Category: NBA

The list of NBA legends who slid to the second round is extensive: Nikola Jokic, Jalen Brunson, Draymond Green, Khris Middleton make up some of the recent names, and if you want to go back there's Manu Ginobili, Lou Williams, Marc Gasol and many more.

The 2025 NBA Draft will feature some breakout names in the second round — or, at least, solid rotation players — as well as some fan favorites and two-way guys trying to make the cut. Let's grade these picks (and note, my grading in this round is more gentle and on a curve compared to the first round; expectations are relatively low and with that the misses are not painful like missing in the lottery).

(Check out the grades for the first round picks here.)

Boston Celtics: B-

Amari Williams (46), Max Shulga (57 via trade with Orlando)

Williams is big — literally at 6'11" and 255 pounds — and is physically strong. However, what catches scouts' eyes is his high-level passing, especially from the high post. The challenge is he's on the lower end of the NBA athleticism scale, meaning he's not a great shot blocker and defensively would get dragged into pick-and-rolls and hunted. He also doesn't stretch the floor with his shooting. He likely ends up on a two-way contract or in the G-League and will have to prove he has more than just his passing.

Taking a chance on a shooter is always a good thing. Shulga is a Ukrainian-born 6'4" guard who played in Spain and then spent five years in college, most recently at VCU. Last season, he shot 38.7% from 3 and was at 41.5% two seasons ago. The question with Shulga is if he can defend well enough to stick in the league (scouts were split on his defense and how big an impediment it is). He's reportedly going to be on a two-way contract as he tries to prove he can defend his position.

Charlotte Hornets: B+

Sion James (33), Ryan Kalkbrenner (34)

James is a 6'5" senior guard who was part of Duke's run to the Final Four last season, and he played four seasons at Tulane before that. He's a quality defender and makes good decisions, things that should translate to the next level. The question is his offense and specifically his jumper (which improved every year and he shot 41.3% from 3 at Duke last season). Those numbers look good, but he was a low usage player, not just on a stacked Duke team, but relatively at Tulane before that. He has to prove he can be enough of a scoring threat at the next level to stay on the court.

Kalkbrenner is another senior the Hornets hope can help give them minutes starting this season. The 7'2" center was a defensive force at Creighton and averaged 19.2 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks a game. He's a drop-coverage rim protector who, by NBA standards, is not athletic, which means he could struggle in space. Plus there are questions about his shooting outside 10 feet. Still, for a team that just traded away Mark Williams yesterday, there are backup center minutes to be had.

Chicago Bulls: C

Lachlan Olbrich (55, via trade with Lakers)

He's a 6'9 center who played one season at UC Riverside before returning to his native Australia to play for the Illawarra Hawks. He has an excellent feel for the game and plays with a high IQ. Scouts like his game but question his NBA fit. Olbrich is undersized and would struggle to play as a center in the NBA — he couldn't defend other fives — but he doesn't have much shooting range, so he would struggle to play the four. Likely a draft-and-stash guy who keeps playing in the NBL, and the Bulls see if he can develop a respectable outside shot.

Cleveland Cavaliers: B+

Tyrese Proctor (49), Saliou Niang (58)

Proctor is a potential steal of a pick at 49. He became a high-level shooter in his three years at Duke, last season knocking down 40.5% of his 3-pointers. The 6'4" guard isn't an explosive athlete and doesn't have the game to be an NBA point guard, but he could be a 3&D combo guard if he can put on some muscle — he's skinny and that hurts him on defense. Still, a lot to like with this pick, especially in this spot.

Niang is an Italian wing with physical gifts who had some big moments for Trento in his native country. However, his shooting and ball handling are not NBA-ready yet. Niang is likely to be a draft-and-stash player who will remain in Europe.

