Blockbuster Summer: Every Major Move
2026 NBA Finals Recap
Knicks end 53-year drought 94-90 in Game 5
The 2026 NBA Finals delivered the most clutch five-game series in over a decade. In the clinching Game 5 on the Spurs' home floor, Jalen Brunson scored 45 points (15 in the fourth quarter) to match Michael Jordan's record for the most points scored on the road to clinch a title. New York's first championship since 1973 ended a 53-year drought.
2026 NBA Awards Winners
NBA Player Stats & Salaries
| # | Player | Team | 2025-26 Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Golden State Warriors · PG | $59.6M | |
| T2 | Nikola Jokić | Denver Nuggets · C | $55.2M |
| T2 | Joel Embiid | Philadelphia 76ers · C | $55.2M |
| T4 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Miami Heat · F | $54.1M |
| T4 | Jayson Tatum | Boston Celtics · F | $54.1M |
| T4 | Anthony Davis | Washington Wizards · F-C | $54.1M |
| T4 | Jimmy Butler | Golden State Warriors · F | $54.1M |
Fantasy Basketball 2026-27
2026 NBA Draft Recap
Wizards Take AJ Dybantsa No. 1 Overall
The Washington Wizards selected BYU forward AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 pick, choosing him over fellow top prospects Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer. Dybantsa averaged 25.5 PPG in his lone college season and joins a Wizards roster already featuring Anthony Davis and Trae Young. The Utah Jazz took Kansas guard Darryn Peterson at No. 2, the Memphis Grizzlies took Duke's Cameron Boozer (son of Carlos Boozer) at No. 3, and the Chicago Bulls took North Carolina's Caleb Wilson at No. 4.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Giannis Antetokounmpo traded?
Yes. The Milwaukee Bucks traded Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat in a deal agreed on June 22, 2026, the eve of the NBA Draft, and made official on July 6. Milwaukee received Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, three first-round picks (including the No. 13 pick in the 2026 Draft), a second-round pick, and a future pick swap. It ends Antetokounmpo's 13-year run in Milwaukee, during which he won the 2021 NBA championship, Finals MVP, and two regular-season MVP awards.
Where is LeBron James playing in 2026-27?
LeBron James signed with the Philadelphia 76ers on July 26, 2026, on a two-year, $8 million veteran-minimum contract with a player option for the second season. James left the Los Angeles Lakers, where he had played since 2018, calling the move to Philadelphia his "last decision." He joins Joel Embiid in the 76ers' frontcourt for the 2026-27 season.
Is the Kawhi Leonard trade to the Raptors official?
Yes. The NBA approved the trade on September 14, 2026, sending Kawhi Leonard from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Toronto Raptors for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, a first-round pick swap, and two second-round picks. The deal had been on hold since July while the league investigated whether the Clippers circumvented the salary cap. On September 2, the NBA fined the Clippers $30 million, stripped them of five first-round picks (2029 through 2033), and suspended owner Steve Ballmer for one year. Leonard was fined $700,000 but was not suspended, and his contract was not voided.
Who won the 2026 NBA Finals?
The New York Knicks won the 2026 NBA Finals, defeating the San Antonio Spurs 4-1. The series concluded on June 13, 2026 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, where Jalen Brunson scored a Knicks Finals record 45 points in the 94-90 Game 5 win. It was the Knicks' first NBA championship since 1973, ending a 53-year title drought.
Who was named 2026 NBA Finals MVP?
Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks was unanimously named the 2026 NBA Finals MVP, receiving all 11 first-place votes. Brunson averaged 32.6 points per game in the Finals, including 45 points in the Game 5 clincher.
Who won the 2025-26 NBA MVP?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder won the 2025-26 NBA MVP, his second consecutive MVP award. He received 83 of 100 first-place votes after averaging 31.1 points per game on 55.3% shooting while leading the Thunder to a league-best 64-18 record.
Who did the Washington Wizards pick No. 1 in the 2026 NBA Draft?
The Washington Wizards selected BYU forward AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, held June 23, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The Utah Jazz took Kansas guard Darryn Peterson at No. 2, the Memphis Grizzlies took Duke forward Cameron Boozer at No. 3, and the Chicago Bulls took North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson at No. 4.
Did Victor Wembanyama sign a contract extension?
Yes. Victor Wembanyama signed a rookie-scale max extension with the San Antonio Spurs in July 2026. He opted for the 25% max rather than the higher 30% supermax available to him, though escalators tied to performance could push the deal's value as high as roughly $303 million.
Who are the highest-paid NBA players in 2025-26?
Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors was the highest-paid NBA player in 2025-26 at $59.6 million. He was followed by Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid (both $55.2 million), then Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jimmy Butler, Anthony Davis, and Jayson Tatum tied at $54.1 million.
What other major trades happened in the 2026 NBA offseason?
Beyond Giannis and Kawhi, the Boston Celtics traded Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paul George; the Charlotte Hornets traded LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves; and the Memphis Grizzlies traded Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers. It was one of the most transformative offseasons in recent NBA history.
When does the 2026-27 NBA season start?
The 2026-27 NBA regular season begins Tuesday, October 20, 2026 with a tripleheader on NBC/Peacock: Celtics at Pistons, 76ers at Knicks (the Knicks' championship ring night and LeBron James's Sixers debut), and Thunder at Spurs. Giannis Antetokounmpo makes his regular-season Heat debut on October 21 at home against LaMelo Ball and the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 82-game regular season ends April 11, 2027.