Latest news with #BrooklynNets
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10 hours ago
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NBA Team Releases LeBron James' Former Teammate After Draft Night
NBA Team Releases LeBron James' Former Teammate After Draft Night originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The 2025 NBA Draft is in the books, and a new wave of talent is ready to leave its mark. While draft night brought fresh excitement and hope for franchises, it also marked the beginning of tough roster decisions as teams prepare for the NBA Summer League. Advertisement Ahead of Summer League action, front offices are actively reshaping their rosters to make room for newly drafted talent. That often means parting ways with players who no longer fit the team's long-term direction or developmental goals. One such move involved a former teammate of LeBron James. According to NBA insider Michael Scotto, "the Brooklyn Nets have waived Maxwell Lewis.' Lewis, 22, is a Las Vegas native who played college basketball at Pepperdine. He was selected in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets, then traded to the Lakers on draft night. During his rookie season with Los Angeles, Lewis appeared in 34 games but averaged just three minutes per contest. He played seven more games in the 2024-25 season before being included in the trade that sent D'Angelo Russell to Brooklyn. Former Los Angeles Lakers forward Maxwell Lewis (20).© Candice Ward-Imagn Images Lewis' Nets debut was delayed after he fractured his left tibia, sidelining him for four weeks. In total, Lewis played 21 games for Brooklyn, including one start, and averaged 5.3 points per game. Advertisement The Nets were busy on draft night, making five first-round selections. They began by picking Egor Demin, a 6-foot-9 guard from Russia who played at BYU. They followed with Nolan Traore from France, Drake Powell from North Carolina, Ben Saraf from Israel and Danny Wolf from Michigan. After the draft, Nets general manager Sean Marks shared his thoughts with ESPN. 'I'm thrilled with the group we got tonight,' Marks said. 'We've got some guys who play the right way, move the ball the right way and have some untapped skills there.' Brooklyn's Summer League campaign begins July 10 in Las Vegas. Related: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Is Better Than Michael Jordan, Claims Former Bulls Star Related: Luka Doncic Reportedly Makes Big Change in Physical Appearance This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
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13 hours ago
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Mavericks Linked to Ex-Lakers Star After Kyrie Irving News
Mavericks Linked to Ex-Lakers Star After Kyrie Irving News originally appeared on Athlon Sports. After suffering a season-ending ACL injury back in March, there was a bit of uncertainty regarding Kyrie Irving's future with the Dallas Mavericks due to him having a $43 million player option to decide on this offseason. Luckily for Dallas, Irving chose to decline his player option to sign a three-year, $119 million contract to stay with the team (h/t Shams Charania of ESPN). Advertisement Now that their first big move of the offseason is complete, the Mavericks will look to continue bolstering their roster, which will likely include top prospect Cooper Flagg, who most believe the team will select No. 1 overall during Wednesday's draft. However, per the latest reports, the Mavericks have other moves in mind, including landing a former Los Angeles Lakers star. Dallas Mavericks center Dwight Powell (7), guard Kyrie Irving (11), and forward P.J. Washington (25).Jerome Miron-Imagn Images After missing out on the playoffs last season following their NBA Finals appearance in 2024, the Mavericks will look to get back to the big stage, and it all starts with making the right moves in the offseason. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Dallas Mavericks are interested in Brooklyn Nets free agent guard D'Angelo Russell. Furthermore, Stein reported that the Mavericks are "now regarded as a leading suitor" for the former Laker. Russell began the 2024-25 season as a member of the Lakers before getting traded back to Brooklyn in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith. On the year, Russell averaged 12.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1 steal per game. Advertisement If the Mavericks were to land Russell, they would most notably reunite him with Anthony Davis, who the team acquired from the Lakers in the blockbuster trade involving Luka Doncic. As Dallas looks to become a playoff team once again, their offseason moves are going to be crucial to monitor, which may include adding Russell into the mix. Related: Lakers Eyeing Trade for Specific Player to Pair with Luka Doncic Related: Atlanta Hawks Player in Kristaps Porzingis Trade Posts Immediate Reaction This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
