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Nets 2025 NBA Draft: Every pick from Brooklyn

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

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.

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Juan Soto makes MLB, Mets history with two home runs in Wednesday's 7-3 win over Braves

Juan Soto's two home runs in Wednesday's 7-3 win over the Atlanta Braves made MLB and Mets history.

It was Soto's 27th career multi-homer game, breaking a tie with 1951 Baseball Hall of Fame selection Jimmie Foxx (26) for the most in MLB history by a player before turning 27 years old.

Soto also joined former eight-time All-Star Darryl Strawberry (May 1987) as the second Met with 10-plus home runs and 20-plus walks in a calendar month.

"Just watching him go about his business, day in and day out -- how steady he is with his personality, he same guy that we saw early in the year when it seemed like the world was coming to an end because Juan Soto wasn't hitting is the same guy that we're seeing right now," Carlos Mendoza said. "Back then, he didn't get too low. Right now, he's not too high.

"That, for me and for all of us, is pretty impressive to see that type of consistency and through a stretch where we're not winning games and it's hard for us. That's what's pretty incredible -- his routine, his personality, the way he's interacting with the players, with the coaches, with support staff. That's what, for me, makes him who he is."

In his past 25 games, dating back to May 30, Soto is slashing .333/.486/.774 with 11 home runs, 20 RBI, 24 walks and 24 runs.

"I think it's starting to happen," he said. "My swing, everything is going the right way. That's only personal because, at the end of the day, we're trying to win games.

"It doesn't matter if I hit two, three, 10 homers. What I care is about winning games. It hasn't been that good at all, so we've just got to try and keep going."

As the Mets look to turn a corner, Soto is rounding into form.

"I think just how consistent his ABs are," Jeff McNeil said of what stands out. "Every time he gets to the plate, I feel like he's at worst going to be on first right now. He's taking great at-bats. He's getting good pitches to hit. He's not missing."

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Report: Grizzlies trade picks with Blazers to land Cedric Coward, then Portland shocks by picking Hansen Yang

The Trail Blazers provided the biggest shock of the night, confusing their fans in Portland but delighting a lot of fans in China.

The Memphis Grizzlies and Portland Trail Blazers agreed to a trade just before the Blazers were set to pick at No. 11: Memphis would get the No. 11 pick, while Portland would get the No. 16 pick, Orlando's 2028 first-round pick, and two second-round picks, a story broken by Shams Charania of The Athletic. (Because the league had not yet approved the trade, Portland made the 11th pick for Memphis, and Memphis would do the same for Portland at 16).

After trading away Desmond Bane, the Grizzlies needed more size and shooting on the wing, so with this trade they snapped up Cedric Coward. While Coward didn't play a game since November for Washington State due to a shoulder injury, but as he went through the draft process he caught a lot of team's eyes: He's 6-5 with a 7-2 wingspan, an impressive 32.5-inch standing vertical leap at the NBA Draft Combine, and shot 38.8 percent from 3 in college. While he needs some development, he has all the tools to be a good fit next to Ja Morant. This was their guy, and they went and got him.

Then, Portland made the shock of the draft by selecting Hansen Yang, a center from China, who was projected to go in the second round (although there had been whispers that he might have a first-round promise, which was expected to be late if it existed at all). Nobody saw this coming.

Yang impressed at the NBA Draft Combine as a 7'1" center with a good feel for the game and impressive passing. He showed off a respectable jump shot as well. There were things to like. Yang is also a massive star in his native China (Chinese NBA reporters left the NBA Finals at points to cover his draft prep work because that was the bigger draw).

However, he's not an NBA-level athlete, not explosive and not stronger than his NBA competition — he's big but not moving guys off the block to get to his spot like Karl-Anthony Towns. Yang has thrived in the Chinese league as a post scorer, but that's not really a thing in NBA offenses (and there are questions about how he'd do at it). Additionally, there are concerns on the defensive end, where he can alter and block shots when he camps in the paint, but he would get torched when pulled out onto the perimeter.

Most teams saw him as more of a draft-and-stash in the second round, and maybe bring him to training camp and see how it goes. Now Portland has bet big on him.