Detroit Pistons: B+

Chaz Lanier (37)

Detroit needs more shooting (who doesn't?) and that's what makes Lanier a good pick in the second round. He shot 39.5% from 3 last season for Tennessee, and the 6'4" guard is a good movement shooter. The challenge is everything else, he's not a great defender or playmaker. He has to prove he can round out his game a little, but at this point in the second round taking a shooter is a good call, that's always a skill in demand.

Golden State Warriors: B

Alex Toohey (52, via trade with Phoenix), Will Richard (56, via trade with Memphis)

Toohey is a native Australian who played last season with Sydney and proved to be an impressive wing defender at 6'8", and he has a good feel for the game. The question for him (like many in the second round) is, can he shoot well enough to stay on the floor? He hit just 30.2% of his 3-pointers last season in Sydney. Taking him deep in the second round, it's a good bet to see if he can develop that skill (possibly as a draft-and-stash who stays in the NBL another year or more).

Richard is a 6'3" guard who is good at a lot of things but doesn't have an NBA-level skill at one thing. Those guys tend not to make the cut, but the Warriors might give him a two-way and see if something pans out, which is a solid use of the 56th pick.

Indiana Pacers: B

Kam Jones (38, trade with Spurs), Taelon Peter (54)

Jones is a perfect example of what second-round picks can be. Jones is older, 23, and is an experienced high-level playmaker who averaged 19.2 points and 5.9 assists a game last season at Marquette. He's in the second round for a reason; he's not an explosive athlete, and he shot just 31.1% from three-point range last season. However, he's a steady lead ball handler and floor general, which makes him a solid pickup in the second round, especially for a team looking to fill some point guard minutes next season.

Taelon Peter, a 6'4" guard who shot the ball well for Liberty, but he came off the bench for the Flames in all but two games. He was not highly regarded on many draft boards, but the Pacers liked his shooting ability enough to take a chance on him at the end of the second round.

LA Clippers: B

Kobe Sanders (50)

The 6'7" wing averaged 15.8 points a game at Nevada last season, shooting 34.2% from beyond the arc, and he is especially impressive on pull-up jumpers. Sanders earned his way here, playing well enough at the Portsmouth Invitational to get an NBA Draft Combine invite, where he impressed the Clippers enough to take a chance on him. There are questions about whether his athleticism is at an NBA level, but he is likely to receive a two-way contract and have the opportunity to prove himself.

Los Angeles Lakers: A-

Adou Thiero (36, trade from Minnesota)

The Lakers want to get deeper and more athletic on the wing and Thiero checks those boxes, so LA moved up from 55 to get him. Thiero might be the best athlete in the draft (either round) and has good size at 6'6" with a 7-foot wingspan, he's an excellent defender and he plays hard. Lakers fans are going to like him. He can attack the rim, but if he's really going to make an impact in the NBA he has to improve his jumper (25.6% last season at Auburn).

Memphis Grizzlies B

Javon Small (48), Jahmai Mashack (59 via trade with Rockets, others)

Small, a West Virginia guard, had the potential to be a backup playmaking guard in the NBA. At 6'1", he is undersized for his role (insert your own play off his name joke here), but he's the kind of hard-working, scrappy player that coaches and fans love. It's a good roll of the dice here by Memphis in the back half of the second round.

Mashack, a 6'5" guard from Tennessee, becomes Mr. Irrelevant as the last pick in the draft (but so was Isaiah Thomas and he had a quality NBA career). Mashack's strength lies in being an elite defender, one of the best in the draft (period, both days). If he can develop enough of a shot and some handles, he will have a role in the NBA, but right now he's got work to do on the offensive end.

Milwaukee Bucks: B+

Bogoljub Markovic (47)

Tell me if this sounds familiar: A Serbian big man who has some interesting offensive skills but serious questions about his defense. The 6'11" big averaged 13.9 points and 6.9 rebounds a game, and was both a shooter and a quality playmaker for Mega in the Adriatic League. If he's going to stick with the Bucks, he needs him to play better defense, but this is a quality pickup at 47.

