2025 NBA draft mix preview: Flagg, extra gamers to look at

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 collaborating will watch the revealing of the draft lottery (7 p.m. ET, ESPN), which can 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 group secures the proper to draft Flagg will dominate the dialog for the six weeks following the lottery, whereas the opposite 29 groups sift by way of the remainder of a gifted group of prospects outdoors of the Duke freshman.

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

The mix affords a possibility for gamers to enhance their draft standing in entrance of lots of of NBA executives, coaches, house owners and brokers. The mix is usually described because the unofficial begin of free company, as groups lay the groundwork for offers that might be introduced as soon as the window opens June 30 at 6 p.m. ET.

There’s lots to sit up for in some of the essential weeks of the NBA calendar, together with which gamers might enhance their draft inventory, who might withdraw their names from the draft and which prospects will groups start to dwelling 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.

Leap to a subject:
5 gamers to look at
G League Elite Camp prospects
Largest storyline to comply with
Gauging curiosity in company professional days

Who is prepared, or prepared, to make a soar?

Yearly, just a few 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 larger.

Jalen Williams, Brandin Podziemski, Andrew Nembhard, Quentin Grimes, Kevin Huerter and Donte DiVincenzo stand out as current NBA gamers who helped themselves through the mix, whereas Derrick White, Pascal Siakam, Kyle Kuzma additionally confirmed flashes of what finally made them affect 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 counsel he would end third on this season’s NBA Rookie of the Yr voting after the Memphis Grizzlies drafted him within the second spherical.

That is why many prospects sit out of the scrimmages, for worry {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 non-compulsory.

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 triggered friction between groups — which can be in Chicago for greater than per week and need to get their cash’s value for his or her time — and brokers, who usually really feel much less is extra when exposing their shoppers’ weaknesses.

Beforehand, brokers of elite prospects might strategically steer gamers to most popular locations by preserving medicals away from much less enticing groups — a apply that’s not allowed.

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

Among the extra notable “keep or go” selections embody: 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 serious position in how subsequent yr’s faculty season performs out. A group equivalent to Duke, for instance, would look completely completely different relying on what their testing gamers resolve. Different colleges have been ready patiently for Williams, Haggerty, Watkins, and Luis — 4 of probably the most coveted gamers within the switch portal — to resolve their subsequent transfer. If these gamers do not just like the suggestions they obtain on the mix, NIL cash might await them subsequent yr ought to they elect to withdraw from the draft. — Givony

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5 gamers to look at on the mix

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

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

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

Lendeborg’s dimension (6-foot-9, 240 kilos), budding ability degree and all-around productiveness helped him collect steam as a prospect and will translate nicely 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 seemingly is determined by 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 event earlier than coming into the switch portal, the place he has a bunch of choices.

NBA groups can 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 dimension (6-foot-2, 175 kilos) and measurables, he’s nonetheless 18 years outdated and comes with a strong pre-college pedigree and can draw events in what could be a watered-down mix setting when it comes to high-level participant participation.

Fland’s strong begin to the season and the actual fact he missed a key stretch of the convention schedule ought to make him attention-grabbing to groups, however like many prospects really testing the waters, he would possibly want a stellar displaying to really feel safe about his NBA choices relative to the kind of cash and enjoying time obtainable 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

At present 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 robust NCAA event performances elevated Williams’ profile as a prospect, and there may be excessive demand for his providers within the faculty ranks, together with the choice to return to Texas Tech. That is one other case through which Williams’ play on the mix would possibly assist sway his draft vary, with some sort of assure seemingly essential for an NBA group to maintain him within the draft.

Williams brings a flexible ability set and robust really feel, able to enjoying each ahead spots in addition to on the ball together with his means 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 equivalent to Atlanta’s Georges Niang affords a blueprint for the way he would possibly match right into a rotation.

A robust displaying in scrimmages might assist him, however returning to school and dealing on his physique and soar shot (34% from 3) can also be a viable choice, and a practical pathway to enhancing 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 massive man nonetheless has lots to supply bodily, with good coordination for his dimension and the power to affect photographs across the rim. Nevertheless, his means to make a serious affect 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 outdated, he has time to catch up as he grows extra snug together with his physique. NBA entrance workplaces have been intrigued by his dimension and distinctive background relationship again a number of years: Zikarsky comes from a household of elite-level swimmers as his 6-10 father gained 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 value a developmental funding. This yr’s playoffs — the place gamers equivalent to Rudy Gobert (Minnesota) and Steven Adams (Houston) had main impacts — have supplied reminders as to why groups want to hold dimension on the roster up entrance, whilst a change-of-pace choice in sure matchups.

Zikarsky must proceed gaining expertise, however gamers together with his bodily profile aren’t simple to seek out. With this draft mild on facilities and with a wave of faculty gamers anticipated to return to high school for greater paydays, there’s a possibility for Zikarsky to assist himself with an excellent 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 workplaces over the course of the Aztecs’ season. He registered a powerful 2.1 steals and 1.1 blocks per sport on the wing as a younger sophomore who turns 21 years outdated on Sept. 8.

He has flashed his means 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 workplaces. Though Byrd shot 30% from 3 final season, he tried practically six 3-pointers per sport. He has traditionally been a strong free throw shooter, leaving room for optimism that he would possibly enhance on that key swing ability.

There is a query of how early a group could be prepared 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 show his defensive playmaking, might 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 way of scripted routines meant to intensify their strengths whereas minimizing their weaknesses.

Prior to now, 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’ apply facility on Could 20-21.

NBA groups have combined emotions about these exercises. Some admire the chance to sit down courtside and watch prospects, together with lots 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 take into account these exercises an excuse for brokers to drag 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 not worry lacking out if one thing important have been to happen.

In flip, lottery picks not take part in these exercises as steadily, which hurts different shoppers from massive companies who usually depend on high prospects to attract NBA groups to the health club in massive 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 prepared to confess it, some prospects prior to now have undoubtedly helped enhance their draft inventory just by demonstrating the bodily expertise and skill they possess in entrance of a major 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 finest gamers from the scrimmages can count on to maneuver on to the NBA draft mix later within the week — which is strictly what LA Clippers guard Terance Mann, Charlotte Hornets ahead Cody Martin did in 2019 and Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder wing Aaron Wiggins did in 2021, finally listening to their names referred to as within the draft after which carving out robust NBA careers.

Different G League Elite Camp alumni — equivalent 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 members — equivalent 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 high prospects who can be enjoying on the G League Elite Camp embody Malique Lewis (South East Melbourne), Amari Williams (Kentucky), Caleb Love (Arizona), Caleb Grill (Missouri) and Yanic Konan Niederhauser (Penn State). — Givony