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21 hours ago
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Sources: Nets eyeing draft-day trade with 76ers, Hornets amid Ace Bailey buzz
Feb 29, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets General Manager Sean Marks speaks to a group of people prior to the game against the Atlanta Hawks at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports The post Sources: Nets eyeing draft-day trade with 76ers, Hornets amid Ace Bailey buzz appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Brooklyn Nets are eyeing a move up the board in Wednesday's NBA Draft. Armed with five first-round picks (Nos. 8, 19, 22, 26, 27), the team has inquired with several teams in the top five — including the San Antonio Spurs (No. 2), Philadelphia 76ers (No. 3) and Charlotte Hornets (No. 4) — about trades, league sources told ClutchPoints. Advertisement While Brooklyn is interested in moving up to No. 2, league circles have indicated that it would take a godfather offer to pry the pick away from the Spurs. San Antonio is poised to select Rutgers star Dylan Harper to pair with Victor Wembanyama. However, the Nets are interested in several prospects outside of Harper who are likely to be off the board before No. 8. They've held workouts with Tre Johnson, Jeremiah Fears and Kon Kneuppel. Ace Bailey reportedly views Brooklyn as one of his preferred destinations, alongside the Washington Wizards (No. 6) and New Orleans Pelicans (No. 7). But what would it take for the Nets to pull off a trade into the top five? Nets eyeing trade up the draft board after acquiring fifth first-round pick Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports The price wouldn't be insignificant. However, Brooklyn has no shortage of assets at its disposal. With five first-round picks this year, veterans such as Cam Johnson and Nic Claxton, and cap space to absorb unwanted contracts, general manager Sean Marks has several avenues to craft deals. Advertisement In Philadelphia's case, the Nets' cap space could be intriguing. Shedding Paul George's contract would generate significant financial flexibility moving forward. However, it's unclear whether Brooklyn would consider taking on the remaining three years, $162 million of George's deal. Such a move would be surprising, given Marks' emphasis on the importance of financial flexibility in the new CBA. With Bailey canceling his pre-draft workout with the 76ers and signaling he'd prefer to play elsewhere, rival teams expect Philadelphia to either select Baylor's VJ Edgecombe or trade its pick. Charlotte has reported interest in Edgecombe and Kneuppel. The latter could conceivably be available at No. 8 if the team traded back. Rival teams have also speculated that the Hornets could target Duke center Khaman Maluach. Should the Nets strike out on a move up from No. 8, they could trade up from No. 19 into the late lottery. Advertisement The Raptors hold the No. 9 pick and have been dangling RJ Barrett in trade discussions with multiple teams, sources told ClutchPoints. Brooklyn has previously explored a framework that would send Cam Johnson and No. 19 to Toronto for No. 9 and 'a bad contract,' according to NetsDaily. Phoenix at No. 10 could be another trade partner. After trading Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets, the Suns must shed more salary if they hope to dip below the second apron. They also need a center as they re-tool their roster around Devin Booker and have been linked to Claxton. The Nets have done their due diligence on several late-lottery prospects. They've met with French forward Noa Essengue, ranked No. 9 on ESPN's big board. 'We had good conversations. That was pretty cool. A good feeling. Nice people in the gym. Nice people around me,' Essengue told ClutchPoints of the meeting. Advertisement Brooklyn also hosted Cedric Coward and Carter Bryant for pre-draft workouts. Both players are projected to be taken in the late lottery of most mock drafts. Related: Danny Wolf among center prospects Nets could target in 2025 NBA Draft Related: Terance Mann has 'crazy' reaction after being traded to Nets
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a day ago
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The Nets draft Adou Thiero at No. 36 — for the Lakers
