While D’Antoni’s Suns’ up-and-down, free-flowing offense influenced the way that teams play today, he still regrets that he didn’t push the style even further, closer to what it has become today.

“Because we were first to go through the door, first of all, you take a lot of bullets. And … it makes you hesitate. We didn’t go as far as we could have pushed the envelope back then because we didn’t know,” D’Antoni said. “We’d shoot 30-something threes and we’re going, ‘Is that too many? Can we do that?’ While other people were saying, ‘You can’t win that way.’ And so instead of going, just revving it up like they do today and going after it … we just didn’t quite maximize what we could have done.”

D’Antoni also spoke to McMenamin about how Steve Nash allowed him to form such a successful coach-point guard bond, his time with the Kobe Bryant–Dwight Howard Lakers, the ‘Linsanity’ phenomenon in New York, and more.

We have more from around the world of hoops:

• After it was previously reported that brothers Joey Buss and Jesse Buss were in talks to become investors in the French team ASVEL, the former Lakers executives traveled to Lyon on Wednesday to shoot some hoops with head coach Tony Parker and take a closer look at the club, Sportando’s Emiliano Carchia writes. Team shareholders had hoped that the club would be valued at upwards of $120MM, but current estimates are closer to $60-80MM, Carchia notes.
• Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein is playing with the German national team during this month’s World Cup qualifiers for the first time since 2019, Johnny Askounis writes for Eurohoops. The 2025 NBA champion expressed his excitement to return and explained his absence away. “For the first four or five years, I had to prove myself in the NBA,” Hartenstein said. “It was important to me what the teams thought and how I could establish myself there. I was often told I should stay and train. But now that I’m firmly established in the NBA and have found my role, I’ve always wanted to play and give something back.”
• On the heels of the induction ceremony for the 2026 Hall of Fame class, ESPN’s Ben Golliver looks at 11 players on the Hall of Fame’s “waiting list.” LaMarcus Aldridge, Marc Gasol, Blake Griffin, and Andre Iguodala are a few of the players currently eligible who should be given real consideration, Golliver writes, while Derrick Rose has one of the more interesting cases, given that every previous eligible MVP has made the Hall of Fame to this point.

Rivers campaigned for Spurs legend Gregg Popovich to be enshrined while he was still coaching, and has done the same for Warriors coach Steve Kerr and Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, who haven’t been selected yet. Rivers believes coaches would have more job security if they’re already Hall of Fame members.

“I really believe it would have saved some of these guys’ jobs, like George Karl,” Rivers said. “… His career should have been in the Hall. Then he gets in after he leaves [coaching]. But would he still have been coaching if he was ‘Hall of Fame coach George Karl?’ So, it’s a big thing for me, and I’m still pushing to get Rick Carlisle in now. It’s so funny. I’m in, but now I’m still working for NBA coaches.

“When I found out that you don’t need to retire to get in — because that was what we were told early, and that wasn’t true — I really started pushing it. So, yeah, it was a relief to get in. I knew my numbers. Everybody in the top 10 [in wins] is in the Hall of Fame. Half of those guys have never won a title. I’m in the top four in playoff wins. So, I knew I was going to get in at some point. But it’s still an amazing thing.”

Rivers addressed several other topics in the interview. Here are a few more highlights:

On his “coaching tree,” which includes Tyronn Lue and Tom Thibodeau:

“I love it. It’s growing. Ty, I just couldn’t be prouder of. The guy that is not a part of the tree yet, but I think Rajon Rondo is going to be one hell of a coach. He’s the smartest human being I’ve ever coached, and he works at it. He was with me all this [past season in Milwaukee]. Now he’s a savant — and that doesn’t go well at times, because he sees [the game differently].”

On being escorted to the Hall of Fame podium by former Celtics stars Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen:

“Having them on stage means the world to me. I love to see these guys together. Winning a title should be like having a blood transfusion, as I’ve said many times, and these guys will always be tied together. It’s good to see them that way here. It’s interesting: I didn’t realize that when you made the Hall, the only people you can have introduce you are people in the Hall. This was an easy choice for me, though I must say if George Raveling was still alive I would’ve had George on the stage with me as well, along with Wayne Embry.”

