Category: Basketball

Here are all of the Nets' picks from both rounds of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center in Brooklyn...

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Round 2

No. 36 pick: Traded to the Phoenix Suns

Brooklyn is dealing its only pick in the second round of the draft on Thursday to the Suns in exchange for two future second-round picks, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.

Round 1

No. 27 pick: F/C Danny Wolf, Michigan

The 6-foot-11, 252-pound big man is more of a point-forward than he is a center with his versatile skillset. He was named to the All-Ivy First Team and was the Ivy League Tournament Most Outstanding Player during his sophomore year at Yale before transferring to Michigan for the 2024-2025 season.

Wolf averaged 13.2 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game over 37 games for the Wolverines. He earned All-Big Ten Second Team and Big Ten All-Tournament Team honors while helping Michigan reach the Sweet Sixteen before losing to top-ranked Auburn.

NBA.com: Wolf has interesting versatility with his 7-foot frame, able to dribble and pass in the halfcourt and in transition. He also makes up in footwork and physicality what he lacks in athleticism. His jumpshot can come and go, but his touch is good enough to be a strong baseline for further development. Wolf has shown enough in most aspects of the game to play both on and off the ball.

No. 26 pick: G Ben Saraf, Israel

Saraf, 19, began his professional career at 16 years old in the second-division Israeli Basketball National League before joining Elitzur Kiryat Ata of the Israeli Basketball Premier League ahead of the 2023-2024 season. He averaged 10.7 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.2 rebounds and was named Israeli League Premier Rising Star.

Playing for Israel, Saraf led the 2024 FIBA U18 EuroBasket tournament in scoring with 28.1 points per game and was named tournament MVP. The guard joined Ratiopharm Ulm of the German Basketball Bundesliga for the 2024-2025 season, averaging 12.3 points, 4.3 assists, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game.

NBA.com: Passing is his best skill and the lefty Saraf is an excellent playmaker. He has above-average height, can make almost every type of pass and makes reads with ease. Saraf drives often, focusing on downhill moves and change of direction rather than shifting left to right on the perimeter. He pulls up with confidence from the mid-range and has a solid form that could lead to improved 3-point shooting as he develops.

No. 22 pick: G/F Drake Powell, UNC

Acquired on Tuesday along with Terance Mann in a three-team deal with the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks, the Nets used their third first-rounder on the freshman from UNC. Powell became the first player from North Carolina drafted in the first round since, coincidentally, the Nets took Day'Ron Sharpe with the No. 29 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.

The 6-foot-6 and 190-pound wing was a top-15 ranked, five-star recruit and 2024 McDonald's All-American and stayed in his home state of North Carolina to play for the Tar Heels. He was a bit inconsistent during his freshman season, averaging only 7.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists across 25.6 minutes in 37 games, but still showed off his athleticism and potential. He came on stronger toward the end of the season, including a 16-point performance against Miami. Overall, Powell shot 48.8 percent from the field and 37.9 percent from three.

NBA.com: Powell’s offensive game is still developing. He has a knack for finishing through contact and plays with an aggressive motor, which combines well with his elite athleticism. He’s also a connective playmaker. Powell can also get the job on defense due to his instincts and his athleticism, and his reads should improve as he gets more experience under his belt. As raw as he is, the potential is there.

No. 19 pick: G Nolan Traoré, France

Traoré, listed at 6-foot-5 and 175 pounds, is an athletic guard from France. He averaged 11.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 5.1 assists across 22.8 minutes per game in 29 contests with Saint-Quentin of the LNB Élite.

In 2024, the then-18-year-old set an Adidas Next Generation Tournament (ANGT) Finals single-game record with 45 points in U18 PFBB INSEP Paris’s 101-96 victory over U18 FC Barcelona.

NBA.com: Scouts will rave about Traoré’s potential and athleticism, as he’s a player who looks more than ready to play at the NBA level from a physical perspective. He has excellent vision for his age, above-average speed and an elite acceleration that makes him not only the fastest player in this class, but one of the fastest players in the NBA if he ends up being drafted. Plus, he also has an outstanding bounce and physical abilities that should get most scouts excited. He also understands how to create his own shot, and his playmaking ability is above-average as well. There are areas in which he needs to improve, though, most notably his defense.

