Where do all 30 teams stand in the final March edition of ESPN’s NBA Power Rankings? So far, 10 teams have clinched at least a postseason berth, with the full playoff picture beginning to take shape. And with the pool of top 20 teams nearly set, the next few weeks are all about jockeying for position.

In the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers are making the loudest statement among the logjam of teams behind the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs. The 3-seeded Lakers, healthy again and settling into an offensive hierarchy between Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves, have won nine of 10 games in their pursuit of home court in the first round.

The Atlanta Hawks have made their own push as an attempt to break free from the Eastern Conference play-in picture. Atlanta is 13-1 over the past month, albeit during a weaker portion of its schedule. Things get tougher starting Wednesday, when the 6-seeded Hawks face the East-leading Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics three times in six days.

Which playoff contenders and lottery-bound teams are making moves up and down our latest rankings? Check out our updated 1-30 list and what lies ahead for each team as the regular season winds down.

Note: Team rankings are based on where members of our panel (ESPN’s Anthony Slater, Dave McMenamin, Jamal Collier, Michael C. Wright, Bobby Marks, Tim Bontemps, Tim MacMahon, Vincent Goodwill and Zach Kram) think teams belong.

Previous rankings: Preseason | Oct. 29 | Nov. 5 | Nov. 12 | Nov. 19 | Nov. 26 | Dec. 3 | Dec. 10 | Dec. 17 | Dec. 24 | Dec. 31 | Jan. 7 | Jan. 14 | Jan. 21 | Jan. 28 | Feb. 4 | Feb. 11 | Feb. 25 | Mar. 4 | Mar. 11 | Mar. 18

Jump to a team:
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTAH | WAS

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OKC looking to young talent for repeat championship run

Zach Kram breaks down Ajay Mitchell and Jared McCain’s impact in the Thunder’s pursuit of another chip this season.

• 2025-26 record: 54-15

• Previous ranking: 1

• Next games: @ BOS (Mar. 25), vs. CHI (Mar. 27), vs. NYK (Mar. 29), vs. DET (Mar. 30)

In his return to the lineup, Jalen Williams had 18 points and six assists over only 20 minutes in Philadelphia on Monday night. There’s little unknown about the defending champions entering the playoffs. They’ve won 12 straight and appear poised to grab home court throughout the postseason. But their ultimate ceiling will be based on whether Williams can shake off an injury-riddled season and find his best version in the next two months. Monday was a positive start. — Anthony Slater

• 2025-26 record: 52-19

• Previous ranking: 3

• Next games: vs. ATL (Mar. 25), vs. NO (Mar. 26), @ MIN (Mar. 28), @ OKC (Mar. 30), vs. TOR (Mar. 31)

Seven days ago, the top of the East appeared to be open with news of Cade Cunningham’s punctured lung, seemingly leaving the Pistons vulnerable. But many Pistons staffers believed a hard reset was needed to get back to their defensive identity, which had experienced slippage over the last few weeks. Four wins later, they sit firmly back atop the standings with 11 games left and back to second in defense. And from a two-way player to a two-year deal revelation, Daniss Jenkins has rediscovered his mojo after a monthlong slump, averaging 26 on 60% shooting in wins over the Warriors and Lakers. — Vincent Goodwill

• 2025-26 record: 47-24

• Previous ranking: 4

• Next games: vs. OKC (Mar. 25), vs. ATL (Mar. 27), @ CHA (Mar. 29), @ ATL (Mar. 30)

It’s been an up-and-down first couple of weeks for Jayson Tatum since returning to the lineup for the Celtics on March 6. One thing that has been consistent, however, is Tatum’s usage rate, which entering Wednesday’s showdown with Oklahoma City is 30.8 — right in line with where it has been each of the past five seasons. — Tim Bontemps

Victor Wembanyama became the fifth player to reach 4,000 points and 600 blocks in his first three seasons since blocks became an official stat in 1973-74, according to ESPN Research. The Frenchman joins the company of Shaquille O’Neal, Alonzo Mourning, David Robinson and Hakeem Olajuwon as the only players to achieve the feat.

