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USA Today
4 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
What is Sixers prospect Ace Bailey looking for ahead of the NBA Draft?
The Philadelphia 76ers hold a lot of the cards in the 2025 NBA draft by holding the No. 3 pick. A lot of projections have Cooper Flagg going No. 1 to the Dallas Mavericks and Dylan Harper going No. 2 to the San Antonio Spurs, but what is going on with the Sixers at No. 3? There doesn't seem to be a clear idea of what the Sixers are doing with their pick. They can trade down and acquire more draft assets or they can trade up and try to select a guy like Harper at No. 2. The consensus seems to be that Rutgers star Ace Bailey should go No. 3 and he did have a workout scheduled with the Sixers, but he canceled it last minute ahead of the draft so one has to wonder what he is looking for. Per Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Bailey is looking for a number of things: Multiple league sources said Bailey's agent, Omar Cooper, wanted the Sixers to commit to him before his scheduled Friday workout. One league executive believes that Bailey, once a consensus top-three pick, probably will drop in the draft because of his agency's tactics. Bailey remains the only American-based draft prospect to not visit any teams for a workout. Another league executive said the agency wants Bailey to remain on the East Coast and play somewhere between Atlanta and New York. It is important to note a couple of things here. First off, the Sixers are in that East Coast category that he is looking for as Philadelphia is settled between Atlanta and New York. Another one is just because he did not work out for the Sixers doesn't mean they won't select him. President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey selected Tyrese Maxey in 2020 and Jared McCain in 2024 without a workout from either player. Bailey has a lot of question marks, but there is also a lot of upside. He can do so much on the floor in terms of scoring the ball whether he is able to take players off the dribble or knock down tough shots. The ability to make tough shots has been something that is attributed to his poor shot selection, and the criticism is that he can make those shots over college players, but it's different in the NBA. Either way, if he can tap into his potential, then he figures to be a full-time star in this league. So, he may be worth the risk at No. 3 regardless.
USA Today
6 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 NBA Mock Draft 7.0: Predicting all 59 picks, with Ace Bailey sliding
The 2025 NBA Draft is less than one week away, which means we will soon know exactly where each of the top prospects will begin their NBA careers. While there is near certainty toward the top of the draft with Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper, it gets a bit murkier surrounding where Ace Bailey may eventually land. There a wide range of outcomes, including many possible trade scenarios that could change the landscape. These projections are based on the order as it stands, however, and it does not project trades. We expect at least a couple transactions on draft night, though, with teams like the Houston Rockets as well as the Toronto Raptors and Brooklyn Nets expected to make some moves. The following mock draft is based on our research and contains original reporting with quotes from prospects including Dylan Harper, Kon Knueppel, Jeremiah Fears, Cedric Coward, Asa Newell, and Thomas Sorber. All heights are listed without shoes measured at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine in Chicago or Treviso. The best takes and the sharpest bets on all the hoops storylines you need to know. Sign up for our Layup Lines newsletter, hitting your inbox on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. 