Domantas Sabonis may be a cornerstone-type talent, but is his future in Sacramento in doubt?

According to the Sacramento Bee’s Jason Anderson, the Kings could look to trade the All-Star forward this summer as they seek a new direction under general manager Scott Perry.

The 6-foot-10, 240-pound Sabonis averaged 19.1 points, an NBA-best 13.9 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 70 games last season. He also led the league with 61 double-doubles and was one of four players with at least 10 triple-doubles.

The Kings went 40-42 and made the Western Conference play-in round but lost 120-106 to the Dallas Mavericks.

Domantas Sabonis Seeking Clarity on Future

Sabonis, 29, has three years left on a four-year, $186 million contract, according to Spotrac. He is owed $43.6 million next season.

While Anderson suggested the Kings are open to fielding offers for the three-time All-Star, they have yet to actively shop him.

Elsewhere, Keegan Murray and Keon Ellis are both generating strong interest on the trade market, but according to Anderson, the Kings are reluctant to part with either player given their age, versatility and defensive acumen.

With potentially multiple avenues to turn, Sabonis is said to be seeking clarity on the team’s direction. Following the season, Sabonis said he planned to sit down with the new front office to discuss the next steps.

“First of all, I want to say I love it here,” Sabonis said via the Sacramento Bee. “I want to stay here. I want to win here. I also do want to know what’s going to happen. All these things are happening so quick.

“I want to get together with the new people, whoever comes in, and really try to get this right and get it back to where it was before.”

Domantas Sabonis Was Part of Big Pacers Trade

Sabonis was originally acquired in February 2022 as part of a six-player deal that saw Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield land with the Indiana Pacers.

In his first full season with Sacramento, 2023, Sabonis averaged 19.1 points, 12.3 rebounds and 7.3 assists. The Kings went 48-34 and snapped their 16-year postseason drought, the longest in NBA history.

The following season, Sabonis averaged 19.4 points, 13.7 rebounds and a career-high 8.2 assists. The Kings went 46-36 but lost in a winner-take-all play-in game against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Anderson noted that the Kings could also explore trading DeMar DeRozan, who has two years and approximately $49.5 million remaining on his deal, per Spotrac. The six-time All-Star averaged 22.2 points last season.

Contrary to the earlier reports, the Los Angeles Lakers’ reported interest in Utah Jazz forward John Collins is a “mischaracterization, NBA insider Marc Stein reports.

On the June 18 episode of the “Locked on Jazz” podcast, Salt Lake Tribune’s Andy Larsen said that the Lakers and Jazz have ” had a conversation” about Collins.

Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints further added that the Lakers have offered Japanese forward Rui Hachimura for Collins.

“Sources close to the Los Angeles Lakers say that internally, they have long been fans of John Collins, who has the ability to stretch the floor both as a deep threat or someone who can finish well above the rim. Many within the Lakers organization believe Collins would be an especially great fit alongside Luka Dončić. Since their season ended, they’ve held a few conversations with the Utah Jazz to try to land the 27-year-old big man, with Rui Hachimura often the centerpiece of the deal,” Irwin wrote.

Stein refuted those reports.

“Collins had a strong 2024-25 campaign, but I’m told any suggestion that the Lakers are a trade suitor for the 27-year-old is a mischaracterization,” Stein wrote on “The Stein Line” Substack newsletter on June 23.

Collins is coming off his best season since the 2019-20 campaign, averaging 19.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists (matched career-high), career-best 1.0 steal and 1.0 block across 40 games. The 6-foot-9 pogo stick forward also shot 39.9% from the 3-point line. He has a $26.6 million player option for next season which makes him a prime trade candidate if he opts in.

Lakers’ Trade Talks For 3 Centers

The Lakers’ top priority remains filling their big hole in the middle. Irwin reported in a separate ClutchPoint’s story that the Lakers have engaged in conversations for three starting centers, who are available on the trade market.

“Sources close to the team reiterated that the internal plan is to trade for their starting center – sources say they’ve held conversations with other teams about Nic Claxton, Robert Williams, Walker Kessler and others – then, ideally, use the taxpayer midlevel on his backup – Brook Lopez and Clint Capela are the two names most often linked to the Lakers,” Irwin wrote.