San Antonio enters Wednesday’s clash with Memphis on a six-game winning streak, including victories in 22 of the past 24 since Feb. 1, with an opportunity to finish with its first 60-win campaign since the 2016-17 season. The toughest portion of the remaining schedule starts April 1 at Golden State, followed by road outings against the Clippers and Nuggets. — Michael C. Wright

• 2025-26 record: 46-26

• Previous ranking: 6

• Next games: @ IND (Mar. 25), vs. BKN (Mar. 27), vs. WSH (Mar. 30), vs. CLE (Mar. 31)

After L.A.’s nine-game winning streak was snapped in Detroit on Monday, coach JJ Redick reflected on what he took from the hot stretch.

“We’re a good basketball team,” he said. “I believe that we’re a good basketball team. I thought we could be a good basketball team the entire season. We saw flashes of it. We saw short stretches of it, but we’re a good basketball team.”

Two out of the Lakers’ final 10 games are against a great basketball team in the Oklahoma City Thunder, which L.A. should treat like playoff games before the real thing begins. — Dave McMenamin

While the Celtics were looking up at the 1-seed, the Knicks were eyeing the Celtics in that second spot in the East, and the two playoff combatants are eye-to-eye following a six-game winning streak. It’s a break in the schedule the Knicks have been waiting for, with the combined record of 104-255 (.289 winning percentage), and short of a scare against the Nets, the Knicks have taken care of business. Getting Mikal Bridges back on track is an objective before the playoffs. Since scoring 25 against the Spurs on March 1, he’s averaging 8.9 points on 37% shooting in his last 11 games — not a sustainable playoff formula. — Vincent Goodwill

• 2025-26 record: 45-27

• Previous ranking: 7

• Next games: vs. MIA (Mar. 25), vs. MIA (Mar. 27), @ UTAH (Mar. 30), @ LAL (Mar. 31)

The Cavs have some cushion as the No. 4 seed in the East, and they could also have an impact on their potential first-round opponent. After Tuesday’s 136-131 win over Orlando — the team’s fourth straight — Cleveland still has two games each remaining with both Miami and Atlanta, two of the other teams chasing the Raptors for the No. 5 slot in the East and a likely first-round date with the Cavs. — Jamal Collier

Forward Peyton Watson returned Sunday after missing more than six weeks due to a hamstring strain, scoring 14 points in 20 minutes off the bench in a win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Watson is in the midst of a breakout season as he approaches restricted free agency, averaging career bests of 14.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals per game for a Nuggets team that needs to get healthy. — Tim MacMahon

Minnesota is trying to claim a top-four seed in the Western Conference while missing Anthony Edwards (knee) for an extended period. If Edwards misses three more games he will be ineligible for All-NBA honors at season’s end due to the 65-game rule. The Nuggets, Rockets and Timberwolves are all vying for home court in the first round of the playoffs. — Bontemps

• 2025-26 record: 43-28

• Previous ranking: 9

• Next games: @ MIN (Mar. 25), @ MEM (Mar. 27), @ NO (Mar. 29), @ NYK (Mar. 31)

The loss at Chicago marked Houston’s 12th to a team with a losing record, tying the Hornets for the most of any team this season with a winning record. Houston owns a 23-12 mark against teams currently below .500 with a crucial matchup on deck Wednesday at Minnesota.

Despite the team’s overall inconsistency recently, center Alperen Sengun is rounding into postseason form with four straight double-doubles. The rest of the supporting cast needs to step up for the Rockets to salvage a season soured by injuries to key leaders on the team. — Wright

• 2025-26 record: 40-32

• Previous ranking: 14

• Next games: @ DET (Mar. 25), @ BOS (Mar. 27), vs. SAC (Mar. 28), vs. BOS (Mar. 30)

The Hawks continue to play their best basketball at the right time of the season. Despite the loss at Houston last Friday that snapped an 11-game winning streak, Atlanta has won 13 out of 15 and trails only Oklahoma City for the league’s top offense. Twelve of those wins have come by double digits. In two wins against Golden State and Memphis, Atlanta won by a combined 55 points. Against the Grizzlies, the Hawks set a franchise record with 25 3-pointers. — Bobby Marks