No. 8 pick: G Egor Demin, BYU

While many thought GM Sean Marks would make a splash and trade up, the team kept the eighth overall pick and used it on guard Egor Demin from BYU. The 19-year-old from Russia played for Real Madrid before his lone season of college basketball, in which he averaged 10.6 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game over 33 contests.

Demin showed why he was a five-star prospect and took home Big 12 All-Freshman Team and All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors. He totaled 180 assists to set a BYU single-season record by a freshman and will get plenty of opportunities to run the show in Brooklyn.

NBA.com: Demin is a 6-foot-9 point forward with some of the best passing skills in the draft. He has the vision, size and creativity to make almost every type of pass with accuracy and seems to prefer setting up his teammates rather than scoring. While Demin isn’t a great jump shooter, he is crafty around the basket and in the mid-range area with fakes and a soft touch. Defensively, he’s at his best anticipating the offense, jumping into passing lanes and using active hands to generate steals and blocks.

Despite owning five first-round picks in the 2025 NBA Draft, GM Sean Marks and the Nets stayed put at pick No. 8 to select guard Egor Demin from BYU.

Demin, 19, is listed at 6-foot-9 and 190 pounds. He was born in Moscow, Russia and played for Real Madrid before heading to college for the 2024-25 season.

The guard averaged 10.6 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.9 rebounds over 27.5 minutes of action across 33 games with the Cougars, leading them to an 11-seed in the NCAA Tournament. BYU made it to the Sweet Sixteen before falling to Alabama.

He earned Big 12 All-Freshman Team and All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors while setting a BYU freshman single-season record for assists with 180.

Demin should fit in nicely on a rebuilding Nets team without a true lead guard. His size adds another layer to his potential as a playmaker at both the point guard and shooting guard spots. After being drafted, Demin spoke with reporters and said "it's an honor" to join the Nets.

"Obviously for me, it's a great opportunity to be on a team where I will be able to develop myself and also impact the game in the ways I can," Demin said. "Just learn a lot from the guys who are already on the team, from the coaching staff, from the front office.

"That's a historical club, historical organization right. Obviously it's a lot related to Russia in the past. A lot of Russian players were going through this organization. For me it's an honor to be a part of the Nets."

Brooklyn's last lottery pick came in the 2010 NBA Draft when they selected Derrick Favors from Georgia Tech with the No. 3 pick.

Demin added that he models his game after Luka Dončić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and takes pride in his passing ability.

"The passing is something that I was always doing. This is who I am," Demin said. "I believe in the game of basketball as a creative place. It's like art for me. I want to play beautiful. I want to play pretty. I want to play efficient. For me, there is never the sacrifice of something, sacrifice of myself for the team, it's about making a right decision - which I'm always trying to do."

Sixers pick VJ Edgecombe ‘hates seeing the opponent score,' wants to be special defender  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

CAMDEN, N.J. — VJ Edgecombe aspires to do it all.

However, if a coach asked him to only play defense, you sense he’d still embrace the task. 

The Sixers hope Edgecombe, the No. 3 pick in Wednesday night’s NBA draft, evolves into an All-Star. The 19-year-old guard knows there’s work to do and he sounds hungry to defend. 

“I just love playing defense because I know that I can (be) on the floor if I’m not scoring,” Edgecombe said in a post-draft Zoom press conference. “Scoring isn’t the only aspect of the game. I’m so bought in on just being a versatile player, being an all-around player. Why not be an elite defender, or try your hardest to be an elite defender? That just comes with grit.

“And I just don’t like seeing other people score. … I just hate seeing the opponent score because if they score more than us, they win. And I hate to lose and love to win. So that’s why I play defense the way I do.”

Edgecombe’s defensive game is much more than effort and obstinance. He averaged 2.1 steals and 0.6 blocks per game in his lone season at Baylor and showed he can wall off drives, jet into passing lanes and bounce high for blocks. 

Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey envisions those qualities being very handy alongside guards Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain and Quentin Grimes. 

“I think just fit-wise, Tyrese, with his high basketball IQ, he understands that those two complement each other very well in terms of VJ’s going to be able to guard multiple positions, probably take the toughest (defensive) assignment … maybe not (on) Day 1, but over his career,” Morey said. “Tyrese and him can really play off of each other well.” 

Edgecombe met Maxey as part of his pre-draft Sixers visit. 

“Man, he’s a great person,” he said. “We just got to know each other. We didn’t even talk basketball the whole time. … He was telling me it was great seeing me, but I was telling him how I’m just a huge fan of his game. … He’s a great person, super energetic, full of joy, and that’s someone I’m definitely looking forward to working with. 

“That’s going to be my backcourt mate. Hopefully, we retire on the same team.”

For now, Maxey will likely do considerably more scoring than Edgecombe. 

While Edgecombe wasn’t unproductive at all last season — 15.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game — he’s relatively weak at creating good shots for himself, converting inside and sinking jumpers off the dribble. According to The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie, Edgecombe shot 48.9 percent at the rim in the half court. He was 34.0 percent overall from three-point range. 

“I think I just need to continue growing in every aspect of the game,” Edgecombe said. “You can never stop getting better. I’m really focused on just shooting the ball at a high level to release pressure off of Joel (Embiid), Tyrese and (Paul George).” 

Whatever transpires in Edgecombe’s NBA career, it does not appear that he’ll lack dedication or defensive zeal.

“I know that my path is different from everyone else,” he said. “I had to work a little harder, especially being from the Bahamas. There ain’t no opportunities, ain’t nobody watching you play. No coach comes into the Bahamas and says, ‘Let me go recruit this kid for (Division I),’ so I know that my work ethic had to be a lot different from everyone else’s. That’s why I work so hard. I just want to take care of my mom … my little siblings that look up to me. 

“So that’s where my work ethic comes from, and that’s because I love the game. I feel like if you love the game, you’re going to put time into it, and I just always want to give love to the game. … The game has blessed me with so many paths in life. So why not put time into this? That’s where my work ethic comes from.”

The Dallas Mavericks did what everyone knew they would on Wednesday when they selected Cooper Flagg as the No 1 overall pick in the NBA draft.

“I’m feeling amazing. It’s a dream come true, to be honest,” Flagg said after he was selected, surrounded by his family. “I wouldn’t want to share it with anybody else.”

The forward was brilliant in his single year of college basketball at Duke, which had come after he was a highly touted player in high school.

Related: Cooper Flagg will go No 1 in the NBA draft. He also broke the Duke supervillain stereotype

When Dallas overcame long odds in this year’s draft lottery to win the No 1 overall pick, there was no doubt they would go on to pick the 18-year-old from Maine. It is a move that may go some way to soothing the Mavs fanbase, who erupted in anger when the team traded superstar Luke Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in February.

The 6ft 8in Flagg helped guide Duke to an NCAA Final Four appearance after averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks as a freshman. He won the Wooden Award as the nation’s best college player along with taking home other honors including ACC Rookie of the Year and ACC All-Defensive Team.

The Mavericks had the No 1 overall pick for the second time in franchise history. They also had the top selection in 1981, when they drafted Mark Aguirre out of DePaul.

The San Antonio Spurs picked Rutgers point guard Dylan Harper with the second overall pick. Harper, son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, will play alongside French phenom Victor Wembanyama on a Spurs team that are starting to look like they could become a force in the Western Conference again after a few downs years.

The 76ers then took Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe, getting the first sustained burst of loud cheers of the draft from what seemed to be a number of Philadelphia fans who made the trip to Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The first two picks had long been expected, but the No 3 spot was the first one where there was intrigue.

Kon Knueppel made it two Duke players in the first four picks when the Charlotte Hornets took him at No 4. Ace Bailey, who could have been in the mix to go third but declined to work out for the 76ers, ended up going at No 5 to Utah.

