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Dodgers acquire former All-Star closer Alexis Díaz in trade with Reds

Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Alexis Díaz works against the Colorado Rockies.
Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Alexis Díaz delivers against the Colorado Rockies on April 26. (David Zalubowski / Associated Press)

Two years ago, Alexis Díaz was an All-Star closer with the Cincinnati Reds.

Now, the 28-year-old right-hander is set to become a Dodgers reclamation project.

Amid a wave of early-season injuries to their bullpen and rotation, the Dodgers agreed to acquire Díaz from the Reds on Thursday, the team announced.

Díaz, who was demoted to triple-A earlier this month by the Reds, won’t be joining the Dodgers’ big-league roster right away. He will instead report to Arizona to work with the Dodgers' pitching group there.

Read more:'A major league shortstop, on a championship club.' Why Dodgers don't plan to move Mookie Betts

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers transferred injured reliever Evan Phillips (who was initially expected to only miss 15 days with a forearm injury) to the 60-day IL.

Once a rising relief star who had a 1.84 ERA as a rookie in 2022, and 37 saves and a 3.07 earned-run average as an All-Star selection in 2023, Díaz has faded over the past two seasons.

In 2024, he was 28 of 32 in save opportunities, but posted a 3.99 ERA with 31 walks in 56 1/3 innings.

This season, he lost the closer’s job while battling a hamstring injury that sidelined him for the start of the season, then was optioned to triple-A after giving up eight runs, eight hits, four homers and five walks in his first six appearances. Five of the runs, and three of the homers, came in a single outing against the St. Louis Cardinals on April 30, the day before he was sent down.

Díaz, the brother of New York Mets closer Edwin Díaz, hasn’t experienced much greater success in the minors, holding a 4.61 ERA with 12 walks in 13 2/3 innings with the Reds’ Louisville affiliate.

Still, just two years removed from the early heights of his MLB career, the Dodgers were willing to take a flier on the once-promising talent, only giving up minor-league pitcher Mike Villani (a 13th-round pick in last year’s draft) in return.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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The Toronto Maple Leafs' Management DNA Must Also Change

In his end-of-season press conference, Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving was vague about plans for his team’s off-season. But one comment he made was particularly interesting.

“There’s some DNA that has to change in our team,” he told reporters Thursday.

Now, many observers would interpret that to mean notable roster changes are coming for the Maple Leafs. However, it’s fair to ask that the DNA of Leafs management in the post-Brendan Shanahan Era must also change. 

If Treliving wants his players to have more of a killer instinct on the ice, he and his management team should have a similar, more aggressive way of dealing with the Maple Leafs’ roster.

It’s been clear that Toronto has catered to its core players in recent years.

On some levels, you can understand why. Leafs brass wanted to create an environment players would want to be part of – and you don’t get that by going full scorched-earth in player relations. You need buy-in from your most important employees, and that’s what Treliving & Co. have been trying to do. 

But if you want a team to follow the lead of organizations that have gone further in the Stanley Cup playoffs than the Maple Leafs have, you absolutely want to see more of that assertiveness when making personnel decisions.

Look at the Vegas Golden Knights and Florida Panthers, for instance. Vegas became a Cup champion with a cold-blooded approach that regularly jettisoned players as they tried to find the winning lineup. 

The Panthers, meanwhile, made major moves, including trading Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar in a package for Matthew Tkachuk and walking away from Brandon Montour due to salary cap reasons. 

They were proactive on numerous fronts, including picking up Brad Marchand and Seth Jones this season. And now, the Panthers are back in the Cup final. It’s not a coincidence that Vegas and Florida got to where they are right now. It’s a function of the philosophy they’ve used in building and changing as needed.

Brad Treliving (Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images)

So when we’re talking about the Maple Leafs changing their management’s DNA, Leafs fans should want to see Treliving being willing to walk away from players they might not have walked away from in the past. Whether that means parting ways with stars Mitch Marner and John Tavares when they become UFAs a month from now, or whether that means convincing defenseman Morgan Rielly to waive his no-trade clause, the bottom line is there can be no more sentimentality ruling the day when it comes to figuring out a new core to build around.

