2025 NBA draft mix preview: Flagg, extra gamers to observe

The 2025 NBA predraft course of formally kicks off Saturday, with an anticipated 120 gamers, together with Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Derik Queen, Walter Clayton Jr., and others, congregating in Chicago for the NBA draft mix, G League Elite Camp, and company professional days.

On Monday, NBA groups, their followers, and gamers taking part will watch the revealing of the draft lottery (7 p.m. ET, ESPN), which is able to arrange the ultimate order of the draft’s first spherical. The draft will happen on June 25-26 (8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN) on the Barclays Middle in Brooklyn, New York.

Whichever crew secures the appropriate to draft Flagg will dominate the dialog for the six weeks following the lottery, whereas the opposite 29 groups sift by means of the remainder of a proficient group of prospects exterior of the Duke freshman.

The draft mix and Elite Camp, held at Wintrust Area, will put gamers by means of drills, measurements, athletic testing, medical examinations, crew interviews and 5-on-5 scrimmaging.

The mix gives a chance for gamers to enhance their draft standing in entrance of tons of of NBA executives, coaches, homeowners and brokers. The mix is commonly described because the unofficial begin of free company, as groups lay the groundwork for offers that could possibly be introduced as soon as the window opens June 30 at 6 p.m. ET.

There’s rather a lot to sit up for in one of the vital necessary weeks of the NBA calendar, together with which gamers may enhance their draft inventory, who may withdraw their names from the draft and which prospects will groups start to residence in on as non-public exercises get underway as quickly because the mix ends.

Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo element what they’re listening to and what to anticipate, whereas highlighting 5 prospects to maintain an in depth eye on.

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5 gamers to observe
G League Elite Camp prospects
Greatest storyline to observe
Gauging curiosity in company professional days

Who is prepared, or keen, to make a leap?

Yearly, a couple of gamers use the mix as a springboard to raise their standing firmly into the primary spherical, or in hindsight, present they need to have been drafted a lot increased.

Jalen Williams, Brandin Podziemski, Andrew Nembhard, Quentin Grimes, Kevin Huerter and Donte DiVincenzo stand out as latest NBA gamers who helped themselves in the course of the mix, whereas Derrick White, Pascal Siakam, Kyle Kuzma additionally confirmed flashes of what ultimately made them influence gamers on the subsequent degree.

The mix is not all the time the be-all and end-all for evaluations, although. Take Washington State’s Jaylen Wells final yr. He wasn’t invited to the mix initially till some last-minute withdrawals elevated him from the G League Elite Camp. And his 5-for-18 two-day mix efficiency (with 0 assists and three turnovers) actually did not recommend he would end third on this season’s NBA Rookie of the 12 months voting after the Memphis Grizzlies drafted him within the second spherical.

For this reason many prospects sit out of the scrimmages, for concern {that a} poor displaying will sink their standing. Whereas each prospect should attend the mix and take part in drills, interviews and the NBA’s medical examinations, the 5-on-5s are elective.

Over the previous few years, many gamers who have been late second-round picks or who went undrafted have declined to compete within the scrimmages, drawing consternation from NBA executives in attendance. This has brought on friction between groups — which will likely be in Chicago for greater than every week and wish to get their cash’s price for his or her time — and brokers, who typically really feel much less is extra when exposing their purchasers’ weaknesses.

Beforehand, brokers of elite prospects may strategically steer gamers to most popular locations by retaining medicals away from much less engaging groups — a observe that’s now not allowed.

Some gamers who’re “testing the waters” on the mix may have little selection however to compete in 5-on-5s, as necessary selections on whether or not to maintain their names within the draft or return to highschool await them on Could 28, the day of the NCAA withdrawal deadline.

A few of the extra notable “keep or go” selections embrace: Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan), Alex Condon (Florida), Drake Powell (North Carolina), Cedric Coward (Duke), Tahaad Pettiford (Auburn), Milos Uzan (Houston), Boogie Fland (switch portal), Labaron Philon (Alabama), Isaiah Evans (Duke), Darrion Williams (switch portal), Miles Byrd (San Diego State), Karter Knox (Arkansas), PJ Haggerty (switch portal), Jamir Watkins (switch portal) and RJ Luis Jr. (switch portal)

These 15 gamers’ selections will play a significant position in how subsequent yr’s school season performs out. A crew akin to Duke, for instance, would look solely completely different relying on what their testing gamers determine. Different colleges have been ready patiently for Williams, Haggerty, Watkins, and Luis — 4 of essentially the most coveted gamers within the switch portal — to determine their subsequent transfer. If these gamers do not just like the suggestions they obtain on the mix, NIL cash may await them subsequent yr ought to they elect to withdraw from the draft. — Givony

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5 gamers to observe on the mix

Yaxel Lendeborg, PF/C, UAB/Michigan
No. 26 in ESPN’s High 100

Lendeborg turned one of many prime names within the switch portal following his breakout season at UAB, committing to Michigan as an ostensible substitute for Danny Wolf.