Minnesota Timberwolves: B

Rocco Zikarsky (45)

The Australian is 7'3" and would be the third-tallest player in the NBA next season (behind Wemby and Edey). Zikarsky moves well for a man his size and it's easy to project him as a rim-running, paint-protecting big man at the NBA level. He's also 18 and still a project at this point. This is a long-play by the Timberwolves and don't be surprised if he stays in Australia and the NBL for another year or two before coming over.

New Orleans Pelicans: B

Micah Peavy (40, trade with Wizards)

Peavy is a high-level defender as a 6'6" wing who had a breakout offensive season at Georgetown, averaging 17.2 points a game and shooting 40% last season. Scouts tend to be skeptical of guys making big offensive leaps, but as a fifth-year senior, this one seems real enough, and if it is, he can be an NBA-level rotation player. Solid pickup here by the Pelicans.

New York Knicks B-

Mohamed Diawara (51)

Spike Lee hung out in the Barclays Center to watch this pick, a player the Knicks almost certainly stash overseas for a year or two more. Diawara is a 20-year-old wing with impressive athleticism and a 7'4" wingspan but still finding his way playing for Cholet Basket in France. Late in the second round, the Knicks rolled the dice on a long-term play that may not have thrilled Spike Lee, but was the respectable pick.

Oklahoma City Thunder: B

Brooks Barnhizer (44)

The Northwestern graduate is 6'5" with a 6'11" wingspan who plays a very high IQ game. While he's impressive and disruptive defensively, he has work to do on the offensive end to be NBA-ready, especially with his catch-and-shoot jumper. The Thunder are not exactly flush with open roster spots, so Barnhizer may have to earn his way to OKC through a two-way contract. That said, he fits the mold of a Thunder player.

Orlando Magic: A-

Noah Penda (32, via trade with Boston)

Penda is going to fit right in with the Magic's style of play: He's a 6'8" forward who is an outstanding defender who has shown some playmaking skills. He's a glue guy. Penda showed a lot of promise at the age of 20, playing for Le Mans in his native France. Like many second-rounders, there are questions about his shot, but this is a strong second-round pick.

Philadelphia 76ers: B

Johni Broome (35)

Broome was the SEC Player of the Year, the 6'9" big man from Auburn was one of the best players in college basketball last season. He also might fit into the long line of very good college players whose games don't transfer to the NBA. He's a 6'9" center who is good at a lot of things but may not have that one elite NBA skill. There are a lot of questions, but this is a good bet in the second round.

Phoenix Suns: A-

Rasheer Fleming (31, via Minnesota trade), Koby Brea (41, via Golden State trade)

Phoenix wanted Fleming and made a series of trades through the day Thursday to secure the No. 31 pick from Minnesota, giving them the chance to draft the 6'8" 3&D forward from St. Joseph's. He's athletic, has a 7'5" wingspan, can defend, and shot 39% from 3 this past season. It feels like there's a very good chance he'll play minutes for the Suns next season.

Brea might be the best catch-and-shoot player in this draft, and at 6'5" he has good size to be an NBA wing. However, his defense and pretty much every part of his game other than shooting needs a lot of work. Still, at 41, this is not a bad spot to take a risk.

Sacramento Kings: B

Maxime Raynaud (42)

This is a steal of a pick this deep in the second round, some scouts made the case that the 7-foot stretch five could/should have been taken on the first night of the draft. He brings offensive skills to the table as a center, averaging 20.2 points and 10.6 rebounds per game last season for Stanford, while shooting 34.7% from 3-point range. The question is, can he be good enough defensively to stay on the floor, even as a backup? If he can hold his own on that end, this is a quality pick.

Toronto Raptors: B

Alijah Martin (39)

Martin is a fifth-year senior who transferred to Florida and helped the Gators win a national title last season. The 6'1" guard is one of the best defenders in the class, is a high-level athlete, and on offense he averaged 14.4 points a game. If he were a couple of inches taller, he likely would be a first-round pick, but as it is, he could be a solid backup for Toronto.