1. Dallas Mavericks: Cooper Flagg TEAM: Duke POSITION: Wing HEIGHT: 6' 7.75'' DRAFT AGE: 18.5 The 2025 NBA Draft Lottery was effectively a launching ground for Duke sensation Cooper Flagg to find out what team he will play for next season and beyond. It was the Mavericks who shockingly got the opportunity, and we shouldn't expect them to trade the pick. Flagg was long considered the favorite at No. 1 overall (we wrote about it when he was 15 years old) and he made that even more clear when he dominated against Team USA during a friendly scrimmage before they won gold at the Olympics. He then exceeded all expectations while he was in college, accomplishing just about everything except winning a national championship. Something that NBA fans should adore about Flagg: While the Mavericks reportedly decided long before they met with him that he was their pick at No. 1 overall, according to The Stein Line, he still 'insisted' that he still work out on the court for the team and he 'made a very favorable' impression. 'He doesn't turn it off. That's one of the best compliments I can give,' Kon Knueppel, his Duke college roommate and teammate, recently told For The Win. 'He is just a humble dude who loves basketball.' More: The Mavericks reportedly plan to select Cooper Flagg, not make another controversial trade 2. San Antonio Spurs: Dylan Harper TEAM: Rutgers POSITION: Guard HEIGHT: 6' 4.50'' DRAFT AGE: 19.3 While the Spurs could have plenty of suitors if they wanted to shop this pick, it isn't worth it to make a move unless it could land them Giannis Antetokounmpo, and such a trade is seeming more and more unlikely. Instead, they could get someone with legitimate star potential to pair with Victor Wembanyama. For The Win spoke to Harper earlier this year and he described how he developed his fantastic ability to become such a dynamic scorer at the rim. Harper should bring that skill set with him to the pros after earning Big Ten All-Freshman honors. Q&A: Meet Dylan Harper, the best NBA Draft prospect who did not make March Madness tourney 3. Philadelphia 76ers: V.J. Edgecombe TEAM: Baylor POSITION: Wing HEIGHT: 6' 4.00'' DRAFT AGE: 19.9 After a strong performance for the Bahamas during the Olympic qualifiers last year, V.J. Edgecombe became a name to watch for scouts and evaluators. At the start of the NCAA season, he showed a lot of promise as a defensive player, though that actually slowed down a bit as his freshman campaign progressed. However, while at Baylor, he also showed promise as one of the bounciest scorers. While the Philadelphia 76ers have reportedly not met with Ace Bailey yet, Edgecombe did travel for a private workout. He 'impressed' during this environment, per The Philadelphia Inquirer. The organization liked his 'work ethic, personality and interviews' during the visit, via The Stein Line. The Big 12 Freshman of the Year joined Flagg as the only first-year collegiate players with at least 30 dunks and 3-pointers recorded, per Bart Torvik. 4. Kon Knueppel TEAM: Duke POSITION: Wing HEIGHT: 6' 5.00'' DRAFT AGE: 19.9 In the event that the 76ers do not pick Edgecombe and he is still on the board, the organization may target him over Bailey as a defensive anchor. He reportedly had an 'excellent' interview for the team during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine, per Yahoo's Kevin O'Connor. But assuming he is off the board, Duke's Kon Knueppel is an ideal candidate. The Hornets 'appear to have interest' in the ACC tournament MVP, according to ESPN's Jonathan Givony. "I try to focus on all the little things," Knueppel recently told For The Win. "I'm going to make it as hard on the guy that's got the ball that I'm guarding. I'm going to make it super hard on him. I'm going to box out. I'm going to rebound. I'm going to get a loose ball. Those things add up. It all goes into having a good plus-minus or making winning plays on the court." The Blue Devils outscored opponents by 625 points when Knueppel was on the court this season, per CBB Analytics, which was the highest plus-minus among all men's college basketball players. More: Meet NBA draft prospect Kon Knueppel, the other Duke star you're not talking enough about 5. Utah Jazz: Tre Johnson TEAM: Texas POSITION: Wing HEIGHT: 6' 4.75'' DRAFT AGE: 19.3 It is hard to predict what kind of decisions Austin Ainge will make in his new role as an executive for the Jazz. For example, Duke big man Khaman Maluach is considered a 'potential draftee' for Utah, via The Stein Line. This would give Utah the flexibility to potentially trade center Walker Kessler. Texas freshman Tre Johnson, however, is another player who is reportedly gaining significant momentum in the pre-draft process so far. Johnson was named SEC Freshman of the Year because he is such a natural scorer whose