He’s certainly one of a number of school stars who enter the predraft course of with the monetary leverage to hunt for a positive NBA touchdown spot, as he can return to varsity and make wonderful cash subsequent season. Whether or not he turns professional hinges not solely on groups’ curiosity however the diploma of curiosity — a difficulty he can pressure with a robust displaying in scrimmages.

Lendeborg’s measurement (6-foot-9, 240 kilos), budding ability degree and all-around productiveness helped him collect steam as a prospect and will translate properly in a mix setting. NBA groups are curious to see how he fares, and Michigan will maintain out hope to have him again on campus, which possible is dependent upon the suggestions popping out of this week. — Woo

Boogie Fland, PG, Arkansas
No. 42 in ESPN’s High 100

After lacking a lot of Arkansas’ SEC slate with a thumb harm, Fland returned to play a small position within the NCAA match earlier than coming into the switch portal, the place he has a bunch of choices.

NBA groups will likely be curious to see how he fares in a 5-on-5 setting that historically favors guards, permitting Fland to remind scouts of his craftiness and scoring chops. Though he lacks measurement (6-foot-2, 175 kilos) and measurables, he’s nonetheless 18 years previous and comes with a stable pre-college pedigree and can draw events in what could be a watered-down mix setting by way of high-level participant participation.

Fland’s stable begin to the season and the very fact he missed a key stretch of the convention schedule ought to make him attention-grabbing to groups, however like many prospects actually testing the waters, he may want a stellar displaying to really feel safe about his NBA choices relative to the kind of cash and taking part in time out there to him ought to he keep at school.

Fland, his Arkansas teammate Karter Knox, and Auburn’s Tahaad Pettiford are among the many younger gamers who’re weighing related selections. — Woo

Darrion Williams, SF/PF, Texas Tech
No. 46 in ESPN’s High 100

Presently within the switch portal and uncommitted for subsequent season, Williams has been on the NBA exercise circuit this week as he weighs his choices. A sequence of sturdy NCAA match performances elevated Williams’ profile as a prospect, and there may be excessive demand for his providers within the school ranks, together with the choice to return to Texas Tech. That is one other case through which Williams’ play on the mix may assist sway his draft vary, with some kind of assure possible essential for an NBA crew to maintain him within the draft.

Williams brings a flexible ability set and robust really feel, able to taking part in each ahead spots in addition to on the ball along with his skill to be a playmaker. His athleticism, body (6-foot-6, 225 kilos) and defensive capabilities depart one thing to be desired from an NBA standpoint, however the success of comparable gamers akin to Atlanta’s Georges Niang gives a blueprint for a way he may match right into a rotation.

A robust displaying in scrimmages may assist him, however returning to varsity and dealing on his physique and leap shot (34% from 3) can also be a viable choice, and a practical pathway to bettering his inventory in subsequent yr’s draft. — Woo

Rocco Zikarsky, C, Brisbane Bullets (Australia)
No. 47 in ESPN’s High 100

After coming into the yr with some first-round buzz, Zikarsky stagnated in his second NBL season, as his minutes elevated however his manufacturing was down. At 7-foot-3 with a 7-4 wingspan, the Australian large man nonetheless has rather a lot to supply bodily, with good coordination for his measurement and the power to influence photographs across the rim. Nevertheless, his skill to make a significant influence and safe a bigger position, stemming partially from his struggles to maintain up with faster-paced video games, moved NBA groups into wait-and-see mode in his draft timeline.

Nonetheless 18 years previous, he has time to catch up as he grows extra snug along with his physique. NBA entrance places of work have been intrigued by his measurement and distinctive background relationship again a number of years: Zikarsky comes from a household of elite-level swimmers as his 6-10 father received a bronze for Germany within the 1996 Olympics, and his 6-1 mom was an Australian champion ironwoman.