First-round NBA draft picks for 2025

1) Dallas Mavericks – Cooper Flagg, forward, Duke

Scouting report: Only the fourth freshman named Associated Press men’s national player of the year. Led Final Four team in scoring (19.2), rebounding (7.5), assists (4.2), steals (1.4) and blocks (1.4). Shot 38.5% on 3-pointers and 84% on free throws. Ranked in 85th percentile or better in converting as the ballhandler in pick-and-rolls, post-ups and transition, according to Synergy’s analytics rankings. Set Atlantic Coast Conference freshman record with 42 points against Notre Dame. Turns 19 in December.

2) San Antonio Spurs – Dylan Harper, guard, Rutgers

Scouting report: Freshman lefty who thrived as scorer (19.4) and lead ballhandler with two-way potential. Notably scored 36 points against Notre Dame, then 37 a day later against then-No 9 Alabama in November. Averaged 4.0 assists and 1.4 steals. Son of former NBA guard Ron Harper. Couldn’t lift Rutgers to a winning record despite playing with fellow top prospect Ace Bailey. Turned 19 in March.

3) Philadelphia 76ers – VJ Edgecombe, guard, Baylor

Scouting report: Explosive athleticism stands out at both ends. Above-the-rim finisher who creates highlight-reel moments. Freshman ranked among combine leaders in max vertical leap (38.5). Must improve outside shooting consistency (34%), but had seven games with at least three made 3s. Had 11 games with three-plus steals.

4) Charlotte Hornets – Kon Knueppel, forward, Duke

Scouting report: Efficient wing scorer. Made 40.6% on 3-pointers. Ranked in Synergy’s 98th percentile on spot-up shooting (52.9%). Ranked sixth nationally at the foul line (91.4%). Had 10 games with at least four assists, indicating potential as secondary playmaker. ACC Tournament MVP. Lacks elite athleticism.

5) Utah Jazz – Ace Bailey, forward, Rutgers

Scouting report: Versatile, athletic shotmaker with midrange and stepback skills. Streaky shooter had five January games with at least four threes for defense-stretching potential, yet also notable skids at the foul line and behind the arc. Last season’s second-ranked recruit couldn’t lift Rutgers to a winning record despite playing with fellow top prospect Dylan Harper. Turns 19 in August.

6) Washington Wizards – Tre Johnson, guard, Texas

Scouting report: Southeastern Conference’s scoring leader (19.9) who also led all Division I freshmen. Broke Kevin Durant’s freshman Longhorns record with 39 points against Arkansas. Shot 39.7% on three-pointers with 12 games of at least four threes. Shot 87.1% on free throws. Needs strength on slender frame. Turned 19 in March.

7) New Orleans Pelicans – Jeremiah Fears, guard, Oklahoma

Scouting report: Freshman combo guard adept at creating space. Averaged 17.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists. Attempted 6.3 free throws per game. Shot 28.4% on threes and averaged 3.4 turnovers. Must add strength. Turns 19 in October.

8) Brooklyn Nets – Egor Demin, guard/forward, BYU

Scouting report: Russian playmaker with size. Averaged 5.5 assists, second among Division I freshmen. Had 15 assists against two turnovers in 54 minutes in the last two games for a Sweet 16 team. Must improve shooting (27.3% on threes, 69.5% on free throws).

9)Toronto Raptors – Collin Murray-Boyles, forward, South Carolina

Scouting report: Sophomore with 7ft 1in wingspan and two-way potential. Averaged 16.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks. Thrived in halfcourt by shooting 57.9% to rank in Synergy’s 88th percentile. Shooting is a concern after hitting 23.1% (9 of 39) of three-pointers and 69.5% of free throws in two seasons.

10) Houston Rockets (traded to Phoenix Suns) – Khaman Maluach, center, Duke

Scouting report: Has length and size of elite rim protector and lob threat. Runs floor well and thrived in pick-and-roll chances, ranking in Synergy’s 99th percentile. Still-developing offensive skillset with 71.2% shooting largely coming on dunks and putbacks. Had combine’s biggest wingspan at 7ft 7.75in.

