Report: Warriors trade No. 41 pick in 2025 NBA Draft to Suns for Nos. 52, 59

Report: Warriors trade No. 41 pick in 2025 NBA Draft to Suns for Nos. 52, 59 originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Warriors’ first move in the 2025 NBA Draft came before Golden State ever got on the clock.

The Warriors traded the No. 41 overall pick to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for the No. 52 and No. 59 selections in the second round of the 2025 draft, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Thursday, citing sources.

After shipping out its 2025 first-round draft pick in the Jimmy Butler trade, Golden State opted to trade back for an additional pick in the second round rather than stand pat at No. 41 overall.

Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy previously spoke about the optimism he had about finding an instant contributor at No. 41 overall, but also left the door open for the possibility of a trade, which came to fruition on Thursday.

“Yeah, that’s what we’ll look for,” Dunleavy said back on May 16. “Frankly, it’s nice having some of these young players come in and contribute right away. It’s not always guaranteed. Forty-one, I’m sure there will be a good player there. We can always trade the pick, we can keep it.

“I think the biggest thing of interest will be the amount of players that stay in the draft vs. go back to school. That will probably dictate the quality and the talent level at the pick, but 41 is a pretty good range to be in.” 

The Warriors have had success in the back end of the second round in both of Dunleavy’s drafts as general manager, selecting center Trayce Jackson-Davis at No. 57 overall in 2023 and sharpshooting big man Quinten Post at No. 52 overall in 2024.

While it always is a longshot for second-round draft picks to make an immediate impact in the NBA, Golden State now has doubled down on the opportunity continue Dunleavy’s trend of selecting a hidden gem in an area that typically is tough to unearth them.

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ESPN expert sees French star as best second-round fit for Celtics at No. 32

ESPN expert sees French star as best second-round fit for Celtics at No. 32 originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The 2025 NBA Draft resumes Friday night at 8 p.m. ET in Brooklyn, and the Boston Celtics will be one of the first teams to make a pick.

Due to a previous trade, the Celtics own the No. 32 overall selection — the second overall pick in Round 2.

After taking Spanish wing Hugo Gonzalez with the No. 28 pick in the first round, it would make sense for the Celtics to target a big man with their second-round pick.

Which power forward or center makes the most sense for the C’s?

ESPN draft expert Jonathan Givony published an updated second-round mock draft Thursday, and he projects Boston taking French big man Maxime Raynaud, who played four seasons at Stanford.

“After competing in France alongside his good friend (and now San Antonio Spurs star) Victor Wembanyama in his youth, Raynaud has developed into a legitimate NBA talent,” Givony wrote in his analysis.

“He might be a late bloomer, but he fits a coveted mold with his size and shooting ability, which gives him a quicker path to a role at the next level than some players who will be drafted before him. How he performs defensively will be something to watch early, as floor spacers like him can play an important role in the NBA.”

Raynaud’s ability to shoot 3-pointers (34.7 percent as a senior) and rebound (10.6 boards per game as a senior) would make him a good fit in Boston’s frontcourt. And with veteran centers Al Horford and Luke Kornet both set to become unrestricted free agents next week, depth at center is something the C’s need to prioritize with their last pick in the draft.

Our Celtics insider Chris Forsberg likes Raynaud’s outside shooting, but also has some concerns about his defense.

“French 7-footers are all the rage in the NBA, and this one improved in each of his four seasons at Stanford,” Forsberg said, as seen in the video player above. “Offensively, he thrives at attacking closeouts. Can he hit 3-pointers? Oui, oui. Raynaud shot 35 percent from beyond the arc as a senior.

“There are questions about whether he’ll fit defensively at the NBA level, and he’s going to have to improve his foot speed to stay on the court. Still, he could fall in the range the Celtics are scheduled to pick at No. 28 and No. 32.”

If the Celtics don’t see Raynaud as a fit, other quality frontcourt players who are still available include Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner, Auburn center Johni Broome, Arkansas power forward Adou Thiero and Villanova center Eric Dixon.

Report: Kings committed to Domantas Sabonis, who hasn't requested a trade

Report: Kings committed to Domantas Sabonis, who hasn't requested a trade originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Change seems inevitable for the Kings this offseason under the leadership of new general manager Scott Perry.

While so much remains unknown about the roster moving forward, it appears one cornerstone piece of Sacramento’s magical 2022-23 season will stick around for the long run.

Despite rumors circulating about potentially moving on from All-Star center Domantas Sabonis, The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported Wednesday, citing team and league sources, the Kings continue to signal a commitment to their All-Star center.

“While Sabonis’ frustration with the organization’s handling of the [De’Aaron] Fox saga has been well-chronicled, league sources say Sabonis has not asked for a trade and has had positive early discussions with Perry regarding the Kings’ aspirations for this summer,” Amick wrote.

Sabonis is owed a combined $140.3 million over the next three seasons.

In just over three seasons with Sacramento, Sabonis has averaged 19.2 points on an efficient 59.7-percent shooting from the field and 38.8 percent from 3-point range, with 13.2 rebounds and 7.1 assists in 34.9 minutes.

If the Kings remain committed to their Lithuanian big man, it could be time to part ways with other parts of their core, such as DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine or Malik Monk.

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Why Draymond Green states Jazz rookie Ace Bailey has early ‘strike' entering NBA

Why Draymond Green states Jazz rookie Ace Bailey has early ‘strike' entering NBA originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Draymond Green offered Utah Jazz rookie Ace Bailey some brutally honest advice after the young forward made waves with his pre-2025 NBA Draft workouts, or lack thereof.

Bailey, the Rutgers product, canceled a pre-draft workout with the Philadelphia 76ers on June 20, a move that sparked backlash from some around the league before the 18-year-old eventually was selected with the No. 5 pick in the draft on Wednesday night.

Green was asked on the latest episode of his podcast, “The Draymond Green Show With Baron Davis,” if Bailey’s controversial decision to skip the workout hurt his draft stock after once being viewed as a potential top-three pick.

“I don’t necessarily think it hurt. It didn’t hurt. You went [fifth], whoop-de-f–king-do. It didn’t hurt that,” Green told Davis. “But you’re walking into the NBA with a strike, and I think that’s what’s most important to understand. You’re walking in with a question mark on character. You’re walking in with a question mark on work ethic. You’re walking in with a question mark on your camp.

“My thing to him and his camp would be, understand where you are. It’s fine, no big deal, you went fifth in the draft. As I said earlier in the show, that s–t don’t matter no more. It matters for a salary, and that’s about it.”

While Green doesn’t believe Bailey’s decision is that big of a deal, he does believe the rookie now is under more pressure to put his best foot forward.