Zikarsky, the tallest listed participant invited to the mix, has the stage to remind groups why he is price a developmental funding. This yr’s playoffs — the place gamers akin to Rudy Gobert (Minnesota) and Steven Adams (Houston) had main impacts — have supplied reminders as to why groups want to hold measurement on the roster up entrance, whilst a change-of-pace choice in sure matchups.

Zikarsky must proceed gaining expertise, however gamers along with his bodily profile aren’t simple to seek out. With this draft gentle on facilities and with a wave of faculty gamers anticipated to return to highschool for greater paydays, there’s a chance for Zikarsky to assist himself with a superb displaying. — Woo

Miles Byrd, SG, San Diego State
No. 51 in ESPN’s High 100

Byrd’s instruments and defensive prowess made him an intriguing sleeper for NBA entrance places of work over the course of the Aztecs’ season. He registered a powerful 2.1 steals and 1.1 blocks per recreation on the wing as a younger sophomore who turns 21 years previous on Sept. 8.

He has flashed his skill as a passer, however his offense stays a piece in progress. He might want to add muscle to his 6-foot-7, 190-pound body, however his late-blooming trajectory has earned him favor from entrance places of work. Though Byrd shot 30% from 3 final season, he tried practically six 3-pointers per recreation. He has traditionally been a stable free throw shooter, leaving room for optimism that he may enhance on that key swing ability.

There is a query of how early a crew could be keen to take an opportunity on him creating his expertise, with the choice for him to return to San Diego State nonetheless on the desk. A optimistic displaying in scrimmages, the place he might want to maintain his personal bodily and display his defensive playmaking, may assist him agency up a assured deal, which is what it would take to maintain him within the draft. — Woo

Company professional days: Gauging waning curiosity

After two days of 5-on-5 scrimmaging, brokers will take heart stage Thursday and Friday, placing their gamers by means of scripted routines meant to intensify their strengths whereas minimizing their weaknesses.

Previously, groups would fly across the nation to attend these exercises, however rule adjustments have introduced them beneath one roof in Chicago and a separate session in Los Angeles on the Los Angeles Lakers‘ observe facility on Could 20-21.

NBA groups have combined emotions about these exercises. Some respect the chance to take a seat courtside and watch prospects, together with most of the top-ranked gamers within the draft, to see up shut the bodily attributes, athleticism and capturing strategy of gamers they in any other case would see little or no of.

Different groups think about these exercises an excuse for brokers to tug gamers from aggressive scrimmages in favor of all-for-show-style drills. No less than amongst top-level decision-makers, NBA attendance at these professional days has dropped considerably over the previous few years, as executives now not concern lacking out if one thing vital have been to happen.

In flip, lottery picks now not take part in these exercises as regularly, which hurts different purchasers from large companies who typically depend on prime prospects to attract NBA groups to the fitness center in giant numbers.

Will probably be attention-grabbing to see how groups view the evolution of professional days this yr. No matter whether or not groups are keen to confess it, some prospects prior to now have undoubtedly helped increase their draft inventory just by demonstrating the bodily expertise and skill they possess in entrance of a big NBA viewers. — Givony

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High prospects on the G League Elite Camp

The G League Elite Camp will start this weekend, with 45 gamers scheduled to attend the two-day occasion. The five-to-eight greatest gamers from the scrimmages can anticipate to maneuver on to the NBA draft mix later within the week — which is precisely what LA Clippers guard Terance Mann, Charlotte Hornets ahead Cody Martin did in 2019 and Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder wing Aaron Wiggins did in 2021, ultimately listening to their names known as within the draft after which carving out sturdy NBA careers.

Different G League Elite Camp alumni — akin to Max Strus, Caleb Martin, Vince Williams Jr. and Jose Alvarado — did not get the draft mix call-up however nonetheless went on to turn out to be impactful NBA gamers.

There was no scarcity of G League Elite Camp contributors — akin to Nembhard, Dillon Jones and Marcus Sasser — who, after attending the camp, withdrew from the draft, after which later developed into NBA draft picks utilizing the suggestions and expertise they acquired whereas in Chicago.

A few of this yr’s prime prospects who will likely be taking part in on the G League Elite Camp embrace Malique Lewis (South East Melbourne), Amari Williams (Kentucky), Caleb Love (Arizona), Caleb Grill (Missouri) and Yanic Konan Niederhauser (Penn State). — Givony