On the theme for his Hall of Fame speech:

“I’m not trying to motivate anybody at the Hall of Fame, whereas in the locker room, you know what you’re trying to do. I have written this speech 10 times over the last year, and it’s not good enough yet. I think the difference is, at least right now, it should be more about thankfulness than what you’ve done. Part of the [philosophy] of ‘Ubuntu’ is that you don’t live in isolation, and that’s what I teach. If you’re successful, somebody helped you.”

The title and the Finals MVP award seem to make Brunson a virtual lock for the Hall, especially when compared with players who’ve already gotten in, Vorkunov states. His resume compares favorably to Chauncey Billups, the 2004 Finals MVP, who was inducted in 2024 after making three All-NBA teams during his career. Brunson, a second-team All-NBA selection the past three years, has averaged 26.3 PPG since arriving in New York, and Vorkunov notes that it’s rare for a player of his status to be overlooked.

Vorkunov views the case for Towns as more complicated. He also has three All-NBA appearances, but never higher than third team, and he has never received a vote for MVP. He was named Rookie of the Year in 2016 and is considered one of the best shooting big men in the history of the game. However, he didn’t win much early in his career with Minnesota so his stats tended to overshadow everything else before the title run.

Elsewhere in the article, Vorkunov lists the active players who are considered to be locks, near locks, in the mix and “above the Michael Cooper line” to reach the Hall. He does the same for a handful of retired players, with Chris Paul and Kyle Lowry viewed as sure things to make it to Springfield.

Here’s more from around the basketball world:

• Deniro Laster, a friend of Terry Rozier and a co-defendant in his federal gambling trial, has asked the judge to throw out the charges against him and has signed onto to Rozier’s motions to dismiss the case, Vorkunov tweets.
• Luka Doncic is absent from the 19-man Slovenian roster that will compete in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers later this month, according to Eurohoops. Doncic announced in June that he would be skipping this year’s qualifying windows to spend more time with his daughters. Jaxson Hayes is also missing, so his debut with Slovenia won’t happen this summer. After exhibition games against Latvia and Montenegro, Slovenia will travel to Paris to face France and then return home to host Hungary.
• A “sneak peek” at this year’s schedule will be provided Tuesday on “Good Morning America” and “The Today Show,” the NBA announced. The full schedule will be made public later this week (Twitter link).

Doc Rivers was part of the 2026 Hall of Fame class, but there’s an expectation around the league that he won’t be brought back as head coach of the Bucks in 2026/27, Helin writes. Marc Stein reported similarly on Sunday, though Stein suggested Rivers might stay in the organization in some capacity.

Jamahl Mosley of the Magic and Brian Keefe of the Wizards are two of the other names on Helin’s list.

We have more odds and ends from around the basketball world:

• Should Brooklyn extend or trade Michael Porter Jr. this summer? That’s the big question ESPN’s Bobby Marks poses for the Nets ahead of next month’s draft lottery. Marks lists one big question facing each of the 10 teams who have been eliminated from postseason contention. It’s worth noting the article was written last week, before the Bulls dismissed top front office executives Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley.
• Cade Cunningham, Anthony Edwards and Luka Doncic are among the star players who won’t meet the 65-game requirement this season to be eligible for major postseason awards (Doncic may still qualify, depending on what an “independent expert” rules). Several people around the league recently weighed in on the 65-game rule, which was collectively bargained by both the NBA and the NBPA in 2023, writes Gina Mizell of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch pointed out that there could be unintended consequences of lesser players making All-NBA teams, and suggested those who are clearly All-NBA caliber should still be eligible for the three teams, but without receiving the salary bump that sometimes goes along with it. “That’s one of the things that’s not talked about [with] it,” Finch said. “Some of these awards are going to go to players [who], not to say they’re not necessarily deserving. But they’re going to get these rewards and they’re going to get the financial bonus that comes with these rewards, and maybe they’re not quite of the standard that would normally demand that. … To me, the money piece seems to be the obvious trigger.”
• Doug Feinberg of The Associated Press passes along some quotes from the members of the 2026 Hall of Fame class, which was officially announced over the weekend. “It means everything from a basketball point of view,” Amar’e Stoudemire told the AP. “When you look back at my career not only as a pro, but even high school and, and nationally, and since I was a kid playing the game of basketball. I love the game. You play the game because you love it, and then you work to become the best you can possibly be, despite circumstances, and to get into the Hall of Fame, it shows that the voters appreciate it. And now we’re enshrined forever.”
• Several ESPN insiders list the biggest questions and what to watch in the final week of the regular season.

