place.

  "Maybe it gets them the kind of package where they can really turn the corner and build with some good young pieces, or maybe even some stars," Amick said about the potential return the Bucks could get in an Antetokounmpo trade.

• Cavaliers Contacted Bucks About Giannis Antetokounmpo Before Trade Deadline

  The Cleveland Cavaliers reached out to the Milwaukee Bucks regarding a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade before the deadline, league sources say. Milwaukee's asking price included Evan Mobley and all of Cleveland's tradeable draft capital, which include three picks and three swaps on draft night.

  Multiple rival executives, when informed of that trade construction, said they would make the deal despite the steep cost.

  The Cavaliers remain capable of advancing to the Eastern Conference finals without LeBron James for the first time since the 1991-92 season as they take on the Detroit Pistons in the second round after a challenging first round series against the Toronto Raptors.

  A potential early exit, however, could place Cleveland in a situation similar to Milwaukee's current predicament. Donovan Mitchell has one guaranteed season remaining on his contract, followed by a $53.8 million player option for 2027-28, mirroring Antetokounmpo's contractual structure. Mitchell becomes extension-eligible on July 7, nearly four months before Antetokounmpo reaches that threshold.

  Mitchell, 29, would be weighing that extension decision after a third consecutive spring without reaching the Eastern Conference finals if Cleveland is eliminated.

  The Cavaliers' front office faces a defining offseason regardless of the playoff outcome. Whether pursuing Antetokounmpo or securing Mitchell's long-term commitment, Cleveland's front office faces critical roster decisions in the coming months.

• Bucks Co-Owner Jimmy Haslam Wants Giannis Antetokounmpo's Future Resolved Before NBA Draft

  Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam said Wednesday the franchise hopes to resolve Giannis Antetokounmpo's future before next month's NBA draft, framing the decision as one that will shape the organization's entire roster construction approach this offseason. The Bucks can trade up to three first round picks and three swaps on draft night if they want to continue building around Antetokounmpo in the short- and medium-term.

  "Sometime over the next six or seven weeks, we'll decide whether Giannis is going to sign a max contract and stay with us, or he's going to play somewhere else," Haslam said at a news conference introducing new head coach Taylor Jenkins. "Jon and Taylor, along with Wes and myself will make that call, and we understand the gravity of that call."

  Haslam was direct about the stakes involved. The Bucks received trade interest at the deadline in February from the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves.

  "If Giannis does play somewhere else, we've got to have a lot of assets," Haslam said. "That's Jon's job to do. And if he's here, then you build the team differently."

  Antetokounmpo, 31, has repeatedly stated his desire to play for a championship-contending franchise. Milwaukee went 32-50 this season, snapping nine consecutive playoff appearances, while injuries held the two-time MVP to a career-low 36 games.

  The Bucks can offer Antetokounmpo a four-year, $275 million extension in October. If unsigned, he would become a free agent after next season during the 2027 offseason.

  Haslam emphasized the organization's relationship with the player remains open and direct.

  "We never had any problem communicating directly with Giannis at all," Haslam said. "We've had those kind of conversations since the season was over. We will do what's best for Giannis and what's best for the organization."

  Jenkins, who compiled a 250-214 record across six seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies, said Antetokounmpo has already reached out since the appointment.

  "He's expressed tremendous excitement for me and my family," Jenkins said. "He and I established a really good relationship and maintained that respect, even from a distance."

  Jenkins becomes Milwaukee's fourth head coach in five seasons, following Mike Budenholzer, Adrian Griffin and Doc Rivers.

• Taylor Jenkins Among NBA's Highest-Paid Coaches At Over $10M Per Year With Bucks

  Taylor Jenkins has signed a long-term contract worth well above $10 million annually to become the next head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, per league sources, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in the NBA.

  Jenkins ranks amongst the NBA's highest paid head coaches, behind the likes of Steve Kerr, who earns $17.5 million per year with the Golden State Warriors, and Erik Spoelstra, who makes approximately $15 million annually with the Miami Heat. Doug Christie is the NBA's lowest paid coach at $2 million per season.

  Jenkins replaces Doc Rivers, who was dismissed following the 2025-26 season. The 44-year-old spent the 2025-26 season away from basketball after the Memphis Grizzlies let him go near the end of the 2024-25 regular season.

  Jenkins brings direct familiarity with the Bucks organization. He served as an assistant under Mike Budenholzer during the 2018-19 season, working alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo during the forward's rise to superstardom.

  The hire comes as Milwaukee faces an uncertain summer centered on Antetokounmpo's future with the franchise. Team officials moved quickly to fill the coaching vacancy with an established candidate.

  Jenkins went on to lead Memphis for six seasons after leaving Milwaukee, building the Grizzlies into a competitive playoff program before his dismissal.

• Blazers To Be 'Prime Trade Suitor' For Giannis Antetokounmpo, May Pursue Anthony Davis As Alternative

  The Portland Trail Blazers are set to emerge as a "prime trade suitor" for Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason, according to Jake Fischer of The People's Insider.

  The Blazers discussed deals for Antetokounmpo with the Bucks before the trade deadline.

  The team is looking to build a trade package revolving around Jerami Grant's expiring contract.

  The Blazers also own the Bucks' first-round picks in 2028, 2029, and 2030.

  The Blazers also reportedly contacted the Mavs before the trade deadline over a possible deal for Anthony Davis.

  They could still pursue Davis should they fall short on an Antetokounmpo deal.

• Grizzlies Wanted Ryan Rollins In Ja Morant Deal With Bucks

  The Memphis Grizzlies wanted Ryan Rollins in any trade package involving Ja Morant going to the Milwaukee Bucks, sources told Jake Fischer of The People's Insider.

  Rollins just finished the first year of a three-year, $12 million deal with the Bucks.

  The 23-year-old averaged 17.3 points and 5.6 assists last season.

  Morant, who reportedly stated he is no longer willing to play for the Grizzlies, is expected to get traded this summer.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo Hasn't Communicated With Bucks' Upper Brass Since Before Deadline

  Giannis Antetokounmpo has not had any substantive dialogue with the Milwaukee Bucks' upper brass since the trade deadline, sources tell ESPN. Antetokounmpo was also not believed to have any involvement in the Bucks' decision to hire Taylor Jenkins as head coach. Jenkins was an assistant coach under Mike Budenholzer earlier in Antetokounmpo's career.

  The future of Antetokounmpo is one of the NBA's most pressing questions this offseason as he approaches an inflection point with the franchise. Antetokounmpo becomes eligible to sign up to a four-year, $275 million extension with the Bucks in October.

  Antetokounmpo did not close the door to the possibility of remaining with the Bucks when asked whether he's played his final game with the franchise.

  "That's a very good question," Antetokounmpo said. "I don't know. It's not up to me. We'll see."

• Bucks To Hire Taylor Jenkins As Head Coach

  Taylor Jenkins is nearing agreement to become the next head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks. Jenkins was an assistant coach with the Bucks during the 2018-19 season under Mike Budenholzer before becoming head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies.

  Jenkins, who will replace Doc Rivers, spent the 2025-26 season outside of basketball following his dismissal as head coach of the Grizzlies at the end of the 2024-25 season. The Bucks met with Jenkins in Memphis last week and appeared to be their top target.

  The Bucks are navigating the future of Giannis Antetokounmpo as they evaluate whether they will continue to try to build around him or trade him and reset their roster.

  Jenkins was considered the top available coach during this hiring cycle.