After Phoenix followed a tough 2-4 road trip with a home loss to the struggling Milwaukee Bucks, the Suns got back on track with a 22-point win over the Toronto Raptors this past weekend. Six of their final 10 games are on the road, where they’re 17-18. But seeing as they’re 3.5 games back of Houston for No. 6 and four games up on the L.A. Clippers in No. 8, their No. 7 spot is likely secure. — McMenamin

• 2025-26 record: 40-31

• Previous ranking: 15

• Next games: @ LAC (Mar. 25), vs. NO (Mar. 27), vs. ORL (Mar. 29), @ DET (Mar. 31)

With one game to go on their last big road trip of the season, the Raptors are 2-2 on their current stretch away from home. They beat the teams with losing records (Chicago and Utah) and lost to the teams with winning records (Denver and Phoenix), continuing a seasonlong trend. With important upcoming games against Orlando and Miami (twice), who are rivals with the Raptors for playoff seeding, Toronto must hope it can eke out a few wins against upper-tier competition. — Zach Kram

• 2025-26 record: 38-34

• Previous ranking: 17

• Next games: vs. NYK (Mar. 26), vs. PHI (Mar. 28), vs. BOS (Mar. 29), @ BKN (Mar. 31)

Blowout wins over Miami and Orlando have Charlotte still in the running for the first division title in franchise history. With a few weeks to go in the regular season, the Southeast Division hosts a four-team race: As of Tuesday, Atlanta has 32 losses, Orlando has 33, and Miami and Charlotte both have 34. Even better: With Philadelphia sitting at 33 losses as well, there’s a chance the East’s play-in tournament is an all-Southeast affair. — Kram

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Paul George apologizes for suspension, looks forward to return

Paul George speaks about his suspension and his mindset going into the rest of the season.

After weeks with several players sidelined due to injury and suspension, Philadelphia is finally getting back to normal again. Paul George is returning from a 25-game suspension Wednesday, Joel Embiid (knee) is questionable to play and Tyrese Maxey (finger) might not be far behind, as well. They’ll need all hands on deck for the home stretch of the season after falling to No. 7 in the Eastern Conference and into the play-in. — Bontemps

• 2025-26 record: 38-34

• Previous ranking: 13

• Next games: @ CLE (Mar. 25), @ CLE (Mar. 27), @ IND (Mar. 29), vs. PHI (Mar. 30)

A late-March skid — the Heat have followed a season-high seven-game winning streak with five consecutive losses — has derailed Miami’s push to avoid a fourth consecutive trip to the play-in. In all five losses, the Heat allowed at least 120 points, the longest streak in franchise history. Miami trails only Milwaukee, Washington and Indiana for the worst defense in that stretch. — Bobby Marks

The Magic have lost a season-high six games in a row and are now tied with Charlotte and Miami in the East play-in field. The schedule does not get easier, as five out of their next eight opponents have a record above .500. A bright spot in the losing streak is the play of Jamal Cain, however. Signed to a two-way contract in the offseason, Cain had his contract converted on March 20. He has scored double-digit points in three out of the past four games, including a season-high 17 points against Cleveland. — Marks

• 2025-26 record: 36-36

• Previous ranking: 16

• Next games: vs. TOR (Mar. 25), @ IND (Mar. 27), @ MIL (Mar. 29), vs. POR (Mar. 31)

Darius Garland has found his shooting stroke with the Clippers, averaging 20.8 points on 50% from the field and 50.7% from 3 in his first 10 games with the franchise. The two-time All-Star exploded for 41 points on 15-for-24 shooting (8-for-12 from 3) in an overtime win over the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday and the Clippers are firmly in the playoff picture, two games up on No. 10 Golden State with 10 games left. — McMenamin

• 2025-26 record: 36-37

• Previous ranking: 20

• Next games: vs. MIL (Mar. 25), vs. DAL (Mar. 27), vs. WSH (Mar. 29), @ LAC (Mar. 31)

A recent Clippers skid has cracked open the door for the Blazers to sneak into the eighth seed, which provides a much more realistic path for them to get into the playoffs through the play-in bracket. Portland is one back in the loss column, but faces the Clippers twice in the final three weeks of the season and has five lottery teams on the schedule over the last nine games. Even if the Blazers have little chance to upset the Spurs or Thunder, they’d benefit from some first-round playoff experience for their young core. — Slater

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Kerr: Warriors will play Curry in play-in tourney if healthy

Steve Kerr provides an update on Stephen Curry’s availability for the Warriors this season.