• Click here for every draft pick

2025 NBA Draft: Best available players at each position entering second round originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The first round of the 2025 NBA Draft is over, but there are plenty more quality players still available for teams that own a second-round pick.

One of those teams is the Boston Celtics, who are in the favorable position of having the No. 2 pick (32nd overall) in the second round.

This pick was acquired in a previous trade, and it allows the C’s to get a player with first-round talent but not have to pay that player a first-round contract. And for a team like the Celtics that’s in the luxury tax, every dollar matters.

The Celtics took Spanish wing Hugo Gonzalez with the No. 28 pick in the first round. Will they address the frontcourt in Round 2? Veteran centers Al Horford and Luke Kornet can both become unrestricted free agents this summer, so it would make sense to bolster that position in the draft.

Which players should the Celtics target with their second-round pick?

Here are the best players still on the board entering Day 2 of the draft on Friday.

Point Guard

Tyrese Proctor, PG, Duke

Kam Jones, PG/SG, Marquette

Wing

Chaz Lanier, SG, Tennessee

Jamir Watkins, SG/SF, Florida State

Hunter Sallis, Guard, Wake Forest

Koby Brea, SG/SF, Kentucky

Rasheer Fleming, SF, Saint Joseph’s

John Tonge, SF, Wisconsin

Alex Toohey, SF, Australia

Noah Penda, SF, France

Sion James, SF, Duke

Power forward/Center

Adou Thiero, PF, Arkansas

Bogoljub Markovic, PF, Serbia

Maxime Raynaud, PF/C, Stanford

Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Creighton

Johni Broome, C, Auburn

Eric Dixon, C, Villanova

Rocco Zikarsky, C, Australia

2025 NBA Draft grades roundup: How experts view Celtics' Hugo Gonzalez pick originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Real Madrid has produced several good NBA players over the years, and the Boston Celtics are hoping Hugo Gonzalez will eventually join that list.

The Celtics selected Gonzalez with the No. 28 pick in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft on Wednesday night. There were rumors earlier in the day that Boston had interest in trading up, but the C’s ultimately remained at No. 28 and made the pick. Judging by the trades that did happen, the price to move up was pretty high.

Gonzalez needs to work on his 3-point shooting, but the 19-year-old wing should be a good fit for the Celtics defensively given his athleticism, length and competitiveness.

“Just a big fan of how he plays,” Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens told reporters Wednesday night. “He’s tough. He’s hard playing. He cuts. He goes after the ball. He competes. He has all the intangibles of a winning basketball player.”

What do the experts think of the Gonzalez pick for the Celtics? Here’s a roundup of draft grades:

Kevin O’Connor, Yahoo! Sports

Grade: A

“He fits nicely in the Celtics’ culture. He plays hard, but is more than a hustler and strong defender. He’s a high-motor wing with great defensive tools and a slashing style on offense. If his jumper and handle develop, he could be a versatile two-way starter, though he didn’t get a lot of playing time overseas.”

Bryan Kalbrosky, For The Win

Grade: C+

“While this originally seemed like a potential draft-and-stash candidate for the Celtics, it’s possible that Spain’s González could come to the United States and play in the NBA as soon as next season. With the longest hands of anyone measured at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine and a wingspan nearly 6-foot-11, he has good physical skills, even if his play on the court is indeed somewhat inconsistent.”

Kevin Sweeney, Sports Illustrated

Grade: A-

“Gonzalez saw his stock fall throughout the year after failing to secure consistent playing time at Real Madrid, but a year ago at this time he was considered perhaps the best international player in this class. His motor is elite, as is his versatility on the defensive end. This is a strong buy-low bet for a Celtics team looking for value on affordable contracts.” 

Adam Finkelstein, CBS Sports

Grade: B-

“Gonzalez had a big early reputation in the Real Madrid system. He’s a big wing with solid size and a high motor and defensive upside, especially on the ball. The defense is the intrigue here as his best offense is in transition. The shooting is the swing skill — he shot just 29% last year. Boston shoots a lot of threes, so he’ll need to show improvement there to really stick with the Celtics.”