Utah Jazz: B

John Tonje (53)

After playing at Colorado State and Missouri, in his senior year at Wisconsin Tonje became the Badgers' Mr. Everything and a fan favorite. He plays with a lot of force, does not shy away from contact, and averaged 19.6 points and 5.3 rebounds a game. He shot 38.8% from beyond the arc last season. The concerns are at the other end of the floor and his ability to defend. He played six years of college and will be 24 next season, so what the Jazz see is what they get, but at No. 53 Tonje is a good gamble.

Washington Wizards: B

Jamir Watkins (43)

Another older player — Watkins will be 24 by the time Summer League tips off — taken in the second round in hopes he can step in and help now. He's a strong defender who stood out at the NBA Draft Combine on that end, he could contribute defensively right now to the Wizards. Is his offense good enough to keep him on the court? He averaged 18.4 points a game for Florida State last season, but teams aren't sold. The Wizards made their bet and at 43 it's not a bad one.

While hearing one's name called is the heavily preferred route to the NBA, there are only so many available slots. For the 2025 edition, there were 59 picks, and many accomplished players went undrafted. Below is a quick look at the top 10 players not selected and where they're headed as undrafted free agents.

1. G Hunter Sallis, Wake Forest

After playing two seasons at Gonzaga, Sallis transferred and took on a far more significant role at Wake Forest. During his final season, the 6-foot-5 guard averaged 18.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.3 three-pointers per game, shooting 45.7 percent from the field and 80.4 percent from the foul line. While Sallis did not provide much value as a three-point shooter, making 27.7 percent of his attempts in 2024-25, there's prior evidence that he can.

During his first season at Wake Forest, the guard shot 40.5 percent from deep on 5.4 attempts per game. Had Sallis entered the 2024 draft, there's a strong likelihood he would have been selected. The decreased accuracy from three was likely a factor in him not being drafted on Thursday, but he agreed to a two-way deal with the 76ers shortly after the draft concluded.

2. C Vladislav Golden, Michigan

Goldin enjoyed a storied collegiate run, first appearing for Texas Tech and then joining FAU, where he was part of the team's Cinderella run to the 2023 Final Four. Rather than going to the NBA, Goldin returned to college last season, following head coach Dusty May to Michigan as a grad transfer. The 7-foot, 253-pound center averaged 16.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.5 steals and 1.4 blocks while shooting 61/33/73 splits.

His size gives him upside as an interior scorer and rebounder, but he can be even better on offense if he can further develop his three-point shot. Goldin has agreed to a two-way contract with the Heat, who already have Bam Adebayo and Kel'el Ware, but there may be a need for additional depth in the frontcourt.

3. G Dink Pate, Mexico City

The 6-foot-8 Pate went the G League route, beginning with the 2023-24 season as part of G League Ignite. That team's disbandment led to Pate joining the Mexico City Capitanes, where he averaged 10.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 34 starts. While the Texas native boasts plus athleticism, he needs to grow as a shooter, with Pate shooting 26 percent from three and 58 percent from the foul line last season.

The combination of size and athleticism makes him an attractive wing prospect, but Pate has a long way to go as a shooter. As of late Thursday night, he had not agreed to a two-way deal, but Pate may be worth the risk for a team willing to wait on his development.

4. F/C Eric Dixon, Villanova

Regarding individual numbers, Dixon is one of the most productive players in Villanova program history. The 6-foot-8 forward/center led the nation in scoring as a senior, earning All-America honors and a first-team All-Big East selection.

Dixon averaged 23.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 2.9 three-pointers per game while recording 45.1/40.7/81.3 shooting splits. While undersized for the NBA level, Dixon's improvements as a shooter may translate. He's agreed to a two-way contract with the Lakers, making for an intriguing option if Dixon can defend fours on the perimeter.