An adverse Warriors season continues to turn catastrophic. Starting wing Moses Moody — having a career season in his fifth year — suffered a gruesome noncontact leg injury late in overtime Monday night in Dallas. The timing and severity put all of next season in jeopardy for Moody, who is in the first season of a three-year, $39 million extension. The Warriors already anticipate that Jimmy Butler III, rehabbing from a torn ACL, will miss a chunk of next season. Tough times in San Francisco. — Slater

Following wins in five of their last seven contests, the Pelicans start a three-game road trip Tuesday against the Knicks, followed by matchups at Detroit and Toronto. The team’s performance over that stretch could ultimately determine interim coach James Borrego’s future.

Zion Williamson is now up to 132 career 25-point games after Saturday’s loss to Cleveland, which ranks third in New Orleans history behind Anthony Davis (220) and Brandon Ingram (133), according to ESPN Research. The defeat to the Cavs was the Pelicans’ sixth this season after leading by 15 points or more. — Wright

• 2025-26 record: 29-42

• Previous ranking: 21

• Next games: @ POR (Mar. 25), vs. SAS (Mar. 28), vs. LAC (Mar. 29), vs. DAL (Mar. 31)

When the Bucks signed Cam Thomas shortly after the trade deadline, they believed they were adding a player who could help them make a playoff push. Doc Rivers went so far as comparing Thomas to great bench scorers he’s coached in the past, such as three-time Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford with the Clippers. But less than two months later, Thomas was released after struggling to score efficiently and providing little else to a Bucks team sputtering toward the finish line. — Collier

• 2025-26 record: 29-42

• Previous ranking: 22

• Next games: @ PHI (Mar. 25), @ OKC (Mar. 27), @ MEM (Mar. 28), @ SAS (Mar. 30)

The Bulls dismantled their roster at the trade deadline because, as team vice president Arturas Karnisovas explained, they didn’t want to remain in the middle. At that point, Chicago had the 21st-best record in the league at 24-31. Fast forward to this week, and the Bulls still have the 21st-best record in the league at 29-42. Chicago will almost certainly require some lottery luck to change its immediate future. — Collier

• 2025-26 record: 24-47

• Previous ranking: 24

• Next games: vs. SAS (Mar. 25), vs. HOU (Mar. 27), vs. CHI (Mar. 28), vs. PHX (Mar. 30)

The losses continue to pile up along with the team’s injury update announcements. Star guard Ja Morant hasn’t played since Jan. 21 and missed his 29th consecutive game Monday in Atlanta for a squad that is now 6-23 in his absence. The 36-point setback against the Hawks on Monday registered as Memphis’ largest margin of loss this season. The Grizzlies host San Antonio on Wednesday to tip off a six-game homestand that closes out April 3 against Toronto. — Wright

• 2025-26 record: 23-49

• Previous ranking: 25

• Next games: @ DEN (Mar. 25), @ POR (Mar. 27), vs. MIN (Mar. 30), @ MIL (Mar. 31)

It has been more than two months since the Mavericks won a home game, losing 12 consecutive games at the American Airlines Center since a Jan. 22 win over the Warriors. The home losing streak was extended with Monday’s overtime loss to the Warriors, when rookie Cooper Flagg recorded his eighth 30-point performance, trailing only LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony for the most ever in a season by a teenager. — MacMahon

• 2025-26 record: 21-51

• Previous ranking: 26

• Next games: vs. WSH (Mar. 25), @ DEN (Mar. 27), @ PHX (Mar. 28), vs. CLE (Mar. 30)

Rookie Ace Bailey, the fifth overall pick in the 2025 draft, has been a bright spot as the Jazz head toward securing another high lottery pick. He’s scored at least 25 points in the last three games, becoming the fifth-youngest player ever to record such a streak. His 95 points in that span is the most by a Jazz rookie over a three-game stretch since Darrell Griffith during the 1980-81 season. Bailey, 19, scored a career-high 37 in Monday’s loss to the Raptors. — MacMahon

Arkansas coach John Calipari sat courtside in Sacramento on Sunday afternoon, catching a Kings game between NCAA tournament stops in Portland and San Jose. The appearance was notable.