Gilbert McGregor, Sporting News

Grade: B

“It’s a transitional offseason for the Celtics, who have made several trades in the lead-up to the draft. They now add a pro with an NBA-ready game and frame.

“Gonzalez, 19, measures at 6-6 and 205 pounds and is coming off a championship season with Real Madrid. There is an opportunity for him to play right away in Boston with available minutes on the perimeter and he has similar strengths to another recent Celtics draft pick in Jordan Walsh.”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander puzzled people when he debuted his signature Converse shoe during All-Star weekend.

Converse? Where Chuck Taylor retros reside? Sure, Gilgeous-Alexander — known simply as SGA — was a rapidly improving player on a rapidly improving Oklahoma City Thunder team. But him as the face of a fading performance sneaker outfit didn't compute.

Fast forward to the NBA Finals. Moments after the Thunder's 103-91 Game 7 victory over the Indiana Pacers, SGA ascended the stage to accept his most valuable player trophy with a golden colorway of his signature shoe hanging from his neck.

Then on Tuesday, SGA doubled down, enjoying the championship parade with “Trophy Gold” Converse SHAI 001s on his feet.

Who would have thought Oklahoma City would become a flash point of foot fashion. And during Paris Fashion Week no less, when big brands from Nike and New Balance to Adidas and Asics introduce new product lines.

Read more:Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads OKC to NBA title, and the Clippers must be cringing

Nothing enhances marketing like winning, and SGA is the undisputed NBA victor of the season. He's the anointed MVP of the regular season as well as the Finals, leading the league in scoring and doing it all with an impish grin and requisite humility.

As creative director of Converse, the shoe fits.

“I’m able to essentially do whatever I want to do with the shoe. How it’s going to play out, the ball is really in my court,” SGA told Boardroom TV in December. “It’s something that I could imagine every athlete would want to ask for, to try and tell their story and show themselves to the world how they want to do it. To have complete control, it’s a blessing.”

But can SGA elevate Converse from the bargain rack? His SHAI 001s aren't grandpa's Chuck Taylor All-Stars, those classic shoes of timeless design consisting of a white toe cap over cotton canvas adorned with a distinctive All-Star logo.

They made a comeback last year when presidential candidate Kamala Harris wore them but Converse recorded year-over-year sales declines of 15% or more in each of the last three fiscal quarters.

Chuck Taylor was a semi-pro basketball player and traveling salesman for the Converse Rubber Shoe Company in the early 1920s when he designed the shoe. By the 1950s nearly everyone on a basketball court wore them, but they declined in popularity by the end of the 1970s before enjoying a comeback as nostalgic casual footwear.

A few years after going through bankruptcy, Converse was swallowed up by Nike in 2003 for $305 million. So, technically, SGA is just another massively paid shill for Nike, standing in line behind Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Tiger Woods, Selena Williams, Cristiano Ronaldo and Rory McIlroy.

But by aligning himself with an all-but-forgotten underdog of a brand, SGA has an opportunity to author a chapter in the signature shoe wars that could rival his already substantial accomplishments on the court.

There is one problem. The Shai 001 won't be available for sale until the fall. Converse can't capitalize on OKC and SGA fans wanting to rock the golden "butter" footwear of their new hero, and wanting them NOW.

Read more:Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton latest to succumb to torn Achilles during NBA playoffs

A limited release, at least, did take place in downtown Oklahoma City for two hours Tuesday before the parade.

Aligning with a current player always involves an element of risk for a shoe company. Converse learned this firsthand in 1997 when it dropped Latrell Sprewell as an endorser and spokesman after the NBA star choked coach P.J. Carlesimo during a Golden State Warriors practice.

And the risk isn't always about misbehavior. Puma unveiled the Hali 1, its first shoe in collaboration with the Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton on the day this year's NBA Finals began. Haliburton tore an Achilles tendon in Game 7 and will miss most, if not all, of next season.

