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The Herald Scotland
2 hours ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
NBA draft grades: Analyzing picks made by all 30 teams
However, several players with first-round potential slipped into the second round and were drafted by teams hoping to find that rare gem. Some of those picks impacted some overall draft grades following the completion of this week's draft. Here are USA TODAY Sports' 2025 NBA Draft grades after both rounds: 2025 NBA draft grades Atlanta Hawks: B+ The Hawks traded for Kristaps Porzingis and then acquired Asa Newell with the No. 23 pick. They also ended up with a 2026 first-round pick that could end up being a lottery pick. Boston Celtics: B At No. 28, Boston landed Spain's Hugo Gonzalez, who is one of Europe's top prospects. But he may not be ready to contribute immediately. Brooklyn Nets: A The Nets accumulated five first-round draft picks ahead of the draft and got: BYU's Egor Demin at No. 8, France's Nolan Traore at No. 19, North Carolina's Drake Powell at No. 22, Israel's Ben Saraf at No. 26 and Michigan's Danny Wolf at No. 27. Charlotte Hornets: B+ The Hornets need shooting. They were 28th in 3-point shooting percentage, 30th in field goal percentage and 30th in effective field goal percentage. Duke's Kon Knueppel can help a massive shortcoming on Charlotte's roster. They went after offense and size in the second round with Duke's Sion James and Creighton's Ryan Kalkbrenner in the second round. Chicago Bulls: B France is in a nice run of producing NBA players, and Noa Essengue, the No. 12 pick, will give the Bulls another interior option. Cleveland Cavaliers: B Did not have a first-round pick; traded to Utah as part of the Donovan Mitchell deal, which has worked out for the Cavs. They signed him to a three-year, $150.3 million contract that keeps him with the Cavs through at least 2026-27. Cleveland used one of its two second-round picks on Duke's Tyrese Proctor. Dallas Mavericks: A The Mavericks needed luck to get the No. 1 pick - just a 1.8% chance to win the lottery and that's what happened, allowing them to select Cooper Flagg, who brings talent, maturity and an NBA-ready game to a team looking to compete for a title. Denver Nuggets: A Did not have a first-round pick. The Nuggets traded it to Orlando in 2021 in a deal that sent Aaron Gordon to the Nuggets. It helped Denver win a title in 2023. Detroit Pistons: Incomplete Detroit's selection was sent away as part of the 2020 trade that brought Isaiah Stewart to the Pistons. Golden State Warriors: Incomplete As part of the trade that sent Jimmy Butler to Golden State, the Warriors shipped the No. 20 selection to Miami, which became Kasparas Jakucionis. While Butler infused defense, veteran experience and more competitiveness to the Warriors, they were eventually eliminated in the second round. Golden State had two second-round picks but those picks are unlikely to impact 2025-26. Houston Rockets: A- The Rockets did not have a first-round pick ... because they traded the No. 10 pick to Phoenix for Kevin Durant, putting them in position to contend for a title after going 52-30 last season and earning the No. 2 seed in the West. Indiana Pacers: Incomplete The Pacers did not have a first-round pick, trading the No. 23 overall selection to the Pelicans, as well as the rights to guard Mojave King. In exchange, the Pacers received their own 2026 first-round selection, which they had originally shipped to Toronto in the deal that brought Pascal Siakam to Indiana. Like Golden State, Indiana had two second-round picks, but the value won't be revealed immediately. Los Angeles Clippers: B With the final pick of the first night, the Clippers bolstered their interior presence, taking forward Yanic Konan Niederhauser out of Penn State. He's still a bit raw, but he should be an excellent developmental backup to center Ivica Zubac. Niederhauser should get plenty of burn as a low block defender -- he ranked 12th in the country in blocks per game (2.3) -- and should be a lob threat as a finisher. Los Angeles Lakers: B The No. 22 overall selection was part of the package the Lakers sent the Pelicans in the deal that brought center Anthony Davis to Los Angeles. The Lakers moved up from No. 45 to No. 36 and drafted Arkansas' Adou Thiero, who has first-round potential. Memphis Grizzlies: B+ This was all about replacing Desmond Bane, whom Memphis just shipped to the Orlando Magic, but on a budget. Bane had been signed to a max extension in July 2023, so he was going to become pricey. Guard Cedric Coward, a late riser in the draft process, was picked at No. 11. He has ample experience and should play right away. Memphis has a pretty solid track record in recent years of drafting. His size and shooting ability should translate instantly. Miami Heat: B Illinois' Kasparas Jakucionis was projected as a lottery pick in several mock drafts, and the Heat