This means going to Marner and Tavares with a certain dollar figure and, in essence, telling them, “If you want to stay in Toronto, it’s going to be on our terms.” 

So if Marner wants to set a new bar for the Leafs’ salary structure, and he doesn’t want to take less money than Auston Matthews’ $13.25 million cap hit or as much as star right winger William Nylander’s $11.5 million, then Treliving must be prepared to move on without Marner.

The days of half the Leafs’ roster getting some form of no-trade or no-move clause also have to end. Suffice it to say, they cannot improve as easily when so many players who should be traded are locked in with the Maple Leafs. Maybe that means handing out only modified no-trade clauses and not offering them to depth players, but limiting them would be another instance of management having a different DNA.

Again, we’re not suggesting Treliving take on a dictatorial tone with each relationship he’s got with his players. But on some foundational level, there cannot be a country club atmosphere any longer in Toronto. When you see teams like the Panthers and Golden Knights being strong-willed when it comes to player relations, that’s a path you clearly should want to follow. 

So yes, by all means, let’s see the Maple Leafs continue to evolve their on-ice approach to be much tougher to play against. But without a DNA change in the ways Leafs management works with its players, Toronto’s struggles are bound to continue.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

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Winnipeg Native and Three-Time Stanley Cup Champion Jonathan Toews Eyeing NHL Return; Jets Considered Front Runner

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey (44) battles for position with Chicago Blackhawks forward Jonathan Toews (19) during the first period at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: Terrence Lee-Imagn Images

Jonathan Toews hasn't played an NHL game since the 2022-23 season and is now 37 years old, but he is determined and believes he is ready to return to the NHL.

According to TSN's Pierre LeBrun, Toews reached out to his agent, Pat Brisson, yesterday to inform him he's 100 percent committed to returning to the NHL next season. Throughout the 2024-25 season, Toews was reported as "interested" in making a return but had not made a final decision. LeBrun said in a post on X that he "just spoke with Brisson, who says he will start taking calls from NHL teams on Toews now leading up to July 1."

Toews is a certified winner and is known as one of the best captains in NHL history. In his prime, he was known as one of the best two-way centers in the NHL, scoring a career-high 35 goals and 81 points in the 2018-19 season. In his NHL career, Toews won three Stanley Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks while adding a Conn Smythe Trophy, Selke Trophy and the Mark Messier Leadership Award.

Internationally, Toews is a part of the Triple Gold Club, winning gold medals at the Olympics twice, the World Juniors twice and the World Championship once. He's had a historic career that will likely get him into the Hockey Hall of Fame on his first ballot. Despite that, the Winnipeg, MN native is eager to get back to the NHL, and TSN's Darren Dreger believes there will be a lot of teams lining up for his services, and the Jets will be leading the way. 

In his late 30s, it might be a large ask to slot him into a second-line center role, but if he is in as great of shape as he claims to be, he could be the perfect cost-efficient center. When Frank Seravalli first broke the news about Toews' desire to return in January, he listed the Jets, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Colorado Avalanche as possible suitors. 

The market will be competitive, but the Jets hold the advantage of being his hometown team. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Jets stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.

REPORT: Brock Nelson Blocked Trade To Jets In Favour Of Move To AvalancheREPORT: Brock Nelson Blocked Trade To Jets In Favour Of Move To AvalancheAccording to Marco D'Amico of RG Media, Brock Nelson reportedly nixed a trade to the Winnipeg Jets in favour of a move to the Colorado Avalanche.
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Laid back celebration following Eastern Conference Final shows Panthers maturity, understanding of bigger goal to reach

The Florida Panthers are heading back to the Stanley Cup Final.

That statement, on its own, should lead to an incredible amount of excitement and enthusiasm.

But these are not the Panthers of, well, three years ago.