So Converse must continue to be quick on its feet to capitalize on its so far fortunate choice of SGA to represent the brand. He's only 26 and displays leadership and other qualities of a role model in addition to otherworldly hoop skills.

Can Converse become relevant again in the performance space? Can SGA become as linked to the brand as Chuck Taylor? First the shoes must hit the market. One step at a time.

"I wanted to create something new," SGA told Boardroom TV. "I wanted to bring Converse into my world and have Converse through my lens.”

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Dodgers controlling owner Mark Walter and Lakers president and controlling owner Jeanie Buss broke their silence Wednesday on a blockbuster deal that shocked many in and outside of Los Angeles.

A news release issued by Walter's team confirmed his acquisition of majority ownership stake of the Lakers, with the transaction expected to close in the third or fourth quarter of this year.

During the sale talks, the valuation of the Lakers was placed at $10 billion, a record for a professional sports team, people with knowledge of the deal not authorized to discuss it publicly told The Times. ESPN reported it is possible the value could swell to $12 billion before the transaction is complete.

Buss, whose family has had control of the Lakers for 46 years, will remain governor of the team and “continue to oversee all team operations on a day-to-day basis for the foreseeable future," the statement confirmed.

Read more:Plaschke: Lakers had a great ride with Buss family, but Dodgers owner will give team new life

Walter and Todd Boehly — a partner in the Dodgers ownership group — became the Lakers’ largest minority shareholders in 2021 when they bought 27% of the franchise, a stake previously held by Phil Anschutz.

Jerry Buss, Jeanie Buss’ father, bought the team for $67.5 million in 1979 in a deal that included the Los Angeles Kings and the Forum in Inglewood. Buss sold the Kings to Bruce McNall in 1988.

“The Buss family is deeply honored to have looked after this incredible organization for almost half a century,” Jeanie Buss said in the statement. "From the day our father purchased the Lakers, we have been determined to deliver what the City of Los Angeles deserves and demands: a team that is committed to winning — relentlessly — and to doing so with passion and with style."

Buss said she felt confident Walter would lead the franchise to success. During his tenure, the Dodgers signed a collection of stars headlined by two-way wonder Shohei Ohtani. The team won the World Series last year, their second championship and fourth World Series appearance in the last eight seasons.

Read more:Shaikin: What Mark Walter's ownership might mean for local fans watching the Dodgers and Lakers

“I have gotten to know Mark very well over time and been delighted to learn how he shares those same values," Buss said. "For the last four years, Mark has been an excellent partner to us, and we are thrilled to keep working with him to continue the Lakers’ extraordinary legacy.”

Walter, the chairman and CEO of TWG Global, has ownership stakes in the Dodgers, the WNBA’s Sparks, the Billie Jean King Cup, the Cadillac Formula 1 Team and the Professional Women’s Hockey League.

He said the Lakers “have long been one of the most iconic franchises in sports.”

“Since Dr. Jerry Buss first purchased the team in 1979, they have truly set the standard for basketball in one era after another, which is why you can find people anywhere in the world wearing Lakers shirts and jerseys,” Walter said.

Read more:'He wants to win.' Four things to know about Mark Walter's Dodgers ownership

Control of the Lakers went into a family trust after Buss died in 2013, with daughter Jeanie Buss operating as the team’s governor. The structure of the trust meant the majority of Buss’ six children — Johnny, Jim, Jeanie, Janie, Joey and Jesse — had to agree to the deal for a sale to occur.

The structure of the family trust, according to people familiar with it, doesn’t allow for ownership to pass down to heirs after death, meaning the split among the siblings would go from being shared six ways down to five and so on.

“I admire what [Jerry Buss], Jeanie and the Buss family have built, and I know how much this special organization matters to Southern Californians and to sports fans everywhere," Walter said. "I also have tremendous respect for Jeanie’s continued commitment to maintaining the Lakers’ long-term vision and elite status, and I’m excited to work with her on the next era.”