passing is better than his assist stats might suggest. He is very difficult to stop in the open-court and led all freshmen in 3-pointers made in transition (21) and above the break (65) this season, per CBB Analytics. He measured with a nearly plus-six (6-foot-10) wingspan at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine, which should help him in the pros. Johnson also recorded the fastest lane agility time (10.49 seconds) at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine and his upside makes him a good option for a franchise like the Jazz. 6. Washington Wizards: Jeremiah Fears TEAM: Oklahoma POSITION: Guard HEIGHT: 6' 2.50'' DRAFT AGE: 18.7 Oklahoma freshman Jeremiah Fears has reportedly had multiple workouts with the Jazz, who are on the clock immediately before the Wizards. But if Utah decides to go a different direction, don't expect Fears to wait long to hear his name called. His mentality helps explain why. "Whoever picks me on draft night, you guys are going to be getting a dog," Fears recently told For The Win. "Somebody that's going to come in, work hard, bring star power, and give it his all every time they step on the court." Fears gave fans some amazing highlights as he climbed up draft boards this season. He deservedly received SEC All-Freshman honors, can score at multiple levels from the floor, and he is a fantastic playmaker on both offense and defense as well. The guard is the second-youngest NCAA prospect we have projected in the first round behind only Flagg and was still one of the best overall performers in March Madness. He was one of the fastest players at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine, recording a 3.05-second three-quarter sprint. 7. New Orleans Pelicans: Derik Queen TEAM: Maryland POSITION: Big HEIGHT: 6' 9.25'' DRAFT AGE: 20.5 The New Orleans Pelicans are another difficult team to predict in the 2025 NBA Draft because they have a new front office led by Joe Dumars. But the Pelicans do have rumored interest in Queen and he was one of the 'headliners' of a workout with the organization, per NBA Big Board's Rafael Barlowe. Queen was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and proved his versatility and eye-catching skill set as a big man who is incredibly fun to watch. Then after recording perhaps the biggest moment of the NCAA men's basketball tournament, Queen skyrocketed his draft status. While his athletic testing was less than desirable at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine, he plays at his own speed and could provide a unique addition for any roster. Yahoo's Kevin O'Connor reported that "most front-office executives" believe Ace Bailey is their target, even if it means they need to make a trade. However, per The Stein Line, the interest is "overstated" and that they are not "actively" trying to trade up for the Rutgers standout. More: Derik Queen's game-winner just cemented his NBA Draft status 9. Brooklyn Nets: Ace Bailey TEAM: Rutgers POSITION: Forward HEIGHT: 6' 7.50'' DRAFT AGE: 18.9 There is a lot to unpack about why Ace Bailey's draft stock is apparently plummeting lately, especially after he measured a bit shorter than expected at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine. While this is much lower than where he was projected in our latest consensus rankings at No. 3 overall earlier this month, fans shouldn't expect him to fall much lower than this. It's possible that Bailey's representation wants him to land in a big market where he can get a lot of playing time, and the Nets would provide exactly that. Back when For The Win spoke to his teammate Dylan Harper, he said that his favorite thing about Bailey is how much joy he plays with on the court. Harper described him as tall, lanky, twitchy and a nearly constant presence because of his ability to get a bucket. While some evaluators feel that he might take a bit too many mid range shots, his ability to shoot at his size is something that is going to entice every team in the NBA. His consistency will define just how much success he has, though, as will any development as a passer or as a defensive playmaker. More: The alarming reasons why Ace Bailey's NBA draft stock is plummeting 9. Toronto Raptors: Khaman Maluach TEAM: Duke POSITION: Big HEIGHT: 7' 0.75'' DRAFT AGE: 18.8 South Sudan's Khaman Maluach enjoyed an excellent, efficient campaign and earned ACC All-Freshman honors for Duke. As a lob threat, per CBB Analytics, he had the second-most alley-oops completed (38) among all players in college basketball. He is raw on both ends of the court but has a strong defensive presence thanks to his nearly 7-foot-7 wingspan and 9-foot-6 standing reach measured at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine. Other teams that could have interest include the Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, Brooklyn Nets, and Atlanta Hawks. 