When Thursday started, the Los Angeles Lakers had the No. 55 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. They then traded it, along with cash, to the Chicago Bulls for the No. 45 pick. But they weren't done, as they later shipped off that No. 45 pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves for the No. 36 pick. That pick was originally held by the Brooklyn Nets, who then sent it to Minnesota. Many thought L.A. had its sights set on taking a center in the second round, and there was a belief that its target was Ryan Kalkbrenner, a center out of Creighton University. Advertisement Instead, the Lakers are getting a wing. The Nets took wing Adou Thiero, a forward out of the University of Arkansas, and he will be a member of the Purple and Gold. Adiero is 6-foot-8 and 218 pounds and possesses tremendous athleticism. He has three years of college experience, but he still has a good amount of upside, especially on the defensive end. He averaged 15.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals a game while shooting 54.5% from the field this past season while helping his school reach the Sweet Sixteen round of the men's NCAA Tournament. The Lakers need help at the wing spot, as well as more athleticism, and perhaps Thiero will help. This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: The Nets draft Adou Thiero at No. 36 — for the Lakers
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a day ago
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2025 NBA Draft: Picks and grades for every team that selected
The Dallas Mavericks took Duke star Cooper Flagg at No. 1 overall as expected, and a whole host of picks changed hands over the two days of the NBA Draft. The Utah Jazz took a gamble by selecting Ace Bailey at No. 5, Duke had three players go in the top 10, and the Brooklyn Nets did, in fact, use all five of their first-round picks. Advertisement How did your team grade out? We've got you covered. Jump to a division or team section by clicking on the links below Eastern Conference Western Conference (Mallory Bielecki/Yahoo Sports illustration) Eastern Conference Atlantic Division Boston Celtics Grade: A Draft pick Rd 1, Pk. 28: W Hugo González, Real Madrid Rd 2, Pk. 16: B Amari Williams, Kentucky Rd 2, Pk. 27: G Max Shulga, VCU González fits nicely in the Celtics' culture. He plays hard, but is more than a hustler and strong defender. He's a high-motor wing with great defensive tools and a slashing style on offense. If his jumper and handle develop, he could be a versatile two-way starter, though he didn't get a lot of playing time overseas. Williams is a massive, smart-passing center with good instincts around the rim and legitimate size to defend the paint. These playmaking instincts make him a nice fit for Boston's offensive system. But while he develops as a two-way player for Boston, he needs to add perimeter mobility to defend in the modern game. Advertisement Shulga is a poised, versatile shooter with a passing feel. But he's a jack of all trades with no great strengths and a below-average athlete with no clear NBA position. Boston's positionless style could end up being a good thing for him since he'll largely be asked to stroke 3s. New York Knicks Grade: C+ Draft pick Rd 2, Pk. 21: B Mohamed Diawara, Cholet Basket Diawara has physical dimensions that you can't teach with a 7-foot-4 wingspan that highlights his massive frame. But he also hasn't produced much in his overseas career, meaning the Knicks are just taking a big swing at this point of the draft rather than going with one of the players who projects more realistically as a role player. Toronto Raptors Grade: A Draft picks Rd 1, Pk. 9: F Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina Rd 2, Pk. 9: W Alijah Martin, Florida Advertisement Murray-Boyles has a chance to be one of the steals of this draft, so I can see why the Raptors took a big, big swing on him. He operates like a defensive savant the way he locks down every position, uses his ninja-quick hands to swipe at the ball, and inhales rebounds. He's the closest prospect to Draymond Green because he's such a special defensive presence, and offensively he's a finisher with a playmaking feel. Improving his jumper would move him out of tweener territory and into All-Star status, and ultimately that's the big question for him in Toronto. Can he fit next to Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram? Martin is a hyper-athletic, high-energy guard who plays bigger than his size and impacts the game with his toughness, rebounding and defensive grit. But his positional tweener status, streaky shooting, and limited creation ability made him a second-round talent. Still, Martin just knows how to ball. Brooklyn Nets Grade: B+ Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 8: G Egor Demin, BYU Rd. 1, Pk. 19: G Nolan Traoré, Saint-Quentin BB Rd. 1, Pk. 22: W Drake Powell, North Carolina Rd. 1, Pk. 26: G Ben Saraf (Ratiopharm Ulm) Rd. 1, Pk. 27: B Danny Wolf (Michigan) Advertisement If you have lots of picks, some have to hit ... right? This is undoubtedly a huge swing for the Nets here. Demin has a rare ability at his size to make dazzling passes, which would give Brooklyn a jumbo-sized ball handler. But he's also struggled to shoot and create his own shot against lengthy defenders, making him more of a love-him or hate-him prospect than a sure thing. Whether he becomes a point guard in the NBA will depend on