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2025 NBA Mock Draft: All 29 picks in 2nd round
The post 2025 NBA Mock Draft: All 29 picks in 2nd round appeared first on ClutchPoints. With the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft a thing of the past, 29 picks remain in the second round before the league turns its attention to free agency, which will begin on June 30. Although it seemed like this would be a loaded group of talent in the second round after the draft combine, that is no longer the case since so many intriguing, high-potential players returned to college in favor of NIL money over second-round contracts. Advertisement The first night of the 2025 NBA Draft was all about Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, and Ace Bailey — three polarizing, young talents with All-Star potential. Outside of those three, the rest of the first round was a roll of the dice for a lot of teams, especially the New Orleans Pelicans and Portland Trail Blazers. After recently trading CJ McCollum for Jordan Poole, New Orleans remained active on the trade market. The Pelicans not only took Jeremiah Fears as a long-term project in their backcourt, but they also pinpointed Derik Queen as a big man they needed to get. Trading up to select Queen 13th overall cost the Pelicans the 23rd pick and an unprotected 2026 first-round selection. The Trail Blazers, who traded the 11th pick to Memphis for the 16th pick and future draft compensation, stunned everyone when they took Chinese big man Hansen Yang. Although he had performed well at the NBA Draft Combine in May, Yang was not viewed as a first-round prospect by virtually any talent evaluator. There was a lot of drama that surrounded this pick and the first round as a whole, but what is in store for the second round on Thursday night? Advertisement Key names like Maxime Raynaud, Ryan Kalkbrenner, and Rasheer Fleming remain on the draft board, and the Minnesota Timberwolves will kick things off with the 31st selection. ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel has assembled his final mock draft for the 2025 draft cycle, including projections for the second round and the remaining 29 picks, along with notes and scouting reports. Full 2025 NBA Draft 1st Round recap & grades: CLICK HERE 31. Phoenix Suns – PF Rasheer Fleming – Saint Joseph's *The Timberwolves trade #31 to Suns for #36 and two future second-round picks. Geoff Burke-Imagn Images It is quite surprising to see Rasheer Fleming on the board for the Phoenix Suns, who acquired the 31st pick from the Minnesota Timberwolves for three second-round picks. Fleming drew a lot of eyes at the NBA Combine with his 7-foot-5 wingspan and was drawing interest from teams like the Brooklyn Nets and Utah Jazz in the first round of the draft. While he can provide a team with a lot to like on defense, he is a sloppy offensive player who tends to make simple mistakes, which likely resulted in his fall. Advertisement The Suns need lengthy forwards who can contribute on defense, and Fleming's ability to knock down jumpers from the perimeter at a respectable percentage makes him a young talent that can help fill some minutes in Phoenix during their roster reshuffling process. 32. Boston Celtics – C Maxime Raynaud – Stanford There was a lot of speculation that the Boston Celtics would target Maxime Raynaud at the end of the first round, especially after trading Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks. Raynaud can stretch the floor at the center position, and he shot 34.7 percent from 3-point range this past season at Stanford. He was also the only player in the country to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds per game. The Celtics' frontcourt is a mess right now. Xavier Tillman Sr. and Neemias Queta are the only two big men under contract, as Al Horford and Luke Kornet are entering free agency. Drafting Raynaud in this spot not only presents good value to Brad Stevens and the Celtics, but it also gives them a player similar to Porzingis who can contribute right away. 33. Charlotte Hornets – C Ryan Kalkbrenner – Creighton In the first round, the Charlotte Hornets drafted two wings: Kon Knueppel (#4) and Liam McNeeley (#29). Charlotte also traded Mark Williams, their starting center, who many remember from the trade that was rescinded by the Los Angeles Lakers before the trade deadline. Advertisement The Hornets don't have any young frontcourt talent right now, which makes Ryan Kalkbrenner a big worth grabbing with one of these two second-round picks. Kalkbrenner is a 7-foot-1 big man who shot 34.4 percent from 3-point range this year at Creighton and averaged 2.7 blocks per game. He is a four-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year. This pick makes a ton of sense, which is why the Hornets probably won't make it happen. Charlotte is also said to be shopping these second-round picks for future assets. One of these back-to-back selections will likely be moved. 34. Charlotte Hornets – SF/PF Noah Penda – France (Le Mans Sarthe – LNB) Many around the league viewed Noah Penda as a late first-round pick because of his ability to immediately provide defensive depth on the wing. The Frenchman is one of the higher IQ players available, and he could help be a stabilizer at either forward position in a similar way to Nicolas Batum, which is why the LA Clippers were viewed as a safe landing spot for him. Advertisement The Hornets don't have a lot of talent on the wing outside of Miles Bridges and Brandon Miller, which creates a path for Penda to make a name for himself. As he continues to work on his perimeter game, Penda will turn out to be one of the best second-round picks from this draft. 35. Philadelphia 76ers – PF/C Johni Broome – Auburn Brett Davis-Imagn Images Johni Broome was one of the best performers in the college ranks this season at Auburn, and he does his dirty work in the paint as a low-post scorer and efficient rebounder. His size and stature make him a player who could see minutes early in his career for a Philadelphia 76ers team that is in need of frontcourt help behind Joel Embiid. Advertisement Broome is a safe pick in the second round of the NBA Draft, as any team that takes him knows what they are getting in terms of scoring and rebounding in the paint. While he is not the most athletic big man, he can provide stability and a strong frame for Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain to run pick-and-roll sets with when he enters the game. 36. Minnesota Timberwolves – SF/PF Adou Thiero – Arkansas *The Nets traded #36 to the Suns for two future second-round picks | Suns trade #36 to Timberwolves with two future second-round picks for #31. Minnesota can take advantage in this spot after moving down by adding versatile, two-way talents on the wing. Adou Thiero has a 7-foot wingspan and stood out at Arkansas with his ability to alter shots as a help-side defender while also disrupting passing lanes. If he can figure things out as a consistent shooter on the wing, Thiero could end up being a steal in this spot. Multiple teams late in the first round held interest in Thiero. Advertisement After taking Joan Beringer with the 17th pick on Wednesday, the Timberwolves can take advantage of this position and add a versatile defensive player. The New York Knicks are one of the teams looking to move up in the second round of the draft with known interest in Thiero, league sources told ClutchPoints' Kris Pursiainen. 37. Detroit Pistons – SG Chaz Lanier – Tennessee Chaz Lanier enters the 2025 NBA Draft as one of the most NBA-ready players due to his 3-and-D presence on the wing, and he is drawing comparisons to Luguentz Dort among some scouts due to his defensive toughness. The Detroit Pistons took a big step forward this season due to their defensive toughness, which makes Lanier an excellent fit for added depth behind Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey. The Pistons have a clear path to becoming real threats in the Eastern Conference entering the 2025-26 season with others taking a step back. Lanier not only expands the Pistons' perimeter offense, but his defensive prowess creates a deeper, more efficient roster. 38. Indiana Pacers – PG/SG Kam Jones – Marquette Before the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft on Wednesday night, the Indiana Pacers struck a deal with the San Antonio Spurs to acquire this 38th selection at the cost of a 2030 second-round pick. Why would the Pacers do this if they didn't have a particular player in mind that they knew would be on the board? Advertisement Well, with Tyrese Haliburton being out indefinitely after an Achilles tear, it would make sense for Indiana to take a poised, efficient guard to help lead their offense in the All-Star's absence. Kam Jones was one of the best offensive players in the NCAA this past year, and he would supply Indiana with viable, reliable depth in their backcourt. Jones would make a lot of sense in this spot during the second round of the NBA Draft since he can play on or off the ball and averaged 19.2 points per game at Marquette this past year while also averaging 5.9 assists. Tyrese Proctor, Mark Sears, and Ryan Nembhard are three other point guards Indiana may consider in this spot if they address their backcourt. 39. Toronto Raptors – SG/SF Jamir Watkins – Florida State Jamir Watkins really helped himself in Chicago at the NBA Combine, displaying his shooting abilities and defensive versatility. These are two things Watkins struggled with at the 2024 NBA Draft Combine, which is why scouts are impressed with his development. With a near 7-foot wingspan, Watkins can disrupt passing lanes defensively off the ball, and he has a high IQ for cutting on offense. Advertisement The Toronto Raptors are a sneaky team in the East looking ahead to the 2025-26 season, especially if Brandon Ingram can stay healthy. Multiple teams are looking to trade up in the second round, which is why Masai Ujiri could look to add future value in this spot for teams wanting Watkins. 40. New Orleans Pelicans – PF/C Bogoljub Markovic – Serbia (KK Mega – ABA) Bogoljub Markovic is one of the more underrated 3-point shooters in this draft class because he is an international prospect. At 6-foot-11, Markovic can be a 40-percent perimeter shooting threat and thrive in pick-and-pop situations. Teams are always searching for stretch forwards that can aid as secondary rebounders, and that is exactly what Markovic brings to the table. The Pelicans added Derik Queen to their frontcourt in the first round, and they can add a stashable international prospect like Markovic in the second round. 41. Phoenix Suns – PG Tyese Proctor – Duke *Suns trade #52 and #59 to Warriors for #41. Advertisement The one thing the Phoenix Suns don't have on their roster is a true point guard since Tyus Jones is a free agent. It would be wise for Phoenix to target a player like Tyrese Proctor in this spot given his shot-creating abilities and overlooked defensive skills. Proctor was one of the best point guards in the NCAA this past year, averaging 12.4 points and 2.2 assists per game in Duke's Cooper Flagg-led offense. He is a safe pick who can shoot and create scoring opportunities for others, making him a nice fit in Phoenix next to Devin Booker and Jalen Green. 42. Sacramento Kings – SG Koby Brea – Kentucky Benny Sieu-Imagn Images There are several prospects who will be on the board for the Sacramento Kings with the 41st pick who would make sense. Alex Toohey, Sion James, and Kam Jones prospects that can provide immediate depth. However, Koby Brea is no doubt the most underrated shooter in this draft class and would fit in perfectly as a shooter off the ball next to Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis. Advertisement The Kings need some more shooting weapons and dependable second-unit guys, especially if they are to trade Malik Monk. At Kentucky, Brea shot 43.5 percent from 3-point range, and he enters the league with a chip on his shoulder because people overlook his scoring abilities. '10 toes down, I feel like I'm the best shooter in the Draft, for sure,' Brea recently told ClutchPoints' Tomer Azarly in an exclusive pre-draft interview. While he needs to become a better defender, there is no doubt that Brea would find time on the court in Sacramento as a lengthy shooter. 43. Washington Wizards – SF Alex Toohey – Australia (Sydney Kings – NBL) The Australian forward can do a little bit of everything, and he proved to be a great off-ball threat on offense in the NBL this year. Alex Toohey makes up for his lack of athleticism with his mid-range game and overall IQ by making the right passes and plays on the floor. Advertisement As the Washington Wizards continue to rebuild, they can do so with a versatile wing like Toohey in the second round. Toohey is a high-IQ wing who can guard multiple positions and provide secondary depth on the Wizards' bench. 44. Oklahoma City Thunder – SG Sion James Bob Donnan-Imagn Images Sion James has seen his second-round stock rise over the last week, as numerous teams in the 31-40 range have interest in him. If he somehow falls to the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 44th pick, they need to take him because of all the similarities in his game to Luguentz Dort. Next to Flagg, Knueppel, and Maluach, many overlooked James and the impact he made for the Blue Devils. He was Duke's veteran leader who set the tone defensively and supplied his team with consistent 3-point shooting. The rich would get richer if OKC was able to add yet another impactful 3-and-D player like James. 