Back in 2023, when the Panthers made their first of what has now become three consecutive trips to the annual championship series, it was beyond a big deal.

Entering that postseason, Florida had won exactly four playoff series in the team’s existence, three of which came during the team’s improbable run to the Final in their third season back in 1996.

In the 26 years bridging that postseason with the Panthers’ Presidents’ Trophy winning year in 2022, there was more than a little frustration in and around the franchise.

That’s why it was completely acceptable and warranted when the team had an epic celebration following their win in Game 4 of the conference final back in 2023.

Between the buildup during that postseason – advancing as an eight seed – and the overall lack of success on a franchise-level until that point, it was quite understandable why the festivities following that victory were as exuberant as they were.

Last season, when the Panthers defeated the New York Rangers in six games to advance to their second straight Cup Final, the celebrations were a bit more tempered.

That’s why when the Cats knocked out the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday night in Raleigh to move on to the Stanley Cup Final for a third straight season, there wasn’t much of a celebration at all. Well, at least not what some would think is acceptable for winning a conference title.

“It's not easy to do, to be three times in a row in the Stanley Cup Final,” said Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. “It's a big achievement for us, but again, the biggest step is ahead of us, and we're all excited about it.”

Were the Panthers clearly happy they had earned their third straight Price of Wales Trophy?

Of course. It’s an amazing achievement, one that some players will go an entire career without realizing.

“I didn't even think about it. I just reacted how I reacted,” said Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk. “I think it was different than a few years ago. I remember a few years ago, like it felt like such an accomplishment from where we were at one point. I know we talked about it last year, it's part of the journey, and same way with this year. It’s all business, and we've got a bigger goal in mind.”

Nobody on the roster is throwing any shade or disrespect to what they have accomplished to this point. It’s incredibly difficult and few teams even have the chance to fight for it.

But this team is seasoned. Battle tested. They’ve been around the block and understand that they have one main goal in mind.

“I think going into this year, we knew what the goal was,” said Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues. “It's an accomplishment, winning the conference, but I think we all knew from day one what the goal was, and that's to win a Stanley Cup. We’ve got four more to go, and I think that's more of the mentality that that every guy in this room has.”

Interestingly, the ‘bigger goal’ mentality is one shared universally throughout the locker room.

That includes the new guys, the players who were not part of last season’s Stanley Cup championship but still have an astute understanding of the situation they now find themselves in, and the expectation that comes with it from one man to the next.

“We’re obviously very focused,” said Panthers forward Brad Marchand. “You could just see the guys have been here before, we're excited that we got through the round, but that's where it stops. The toughest team that we're going to face is coming up next. If you don't do the job there again, you didn't win anything. So yeah, we're excited, but it's just like any other round. There's a huge job to do moving forward, and we have to prepare for that now.”

It's yet to be determined who and where the Panthers will be facing and traveling to when they open the Stanley Cup Final sometime next week.

They may be entering the first Final rematch we’ve seen since 2009, which was the last time the same opponents faced off in consecutive Cup Finals (back then it was Detroit and Pittsburgh, who split the two series).

As it stands, the Edmonton Oilers hold a 3-1 series lead over the Dallas Stars.

Whether or not we see a Panthers-Oilers second act remains to be seen, but from a Florida perspective, nobody seems to be worried about a potential opponent.

If the Panthers continue to play their style of hockey at the level they’ve set over the past several postseasons, the team is fully confident that things will work out in their favor.

At the moment, the Cats are taking in their latest achievement while simultaneously preparing for the final battles to come.

“We appreciate and we value where we are right now,” said Bobrovsky. “But we know that the most important step is ahead of us.”

It will be fun to see how things play out. Stay tuned!

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Photo caption: May 28, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Florida Panthers celebrate the win against the Carolina Hurricanes after game five of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

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Posey confirms Giants closer role is ‘fluid' between Doval, Walker

Posey confirms Giants closer role is ‘fluid' between Doval, Walker originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Buster Posey is confident that the Giants are in a good place with their closer situation and the fluidity it allows.