10. Houston Rockets (via PHX): Collin Murray-Boyles TEAM: South Carolina POSITION: Big HEIGHT: 6' 6.50'' DRAFT AGE: 20.1 No one expects the Rockets to actually use this pick and are likely candidates to make a trade, but if they do, expect them to look at versatile defensive forward like South Carolina sophomore Collin Murray-Boyles. Murray-Boyles is perhaps the most enticing collegiate player who was not a one-and-done prospect. According to ESPN's Jeremy Woo, the Rockets are considered a "team that makes sense as a fit" for the the forward. He who averaged 16.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.5 steals, as well as 1.3 blocks per game this season. He is ready to contribute in many ways at the next level. Murray-Boyles is a bit undersized for someone who is virtually a non-threat from beyond the arc but he can offer enough impact as a defender to potentially make up for it. 11. Portland Trail Blazers: Carter Bryant TEAM: Arizona POSITION: Forward HEIGHT: 6' 6.50'' DRAFT AGE: 19.6 Arizona freshman Carter Bryant is a former McDonald's All-American forward who had a strong collegiate debut despite a relatively limited role. He was the only freshman aside from Flagg with at least three dunks and 3-pointers during the NCAA men's basketball tournament, per Bart Torvik. Bryant is unselfish, he works hard on defense, he measured with a wingspan just short of 7-foot, he recorded a 39.5-inch max vertical and 3.07-second three-quarter sprint. Bryant plays with a high IQ, and already looks like one of the biggest risers during the pre-draft process. It was a no-brainer for him to stay in the 2025 NBA Draft. He told The Athletic that he studies Portland's Toumani Camara and he could soon become his teammate on the Trail Blazers. 12. Chicago Bulls: Kasparas Jakučionis TEAM: Illinois POSITION: Guard HEIGHT: 6' 4.75'' DRAFT AGE: 19.1 Lithuania's Kasparas Jakučionis was briefly one of the hottest names in draft circles and he eventually earned Big Ten All-Freshman honors. He has an effective pull-up jumper and led all high-major freshmen in unassisted 3-pointers made (34), per CBB Analytics. As a distributor, in the same group, he also had the most assists finished at the rim (76) this season. Jakučionis needs his jump shot to look more like it did in the first two months of the season than it did in the final three for this pick to work out. 13. Atlanta Hawks (via SAC): Noa Essengue TEAM: ratiopharm ulm (Germany) POSITION: Wing HEIGHT: 6' 10.00'' DRAFT AGE: 18.5 NBA teams have had a slightly difficult time evaluating France's Noa Essengue because he is still playing in the postseason while overseas. Essengue is the second-youngest player in the draft but has still managed impressive productivity in one of the more competitive basketball leagues. He ranks fifth-best among all players in Defensive Statistical Impact (DSI) among those with at least seven games played in the Eurocup, per Cerebro Sports. Essengue is an interesting prospect who a variety of teams should have on their radar and, per ESPN's Jeremy Woo, has "drawn increasing interest from teams in the 9-to-15 range" in the 2025 NBA Draft. He is seen as one of the "potential candidates" for the Hawks, according to Woo. 14. San Antonio Spurs (via ATL): Joan Beringer TEAM: KK Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia) POSITION: Big HEIGHT: 6' 11.00'' DRAFT AGE: 18.6 If the Spurs decide to keep their second lottery pick, France's Joan Beringer is one of the names they will consider. Beringer was not able to participate in the 2025 NBA Draft Combine in Chicago because he was playing overseas but he is a great rim runner and legitimate vertical lob threat. He has a strong defensive presence with a high upside who can impact the game defensively right away. Beringer led the ABA League in blocks this season and ranks third overall in Defensive Statistical Impact (DSI) in his league, per Cerebro Sports. 