45. Los Angeles Lakers – C Rocco Zikarsky – Australia (Brisbane Bullets – NBL) *The Bulls trade #45 to the Lakers for #55 and cash considerations. Advertisement Rocco Zikarsky was rising on draft boards leading up to the NBA Draft due to his near-7-foot-5 wingspan. In the NBA, Zikarsky will be an avid shot blocker and a potential defensive anchor. On offense, his size and frame will be utilized in pick-and-roll sets, as he has the strength to outmuscle his opponents in the paint. The Los Angeles Lakers need a big man and trading up in the second round could signal that Zikarsky is on their radar. This would be good value for Los Angeles in the second round, as Zikarsky is still only 18 years old with plenty of room to become a defensive menace. 46. Orlando Magic – SG/SF John Tonje – Wisconsin One of the main needs for the Orlando Magic this offseason was shooting. They added Desmond Bane in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies, and the Magic added Jase Richardson in the first round of the NBA Draft on Wednesday. Now, they can add another talented shooter: John Tonje from Wisconsin. Advertisement Tonje can be a shooting threat for this team to add on the wing. While he is an older prospect at 24 years old, Tonje is a proven scorer and is also capable of putting the ball on the floor, getting to his spot, and knocking down jumpers. 47. Milwaukee Bucks – C Vladislav Goldin – Michigan What will happen with Brook Lopez? It seems like the veteran center is moving on from the Milwaukee Bucks in free agency, leaving a glaring weakness in the frontcourt next to Giannis Antetokounmpo. That is why selecting Vladislav Goldin can be useful for the Bucks. Goldin proved to be one of the better rim protectors in the NCAA this past season and is an efficient finisher in the paint on offense. He projects to fit the mold of a player like Ivica Zubac in the NBA, which presents an opportunity for a team like the Bucks in the middle of the second round. 48. Memphis Grizzlies – SG Alijah Martin – Florida Bob Donnan-Imagn Images Alijah Martin helped lead FAU to the Final Four in 2023, and he did so again this year with Florida, ultimately winning a national championship. The 23-year-old is an accomplished guard who tends to play well above his 6-foot-2 stature and gives it his all on defense. The Memphis Grizzlies always tend to get the most out of versatile defensive prospects in the draft, which makes Martin a perfect fit on a fast-paced roster. 49. Cleveland Cavaliers – C Amari Williams – Kentucky The Cleveland Cavaliers are one of the few teams who worked out Amari Williams in the pre-draft process, and the Kentucky big man would make a lot of sense for them to add depth behind Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Williams can play well above the rim, and he is a lot more elusive than many give him credit for, as he got up and down the floor for Kentucky this season in transition. This is a sneaky-good pick for the Cavs, given Williams' 6-foot-11 size and 7-foot-6 wingspan. 50. New York Knicks – PF Eric Dixon – Villanova Eric Dixon led the NCAA in scoring this past season at 23.3 points per game. He is not the best athlete, and many are questioning his defensive fit, but Dixon has nearly a 7-foot wingspan and is a great 3-point shooter. The New York Knicks have found success with Villanova guys, and Dixon could be yet another to make an impact in Madison Square Garden as a scorer and shooter coming off the bench. 51. Los Angeles Clippers – SG Kobe Sanders – Nevada At 6-foot-7 on the wing, Kobe Sanders has teams in the back half of the second round targeting him. Sanders is a ball-handling wing who is very comfortable scoring in the mid-range area. If he can make the right adjustments and learn how to fit in as an off-ball defender, there is a lot to like about his upside for a team like the Los Angeles Clippers. 52. Golden State Warriors – PG Ryan Nembhard – Gonzaga *Warriors trade #41 to Suns for #52 and #59. James Snook-Imagn Images Ryan Nembhard, the brother of Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard, enters the 2025 NBA Draft as one of the better-facilitating point guards in the second round. What makes Ryan a special player is his low turnover rate and ability to push the tempo. He may be undersized, but Nembhard shares the same high basketball IQ trait with his brother. Advertisement The Golden State Warriors need some guard depth behind Stephen Curry, especially a sound facilitator and ball handler like Nembhard. 53. Utah Jazz – SG RJ Luis Jr. – St. John's While he was at St. John's, RJ Luis Jr. made a name for himself as a lengthy two-way wing who could score from virtually anywhere on the floor and create his own opportunities in isolation sets. His ability to switch onto multiple positions and find success doing so with a near 6-foot-11 wingspan makes Luis an intriguing option for a team like the Utah Jazz. The Jazz went with two of the better college players this past year in Ace Bailey and Walter Clayton Jr. in the first round, and Luis could join them as another collegiate standout. 54. Indiana Pacers – PF/C Lachlan Olbrich – Australia (Illawarra Hawks – NBL) Lachlan Olbrich is a 6-foot-9 Australian big man who is a strong screener and above-average passer for a frontcourt talent. He has a strong feel for the game anywhere on the court and can be a bruiser on the glass. Indiana can afford to take a chance on an international guy like Olbrich in this spot, especially in a draft-and-stash scenario, since they don't have virtually any roster spots available. 55. Chicago Bulls – PG/SG Hunter Sallis – Wake Forest The Chicago Bulls like to play fast and they look for dynamic players who are crafty in the open court with the ball in their hands. Hunter Sallis is a lengthy combo guard with defensive potential that could be a factor as a secondary ball handler for Chicago next to Josh Giddey. His ability to create scoring opportunities off the dribble would be of value to a team with some holes to fill on their bench. 56. Memphis Grizzlies – SG/SF Dink Pate – USA (G League – Mexico City Capitanes) There is still a lot that Dink Pate needs to work on as a 19-year-old on the wing if he is to have a career in the NBA. However, Pate is an explosive athlete who can be a factor when it comes to running in transition. There are definitely aspects of his game that would be intriguing to a team like the Grizzlies near the end of the NBA Draft since he can spend time working on his craft behind the scenes, much like GG Jackson when he was drafted in the second round. 57. Orlando Magic – SG/SF Micah Peavy – Georgetown Micah Peavy is a strong-framed wing known for his defensive versatility. If that doesn't say Magic draft prospect, I don't know what does. Advertisement This past year at Georgetown, Peavy went from being a 31 percent 3-point shooter to becoming a consistent threat from outside, knocking down 40 percent of his shots. The Magic will be seeking more 3-and-D play from their bench, especially on the wing after moving Kentavious Caldwell-Pope for Desmond Bane, which should set Peavy up for success. 58. Cleveland Cavaliers – SF Saliou Niang – Senegal (Aquila Trento – Lega Basket Serie A) Many people don't know about Saliou Niang, a forward from Senegal who has been playing in Italy. With a 6-foot-11 wingspan, Niang possesses the length to be an impactful defender and versatile talent down the line. If he can forge a consistent jump shot, the 21-year-old could become a reliable, athletic 3-and-D player. For some reason, a young Andrew Wiggins comes to mind as a ceiling for Niang. 59. Golden State Warriors – SG Tamar Bates – Missouri *Warriors trade #41 to Suns for #52 and #59. Advertisement After adding another second-round pick by moving down, the Warriors can target an intriguing swingman who can do a little bit of everything like Tamar Bates. At Missouri, Bates averaged 13.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 39.7 percent from 3-point range. With a 6-foot-10 wingspan and the ability to guard multiple positions, Bates can immediately slide into a utility-like role for Golden State off their bench. Related: 2025 NBA Draft: Tracking where the top undrafted free agents sign Related: HBCU basketball pioneers honored during 2025 NBA Draft
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2025 NBA Mock Draft 4.0: Latest intel after Kevin Durant trade shakes up top 10
The post 2025 NBA Mock Draft 4.0: Latest intel after Kevin Durant trade shakes up top 10 appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Oklahoma City Thunder have been crowned NBA champions for the first time, and Kevin Durant was traded to the Houston Rockets on Sunday. Now, the league turns their attention to the 2025 NBA Draft on Wednesday, as the level of uncertainty surrounding who will end up where after Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper are off the board is unparalleled to any other draft in recent years. Advertisement Over the last week leading up to the draft, the biggest talking point has surrounded the Philadelphia 76ers and what they plan to do with the third pick. Ace Bailey has long been the selection for Philadelphia in mock drafts around the country, but various concerns surrounding Bailey have suddenly changed the Sixers' approach. Will Daryl Morey ultimately go with the most talented player on the board in this spot, or will the 76ers target VJ Edgecombe, who recently worked out for the team, instead? Of course, there is also the possibility that the Sixers will trade out of this spot entirely and let someone else draft Bailey. This is truly where the NBA Draft starts, which is why every mock draft is a total roll of the dice at this point. That is also true because of Durant being traded to Houston. As part of this deal, the Rockets relinquished the draft rights to the 10th pick. Although they will still make the selection in this spot and that draftee will wear a Rockets hat on draft night (a dumb rule the NBA needs to fix), this will be Phoenix's selection. Advertisement How does the Durant trade impact the top 10, and will Oklahoma City's title run with versatile athletes change the thinking of how teams end up drafting this year? After previously assembling his 2025 NBA Draft Big Board 4.0 and Mock Draft 3.5, ClutchPoints senior NBA insider Brett Siegel shares his updated 2025 NBA Mock Draft 4.0, with evaluations, projections, and intel from scouts, agents, and executives from around the league before Wednesday's draft. Previous 2025 NBA Draft Big Boards: 4.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 Previous 2025 NBA Mock Drafts: 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 1. Dallas Mavericks – SF/PF Cooper Flagg – Duke Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images Once the Dallas Mavericks received the first-overall pick, many began speculating whether Nico Harrison would again shift the NBA landscape with a seismic trade. That is not going to happen, as the Mavericks have already assured Flagg and those around the 18-year-old that he will be the first pick in this year's draft, league sources confirmed to ClutchPoints. Advertisement This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone, as Flagg has been the presumable first pick in the 2025 NBA Draft since he first decided to play for Duke. Flagg has a unique blend of playmaking and scoring for a frontcourt player who can really fill any need his team needs. Many don't give Flagg the credit he deserves for being a multi-talented defender, and his scoring abilities will be utilized right away alongside Anthony Davis since Kyrie Irving is on the mend from an ACL tear. Do not expect Flagg to be the only addition Dallas makes this offseason, as Dallas is said to be evaluating all options to improve their backcourt right away with proven, winning talent. Although he has made it clear that returning to Los Angeles is certainly an option for him this offseason to be closer to his family, league sources indicate that the Mavs are exploring ways to convince Chris Paul to sign with them in free agency. The overall market for point guards is thin in free agency outside of Paul, Tyus Jones, and Dennis Schroder, which is why players like Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson, Marcus Smart, and Jrue Holiday are notable guards linked to Dallas in trade discussions. Harrison and the Mavs front office will be busy after making their Flagg selection official. 