The San Francisco president of baseball operations was asked about the Giants’ recent change at closer, with Camilo Doval slotting into the position and Ryan Walker moving back to a set-up role.

“I read something yesterday where Bob [Melvin] said [the closer spot] was a fluid situation and it kind of took the words out of my mouth,” Posey said Thursday on KNBR’s “Murph & Markus.”

“The nice thing about having Doval and Walker is you feel like you could insert either one of them in the ninth [inning] and they’re going to do a nice job for you. The amount of close games that we play. Right now, the save situations can be Doval, but there’s a real chance that we’re sitting here on Sunday saying, ‘Doval has closed out the last two games, we need Walker to close out the ninth.’

“So, those guys have shown a real willingness to pitch in whatever role [Bob Melvin] decides.”

With the Giants recently finding themselves in a lot of close, low-scoring games, there has been added stress on the bullpen to shut down opposing teams and close out games.

Melvin elected to make the move earlier this week, reinstating Doval to the closer role for the first time since August 2024. Walker had filled in admirably, but he had recently begun to struggle with his command. With 10 saves and a 4.95 ERA this season, the 29-year-old no longer was performing at the level needed for San Francisco to remain in contention in a loaded National League West.

Doval has looked significantly better in recent months, so the hope is that he can continue to regain his All-Star caliber form.

Still, Posey and the Giants know how unpredictable baseball can be, so expect San Francisco to keep its closer situation fluid and dictated by what’s happening in the game.

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

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Why Posey believes Bailey is ‘instrumental' part of Giants' success

Why Posey believes Bailey is ‘instrumental' part of Giants' success originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Buster Posey is backing his catcher, Patrick Bailey, amid a sluggish offensive start to the 2025 MLB season.

The San Francisco president of baseball operations was asked about Bailey’s otherworldly defense behind the plate despite his dismal batting numbers.

“Well, Patty’s an instrumental part of our success,” Posey said Thursday on KNBR’s “Murph & Markus” show. “As far as pitching and defense goes, it’s well-documented [his hitting struggles]. And it’s not an easy place to be when you’re having to run out there and be a leader on one side of the ball, and then to struggle as much as he has, it’s not an easy thing.

“You’ve got to give him a lot of credit for keeping a positive outlook because, for anybody, you want to come through with the bat. For him to go out and not lose focus defensively, has been really impressive.”

Bailey is a Gold-Glove caliber catcher, with a strong arm and great instincts, but his batting average on the year is a measly .174. With the Giants struggling to produce consistent offensive numbers, this lack of production has been difficult for Bailey to endure.

The San Francisco offense has been particularly anemic over the past few weeks, as the Giants haven’t scored more than four runs in a game since May 14. Given the highly competitive National League West and the offensive juggernaut that is the Los Angeles Dodgers standing in the way, the Giants’ entire lineup will need to figure out how to put more balls in play.

Posey knows how hard it is to balance offense and defense while squatting behind home plate, so he’s supporting Bailey through this slump.

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

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As Panthers and Oilers meet again, how many Cup Final rematches have there been?

As Panthers and Oilers meet again, how many Cup Final rematches have there been? originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers are running it back.

The 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Final features a rematch as the defending champion Panthers battle the Connor McDavid-led Oilers with Lord Stanley on the line once again.

The Panthers defeated the Oilers in a seven-game Cup Final thriller last year to capture their first-ever championship. Florida jumped out to a 3-0 series lead, Edmonton then won three straight elimination games to even the series, and the Panthers took the decisive Game 7 at home by a score of 2-1.

This is the third straight Cup Final appearance for the Panthers, who have a chance to join an exclusive group of repeat champions. Florida made rare history in 2024 by winning the Cup Final the year after finishing as runners-up, and Edmonton now is looking to do the same. The Oilers haven’t hoisted Lord Stanley in over three decades, with their last championship coming in 1990.

