The NBA trade deadline has now passed, and two very distinct races are unfolding for the rest of the regular season. The first is for playoff seeding – whether that be to get into the play-in, avoid it altogether or lock up home-court advantage.

Evaluating one of the top players in college basketball.

Looking back can be a recipe for nights of sleepless, tossing-and-turning regret. Think about the Atlanta Hawks. In 2024, they took Zaccharie Risacher No. 1 overall. Today, the now-20-year-old has time to develop,

Loaded at the top, the 2026 Draft class is shaping up to be one of the best classes of the last decade.

Bennett Stirtz and Braden Smith will face off again Saturday.

Alabama's Charles Bediako lost his court battle to continue playing in his return to the Crimson Tide after going pro in 2023, with a judge denying an injunction on Monday.

Sam Vecenie covers the NBA Draft, college basketball and the NBA for The Athletic. His podcast, the Game Theory Podcast, is regularly ranked among the top podcasts on iTunes. Previously, he worked for CBS Sports, SB Nation, Sporting News, and Vice. Follow Sam on Twitter @Sam_Vecenie

Either of these two is the clear best-case 2026 NBA Draft Daydream for the Memphis Grizzlies.