2. San Antonio Spurs – PG/SG Dylan Harper – Rutgers Like Flagg, there isn't much discussion as to who will be the second pick in this year's draft. Although the San Antonio Spurs have fielded calls from multiple teams, prominently the Philadelphia 76ers, for the second pick in this year's draft, there have been zero indications that San Antonio is looking to move this selection. Advertisement After opting not to go all-in on a Kevin Durant trade, the Spurs have continued to put faith in their philosophy of building through the draft and taking swings at the right moments, as they did by getting De'Aaron Fox at a cheap price. While many are questioning Harper's fit next to Fox and Castle, he is the ideal type of playmaking guard to lead an offense with Victor Wembanyama as the juggernaut in the frontcourt. It would be a shock to many around the league if the Spurs suddenly took things in a different direction and sacrificed the leverage they could create for themselves by drafting Harper. If there is one team that can make a crowded backcourt work, it's definitely the Spurs — a team with a dynamic, young superstar in Wembanyama. 3. Philadelphia 76ers – SG VJ Edgecombe – Baylor This is where the 2025 NBA Draft begins. With the draft on Wednesday, nobody knows what Daryl Morey and the Philadelphia 76ers will do. On one hand, drafting Ace Bailey makes the most sense, seeing as he is the next-best talent available on the board, but there are growing concerns throughout the league about Bailey's mentality and those in his corner, specifically his representation. Advertisement Ever since Bailey canceled his workout with the 76ers, the talk around the league has been centered around Philadelphia going with VJ Edgecombe or Tre Johnson. While the Sixers could still go with Bailey and have yet to rule him out as the potential third pick, Edgecombe makes the most sense given the better win-now path he presents. Even so, the 76ers have kept the door open for a trade with this third pick, as Morey is truly taking his time to make a decision and fielding all offers that come his way. There could be a last-minute trade brewing here for a team looking to move up and get Bailey that takes place on the night of the NBA Draft. Between his explosiveness off the dribble and abilities to defend multiple positions on the wing, Edgecombe could easily contribute right away for a 76ers team that has high playoff aspirations looking ahead to the 2025-26 season. Should Philadelphia opt to go with someone else, it is hard to envision Edgecombe falling past the Charlotte Hornets with the next pick. 4. Charlotte Hornets – SG/SF Ace Bailey – Rutgers David Banks-Imagn Images A lot of noise has been made about Kon Knueppel or Johnson being the Hornets' selection with the fourth pick. There has also been talk of the Hornets being interested in Khaman Maluach, a teammate of Knueppel and Flagg's at Duke. What Charlotte does in this fourth spot is a major mystery, and even more intrigue will be added should the 76ers opt to take Edgecombe. Advertisement With Bailey on the board and the Hornets having clear needs for scoring and stars, it would be awfully hard for them to pass on the Rutgers star's talents, regardless of the baggage that comes with taking him. Then again, there is a clear path to a trade being made here. The Washington Wizards, New Orleans Pelicans, and Brooklyn Nets are all teams down a few spots with interest in Bailey. Although the Hornets are keeping their cards very close to their chest, league sources have signaled that Charlotte has actively been engaged in trade conversations with others eyeing the fourth pick. Since the draft is taking place in Brooklyn and Bailey will be in New York City leading up to the NBA Draft, perhaps there will be a secret meeting between the two sides to hammer out a path for the Nets to draft him. This is not a firm report that this will happen, but there have been situations like this in the past between the Nets and other teams days before the draft. It would not be surprising to see the Nets, or another team inside the top 10, move up a few spots and secure Bailey with this pick, especially since the Hornets do have multiple players they are considering. 5. Utah Jazz – SG Tre Johnson – Texas The three names most associated with the Utah Jazz leading up to the NBA Draft are Johnson, Knueppel, and Jeremiah Fears. In recent days, Fears has been gaining a lot of traction after his second workout with Utah. Perhaps this is just a ploy by the Jazz to try and get the Wizards, who have been widely reported to want Fears, to trade up a spot. Advertisement For those draft junkies out there, you may remember Washington and Michael Winger making a similar move when they moved up from the eighth pick to the seventh pick so they could get Bilal Coulibaly in 2023. This only cost the Wizards two future second-round picks, which is likely what could happen in an offer with the Jazz. Nonetheless, if the Jazz hold onto this pick, Johnson is the player that makes the most sense given his fit as a shooter on the wing. He is widely considered to be one of the safest picks in this year's draft, and Johnson can be a long-term building block for the Jazz, who have signaled that they won't be tanking moving forward. Drafting Fears would supply Utah with a high-potential guard, but they already have a crowded backcourt with young pieces like Keyonte George and Isaiah Collier. Would adding another youthful guard that would need time to develop be beneficial? That thinking is why scouts are expecting the Jazz to decide between Johnson and Knueppel despite Utah's known interest in Fears' skills. 6. Washington Wizards – PG Jeremiah Fears – Oklahoma The Wizards like Fears, and the widespread assumption is that this is his floor in the NBA Draft unless Bailey somehow falls to them in this spot. This front office wants to build a long-term, sustainable core, and they have done so in recent drafts. Since they also own the 18th and 40th picks, there is always the possibility of the Wizards looking to make a big draft-day move, but that very likely won't involve this pick. Advertisement Jordan Poole doesn't appear to be the long-term face of Washington's backcourt, which makes having the ability to draft Fears even more attractive to the Wizards. Fears is a strong ball handler who thrives in pick-and-roll sets and isn't afraid to get the ball into the paint despite his smaller frame. Next to a big man like Alex Sarr, Fears could instantly make those around him, especially jump shooters, better than they've been. This should be a no-brainer decision for the Wizards if Fears is on the board with the sixth pick. 7. New Orleans Pelicans – C Khaman Maluach – Duke Zachary Taft-Imagn Images When Joe Dumars took over the Pelicans' front office, he made it clear that the team needed more size and frontcourt production. Even after a great rookie season from Yves Missi, New Orleans will be adding a new big man at some point. Could that happen in the NBA Draft with this seventh pick, seeing as Khaman Maluach and Derik Queen will very likely be available? Advertisement The four prospects that come up the most in conversations around the league surrounding the Pelicans are Maluach, Queen, Fears, and Bailey. While some have said the Pelicans aren't wanting to move up for Bailey, multiple league sources have confirmed that multiple members of the front office are keen on the star potential that Bailey possesses. Where Maluach ends up is one of the biggest questions before the NBA Draft, given the vast interest existing from teams with top-10 picks. The Pelicans are said to be 'huge fans' of Maluach's two-way potential, as one source stated, which makes sense given his length and athleticism that can coincide with Missi. There has also been smoke about Queen being the Pelicans' ultimate target, which is why he is in play with this seventh pick. What the Pelicans ultimately decide to do will greatly impact decisions made by the Nets and Toronto Raptors. 8. Brooklyn Nets – SG/SF Kon Knueppel – Duke Almost every top-10 prospect makes sense for the Nets since they are rebuilding and have time to devote to player development. Bailey would be the best player for Brooklyn to add, and it seems like there is a realistic path to them moving up and securing him before teams like the Jazz, Wizards, and Pelicans can think about taking the Rutgers wing. Advertisement If the Nets can swing a deal with the Hornets, as some around the league are suggesting, then Knueppel could be the obvious trade-down option for Charlotte in this spot. Even if the Nets keep the pick, Knueppel can fill some gaps alongside Cam Thomas as another versatile scoring threat with the ability to help run the offense. Two other names to consider for the Nets are Noa Essengue and Egor Demin, who ClutchPoints has widely linked to Brooklyn since the NBA Combine in May. Demin's length and playmaking abilities make him the ideal guard for a team like the Nets to build with and not take scoring opportunities away from Thomas. Indications around the league also point in the direction of the Nets attempting to secure a second lottery pick. Brooklyn has the 19th, 26th, and 27th selections, as well as the 36th pick in the second round to barter with. Expect the Nets to hold talks with those behind them in the lottery about potential trade-up opportunities, especially if they don't go with Demin in this spot. 9. Toronto Raptors – C Derik Queen – Maryland Queen could go seventh to the Pelicans. He could also end up going ninth to the Raptors. The Maryland big man could also go late lottery or fall out of the lottery altogether. It is crazy how wide Queen's range is entering the NBA Draft, and it is all dependent on who ends up falling where in the top 10. Advertisement The Raptors have been fielding offers from teams interested in moving up in the top 10, as several prospects like Collin Murray-Boyles, Noa Essengue, and Thomas Sorber are viewed as potential trade-down targets for Masai Ujiri's crew. League personnel also continue to indicate that they don't see Maluach falling out of the top 10 because of Toronto's interest in him. This is a good spot for the Raptors to be in because they will have a lot of leverage based on which players are available in this spot. The idea of addressing their frontcourt has to be at the front of Ujiri's mind entering the offseason since Jakob Poeltl and Colin Castleton are the only big men under contract for the 2025-26 season. While Queen has work to do with his shooting and defensive positioning, his big frame and skills around the rim make him an attractive finisher to place next to Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram. Do not be shocked if a team looks to trade up for Queen in this spot, as the Bulls, Pelicans, Wizards, and Portland Trail Blazers have known interest in him. 10. Phoenix Suns – PG/SG Egor Demin – BYU Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images The Suns were confident that they would find a trade involving Durant before the NBA Draft that would give them a valuable pick, and they achieved this in their deal with the Rockets. Phoenix now has a decision to make with the 10th pick, as this will help mold their immediate future with Devin Booker continuing to serve as the franchise's cornerstone. Advertisement Since the Durant trade, many have pointed to this pick being an obvious opportunity for the Suns to address their frontcourt, which is arguably the worst in the league at the moment. However, with Maluach and Queen off the board, new general manager Brian Gregory can focus on adding dynamic and athletic players who can wear many hats to aid Booker. That is why Demin, Carter Bryant, and Collin Murray-Boyles have been mentioned outside of the obvious big men fans are linking to the Suns. Although Bryant can bring shooting and defensive versatility on the wing, Demin can provide the Suns with a direction for their backcourt moving forward. Demin is an exceptional playmaker, and he could ultimately become a reliable 3-point shooting threat off the ball after consistent talk from various league personnel about his jumper looking very smooth and consistent in workouts. His 6-foot-8 frame and 6-foot-10 wingspan are ideal for the Suns. Not to mention, he comes from an NBA system already, as BYU head coach Kevin Young was the Suns' associate head coach from 2021-2024. After devising a plan for the draft with their four picks (10, 29, 52, 59), Gregory and the Suns will turn their attention to what the future holds for Bradley Beal. If they are unable to trade the former All-Star, which seems unlikely, Phoenix will look to buy Beal out of his contract, according to Suns insider John Gambadoro. 11. Portland Trail Blazers – PG Kasparas Jakucionis – Illinois A couple of players make sense in this spot for the Portland Trail Blazers, as the team has cast a wide array of interest in multiple lottery-projected players. Kasparas Jakucionis, Asa Newell, Murray-Boyles, Demin, and Bryant are the five names most associated with Portland throughout the pre-draft process. Advertisement What makes Jakucionis the ideal pick for Portland is his overall playmaking abilities at the point guard position. He can move the ball with ease, and his size fits the mold of a player the Blazers have looked to add to their roster in recent years. The only problem with potentially drafting Jakucionis is that he isn't a polished offensive player and will need time to find his niche as a scoring option. Jakucionis recently visited Portland over the weekend, signaling the team's interest in him over others. This is definitely a mystery spot in the draft, as Portland brought in several players expected to be available in this range for workouts during the pre-draft process and are said to have a strong interest in Carter Bryant. Newell also had a terrific workout with the Trail Blazers, league sources said. The lengthy forward fits the mold of athletic plug-and-play talents this organization has gone after in recent drafts, and there is talk of Jerami Grant being moved this offseason. Perhaps this is a spot that the Blazers pass on guard talents available to fill out their frontcourt around Donovan Clingan. 