With Oilers-Panthers Round 2 set, here’s a look at the history of rematches in Stanley Cup Final:

Has there ever been a Stanley Cup Final rematch?

This isn’t the first time the same two teams have met in consecutive Cup Finals.

How many Stanley Cup Final rematches have there been?

Panthers-Oilers is the fifth Cup Final rematch since the start of the expansion era in the 1967-68 season.

When was the last Stanley Cup Final rematch?

The Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins were the last teams to meet in consecutive Cup Finals, doing so from 2008 to 2009. Detroit won the 2008 Cup Final in six games before Pittsburgh earned the 2009 Stanley Cup title in seven games.

The four previous Cup Final rematches saw two 2-0 sweeps and two 1-1 splits. Here’s a full look at the results of each championship rematch:

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When does the Stanley Cup Final start? Here's the full Panthers-Oilers schedule

When does the Stanley Cup Final start? Here's the full Panthers-Oilers schedule originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The last two NHL teams standing in 2025 are the same as in 2024.

The Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers will square off in the Stanley Cup Final for the second straight year. It’s just the fifth time since the start of the expansion era in 1967-68 that the same two teams have met in consecutive Cup Finals.

The Panthers outlasted the Oilers in a roller-coaster 2024 Cup Final that went the distance. Edmonton erased a 3-0 series deficit with three straight victories in elimination games, but Florida avoided a historic collapse by taking Game 7 at home to claim the franchise’s first championship.

This is the Panthers’ third straight appearance in the Cup Final as they look to join an exclusive list of repeat Stanley Cup winners. Florida, which entered the 2025 playoffs as the Atlantic Division’s No. 3 seed, bounced the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games, took down the Toronto Maple Leafs in seven games, and won the Eastern Conference Final over the Carolina Hurricanes in five games.

The Panthers have 10 players with at least 10 points this postseason, led by captain Aleksander Barkov (17 points), forward Matthew Tkachuk (16) and center Sam Bennett (16). And between the pipes, Sergei Bobrovsky boasts a 2.11 goals against average and a .912 save percentage.

Edmonton, meanwhile, is looking to repeat the rare history that Florida pulled off last season by following up a Cup Final loss with a championship. The Oilers, the Pacific Division’s No. 3 seed, first overcame a 2-0 series deficit against the Los Angeles Kings with four straight comeback victories before defeating the Vegas Golden Knights in five games. Edmonton won the Western Conference Final over the Dallas Stars for the second straight year, this time in five games. Since starting the playoffs with two straight defeats, the Oilers have lost just twice.

The star duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl has powered the Oilers back to the Cup Final, as they seek the franchise’s first championship since 1990 and sixth overall. McDavid and Draisitl are this postseason’s points leaders with 26 and 25, respectively. McDavid could be on his way to a second straight Conn Smythe Trophy after winning the award in a losing effort last year.

But will the NHL’s best player be able to bring the Stanley Cup back to Edmonton? Or will the Panthers double up their Stanley Cup title haul by going back-to-back? From the format to the schedule and more, here’s what to know about the 2025 Cup Final:

Who has home-ice advantage in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final?

Unlike last year, the Oilers will have home-ice advantage in the Cup Final thanks to finishing with more points than Florida in the regular season.

What is the Stanley Cup Final format?

The Cup Final is best-of-seven with a 2-2-1-1-1 format where the team with home-ice advantage hosts Games 1 and 2, along with the potential Games 5 and 7.

When is Game 1 of the Panthers vs. Oilers Stanley Cup Final?

The Cup Final begins Wednesday, June 4 at Rogers Place in Edmonton.