5. C Viktor Lakhin, Clemson

The 6-foot-11, 245-pound center from Russia played three seasons at Cincinnati before transferring to Clemson ahead of the 2024-25 season. In 34 games, he recorded averages of 11.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.5 blocks and 0.7 three-pointers in 23.6 minutes, shooting 50.6 percent from the field and 69.6 percent from the foul line.

Lahkin improved as a finisher and facilitator during his lone season at Clemson and was also an effective rim protector. However, he must improve his lateral mobility and strength in preparation for the NBA game. While yet to agree to a contract, it would be unsurprising if a team signed Lakhin to participate in Summer League play next month.

6. G Ryan Nembhard, Gonzaga

The younger brother of Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard, Ryan spent two seasons at Creighton before following in Andrew's footsteps and transferring to Gonzaga. As a senior, the 6-foot point guard led the nation in assists, averaging 9.8 per game while also accounting for 10.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.1 three-pointers. Nembhard averaged only 2.7 three-point attempts per game this past season, but the accuracy was there, as he shot 40.4 percent from beyond the arc.

While the lack of size may lead to some overlooking him, Nembhard's ability as a playmaker and improved perimeter shooter have put him on the NBA radar. He's been signed to a two-way deal by the Mavericks, which could be an interesting spot depending on how Dallas addresses the point guard position in free agency. Expecting Nembhard to crack the rotation would be unrealistic given the contract, but Kyrie Irving (knee) will miss a significant portion of the 2025-26 season.

7. G Chucky Hepburn, Louisville

After spending three seasons at Wisconsin, Hepburn transferred to Louisville and was a key contributor for the Cardinals in 2024-25. He earned All-ACC honors and averaged 16.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 2.4 steals (tops in the ACC) and 1.9 three-pointers per game. Hepburn shot 43.2 percent from the field and 84.4 percent from the foul line. While the perimeter shot needs some work, Hepburn's foul shooting suggests he has room to develop.

He's capable of impacting the two-man game and as a defender, but Hepburn will need to improve as a shooter and clean up the turnovers (3.0 per game in 2024-25). Hepburn agreed to a two-way deal with the Raptors, who were much-improved defensively during the second half of last season. While the defensive ability and playmaking opened the door for Hepburn, his chances of sticking will likely hinge on the perimeter shot.

8. F RJ Luis Jr., St. John's

While St. John's coach Rick Pitino loaded up on transfers ahead of his second season with the program, his best player was among the few returnees. Luis, who played one season at UMass before transferring to St. John's, was one of the best players in college basketball in 2024-25. In 35 games, he averaged 18.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.6 blocks and 1.3 three-pointers, shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 74.7 percent from the foul line.

In addition to being named Big East Player of the Year, the versatile Luis was a consensus All-American. Many projected him as a second-round pick, but his name was not called on Thursday. The good news for Luis is that he was able to land a two-way deal with the rebuilding Jazz. Utah did add Ace Bailey in the first round, but overall, the team has an uninspiring wing rotation. Also, the team has been willing to give two-way players and G League contributors opportunities to show what they can do during this rebuild. That may bode well for Luis.

9. G Mark Sears, Alabama

After two seasons at Ohio, Sears transferred to Alabama and flourished under head coach Nate Oates. A two-time All-American, the 6-foot point guard averaged 18.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 0.9 steals and 2.4 three-pointers per game in 2024-25. Sears shot 40.3 percent from the field, a decrease of 10 percentage points compared to the 2023-24 season, and his effective field goal percentage dropped by 11 percentage points to 49.4. Along with his size, the decrease in efficiency is a concern.

However, Sears can be a factor offensively, especially when put in positions where he can play downhill. The former Alabama point guard agreed to a two-way deal with the Bucks, who will play most of next season without Damian Lillard (Achilles). Also, Kevin Porter Jr. will be an unrestricted free agent. On paper, Sears is unlikely to be in a position to play rotation minutes. However, with the Giannis Antetokounmpo conversations from outside the organization, who knows what will happen once the dust settles after free agency?