12. Chicago Bulls – SG/SF Carter Bryant – Arizona Queen, Demin, Bryant, and Newell are the four players associated with the Chicago Bulls the most throughout the pre-draft process. Although other intriguing names, like Noa Essengue, will be on the board when the Bulls pick, it's hard to imagine them passing on Bryant if he were up for grabs. Advertisement Bryant is a dynamic, athletic wing who did not play much at Arizona, but his speed and shooting abilities fit the Bulls' style of play. With Josh Giddey and Coby White still running Chicago's backcourt, the Bulls can add a young wing with plenty of two-way potential for growth. However, this is a spot in the draft that the Bulls could look to move back a few spots, especially if players like Queen, Newell, and Brant aren't available. The Bulls need help in many different areas, which is why they will very likely take the best talent that is available with the 12th pick. 13. Atlanta Hawks – PF Noa Essengue – France (Ratiopharm Ulm – BBL) Although there has been some discussion and rumors about the Atlanta Hawks potentially looking to move up in the draft or leverage one of their first-round picks, that won't be the case. Atlanta is confident that they will be able to add two impactful rookies this year to complement the rising talent they have on their roster. Advertisement The Hawks must find more depth in the frontcourt at either spot in this year's draft, and there would be no better time to do so than with this 13th pick if Essengue is on the board. Essengue possesses the physicality and size of a modern-day NBA All-Star, and he fits the mold of a lengthy utility forward in the sense that he can do a little bit of everything on the floor. This is what Atlanta needs next to Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu, as Essengue fortifies the Hawks' interior. Danny Wolf, Thomas Sorber, and Joan Beringer are other big men being linked to this team by rival scouts. 14. San Antonio Spurs – C Joan Beringer – France (Cedevita Olimpija – ABA) Joan Beringer has been one of the biggest risers in the pre-draft process over the last two weeks. His stock has gained serious momentum heading into Wednesday's draft, and the French big man has multiple suitors in the lottery, including the likes of the Hawks and the San Antonio Spurs. Advertisement San Antonio, by all accounts, is going to be targeting frontcourt depth with their 14th pick. Finding ways to take pressure off Victor Wembanyama to carry the load offensively is going to be a point of emphasis after taking Harper second overall, and Beringer can provide the Spurs with the size and rim protection they need from a young, growing center. At 6-foot-11 with a near 7-5 wingspan, Beringer projects to be a lengthier version of what Jarrett Allen is for the Cleveland Cavaliers. His rim-running abilities and shot-blocking prowess will be utilized right away by San Antonio. His floor appears to be the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 15th pick. 15. Oklahoma City Thunder – SG Cedric Coward – Washington State David Banks-Imagn Images There is one player who makes the most sense for the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are coming off their first championship in team history, and that's Cedric Coward. Advertisement Sam Presti made it clear after the Thunder won the title on Sunday evening that character and mentality played a massive role in his young group overcoming the odds to be the best team in the league. Throughout the pre-draft process, everyone around the league has been blown away by Coward's mentality, character, and basketball IQ as a lengthy wing whose season was cut short due to injury at Washington State. Between his 7-foot-2 wingspan and his ability to light things up from the perimeter, Coward checks off all the boxes for being a potential star and steal in this draft. Although the Thunder already have a full roster heading into the offseason, Coward is worth moving someone for, as he could instantly become a starter for the 2024-25 NBA champions. Coward could go anywhere from being picked in the lottery to the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 17th pick, who are viewed as his floor in the NBA Draft. 16. Memphis Grizzlies – PF Collin Murray-Boyles – South Carolina Collin Murray-Boyles has been linked to the Raptors and Suns with the ninth and 10th picks, respectively, but there are some concerns about his overall approach on offense. This has led to some speculation that he could be available in the 13-16 region of the draft and fall out of the lottery. Advertisement The Memphis Grizzlies acquired this pick from the Orlando Magic in the Desmond Bane trade. Executive Zach Kleiman will be seeking ways to not only improve his team's depth but also add versatile talent who can impact the game in many different ways. That is the type of player Murray-Boyles is, as the advanced metrics say he is one of the most efficient players in the draft. He is essentially a point forward who can guard almost every position and is a problem for opposing teams when he gets the ball inside the paint. While there is still a lot of room for improvement from the perimeter, Murray-Boyles is a strong athlete who provides depth and upside alongside Jaren Jackson Jr. in the frontcourt, especially with Zach Edey out to begin the year. 17. Minnesota Timberwolves – PF Asa Newell – Georgia Dale Zanine-Imagn Images A lot of teams love Asa Newell's positional versatility heading into the NBA Draft. That is why teams as high as the Blazers and Bulls, with the 11th and 12th picks, respectively, hold high interest in Newell. Should he be available past the lottery, the Timberwolves make a lot of sense for the Georgia forward as a potential landing spot. Advertisement Minnesota has some questions to answer in their frontcourt, which is why Thomas Sorber is another intriguing option to consider. Newell stands out in this spot because of his plug-and-play abilities at either forward position and his ability to stretch the floor in a similar way to Naz Reid, who is entering free agency. So many teams have been enamored by Newell's positivity throughout the pre-draft process, as he is truly ready to come in and make an impact from Day 1. As a stretch-4 with great defensive instincts, he would find a lot of success in Chris Finch's system. Keep an eye on Portland, Chicago, Atlanta, and Minnesota as the four prime destinations for Newell in the NBA Draft. 18. Washington Wizards – C Thomas Sorber – Georgetown Multiple teams are going to have interest in trading up to the 18th pick with the Wizards, especially with players like Sorber, Danny Wolf, Nolan Traore, and Jase Richardson available. If the Wizards get Fears with their first pick, upgrading the talent around Sarr becomes a priority. That is what makes Sorber the clear option. Advertisement While he is still recovering from foot surgery he had in February, Sorber proved to be an impactful center during his freshman year at Georgetown. He averaged 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks while shooting 53.2 percent from the floor in 24 games. Sorber is a lob threat, a rim-runner, and a productive player from the perimeter as a passer and pick-and-roll player. Multiple teams, some in the lottery, have interest in Sorber, which leads to questions about whether he will even be available in this spot for Washington. If the Wizards don't look to upgrade their frontcourt with either Sorber or Wolf in this position of the draft, expect them to take a swing at players like Will Riley, Liam McNeeley, or Rasheer Fleming. 19. Brooklyn Nets – PG Nolan Traore – France (Saint-Quentin – LNB) Nolan Traore has been linked to the Brooklyn Nets for quite some time. Although another team could look to move up and secure the French guard, his style of play fits Jordi Fernandez's system, and there is a clear path for him to become the Nets' point guard of the future. What makes Traore a special player is his size and creativity as a lead ball-handler. Traore possesses a 6-foot-8 wingspan and was once considered a top-10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft before having an up-and-down season in France. The one area of improvement he displayed was from the perimeter, as Traore is a much better 3-point shooting threat than people give him credit for. This pick is certainly in play to be moved by the Nets, as Sean Marks and Brooklyn's front office are looking to secure a second lottery pick. 20. Miami Heat – PG Walter Clayton Jr. – Florida Scott Wachter-Imagn Images The Miami Heat are said to be valuing experienced prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft that can provide an instant impact on the court rather than youthful projects with long-term upside. As a result, Walter Clayton Jr., who just led Florida to a national championship, can become the Heat's point guard next to Tyler Herro in the backcourt. Clayton is a dynamic scorer and finisher with the ball in his hands who doesn't back down from a challenge. He may be listed at 6-foot-2, but Clayton never shies away from contact and proved to be one of the best perimeter players off the dribble in the draft when he led the Gators to a title. After missing out on trading for Durant, Miami needs to prioritize finding scoring threats next to Herro and Bam Adebayo. Outside of Herro, the Heat don't have other lead playmakers in their backcourt, which makes Clayton a high-upside pick for Pat Riley. Clayton to Miami has gained momentum among league personnel in recent days. 21. Utah Jazz – SG/SF Will Riley – Illinois Why would the Jazz go with another wing after taking Tre Johnson earlier? Well, Utah needs talent up and down their roster, and Will Riley offers versatility as a shooter and scorer who can play either the shooting guard or small forward positions. The Jazz have plenty of time to spend developing their players, and Riley would benefit from being in such a system since he needs experience as a shooter on and off the ball. In time, with the right training, Riley could become an impactful two-way wing given his 6-foot-8 wingspan. Utah holds multiple selections in this year's draft, so expect new executive Austin Ainge to be aggressive and hunt for the prospects he wants to build a future with. It is certainly not a given that the young talents in Salt Lake City will retain their current standing heading into the 2025-26 season, which is why anyone can be replaced. 22. Atlanta Hawks – SG Jase Richardson – Michigan State Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images Where Jase Richardson ultimately goes in the NBA Draft is a question mark right now. While Richardson definitely has lottery potential, there have been many questioning if he's truly ready to play in the NBA due to concerns about his ability to make the right decision with the ball in his hands. At Michigan State, Richardson displayed his shooting and scoring skills as a freshman. However, he oftentimes deferred to others instead of taking charge as a lead guard. That is why some scouts are hesitant to label him as a top-20 prospect in the draft. If he falls outside of the top 20, there will be teams interested in Richardson, and the Hawks will be one of them. Outside of Trae Young and Dyson Daniels, Atlanta doesn't have much backcourt depth. Richardson is only 19 years old, he's a strong athlete who can run in transition, and he's a strong 3-point shooter. Those traits are what the Hawks could benefit from adding late in the first round, which makes Richardson an intriguing fit for Atlanta. The Hawks are also said to have interest in Stanford big man Maxime Raynaud and Michigan big man Danny Wolf if they were to be available in this spot. 23. New Orleans Pelicans – SG Nique Clifford – Colorado State During the NBA Finals, the Indiana Pacers traded this 23rd pick to the Pelicans to retain their 2026 first-round pick, which looks like a great move for the Pacers given that Tyrese Haliburton suffered an Achilles injury and is likely to miss the majority, if not all, of the 2025-26 season. Now that New Orleans owns this pick, nobody knows what to expect. The Pelicans could obviously look to trade up, especially if they want to target Ace Bailey, but there will be impactful options available for this front office to consider. Nique Clifford is one of those talents, as the senior guard offers a lot of unique traits to a team like the Pelicans, who desperately need a do-it-all guy. What makes Clifford special is that he can rebound, score off the dribble, defend multiple positions, and move off the ball as a cutter on offense. Dejounte Murray is still recovering from an Achilles injury, and New Orleans doesn't have much backcourt depth around CJ McCollum. That is why Clifford could immediately slide into a productive role for the Pelicans. Clifford is expected to go anywhere from 19-26 in this year's draft. 