Calipari coaches Darius Acuff Jr., an electric scoring guard for the Razorbacks who is rising into the top-five conversation for June’s draft. League sources confirm the Kings have a growing level of interest in Acuff, and he will be a real option for them near the top of the draft. — Slater

• 2025-26 record: 17-55

• Previous ranking: 28

• Next games: @ GS (Mar. 25), @ LAL (Mar. 27), vs. SAC (Mar. 29), vs. CHA (Mar. 31)

It’s been miserable and stays that way for the Nets, who are waiting for May 10, lottery night, to see if all this losing is worth the pain. It wasn’t a surprise to see them compete in a cross-borough Knicks matchup on Friday, taking double-digit leads and almost squeaking out a win. The spiciest note of the night came from Josh Minott, who hit six triples in a game for the first time this season, calling out former teammate Karl-Anthony Towns, “I love KAT, but he don’t like physicality. That’s my boy, too. I hope this angers him.” — Goodwill

• 2025-26 record: 16-55

• Previous ranking: 29

• Next games: @ UTAH (Mar. 25), @ GS (Mar. 27), @ POR (Mar. 29), @ LAL (Mar. 30)

With 15 consecutive losses, Washington has fallen into a tie with Indiana for the fewest wins in the NBA. At this point, the Wizards have more than guaranteed they’ll keep their top-eight-protected pick; now, they’re on the verge of finishing with the NBA’s worst record and landing the No. 1 spot entering lottery night. — Kram

With a 37-point effort from Pascal Siakam, the Pacers snapped a 16-game losing streak in Orlando on Monday — their first win since the All-Star break.

The victory gave Indiana 16 wins on the season, tying them with Washington for the fewest in the league — but if the Pacers finish with the No. 1, 2, or 3 positions in the lottery, they’ll have identical 52.1% odds of keeping their pick, which will go to the Clippers if it lands outside the top four. — Kram

The 2026 men’s basketball tournament round of 16 is here and for my money, it’s college basketball nirvana.

The trade-off for very few upsets early on is premium games for four straight days to decide who advances to the Final Four. This is the best, most competitive basketball you will see all year. Whether your brackets are busted or not, you’re still going to be treated to some high-level hoops.

Throughout the tourney, I will provide my best bets for each round as well as my picks for the new ESPN Men’s Tournament Challenge Eliminator game.

Here are my selections for the round of 16.

Note: Odds by DraftKings Sportsbook at time of Wednesday’s publication and subject to change.

Thursday’s games

(2) Purdue team total OVER 77.5 (-127) vs. (11) Texas

Game time: 7:10 p.m. ET (CBS)

I had my sights set on the Boilermakers minus the points here, but early money coming on Texas has forced me off. I’ll look to an alternate market here with the team total. Purdue is the most efficient offense in the country, and the Longhorns don’t really have a defense that matches up well, especially at the 3-point line where Purdue is eighth in the nation in 3-point shooting and the Longhorns are 253rd in 3-point shooting defense.

Sharp bettors believe Texas can hang in this game, and if the Longhorns do, it’s because of their scoring and facing an average Purdue defense. Texas is unlikely to win a game that stays under the total. That favors Purdue mostly because of its pace, which is a diabolically slow 324th in the country. The Boilermakers make you work extra hard on defense and then take your soul by finishing off with a bucket or a 3. It’s that pace, which will slow even more if Texas isn’t scoring, and that’s how Purdue doesn’t get there. But I believe that the Longhorns’ offense has found a real rhythm in the tournament so far and will help push Purdue over this number.