“It’s a solid plan that they’re considered likely to be able to execute. But, because of their clear and desperate need at the position, such an approach is going to be a lot more complicated than it would’ve been had they not neglected the position the past couple of seasons.”

But with the Lakers desperately looking for a center, they have always been at a great disadvantage in trade talks.

At the trade deadline, the Lakers surrendered Dalton Knecht, their 2031 first-round pick and a 2030 pick swap for Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams, which was later rescinded due to failed physical.

The Jazz and the Nets have put a high price on Kessler and Claxton, respectively. Williams, on the other hand, has been injury prone. He’s the easiest and perhaps cheapest to get among the three centers.

3 Centers Brought in For Pre-Draft Workouts

The Lakers have brought in three centers ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft as they weigh their options for the No. 55 pick.

According to Hoopshype’s pre-draft workout tracker, Auburn’s Dylan Cardwell, Indiana’s Oumar Ballo and Alabama’s Clifford Omoruyi were the centers in the 20-man group of prospects who have worked out with the Lakers.

Cardwell was measured 6’9.25″ with 7’0.75″ at the G League Draft Combine. Ballo was measured 6’11.25″ with 7’0.25″ wingspan. Omoruyi was measured 6’11” with 7’6.25″ wingspan.

It did not take long for the Celtics to be topped as the most valuable North American pro sports franchise to be sold. Three months after a group led by William Chisholm agreed to buy the Celtics for $6.1 billion, the Buss family has agreed to sell its majority stake in the Lakers to minority owner Mark Walter for a record-breaking $10 billion according to Shams Charania of ESPN.

Walter is the chairman of TWG Global and already owns other Los Angeles sports franchises including the LA Dodgers and LA Sparks. He was a runner up in the bidding for the Clippers sale last decade and purchased a 27 percent stake in the Lakers in 2021. Water will now become majority owner of the franchise although Jeanie Buss will continue to serve as governor of the franchise even after the sale is completed, per Charania. The Buss Family owned roughly 66 percent of the Lakers before agreeing to the sale.

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Jerry Buss purchased the Lakers for $67.5 million in 1978 and passed on the team to his children after his death.

The reported purchase price of $10 billion is the largest purchase sum ever for a pro team in the United States.

The Lakers become the fifth team set to be sold in the NBA during the past five years. The Timberwolves ($1.5 billion), Mavericks ($3.5 billion) and Suns ($4 billion) are among the rising price tags on NBA teams. The Celtics sale is expected to be finalized in the next month by the NBA Board of Governors. It’s unclear how soon the Lakers sale will become official, but it’s unlikely any other NBA team will match the Lakers price anytime soon.

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Read the original article on MassLive.

• 2025 NBA Draft: Complete coverage

• Prospects | Teams | News & Notes

Phoenix’s busy offseason continued, according to multiple reports, with a trade agreement to acquire center Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets.

The Suns will send Vasilije Micić, the 29th overall pick of this year’s Draft (used to select Liam McNeeley of Connecticut) and a 2029 draft pick (the least favorable of Cleveland, Utah and Minnesota) to the Hornets.

Suns receive:

Mark Williams

Hornets receive:

Vasilije Micić

Liam McNeeley (No. 29 overall)

2029 first-round pick (least favorable of CLE, UTA and MIN)

Still just 23 years old, Williams has been productive when healthy. The 7-foot big man averaged 15.3 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks last season, but has only played 106 total games over his three-year NBA career.

BREAKING: The Charlotte Hornets are trading center Mark Williams to the Phoenix Suns for the No. 29 pick tonight and a 2029 first-round pick, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/a6eDDn5aE6 — Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 26, 2025

As part of the trade, Charlotte is acquiring Vasilije Micic, sources tell ESPN. Micic was traded to Phoenix in February as part of the Jusuf Nurkic trade. His $8.1M team option will get exercised by Phoenix. https://t.co/mzf8ZjGPNo — Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 26, 2025

Phoenix struggled with size last season, even after a midseason trade for another Hornets center, Nick Richards. The Suns appear intent on addressing that weakness after dealing for Williams and, through a reported trade centered around Kevin Durant, selecting Duke center Khaman Maluach with the 10th overall pick of the NBA Draft.