15. Oklahoma City Thunder (via MIA): Cedric Coward TEAM: Washington St. POSITION: Forward HEIGHT: 6' 5.25'' DRAFT AGE: 21.8 Perhaps the most fascinating player in the 2025 NBA Draft is Cedric Coward, who was originally committed to Duke in the transfer portal before deciding to turn pro. "I think I can play anywhere because I'm adaptable," Coward recently told For The Win. "I know who I am as a player and I know who I am as a person and all I want to do is impact winning. I don't care about individual accolades, all of that stuff. That stuff comes with it. But for me, I just want to win. That's all I want to do. I want to win and I want to get better ... Whatever team is looking for that in a player has it right here with me." He shot 40.0 percent on his 3-pointers while averaging 17.7 points per game before getting hurt last season. Coward is one of the hottest names in draft circles right now after measuring with a 7-foot-2 wingspan with a 38.5-inch max vertical and 3.06-second three-quarter sprint at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine. Coward reportedly met with the Thunder for a private one-on-zero workout, per ESPN's Jonathan Givony. 16. Memphis Grizzlies (via ORL): Nique Clifford TEAM: Colorado St. POSITION: Forward HEIGHT: 6' 5.25'' DRAFT AGE: 23.4 Colorado State senior Nique Clifford is the oldest player we have projected in the first round but he looks ready to contribute to an NBA rotation. Teams are betting on the assumption that the do-it-all forward is going to make an impact on winning right away in the NBA. He led an upset in the first round of the NCAA tournament and averaged a productive 18.9 points. 9.6 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game during his final collegiate campaign. He has reportedly "received positive feedback" from his workouts and is drawing interest from teams picking in the teens, per ESPN's Jeremy Woo. Perhaps that team is Memphis now that they have traded back into the first round. Clifford fits a statistical profile that the Grizzlies have valued in previous draft cycles under executive Zach Kleiman, which we have written about in the past. Other prospects who fit this description include Collin Murray-Boyles and Adou Thiero. 17. Minnesota Timberwolves (via DET): Asa Newell TEAM: Georgia POSITION: Forward HEIGHT: 6' 9.00'' DRAFT AGE: 19.7 Georgia's Asa Newell, who was named SEC All-Freshman, is recorded the second-most layups and dunks combined this season among freshmen, per CBB Analytics. But he is also developing his 3-pointer after changing his shooting motion. 'I've always been extremely confident in my jump shot from high school to college and now in the NBA,' Newell recently told For The Win. 'You have to have a 3-point shot to survive in the NBA.' He trailed only his high school teammate, Flagg, among all freshmen in Player Efficiency Rating (PER) last season. 'I know I play with a lot of energy,' Newell added. 'I'm a match waiting for some gasoline and causing a whole fire … That is very contagious when you have someone who plays very hard, with a motor, and doesn't take plays off.' Newell has worked out with the Timberwolves, per Rookie Wire's Cody Taylor. Q&A: Asa Newell pitches his 'contagious' energy as NBA draft prospect 18. Washington Wizards (via MEM): Thomas Sorber TEAM: Georgetown POSITION: Big HEIGHT: 6' 9.25'' DRAFT AGE: 19.5 Georgetown freshman big Thomas Sorber, who has a 7-foot-6 wingspan, was an analytics darling before he suffered a season-ending foot injury. He could provide an exciting young piece to a developing young core and defensive presence for a team that could use a spark on that end of the floor like the Wizards. "You never hear a lot of people say that their favorite joy is playing defense. I think that's one thing that's rare about me," Sorber recently told For The Win. "I know that defense wins games, so I basically just put my all into the defensive end and try my best to not let my opponent score or anybody on the other team score because that can also start breaks and also get my team quick, easy points." It made a lot of sense for him to stay in the 2025 NBA Draft considering that, per ESPN's Jeremy Woo, he "has solid interest inside the top 20" for this class. 