“It’s now time to go play, so be the first person in the gym, don’t go into the organization causing any problems, going to the organization knowing there’s some guys that have been there before you,” Green added. “You can learn from them, but I ain’t saying go bow down to anybody, but know there are some guys that know more than you that you can learn from.

“Go in there and be a great rookie. That don’t mean don’t go play great, go be a great rookie. Don’t go in there thinking stuff’s going to be your way, because you already got a strike. This league will move on from you fast.”

Bailey seems ready to answer the call.

“I feel like once I come in, it’s going to be a lot of work,” Bailey told ESPN on Wednesday night. “I feel like I’m a person that likes to work out a lot. I’m going to push my teammates to be the best they can be. I want to come in and be a leader as a young cat.”

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Will Celtics re-sign Horford and Kornet? Stevens makes intentions clear

Will Celtics re-sign Horford and Kornet? Stevens makes intentions clear originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics aren’t expected to be a very active team in NBA free agency this offseason. But they do have a pair of important decisions to make regarding two valuable frontcourt pieces.

Big men Al Horford and Luke Kornet are both set to hit unrestricted free agency when the new league year begins on July 6. Boston can negotiate with Horford and Kornet up until that point, but if no deals are reached, they could hit the open market and potentially seek greener pastures.

Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens would prefer that doesn’t happen.

“As you look at the rest of the team and what we’re trying to do, there is no question our priorities would be to bring Al and Luke back,” Stevens told reporters Wednesday night in his press conference after the 2025 NBA Draft. “Those guys are huge parts of this organization.”

Horford has spent seven of his last nine seasons in Boston and is one of the most well-established and beloved Celtics players of the past decade. While he turned 39 years old earlier this month, he’s still a very effective big man who averaged 9.0 points and 6.2 rebounds per game last season over 60 games (42 starts).

Kornet, meanwhile, is coming off his best season as a pro, averaging 6.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.0 blocks over a career high 18.6 minutes per game. If he stays in Boston, the 29-year-old would have an opportunity to take on an even bigger role following the Celtics’ reported trade of Kristaps Porzingis.

The question is whether Boston can afford Horford and Kornet at the price tag they’ll seek in free agency. The Celtics shed roughly $27 million in salary by reportedly dealing Porzingis and Jrue Holiday but are just $4.6 million under the second apron of the luxury tax and can’t go back over that threshold. So, they’d need to trim additional salary if they want to bring both Horford and Kornet back in the fold.

Boston also may have competition for both players; ESPN’s Shams Charania noted Wednesday that Horford has a “robust” free-agent market around the league. But Stevens made it very clear that his club will make every attempt to re-sign both players.

“They’re going to have, I’m sure, plenty of options all over the place, and that’s well-deserved, but I think that would be a priority,” Stevens said of Horford and Kornet.

“At the same time, I don’t want to put pressure on them. It’s their call, ultimately. But, yeah, we would love to have those guys back.”

Report: Kings lack trade interest in Hawks star Trae Young for two reasons

Report: Kings lack trade interest in Hawks star Trae Young for two reasons originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Kings’ top priority this NBA offseason is to fill the starting point guard void.

Whether that will be through free agency or a trade remains to be seen, with several potential suitors already being linked to Sacramento. One notable name floating around the Kings’ rumor mill is Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young, who is eligible to sign a contract extension this summer.

However, The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported, citing league sources, that the Kings don’t have interest in Young due to his offense-first style of play and the hefty price tag he would come with.

Young, who turns 27 in September, is owed $46 million next season with a $49 million player option for 2026-27. In seven seasons with Atlanta, Young has averaged 25.3 points on 43.3-percent shooting from the field and 35.2 percent from 3-point range, with 3.5 rebounds and 9.8 assists in 34.4 minutes.

The Kings also explored the prospect of acquiring Jrue Holiday, Amick reported, before he was traded from the Boston Celtics to the Portland Trail Blazers earlier this week. But there were reservations about his age (35) and cost, Amick added, as he still has three years remaining on a $134 million extension.

Sacramento will look elsewhere as it hopes to fill a massive hole entering the 2025-26 season.

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2025 NBA Draft: Best available after round one includes Rasheer Fleming and Maxime Raynaud

Night one of the NBA draft is officially behind us, but we still have round two on Thursday night. The first few picks were expected, but then everything became chaotic. There were a handful of trades sprinkled in, but Mark Williams was the only player that was moved. The rest were all picks.

The most surprising move of the night was the Trail Blazers trading back to select Hansen Yang with the No. 16 pick. Prior to the draft, I was planning to have Yang on this list. Instead, he went just outside the lottery. One wonders if Portland would’ve taken him at 11 if they couldn’t trade back.

30 talented players were selected in round one, and 29 more will be selected in round two. Here are the 10 best available players, with the Timberwolves making the next selection.

NBA: Draft
It was a good day to be the Mavericks, not so much for Trail Blazers fans.

F Rasheer Fleming, Saint Joseph’s

I don’t understand the Fleming slide to the second round. He’s an older prospect, and he isn’t the most dynamic shot creator, but he is a legitimate three-and-D wing with a 7’5” wingspan. Those players don’t grow on trees. He averaged 14.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.5 blocks and 1.8 three-pointers per game last season. He should be one of the first few players selected in round two.

C Maxime Raynaud, Stanford

I thought Raynaud had a case to be selected on night one, but a handful of other bigs went instead. Raynaud is at least a better shooter than all of them and could be a better overall offensive player than most of them. He averaged 20.2 points, 10.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.9 three-pointers per game last season. Boston has pick 32, and Charlotte has picks 33 and 34. Both teams need center help.

F Adou Thiero, Arkansas

The uber-athletic wing isn’t a great shooter, but he is ready to make an impact in the NBA immediately. He averaged 15.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game last season. Adding a player of his caliber in the second round is going to be a great pickup, and he’ll be able to be part of a team’s rotation immediately. If he finds himself on a team that needs him to play big minutes, he should wreak havoc on defense and provide plenty of steals.

F Noah Penda, Le Mans (France)

Penda is a playmaking forward that can really defend on the perimeter. He isn’t a great scorer, but he can fill a number of holes for whatever team takes him. He averaged 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.9 blocks and 1.0 triple per game in 37 appearances last season. He is a well-rounded prospect that will make any team happy to take him in the second round.

G Kam Jones, Marquette

Jones is an older prospect at 23 years old, but he is one of the best playmakers in this class. He averaged 19.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.9 three-pointers per game last season. He wasn’t a great shooter, and he isn’t an explosive athlete, which may have forced teams to shy away from him in round one. But getting a reliable lead ball handler in round two is a great value selection.

C Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton

As another 23-year-old prospect, Kalkbrenner enjoyed a productive 2024-25 season with averages of 19.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.7 blocks per game. The 7’2” center may not have the same upside that other bigs in this draft have, but he should be able to play a solid role in the NBA, even if he is a reserve.

G Alijah Martin, Florida

Martin certainly has a case to be the best defender in the class. He isn’t the most dynamic offensive player, but he does enough on that end to not be a liability, specifically as a floor spacer. Teams will be far more interested in what he does defensively. He averaged 14.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.1 three-pointers per game last season. He’s a bit undersized at 6’3”, but a 6’7.5” wingspan helps make up for it.

F Bogoljub Marković, KK Mega Basket (Serbia)

The 6’11” forward is an intriguing offensive player, but there are some major question marks on the defensive end. Still, there is enough there for a team to select him early in round two. He truly has the potential to be a dynamic offensive stud, mostly as a shooter, but also as a playmaker. He averaged 13.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.0 three-pointer per game last season.

F Jamir Watkins, Florida State

Watkins will be 24 years old at the start of Summer League, which likely made some teams shy away. However, he averaged 18.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.7 three-pointers per game last season and will certainly be ready to contribute next year. He isn’t a dynamic offensive player, but the defensive ability should get him some minutes.

G Chaz Lanier, Tennessee

Every team needs shooting, and the 23-year-old can help with that. He averaged 3.2 three-pointers per game last season while shooting 39.5 percent from beyond the arc. There are some intriguing measurables, such as a 39” vertical and a 6’9” wingspan, but he wasn’t a great defender in college, and he isn’t a dynamic offensive force. Still, a reliable shooter in round two is always a nice addition.

How Daryl Morey approached his 1st top-10 pick ever and landed on VJ Edgecombe

How Daryl Morey approached his 1st top-10 pick ever and landed on VJ Edgecombe  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey has presided over many an NBA draft night. His approach had to change a bit this year. 

The 2025 draft was Morey’s first rodeo with a top-10 pick and the Sixers landed on Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe at No. 3.

“I think we have a pretty detailed process here,” Morey said Wednesday night. “It starts at the high school level and all their years before coming into college — with national teams, with everything. …  I think we were seriously considering early in the process about six (players), and then it was down to four. We were deliberating up until the last few days on who we would pick. As we dug in, we felt VJ was by far the best choice there.”

Before Wednesday, Morey’s highest draft pick was Jeremy Lamb at No. 12 in 2012.

“I thought it would be very different,” he said. “I would say you have much more visibility on who might be there, which I’ve never had. Usually, we’re running sims. We didn’t have to do that this time. I would say the other thing is I really, really don’t like people to know who we’re picking. It’s impossible at three for people to not get a sense. You’re usually down to a few names and people are going to have a rough outline. 

“But just to optimize my job, (potential) trades, I think the less public it is, the better. But that’s just not realistic at three. I started to give that up early. … I would say we had to retune things to upside. I do think you don’t pick high very often, so you want to take guys who have All-Star capability and he absolutely has that. I don’t know what percentage (chance) exactly, but we have a guess. It’s definitely material and we feel good about it.”

The Sixers’ belief in Edgecombe’s upside stems from his blend of outstanding athleticism, self-awareness and diligence. 

“Where we can get more confidence is if a player has two things: (One) is they understand they’re not where they need to be,” Morey said. “They understand they’re not pick your All-Star guard in the league. And then they have the work ethic to close that gap. If a player has that, that’s very interesting to us generally.

“We’re fortunate that we could get a guy with talent already playing at a high level at Baylor who also has not only just a hopeful work ethic, but one that you can see if you track back to the Bahamas and you track back pre-Baylor, all the way through. We’re excited about that.”

As far as other options on the table, Rutgers wing Ace Bailey was clearly among the top prospects the Sixers evaluated.

Bailey declined an in-person visit with the Sixers — and all NBA teams, for that matter — and wound up going at No. 5 to the Jazz.

“It was pretty opaque,” Morey said of Bailey’s canceled visit. “I spoke to the agent. So did (general manager Elton Brand), so did (vice president of player personnel Prosper Karangwa), so did a lot of the key folks on our team. He didn’t work out with anybody, so that was just their general plan. I don’t try to judge. They were doing what they thought was best for them, we were doing what was best for us. It had no impact on the decision.”

Morey noted before the draft that he’d focus simply on taking the best player available. Unsurprisingly, he’s also optimistic about Edgecombe’s fit on the Sixers’ roster. 

“I really like how things are shaping up,” he said. “I think we’ll have one of the best backcourts in the league, with (Quentin) Grimes, (Tyrese) Maxey, Jared McCain and now VJ. With the way the NBA’s going, I think you saw some of these teams playing dynamic, uptempo with multiple guards that put the defense in jeopardy. 

“We do have to have our main guy in the middle. I felt for the players and Coach (Nick) Nurse specifically, trying to put a defense on the floor with Joel (Embiid) out … and obviously, (Andre) Drummond was hurt. (Adem) Bona stepped up late, which was exciting. But if you have a bunch of dynamic guards, it’s hard to make it all work if you don’t have a big in there who’s making things hard on the other team.”

So, how’s Embiid doing after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in April?

“I spoke to Joel today,” Morey said. “He’s very engaged, attacking rehab, doing everything he can to be out there. He had a meeting with Dr. (Jonathan L.) Glashow this week. All things, to use a NASA term, are nominal. Things are going well and as expected. We expect that to continue.”

Asked whether Embiid will be ready for training camp, Morey said, “Things are on track to be ready right around there.” 

Well before Morey’s tenure in Philadelphia, the Sixers selected Embiid near the top of the 2014 draft. 

There’s a new No. 3 pick in town. 

“If I was a bad person, I doubt they would’ve picked me,” Edgecombe said in a Zoom press conference. “Or if my character wasn’t likable, I doubt they would’ve picked me. It shows a lot about who they are as people, that they care about more then basketball. They care about how you are as a person also, things that can translate off the court. 

“It’s the City of Brotherly Love, man, so I don’t think they want anyone here that doesn’t show love.”

Magic Johnson: 'Mark Walter is the right person' to take over the Lakers

02 May 2012: New Dodgers owners of Guggenheim Baseball Management, LLC - (from left) Stan Kasten, Mark Walter, Earvin Magic Johnson, Peter Guber, and Todd Boehly during the press conference to introduce the new owners of the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon SMI/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Magic Johnson, center, and Dodgers controlling owner Mark Walter, second from left, pose for a photo with other Guggenheim Baseball Management members Stan Kasten, left, Peter Guber and Todd Boehly, right, at Dodger Stadium after their purchase of the franchise. (Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Dodgers controlling owner Mark Walter, through his TWG Global company, agreed to purchase a majority ownership stake in the Lakers last week and released information about the sale on Wednesday in a statement announcing the deal would be completed later this year.