Read more:How the Buss family made the Lakers a Hollywood marvel

Los Angeles Times owner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong continues to hold a minority owner share of the Lakers.

The agreement for the sale of the Lakers came about three months after Bill Chisholm agreed to buy the Boston Celtics with an initial valuation of $6.1 billion — which was going to be a record, topping the previous mark of $6.05-billion sale for the NFL’s Washington Commanders.

The Lakers transaction was viewed as a massive surprise in NBA circles.

The Celtics’ sale is not yet finalized, pending final approval by the NBA’s board of governors.

The Lakers, led on the court by stars LeBron James and Luka Doncic, are preparing to start their 78th season later this year. The team has reached the postseason 65 times in franchise history, including 32 trips to the NBA Finals and 17 championships.

The Associated Press' Tim Reynolds contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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The Knicks don’t have much ammunition in the 2025 NBA Draft - just the 50th overall pick they received from Memphis by way of Boston and then Oklahoma City. Their own second-round pick was forfeited for tampering in the signing of Jalen Brunson.

Still, in the NBA’s new space race for depth and cost-effective production under the apron rules, finding a diamond in the rough is massive, and New York will be doing their diligence to maximize this pick. Here are some possible targets to watch out for.

It’s worth noting these names are projected anywhere from late in the first round to going undrafted. However, Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman reported he’d bet the Knicks move up to earlier in the second round, so they may have swings at more of these players than anticipated.

According to HoopsHype.com’s workout tracker, there are six publicly known prospects to have worked out for the Knicks thus far. They are Mohamed Diawara, Dylan Cardwell, Jonathan Pierre, Chucky Hepburn, NorchadOmier, and Clifford Omoruyi.

Diawara is a 6-foot-8 forward hailing from France who measures with a 7-foot-4 wingspan and 9-foot-2 standing reach. He’s 20 years old with solid attacking, ball handling and shooting out of the corners, with lots of defensive upside.

Cardwell is a massive 6-foot-11, 255-pound center who played five years at Auburn and can bring added depth to the interior. He’s a bouncy and capable defender, rebounder and finisher that could serve as another Jericho Sims-type flier. 

Pierre is an older prospect, 22 years old by way of Belmont, a 6-foot-9 dynamic forward that can shoot and put the ball on the floor. His defense and connectivity are also pluses, but he looks to be more of an undrafted signing than a pick. 

Hepburn is a four-year, 6-foot-2 guard who led Louisville to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. He’s a capable playmaker and scorer, and if his deep ball comes around could be a steal at the one spot.

Omier is a 6-foot-7 forward who doesn’t check the boxes you want from a build or athleticism standpoint, but brings high IQ play on both sides of the ball. He’s already active and aware defensively and has the touch to extend his range on offense, which gives him some upside. 

Omoruyi is a gifted athlete at the center position, boasting strong measurements but stealing the show on the eye test. His skills are a bit raw, but getting to develop his way into a rotation spot may be worth a swing. 

The Athletic’s James Edwards compiled a list of five potential targets: Koby Brea, Micah Peavy, Dink Pate, Jamir Watkins, and Kobe Sanders. Brea is a five-year college veteran coming off one year at Kentucky and can shoot the lights out from deep at 6’6”. 

Peavy is heralded as one of the class’s top perimeter defenders with a growing offensive repertoire on the wing. Pate is another wing, lengthy with guard tools on the wing, but is on the rawer side and would likely be a long-term development project. 

Watkins is an athletic swingman who can create and defend, with some questions around his jump shot keeping him in the Knicks' range. Sanders is crazy intriguing as a 6’9” point guard with defensive upside, if he somehow falls into New York’s lap. 

ClutchPoints’ Kris Pursiainen also reported the Knicks have interest in Arkansas wing Adou Thiero. The 6-foot-8 wing is an athletic and defensive specimen in line with some of the other prospects they lined up. 

Whatever the Knicks move, their lack of future picks and the heightened emphasis on depth and salary constraints across the league mean they can’t pass on another opportunity to take advantage of the Draft. Expect them to do so this year.