(2) Houston -3.5 (-105) vs. (3) Illinois

Game time: 10:05 p.m. ET (TBS/truTV)

I missed the best of the number here at the open when it was -2.5, but it only confirms my feeling about Houston being the better team here, especially on defense. Illinois is the second-most efficient offense in the country, but this will be a game of limited possessions as both teams are in the bottom 100 in adjusted tempo, with Houston being in the bottom 15. Both teams force opponents into long possessions on offense and bad shots.

Where the Cougars will decide this game is at the 3-point line. Illinois gets more than 50% of its points from 3-pointers. Five of the eight Illini losses come against teams in the top 100 in 3-point shooting defense. Houston is 44th in the country in that category. The Cougars offense should do enough here and they will have the benefit of a very heavy home crowd with the game in Houston.

Eliminator pick: (2) Purdue

The Longhorns’ run has been impressive, but here’s where it comes to an end. Texas doesn’t have the shooting to keep up with Purdue … and its shooting has gone up in each of the tournament games. There’s likely some regression coming here.

How to play ESPN Eliminator Challenge.

Friday’s games

(1) Duke vs. (5) St. John’s +6.5 (-108)

Game time: 7:10 p.m. ET (CBS)

The Red Storm have advanced to the second week of tourney play for the first time since 1999 and in just the third season under Rick Pitino. Surprisingly enough, they are here because of their defense, which is ranked in the top 10 in adjusted efficiency for the first time since their last round of 16 appearance. The Johnnies can match Duke defensively and their athleticism can contain Duke’s Cameron Boozer. They held Kansas star Darryn Peterson to 5-of-15 shooting. I see a similar result here for Boozer.

The total for this game is 142.5. Duke has seen just 10 totals this low all season. It has gone over this number just twice, and one of them was because it scored 100 points against Notre Dame. The correlation here is that if Duke is limited in scoring, that favors the Johnnies as a three-possession underdog. Rick Pitino is also 6-2 against the spread in the NCAA tournament as an underdog of five points or more; that includes 3-0 as a No. 6 seed or better. This is a game I think St. John’s can win outright, so it’s worth it to sprinkle a little on the moneyline as well.

Eliminator pick: (6) Tennessee

Iowa State was able to get past Kentucky without its best player, but I’ll bet against it happening two times against high-level opponents. Even if Joshua Jefferson does play, Iowa State’s offense won’t do much against the Volunteers’ defense. All of the Cyclones’ losses except one have been to teams with an adjusted defensive efficiency ranking in the top 35. Tennessee is 14th.

Hubert Davis is out at North Carolina, just five days after the Tar Heels’ catastrophic collapse against VCU. After entering the season on the hot seat, a signature win against Duke in February and a 24-8 record seemed to have kept Davis safe from dismissal after entering the NCAA tournament as a 6-seed.

Especially given the season-ending injury to star forward Caleb Wilson, all signs pointed to Davis returning to Chapel Hill regardless of what happened in March. Then the Tar Heels blew a 19-point lead to 11-seed VCU in the second half of their first-round game, with Davis mismanaging down the stretch of regulation.

Davis’ head coaching tenure at Carolina comes to an end after five seasons, a stretch that included a national championship game appearance in 2022 and an ACC regular-season championship in 2024.

So what’s next in Chapel Hill?

When Roy Williams retired in 2021, the job was perceived to be among the best in the entire sport. After an up-and-down half decade, the question is whether that’s still the case. Industry sources still consider Carolina to be the same elite, blue-blood destination it was when Davis took the helm in 2021.

“I think there’s plenty of money if they want,” one source told ESPN. “The history, the tradition, the facilities. No doubt it’s still [at the top]. It’s North Carolina.”

“It’s still Carolina, man,” another said. “It’s the brand.”

The position comes with challenges this time, though. Longtime athletic director Bubba Cunningham is leaving his post this summer and will be succeeded by former NASCAR executive Steve Newmark. The department also faces the question of whether to renovate the Dean Smith Center or move the basketball team elsewhere. And with Bill Belichick in town, the football program is getting its fair share of resources — and attention.