When news broke that Walter would take controlling interest of the Lakers from the Buss family at a valuation of $10 billion, we reached out to Magic Johnson about his thoughts on the matter. Speaking from a yacht off the coast of Croatia, here's what the Lakers legend had to say about Walter, Jeanie Buss and the sale:

About Walter's approach

“Mark is a man who cares and loves winning and will always care about investing the money in making not only the team better but the organization better. He’s somebody who is family-driven. He’s a great man.

“You saw what happened to the Dodgers once Mark and all of us took over."

On the Buss family selling to Walter

“One thing that Jeanie [Buss] was going to do is put [the franchise] in the right hands. If she was going to sell, it had to be the right person, and Mark Walter is the right person to take over and lead us for the next 30, 40 years. So, this is the best news that could have happened for all Laker fans across the world. Mark has had his eye on the Lakers for a long time. That’s why he bought [Philip] Anschutz's [minority ownership] piece first and then he was sitting there, and Jeanie knew this.

Read more:Mark Walter, Jeanie Buss comment on Lakers sale expected to close later this year

"If she ever wanted to sell, he wanted to be the one that bought the team. And they formed a friendship, because that had to happen first. Jeanie had to know that he was going to do just like her father [Dr. Jerry Buss] did and just like she did and that was to make sure that he would do great things in the community as well, like both her father and her have been able to do and also educate him on how much the Lakers mean to not only the Laker fans but to the NBA and to the world."

On the sale of the team

“I think the [Buss] boys were ready before. I think they wanted to cash out. We’re seeing this happening all around sports. ‘Sometimes, let somebody else have it.’ We saw Mark Cuban do it. Boston did it. So, you are seeing it happen and maybe they [Buss family] said, ‘We just want the money and go on and live out our lives.’"

“Mark loves being a part of Los Angeles and now he’s got the premier baseball team and now the premier basketball team."

On Walter's success

“The one thing great about Mark is that he’ll hire the best people. He will always have really good people around him to help him bring back championships to Los Angeles and to Lakers fans. I’m excited. This couldn’t have gone any better for Laker fans and the Buss family and the NBA. The NBA knows Mark. It couldn’t have gone better for the Buss family because Mark is a caretaker. You got to be a caretaker, a great caretaker.

"What did Mark do for the Dodgers? He’s been a great caretaker of the brand and of the team. How much money he put into Dodger Stadium. He’s always willing to make the big and bold moves to win. But Mark is a visionary. So, he’s probably already got a vision for the Laker organization and for the team. So, that’s the great thing about him.

“The funny thing is, his personality is just like Jeanie. You won’t see him out front a lot, just like now he’s not out in front of the Dodgers. So, people need to understand that. That’s not his personality. Just like Jeanie’s personality. She hasn’t been out front."

About Jeanie Buss and the sale

“You saw Mark let Jeanie stay on the Board of Governors. That was smart. One thing that is smart about Jeanie is she was never going to say, ‘Oh, the Lakers are up for sale! Anybody can own them.’ That’s not who she is. She wasn’t going to put it in anybody’s hands.

“And I think because of the success of the Dodgers and how he has run the organization, now it’s easy for the fans. We already know him. We’ve seen his work already. We’ve seen what he’s been able to do, led us to a couple of World Series [wins] and going to the World Series four times. That’s success right there. That’s what Laker fans are looking for.

“He’s got a track record. This is what Laker fans would want, somebody that they can trust, just like they trusted Dr. Buss. They trusted Jeanie because of her father saying, ‘This is who I want in charge.’ So, this is beautiful for all Laker fans."

Upon hearing the news

“I’m going crazy too. I was screaming all over this yacht, because I know how great Mark is and how great of a man he is and how smart he is. He’s got a big heart.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Forsberg: Explaining Celtics' new trade flexibility after recent moves

Forsberg: Explaining Celtics' new trade flexibility after recent moves originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens accomplished an unenviable task earlier this week, reportedly parting with two core members of his 2024 championship squad — Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis — in trades that saved Boston roughly $27 million in cap space and brought the team under the second apron of the NBA’s luxury tax.

But why exactly was it so important for Stevens to get under the second apron?

While there is a financial penalty for being over the second apron, the more punitive penalties involve front-office moves: Teams over the second apron can’t utilize a number of roster-building tactics, from aggregating contracts in trades to executing sign-and-trades to using midlevel exceptions and much more.

“I think the second apron penalties are real,” Stevens told reporters Wednesday night in his post-NBA Draft press conference, “and I didn’t realize how real they were until they were staring me in the face over the past month. You can’t overstate that.”

So, now that Boston is under the second apron after trading Holiday and Porzingis, Stevens and Co. have a lot more flexibility to make additional moves this offseason, as Chris Forsberg explained Wednesday on NBC Sports Boston’s The Off C’season live show.

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“The Celtics can now aggregate contracts,” Forsberg said. “They can now send out money (in trades). … You can put multiple players in a trade. … Traded player exceptions are now in play, sign-and-trades; there are just so many more avenues now to go get players who can add to this roster.”

As a concrete example: Say the Celtics wanted to trade for a player making roughly $18-$20 million next season. As a second apron team, they wouldn’t be able to pull off such a deal, because they don’t have a player with a 2025-26 salary in that range. But now that they’re under the second apron, they hypothetically could package Sam Hauser ($10 million salary) and Georges Niang ($8.2 million) in a trade for that player making $18-$20 million.

That opens more doors for Stevens to tweak the roster, especially if there’s interest in Hauser, Niang or Anfernee Simons, who was acquired in the Holiday trade and is set to make $27.7 million this season on an expiring contract.

There is one area where the Celtics don’t have flexibility, however: Now that they’re under the second apron, they can’t go back over for the rest of the offseason and 2025-26 regular season.

“Remember: In all dealings, you have to still be below the second apron,” Forsberg noted. “You cannot at any point go back over the second apron if you use any of those tactics to add players to your roster. So, it just handcuffs you a little bit in terms of how much you can spend, how much you can afford moving forward.

“There are more options available now. (But) to fully maximize and utilize those, they’ve still got to cut more money.”

The Celtics are just $4.6 million under the second apron at the moment, so don’t be surprised if Stevens makes more moves in the coming weeks to further shed salary and give his team even more financial flexibility.