19. Brooklyn Nets (via MIL): Nolan Traoré TEAM: Saint-Quentin (France) POSITION: Guard HEIGHT: 6' 3.00'' DRAFT AGE: 19.1 After a slow start to his season in France, based on his priors before this season, it was only a matter of time before Nolan Traoré eventually started to heat up. He averaged 13.8 points and 5.0 assists per game while shooting 42.7 percent on 3-pointers over the course of his last ten games, per RealGM. Traoré was named 2025 Best Young Player of the Basketball Champions League and is inarguably one of the best playmakers in the 2025 NBA Draft. If he is more consistent at the next level, he could become something special as a point guard of the future. Other teams that may have interest include the Washington Wizards, Toronto Raptors, Miami Heat, and Phoenix Suns (especially if they land an additional pick as part of their trade return for Kevin Durant). 20. Miami Heat (via GSW): Will Riley TEAM: Illinois POSITION: Wing HEIGHT: 6' 8.25'' DRAFT AGE: 19.3 Canada's Will Riley "could be very much in the Heat's wheelhouse at 20" in the 2025 NBA Draft, per Miami Herald. Riley had multiple big performances during his freshman campaign for Illinois, including a debut in which he had 31 points while shooting 5-of-6 on 3-pointers. He also had 21 points with 7 rebounds and 5 assists during a win over Iowa in the Big Ten tournament and had another great game against Xavier shooting 3-of-4 on 3-pointers during March Madness. Riley was named Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year. Any team drafting Riley is betting on his continued development. He has reportedly worked out with the Heat, per Rookie Wire's Cody Taylor. 21. Utah Jazz (via MIN): Egor Demin TEAM: BYU POSITION: Guard HEIGHT: 6' 8.25'' DRAFT AGE: 19.3 Russia's Egor Demin was initially having one of the strongest freshman campaigns of anyone in the nation for BYU. But his relatively poor overall performance and shooting against top-100 competition causes some room for concern. He measured at 6-foot-8 barefoot at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine and his playmaking still makes him intriguing. especially if he stays in the same state where he went to college. Demin "has a relationship with" Jazz governor Ryan Smith and executive Danny Ainge, per The Salt Lake Tribune. Jazz decision makers Ryan Smith and Danny Ainge, both BYU alums. Ainge often attends BYU games as a former player, whose jersey is retired at the Marriott Center. 22. Atlanta Hawks (via LAL): Maxime Raynaud TEAM: Stanford POSITION: Big HEIGHT: 7' 0.25'' DRAFT AGE: 22.2 TEAM: Stanford POSITION: Big HEIGHT: 7-1 DRAFT AGE: 22.2 Every team in the NBA should want a guy like France's Maxime Raynaud, who measured with a wingspan above 7-foot-1 and a standing reach above 9-foot-2. Those are excellent numbers for a player who averaged 20.2 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. But is even better when also considering he made nearly two 3-pointers per game. Raynaud was easily one of the biggest standouts during five-on-five scrimmages at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine. Raynaud has reportedly worked out with the Hawks, per Rookie Wire's Cody Taylor. More: 2025 NBA Draft Combine: 5 biggest winners, including Maxime Raynaud 23. New Orleans Pelicans (via IND): Walter Clayton Jr. TEAM: Florida POSITION: Guard HEIGHT: 6' 2.00'' DRAFT AGE: 22.3 ne enough to earn first-round consideration. As we wrote then: The archetype of undersized players who are a bit older relative to the other players in their draft class are typically not early draft picks. Clayton, however, could provide a legitimate exception to this rule after winning NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player. It makes a lot of sense for the Magic to find someone who can get a bucket as easily as Clayton. More: Is Walter Clayton Jr. an NBA Draft first-round pick after his incredible March Madness? 24. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC): Rasheer Fleming TEAM: Saint Joseph's POSITION: Forward HEIGHT: 6' 8.25'' DRAFT AGE: 21.0 One of the most pleasantly surprising prospects in this class is Saint Joseph's Rasheer Fleming, who has great positional size and shooting feel. He was the only player in college basketball to record at least 40 dunks and 50 shots from beyond the arc, per Bart Torvik. He measured with a wingspan above 7-foot-5 and a standing reach above 9-foot-1 at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine. 25. Orlando Magic (via DEN): Liam McNeeley TEAM: Connecticut POSITION: Wing HEIGHT: 6' 6.75'' DRAFT AGE: 19.7 UConn freshman Liam McNeeley won Big East Freshman of the Year and showed flashes during his freshman campaign, like when he had 38 points with 10 rebounds while making five 3-pointers against Creighton on Feb. 11. He also had a solid performance against the eventual national champions during the NCAA men's basketball tournament, recording 22 points while adding 2 rebounds as well as 3 assists and 2 steals. McNeeley is solid value at this point in the draft but should get consideration even higher. 26. Brooklyn Nets (via NYK): Jase Richardson TEAM: Michigan St. POSITION: Guard HEIGHT: 6' 0.50'' DRAFT AGE: 19.7 Michigan State freshman Jase Richardson earned Big Ten All-Freshman honors after a solid collegiate campaign. He averaged 16.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 0.9 steals per game while shooting 42.0 percent on 3-pointers after moving into the starting lineup for Michigan State. However, he measured small for a traditional two-guard and may not have the playmaking skills as a floor general to run point. He has reportedly worked out with the Nets, per HoopsHype. 27. Brooklyn Nets (via HOU): Alex Toohey TEAM: Sydney (Australia) POSITION: Forward HEIGHT: 6' 7.75'' DRAFT AGE: 21.2 Australia's Alex Toohey is a fascinating prospect who contributes well on both sides of the floor. He is a legitimately strong wing defender whose Defensive Statistical Impact (DSI) ranks as the best among those who have played more than one game in Australia's NBL this season, per Cerebro Sports. He measured just short of 6-foot-8 barefoot at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine with a wingspan nearly 6-foot-11 and played well during five-on-five scrimmages. 28. Boston Celtics: Drake Powell TEAM: North Carolina POSITION: Wing HEIGHT: 6' 5.25'' DRAFT AGE: 19.8 North Carolina freshman Drake Powell was one of the biggest winners at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine, measuring with a 43-inch max vertical and a standing vertical four inches higher than any other prospect. Although he had a relatively limited role during his time in the NCAA, you're betting on upside by selecting Powell in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft. He has reportedly worked out with the Celtics, per Rookie Wire's Cody Taylor. 29. Phoenix Suns (via CLE): Danny Wolf TEAM: Michigan POSITION: Big HEIGHT: 6' 10.50'' DRAFT AGE: 21.2 Michigan's Danny Wolf is a do-it-all big man who has averaged 13.2 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game this season. Wolf had the most assists (132) of any college player who is 6-foot-10 or taller, per CBB Analytics. The big man is an incredibly gifted and skilled playmaker considering his height, even though there are questions about how it may translate in the NBA. According to ESPN's Jeremy Woo, feedback on Wolf has been "mixed" in the pre-draft process. He has reportedly worked out with the Suns, per Rookie Wire's Cody Taylor. 30. L.A. Clippers (via OKC): Adou Thiero TEAM: Arkansas POSITION: Wing HEIGHT: 6' 6.25'' DRAFT AGE: 21.1 After transferring from Kentucky last season, Arkansas junior Adou Thiero had a well-rounded season in which he averaged 15.1 points and 5.8 rebounds with 1.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game. While his 3-pointer was inefficient at just 25.6 percent, he missed time due to a knee injury in February and that factored into why he stopped getting as much buzz as the season progressed. However, he still showed enough to decide to stay in the 2025 NBA Draft. Second Round 31. Minnesota Timberwolves (via UTA): Noah Penda (Le Mans) 32. Boston Celtics (via WAS): Chaz Lanier (Tennessee) 33. Charlotte Hornets: Hugo González (Real Madrid0 34. Charlotte Hornets (via NOP): Ben Saraf (Ulm) 35. Philadelphia 76ers: Ryan Kalkbrenner (Creighton) 36. Brooklyn Nets: Hansen Yang (Qingdao) 37. Detroit Pistons (via TOR): Johni Broome (Auburn) 38. San Antonio Spurs: Yanic Konan Niederhauser (Penn State) 39. Toronto Raptors (via POR): Jamir Watkins (Florida State) 40. Washington Wizards (via PHX): Bogoljub Marković (Mega) 41. Golden State Warriors (via MIA): Tamar Bates (Missouri) 42. Sacramento Kings (via CHI): Tyrese Proctor (Duke) 43. Utah Jazz (via DAL): Rocco Zikarsky (Brisbane) 44. Oklahoma City Thunder (via ATL): Kam Jones (Marquette) 45. Chicago Bulls (via SAC): Mark Sears (Alabama) 46. Orlando Magic: Koby Brea (Kentucky) 47. Milwaukee Bucks (via DET): Hunter Sallis (Wake Forrest) 48. Memphis Grizzlies (via GSW): Kobe Sanders (Nevada) 49. Cleveland Cavaliers (via MIL): Eric Dixon (Villanova) 50. New York Knicks (via MEM): Sion James (Duke) 51. L.A. Clippers (via MIN): Javon Small (West Virginia 52. Phoenix Suns (via DEN): John Tonje (Wisconsin) 53. Utah Jazz (via LAC): Alijah Martin (Florida) 54. Indiana Pacers: Ryan Nembhard (Gonzaga) 55. Los Angeles Lakers: Izan Almansa (Perth) 56. Memphis Grizzlies (via HOU): RJ Luis Jr. (St. John's) 57. Orlando Magic (via BOS): Vlad Goldin (Michigan) 58. Cleveland Cavaliers: Amari Williams (Kentucky) 59. Houston Rockets (via OKC): Grant Nelson (Alabama)
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- 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
Washington Post
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
When Wizards are on the clock, these are their likely options
The 2025 NBA draft begins with Wednesday's first round and brings with it a pivotal selection for the Washington Wizards, who have intriguing young talent but still no centerpiece to build around. Washington's chances at nabbing a star dropped with their pick — which fell as far as it could to No. 6 in May's draft lottery. But the selection could still yield a talented piece in a draft that largely remains uncertain. The first pick (Cooper Flagg to the Dallas Mavericks) is a near-lock. The second pick (Dylan Harper to the San Antonio Spurs) is less so, but still likely. Things get murky after that.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Report: Nets interested in trading up for Rutgers' Ace Bailey
The Brooklyn Nets have less than one week to decide which player they will be taking with the eighth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft that begins next Wednesday. Brooklyn probably disliked the fact that they went from the sixth spot to the eighth in the Draft, but they could be looking to get around that result. "Sources say the Washington Wizards (who will select sixth), New Orleans Pelicans (seventh), and Brooklyn Nets (eighth) are interested in moving up to take him," Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer wrote in his article pertaining to Rutgers forward Ace Bailey. Bailey has been in the news lately for reportedly cancelling a workout with the Philadelphia 76ers, something that is sure to rub some people the wrong way. Advertisement While some people are understandably skeptical of Bailey given that he hasn't worked out for any team yet ahead of the Draft, the talent that he has is something the Nets may not want to pass on. At one point following the conclusion of the college basketball season, Bailey was considered the favorite to be the No. 3 overall pick, after Duke forward Cooper Flagg and Rutgers Dylan Harper. Bailey, 18, is coming off a 2024-25 season at Rutgers with averages of 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 46.0% from the field and 34.6% from three-point land. Bailey, listed at 6-foot-8 and 203 pounds, appears to have the kind of skill set that could his game to mold into the likes of 76ers forward Paul George or Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller. "With the buzz around Jeremiah Fears ultra positive, Ace Bailey could slip a few spots to No. 6," Jonathan Wasserman wrote during his latest mock draft for Bleacher Report. "His shot selection and answers to certain questions at the NBA combine have raised some questions." Based on Pompey's reporting, Brooklyn may not have to find a way to get from No. 8 to No. 3 anymore, but they will have to hope that the Washington Wizards and New Orleans Pelicans don't take Bailey first. In fact, Wasserman has the Wizards taking Bailey with the sixth overall pick because "at No. 6, he's too talented for the Wizards to nitpick." This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Report: Nets interested in trading up for Rutgers' Ace Bailey