the development of his jumper. The upside for Demin: he has time to develop, and doesn't have to fit right away. Traoré is the fastest player in this draft class. This is a good situation for him because it's a clean slate roster. The best comparison is an early version of Dejounte Murray. All speed, but inefficient shooting across the floor. Powell has a chiseled frame that he uses to barrel into defenders at the rim and to contain opponents when he's on defense. He's a switch-everything defender who plays with a high motor, and if his spot-up jumper translates he checks all the boxes to be a 3-and-D role player at a minimum for the Nets. Advertisement Saraf is a crafty lefty playmaker who relies on guile, footwork and body control. Limited shooting and athleticism could cap his upside, but his positional size and skill could be hard to pass up. Wolf's a unique, funky ball-handler. It's clear in the Nets' draft that they want players of all sizes to be able to handle the rock. Wolf is 6-foot-11 but ran point for Michigan, playing a slick style with risky passes and step-back jumpers that made him a highlight factory. But he's also a turnover machine and his shooting numbers are shaky, making him more of a raw bet who needs time to prove he can match his flash with substance. Philadelphia 76ers Grade: A- Draft picks: Rd. 1, Pk. 3: W VJ Edgecombe, Baylor Rd. 2, Pk. 5: B Johni Broome, Auburn Advertisement Edgecombe makes total sense for the Sixers. He is an explosive, high-motor wing who flies out of nowhere for poster dunks and chase-down blocks. He pairs his elite athleticism with a knockdown, spot-up jumper and fearless slashing. Though he needs to improve his shot creation to become more of a primary creator, the Sixers have enough in that department as is, so Edgecombe should get time to develop on his own timeline. Could Broome be the best backup center of the Joel Embiid era? Perhaps so, because he brings a ready-made game as an interior finisher with a passing feel and tone-setting defense. Though his jumper hasn't progressed as much as NBA teams would hope, Embiid's ability to space the floor could make for intriguing two-big lineups this season. In Philadelphia, it's more important that Broome progresses moving laterally on the perimeter. Central Division Cleveland Cavaliers Grade: B Draft picks Rd. 2, Pk. 19: G Tyrese Proctor, Duke Rd. 2, Pk. 28: W Saliou Niang, Dolomiti Energia Trento Advertisement Proctor might be Cleveland's Ty Jerome replacement, since Jerome is an unrestricted free agent. Proctor is a tall combo guard with great passing vision who was expected to go one-and-done, but he took until his junior year to look ready for the NBA. He sharpened his jumper and became an even better defender, making him an appealing short-term piece for the Cavaliers. Niang is a high-energy wing with the athleticism to finish at the rim and make a versatile defensive impact. But he's incredibly raw physically and needs to improve both his shooting and decision-making to ever become a key figure on the Cavaliers. Indiana Pacers Grade: B Draft picks Rd. 2, Pk. 8: G Kam Jones, Marquette Rd. 2, Pk. 25: G Taelon Peter, Liberty Advertisement Tyrese Haliburton will be out for all of next season, but Jones could help handle some of the shot-creation responsibilities. Jones offers crafty combo guard skills with advanced shot creation and a blossoming playmaking feel. But his so-so athleticism and streaky shooting paint him as just a cog rather than the rare star upperclassmen set to enter the league. Peter is a true sleeper who played three seasons in Division II at Arkansas Tech before transferring to Liberty, where he led the NCAA in true shooting percentage. He's a knockdown shooter from 3, and a crafty finisher around the rim. He wasn't expected to get drafted after not receiving an invite to any pre-draft competitions, yet here he is going to the Pacers. Milwaukee Bucks Grade: A+ Draft picks Rd. 2, Pk. 17: F Bogoljub Marković, Mega Basket Advertisement Marković was a first-rounder on my personal big board, so I consider him a steal at this point of the draft. And he makes sense for the Bucks, regardless of what happens with Giannis Antetokounmpo since he's a high upside stretch forward who also offers skill as a passer and post scorer. But to handle the rigors of the NBA and become a positive defender, Marković needs to add a ton of muscle, so he'd benefit from being draft-and-stashed for another year. Detroit Pistons Grade: A+ Draft picks Rd. 2, Pk. 7: W Chaz Lanier, Tennessee Perfect pick for Detroit. Wanna know why? Just look at the comparison for Lanier: Malik Beasley. Much like Beasley, Lanier is a knockdown shooter with shot-making creativity. Without great size or playmaking at his age, he's a second-rounder for good reason. But the Pistons needed more shooting and now they got it. Chicago Bulls Grade: B Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 