Report: Kings interested in Warriors' restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga

Report: Kings interested in Warriors' restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Kings are paying close attention to a situation playing out with their Northern California rival.

Sacramento is one of the teams interested in Warriors’ restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga, The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported Wednesday, citing league sources.

“…League sources say the Kings are among the teams that have interest in Golden State’s Jonathan Kuminga and will be monitoring his market when his restricted free agency begins,” Amick wrote. “And while it appears unlikely that Kuminga will ultimately come their way, it speaks to the vision, and the range of possibilities here, that they’re even focusing on players of that ilk.”

The Miami Heat, as The Athletic’s Anthony Slater reported Wednesday, also have interest in Kuminga.

Sacramento, and any other team interested in acquiring Kuminga, can agree to an offer sheet with the restricted free agent, which the Warriors can match, or facilitate a sign-and-trade deal with Golden State.

The 22-year-old Kuminga missed 31 games during the 2024-25 NBA season due to an ankle injury, and in 47 games (10 starts), averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game on 45.4-percent shooting from the field and 30.5 percent from 3-point range.

Kuminga has struggled to maintain a consistent role in Warriors coach Steve Kerr’s rotations throughout his first four NBA seasons, and made it clear in a recent conversation with Slater that he wants an opportunity to develop into a star player.

Might that opportunity be with the Kings?

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2025 NBA Draft grades for every team in the first round

This was a wild first round of the 2025 NBA Draft. We had the expected — Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper going 1-2 — but there were no trades in the top 10, when we expected a lot. Then, after 10, the trades started raining down, as did the unexpected picks.

Here are the grades for every team in the first round.

Atlanta Hawks: A

Asa Newell (23, from trade Pelicans)

This was good work by the Hawks, who traded back 10 spots with the Pelicans, picked up a 2026 unprotected first rounder for their trouble, and still drafted an Atlanta native not expected to fall to them. Newell has a high motor and averaged 15.4 points and 6.9 rebounds a game for the Georgia Bulldogs last season. The problem he faces at the next level is this: He's not quite big and strong enough to play the five in the NBA, but he doesn't have the shooting (29.3% on 3-pointers last season) or ball handling to be a modern four. Quin Snyder and his staff have to figure out how to utilize him, but he's a great addition at 23.

Boston Celtics: B

Hugo Gonzalez (28)

A Real Madrid product, Gonzalez has good size and feel for the game as a center, and shows real promise as a defender, but the question is his shot. He hit just 29% from 3 last season (which is less than ideal in a Joe Mazzulla system). Gonzalez is seen as a bit of a project, and if he can develop a steady shot the rest of his game would fit well with the Celtics.

Brooklyn Nets: C+

Egor Demin (8), Nolan Traoré (19), Drake Powell (22), Ben Saraf (26), Danny Wolf (27)

One of the biggest surprises of the first round: The Nets kept and used all five of their first-round picks. This feels like a numbers game for the rebuilding Nets: draft a bunch of players, and hope a couple of them work out.

Demin is the big swing by Brooklyn. He is a polarizing figure among scouts, but the Nets have bet on his upside. Denim is the best passer in this class, has a good feel for the game and has fantastic positional size as a 6'8" point guard. The question is his shot and ability to score in general, but if that part of his game can be developed then this is going to look like a steal. If not… well, the Nets are rebuilding and it's going to take time.

Another gamble by the Nets. Traoré was the lead ball handler and shot creator for a French professional team at the age of 19 last season, and struggled at first in that role but improved as the season progressed. This is a good roll of the dice by Brooklyn.

Powell is an excellent defender, which will give Jordi Fernandez a reason to play him while Powell and the coaching staff work on his offensive game. Notice a theme here about drafting players who need help with their offensive games in Brooklyn?

Saraf is a big guard with real creativity, the feel and skill to run an offense, and he plays hard on defense. That said, he has a funky shot and hit 29.4% from 3 last season. He fits the theme.

Wolf is the most stable of the Nets' picks. He's not an explosive athlete or a good defender, but he has NBA center size, a great feel for the game, a good basketball IQ, and he's a quality passer. He can be a backup NBA big this coming season.

Charlotte Hornets: A-

Kon Knueppel (4), Liam McNeeley (29, trade from Phoenix)

It was a good day for the Hornets. First, you can never go wrong taking the best shooter on the board, which Knueppel was. It's an especially smart pick when he can spread the floor for LaMelo Ball and knock down 3-pointers. He is also a quality defender (which they need next to Ball). He's going to be a good fit with the Hornets between Ball and Brandon Miller on the wing.

McNeeley is a steal at 29. He came out of Montverde Academy playing alongside Flagg and Queen, and he impressed by shooting well while playing off the ball. However, he was forced to be a primary shot creator for Dan Hurley and the Huskies, shooting 31.7% from 3-point range. The Hornets are betting he can return to his high school form, working more off the ball.

Chicago Bulls: B+

Noa Essengue (12)

The Bulls played the long game here, which is a good sign for them (and is kind of what they did with Matas Buzelis a year ago). Essengue's fluid athleticism and high motor means he could be the guy in a few years where everyone says, "How did he fall to 12th?" The French native played for Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany last season and showed considerable improvement as the season wore on, which is a good sign for his development. He needs to add muscle and improve his shot, but it's good to see the Bulls thinking about the long term.

Dallas Mavericks: A+

Cooper Flagg (1)

Making this pick was a no-brainer, but when you get the best player in the draft, a guy who can help you win now — or, at least when Kyrie Irving gets healthy — and can be the bridge to the future, then you get an A+. It doesn't matter that it was an open-book test, the Mavericks aced it. Flagg is an elite defender, plays with a high motor, can shoot the three or drive the rim, has handles and… what else do you want? Great player, great fit.

LA Clippers: A-

Yanic Konan Niederhauser (30)

One of the standouts at the NBA Draft Combine, the Swiss native who played at Penn State last year is massive — 6'11" with 7'3" wingspan — and an impressive athlete for his size. He led the big 10 in blocks last season. He is a rim-running big who isn't giving the Clippers much offense outside of the restricted area, and there are questions about his hands. Still, for the last pick in the first round, this is a great roll of the dice by the Clippers.

Memphis Grizzlies B

Cedric Coward (11, via Portland)

Coward is a bet on a player with all the tools but who is a bit raw. It's also a bet on the Grizzlies' player development program. Coward could grow into the replacement for Desmond Bane on the wing: He's 6-5 with a 7-2 wingspan, showed off a 32.5-inch standing vertical leap at the NBA Draft Combine, and shot 38.8% from 3 in his college career. He has all the tools to be a good fit next to Ja Morant. This was their guy, and the Grizzlies went and got him.