10. F Grant Nelson, Alabama

The 6-foot-10 Nelson played three seasons at North Dakota State before transferring to Alabama ahead of the 2023-24 campaign. He provided the Crimson Tide with offensive versatility in the frontcourt, but there is work to be done on the perimeter shot. In 37 games last season, Nelson averaged 11.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.5 steals, 1.2 blocks and 0.6 three-pointers. Nelson shot 52.2 percent from the field, 25.8 percent from three and 66.7 percent from the foul line.

While a solid defender, there's still room for growth, especially in the two-man game. Nelson's ability to consistently knock down perimeter shots will be a key factor as he looks to establish himself as a pro. If he can do that, he can be a steal in this draft class. Nelson is joining the rebuilding Nets on a two-way deal, and while Brooklyn is rebuilding, they also have five first-round picks to work into the fold.

If the days in the immediate aftermath of the Oklahoma City Thunder winning the NBA Finals are any indication, this will be a busy summer on the trade market. Kevin Durant and Kristaps Porzingis are among those who have already been dealt, and there were also multiple transactions during the draft's first round on Wednesday. With that in mind, Rotoworld writers Raphielle Johnson and Noah Rubin have picked some winners and losers from this week's transactions and draft picks.

Fantasy Winners

Deni Avdija

The immediate focus of many after Portland's decision to trade Anfernee Simons to Boston was on ScootHenderson and ShaedonSharpe, and it makes sense, as they should receive more opportunities to play on the ball. However, Avdija may be the Trail Blazer best equipped to benefit from a fantasy standpoint due to his versatility. After the All-Star break, he was a top-50 player in nine-cat formats, averaging 23.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 2.4 three-pointers per game. What Portland does with JeramiGrant and DeandreAyton will merit tracking this summer. Still, it's difficult to envision a scenario where Avdija does not figure prominently in the team's offensive game plan next season. (Johnson)

Egor Demin

I’ve been a bit lower on Demin than many others, but even I have to admit that this is a favorable situation for him. Brooklyn is in the early stages of a rebuild and made it a point of emphasis in this draft to add ball handlers. They selected Demin with the No. 8 pick, which means they’ll put the ball in his hands early and often on a bad team. He’s going to be inefficient in year one, but the 6’9” point guard should provide plenty of points, rebounds and assists. He focused on showcasing his perimeter shooting during workouts, and if that is legit, this is a recipe for an excellent rookie year for Demin. (Rubin)

Amen Thompson

Thompson was another player whose fantasy value jumped considerably after the All-Star break, as he provided top-25 value in nine-cat formats. The exits of JalenGreen and DillonBrooks mean there will be less of a logjam on the wings, and the addition of KevinDurant should result in assist increases for those capable of setting him up. Thompson has only scratched the surface of his potential, and he should continue to progress, even with the Rockets reportedly bringing back starting point guard FredVanVleet. Amen may not be a top-25 player next season, but he can provide value in all categories except for three-pointers and free-throw percentage. (Johnson)

Rasheer Fleming

In my mind, Fleming was closer to a lottery pick than a second-round pick. Phoenix had to make a few moves to get him, but I think it’ll be worth it. The Suns have a ton of shot creators, and that is probably Fleming’s biggest weakness. He’s a three-and-D forward with a 7’5” wingspan. What more can you want? Even though he slipped further than he should’ve, he’ll have a chance to play a significant role in year one for a team that will be looking to compete for a postseason spot. I’m not saying I believe they’ll get one, but they’ll give it their all! (Rubin)