got him at No. 20. Milwaukee Bucks: A Did not have a first-round pick; the Bucks traded the pick to New Orleans in 2020, acquiring Jrue Holiday, who helped the Bucks win a title in 2021. Yes, the Bucks are trying to stay competitive with Giannis Antetokounmpo, but it's hard to complain about a title. Minnesota Timberwolves: B- The issue with Rudy Gobert is that his offensive game can be inconsistent. And Minnesota's consecutive trips to the Western Conference finals proved that the Timberwolves need more scoring, particularly when teams game plan to take Anthony Edwards out of rhythm. Joan Beringer is only 18, so he's a project and doesn't necessarily help Minnesota get over the hump in the short term. He's explosive and full of potential. Minnesota's window to win, however, is now, and plenty of plug-and-play prospects were available at 17. New Orleans Pelicans: B- In a vacuum, both Jeremiah Fears (guard, No. 7) and Derik Queen (center, No. 13) are solid players. But they're also both at positions where the Pelicans have established players, which could mean New Orleans will be looking to sell off veterans like point guard Dejounte Murray and power forward Zion Williamson. Queen's skill set -- his ball handling, vision, passing and touch -- should make him too valuable to sit. The same, frankly, goes for Fears. The Pelicans have very nice pieces; the fit is a little cumbersome. New York Knicks: B- Did not have a first-round pick; the Knicks have traded significant draft capital (no first-round picks in 2025, 2027, 2029 and 2031) to build this team. Back-to-back 50-win seasons and an Eastern Conference finals appearance this season are the results so far. Oklahoma City Thunder: B Given it's the Thunder front office led by executive VP/GM Sam Presti and the track record of the Thunder acing the draft, it's a safe bet to say the Thunder found value with the No. 15 pick (Georgetown's Thomas Sorber). Orlando Magic: B At one point during the draft process, Michigan State's Jase Richardson was a projected lottery pick and the Magic got him at No. 25. In the second round, the Magic landed Noah Penda, who has first-round talent, at No. 32. Philadelphia 76ers: B The Sixers passed on Ace Bailey and took defensive-minded guard VJ Edgecombe at No. 3. He will be able to guard multiple positions. Phoenix Suns: C- There's no question: the Suns have wanted a center for a long time. They traded Jusuf Nurkic to the Hornets in the middle of the season and struggled to find a presence down low. Duke's Khaman Maluach at No. 10 -- part of the trade that sent Kevin Durant to Houston -- is actually great value. But, minutes prior, the Suns also reportedly completed a trade to get another former Duke center, Mark Williams, from the Hornets. This reeks of a team that didn't think Maluach would be available, got impatient, and fired off a trade. Now, Phoenix has the opposite issue: it has one big too many. Portland Trail Blazers: C This was another curious first round move. Clearly, Portland loved Yang Hansen, a 7-foot-1 center from China with fluid athleticism and superb passing ability. But the Trail Blazers now have three centers: Hansen, Robert Williams (who is entering the final year of his contract) and Donovan Clingan (last year's No. 7 overall selection). Even if Portland packages Williams in a salary-shedding move, Hansen, who turned 20 on Thursday, June 26, is only one year younger than Clingan. Despite his impressive skill set, he also might need time to assimilate from the Chinese Basketball Association. Sacramento Kings: B+ The Kings did not have a first round pick to start the night but traded into the first round, acquiring the No. 24 pick from Oklahoma City and drafting Nique Clifford from Colorado State. At No. 42, Sacramento selected Maxime Raynaud, who had emerged as a potential first-round pick late in the draft process. San Antonio Spurs: A The Spurs have the past two rookies of the year (Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle) and just picked Rutgers' Dylan Harper at No. 2 and Arizona's Carter Bryant at No. 14. The Spurs are on their way. Toronto Raptors: B The Raptors are close to making a move in the East, and Collin Murray-Boyles at No. 9 is the kind of player who fits Toronto's system. Utah Jazz: A Danny Ainge struck again. Utah got excellent value at No. 5 with Ace Bailey, an electric player who is built exactly the way teams want their wings. He has effortless athleticism and is a hyper-competitive player who should find easy buckets. And then, in a trade with the Wizards, the Jazz nabbed an experienced guard in Walter Clayton Jr., who has range and the clutch gene. Washington Wizards: B The Wizards targeted guards as part of their extensive rebuild and selected Texas' Tre Johnson sixth and acquired Illinois' Will Riley at No. 21. Washington went after more perimeter scoring in the second round, drafting Florida State's Jamir Watkins at No. 43.