Miami Heat: A-

Kasparas Jakucionis (20)

This high grade is based on the fact that this is a quality pickup this late in the first round. The Lithuanian who came to Illinois via FC Barcelona is a strong floor general who understands how to run an offense and is a creative passer. He averaged 15.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists a game last season. He slipped down draft boards after a rough Big 10 season with concerns about his shot (32.6% from 3) and defense. That said, coming off the bench as a secondary shot creator alongside players like Tyler Herro, he could find a role where he thrives.

Minnesota Timberwolves: B

Joan Beringer (17)

This was the Timberwolves picking the best player they saw on the board rather than thinking fit — Minnesota doesn't really have a need for another center right now. Beringer is a bit of a project, but he showed potential as a shot-blocking, rim-running big in the Adriatic League last season. He has good athleticism and the Timberwolves can play the long game with him and give him time to develop.

New Orleans Pelicans: B-

Jeremiah Fears (7), Derik Queen (13, from trade with Atlanta)

With Dejounte Murray out for at least half the season (torn Achilles), the Pelicans have been hunting playmaking and scoring. That's why they traded for Jordan Poole just before the draft. It's why they took Fears with the No. 7 pick — the Pelicans see his quick attack, quality handles and ability to get to the rim (with some spectacular finishes) and believe they have another scorer and playmaker. He averaged 17.1 points and 4.1 assists a game in his year at Oklahoma. However, he shot 28.4% from 3-point range, his finishing at the rim is inconsistent, and he turned the ball over on 18.3% of his possessions. Can Willie Green and company turn those bad habits around?

Queen is the most skilled center in this draft, but after a rough Draft Combine (where his physical testing was unimpressive), the question was how far he would fall. Not past New Orleans. The Pelicans have Yves Missi but are looking for a backup and decided to give Queen a chance.

Oklahoma City Thunder: B

Thomas Sorber (15)

Anyone the Thunder picked here was going to have a hard time cracking the rotation next season, this is the deepest team in the league. This gives the Thunder some time to figure out how to maximize one of the more unique players in the draft: A 6'9 center with a 7'6" wingspan and a strong NBA build that will let him play in the paint at the next level. He's got a good feel for the game and touch at the rim. There isn't a better franchise in the league at finding and developing talent, maybe we're underestimating how good he can be.

Orlando Magic: A-

Jase Richardson (25)

This is a quality pick this late in the first round and a good fit with the roster. Jase is the son of 13-year NBA veteran Jason Richardson, but nobody is going to confuse the two on the court. Jase is a smaller point guard who plays with pace, has a great feel for the game and can get into the lane and break down defenses. He's undersized, which raises defensive concerns, but he can be a quality reserve guard for the Magic and potentially develop into more.

Philadelphia 76ers: A-

VJ Edgecombe (3)

The 76ers decided not to trade the pick (they didn't get an offer Daryl Morey liked enough), and that may be the wise move. Edgecombe could be a good fit in Philly, starting next season. He's an elite defender and athlete, who has developed a shot (36.4% from 3 last season at Baylor).. He knows how to use his athleticism as a cutter or in transition to get buckets, which should be a good fit playing off Tyrese Maxey and Paul George.

Phoenix Suns: A

Khaman Maluach (10, via Rockets), Mark Williams (trade with Hornets)

The Suns lined up two young centers in a matter of minutes on Wednesday night and did some good work with that. Williams' talent isn't in question, it's simply his ability to stay healthy (which is why the Lakers pulled out of a trade for him at the deadline). However, for what the Suns gave up it's a risk worth taking.

Maluach has NBA center size and a 7'6" wingspan, and he showed at Duke he could anchor their defense and moves his feet well. He's got a long way to go to contribute much of anything on the offensive end at the NBA level, but this is a good bet by Phoenix at 10.

Portland Trail Blazers: D-

Hansen Yang (16, traded from Memphis)

The biggest head-scratcher in this draft. It's not that the 7'1" big bodied center from China doesn't have some skills, he is a terrific passer and shot better at the NBA Draft Combine than expected. However, most teams had him as a second-round pick, maybe a draft-and-stash player, because he's not an explosive (or even average) NBA-level athlete, not stronger than his NBA competition, not a great defender when outside the paint, and he's mostly been a post-up scorer in China, something that will not fly in the NBA. Perhaps he will develop into an NBA rotation player, but in the short term, there is a lot of work to be done to get him there. Can the Trail Blazers pull that off?

Sacramento Kings: B

Nique Clifford (24, from Oklahoma City)

Clifford is part of a growing NBA trend: Drafting seniors who can step in now and help teams. He is a plug-and-play guard who can score, pass, and defend, a player who averaged 18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game last season and shot 37.7% from 3-point range. He can be a backup guard for the Kings next season.

San Antonio Spurs: A

Dylan Harper (2), Carter Bryant (14)

With Harper, the Spurs did the right thing: Take the best player on the board regardless of position. It doesn't matter if they already have De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle — since when is having too much talent a bad thing? Harper receives many comparisons to Cade Cunningham, and with good reason, it's easy to see the similarities in their style of play. If Harper and Wemby develop a strong chemistry then this is a home run, the Spurs can figure the rest of the rotation out later.

Bryant is a classic Spurs pick — a good player who fits right into a role for them. Bryant fills the archetype of an NBA 3&D wing: He has good size for the position, was a defensive monster in college (largely off the bench) and shot 37.1% on 3-pointers. It's easy to see him spacing the floor while Harper and Victor Wembanyama suck in the defense with a pick-and-roll

Toronto Raptors: C

Collin Murray-Boyles (9)

Another 6'7" wing in Toronto just seems fitting, they have quite the collection going (Grady Dick, RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, Ochai Agbaji are all between 6'6" and 6'8"). Murray-Boyles is the ultimate "if we can develop his shot" player in this draft. He's a good defender, both in the paint and on the perimeter because of his quick hands. He plays a high-IQ game. But if he can't shoot, there isn't much of a role.

Utah Jazz: B

Ace Bailey (5), Walter Clayton (trade from Wizards)

I like the Bailey pick for Utah. Who cares if it's what he and his camp want? Do what's best for your team (the buzz has been that Bailey and his agent wanted him to go to Washington and stay on the East Coast, although after the pick he said he was "blessed" to be drafted, period).

The Jazz need talent. Bailey has the second-highest ceiling of any player in this draft, but this feels like a boom or bust pick — and good on the Jazz for taking that swing. At this point in their team building, the Jazz should take big swings. Bailey is a prototypical modern NBA wing: he has great size, is a freak athlete, has a high motor, can create his own shot, can shoot the 3 (36.7% last season), and is a tough shot-maker. The problem is that he made tough shots because of his questionable shot selection, something Utah needs to work on. The Jazz have a very good player development staff, if they can mold Bailey, this swing could be a home run.