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Ex-Blues Forward Expected To Re-Sign With Current Team

According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, former St. Louis Blues forward Brandon Saad is expected to re-sign with the Vegas Golden Knights. 

Saad, 32, signed a one-year contract with the Golden Knights in late January of this season after he and the Blues mutually agreed to terminate his contract. Now, with this report from Friedman, it appears that Saad will be sticking around in Vegas instead of hitting the market as an unrestricted free agent (UFA) on July 1.

Following joining the Golden Knights, Saad posted six goals, 14 points, and a plus-6 rating in 29 regular-season games. He also had two assists in eight playoff games for Vegas. 

In four seasons with the Blues, Saad recorded 76 goals, 68 points, 144 points, and a minus-15 rating in 274 games. In 43 games with the Blues this season before having his contract terminated, he posted seven goals, nine assists, and a minus-14 rating. 

Blues Have Very Important Move To MakeBlues Have Very Important Move To MakeThe St. Louis Blues are entering this off-season with a handful of players on expiring deals. This includes goaltender Joel Hofer, as he is a pending restricted free agent (RFA).

Photo Credit: © Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

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Yankees' Max Fried spins seven-inning gem in 7-1 win at Reds, becomes MLB's first 10-game winner

The Yankees avoided a series sweep with Wednesday's 7-1 win at the Cincinnati Reds, where ace left-hander Max Fried's seven-inning gem salvaged the three-game set.

Takeaways

  1. After his latest stopper outing, Fried (10-2, 1.92 ERA) is MLB's first 10-game winner. He yielded one run (unearned) on four hits while striking out seven, keeping the Reds (42-39) scoreless if not for third baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s throwing error with two outs in the fourth inning that allowed Spencer Steer to score Elly De La Cruz. New York (46-34) has won 13 of Fried's 17 starts this season. Where would the Gerrit Cole-less Yankees be without Fried?
  2. Trent Grisham's season-high four hits, which started with a leadoff double and included a second-inning RBI single off Brady Singer (7-6, 4.31 ERA) that put the Yankees on the board, fueled New York's 13-knock night and gave Fried more than enough run support. Grisham is slashing .251/.351/.481 with 15 home runs and 32 RBI through 69 games this season.
  3. Jazz Chisholm Jr. followed Tuesday's 2-for-4 evening with a two-run home run in the third inning, his 11th long ball this season, to pad Fried's cushion and further the Yankees' control. New York tacked on insurance runs in the fourth, fifth, sixth and ninth innings, but Chisholm's blast was all that Fried needed.
  4. Giancarlo Stanton was among the Yankees' RBI contributors, taking a positive step in his eighth game back this season. He earned his second RBI of the year's small sample size as he returns from elbow injuries by scoring Grisham on a groundball to shortstop with two runners in scoring position and one out.

Who's the MVP?

Fried, who made sure that New York came away with the win in a tone-setting 106-pitch (65-strike) outing.

Highlights

What's next

The Yankees have Thursday off before they return to Yankee Stadium for their three-game series against the Athletics (33-49), which starts with Friday's 7:05 p.m. opener. Right-hander Will Warren (4-4, 4.66 ERA) is New York's projected starting pitcher.

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Juan Soto leads Mets' offensive explosion in 7-3 win over Braves

Juan Soto launched two homers and made MLB history along the way as the Mets beat the Braves, 7-3, on Wednesday night at Citi Field.

The Mets picked up 13 hits and were 3-for-6 with runners in scoring position. The victory ended the Mets' three-game losing streak and are now 28-12 at home this season.

Here are the takeaways...

-With Mark Vientos on the verge of returning to the Mets lineup, Ronny Mauricio's spot on the roster is in jeopardy. So the infielder, of course, got the Mets on the board with a solo shot in the third inning, the third longball this season. Mauricio sent a 96 mph fastball from Didier Fuentes, making his second career start, 378 feet over the right field wall.