24. Oklahoma City Thunder – PG/SG Ben Saraf – Israel (Ratiopharm Ulm – BBL) Nobody around the league expects the Thunder to make two selections in this year's draft. Presti is always pulling the trigger on deals during the NBA Draft, and we should expect nothing different when it comes to Oklahoma City with the 24th and 44th picks. That is why the expectation is that the Thunder will either trade this pick or use it for a draft-and-stash option. If it's the latter, then keep a close eye on Oklahoma City adding Ben Saraf, an international guard many are sleeping on during the pre-draft process. Saraf is one of the more NBA-ready players who is still under contract with Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany. In recent weeks, Saraf has gained a lot of attention with his stellar play, as he's averaged 12.9 points, 3.9 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game while shooting 44.4 percent from the floor over his last 14 games. The 6-foot-6 guard is a high-IQ player who tends to hunt for his shots in the mid-range area, which makes him an ideal guard target for the Thunder given Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's style of play. Expect multiple teams with first-round picks in the 25-30 range to explore the possibility of moving up for players like Wolf, Raynaud, and McNeeley if they are still on the board. Would be shocked if OKC had two first-round selections. If they do, one will certainly be a draft-and-stash. If it's this spot, keep an eye on Ben Saraf and Hugo Gonzalez. Someone could easily trade up for Wolf here. Maybe Phoenix, given their late interest in him? 25. Orlando Magic – PF/C Danny Wolf – Michigan Danny Wolf has the widest range out of any player in this draft. Some have hinted that Wolf could go as high as ninth or 10th to the Raptors or Suns, respectively. Others have signaled that Wolf isn't a top-15 player and will be available in the mid-to-late first-round range. No matter where he ends up, it's become clear that Wolf has a lot of fans, given his guard-like play for a 7-footer. It is believed that a team will look to trade up for Wolf at some point in the middle of the first round. The two biggest questions surrounding Wolf are about his efficiency as a shooter and the fact that he shot only 59 percent from the free-throw line at Michigan. While they are a defense-first team, the Orlando Magic have a need for more frontcourt help. Between his size and playmaking skills in the frontcourt, Wolf would be the ideal big man to utilize in deeper rotations behind Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. 26. Brooklyn Nets – PF Rasheer Fleming – Saint Joseph's Rasheer Fleming is a prospect the Nets are targeting with one of their two late first-round picks, league sources said. What makes Fleming so unique is his 7-foot-5 wingspan, trailing only Maluach for the largest wingspan out of first-round projected prospects in ClutchPoints' 2025 NBA Draft Big Board. His size and defensive abilities are what make Fleming one of the more intriguing prospects for teams picking in the 20-30 region of the draft. While he still needs time to develop better handles and work on his shot selection, Fleming can make an impact right away as a defensive pest. Both the 26th and 27th picks are in play to be moved by the Nets in a potential trade-up scenario. 27. Brooklyn Nets – SG/SF Liam McNeeley – UConn Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images The Nets need shooters. As they enter a new era and focus on developing young talents, they will need a guy who is dependable from the 3-point line. Liam McNeeley can be that type of player for Brooklyn, as he is said to be 100 percent healthy entering the draft after dealing with multiple injuries during his freshman year at UConn. McNeeley enters the 2025 NBA Draft as one of the better shooters available in the first round. He should be able to thrive in catch-and-shoot opportunities, making him a contributing rookie. Other players like Raynaud, Saraf, Hugo Gonzalez, and Drake Powell have been on Brooklyn's radar in this region of the NBA Draft. 28. Boston Celtics – C Maxime Raynaud – Stanford For weeks, we have been projecting the Boston Celtics to select Maxime Raynaud with the 28th pick. This still holds true, assuming he is on the board for them. Raynaud going to Boston just makes sense given his style of play, rebounding abilities, and the fact that Boston will need frontcourt help moving forward. Kristaps Porzingis is being shopped on the open market, and there are no guarantees Al Horford will return in free agency despite there being mutual interest from both parties. Raynaud can stretch the floor at the center position, and he shot 34.7 percent from 3-point range this past season at Stanford. He was also the only player in the country to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds per game on the season. The Celtics are open for business this offseason, as Brad Stevens will be evaluating all options on the table. This will be a reset year for Boston, which is why owning the 28th and 32nd picks is advantageous to them in terms of developing depth at a cheap price. 29. Phoenix Suns – C Ryan Kalkbrenner – Creighton If they do not go for a center with the 10th pick in the draft, the Suns will need to do so late in the first round. Along with having interest in Danny Wolf, the Suns are also said to be eyeing Ryan Kalkbrenner, a 7-foot-1 stretch big man who shot 34.4 percent from 3-point range this year at Creighton. Although the Suns are high on Oso Ighodaro, he is not ready to be a full-time starting center in the NBA. Kalkbrenner is, and he can make an impact right away as a shot-blocker as well. Expect Phoenix to shop this pick around and see if there is a path to leveraging it with one of their two second-round picks in an attempt to move up in the first round. 30. Los Angeles Clippers – SF/PF Noah Penda – France (Le Mans Sarthe – LNB) Nobody really knows what the Los Angeles Clippers are going to do with their first-round pick. The Clippers are always a wild card when it comes to the draft, as it truly seems like they make their decisions on the spot, which is why they oftentimes end up with surprise selections. This year, if Noah Penda is available, he is the player that makes the most sense for LA. Penda has been a big factor for his club, LeMans, in France over the last few weeks, as he's displayed his scoring prowess from the perimeter and rebounding abilities. The Frenchman is one of the higher IQ players available, and he could help be a stabilizer at either forward position in a similar way to Nicolas Batum, who is entering the final year of his career. Los Angeles is currently exploring the market for immediate upgrades alongside Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, which has many questioning Norman Powell's future entering the final year of his contract. 2025 NBA Mock Draft 4.0: Picks No. 31-59 (Second Round) Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images 31. Minnesota Timberwolves – SF/PF Adou Thiero – Arkansas Defense has been the Timberwolves' calling card in recent seasons, leading to their postseason success. Adou Thiero has a 7-foot wingspan and stood out at Arkansas with his ability to alter shots as a help-side defender while also disrupting passing lanes. If he can figure things out as a consistent shooter on the wing, Thiero could end up being a steal for Minnesota. 32. Boston Celtics – SG Drake Powell – North Carolina Some say Drake Powell has lottery potential due to the glimpses of two-way abilities he displayed at North Carolina, along with his 3-point shooting numbers. But the problem some have with the 19-year-old is that he hasn't played enough to enter the league and not be someone who has to earn his stripes through the G League. Boston would be the ideal landing spot for Powell, as his athleticism could be utilized right away on the wing in a similar way to how the Celtics used Jaylen Brown as a rookie in 2016. 33. Charlotte Hornets – SG Hugo Gonzalez – Spain (Real Madrid – Liga AC) Hugo Gonzalez possesses the potential to be a two-way factor in time. While he has not had the most productive season with Real Madrid, he is a lengthy shooting guard who tends to find open space on offense as a cutter off the ball. On defense, he can draw the assignment of multiple positions and find success because of his lateral movement and understanding of where to be on the court. The Hornets need off-the-ball production next to LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. 34. Charlotte Hornets – C Yanic Konan Niederhauser – Penn State Yanic Konan Niederhauser has been one of the biggest risers in the pre-draft process, and he's even drawing some consideration from teams with late first-round picks due to his rim-running and high-flying abilities. Niederhauser possesses a large frame with a 7-foot-3 wingspan and always plays well above the rim as a pick-and-roll finisher. He would go to Charlotte as a young, unpolished big man who would ultimately become Mark Williams' replacement, as the former first-round pick continues to be brought up in trade rumors. 35. Philadelphia 76ers – PF/C Johni Broome – Auburn The 76ers need frontcourt help. Joel Embiid's injury history continues to be a concern, and the Sixers could wind up losing both Andre Drummond and Guerschon Yabusele this offseason. That is why Johni Broome is an option for Philadelphia early in the second round. Broome was one of the best performers in the college ranks this season at Auburn, and he does his dirty work in the paint as a low-post scorer and efficient rebounder. In time, he should become a reliable pick-and-pop threat playing off guards like Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain. 36. Brooklyn Nets – C Hansen Yang – China (Qingdao Double Star Eagles – CBA) The Nets are building for the future in this draft. Adding frontcourt players will be a point of emphasis given Nic Claxton's uncertain future, and Hansen Yang has flown up big boards throughout the pre-draft process. Yang is a terrific rebounder who possesses great footwork in the low post, but he will need to work on his defensive awareness and positioning before contributing in a serious manner. Brooklyn has time to spend developing a player like Yang. 37. Detroit Pistons – SG Chaz Lanier – Tennessee Chaz Lanier enters the 2025 NBA Draft as one of the most NBA-ready players due to his 3-and-D presence on the wing, and he is drawing comparisons to Luguentz Dort among some scouts due to his defensive toughness. The Detroit Pistons took a big step forward this season due to their defensive toughness, which makes Lanier an excellent fit for added depth behind Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey. 38. San Antonio Spurs – SG Kobe Sanders – Nevada You never know what to expect from the Spurs in the NBA Draft, especially in the second round, where they tend to go after guys they really like instead of the best available. That could fit the description for Kobe Sanders this year, a player many are sleeping on who worked out for the Spurs. Sanders has the size and length on the wing to do a lot of different things in San Antonio, and they could mold him into whatever they want. Most importantly, Sanders has a high understanding of where to be on offense and defense. He is also a very unselfish player, which fits the Spurs' culture perfectly. 39. Toronto Raptors – SF Alex Toohey – Australia (Sydney Kings – NBL) The Australian forward can do a little bit of everything, and he proved to be a great off-ball threat on offense in the NBL this year. Alex Toohey makes up for his lack of athleticism with his mid-range game and overall IQ by making the right passes and plays on the floor. Toronto needs versatile options on the wing, and Toohey can do a little bit of everything to help mold the Raptors' immediate future. 40. Washington Wizards – PF/C Bogoljub Markovic – Serbia (KK Mega – ABA) In this spot, the Wizards can draft for upside in their frontcourt. Bogoljub Markovic is one of the more underrated 3-point shooters in this draft class because he is an international prospect. At 6-foot-11, Markovic can be a 40-percent perimeter shooting threat and thrive in pick-and-pop situations. Teams are always searching for stretch forwards that can aid as secondary rebounders, and that is exactly what Markovic brings to the table. 41. Golden State Warriors – PG/SG Kam Jones – Marquette Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images The Golden State Warriors have found a lot of success drafting in the second round over the last few years. Once again, they should be able to find productive depth with the 41st pick. Kam Jones was one of the best offensive players in the NCAA this past year, and he would supply the Warriors with viable, reliable depth in their backcourt behind Stephen Curry. Jones could theoretically fill the void that Golden State has been looking to fill since trading Jordan Poole in 2023. After all, Jones can play with or without the ball in his hands, and he averaged 19.2 points per game at Marquette this past year while also averaging 5.9 assists. 