Many of the names listed had been previously reported, including Bucks’ head coach Doc Rivers, former Suns head coach Mike D’Antoni, and a trio of former men’s and women’s stars: Amar’e Stoudemire, Elena Delle Donne, and Candace Parker.

The rest of the class has now been revealed as well. On the men’s side, Gonzaga head coach Mark Few has been recognized for his storied collegiate coaching career. The press release notes that the two-time Naismith Coach of the Year is the “winningest active coach by winning percentage,” adding that he has recorded at least 20 wins in each one of his seasons as Gonzaga’s head coach. Few was also the assistant coach on the 2024 Olympic gold medal-winning men’s basketball team.

Referee Joey Crawford is the final inductee on the men’s side. Crawford refereed in the NBA for 39 seasons, from 1977 to 2016, including every NBA Finals from 1986 to 2015. His record includes 2561 regular-season games and 374 playoff games.

Also being inducted for women’s basketball is Chamique Holdsclaw, the six-time All-Star and former No. 1 overall pick and Rookie of the Year in 1999 for the Washington Mystics. Holdsclaw, who is a member of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame as well, was an Olympic gold medalist in 2000, a two-time Naismith College player of the Year, and won three NCAA championships with Tennessee. She led the WNBA in scoring in 2002, led the league in rebounding twice, and made three All-WNBA teams.

Finally, the 1996 United States Women’s National Team rounds out the 2026 Hall of Fame class. The group, coached by Tara VanDerveer and featuring Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes, Dawn Staley, Teresa Edwards, Rebecca Lobo, and Katrina McClain, went 8-0 in competition and won by an average of over 30 points per game. In its press release, the Hall of Fame cites that team’s dominance as partially responsible for the launch of the WNBA later the same year.

D’Antoni was selected as a finalist for the 2026 class in February. He’ll technically be inducted as a contributor.

A 6’3″ guard who played parts of four NBA seasons in the 1970s, D’Antoni is most well known for his time coaching the “seven seconds or less” Suns from 2003-08. He helped Phoenix go 253-136 (.650) in the regular season over that span, and make back-to-back trips to the Western Conference finals in 2005 and 2006.

The 74-year-old also had a successful four-year run with the Rockets at the end of his career, guiding Houston to a 217-101 regular season record (.682 win-loss percentage). Houston’s best playoff finish under D’Antoni was a seven-game Western Conference finals loss to Golden State, which went on to win the title.

D’Antoni’s head coaching stops with the Nuggets (14-36 in a lockout season in 1998/99), Knicks (121-167 record over parts of four seasons) and Lakers (67-87 over parts of two seasons) were less successful. Overall, his teams compiled a 672-527 regular season record across 16 seasons. His playoff record is 54-56.

A West Virginia native who played his college ball at Marshall, D’Antoni was a head coach in Italy for several years and had NBA assistant jobs with Denver, Phoenix, Philadelphia and Brooklyn. He was also a coaching advisor for New Orleans from 2021-25 and won a pair of medals with Team USA as an assistant (bronze at the 2006 FIBA World Cup and gold at the 2012 London Olympics).

D’Antoni will be inducted the same year as Amar’e Stoudemire, the former NBA big man who had his best years playing under D’Antoni. Doc Rivers, Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne will reportedly be inducted in 2026 as well.