Ryan Kalkbrenner

With Charlotte trading Mark Williams to the Suns on Wednesday, they had a significant void to address at the center position. The Hornets did that with the 34th overall pick, selecting Kalkbrenner. Projected by some to be a late-first-round pick, the former Creighton standout slipped into the second round. While Kalkbrenner made strides throughout his college career, the defensive end of the floor is where his bread is truly buttered. The first four-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year since Patrick Ewing, Kalkbrenner provides elite rim protection. He's in a spot where starting as a rookie will be possible, depending on what the Hornets do in free agency. (Johnson)

Thomas Sorber

Just to be clear, Sorber isn’t a short-term winner. But in the long run, he’s in a perfect situation to be a stud, and it could happen sooner than we think. IsaiahHartenstein has a team option for the 2026-27 season, and if Sorber is progressing the way they want him to, he could fill the Hartenstein role by his second season in the league. It may not be a 30+ minute per game role, but Sorber projects to have a high-impact statset in fantasy basketball. For Georgetown, he provided rebounds and defensive stats, but he was also a pretty good passer for a big and showcased enough shooting touch for me to be intrigued by it. (Rubin)

Fantasy Losers

Portland's bigs

The Trail Blazers shocked many by selecting YangHansen with the 16th overall pick on Wednesday. However, this isn't simply about general manager Joe Cronin rolling the dice after trading down five spots. The issue is that Portland will go into free agency with four centers: Yang, 2024 lottery pick DonovanClingan, DeandreAyton and RobertWilliams. While Clingan's spot should be secure, it's beyond time for Portland to move Ayton (last season's starter when healthy) or Williams, if not both. The feeling heading into February's trade deadline was that the Blazers would move one of the veteran centers, but both remained. The worst-case scenario for Clingan would be for Portland not to do anything this summer, with the logjam limiting his ceiling considerably. (Johnson)

Collin Murray-Boyles

I really, really liked CMB as a fantasy prospect. I thought he had a chance to be one of the best fantasy rookies next season. Unfortunately, he landed on a team that already has a handful of players that play similar roles that also struggle to shoot the ball. Can CMB and ScottieBarnes coexist on the floor together? I’m not optimistic, and while I still think Murray-Boyles can be a really good fantasy player, the path for that to happen isn’t exactly clear at this point. He could’ve started on most of the other teams that drafted in this range. (Rubin)

Isaiah Collier and Keyonte George

While Utah technically did not select WalterClaytonJr. during Wednesday's first round, his arrival will make it three straight years in which the Jazz have added a point guard in the draft. KeyonteGeorge was the choice in 2023, and through two seasons, he's failed to make the starting job his own. IsaiahCollier, last year's first-round pick, leapfrogged George in the pecking order. However, while a solid defender and playmaker, he did not do enough last season to show he's capable of running the show long-term. Adding Clayton to the mix increases the competition for playing time, and the Jazz still have CollinSexton and JordanClarkson. From a fantasy standpoint, Sexton may be the only one worth the risk, and he may be a player the Jazz look to move at some point. (Johnson)

Stephon Castle

We’ve known this was coming for a while, but now it’s official. San Antonio selected DylanHarper with the No. 2 pick, and De’AaronFox will be back healthy next season. Castle was awesome as a rookie and still has a bright future ahead of him. However, Fox is ahead of him on the depth chart right now, and it won’t take long for Harper to surpass Castle. He should start next season, but he wasn’t as productive in an off-ball role. Now, the Spurs have added another player to take touches away from him. Don’t be surprised if Castle’s production takes a hit in year two. (Rubin)

Khaman Maluach

Down the line, Maluach has the potential to be a fantasy "winner." Unfortunately, Wednesday's events likely hurt the rookie's fantasy value in 2024-25. In addition to drafting Maluach, the Suns acquired MarkWilliams from the Hornets. Those decisions were wise based on how bad Phoenix's center rotation was last season. However, Maluach may initially be in a difficult spot regarding playing time. Something that may preserve the rookie's fantasy value is Williams' injury history, as he has not played 50 games or more in any of his three seasons as a pro. (Johnson)

