The NBA Finals concluded with the New York Knicks claiming the franchise’s first title in 53 years. With the 2025-26 regular season complete, league attention has shifted to the 2026 draft and the approaching offseason.
The 2026 draft is widely viewed as deep and talented, and several of the top prospects are expected to be future stars. That perception has contributed to some of the most overt tanking efforts in years as franchises weigh how the lottery results reshaped their plans.
On the June 17 Hoop Collective podcast, ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon discussed several of the league’s largest offseason storylines, including the top two teams in the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, Utah’s plan for the No. 2 pick and the outlook for LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. Bontemps warned the Lakers face significant work this offseason, saying, “They got to get a bunch of stuff. I mean, they need a lot more athleticism. They need a lot more perimeter defense. They need a real center. They probably need another ball handler, even if they bring back Austin Reeves… They had a fine year last year… On the other hand, they had no hope against Thunder.”
ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported on Golden State’s offseason thinking, writing that team sources say the Warriors would be a willing suitor if LeBron James seeks a new destination. Slater added that the same team sources believe current intel points toward James returning to the Lakers and that Golden State is planning the summer under that assumption. Slater noted the Warriors could clear space for the full $15.1 million nontaxpayer midlevel, could consider adding a second-season player option and could involve Stephen Curry in recruitment efforts.
On contract talks, sources told ESPN that a roughly $140 million, five-year offer from the Utah Jazz to restricted free-agent center Walker Kessler left a gulf between the sides and that the parties were not close to a deal. ESPN NBA insiders will continue to provide updates, with the latest information posted at the top of ongoing coverage.
