Basketball Wiretap

In a recent appearance on The Dan Patrick Show, NBA insider Sam Amick of The Athletic gave some insight into Giannis Antetokounmpo's thoughts on a potential trade to the Miami Heat. Amick said that Antetokounmpo has concerns that the Heat won't have enough depth to contend after putting together a trade package to acquire him.

"The noise is tied to Miami, but there’s also some intel, discussion, kind of understanding, that Giannis has questions about what that Miami roster would look like on the other side of a deal," Amick said about the Milwaukee Bucks superstar's worries about the post-trade depth for the Heat. "You don’t want to gut your roster and go to the place you’re excited to be in and then have a hard time contending for a championship."

Rumors have the Heat offering a trade package built around Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel'el Ware and first-round draft picks. Only Bam Adebayo is considered untouchable in a trade for Antetokounmpo.

Amick added that it is still "very likely" that Antetokounmpo is moved ahead of the 2026 NBA Draft. The first round of the draft is on Tuesday, June 23.

The Oklahoma City Thunder and Chet Holmgren are both disappointed in how they played in their Western Conference Finals loss to the San Antonio Spurs. However, that's not expected to lead to the Thunder and Holmgren going their separate ways.

Oklahoma City is expected to make moves, as they work around the tax aprons, but trading Holmgren isn't one of them. The Thunder still view Holmgren as an important part of their success now and moving forward.

Instead of a blockbuster move, expect Sam Presti to be active with moving one or both of his first-round picks at the 2026 NBA Draft. In addition, veteran role players like Aaron Wiggins or Isaiah Joes could be moved to create flexibility around the luxury tax and the tax aprons. The Thunder also have decisions to make on the team options they hold for Lu Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein and Kenrich Williams.

The New York Knicks are hoping to retain Mitchell Robinson in unrestricted free agency this summer. Doing so won't come cheaply, as New York is likely to have competition for Robinson's services this offseason.

The Chicago Bulls, Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Lakes and Toronto Raptors are all expected to look at upgrading their center positions. Robinson is likely to be the best unrestricted center available in free agency.

The Bulls and Lakers could have enough cap space to offer the 28-year-old center a big enough deal to make the Knicks think twice about beating it. New York is expected to be dealing with the first and second apron next season, as their roster has five players who are set to make between $20 and $57 million.

The Hornets will have the Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception of $15 million to offer Robinson. Both Charlotte and Toronto could also look into sign-and-trade possibilities with New York, as well.

The New York Knicks return to Madison Square Garden with a 2-0 NBA Finals lead after defeating the San Antonio Spurs 105-104 on Friday night in Game 2. Jalen Brunson converted a decisive free throw with 9.5 seconds remaining, sealing a victory that has the Knicks two wins from their first championship since 1973.

The winning sequence began when Victor Wembanyama threw the ball away with the game tied at 104-104. Brunson drew the foul, sank the go-ahead free throw and Wembanyama's final jumper rolled off the rim.

"What a ballgame," said Knicks coach Mike Brown.

Karl-Anthony Towns posted 21 points and 13 rebounds. Brunson and Mikal Bridges each scored 20 as New York extended its winning streak to 13 straight games, second in NBA playoff history behind the 2017 Golden State Warriors.

"New York City showed up," said Towns. "The fans showed up. The energy showed up. And we found a way to get it done."

The Knicks became just the third team to claim the first two Finals games on the road, joining Michael Jordan's 1993 Chicago Bulls and Hakeem Olajuwon's 1995 Houston Rockets. Both of those clubs went on to win titles.

Wembanyama finished with 29 points after a subdued first half. De'Aaron Fox added 20 for San Antonio, which rallied from 14 points down in the fourth quarter to briefly take a 104-102 lead on a Wembanyama three-point play.

"We can't change the past," said Wembanyama. "We're already thinking about Game 3."

The series shifts to Madison Square Garden for Game 3 on Monday. Secondary-market tickets for the worst seats were exceeding $11,000 Friday, reflecting the historic nature of the moment for a franchise and city that has waited 53 years.

"We showed tremendous desperation, urgency and competitive response," said Spurs coach Mitch Johnson. "Hopefully we can try to bottle that up ... and try to play to that same level."