12: F Noa Essengue, Ratiopharm Ulm Rd. 2, Pk. 25: B Lachlan Olbrich, Illawarra Hawks Advertisement A lot of people thought Essengue would go No. 7 or No. 8. Downhill attacking is his biggest asset. He went from someone to hack and put on the free-throw line to an improved FT shooter. He was was also a 3-point shooting liability who improved from there as well. Sometimes he looks like Giannis Antetokounmpo with the way he unfolds his long arms for scoop layups. Plus, he lives at the line: he had seven games with more than 10 free throws. Olbrich is a high-motor Aussie big who projects as a screen-and-dive reserve and plays with a tone-setting level of toughness that could keep him in a rotation. Good for the Bulls to find another guy with these qualities after acquiring Noa Essengue with their lottery pick. Southeast Division Orlando Magic Grade: B Draft picks Rd 1., Pk. 25: G Jase Richardson, Michigan State Rd 2., Pk. 2: F Noah Penda, Le Mans Sarthe Basket Advertisement Richardson ends up with the same team his father, Jason Richardson, played part his career for. The younger Richardson is a skilled combo guard with a lethal midrange game and a poised pick-and-roll feel, looking like he downloaded the experience of his NBA veteran father. Jase didn't inherit his father's height or dunk contest athleticism though, so his smaller stature could cap his upside. Penda plays with a veteran's mind and a winning mentality, offering connective playmaking, switchable defense and high-level feel. It's a bit of a risk for Orlando though since Penda needs to improve his jumper to shine on the long-term. But his unselfish game and defensive utility give him a strong foundation to build on. Atlanta Hawks Grade: A+ Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 23: G Asa Newell, Georgia Advertisement It feels like a foundation is starting to build in Atlanta. Newell is a modern big who can pair nicely with the Hawks' pair of wings. If they keep Trae Young, he's got a lob threat with Newell, who is a dunk machine. This looks like a perfect prospect/team match. Even though he needs to improve his fouling habits, his energetic style is overall a positive on defense. The real question is what he becomes offensively: Will he ever develop his jumper? Or is he just a finisher? Miami Heat Grade: D+ Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 26: G Kasparas Jakučionis, Illinois The Heat were probably hoping for Walter Clayton Jr. with this pick. For every beautiful assist Jakučionis had as a freshman, there's an equally ugly bone-headed turnover. He had 11 games this past season with more turnovers than made shots. As a primary creator, he's not a Tyrese Haliburton type. Think more along the lines of Spencer Dinwiddie; he's one of your guys on the roster, but he's not the guy. Charlotte Hornets Grade: B Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 4: W Kon Knueppel, Duke Rd. 1, Pk. 29: W Liam McNeeley, Connecticut Rd. 2, Pk. 3: W Sion James, Duke Rd. 2, Pk. 4: Big Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton Advertisement Knueppel has a sharpshooter's stroke, brainy pick-and-roll playmaking, and crafty scoring feel. He's the type of player who can come in right away and fit on any team, including perfectly between LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. He's got a slick midrange bag and strength scoring inside, but to become a player who takes over games he'll need to overcome his average athleticism, particularly shooting off the dribble. This would matter a bit less playing in Charlotte, since he could be one of multiple ball-handlers on the team. McNeeley is a sharpshooting wing with superb instincts moving without the ball, and the touch to splash from deep ranges. Though he doesn't project as a primary shot creator, his feel as a connective passer gives him the skill to fit into any type of offense, including Charlotte's. Fans who happen to root for both Duke and Charlotte know that James has role-player qualities that can fit next to the Hornets' core pieces. James is a versatile defender who sets a tone with his hustle, and after years of laying bricks he worked hard to become a dead-eye, spot-up shooter. A ton of teams were hoping that Kalkbrenner would fall to them in the second round, but the Hornets land him here after trading away center Mark Williams on Day 1 of this draft. Kalkbrenner is a throwback 7-footer who owns the paint, swatting shots with his giant wingspan and dunking everything in sight. It's a bit strange he isn't a better rebounder. Washington Wizards Grade: A Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 6: G Tre Johnson, Texas Rd. 1, Pk. 21: F Will Riley, Illinois Rd. 2, Pk. 13: W Jamir Watkins, Florida St. Advertisement Johnson is a clutch shot-maker who can catch fire from all over the floor, drilling step-backs and off-screen jumpers with ease. The Wizards are getting the best overall shooter