Mauricio's blast was the first of an awakening for the Mets' offense. The team scored five runs on six hits, with Soto starting the hit parade with his 18th blast of the season. Sac flies from Starling Marte and Francisco Lindor, and RBI singles from Brett Baty and Brandon Nimmo accounted for the scoring. Ten Mets came to the plate.

Soto would launch his second homer of the night in the seventh to put the Mets up 7-1. It's Soto's 27th multi-homer game of Soto's career, the most by any player before they turn 27, passing Jimmie Foxx. Soto now has 10 home runs in June.

-Clay Holmes is coming off a start where he walked a career-high six batters, walked two in the first two innings, but kept the damage limited. He allowed a solo shot to Drake Baldwin in the fourth and worked out of a second-and-third jam with two outs to complete his start. The right-hander threw 96 pitches (60 strikes), allowing the one run on three hits, four walks and two strikeouts.

-The Mets bullpen bounced back in a big way. The combination of Brandon Waddell, Jose Butto and Ryne Stanek allowed just one hit and one walk with four strikeouts in three scoreless innings. The debuting Jonathan Pintaro started the ninth but allowed two runs on two hits and two walks in 0.2 innings, forcing Carlos Mendoza to bring in Edwin Diaz. Diaz got the final out to end the Mets' losing streak.

-Four Mets had a multi-hit game, including Soto, Baty and Mauricio and Jeff McNeil. Mauricio went 3-for-4 and picked up his first hit from the right side as he tries to make a case to stay with the club.

Game MVP: Juan Soto

With the offense needing a spark, Soto got the Mets on the board first and put the game away with his two blasts.

Highlights

What's next

The Mets and Braves complete their four-game series on Thursday night. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m.

Griffin Canning (7-3, 3.91 ERA) will take the mound looking to split the series, while the Braves will send Grant Holmes (4-6, 3.71 ERA) to the bump.

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Could One Of Canucks Goaltenders Thatcher Demko, Kevin Lankinen, Or Artūrs Šilovs Be Traded Before The 2025–26 Season?

The Vancouver Canucks should consider themselves lucky in the goaltending department, as they currently have Thatcher Demko, Kevin Lankinen, and Artūrs Šilovs within their organization. Year after year, the team receives solid goaltending regardless of any injuries or issues that arise. It’s been this way virtually since Roberto Luongo suited up for his first game as a Canuck. However, one of the negatives that come with having multiple great goaltenders is not being able to play them both. After the events of the 2024–25 season, Vancouver has found themselves in a bit of a goaltending conundrum. 

Demko is the goaltender who has been with the Canucks the longest, having been selected 36th overall by the team in the 2014 NHL Draft. Widely recognized within the fanbase as the “goaltender of the future” early on, Demko made his mark particularly during the 2020 Bubble Playoffs, in which he extended his team’s postseason run to Game 7 of the Pacific Division Finals with a .985 SV% and a 0.64 GAA. He finished second in voting for the Vezina Trophy in 2023–24 after registering a 2.45 GAA and five shutouts in 51 games played. 

Injuries forced Demko to the sidelines for the better part of March 2024 to December 2024, as well as parts of 2025. Because he missed so much time, trade talks began to catch fire, especially given the play of Lankinen and Šilovs. Having been brought in only a couple of weeks before the start of the 2024–25 season, Lankinen was a new face within the organization, but quickly established himself as a force in the net. He shattered career highs in his 51 games played with the Canucks, logging a 2.62 GAA and a .902 SV% as well as four shutouts. As a result, Vancouver signed him to a five-year contract extension in February. 

Lankinen’s extension was one of a couple dominoes that helped the Demko trade rumours start circulating. The other was Šilovs, an extremely clutch goaltender who rose to fame during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He slotted in for the injured Demko and Casey DeSmith in Game 4 of the Canucks’ first-round series against the Nashville Predators, backstopping the team to a Game 7 defeat in the Pacific Division Finals. While his regular season numbers with Vancouver dipped a bit, he came up big for the Abbotsford Canucks during their five-round 2025 Calder Cup run. He made 672 saves in 24 games played and logged five shutouts — three of which were in series-clinching wins. These efforts resulted in the goaltender being named MVP of the playoffs. 