42. Sacramento Kings – PG Tyrese Proctor – Duke After spending extra years at Duke, Tyrese Proctor enters the 2025 NBA Draft as a skilled guard with the potential to be a playmaker off the ball due to his increased shooting numbers. Proctor was one of the best point guards in the NCAA this past year, averaging 12.4 points and 2.2 assists per game in Duke's Cooper Flagg-led offense. The Sacramento Kings desperately need help in the backcourt, and Proctor can contribute in many different ways as a combo guard. His high IQ and understanding of how to play his position make Proctor an immediate contributor in Sacramento. It is worth noting that the Kings are actively seeking ways to acquire a first-round pick in this year's draft. 43. Utah Jazz – C Rocco Zikarsky – Australia (Brisbane Bullets – NBL) Rocco Zikarsky is rising on draft boards and being discussed more due to his near-7-foot-5 wingspan. In the NBA, Zikarsky will be an avid shot blocker and a potential defensive anchor. On offense, his size and frame will be utilized in pick-and-roll sets, as he has the strength to outmuscle his opponents in the paint. The Jazz could add Zikarsky as a security blanket behind Kessler, who will again hear his name in trade talks this summer. 44. Oklahoma City Thunder – SG Sion James – Duke Sion James was the most underappreciated Duke player this season. Flagg, Maluach, and Knueppel were the stars of the team, but James was the veteran leader who set the tone for the Blue Devils' elite defense. Along with being a strong defender, James was one of the more reliable 3-point shooting threats in college this past year. Many have compared James to the type of player Luguentz Dort is now, so why not add another talent like this if you are Sam Presti and the Thunder? 45. Chicago Bulls – C Vladislav Goldin – Michigan With Nikola Vucevic entering the final year of his contract, the Bulls are going to need a plan in their frontcourt. Vladislav Goldin proved to be one of the better rim protectors in the NCAA this past season and is an efficient finisher in the paint on offense. He projects to fit the mold of a player like Ivica Zubac in the NBA, which presents an opportunity for a team like the Bulls in the middle of the second round. 46. Orlando Magic – SG Alijah Martin – Florida Alijah Martin helped lead FAU to the Final Four in 2023, and he did so again this year with Florida, ultimately winning a national championship. The 23-year-old is an accomplished guard who tends to play well above his 6-foot-2 stature and gives it his all on defense. Not only would the Magic expand on their defensive talent by adding Martin, but they'd also add a fan favorite since he would remain in Gatorland. 47. Milwaukee Bucks – SG Koby Brea – Kentucky Benny Sieu-Imagn Images Koby Brea is no doubt the most underrated shooter in this draft class. He shot 43.5 percent from 3-point range this past year at Kentucky and always tends to play with a chip on his shoulder due to constantly being overlooked. 'A lot of times people see me as a shooter, but I feel like this year, I've been able to really use shot fakes to just put the defense on their heels and then not just create for myself, but create for others too when the opportunity presents itself,' Brea told ClutchPoints' Tomer Azarly in an exclusive interview. The Milwaukee Bucks simply need talent and reliable shooting options on the wing to play next to Giannis Antetokounmpo. Brea would thrive in catch-and-shoot opportunities as a go-to shooter off Doc Rivers' bench. 48. Memphis Grizzlies – SG/SF John Tonje – Wisconsin John Tonje is an older prospect at 24 years old, but he is a proven scorer and shooter on the wing. He is also capable of putting the ball on the floor, getting to his spot, and knocking down jumpers. The Grizzlies are prioritizing athletes and players who can impact the game in different ways. Tonje fits the mold of experienced options Memphis tends to target in the second round of the NBA Draft. 49. Cleveland Cavaliers – SG/SF Jamir Watkins – Florida State Jamir Watkins really helped himself in Chicago at the NBA Combine, displaying his shooting abilities and defensive versatility. These are two things Watkins struggled with at the 2024 NBA Draft Combine, which is why scouts are impressed with his development. The Cleveland Cavaliers are said to have an interest in Watkins, and there could be a clear path to him seeing some time on the wing as a 6-foot-5 swingman with nearly a 7-foot wingspan. 50. New York Knicks – SG/SF Dink Pate – USA (G League – Mexico City Capitanes) Do the New York Knicks take a more established prospect in the second round, or will they look to the future and try to capitalize on overlooked potential with a player like Dink Pate? The 19-year-old is taking a chance on himself by remaining in the draft, but he is far from a finished product. However, Pate is an explosive athlete who can be a factor when it comes to running in transition. There are definitely aspects of his game that would be intriguing to a team like the Knicks, who are always hungry for length and athleticism on the wing. 51. Los Angeles Clippers – PF/C Izan Almansa – Spain (Perth Wildcats – NBL) Since the Clippers don't have depth behind Zubac, it makes sense to target a player like Izan Almansa. After withdrawing from the 2024 NBA Draft, Almansa spent this past year in the NBL, where he improved his efficiency around the rim and stood out as a defensive frontcourt piece. Being able to develop and learn from Zubac, who was a raw big man in his own right entering the league, would do wonders for Almansa's journey. 52. Phoenix Suns – PF Eric Dixon – Villanova Eric Dixon led the NCAA in scoring this past season at 23.3 points per game. He is not the best athlete, and many are questioning his defensive fit, but Dixon has nearly a 7-foot wingspan and is a great 3-point shooter. That is what makes him a scoring forward the Suns can turn to in their second unit, especially since they don't have much depth at the forward positions. 53. Utah Jazz – PG/SG Hunter Sallis – Wake Forest The Jazz will look to add some backcourt talent in this year's draft. While they could do so as high as the 5th pick, Utah will have options in the second round. Hunter Sallis fits the mold of a lengthy combo guard with defensive potential that could be a factor as a primary ball handler next to Keyonte George and Isaiah Collier long-term. His ability to create scoring opportunities off the dribble is why the Jazz are interested in him. 54. Indiana Pacers – PG Ryan Nembhard – Gonzaga There would be no better story than the Pacers selecting Ryan Nembhard, Andrew's brother, in the second round of this year's draft. Now that Haliburton is out indefinitely with an Achilles injury, it makes even more sense to grab a point guard in the NBA Draft. Ryan Nembhard is an excellent passer and facilitator who shares the high basketball IQ trait with his brother. He may not be the best athlete nor the size of a modern-day point guard, but neither is TJ McConnell, and look how he has turned out. 55. Los Angeles Lakers – C Amari Williams – Kentucky Robert Goddin-Imagn Images The Los Angeles Lakers need a new frontcourt addition for Luka Doncic to run pick-and-roll sets with. Amari Williams can play well above the rim, and he is a lot more elusive than many give him credit for, as he got up and down the floor for Kentucky this season in transition. What more do the Lakers need than a 6-foot-11 center with a 7-foot-6 wingspan? 56. Memphis Grizzlies – SG RJ Luis – St. John's At St. John's, RJ Luis Jr. made a name for himself as a defensive talent who can guard multiple positions. The Grizzlies love these types of players who give it their all on the wing defensively, creating a clear path for Luis to see minutes left behind by Desmond Bane. This would be a great fit for the 22-year-old, as he could contribute right away as a scrappy two-way player in Memphis. 57. Orlando Magic – SG/SF Brice Williams – Nebraska Brice Williams proved to be an efficient 3-point shooting threat at Nebraska who can also put the ball on the floor and hunt his shots. This past season, he averaged 20.4 points per game while shooting 37.0 percent from 3-point range. Williams would provide the Magic with another lengthy swingman to operate with, and he could provide depth as a versatile player with his 6-foot-11 wingspan after the team traded Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. 58. Cleveland Cavaliers – PF Grant Nelson – Alabama Cleveland not only needs shooters and versatile defenders on the wing, but they also need some frontcourt depth behind Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. While he is not the best athlete, Grant Nelson is a 6-foot-10 forward who is comfortable putting the ball on the floor and making plays. Defensively, he proved to be able to switch and hold his own against faster, smaller guards in college, and he should be able to do the same at the NBA level. The Cavs would likely utilize Nelson in a similar way to how they integrated Dean Wade and Georges Niang into their system through the years. 59. Phoenix Suns – PG Mark Sears – Alabama Mark Sears is the best win-now talent on the board in this spot for the Suns. The Alabama product could provide more stability and playmaking in a backcourt behind Devin Booker and Jalen Green, plus he is an up-tempo guard that fits the mold of fast-paced players Jordan Ott wants in his system. Many have made the comparison of Sears to Jalen Brunson, which is why this would be a smart, safe pick for Phoenix to end the draft. Related: 2026 NBA title odds after Thunder win, Tyrese Haliburton injury, Kevin Durant trade Related: NBA legend Scottie Pippen drops casual flex with NBA Finals message to Thunder
Fox Sports
5 days ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
LA Clippers 2025 NBA Draft picks and mock selections entering draft week
The 2025 NBA Draft week is here! Check out the complete list of NBA Draft picks for the LA Clippers as well as who they might select below: How many picks do the LA Clippers have in the 2025 NBA Draft? The LA Clippers have two draft picks in the 2025 NBA Draft. Check out each pick in each round below. 2025 LA Clippers Draft Picks Round 1, Pick 30 (acquired from OKC) Round 2, Pick 51 (acquired from MIN) Who will the LA Clippers select in the NBA Draft? In our latest 2025 NBA Mock Draft by John Fanta, the LA Clippers select Ryan Kalkbrenner in the first round. Jason McIntyre's latest mock has the Clippers selecting Drake Powell. Here's McIntyre: Drake Powell (F, UNC) "Powell had an up-and-down freshman year, topped by an 18-point showing against Michigan State in November. He's hyper-athletic and only 19 but he's offensively challenged at this point. You're buying the upside." For more, check out the complete mock draft . recommended Get more from National Basketball Association Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 NBA Mock Draft 3.5: How Desmond Bane trade can lead to more 1st-round deals
The post 2025 NBA Mock Draft 3.5: How Desmond Bane trade can lead to more 1st-round deals appeared first on ClutchPoints. Many thought that Kevin Durant would be the first blockbuster trade to happen before the 2025 NBA Draft. Well, that is not the case. The Orlando Magic came out of left field and traded a boatload of first-round picks, along with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cole Anthony, to the Memphis Grizzlies for Desmond Bane. Advertisement The Magic, a team that generally lays low and doesn't engage in many trades, are taking advantage of the growth of their young core and the top of the Eastern Conference taking a slight step back as they enter the 2025-26 season. Along with having Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs as their three headliners, Orlando now has a three-level scorer in Bane that they can lean on to make a real push up the standings. In this trade, one of the five first-round picks that the Magic sent to the Grizzlies was the 16th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. As a result, Orlando threw a wrench in everyone's mock drafts with just eight days until the draft. There is no better time to take a quick look at how this trade impacts the entirety of the first round, as well as look at other trades we could see over the next week. While Durant is expected to be dealt by the Phoenix Suns in the upcoming days, that is not one of the hypothetical scenarios presented in this mock draft. Instead, five different trades are highlighted, and five different lottery picks end up being moved around. The NBA is bracing for plenty of action throughout the first round of this year's draft, so here are some scenarios that could shift the results of this year's draft. Advertisement Previous 2025 NBA Draft Big Boards: 4.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 Previous 2025 NBA Mock Drafts: 3.