The Golden State Warriors would like to re-sign Kristaps Porzingis on a cap-friendly contract as he becomes a free agent coming off his $30.7 million expiring contract.

The Warriors acquired Porzingis ahead of the trade deadline from the Atlanta Hawks for Jonathan Kuminga.

Porzingis proved to be a good fit with the Warriors with his ongoing durability issues the larger concern.

Porzinigs appeared in 15 games with the Warriors, averaging 16.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 blocks in 23.7 minutes.

Porzingis is represented by Jeff Schwartz and Janis Porzingis. 

The Sacramento Kings are expected to look at trading away some of their veteran players this offseason to reset their cap sheet. Domantas Sabonis is likely to garner the most interest out of a group that includes Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Malik Monk.

Sacramento is expected to field offers for Sabonis from teams that are looking for an experienced center option. The veteran big man is owed $45.5 million in 2026-27 and $48.6 million in 2027-28. Last season, the Toronto Raptors had looked into acquiring Sabonis, but talks were held up due the need for Jakob Poeltl to be included in Toronto's outgoing package.

Sabonis had his worst season since become a regular starter in 2019. The 6-foot-10 center played in just 19 games due to various injuries and averaged 15.8 points per game.

Victor Wembanyama struggled in the first half of Game 2 before settling in with an outstanding second half until the final seconds when he threw the ball off the back of Stephon Castle as the San Antonio Spurs had a chance to win the game with the score tied 104-104.

"I'm still blurry and that's the whole problem," said Wembanyama. "I need to have more poise. More control over the game. I'm not going to go through the whole possesions, but that's the general image."

Wembanyama was then asked if his reference to things being "blurry" about the final few possessions or if it was an issue through Game 2.

"I would say the last three possessions," said Wembanyama. "I think we need to put ourselves in better conditions. We're digging ourselves a hole. That's been the theme so far."

Wembanyama was clapping as he went into the tunnel after the game and was asked to explain his emotions following the game.

"Lots of emotions of every type," said Wembanyama. "I mean, not every type, only the negative type (smiling). Yeah, I threw that one away. I messed up. We didn't play great as a team. We needed to win that game. This game was ours.

"But at this point, it's done. Yes, am I going to regret it? Yes, of course. Am I going to use that to fuel me and to fuel us next game? Absolutely."

The Cleveland Cavaliers have a handful of players reaching free agency this summer. The Cavs are also looking to come in under the second apron, after finishing last season as a second-apron team.

Cleveland's first priority is working out a new deal with James Harden. After taking care of Harden, Cavaliers GM Koby Altman is expected to prioritize re-signing forward Dean Wade. Cleveland has developed Wade from an undrafted player to a core rotation player.

The Cavs may not be able to re-sign both Wade and free agent guard Keon Ellis this offseason. Given Cleveland has more need for depth in their frontcourt, along with wanting to avoid the second apron, that could lead to Ellis being allowed to leave the team in free agency.

Kawhi Leonard has been interviewed by NBA investigators as part of the ongoing investigation into allegations that the Los Angeles Clippers circumvented the salary cap to compensate him. Leonard's uncle and business adviser, Dennis Robertson, has also been interviewed. 

Steve Ballmer and other executives from the Clippers have also been interviewed, as have executives from Aspiration.

Before Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday, Adam Silver said the league is "close to the point now where I think we need to wrap this up." 

A timeline for when the investigation will conclude has not yet been determined. 

The Clippers have publicly denied the allegations. Privately, some officials from the Clippers have grown frustrated inter attempts to prove innocence for a violation they clam they didn't commit. Team officials are less certain about the income of the investigation and whether punishment will be issued.

The NBPA would likely push back if the Clippers are punished for not knowing enough about the nature of Leonard's endorsement deal with Aspiration. NBA teams are not permitted to be involved in or have knowledge of player sponsorship deals beyond the team.

"The NBPA would and should lose its mind over that," one of those sources said.

Two source said that if Silver tried to administer punishment to the Clippers without clear evidence of guilt, other teams and owners could consider it a worrying precedent.

"I respect Adam, and I don't think he's stupid," said one of the sources, who has worked closely with Silver through the years. "If Wachtell delivers the report that says, 'Well, we don't have it,' I don't think Adam is going to push it further."