Why The Canucks Should Sign Thatcher Demko To An Extension On July 1Why The Canucks Should Sign Thatcher Demko To An Extension On July 1The Vancouver Canucks have quite a few important decision to make during the 2025 off-season. On top of signing free agents, Vancouver can sign extensions with some key players, including goaltender Thatcher Demko. While the Canucks will have a year to lock up the 2024 Vezina runner-up, agreeing to a new contract with Demko sooner rather than later is the better option. 

Having these two goaltenders step up in opportune times resulted in Demko’s name being sent around the rumour mill. With a stacked goaltending cabinet, it felt like moving a goaltender would be inevitable for the Canucks. However, earlier today, TSN’s Darren Dreger noted that this may not be the case anymore — at least, not for Demko. 

“It changed a little bit as today unfolded,” Dreger said about Demko’s situation on OverDrive earlier today. “It does sound like progress is being made on a multi-year extension.” 

Adding to this, Dreger noted that if Vancouver goes down the extension route for Demko, then trading Šilovs would probably be their next best option, seeing as his stock is currently sky-high. Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin was asked about the Calder Cup Playoff MVP earlier today in a media availability, to which he didn’t quite give a solid answer. 

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“I’m happy for Arty, we know that he’s a really good goalie and this is just justifying that,” he said of his performance in the AHL playoffs. “That being said, we’ve still got a couple of good goalies in the system with Tolopilo and Ty Young that are more than ready to play as well. We’ll see here over the next couple of days, where things go with Thatcher and we’ll make decisions after that.” 

Jan 18, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko (35) and goalie Kevin Lankinen (32) celebrate thier victory against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

Vancouver’s goaltending situation may become clearer once the 2025 NHL Draft and free agency period pass, as that’s when most of the NHL’s moves will occur. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.

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Ronald Acuña Jr. of host Braves to compete in Home Run Derby on July 14 at Truist Park

NEW YORK — Ronald Acuña Jr. of the host Braves was announced Wednesday as the first of the eight hitters who will compete in the All-Star Home Run Derby at Atlanta’s Truist Park on July 14.

Acuña, who homered on the first pitch of his May 23 return to the Braves following a torn left ACL, will participate in the derby for the third time.

He lost to New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso 20-19 in the semifinals in 2019 after opening with a 25-18 victory over Pittsburgh’s Josh Bell, then lost to Alonso 20-19 in the first round at Dodger Stadium in 2022.

“I’m even more excited to be doing it here in Atlanta in front of our fans,” Acuña said through a translator in an interview on ESPN. “I’m excited to do it at home and do it for them ... and put on a great show for them.”

A four-time All-Star, Acuña began the night batting .385 with nine homers and 16 RBIs in 29 games this season. He was the 2023 NL MVP, when he equaled a career high with 41 home runs.

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Nets select G Egor Demin with No. 8 pick in 2025 NBA Draft

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."

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Sixers pick VJ Edgecombe ‘hates seeing the opponent score,' wants to be special defender

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.”

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NBA draft: Cooper Flagg goes to Dallas Mavericks as No 1 overall pick

Cooper Flagg poses on the red carpet before his selection as the No 1 pick in the NBA draft. Photograph: Sarah Stier/Getty Images

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.

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2025 NBA Draft: Best available players at each position entering second round

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

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2025 NBA Draft grades roundup: How experts view Celtics' Hugo Gonzalez pick

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.”

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NHL Free Agency: Six RFAs Who Are Due For Massive Raises

NHL free agency is less than a week away, and UFA players will be hotly pursued. But there’s another group of players – RFAs – who will not only get interest from their current teams but who also could technically be offer-sheet targets from others.

That said, we’re not suggesting any of the RFAs below will sign an offer sheet. That process is quite rare, and we might not see a single offer sheet get tendered this summer. With that disclaimer out of the way, let’s list the top six RFAs this year, listing them in alphabetical order:

Evan Bouchard, D, Edmonton Oilers

Bouchard’s regular-season numbers dipped last year from his career highs in goals, assists and points in 2023-24, but the 25-year-old still put up 53 assists and 67 points in 82 games. His seven goals and 23 points in 22 playoff games also were very solid. Thus, Bouchard is bound to get a massive raise on the $3.9 million he earned this past season.