News18
3 hours ago
- Sport
- News18
NBA No.1 Draft Pick Cooper Flagg Embraces Mavericks Legacy, Aims To Lead Team To Success
Last Updated: Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 NBA draft pick, aims to lead the Mavericks to success, joining stars like Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis. Cooper Flagg didn't wait for Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison to break the silence at his introduction as the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, addressing the packed Dallas news conference promptly at noon on Friday. At 18, the former Duke star appeared increasingly at ease just two days after being welcomed by Commissioner Adam Silver on stage in Brooklyn. Flagg showed respect for the legacy of European stars Dirk Nowitzki and Luka Doncic, the latter of whom was traded in February. Despite just a 1.8% chance, the Mavs remarkably secured the potential new face of their franchise. 'I'm just trying to come in and be the best I can be, and win at the highest level."Cooper Flagg on meeting lofty expectations 💪 — NBA (@NBA) June 27, 2025 Flagg will join a roster that includes NBA champions Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, and Klay Thompson. While fellow Duke alum Irving, a nine-time All-Star, is recovering from a torn ACL and may not play until January, the Mavericks are aiming for a playoff return after missing out in 2025. This follows their NBA Finals appearance the previous year, where they were defeated by Boston in five games. Flagg was mindful of the franchise's history when asked about following in the footsteps of Nowitzki, who has a statue outside the arena, and Doncic, whose departure deeply affected many Mavs fans. The arrival of Flagg, the third one-and-done Duke player for Dallas, has surely lifted their spirits. 'I'm coming in just trying to learn and get better every single day," Flagg said. 'If I do that to the best of my ability, expectations and pressures will work themselves out. I'm just aiming to be the best I can be and win at the highest level." The 6-foot-9 Flagg's position on the court is an intriguing topic, as the Mavericks will lack a point guard until Irving returns. 'I want to put him at point guard," said coach Jason Kidd, who sat beside Flagg with Harrison on his other side. 'I want to make him uncomfortable and see how he reacts." (with AP inputs)
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
'Cooper Flagg is a white guy' — Peter Rosenberg's ESPN remark sparks debate over race and rising NBA stars
Cooper Flagg made headlines the moment he was selected first overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2025 NBA Draft. Standing at 6'8" and coming off a dominant season at Duke, his talent is undeniable. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now But it wasn't just his skills that caught attention. An ESPN commentator's remark 'Cooper Flagg is a white guy' quickly turned the spotlight toward something bigger than basketball: a renewed discussion around race in sports. Cooper Flagg becomes the first American born white No 1 NBA pick since Kent Benson in 1977 Cooper Flagg was picked first overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2025 NBA Draft. This made him the first American-born white player to be drafted No. 1 since Kent Benson back in 1977. During his 37 games at Duke, Flagg put up impressive stats with an average of 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.4 steals and blocks per game, shooting 48% overall and 38.5% from beyond the arc. He also racked up several prestigious awards, including the Wooden Award, Naismith, Oscar Robertson, and ACC Player of the Year. On ESPN's First Take June 27, syndicated host Peter Rosenberg declared — 'Cooper Flagg is a white guy, maybe the best white American prospect since Larry Bird. Let's not act as if we don't live in America and we're not seeing what's happening with Caitlin Clark in the WNBA... if he's nearly as good as people expect... no one's going to be more intriguing or get more eyeballs than what Cooper Flagg's doing in Dallas..'. He tied this observation to Caitlin Clark's swift rise, suggesting that race is a major factor in media intrigue. According to Rosenberg, if Flagg meets the expectations, the racial narrative could elevate him to a "cultural phenomenon" and pull in a huge audience. Still, some critics have taken issue with this viewpoint, calling it simplistic—or perhaps even racially charged. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Many contend that Flagg's acclaim is due to his exceptional play on the court, not just his ethnicity. One comment on The Shadow League put it very straightforwardly — 'Caitlin Clark is popular because she's a historically great player, not because she's white, and the same is true for Cooper Flagg'. Also Read: This conversation mirrors the situation with Clark. Last year, Rosenberg sparked debate by dubbing her the "face of white fragility," accusing the media of having a bias in racial storytelling. Additionally, Flagg's entry comes as the Mavericks part ways with Luka Doncic and seek to redefine their identity nationally—and racially—as a new American star emerges.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jayson Tatum Makes Cooper Flagg Gesture After NBA Draft