The Suns are coming off a season in which they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2020.

The Hornets attempted to trade Williams last year to the Los Angeles Lakers, but the deal was later rescinded because the center failed his physical.

The Lakers had agreed to send rookie Dalton Knecht and Cam Reddish along with Draft considerations to get the 23-year-old Williams, a third-year pro from Duke and a former first-round draft pick. Los Angeles was looking for a big man at the time to replace Anthony Davis, who was traded to Dallas along with Max Christie for superstar Luka Dončić.

Charlotte was also supposed to receive the Lakers’ first-round pick in 2031 and a first-round pick swap in 2030.

Instead, the Lakers nixed the trade after learning more about Williams, who has a lengthy injury history, including back problems that had limited him to 84 of a possible 212 NBA games over his three seasons at that point.

The Hornets sent out a statement welcoming Williams back to the team, but it created an awkward relationship.

It wasn’t immediately clear if Williams had already taken a physical or had his medicals reviewed by Phoenix.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Check out some of the highlights that have made Jamir Watkins a top NBA draft prospect. (1:33)

Open Extended Reactions

The second round of the 2025 NBA draft began Thursday with the Minnesota Timberwolves trading the first pick (No. 31) to the Phoenix Suns for No. 36 and two future second-round picks.

Day 1 featured Duke phenom Cooper Flagg to the Dallas Mavericks at the top of the board, the New Orleans Pelicans trading up to No. 13 to take Maryland center Derik Queen, along with several interesting picks and trades throughout.

What’s in store for Day 2? Let’s talk through the biggest questions heading into Round 2 and project pick Nos. 31 through 59 with an updated mock draft.

Who are the best players still available? First-round-caliber prospects such as Rasheer Fleming, Maxime Raynaud and Noah Penda could go early Thursday. Which team is set up to have an intriguing Round 2? And which under-the-radar prospects could turn into steals?

ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo are here to help you navigate Round 2. The mock draft writeups below are from prospects’ scouting reports.

Last updated: Thursday at 10:13 p.m., with news of trades during the second round

More NBA draft coverage:

Mavs draft Flagg | Full Round 1 breakdown

Bailey’s surprise by Utah | Which trade got an A?

Trade tracker | Best available | More draft

Which is the most interesting team drafting on Thursday?

Givony: The Hornets, with pick Nos. 33 and 34, will surely be a hotspot for trade talks throughout the day after adding two first-round picks to their roster in Kon Knueppel and Liam McNeeley. Already sporting a fairly young roster, it’s not clear what Charlotte’s appetite will be for adding one or two more rookies. The team does have a clear void to fill inside the paint after trading Mark Williams to the Suns for the No. 29 pick and a 2029 first-rounder. There are a few intriguing 7-footers available in Maxime Raynaud and Ryan Kalkbrenner, along with toolsy forwards such as Rasheer Fleming and Adou Thiero.

Woo: The Timberwolves hold the power of choice at No. 31, not only having dibs on whichever player they want but also the ability to use it as a trade chip. I’m curious whether they grab a player such as Fleming or see more value in using the pick to potentially acquire value by other means.

Who’s an under-the-radar prospect you really like who’s likely to be picked Thursday?

Givony: Noah Penda was drawing looks from teams in the first round thanks to his strong defensive versatility, passing and overall feel for the game, but he couldn’t gain enough traction in the predraft process because of his streaky shooting.

He’ll likely be a popular target for playoff teams picking in the 30s, such as Minnesota, Boston or Philadelphia, that might prefer to stash a player in Europe to preserve roster flexibility. He will likely prefer to come to the U.S. immediately if he can find a team willing to roster him, however.

Woo: Jamir Watkins is on the older side at 23, but he has been a touch undervalued. He’s an excellent perimeter defender whom I think will make enough shots to stick on someone’s bench. He’d be a good target for a team trying to win next season somewhere in the 30s.

play 1:13 Maxime Raynaud’s NBA draft profile Check out some of the highlights that have made Maxime Raynaud a top NBA draft prospect.

Looking at your Round 2 mock, what’s your favorite team and player fit you’ve projected?