in the class. He made 40.8% of catch-and-shoot 3s, over 50% of 3s off screens and 38.4% of dribble jumper 3s. But he needs to continue developing his point guard skills while also honing his shot selection since only 17% of his shots came at the rim in the half court. Plus, he must dramatically improve his defense to show he's more than just a one-way player. I'm not Riley's biggest fan. He's not a great athlete or a great shooter yet. He has a very lean frame. "What's he going to be?" was the common question I heard from scouts when talking about Riley's evaluation. He does have dynamic driving ability and playmaking instincts that scream upside as a jumbo-sized, shot-creating wing. Watkins can run the show, slash to the paint and switch across positions on defense. In Washington, as long as he continues to set a tone on defense he could become a vital role player. Western Conference Pacific Division Los Angeles Lakers Grade: A Draft pick Rd. 2, Pk. 6: F Adou Thiero, Arkansas Advertisement The Lakers made multiple aggressive trades to move up within the second round, and Thiero was the perfect target. He's a slasher with a jacked frame and an explosive first step who last season logged 45 dunks and had six games with 10 or more free throws. He lives in the paint, and that's despite his limitations as a shooter. If he's able to figure out the shot then his length and defensive versatility could make him a key player on a contending Lakers team. Los Angeles Clippers Grade: A Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 30: B Yanic Konan Niederhauser, Penn State Rd. 2, Pk. 20: W Kobe Sanders, Nevada Big swing here. Niederhauser is a little bit of a late bloomer, so maybe he's more than a lob-threat center. Konan Niederhauser is an elite athlete who lives above the rim as a finisher and shot blocker, and he displays some intriguing upside as a 7-foot shot creator. But he needs to improve his fundamentals to make it all click. Advertisement Sanders is a skilled, oversized wing initiator with excellent feel, so he can play the Ben Simmons role for the Clippers. But he actually has an ability to hit some shots off the dribble. He's limited by a lack of athleticism, but his size, touch and passing acumen give him a chance to stick in the NBA. Golden State Warriors Grade: B Draft picks Rd. 2, Pk. 22: F Alex Toohey, Sydney Kings Rd. 2, Pk. 26: G Will Richard, Florida Landing with the Warriors is probably a best-case scenario for Toohey since he's a jack-of-all-trades forward who grinds on defense and loves to dish the ball around. Playing in Golden State's motion could only amplify the Australian's best talents. But his scoring comes and goes with his streaky jumper since he's not someone who generates many of his own shots. Becoming a more reliable shooter will be the key for Toohey to carve out a consistent role for the Warriors. Advertisement Richard was a key player in Florida's run to the national championship behind his energetic defense and versatile shooting ability off the dribble. In the same way he shared creation responsibilities with Alijah Martin and Walter Clayton Jr., he projects as a strong fit for the Warriors, provided he can find consistency shooting off the catch. Sacramento Kings Grade: A+ Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 24: F Nique Clifford, Colorado State Rd. 2, Pk. 12: B Maxime Raynaud, Stanford Clifford was a late bloomer in high school and in college. Once his jumper clicked, his game took off. He's not a point guard for the Kings, but he'll be a playmaker. He's a tough-as-nails wing who does it all and could fill a number of different roles as a plug-and-play option. He defends multiple positions, crashes the boards, and scores from everywhere. But as a super senior with only Mountain West pedigree, he lacks experience against high level competition despite his age. Advertisement Raynaud leveled up every year at Stanford, turning into a player who pops 3s, slashes to the rim with a smooth handle and makes eye-popping passes. He was ranked 15th on my board, making him a steal in my eyes here for the Kings. He fell to this point in the draft because of his age and concerns about his defense. Still, if he can figure out that end of the floor there's little reason to think the Frenchman won't carve out an NBA role. Phoenix Suns Grade: A Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 10: B Khaman Maluach, Duke Rd. 2, Pk. 1: F Rasheer Fleming, Saint Joseph's Rd. 2, Pk. 11: W Koby Brea, Kentucky Maluach was the highest upside player available on the board. He's a towering rim protector with switchable mobility, erasing shots at the rim and shadowing quick guards on the perimeter. He logged only 1.3 blocks per game but deterred opponents from even sniffing the basket. Beyond dunking lobs at a frequent rate, he's a work in progress on offense with a lack of seasoning as a screener, shooter and creator. Such a raw