Panthers vs. Oilers Stanley Cup Final schedule

  • Game 1: Panthers at Oilers — Wednesday, June 4, 8 p.m. ET
  • Game 2: Panthers at Oilers — Friday, June 6, 8 p.m. ET
  • Game 3: Oilers at Panthers — Monday, June 9, 8 p.m. ET
  • Game 4: Oilers at Panthers — Thursday, June 12, 8 p.m. ET
  • Game 5 (if necessary): Panthers at Oilers — Saturday, June 14, 8 p.m. ET
  • Game 6 (if necessary): Oilers at Panthers — Tuesday, June 17, 8 p.m. ET
  • Game 7 (if necessary): Panthers at Oilers — Friday, June 20, 8 p.m. ET

What TV channel is the Panthers vs. Oilers Stanley Cup Final on?

All Cup Final games will air on TNT and truTV.

Where to stream the Panthers vs. Oilers Stanley Cup Final live online

Oilers-Panthers will also be available to stream on TNTDrama.com, truTV.com, the TNT app, the truTV app and Max.

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2025 NBA Mock Draft 2.0: Thunder add Thomas Sorber and Rasheer Fleming, Asa Newell slides to Pacers

The deadline for players to withdraw from the NBA draft and still play college basketball has passed, and we saw numerous talented players opt to return to college for another season, including Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg, Alabama's Labaron Philon and Auburn's Tahaad Pettiford, among others.

Those moves take away from some of the depth of this class, but this is the new reality of NIL money being available. Still, there is plenty of talent that will be available in the first round of this draft, and our mock draft 2.0 showcases it. This mock will also extend to cover the entire first round after the first edition only included the lottery picks.

With less than a month until the draft, here is how our team currently thinks it will play out:

1. Dallas Mavericks

Cooper Flagg, F, Duke

Even with the shocking decision made by Nico Harrison in February (you know what that was), there isn't much to deliberate here. Flagg is the unquestioned top prospect in this draft class, so he has to be the pick here. He should slot in nicely next to Anthony Davis in the short term and will be an excellent focal point in the long term. - Raphielle Johnson, Rotoworld

2. Brooklyn Nets

Dylan Harper, G, Rutgers

Take the best player on the board. Don't pull a "We have De'Aaron Fox, we don't need Luka Doncic" draft moment. The Spurs will shop this pick but will want a massive return so they most likely keep it and let Harper fight for minutes with Fox and Stephon Castle. - Kurt Helin, NBC Sports

3. Philadelphia 76ers

Ace Bailey, F, Rutgers

While I think the odds of Philadelphia making this pick are low, I think Bailey makes sense here if they stay. He’s a talented scorer with tons of upside, and he’s not as bad of a passer as the numbers indicate. Bailey will help them be more competitive next season, assuming the rest of the roster has better injury luck. - Noah Rubin, Rotoworld

4. Charlotte Hornets

V.J. Edgecombe, G, Baylor

The Hornets have a need for additional offensive firepower on the perimeter, especially with starter Josh Green being far more impactful as a defender than as a scorer. The athletic Edgecombe fits the bill, and there may also be opportunities to play on the ball due to LaMelo Ball's injury history. - Johnson

5: Utah Jazz

Jeremiah Fears, G, Oklahoma

Danny Ainge is going to shop this pick, but if he keeps it, the Jazz take Fears and bet that Will Hardy and his staff can develop his three-point shot and limit his turnovers. - Helin

6. Washington Wizards

Derik Queen, C, Maryland

Queen gets reunited with his childhood neighbor Bub Carrington, and he allows Alex Sarr to spend more time on the perimeter. Sarr and Queen compliment each other well, with Queen spending more time being physical in the paint, while Sarr can clean up any issues of having an undersized center with his shot-blocking ability. - Rubin

7. New Orleans Pelicans

Khaman Maluach, C, Duke

Sure, the Pelicans used a first-round pick on Yves Missi last summer. But passing on a talent like Maluach if he's still on the board would be difficult for them to do. He was measured at nearly 7-foot-1 without shoes at the combine, and there's plenty of room for growth with Maluach not turning 19 until September. - Johnson