Onyeka Okongwu

The Hawks gave us a little teaser of what life would be like with Okongwu as a starting center that plays 30+ minutes per game next to TraeYoung. It was glorious. Of course, it was all a setup for them to tear our pure, innocent hearts out once again. Sure, it was incredible value for them to trade for KristapsPorzingis, and they made more excellent moves, yada, yada, yada. I just wanted one full season of Okongwu away from a minutes split. I fear it will never come. I would imagine that Okongwu will still start, but they’ll likely both see around 26-28 minutes per game, with a few minutes of shared time on the floor. It’s exciting times for Hawks fans. But it’s a time of mourning for the Okongwu truthers that still believe. (Rubin)

In the wake of a series of trades before the start of the second round of the NBA Draft Thursday night, the Phoenix Suns have set themselves up to select Saint Joseph’s 3&D wing Rasheer Fleming, who unexpectedly fell to the second round.

There have been three second-round pick trades already, and two of them set up the Suns with the No. 31 pick. First, Brooklyn traded the No. 36 pick to Phoenix for two future second-round picks, a story reported by Shams Charania of ESPN.

Then the Suns traded the No. 36 pick and two future second-round picks to Minnesota for the No. 31 pick, also reported by Charania, who added the Suns are targeting Flemming.

Flemming is a 21-year-old, 6'8" wing who averaged 14.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.5 blocks a game for St. Joseph's last season.

There was one more second-round pre-draft trade, where the Suns sent the No. 52 and No. 59 picks in the 2025 draft to the Golden State Warriors for No. 41, a deal also reported by Charania.

Ace Bailey's representative reportedly told one team with a top-five pick in the 2025 NBA Draft that if it selected Bailey, he would not report to them, according to a new story from Jonathan Givony and Tim Bontemps of ESPN.

Whether or not they were told that — and despite not working him out — the Utah Jazz selected Ace Bailey with the No. 5 pick Wednesday night. It was not a reach by the Jazz — Bailey has arguably the second highest ceiling of any player in this year's draft and Utah needs high-level talent — but the sense in league circles heading into the draft was that Bailey and his representative, Omar Cooper, had a promise and/or were trying to steer the Rutgers star to Washington or Brooklyn. Cooper denied that in the same ESPN report.

"Every NBA team watched him work out in Chicago," Cooper told ESPN. "He did 18 interviews. Everyone got his medical. They watched him run and jump. They got his measurements... There is nothing uncommon about how Ace Bailey's pre-draft process was handled."

Bailey, for his part, echoed the same idea at the draft, stating that he was not worried about where he was selected or what people thought about his unusual pre-draft strategy of avoiding workouts.

"They feel how they feel," Bailey said. "But my team and me, are focusing on basketball and them doing what they're doing, so it happens."

If the report is true, Bailey's options were always limited if a team called his bluff. He can choose not to report to the Jazz (or whoever drafted him), but he cannot return to college after staying in the draft. Additionally, if he plays professionally overseas next season, the Jazz retain his draft rights. The only way to end up with another team is to sit out an entire year, not playing professionally anywhere, then re-enter the draft. However, that is a crap shoot because who knows what the draft order will be a year from now and what team's priorities will be.

Bailey, a 6'8" wing, was projected as a top-three pick for much of the year. Bailey looks like a prototypical NBA wing on paper: Great positional size, a high-level athlete, high motor, shot 36.7% from 3 in college, can create his own shot, and is a tough shot maker who averaged 18.4 points and 7.2 rebounds a game. However, not all scouts were convinced he would come close to reaching that potential in the NBA. Those concerns, plus his pre-draft strategy of no workouts and some interviews that left teams confused, saw him slide a couple of spots to No. 5, where the Jazz snapped him up before Washington or Brooklyn had the chance.

Bailey is likely to make his Jazz debut at the Utah Summer League, which starts on July 5 in Salt Lake City.