The Oilers are relatively tight to the salary cap ceiling, with $16.2 million in cap space this summer after trading Evander Kane to the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday. That has led some to speculate Bouchard could be offer-sheeted, but Edmonton fans shouldn’t be too worried. Oilers management will match any offer sheet Bouchard receives. 

He’s Edmonton’s most important blueliner, is still not yet in his prime and wants to win a Stanley Cup. His salary will easily more than double, but he’s deserving of that kind of raise, and Oilers GM Stan Bowman should happily give it to him.

Morgan Geekie, C, Boston Bruins

The 26-year-old Geekie had a breakout season in 2024-25, generating 33 goals and 57 points in 77 games. Those totals are career bests in his six-year NHL career. Geekie earned $2 million in each of the past two seasons, so he deserves a big raise on a multi-year contract extension.

The Bruins are retooling on the fly, but don’t kid yourself – Geekie is a core component for Boston for the short term and long term. The Bruins were a bottom-five team in the league on offense last season, so they need all the help they can get producing goals. Geekie can be a huge help in that department, and Boston has more than enough cap space to accommodate his next salary. The team and player can’t overcomplicate this.

Matthew Knies (John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images)

Matthew Knies, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs

Like Geekie, Knies also had a breakout season last year, posting 29 goals and 58 points for the Leafs. Those numbers dwarfed his previous career highs of 15 goals and 35 points set in 2023-24. He did so while being one of the best bargains in the NHL at a salary of $925,000. 

Knies has already shown the potential to be a premier power forward, not only for Toronto but in the entire NHL. It’s up to him whether he wants a long-term contract extension or a bridge deal that walks him toward a bigger potential payday two or three years from now. But there’s no question he’s one of the Maple Leafs’ most crucial components next year and for many years after that. He will be handsomely compensated accordingly.

JJ Peterka, LW, Buffalo Sabres

Peterka has been one of the NHL’s more consistent young wingers in the past two years, combining to produce 55 goals and 118 points for Buffalo in that span. His 68 points this past season was a career high. As such, he’s become one of the Sabres’ most important players, and his 2024-25 salary of $855,834 will be left in the dust by his next contract.

There have been rumblings that Peterka isn’t interested in remaining in Buffalo, so of all the RFAs in this list, he may be the one most susceptible to an offer sheet. He also could be traded by Sabres GM Kevyn Adams. But one way or another, Peterka will be paid much more money than he’s earned thus far in his NHL career. His current employer – or his next – will enthusiastically foot the bill for the 23-year-old’s services.  

Marco Rossi, C, Minnesota Wild

Rossi had an outstanding second full season at the NHL level, setting new career highs in goals (24), assists (36) and points (60) in 82 games. But in the playoffs, he was barely used, averaging just 11:08 of ice time, setting off speculation he wouldn’t be long with the Wild.

Even if that’s true, the 23-year-old will get a bump from the $863,334 he earned this past year. What Rossi lacks in size, he makes up for in creativity, and his skill set will be highly valued by more than a few teams, guaranteeing his bank account will be stuffed with money beginning next year.

NHL Rumor Roundup: Latest On Mitch Marner, Sam Bennett And Marco RossiNHL Rumor Roundup: Latest On Mitch Marner, Sam Bennett And Marco RossiRecent speculations suggest Mitch Marner might consider signing a short-term contract instead of a long-term deal. 

Gabriel Vilardi, C, Winnipeg Jets

At 25, Vilardi set new personal bests in goals (27), assists (34) and points (61) this past season. He was already earning a decent amount at a $3.4375-million cap hit.

Vilardi plays on a high-octane Jets team that’s one of the NHL’s most potent offensive squads. Winnipeg has about $24.46 million in cap space, so they can give Vilardi the raise he deserves. There’s little question Vilardi will be a Jet once again next year and that he’ll be a vital part of Winnipeg’s push to win a Cup for many campaigns to come.

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