Stoudemire, who was in his second year of Hall of Fame eligibility, played in the NBA for 14 seasons from 2002-16. He appeared in 846 regular season games for the Suns, Knicks, Mavericks, and Heat, averaging 18.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 31.0 minutes per contest.

A dynamic, athletic power forward, Stoudemire was the Rookie of the Year in 2003 and enjoyed his best years in Phoenix, making five All-Star games as a Sun and earning MVP votes in four separate seasons. Led by Stoudemire, Steve Nash, and Shawn Marion and coached by Mike D’Antoni, those Suns teams of the 2000s featured an explosive, fast-paced offense that was a precursor in many ways to the modern game, though the club never advanced past the Western Conference finals.

Stoudemire moved onto the Knicks in 2010 and had one more All-Star season in New York before health issues began to slow him down and his production tailed off. He finished his playing career with six All-Star berths and five All-NBA nods (one first team and four second team). His No. 32 jersey was later retired by the Suns.

Parker, who will turn 40 in April, was a two-time WNBA Most Valuable Player who won three titles. Although the former No. 1 overall pick spent most of her 16 years in the league with the Los Angeles Sparks, she had brief stints the Chicago Sky and Las Vegas Aces near the end of her career and won championships with all three teams.

Parker was a seven-time All-Star who made 10 All-WNBA teams and ranks 10th on the league’s all-time scoring list, as well as third in total career rebounds and fifth in blocked shots. She currently works as a broadcaster for Amazon Prime Video.

Delle Donne is another two-time WNBA MVP and seven-time All-Star. The former wing was the second overall pick in the 2013 draft and spent a total of 10 seasons with the Chicago Sky and Washington Mystics, winning a championship with the Mystics in 2019.

That ’19 season was one of Delle Donne’s two MVP campaigns. She became the first WNBA player to achieve a 50/40/90 shooting season that year, posting an incredible shooting line of .515/.430/.974. Her 93.7% career free throw percentage ranks first all-time among WNBA players.

The full 2026 Hall of Fame class, featuring Stoudemire, Parker, Delle Donne, and Rivers, will be formally announced this Saturday, April 4.

Rivers, who was named a North American committee finalist last month, has compiled the sixth-most wins in NBA history across his 27 seasons as a head coach. The 64-year-old holds a career regular season record of 1191-861, for a .580 win-loss percentage.

Rivers’ teams have made the playoffs in 21 of his 27 seasons, including the longtime coach’s lone championship with Boston in 2008. He also led the Celtics to the NBA Finals in 2010, when they lost to the Lakers in seven games.

Aside from those two deep postseason runs, Rivers’ playoff results have been pretty mixed. Despite having a ton of regular season success with the Clippers and Sixers from 2013-23, none of those clubs advanced past the second round.

The only other team Rivers coached that reached a conference final was Boston in 2012. He holds a career playoff record of 104-102 (.504 win percentage).

Milwaukee was eliminated from postseason contention on Saturday for the first time since 2016.

A native of Illinois, Rivers also played 13 years in the league (from 1983-96). He was named an All-Star with Atlanta, with whom he spent his first eight seasons, in 1988.

Townsend’s story is largely centered on former Mavericks head coach Dick Motta, whose family was told on Monday that he won’t be inducted this year. It was the third time the 94-year-old has been a finalist but the first time since 2012, Townsend notes.

Motta, who had two different stints with Dallas, also coached the Bulls, Bullets (now Wizards), Kings and Nuggets. He holds a career regular season mark of 935-1017 (.479) and a playoff record of 57-70 (.444).

As Townsend writes, Motta is 14th on NBA’s all-time win list, and of the coaches in the top 15, only Rivers, Motta and Pacers coach Rick Carlisle aren’t in the Hall of Fame. Obviously that will change for Rivers later this year.

Motto also coached junior high, high school, junior college and major college basketball, according to Townsend, who points out that the Utah native led the Washington Bullets to back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in 1978 and ’79. The Bullets won the championship in ’78.