8. Brooklyn Nets

Kon Knueppel, G, Duke

You can't go wrong taking the best shooter on the board. - Helin

9. Toronto Raptors

Tre Johnson, G, Texas

Perhaps this isn’t a classic Masai Ujiri pick, but Johnson’s upside as a scorer is too good for them to pass up. Johnson can step in as a perimeter scoring option off the bench for Toronto from day one, and he can develop into much more than that. This was a “best player available pick” more than a flawless fit. - Rubin

10. Houston Rockets (via PHX)

Kasparas Jakucionis, G, Illinois

Given the need for improved perimeter shooting, would the Rockets entertain including this pick in a package that would land them a proven option? Jakucionis only shot 31.8 percent from three on 5.2 attempts per game during his lone season at Illinois, so he may not help much in that regard if the Rockets were to select him. However, he provides good size for his position, potentially setting up a solid partnership for the future with last year's lottery pick, Reed Sheppard. - Johnson

11. Portland Trail Blazers

Collin Murray-Boyles, C, South Carolina

Murray-Boyles is the ultimate "if we can develop his shot" player in this draft. The Trail Blazers will bet they can. - Helin

12. Chicago Bulls

Noa Essengue, F, Ratiopharm Ulm, France

The Bulls have been trying to figure out a direction for a while, and Essengue will provide them with a young piece that can make an impact on both ends of the floor. He should be able to get some easy buckets in Chicago, courtesy of some Josh Giddey passes. However, his upside on defense is what should get Bulls fans excited. - Rubin

13. Atlanta Hawks (via SAC)

Danny Wolf, F Michigan

With Clint Capela set to hit free agency and Onyeka Okongwu seemingly locked into the starting center role, adding depth to the frontcourt should be a priority for the Hawks in this draft. Wolf may not be listed as a center, but he measured at 6-foot-10.5 at the combine and can stretch the floor out to beyond the three-point line. Add in the passing ability, and Wolf can add a dimension to the Hawks' offense that has been lacking. - Johnson

14. San Antonio Spurs (via ATL)

Carter Bryant, F, Arizona

The Spurs are looking for wings (and may be for a number of years going forward) and Bryant is a good long-term play. He's a bit raw, but this far down in the draft is a good time to bet on upside potential — which Bryant has plenty of. - Helin

15. Oklahoma City Thunder (via MIA)

Thomas Sorber, C, Georgetown

The Thunder don’t exactly have any weaknesses, and it isn’t often that an NBA Finals team makes two first-round picks, including one this early. Sorber is a 6’10.5” center with an insane 7’6” wingspan, and he showcased shooting touch and passing ability last season, which will be attractive to OKC. However, his defensive ability is what is exciting, so he’ll fit in nicely with one of the best defensive teams ever. - Rubin

16. Orlando Magic

Jace Richardson, G, Michigan State

The Magic are still in dire need of perimeter shooting, specifically players who are comfortable off the ball due to the presence of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Richardson's height measurement at the combine may have raised some eyebrows, but he's a solid perimeter defender who's also one of the best shooters in this class. In past drafts, the Magic have seemingly prioritized length, but this is a spot where they should strongly consider prioritizing shooting. - Johnson

17. Minnesota Timberwolves (via DET)

Nolan Traore, G, Saint-Quentin, France

The Timberwolves will be looking for inexpensive Mike Conley replacements and depth at the point, and the French guard showed real growth as a teenager playing professionally in France last season. - Helin

18. Washington Wizards (via MEM)

Egor Demin, G, BYU

The Wizards are in a position where they can afford to take some upside swings, and the idea of what Demin can be is enticing. His lone season at BYU wasn’t great, but a 6’9.5” point guard is rather unique. The 19-year-old will have time to figure things out in Washington. - Rubin

19. Brooklyn Nets (via MIL)

Liam McNeeley, G/F, Connecticut

Brooklyn has four first-round picks, and while the team is in rebuilding mode, it may not be prudent to hold onto all four (see Houston's 2021 draft class), so we'll see what Sean Marks does. As for the pick, McNeeley had a good combine, alleviating any potential concerns that scouts and decision-makers may have had after an ankle injury limited him for a significant portion of the season. - Johnson