Jayson Tatum Makes Cooper Flagg Gesture After NBA Draft originally appeared on Athlon Sports. To no surprise, Duke star Cooper Flagg went first overall in the NBA Draft on Wednesday and was selected by the Dallas Mavericks. Most considered Flagg to be the top prospect in the draft, and the general consensus was that he would go No. 1. Advertisement The future is bright for Flagg as he is just 18 years old and has the makings to be a star in the NBA. Additionally, the Mavericks were a Play-In team last season, so there is reason to believe he can help the team contend in the 2025-26 season. After the draft, Boston Celtics star and fellow Duke alum Jayson Tatum took to Instagram to reshare a picture of himself and Flagg. Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum reshares a post on / Instagram Flagg, a Maine native, has cited Tatum as one of the players he models his game after, and he even named him as the player he is most looking forward to going head-to-head against in the league. "That's a good question. Maybe Jayson Tatum," Flagg said about who he is looking forward to facing in the NBA. "That's somebody that I watched a lot at Duke and then watched a lot again as he went on to the Celtics." As it stands, it seems unlikely the newest Maverick will be able to fulfill this dream next season as Tatum is likely to miss the entire campaign due to his Achilles injury. Still, once the Celtics star makes his return to the court, this will be a game worth circling on the calendar for both fanbases. Advertisement With Flagg now in Dallas, there is a lot to like about the team's outlook as they aim to make it back to the playoffs. Ahead of his rookie season, it is clear that he has one big supporter in the league in Tatum, and only time will tell how he fares against him in NBA action down the line. Related: Cooper Flagg Turns Heads With Jayson Tatum Message After NBA Draft Related: Jrue Holiday Breaks Silence With 3-Word Message After Celtics Trade This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
NBC Sports
9 hours ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
College and Solheim Cup rivals Jennifer Kupcho and Leona Maguire lead LPGA's team event
Watch the best moments from the second round of the 2025 Dow Championship at Michigan's Midland Country Club. MIDLAND, Mich. — Jennifer Kupcho and Leona Maguire shot a 10-under 60 in better-ball play Friday to take the second-round lead in the Dow Championship, the LPGA Tour's only team event. The Solheim Cup rivals had a 13-under 127 total at Midland Country Club after opening with an alternate-shot 67 on Thursday. 'The plan today was just to give ourselves as many chances as we could, try to get two chances on every hole,' said Maguire, from Ireland and who attended Duke, while Kupcho went to Wake Forest. 'For the most part, we did that. It was nice to start off with a birdie and sort of an eagle very early on to get the ball rolling.' They had a one-stroke lead over Cassie Porter and Gemma Dryburgh, the first-round leaders who parred the final six holes in a 62. The teams will play another alternate-shot round Saturday, and close with a better-ball round Sunday. 'Lots of golf to go,' said Kupcho, the 2022 winner with fellow American Lizette Salas. 'I think just kind of staying where we're at and continuing what we're doing the best we can.' The teams of Sarah Schmelzel-Albane Valenzuela (61), Manon De Roey-Pauline Roussin-Bouchard (61) and and Yan Liu-Yahui Zhang (62) were 11 under. 'It was a great round,' Valenzuela said, 'I feel like I definitely feed off Sarah's energy. She makes it really easy for me on the course.' Lexi Thompson and Meghan Kang, tied for second after an opening 67, had a 65 to drop into a tie for ninth at 8 under. 'Fairways and greens, hole a few more putts,' Thompson said. 'That's the goal.' Defending champions Ruoning Yin and Jeeno Thitikul, both among the top five in the women's world ranking, were 6 under after a 66.