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 1. Dallas Mavericks – SF/PF Cooper Flagg – Duke David Banks-Imagn Images We might as well not waste any time here. Cooper Flagg is the first pick in this year's draft. He will be a key cog on the wheel for the Dallas Mavericks entering the 2025-26 season, and they will lean on him to help lead the offense next to Anthony Davis with Kyrie Irving continuing his rehab from a torn ACL. No active trade discussions are happening with this pick. 2. San Antonio Spurs – PG/SG Dylan Harper – Rutgers Assuming the San Antonio Spurs keep the second pick and don't trade it, Dylan Harper will be their selection. Between his ability to create scoring opportunities for himself and others, Harper is the ideal type of lengthy guard for the Spurs to want and develop long-term despite already having De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle. It would be a shock to everyone around the league if the Spurs went a different direction with this pick. 3. TRADE: New Orleans Pelicans – SG/SF Ace Bailey – Rutgers [Pelicans trade No. 7, IND 2026 1st (Protected 1-4), and Herb Jones to Philadelphia 76ers for No. 3, No. 35, Andre Drummond, and Kelly Oubre Jr.] All options are on the table for the Philadelphia 76ers with this third pick. While it is much more likely that they will keep this selection and go with either Ace Bailey or VJ Edgecombe, they have been receiving interest from several teams who have Bailey high on their draft boards. One of those teams that have held trade conversations with the 76ers is the New Orleans Pelicans, league sources told ClutchPoints. Advertisement Herb Jones has always been kept out of trade talks by New Orleans, but that was under David Griffin's leadership in the front office. Joe Dumars could have a chance to pull off a trade to bring in a future star like Bailey, and he can also add two veterans to help solidify his team's second unit in Kelly Oubre Jr. and Andre Drummond. After all, Dumars made it clear he intends to add more frontcourt help and size this offseason, and Drummond checks off that box. By moving down a few spots in the NBA Draft, the 76ers would add a 2026 first-round pick, as well as a defensive stud on the wing with Jones. 4. Charlotte Hornets – SG VJ Edgecombe – Baylor Chris Jones-Imagn Images Much debate has been made about Bailey and Edgecombe surrounding the third pick. If the 76ers hold onto it, there is a strong possibility of Philadelphia passing on Bailey and instead taking the Baylor shooting guard because of his fit. However, should Edgecombe fall to the Charlotte Hornets with the fourth pick, it's hard to see a scenario where they pass on him. Edgecombe fits exactly what the Hornets need next to LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, as his two-way play and downhill attacking on offense make him a long-term building block. 5. Utah Jazz – SG Tre Johnson – Texas Several prospects are linked to the Utah Jazz during the pre-draft process. Where they go with this pick could very much depend on what happens with the third pick and Bailey. However, Tre Johnson continues to stand out as an offensive weapon Utah can rely on for years to come. He is one of the safest picks in this year's draft due to his shooting abilities. 6. Washington Wizards – PG Jeremiah Fears – Oklahoma The Washington Wizards continue to be one of the teams most commonly referred to in discussions about Jeremiah Fears. Then again, the Wizards are in the ultimate wild-card spot in this year's draft because of everything that can happen before them. The best player available in this spot will be going to the Wizards, and Fears offers a path for Washington to have a solidified backcourt alongside Bub Carrington moving forward. 7. TRADE: Philadelphia 76ers – SG/SF Kon Knueppel – Duke [See trade details under Pick No. 3] Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Along with Bailey and Edgecombe, Kon Knueppel is another prospect who has heard his name come up in discussions around the league pertaining to the 76ers. If Philadelphia does in fact move down a few spots like they do in the mock trade with New Orleans, Knueppel would make a lot of sense due to his scoring and shooting abilities on the wing. Advertisement Knueppel has displayed the ability to play alongside a star-level talent in Flagg at Duke, and he is the ideal secondary talent for the 76ers to add and utilize to become a playoff threat once more. Out of all the players in the first seven picks of this mock draft, Knueppel is one of the safest prospects because his floor is being a reliable role player and 3-point threat. 8. Brooklyn Nets – PF Noa Essengue – France (Ratiopharm Ulm – BBL) Assuming Fears and Knueppel are off the board here, the Brooklyn Nets will likely go with either Noa Essengue or Khaman Maluach to provide long-term upside in their frontcourt. Although the case could be made for Maluach, the best center in this draft class, Essengue is consistently being linked to Brooklyn by rival teams. Teams haven't been able to get a better look at Essengue because his team is still playing in the playoffs overseas. Rest assured, his size and length make the Frenchman a unique frontcourt talent with plenty of room for growth. 9. TRADE: Washington Wizards – C Khaman Maluach – Duke [Wizards trade No. 18, No. 40, OKC/HOU/LAC 2026 1st (least favorable of three), WAS/PHX/TOR 2026 1st swap (more favorable to TOR, second favorable to WAS), and DAL/BKN 2027 2nd (more favorable) to Toronto Raptors for No. 9] The second mock trade included in this version of the NBA mock draft involves the Washington Wizards moving up to grab a second top-10 pick. After already adding their point guard of the future with Fears, the Wizards seize this opportunity to draft Maluach, who could slide in next to Alex Sarr and create the best, young frontcourt duo in the league. Advertisement Whether or not the Toronto Raptors would accept such a package is the question at large. The Raptors are open to exploring trade avenues for this ninth pick, but would dropping nine spots to 18th overall be too far of a slide for Masai Ujiri and his front office in a talented draft? In doing so, the Raptors would acquire both a projected early and late first-round pick in 2026, as well as two second-round picks — one being the 40th overall selection. That would give Toronto back-to-back picks at 39 and 40, allowing them explore the possibility of moving back up into the first round. Although this would be a risk, the mock trade would also allow the Raptors to lessen their financial burden by moving down in the NBA Draft. 10. Houston Rockets – PG Kasparas Jakucionis – Illinois Benny Sieu-Imagn Images Kasparas Jakucionis is one of the unknowns in this year's lottery, as not much has been said about him around the league. The Houston Rockets could make sense even after selecting Reed Sheppard last year, but this pick is also being included in trade dialogue leading up to the draft. It is possible that Jakucionis could fall past the 10th pick and into the late-lottery region. If Houston takes him, he would provide playmaking and size in their backcourt, something the Rockets don't have. 11. TRADE: Oklahoma City Thunder – C Derik Queen – Maryland [Thunder trade No. 15, No. 24, PHI 2026 1st (1-4 protected), and Ousmane Dieng to Portland Trail Blazers for No. 11] Another trade in the lottery now features the Oklahoma City Thunder utilizing their draft capital to move up and take one of the best frontcourt players in the 2025 NBA Draft. The Thunder, who are on the verge of winning a championship, could get aggressive in this year's draft and leverage their two first-round picks to potentially move up for a player like Queen, who would be a young talent they can mold behind the scenes since Isaiah Hartenstein's contract will become too vast in a couple of seasons. Advertisement This also wouldn't cost Oklahoma City much, as they can provide the Portland Trail Blazers with three first-round picks, as well as Ousmane Dieng to move off a contract. The Thunder have a full roster entering the offseason, which is why it's unlikely they will utilize both of their picks. While Portland may have eyes on several prospects in the lottery, it makes a lot more sense for them to add as much value as possible in this draft, especially with players like Anfernee Simons and Deandre Ayton entering the final year of their respective contracts and Jerami Grant hearing his name in trade chatter. The Trail Blazers don't have a firm direction right now, which is why creating a vision through the draft makes the most sense. 12. Chicago Bulls – SG/SF Carter Bryant – Arizona After seeing the Thunder jump them to take Queen, the Chicago Bulls would need to pivot to other prospects they have interest in. Along with Queen, Chicago has been linked to Carter Bryant, Egor Demin, and Asa Newell. Bryant is an athletic, lengthy wing that fits the trajectory the Bulls are heading in to continue adding dynamic, explosive talents. The Arizona product has multiple lottery teams interested in his skills. 13. TRADE: Brooklyn Nets – PG Nolan Traore – France (Saint-Quentin – LNB) [Nets trade No. 19, No. 26, and No. 36 to Atlanta Hawks for No. 13] The Brooklyn Nets own four first-round picks in this year's draft. It is inevitable they will move up, and Nolan Traore is a talent worth doing so for. The French guard has seen his draft stock all over the place as of late, with some claiming he will be available in the 20s. However, Traore does have plenty of fans in the 10-20 range of this year's draft. If the Nets truly envision him as a lead guard, then giving up some later picks to grab him makes sense. Advertisement In our recent NBA Mock Draft 3.0, the Atlanta Hawks selected Traore because of his high potential and the uncertainty surrounding the future of the team's backcourt. There is no guarantee that Traore would be on the board when the Nets pick again at 19th overall, which is why they would move up in this scenario with Atlanta. The Hawks have new leadership in their front office and will continue to find ways to surround Trae Young with athletic players who can wear multiple hats. Adding two more first-round picks, as well as the 36th pick in this year's NBA Draft, creates a lot of options for Atlanta to do so and build sustainable depth. After all, the two teams in the 2025 NBA Finals have found championship success because of their youthful depth at every position. 14. San Antonio Spurs – SG/SF Cedric Coward – Washington State Teams continue to talk highly about Cedric Coward's skills and character. He is a high-IQ player who is going to provide a lot of long-term potential as a two-way wing who can play on or off the ball for many years to come. With the Spurs, Coward would be an excellent secondary scoring option alongside Victor Wembanyama and De'Aaron Fox. 15. TRADE: Portland Trail Blazers – PG/SG Egor Demin – BYU Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images [See trade details under Pick No. 11] Although Queen and Bryant are two players the Blazers have their eyes on, Portland has also shown interest in Egor Demin and Asa Newell. By moving down a few spots, the Trail Blazers could still grab Demin while also adding future assets from the Thunder. Advertisement There are mixed reviews about Demin's overall offensive potential, but he has been nothing short of impressive during his pre-draft workouts, sources said. Demin has the size and playmaking skills to be a factor early in his career, and he is a better shooter than his stats at BYU may say. The Blazers tend to target lengthy players who can move off the ball and make an impact on defense, which makes Demin a good fit for them. 16. Memphis Grizzlies – SG Nique Clifford – Colorado State Desmond Bane is now a member of the Magic. This trade puts a little bit of pressure on the Grizzlies to add versatile depth around Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. through the NBA Draft. Nique Clifford is one of the best do-it-all prospects in this draft class, and he can provide immediate value to a team like the Grizzlies. From grabbing rebounds to dishing out assists to being able to score by himself — Clifford would be the ideal player for Memphis to grab in this spot. 17. Minnesota Timberwolves – PF Asa Newell – Georgia Asa Newell is starting to draw a lot of attention from teams with late lottery picks. Teams can't say enough good things about Asa Newell's demeanor and attitude entering the NBA, as he's truly willing to accept any role wherever he ends up. The Minnesota Timberwolves will need to make some decisions in their frontcourt, regardless of whether they heavily pursue Kevin Durant or not. Newell possesses the defensive versatility and length to provide depth for the Timberwolves. 18. TRADE: Toronto Raptors – PF Collin Murray-Boyles – South Carolina [See trade details under Pick No. 9] Should Toronto trade down, they would do so to target several players they expect to be on the board in this situation. Collin Murray-Boyles would be the one that makes the most sense, assuming he is still around, but Danny Wolf could be an intriguing name as well given his abilities to be a facilitator at the center position. Murray-Boyles projects to be a versatile defender in the NBA who could fill a lot of gaps around someone like Scottie Barnes in Toronto. The Raptors could get a lot of value by grabbing a play with the 18th pick that they would have targeted with the ninth pick. 19. TRADE: Atlanta Hawks – SG Jase Richardson – Michigan State [See trade details under Pick No. 13] Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images Jase Richardson is the best talent available in this spot, and he would be a sneaky pick for a team like the Hawks, who are expected to add at least one backcourt talent in this year's NBA Draft. Between his 3-point shooting and ability to be a scoring threat off the ball, Richardson could find a niche playing alongside Trae Young and Dyson Daniels in Atlanta. Trading down allows the Hawks to continue building depth with athleticism. That is what Atlanta gets by taking Richardson. 