“I want Mike and the first group to play as hard as they can,” Fernandez said. “I want to challenge them to do it, because I’ve seen them doing it, especially on the defensive end. If that happens, I can live with whatever happens. If that is there, then you’re being selfless, you’re playing for the team, and just good things happen. I’m trying to just challenge every guy in different ways.”

Rookie Nolan Traore actually received two points of criticism, as he was part of the starting unit. He recorded six turnovers and zero assists, and fellow rookie Ben Saraf had six turnovers as well (he dished out four assists).

“(Traore and Saraf) need to grow. They need to grow and watch it and learn from it,” Fernandez said. “And I know they’re better. It’s not an excuse if they’re young. I’ve watched them play and they’re way better than 12 turnovers. How they organize the team, how vocal they are, all that, it’s important.”

The 19-year-old guards played better in Thursday’s rematch in Miami, combining for 11 assists (nine for Traore) and four turnovers (three for Traore), though Brooklyn still lost its 10th straight game.

Here’s more on the Nets:

• Saraf has received backup point guard minutes in recent games because fellow first-round pick Egor Dëmin has been sidelined due to a left foot injury. Fernandez said the Russian guard, who missed most of training camp and the preseason while rehabilitating from a plantar fascia tear, has experienced more soreness of late, tweets Brian Lewis of The New York Post. “He’s struggled with plantar fasciitis, and the soreness has increased lately,” Fernandez said. “So we’re being cautious and trying to figure out what’s the best way for him moving forward.”
• Cam Thomas said last week that his departure from the Nets was “absolutely” because the team didn’t believe in him, adding that the lack of belief wasn’t exclusive to him. Fernandez responded to those comments prior to Thursday’s game, as Lewis relays (via Twitter). “No, I mean, I wish Cam the best. We loved him while he was here,” Fernandez said. “We hope he does very well where he is. I don’t know if he has a right to speak about others; but we’re happy with the guys we have here. I believe that everybody here can help us with what we have planned, and we wish nothing but the best for him.” Thomas signed with Milwaukee last month after being waived by Brooklyn following the trade deadline.
• Play-by-play announcer Chris Carrino has been named the recipient of the Curt Gowdy electronic media award, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced on Friday (Twitter link).

The North American Committee Finalists include referee Joey Crawford; coaches Mark Few, Gary McKnight, Dick Motta, Doc Rivers, Kelvin Sampson and Jerry Welsh; and players Blake Griffin, Kevin Johnson, Amar’e Stoudemire and Buck Williams.

The Women’s Committee Finalists include the 1996 United States Women’s National Team and players Jennifer Azzi, Elena Delle Donne, Chamique Holdsclaw and Candace Parker.

Molly Bolin-Kazmer is the lone finalist from the Women’s Veterans Committee. Dušan Ivković (coach) is the lone International Committee finalist while Marques Johnson is the only Veterans Committee finalist. The Contributors Committee chose Tal Brody and Mike D’Antoni as its finalists.

Here’s more from around the basketball world:

• David Kelly has been unanimously elected as the next NBA Players Association executive director by the Board of Player Representatives, Ian Begley of SNY relays (Twitter link). He’ll replace longtime NBA player Andre Iguodala, whose term expires in July. Kelly has been serving as the managing director and general counsel for the NBPA. He’s also served as a close advisor to Iguodala.
• The Board of Governors might vote on expansion this summer, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania (video link) and Dallas Morning News’ Brad Townsend (Twitter link). The BOG’s spring meeting is expected to be critical for stakeholders to better understand the factors around expansion, according to Charania. Some BOG members wanted to vote on expansion in the spring, but it will be tabled until the summer for extra information-gathering and deliberation, according to Townsend. Seattle and Las Vegas have long been considered the top candidates for expansion.
• The Athletic’s Mike Vornukov and Joe Vardon provide an in-depth look at how the law firm of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz conducts investigations into various NBA matters. The league has used the firm’s services since 2007.
• All-Star weekend continues today with the three-point contest, the Shooting Stars event and the slam dunk competition and The Athletic’s Steven Louis Goldstein offers a guide to Saturday’s activities. Prior three-point contest winners Damian Lillard and Devin Booker are among the eight participants in that event. The Shooting Stars is making its first appearance since 2015, replacing the Skills Challenge.