20. Miami Heat (via GSW)

Nique Clifford, G, Colorado State

Clifford is a classic Miami player in that he's smart, can shoot and defend, and showed leadership in college. It's easy to see Clifford finding his way into the Heat rotation within a couple of years. - Helin

21. Utah Jazz (via MIN)

Ben Saraf, G, Ratiopharm Ulm, Israel

Saraf will be the second player drafted from Ratiopharm Ulm in the first round of this draft, joining Essengue. The 6’6” lefty is a crafty playmaker, and Utah has been trying to figure out the point guard position over the last few drafts. Though Isaiah Collier had a promising rookie season, Saraf is worth taking a chance on. - Rubin

22. Atlanta Hawks (via LAL)

Joan Beringer, C, Cedevita Olimpija, France

To say that this is a "home run swing" would be an understatement, as Beringer did not shift his focus to basketball (from soccer) until four years ago. However, he's the kind of prospect that teams are willing to roll the dice on, especially with the defensive upside. Beringer's offensive skill set needs work, but that's to be expected of a player with his limited competitive experience. - Johnson

23. Indiana Pacers

Asa Newell, F/C, Georgia

An athletic, energy big who could come off the bench and run with the Pacers. They also have the depth to allow him time to develop his shooting and ball handling. - Helin

24. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC)

Rasheer Fleming, F, Saint Joseph’s

The rich get richer. The 6’9.5” wing boasts a 7’5.25” wingspan, which will help make a massive impact on the defensive end. He also has a lethal outside shot and should be a solid two-way reserve for one of the deepest teams in the league. - Rubin

25. Orlando Magic (via DEN)

Maxime Raynaud, F/C, Stanford

After winning the Pac-12's Most Improved Player award in 2024, Raynaud was outstanding in his lone season in the ACC, earning first-team All-Conference honors. He measured extremely well at the combine, can space the floor out to the three-point line and is a capable defender in the two-man game. And with starting center Wendell Carter Jr.'s injury history, Orlando getting a player of Raynaud's caliber at this spot could prove to be a steal. - Johnson

26. Brooklyn Nets (via NYK)

Walter Clayton Jr., PG, Florida

His standout NCAA tournament has to make the Nets feel good about his potential at the next level, particularly as a scorer off the bench (he can hit tough shots). - Helin

27. Brooklyn Nets (via HOU)

Cedric Coward, G, Washington State

Coward only played six games last season due to a shoulder injury, and prior to entering the draft, he was planning to transfer to Duke. However, he excelled at the combine with a 7’2” wingspan and 38.5” vertical, and he showcased his elite outside shot. Coward would be a solid piece for Brooklyn to build with. - Rubin

28. Boston Celtics

Noah Penda, F, Le Mans, France

The Celtics may not have multiple first-round picks in this draft, but their salary cap situation and Jayson Tatum's Achilles tendon tear make them one of the teams to watch. Penda, who can play either forward position, offers defensive versatility and a solid basketball IQ. His shooting does need to improve, but Boston should have the options around him to help compensate for that issue. - Johnson

29: Phoenix Suns (via CLE)

Hugo Gonzalez, G/F, Real Madrid, Spain

Predicting what the Suns are thinking is an impossible task. Gonzalez deserves to be a first-round pick, but he's a bit of a development project. Do Mat Ishbia's win-now Suns have the patience for that? - Helin

30. Los Angeles Clippers (via OKC)

Drake Powell, G, North Carolina

One of my favorite players in this class, Powell was limited at UNC, but he tested well at the combine with a 43” vertical and a seven-foot wingspan. Powell will be able to make an impact on defense from day one and will fit in well with the other elite defenders on the Clippers. The 19-year-old former five-star high school prospect also has the upside to be much more than a defensive role player, and the Clippers certainly need to consider their future as Kawhi Leonard and James Harden continue to age. - Rubin