Clayton was a clutch player for the national champion Florida. He is an impressive catch-and-shoot guy, there's a lot to like (but enough to trade up a few spots for him?). He's also got serious defensive questions. But he should move into the Jazz's guard rotation and could be a quality backup for them (and maybe more eventually).

Washington Wizards: B

Tre Johnson (6), Will Riley (21)

Washington wanted to add some offense, it took some gambles trying to do that.

Johnson plays with an undeniable swagger and the Wizards could use some of that. Johnson is arguably the best pure bucket getter in this class — if you need points, he can get them. At Texas last season he averaged 20.9 points a game shooting 39.1% from beyond the arc on a team with terrible spacing. The concern is he doesn't do much outside of scoring, he's not a great playmaker or defender. Still, the swagger is a good thing in Washington.

Riley is a bit of a project, but the Wizards are in a position to take on projects. He has good size for an NBA wing and showed stretches where he looked like a guy who could be a knock-down shooter at the next level, but he shot just 32.6% from 3 last season. Still a good choice this late in the first round.

Teams without first-round draft picks: Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, and Golden State Warriors.

Why Draymond Green likes ex-Warriors teammate Jordan Poole's trade to Pelicans

Why Draymond Green likes ex-Warriors teammate Jordan Poole's trade to Pelicans originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Draymond Green knows how impactful Jordan Poole can be for an NBA team.

The Warriors forward reacted to the blockbuster trade between the Wizards and Pelicans on Tuesday that sent Poole, Saddiq Bey and the No. 40 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft to New Orleans for CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk and a future second-round pick, and he praised the move for the Pelicans, who acquired his former championship-winning teammate.

“When I look at this Pelicans move, I like it,” Green stated on the latest episode of “The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis.” “I think when you add a talent like Jordan Poole — CJ is kind of who CJ is — Jordan still has room for growth. I don’t think we’ve seen the best of his growth yet. I think getting in an organization like New Orleans under Joe Dumars’ leadership with Willie Green as coach will be a really good situation for him.

“I think Washington, the first year he spent adjusting. Last year he had a really good year numbers-wise, but when you’re on that team it don’t matter. When I look at this for the Pelicans, I look at this as a net-positive. You didn’t have to go crazy from a salary-cap standpoint. I think Jordan may make a little less than CJ or right around the same amount, but I think you still got time for him to prove himself, a couple more years left on his deal. I think he’s still got time to prove himself, and also with some young guys that are also looking to take that step.”

Poole, whom the Warriors selected with the No. 28 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, broke out for Golden State during its 2021-22 championship season, averaging 18.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game on 44.8-percent shooting from the field and 36.4 percent from 3-point range.

The young guard then averaged 20.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game on 43-percent shooting from the field and 33.6 percent from 3-point range during the 2022-23 season after he was involved in a physical altercation with Green during training camp.

Golden State eventually traded Poole to Washington for veteran point guard Chris Paul during the 2023 offseason, and in two seasons with the Wizards, Poole averaged 18.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game on 42.2-percent shooting from the field and 35.3 percent from 3-point range combined.

Green believes the Pelicans’ addition of Poole, alongside forwards Zion Williamson, Herb Jones and injured guard Dejounte Murray, could make New Orleans a pesky foe in the Western Conference.

“So I think they’ve become a team that you’ve got to watch out for in the West,” Green added. “They’ve got a lot of talent and if they can put it together they can creep up and possibly have a good year.”

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Flagg, 18, drafted first by Mavericks

Cooper Flagg wearing a Dallas Mavericks baseball cap
Cooper Flagg was named this year's National College Player of the Year [Getty Images]

The Dallas Mavericks selected 18-year-old college star Cooper Flagg with the first pick in the NBA draft.

At 18 years 186 days, the guard is the second-youngest player to be selected first in draft history - LeBron James was eight days younger when picked by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003.

Dallas had the first pick after winning the draft lottery in May, despite having only a 1.8% chance because they finished 10th in the Western Conference.

"I'm feeling amazing. It's a dream come true," Flagg said.

Flagg, who plays shooting guard or small forward, helped Duke University reach the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Final Four in 2024-25, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks per game as a freshman.

He won the Wooden Award - given to the most outstanding college player each season - and was named Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Year.

He is the second number one overall pick in Dallas franchise history after the Mavs selected Mark Aguirre in 1981.

The San Antonio Spurs took guard Dylan Harper with the second pick.

Harper, 19, is the son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper and his older brother Ron Harper Jr on the books with the Detroit Pistons.

"I'm feeling everything - all the emotions mixed in one bucket," Dylan Harper said.

"They've got a great young core over there. I'm just ready to get in there and make an impact any way I can with those guys."

Guard VJ Edgecombe was selected third by the Philadelphia 76ers.

Born in the Bahamas, he was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year after averaging 15 points and 5.6 rebounds per game at Baylor University.

The Charlotte Hornets used the fourth pick to bring in guard Kon Knueppel.

2025 NBA mock draft: Warriors select Brice Williams, Tamar Bates in second round

2025 NBA mock draft: Warriors select Brice Williams, Tamar Bates in second round originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The first round of the 2025 NBA Draft has come and gone, and the Warriors weren’t a part of it at all. 

That doesn’t mean the first 30 picks didn’t have possible short term and long-term effects on Golden State. Just look at the first two picks. Cooper Flagg went to the Dallas Mavericks, and Dylan Harper followed him in the state of Texas as the No. 2 pick to the San Antonio Spurs. Both teams missed out on the NBA playoffs last season, but they don’t expect that to be the case next year.

The Western Conference always is a slugfest, and a handful of top prospects joined the Warriors’ conference. 

The Warriors entered Thursday with the No. 41 pick, but a few hours before the start of the second round, they reportedly traded the selection to the Phoenix Suns for the No. 52 and No. 59 overall picks. So, now, Golden State will have two chances to add talent to the roster.

Here’s our best guess at how the second round could play out.

31. Phoenix Suns: Rasheer Fleming, F, St. Joseph’s

Fleming was thought to be a late first-round pick. Instead, the Suns jumped at the chance to add him and his 7-foot-6 wingspan

32. Boston Celtics: Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Creighton

The Celtics just sent all 7-foot-2 of Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks, so now they can bring in a cheaper 7-foot-1 center that has shooting upside, playmaking out of the middle and smarts as someone that played 169 college games.