For women’s hoops, ex-WNBA stars Elena Delle Donne and Candace Parker are also eligible for the first time, and both two-time MVPs are likely shoo-ins to be enshrined on August 14. Coaches Kelvin Sampson, Bruce Pearl and Mike D’Antoni, the latter of whom is technically in the “contributor” category, are among the other first-time nominees.

Returning eligible candidates include Mark Few, Doc Rivers, Amar’e Stoudemire and Shawn Marion.

The finalists will be selected on February 9, while the 2026 class will be unveiled on April 4.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 draft, Griffin was sidelined for his first professional season due to a left knee injury, which eventually required surgery. He made a triumphant return in 2010/11, winning the Rookie of the Year award and earning the first of six All-Star berths.

Griffin, 36, was named to five All-NBA teams over the course of his 13 active years in the league. Injuries continued to be an issue, however, particularly at the end of his career.

Johnson, 44, was the 10th overall selection in 2001. He played parts of 18 years in the NBA, making seven All-Star appearances and earning one All-NBA nod in 2009/10.

Anthony, who ranks 12th in career scoring with 28,289 points, played for six teams in 19 NBA seasons. The 10-time All-Star was serenaded with “Melo!” chants as he walked to the podium to deliver his induction speech and teared up as he addressed the crowd.

“Tonight I just don’t step into the Hall of Fame, I carry the echoes of every voice that ever told me I couldn’t,” Anthony said. … “I had to build a new road. I had to write a new ending.”

“I never got an NBA ring,” he later added. “… But I know what I gave to the game.”

Howard was one of the league’s most dominant big men during his 18-year career, which saw him spend time with seven teams. He paid tribute to other historically great centers, mentioning Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Dikembe Mutombo, and referenced his long-running “Superman feud” with Shaquille O’Neal.

The eight-time All-Star wrapped up his speech with a message for his children, telling them, “You only die once, but you live every day.”

Anthony and Howard were also inducted as members of the “Redeem Team,” which reclaimed the gold medal for the U.S. at the 2008 Olympics after Team USA for the bronze in 2004. All the members of that team were present at the ceremony, except for Kobe Bryant, who died in 2020. Anthony and Howard joined Bryant, Jason Kidd, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh as double enshrinees.

Also inducted on Saturday were former WNBA players Sue Bird, Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles, Bulls coach Billy Donovan, Heat managing general partner Micky Arison and longtime referee Danny Crawford. Arison delivered one of the night’s funniest lines, referencing LeBron James‘ prediction when he teamed up with Bosh and Wade in Miami.

“In 2010, with Dwyane, LeBron and Chris Bosh we knew we could win,” Arison said. “Not one, not two … I guess it was just two.”

“I would just say I’m appreciative. It is an honor… It was never a goal,” he said of the Hall of Fame selection. “Our goal was to win championships. Was fortunate enough to win three. Our goal was to create a fantastic atmosphere in Miami. Most great NBA players, coaches it’s a goal for them. It’s never been a goal for me. Despite that, I’m extremely appreciative.”

Hall of Fame weekend marks a rare moment in the spotlight for Arison, as Jackson and Chiang note that he hasn’t spoken with beat reporters since 2013 and declined interview requests regarding his election. As his presenters, he chose Heat president Pat Riley and franchise legends Alonzo Mourning and Dwyane Wade.

“They were three key elements to our history for 30 years,” Arison said. “Pat was with me almost from the very beginning. Zo (was acquired) the first year. From there the culture was created. Dwyane Wade helped take it to the top. Obviously the greatest player in Heat history; (he has) a statue on the top steps (of Kaseya Center). I’m glad those three will be with me.”