skill set should come as no surprise since the South Sudan native didn't start playing basketball until he was 13. Maluach's upside has him ranked in the top two or three on some team draft boards, and perhaps that was the case for the Suns. Advertisement Fleming is a hustler who drains spot-up jumpers and brings energy on defense, swatting shots and snagging boards. But he has some real warts as a ball-handler with a lack of experience against high-level competition, so the Suns must feel confident in his ability to translate to the NBA. Brea drilled 43.4% of his 3s over five college seasons on 4.9 attempts per game; he projects as a shooting specialist who has a clear path to becoming a rotation player because of his highly sought skill. In order to avoid being a weak link on defense, he'll need to make improvements to his athleticism, but his shooting is enough to keep him on the floor. Southwest Division Houston Rockets Grade: Not applicable Draft picks: Zero Memphis Grizzlies Grade: A Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 11: W Cedric Coward, Washington State Rd. 2, Pk. 18: G Javon Small, West Virginia Rd. 2, Pk. 29: G Jahmai Mashack, Tennessee Advertisement What a way to replace Desmond Bane after he was traded away earlier this month. Coward has gone from a Division III player to a lottery pick in just a few years behind his rapid development into a prospect with a valued 3-and-D skill-set. He made 41% of his catch-and-shoot 3s in three DI seasons, while also developing a versatile scoring skill set with post fadeaways and midrange pull-ups. But he brings even higher upside thanks to his passing vision, versatile defense, and mature approach to the game that makes him the potential steal of the draft for the Grizzlies. Small is an undersized guard who plays bigger than his body, thanks to his excellent athleticism and gritty nature. He's a knockdown shooter off the catch and a solid lead guard, though his lack of size puts a natural cap on his upside. Consider Small a point guard who can play alongside Ja Morant, or help fill the gaps alongside Scotty Pippen Jr. if Morant misses time again. Mashack is an excellent perimeter defender who does everything in his power to win games, plus he has the length to defend some wings. He's not a primary creator and he needs to improve his jumper. But his hard-nosed defense is enough for him to receive countless chances for the new age Grit and Grind Grizzlies. Dallas Mavericks Grade: A+ Draft pick Rd. 1, Pk. 1: F Cooper Flagg, Duke Flagg is officially a Mav, and he has a chance to be great enough to win back the fans. He can help Dallas in both the short-term and long-term as a do-it-all forward who hustles like a madman, makes his teammates better as a passer and has dialed in a knockdown jumper. He's both the best offensive and defensive prospect in this draft class, making him the safest No. 1 pick in ages. As long as his jumper continues to fall like it did during his freshman year at Duke, he could play as a small forward next to Anthony Davis and another big. And with his size and versatility, he could play power forward in other lineups, too. There's no doubt he's going to produce. It's his growth as a shot creator that will decide if he reaches his All-Star floor or soars to his Hall of Fame ceiling. San Antonio Spurs Grade: A- Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 2: G Dylan Harper, Rutgers Rd. 1, Pk. 14: F Carter Bryant, Arizona If Cooper Flagg had never reclassified, Harper would be the consensus top pick with star upside because he's a big-bodied lefty combo guard who has a high floor with the skill, poise and playmaking instincts to dictate the game at his pace. Now that he'll be sharing shot-creation responsibilities in San Antonio, he'll be able to use his 6-foot-11 wingspan to greater effect on the defensive end and also utilize his bruising interior finishing as a cutter on offense. But he made only 36.8% of his catch-and-shoot 3s and just 28.7% of his dribble jumpers, so his fit with De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle is a question. San Antonio is just about the perfect fit for Carter Bryant. He hits spot-up 3s, attacks closeouts, makes the right play, and busts his ass on defense. He'll have a simple role with room to grow over the years and will be a nasty frontcourt fit with Victor Wembanyama. New Orleans Pelicans Grade: B- Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 7: G Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma Rd. 1, Pk. 13: B Derik Queen, Maryland Rd. 2, Pk. 10: W Micah Peavy, Georgetown Fears is a dynamic guard with a twitchy attacking style and a knack for coming through as a clutch shooter. He's the best ball handler in this draft class, giving him a runway to become New Orleans' long-term primary shot-creator. But he was one of college basketball's youngest freshmen, and it showed with his shaky decision-making as