Latest news with #2025Draft
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3 hours ago
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OKC Thunder trading No. 24 pick Nique Clifford to Sacramento Kings in 2025 NBA Draft
If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Pricing and availability are subject to change. The Oklahoma City Thunder will trade the 24th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft to the Sacramento Kings. The Thunder selected Colorado State wing Nique Clifford with the 24th pick. The Kings are sending a 2027 first-round pick to the Thunder. That pick is top-16 protected and would become two 2027 second-round picks if it doesn't convey. Advertisement The deal will be finalized later. The Thunder drafted Georgetown center Thomas Sorber 15th overall earlier Wednesday. More: OKC Thunder draft picks: Grades for Thomas Sorber selection in 2025 NBA Draft 2025 NBA Draft first-round results This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Thunder trading No. 24 pick Nique Clifford to Kings in 2025 NBA Draft
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3 hours ago
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OKC Thunder draft picks: Grades for Thomas Sorber selection, Kings trade in 2025 NBA Draft
If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Pricing and availability are subject to change. The Oklahoma City Thunder selected two players in the 2025 NBA Draft. OKC first selected Georgetown's Thomas Sorber with the 15th overall pick. He's a 6-foot-10 forward/center who averaged 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and two blocks last season as a freshman. Advertisement OKC then selected Northwestern's Brooks Barnhizer with the 44th pick. He's a 6-6 guard who averaged 17.1 points, 8.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists last season as a senior. The two rookies will now join an OKC team that just won its first NBA championship in franchise history. Here's a breakdown of OKC's draftees and initial grades for the selections. Pre-order our new book on Thunder's run to NBA title More: 2025 NBA Draft tracker: Live updates on Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey and all first-round picks First round, No. 15 overall | Thomas Sorber, F/C, Georgetown Sorber should fit right in with the Thunder. Advertisement OKC posted a league-best defensive rating of 105.7 during the regular season. It boasts plenty of elite defenders such as Lu Dort, Jalen Williams and Alex Caruso. Now, it adds another standout disrupter in Sorber. Sorber has great length, which he uses to swat shots and intercept passes. The 6-10 big man averaged two blocks and 1.5 steals last season as a freshman. Sorber is also able to finish around the rim. He can use his strength or his soft touch to score, and his high IQ allows him to make some impressive passes at his size. Sorber has room for improvement when it comes to being more switchable on the perimeter, and his range on offense is a work in progress. He also underwent season-ending foot surgery in February. Advertisement Those concerns prevent me from giving this pick an "A" for now. But Sorber has the potential to develop into a two-way contributor for OKC, which did well to land him outside of the lottery. Grade: B+ More: What to know about OKC Thunder offseason: Draft picks, contracts after winning NBA title Thomas Sorber (center) reacts after being drafted 15th overall by the Thunder the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 25. OKC trades No. 24 pick to Sacramento Kings, who select Colorado State's Nique Clifford The OKC Thunder sent the No. 24 pick to the Sacramento Kings, who selected Colorado State guard Nique Clifford. OKC is reportedly receiving a 2027 first-round pick that originally belonged to the San Antonio Spurs. It's top-16 protected, and it'll become two 2027 second-round picks if it doesn't convey. Advertisement This trade shouldn't come as a surprise. OKC entered the draft as one of the deepest teams in the NBA, and it selected Georgetown big man Thomas Sorber with the No. 15 pick. With limited roster spots, OKC opted to trade for a future pick instead of bringing in another rookie. And, considering the trajectory of a San Antonio team that recently paired De'Aaron Fox with Victor Wembanyama, it's likely to convey. OKC will also be a significantly more expensive team by 2027, so the addition of someone on a rookie deal will be good for the books. This isn't a splashy trade, but it's a necessary one. Grade: A- Second round, No. 44 overall | Brooks Barnhizer, G, Northwestern Barnhizer is going to be a fan favorite. Advertisement The 6-6 guard is a good on-ball defender, and he thrives at getting into passing lanes. He averaged 2.3 steals and 1.1 blocks through 17 games before his senior season was cut short due to a broken foot. Barnhizer is also as tough as they come. He had his two front teeth knocked out twice last season but didn't let that stop him from playing with an incredibly-strong motor. Still, there's work to be done if Barnhizer wants to stick around in the NBA. Even though he'll be able to hold his own defensively, Barnhizer will have to become a more consistent shooter. He only shot 31% from deep throughout his college career. Advertisement It's difficult enough to find minutes on an OKC team with plenty of depth. It'll only be more difficult if Barnhizer isn't able to knock down his shots. Grades: B- Justin Martinez covers sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@ or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder draft picks: Grades for selections in 2025 NBA Draft
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13 hours ago
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Coby Mayo's two-run double
Ottawa Charge Eye Key Addition with Fifth Overall Pick in 2025 PWHL Draft The Ottawa Charge head into the 2025 PWHL Draft with an opportunity to make a statement, both on the draft board and in front of their home crowd. With this year's draft taking place in Ottawa, the team will look to strengthen a roster which has seen some key departures following a run to the Finals. 1:21 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
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a day ago
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NBA free agency 2025: Live updates, news, rumors and more as Austin Reaves turns down Lakers and LeBron James' decision looms
With the 2024-25 NBA season and draft in the rearview mirror, all attention now shifts toward free agency. After the Oklahoma City Thunder established their basketball supremacy, the rest of the league now looks to make moves to try and dethrone them. Things have already begun to shift, with the Phoenix Suns trading superstar Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and the 10th pick (Khaman Maluach) in the 2025 NBA Draft. The Boston Celtics have also begun a refresh by trading Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trailblazers and Kristaps Porziņģis to the Atlanta Hawks. Advertisement Notable potential free agents include LeBron James, James Harden, Julius Randle, Myles Turner, Jonathan Kuminga and more (check out Yahoo Sports' NBA free agent big board here). Free-agent position rankings: Point guards | Shooting guards | Small Forwards | Power forwards | Centers Teams can now negotiate with their own upcoming free agents. Then on June 30 at 6 p.m. ET, teams can begin negotiations with other pending free agents and officially sign players on July 6 at 12:01 p.m. ET. Follow along with Yahoo Sports for live updates, highlights and more as 2025-26 NBA free agency heats up:
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a day ago
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Orlando Magic select Noah Penda after trading up in the second round of the NBA draft
The Orlando Magic traded up to No. 32 to select Noah Penda in the second round of the 2025 NBA draft. The Magic traded picks Nos. 46 and 57, a 2026 second-rounder and 2027 second-rounder to the Boston Celtics for the 32nd pick. Le Mans' French forward Noah Penda dribbles the ball during the French Basketball Cup final between Paris Basketball and Le Mans at the Accor Arena - Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, in Paris on April 26, 2025. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images) Penda, who's from France, played for Le Mans Sarthe Basket during the 2024-25 season. The 20-year-old forward averaged 10.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.4 blocks in 26.9 minutes per game over 29 appearances. Advertisement The 6-foot-7 wing will show his skills on the defensive end as he joins one of the NBA's top defenses. "I think I can fit anywhere," Penda said. "I'm glad to be a part of the Orlando Magic, thank you for trusting me." More: Orlando Magic pick Jase Richardson in 2025 NBA Draft Round 1 Penda marks the fourth French international selected in the 2025 NBA Draft. He faced off against the 19th pick Nolan Traore this past season. "I saw all my friends and former teammates get drafted last night," Penda said after getting picked. "I am happy for them and happy for me so I am ready to get to work." More to come on developing story. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Orlando Magic trade up for Noah Penda in the 2025 NBA Draft