There’s more on the Heat:

• Ira Winderman of The Sun-Sentinel (subscription required) previews several battles to watch when training camp opens later this month, including Kel’el Ware vs. Nikola Jovic for a potential starting spot and Tyler Herro vs. Davion Mitchell to be the crunch-time point guard. Winderman expects Andrew Wiggins and newly acquired Norman Powell to both be in the starting lineup, but coach Erik Spoelstra‘s decision on how to use them could factor into their long-term future with the team. Powell has an expiring contract, and Wiggins holds a player option for next season.
• The fate of Kasparas Jakucionis is also worth keeping an eye on, Winderman adds. The first-round pick struggled during Summer League games and seemed like he might need some time in the G League, but Winderman suggests he may be able to avoid that fate with a strong showing in camp and the preseason.
• Haywood Highsmith, who was traded to the Nets last month, recently offered a heartfelt farewell to the Heat organization and fans on his Instagram account. “You gave an undrafted kid from Baltimore a chance and I’m forever grateful for the journey, challenges, and growth I’ve experienced here,” he wrote. “Miami will always have a special place in my heart.”

This weekend, former All-NBA superstars Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard are joining the Hall as first-ballot honorees.

Kram and Vorkunov both tackled the topic of who’s next by stratifying players into tiers of candidacy. Although each differed slightly on who the surefire “locks” would be, there was some overlap.

Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, Warriors guard Stephen Curry and forwards Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green, Mavericks big man Anthony Davis and wing Klay Thompson, Rockets forward Kevin Durant, Clippers guards James Harden and Chris Paul and wing Kawhi Leonard, Lakers forward LeBron James, Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, Sixers center Joel Embiid, and free agent guard Russell Westbrook are considered no-brainer picks by both parties.

There are a few other NBA players that only one of the two is convinced will be guaranteed honorees. Vorkunov is confident that Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving will earn the honor. Kram, meanwhile, believes the Hall will anoint Sixers forward Paul George, Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, while Vorkunov views those players as “near” locks.

Further down on each list — beyond young guns seemingly on track to get to Springfield like Jayson Tatum and Luka Doncic — both Kram and Vorkunov each look at some fringe cases. Kram limits his list to active players, while Vorkunov also examines the candidacy of a few recent retirees.

Among current “bubble” players, both agree that former All-Stars and champs Kyle Lowry and Kevin Love are in the mix for Hall of Fame berths. Kram believes DeMar DeRozan ranks among this group, while Vorkunov is more confident that the six-time All-Star is already a virtual lock.

We want to hear from you. Who do you think has punched their ticket already? Who needs to do more to make the grade? Who doesn’t deserve to be a lock? Weigh in below.

Meanwhile, ESPN’s Zach Kram makes a similar case for another of this weekend’s inductees, detailing why center Dwight Howard, a three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, is a worthy first-ballot Hall-of-Famer. In Kram’s view, Howard has actually become somewhat underrated, since his drop-off in production during his 30s made it easy to forgot how high his peaks were in his prime.

Here’s more from around the basketball world:

• With the start of the 2025/26 college basketball season around the corner, Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report has updated his 2026 NBA mock draft, running through all 60 hypothetical picks, from Kansas guard Darryn Peterson at No. 1 to Connecticut big man Tarris Reed Jr. at No. 60.
• After longtime college basketball coach and Nike sports marketing director George Raveling died on Monday at age 88, NBA commissioner Adam Silver put out a statement lauding Raveling for his “influence on the game of basketball at every level” and sending condolences to his family and friends (Twitter link).
• Giorgio Armani passed away on Thursday at the age of 91, as Eurohoops relays. While he’s more known for his role in the fashion world than for his contributions to basketball, Armani had owned the EuroLeague club Olimpia Milano since 2008. In a statement issued on Thursday, the EuroLeague credited the Italian fashion designer for “ushering in a new golden era” for Olimpia Milano during his tenure as owner, which included six Italian League championships and the team’s first EuroLeague Final Four appearances in nearly three decades.