a shooter and passer. So he needs time to grow. All that said, he's a lottery pick because he has a feel for shot creation and a handle that lets him get anywhere on the floor, so he may only need time to emerge as a star. Conditioning is a concern for Queen. New Orleans is not the place I'd want to end up. He's got to figure out the jump shot as well. Unless he improves defensively, he could also be a matchup problem on that end of the floor. Queen is a burly big with guard-like handles who dazzles with spin moves, and crafty finishes. Peavy is a switchable wing stopper with NBA-ready defense, instincts and passing feel. Pair him with Herb Jones and Trey Murphy, and the Pelicans could have quite the trio of gritty wing defenders. If his improved jumper proves as real as it seemed during his senior season, he's a rotation-level player for a decade. Northwest Division Oklahoma City Thunder Grade: A Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 15: B Thomas Sorber, Georgetown Rd. 2, Pk. 14: W Brooks Barnhizer, Northwestern I think Sorber was the best overall big in this draft class who moved up to that spot late in the talent evaluation process. Sorber has a brick-house frame and the throwback skill set to match with strong screens, soft-touch finishes, and gritty drop-coverage instincts. But to be more than a role player, he needs to tap into the flashes he shows as a shooter while also improving his perimeter defense. As is, he's the best overall big in the draft. Barnhizer is a smart, physical wing with disruptive defensive instincts. Offensively, he needs to improve his jump shot but passes the ball and finishes at the rim at a high level. If Thunder assistant coach Chip Engelland can have as much success turning Barnhizer into a reliable shooter as he has with his past projects as a shot doctor, then the Thunder may have a second-round steal here. Denver Nuggets Grade: Not applicable Draft picks: Zero Minnesota Timberwolves Grade: C- Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 17: B Joan Beringer, Cedevita Olímpija Rd. 2, Pk. 15: B Rocco Zikarsky, Brisbane Bullets Beringer's one of the rawest projects in the entire draft. Makes you wonder what the T'wolves' plan is with the other bigs on the roster, notably Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle. Beringer dunks everything around the basket. He's a rim protector and has shown improvement in other aspects of his defense. An area he'll need to improve on is he was a hackable player you didn't fear sending to the free-throw line. He's a worker though, and wants to get better. What are the Timberwolves cooking up in the frontcourt behind Rudy Gobert? Or maybe … in place of Rudy Gobert? After Gobert was involved in trade discussions with the Suns for Kevin Durant, perhaps this is a signal that Minnesota is prepared to move on from the four-time Defensive Player of the Year. Zikarsky is a big Australian center who plays a traditional role as an interior finisher and rim protector. He doesn't offer much else at this stage of his career. Portland Trail Blazers Grade: C+ Draft pick Rd. 1, Pk. 16: B Hansen Yang, Qingdao Eagles This is the biggest shock of the draft so far. WOW. It's a fascinating pick from a fit standpoint: What does a Donovan Clingan/Hansen Yang frontcourt look like in Portland? Or are we gonna see a trade down with the Nets? Yang is a massive Chinese 7-footer who scores with old-school craft, passes well and cleans the glass. But how much his slow feet and lack of shooting range can be improved will determine whether he can stick in the pros. Utah Jazz Grade: A Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 5: F Ace Bailey, Rutgers Rd. 1, Pk. 18: G Waler Clayton Jr., Florida Rd. 2, Pk. 23: W John Tonje, Wisconsin Well, Bailey didn't get what he wanted by landing with the Jazz. There's a reason why he fell to No. 5. This is a huge upside swing, but Bailey is a ridiculous shot-making machine, capable of splashing contested jumpers from every spot on the floor and with the swagger of a throwback bucket-getter. He had 39 points against Indiana, 37 against Northwestern, and 30 against Penn State, showing an ability to have masterful performances in which he can't be stopped. But his raw edges as a shot creator and defender need sanding down to turn him into a full-on star. Along with Bailey, the addition of Clayton makes the Jazz look like the funnest League Pass team next season. Clayton is clutch and looked like Steph Curry at times. He's also a culture creator. I'm very intrigued with what the Ainges are doing in Utah's front office. Clayton is a fearless shooter with the versatility to take any shot at any moment, as we saw with him fueling the Gators to a national championship. Tonje will enter the NBA at age 24 with some readymade skills as an off-ball movement scorer and shooter. His athletic ceiling and defense will determine if he's more than just a backup.
