Giannis Joins Heat, LaMelo Lands With Timberwolves After 2026 NBA Draft
Updated
Updated · Bleacher Report · Jun 26
Giannis Joins Heat, LaMelo Lands With Timberwolves After 2026 NBA Draft
3 articles · Updated · Bleacher Report · Jun 26
Summary
Post-draft roster building has shifted to trades and free agency, with Giannis Antetokounmpo already moving to Miami and LaMelo Ball to Minnesota in the biggest early deals.
Those swaps have accelerated leaguewide reshuffling, with role players Isaiah Stewart, Aaron Wiggins and Nic Claxton also changing teams as front offices pivot from draft picks to veteran upgrades.
Minnesota paid heavily for Ball—sending Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-rounder, three swaps and three second-round picks—to add a lead playmaker next to Anthony Edwards.
The next wave of movement is expected to center on cap-space teams and trade candidates such as Jaylen Brown and Ja Morant, making free agency the main remaining path for all 30 teams to reshape rosters.