33. Charlotte Hornets: Maxime Raynaud, C, Stanford

After shooting up draft boards, the Hornets take the best player available. Raynaud could impact the Hornets from Day 1.

34. Charlotte Hornets: Noah Penda, F, Le Mans Sarthe Basket

The Hornets simply need as many smart basketball players as possible. Penda is still only 20 but plays with a veteran’s mind, which will fit right in.

35. Philadelphia 76ers: Bogoljub Marković, F/C, Mega Basket

He’ll need a bucket of Philly cheesesteaks to gain the pounds needed on his frame for the NBA, but Marković is a modern stretch big whose upside might be too hard to pass up.

36. Minnesota Timberwolves: Johni Broome, PF/C, Auburn

Broome is fits the experienced rookie mold of someone who played 168 college games. He was super efficient for Auburn last season, and despite athletic limitations, Broome knows how to dominate the glass.

37. Detroit Pistons: Koby Brea, SG/SF, Kentucky

Malik Beasley was an absolute steal for the Pistons this past season. However, he’s hitting free agency and the Pistons would be wise to add another knock-down shooter form deep.

38. Indiana Pacers: Tyrese Proctor, PG, Duke

It only makes sense for the Pacers to bring in another point guard named Tyrese with their own star out for the season. The former top prospect should be of strong value here.

39. Toronto Raptors: Chaz Lanier, SG, Tennessee

Lanier can go get a bucket. The Raptors’ roster feels like a bit of a mish mosh right now, but Lanier’s scoring ability can be hard to pass up.

40. New Orleans Pelicans: Jamir Watkins, SF, Florida State

The Pelicans went super young in the first round, so it’s time to bring in some age and experience. Watkins averaged over 18 points his final season at FSU, though his 3-point shot will have to improve.

41. Phoenix Suns: Sion James, Wing, Duke

James has been connected to the Warriors a ton, particularly by the person typing these words, so of course he lands at the slot the Warriors traded ahead of the second round.

42. Sacramento Kings: Ryan Nembhard, PG, Gonzaga

Unlike his older brother, Nembhard is small. People wouldn’t believe he’s 6-foot on a dating profile, but they do know he brings smarts, tenacity and the mindset to shift a culture in the right direction.

43. Washington Wizards: Adou Thiero, F, Arkansas

Many saw him as a first-round talent. The Wizards would love a slide like this for someone who should be able to guard up and down the court with players of all sizes.

44. Oklahoma City Thunder: Alex Toohey, Wing, Sydney Kings

More talent for the champs. Toohey played two years in Australia’s NBL and impressed many at the NBA scouting combine with his overall skills and feel for the game.

45. Los Angeles Lakers: Rocco Zikarsky, C, Brisbane Bullets

Back-to-back picks out of Australia. There’s big, and then there’s the 7-foot-4, 257-pound Zikarsky.

46. Orlando Magic: John Tonje, SG/SF, Wisconsin

The more shooting the better for the Magic, even after adding Desmond Bane. Tonje displayed the ability to put the ball in the basket over his six-year college career, and he plays with the smarts of someone who spent six years in college.

47. Milwaukee Bucks: Micah Peavy, Wing, Georgetown

The Bucks simply need players they can rely on. That’s Peavy, a do-it-all wing that will need to prove his 3-point shot is for real.

48. Memphis Grizzlies: Hunter Sallis, SG, Wake Forest

Sallis had a career-year across the board as a senior. He’s a former top prospect who can show why and still be a productive bench player.

49. Cleveland Cavaliers: Lachlan Olbrich, PF/C, Illawarra Hawks

OK Australia, we get it. Olbrich contributed to a championship team in the NBL, and maybe the Cavs want to get even bigger in the frontcourt.

50. New York Knicks: Amari Williams, C, Kentucky

Not only is Williams a massive center, he’s a playmaker out of the middle. That’s something the Knicks could use.

51. LA Clippers: Kam Jones, PG, Marquette

His efficiency went down last season as his 3-point shot took a tumble. That felt more like an outlier for someone who averaged 17 points his final three years of college.

52. Golden State Warriors: Brice Williams, SF, Nebraska

The Warriors worked out Williams on June 9, and for a team looking to add shooting, he fits the mold. Williams is a big-bodied wing who can get to the mid-range and bury a three. He’s an older prospect with a calmness to his game and fits the Warriors’ timeline, should he make the team.

This pick wouldn’t be a project, far from it. Williams is 23 years old and will turn 24 on July 5. He played five college seasons for a total of 157 games, and actually spent six years in college. A knee injury held him out for all of the 2021-22 season. So, why Williams?

First, he shot 38.5 percent from three for his career and never shot under 37 percent following his freshman year. Williams averaged 20.4 points per game his final college season, but isn’t going to be a ball-stopper. He also adds positional size at 6-foot-7 and 215 pounds.

53. Utah Jazz: Dink Pate, G, Mexico City Capitanes

Upside, upside, upside. That’s Danny Ainge’s game. Once regarded as a top prospect who became the youngest player ever in the G League, Ainge takes another swing.

54. Indiana Pacers: Eric Dixon, PF, Villanova

Some players just know how to put points up, and that’s Dixon. He led the nation in scoring last season and can stretch the floor with his 3-point shot.

55. Chicago Bulls: Alijah Martin, G, Florida

The right team will have to draft Martin, a 6-foot-2 super-athlete with a 6-foot-8 wingspan who might be able to mold his game after Gary Payton II.

56. Memphis Grizzlies: RJ Luis Jr., Wing, St. John’s

Versatility and intensity. Luis brings both, and it’s easy to see him compete to carve out a role in the NBA.

57. Orlando Magic: Javon Small, PG, West Virginia

Though he fits his last name at 6-foot-1, Small averaged 18.6 points and 5.6 assists last season after transferring from East Carolina. He’s worth betting on at this slot.

58. Cleveland Cavaliers: Kobe Sanders, SF, Nevada

Sanders spent his first four years at Cal Poly before leveling up and proving himself to be a dynamic shotmaker as a strong, big-bodied wing.

59. Golden State Warriors: Tamar Bates, G, Missouri

To wrap it up, the Warriors go and get a seasoned guard in Bates. The lefty is a 3-and-D type of prospect at guard with a long wingspan and the ability to really shoot it.

Bates began his career at Indiana but really shined the last two years after transferring to Missouri. In his last two seasons of college, Bates averaged 13.4 points while shooting 50.2 percent from the field, 39.2 percent from three and 93.6 percent at the free-throw line. Bates led the SEC in free-throw percentage as a junior, and then the entire country as a senior with a 94.6 percent clip when he went 87 for 92.

The Warriors worked Bates out on May 22 in their first group of pre-draft workouts.

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