20. Miami Heat – SG/SF Will Riley – Illinois What happens with the Miami Heat and their pursuit of stars next to Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro is unknown. Looking ahead, the Heat need to continue surrounding their current stars with more scoring talents, which makes Will Riley attractive. Riley could realistically go anywhere in the first round, yet he could find a home in Miami with the 20th pick due to his shooting potential on the wing. 21. Utah Jazz – C Thomas Sorber – Georgetown Thomas Sorber is a very intriguing center prospect in this year's NBA Draft because of his 7-foot-6 wingspan and rim-protecting abilities when healthy. With the Jazz always fielding offers for Walker Kessler and not having much frontcourt depth, Sorber could provide some stability should Utah shake things up. If he can extend his offensive game to the perimeter, Sorber would become one of the best picks from this 2025 NBA Draft class. 22. Atlanta Hawks – C Joan Beringer – France (Cedevita Olimpija – ABA) As one of the youngest players in the NBA Draft, Joan Beringer is still a very raw prospect. However, he possesses the length and athleticism to be a long-time shot blocker and force at the center position. Any team taking Beringer needs to be cognizant of the fact that he is only 18 years old and it will take time for his pick-and-roll game to be a finished product. Next to Young, Beringer could thrive as a lob threat and replacement for Clint Capela, who will be departing Atlanta in free agency. 23. TRADE: Sacramento Kings – PG Walter Clayton Jr. – Florida [Kings trade No. 42, SAC 2026 1st (1-10 protected), and CHA 2026 2nd to Indiana Pacers for No. 23 and No. 54] Kyle Terada-Imagn Images There continues to be a lot of talk about the Sacramento Kings potentially having a deal done with a team to acquire a first-round pick in the 20-30 range. Could that verbal agreement be with the Indiana Pacers, who are currently in the NBA Finals? The Kings want to trade up, and new GM Scott Perry has been vocal about wanting to add a point guard to his roster in the offseason. Advertisement By giving up a future second-round pick and their first-round pick next year with protections, the Kings could move up and possibly land Walter Clayton Jr., who just led Florida to a national title. Clayton is a fantastic 3-point shooting threat and would immediately boost Sacramento's backcourt as a primary playmaker next to Domantas Sabonis. Indiana basically has their full roster under contract for next season and likely won't want to tie themselves down to a guaranteed first-round contract since they want to resign Myles Turner. This trade cuts their costs by allowing them to instead find value in the second round at a cheaper price. 24. TRADE: Portland Trail Blazers – PF Rasheer Fleming – Saint Joseph's [See trade details under Pick No. 11] Rasheer Fleming makes a lot of sense for the Trail Blazers, assuming that they will be targeting lengthy, athletic players to mold around Shaedon Sharpe, Scoot Henderson, and Deni Avdija. Toumani Camara fit that description this past season, and Fleming could be the latest defensive talent this team adds. Fleming continues to see his stock rise and is drawing interest from teams in the middle of the first round. 25. Orlando Magic – PF/C Danny Wolf – Michigan Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images After acquiring Bane from the Grizzlies, the Magic have a complete roster. Banchero and Wagner are still the featured stars, and when healthy, Orlando has depth at every position. Then again, they could use a little bit more production in their frontcourt behind Wendell Carter Jr., especially when considering that the Magic will need to make cost-saving moves soon and could part ways with either Carter or Goga Bitadze. Advertisement With Danny Wolf available, the Magic should look no further. Wolf is a 7-footer who can pass, shoot, and rebound at a high level on the interior. Despite not being much of a shot blocker, Wolf gives the Magic another intriguing option to play through, especially in the second unit since he can help facilitate an offense. 26. TRADE: Atlanta Hawks – SG/SF Liam McNeeley – UConn [See trade details under Pick No. 13] Liam McNeeley continues to see his draft stock fluctuate all over the place. While some view him as a potential lottery pick, others have concerns about McNeeley's defensive abilities and impact outside of being a shooter on the wing. In this spot, he could provide immediate value to the Hawks as a perimeter scoring option off the ball, much like how Bogdan Bogdanovic was. It is unlikely he would be available here, but McNeeley definitely fits the Hawks' style of play. 27. Brooklyn Nets – SG Drake Powell – North Carolina This draft is all about the long-term upside for the Nets. Essengue and Traore both provide that, and Drake Powell is another prospect Brooklyn could take a chance on late in the first round after making their mock trade in this NBA Draft. With a 7-foot wingspan on the wing, Powell can be compared slightly to Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown in the sense that he is an athletic talent from the college ranks who displayed flashes of his downhill burst. Advertisement Brown wasn't much of a shooter coming out of California, and many questioned his upside outside of his athletic intangibles. The same can be said about Powell, who didn't play much during his freshman year at North Carolina. The Nets have time to take a swing late in the first round on a player like Powell, especially considering his athleticism. 28. Boston Celtics – C Maxime Raynaud – Stanford Bob Donnan-Imagn Should he be available Maxime Raynaud would be the perfect draft prospect for the Celtics to grab. This season at Stanford, Raynaud averaged 20.2 points and 10.6 rebounds per game while shooting 34.7 percent from the perimeter. His size and shooting abilities make him the ideal frontcourt talent for a team like the Celtics, who will be making roster changes in their frontcourt this offseason. 29. Phoenix Suns – C Ryan Kalkbrenner – Creighton Regardless of where they trade Durant to, the Suns will be seeking frontcourt help in the offseason. Ryan Kalkbrenner is a big-bodied center who was an elite rim-protector in college and can also knock down 3-point shots in pick-and-pop scenarios. He is the ideal type of big man for Phoenix to target after working out for them a week before the NBA Draft, according to Jake Fischer. 30. Los Angeles Clippers – SF/PF Noah Penda – France (Le Mans Sarthe – LNB) Many have mocked Noah Penda to the Los Angeles Clippers because his fit makes a lot of sense. The French wing has the size, stature, and positional versatility that the Clippers always tend to look for. His ability to move off the ball and cut to the rim would be advantageous in a system where James Harden is finding open guys. Related: Cooper Flagg gets head-turning LeBron James comp from former NBA player Related: BIG3 makes final Dwight Howard, Lance Stephenson suspension decision after altercation
CBS News
18-06-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Celtics Mock Draft Roundup with NBA Draft just one week away
What happened to the Celtics against the Knicks, and what's next this offseason? What happened to the Celtics against the Knicks, and what's next this offseason? What happened to the Celtics against the Knicks, and what's next this offseason? While the NBA Finals have yet to be decided, the 28 other teams are gearing up for next week's NBA Draft. That includes the Boston Celtics. While Boston is technically the reigning champs for at least one more day, the Celtics are bracing for an offseason that could include a handful of changes. With Jayson Tatum likely out for the entirety of next season after rupturing his Achilles in the East Semis, Brad Stevens and the front office may look to trim some payroll and get under the second apron this summer. That could mean veterans like Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis are traded away, and the Celtics will have to rely on younger, cheaper talent in 2025-26. At least Stevens has a pair of intriguing draft picks that could yield some younger, cheaper talent next week. The Celtics are slated to pick 28th overall in the first round, and then make the second pick (32nd overall) in the second round on Thursday. Here's who the Mock Draft community believes the Celtics will take come next Wednesday. Jonathan Givony, ESPN: Drake Powell, SF, North Carolina Drake Powell of the North Carolina Tar Heels. Peyton Williams / Getty Images Finding a wing like Powell, who's capable of soaking up minutes, hopefully gaining some experience and perhaps emerging as capable of adding value in a year from now, would be a major win. NBA teams like Powell's feel for the game and long-term upside, especially his ability to guard everyone from point guards to power forwards while flying around to protect the rim, crash the glass and close out with purpose on the perimeter. He plays exceptionally hard, has tremendous mobility covering ground, rotating all over the floor -- with the question being whether he's an aggressive enough scorer or accurate enough shooter to hold his own on that end of the floor. Givony and Jeremy Woo mock Creighton center Ryan Kalkbrenner to the Celtics in the second round at 32nd overall. Rasheer Fleming of the Saint Joseph's Hawks blocks a shot by Dre Davis of the Seton Hall Pirates. Rich Schultz / Getty Images Fleming is a perfect role player for a Celtics team that will need a role player who can be on the court right away. We know Boston is going to cut costs this summer. Assuming his jump in 3-point shooting in his junior year is legitimate, Fleming will be exactly what the Celtics want. He has a 7-5 wingspan, so he's going to disrupt on defense. Boston having him on an end-of-the-first-round contract for the next four years would be huge for the bottom line. Kevin O'Connor, Yahoo Sports: Adou Thiero, F, Arkansas Adou Thiero of the Arkansas Razorbacks goes for a layup against the Auburn Tigers. Stew Milne / Getty Images Thiero is a slasher with a jacked frame and an explosive first step, but he has severe limitations on offense as a shooter. If he's able to figure out the shot, then his length and versatility would make him a classic 3-and-D role player. The Celtics have had good success at improving shooters, so he'd be a fair bet at this spot, considering his other strengths are tailor-made for their system. Kyle Boone, CBS Sports: Noah Penda, SF, France Noah Penda of Le Mans in action during the Betclic Elite French Championship against AS Monaco in Salle Gaston Medecin in Monaco. Laurent Coust/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images A French prospect putting together a strong season with Le Mans, Penda checks several boxes as a long forward who can score inside and out and match up well physically defending multiple positions. He could give Boston some long-term flexibility as it enters a potential transition year next season. Matt Norlander, CBS Sports: Drake Powell, SF, North Carolina I thought Powell could play himself into a top-20 pick a year from now if he returned to North Carolina, but the elite athlete opted to chase the NBA and is likely to be a first-round pick regardless. If he continues along his developmental path, Powell could grow into a top-15 defender in the NBA by the end of his first contract. A lot of work to do offensively. Good hoops IQ, willing to learn, important he lands with a team that can foster his development. Boston would be an ideal fit. The combine proved that Fleming is a little taller than 6-8 (barefoot) with a wingspan a little better than 7-5. Those measurements are great for somebody who also shot 39% from 3 on 4.5 attempts per game as a 20 year-old, and that's among the reasons Fleming should go in the lottery despite mostly operating off of the national radar in three seasons at Saint Joseph's. Collin Murray-Boyles, PF, South Carolina South Carolina Gamecocks forward Collin Murray-Boyles dunks against the LSU Tigers. John Korduner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images A physically mature and mentally tough forward with an old-school skillset, Murray-Boyles brings a blend of grit, versatility, and motor that makes him a unique frontcourt presence. has Boston taking Missouri shooting guard Tamar Bates in the second round at No. 32. A smooth, left-handed wing with elite shooting, a polished offensive game and a high basketball IQ. ... He excels in catch-and-shoot situations and has a reliable pull-up jumper, including a notable step-back three. USA Today: Hugo Gonzalez, G/F, Real Madrid Hugo Gonzalez of Real Madrid. Borja B. Hojas / Getty Images One of Europe's top young NBA prospects, Gonzalez is a versatile wing with the ability to score inside and out. He can handle the basketball, pass and is a surprising shot-blocker. He's still raw.