Let’s take a look at which candidates could be on the radar, plus what they would be inheriting.

Who is up next?

When Williams retired, North Carolina opted to keep it in the family, promoting Davis to the top job after nine seasons on Williams’ staff. Davis, of course, also played for the program under Dean Smith from 1988 to 1992. It’s unlikely the school will select another former Tar Heel this time.

Expect Carolina to take some massive swings.

Billy Donovan is expected to be at or near the top of the list. The Chicago Bulls head coach hasn’t coached at the college level since 2015, spending the past 11 years with the Oklahoma City Thunder (2015-20) and Bulls (since 2020). He has rejected opportunities to return to college before, but he could be more open to the idea now that the Bulls are going to miss the playoffs. He led Florida to two national championships (2006 and 2007) and took the Gators to two additional Final Fours (2000 and 2014). One complicating issue with Donovan would be timing; the Bulls’ last game is April 12.

Brad Stevens also wouldn’t be a surprising target. The Boston Celtics president of operations hasn’t coached at the college level since 2013, or in any capacity since 2021. But he led Butler to back-to-back national title game appearances in 2010 and 2011, then made seven trips to the NBA playoffs at the helm of the Celtics before transitioning into the front office in 2021.

Industry insiders also believe the best of the best in the college ranks are likely on the short list: Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd, Michigan’s Dusty May, Iowa State’s TJ. Otzelberger, Florida’s Todd Golden and Alabama’s Nate Oats. Texas Tech’s Grant McCasland could also be in the conversation. The Tar Heels could even gauge interest from UConn’s Dan Hurley, like Kentucky (and the Lakers) did a couple of years ago.

A few of those coaches come with massive buyouts: Lloyd’s would be between $9 million and $12 million, depending on timing; Golden’s would cost $16 million; and Oats’ would cost $18 million until April 1, when it drops to $10 million. McCasland’s buyout is just north of $10 million as well. May and Otzelberger have smaller buyouts, with May’s believed to be around $7 million and Otzelberger’s around $4 million.

What this means for incoming recruits

No. 9 Dylan Mingo
No. 21 Maximo Adams
NR Malloy Smith

North Carolina has a top-10 recruiting class, headlined by a pair of top-25 recruits: Mingo and Adams. Mingo gave Davis a top-15 recruit for the fourth straight recruiting class, and he is one of the class’s elite backcourt players when healthy. Mingo’s recruitment didn’t end until February, with the Tar Heels ultimately beating out Baylor for his commitment. Could he rethink his decision? It’s worth noting that his brother, Kayden Mingo, was one of the best freshman guards in the Big Ten at Penn State this season.

Adams surged as a breakout player last spring and summer, rising all the way into the top 25 of the rankings. He also considered Michigan State, Kentucky and Texas before picking Carolina. His brother, Marcus Adams Jr., recently announced he planned to enter the transfer portal following the firing of Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley.

Retention priorities

Henri Veesaar
Jarin Stevenson
Derek Dixon

Keeping Veesaar in Chapel Hill was at the top of Davis’ priority list entering the offseason, and the second-team All-ACC selection will undoubtedly be the focus of whichever coach replaces Davis. Veesaar was terrific after transferring from Arizona, averaging 17.0 points and 8.7 rebounds before ending the season with a 26-point, 10-rebound performance against VCU. He was a projected second-round pick in ESPN’s most recent NBA mock draft and would likely have lucrative offers from elsewhere if he opts to reenter the transfer portal when it opens April 7.

Stevenson became a real factor for Carolina down the stretch of the season, especially following Wilson’s injury, averaging 10.7 points and 6.4 boards per game over his final 10 games. He should also be a priority for the new coach, second to Veesaar.

On the perimeter, expect Dixon to be a focus, regardless of what Mingo opts to do with his commitment. Dixon showed plenty of promise as a freshman, especially late in the season: 17 points vs. Duke, 16 points vs. Clemson, 11 points and six assists vs. VCU.

Other potential returnees include Luka Bogavac, Jonathan Powell and Jaydon Young.