Givony: Maxime Raynaud to the Celtics at No. 32 makes sense as an older, 7-foot prospect who can space the floor and potentially be ready to soak up minutes after the Celtics traded Kristaps Porzingis to the Hawks.

With Luke Kornet entering free agency and the Celtics navigating a financial tightrope, having a smaller salary slot with Raynaud would likely give the team much-needed flexibility heading into the offseason.

Woo: Rasheer Fleming to the Timberwolves at No. 31 would be a nice value play for Minnesota, which needs frontcourt reinforcements and might be able to slide him into bench minutes out of the gate.

He’s the type of big-bodied shooter who could firm up the Wolves’ depth regardless of what happens with Naz Reid’s free agency. The first pick of Round 2 is particularly valuable in this two-day draft era because of teams wanting to trade up, but it might make sense to simply take the best player available.

Round 2 mock draft

31. Phoenix Suns (from Minnesota via Utah)

Rasheer Fleming, F, Saint Joseph’s

Strengths: Fleming is a toolsy forward with impressive highlights who improved leaps and bounds over the past three years, developing into a highly efficient inside-out scorer to complement his massive 7-foot-5 wingspan, which gives him potential to grow into on defense.

Weaknesses: His feel for the game is a major question, as he does not process the game quickly on either end of the floor. He sometimes struggles to make basic passes and is highly prone to mistakes off the ball defensively.

The verdict: There’s a premium on length, shooting and potential defensive versatility in the NBA, and Fleming could bring all three to a team with the patience to develop his awareness and technique defensively while the game hopefully slows down for him offensively. He struggled badly late in the season, but his relative youth and trajectory at St. Joseph’s leaves room for optimism about his potential. — Givony

32. Orlando Magic (from Boston, Detroit and Brooklyn via Washington)

Maxime Raynaud, C, Stanford

Strengths: Raynaud was late to the game — he didn’t commit to the sport full-time until his senior year of high school — but blossomed over four seasons at Stanford into a skilled 7-footer who can space the floor and hold his own on the glass.

Weaknesses: The biggest questions regarding his game are on the defensive end, where he lacks some physicality and explosiveness, even though his motor appeared improved at the NBA draft combine.

The verdict: After competing in France alongside his good friend (and now San Antonio Spurs star) Victor Wembanyama in his youth, Raynaud has developed into a legitimate NBA talent. He might be a late bloomer, but he fits a coveted mold with his size and shooting ability, which gives him a quicker path to a role at the next level than some players who will be drafted before him. How he performs defensively will be something to watch early, as floor spacers like him can play an important role in the NBA. — Givony

play 4:04 Rocco Zikarsky: Moulding my game around Holmgren and Turner Rocco Zikarsky speaks with Kane Pitman about his eagerness to get on the floor and who he models his game after ahead of the NBA Draft.

Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Creighton

Strengths: Kalkbrenner is an experienced center whose ability to operate out of pick-and-roll, execute offensively, protect the rim and hit occasional 3-pointers makes him a reliable backup option.

Weaknesses: His 7-foot-6 wingspan is an asset, but he is not overwhelmingly physical or explosive, posting underwhelming defensive rebounding numbers for much of his college career.

The verdict: One of the most efficient and valuable players in college basketball over the past several seasons, leading Division I in dunks by a wide margin, Kalkbrenner is a known player whose occasional flashes of floor-spacing potential added a valuable dimension to his game. He might have limitations, but his size, length and consistency will be appealing to a team seeking rookie-contract depth at the center position. — Givony

34. Charlotte Hornets (from San Antonio, Phoenix and Memphis via New Orleans)

Tyrese Proctor, G, Duke

Strengths: Proctor is a sweet-shooting guard who played multiple roles at the college level, showcasing his ability to function on and off the ball.

Weaknesses: With a thin frame that didn’t evolve much in college and average physical tools, he has long lacked a degree of assertiveness and physicality on both ends, especially in high-stakes moments.

The verdict: Proctor’s positional size, improvement as a spot-up shooter and flashes of ability creating out of pick-and-rolls across his three collegiate seasons are intriguing, but he never quite turned the corner as a point guard. He will have to add toughness to have a meaningful role off the ball at the NBA level. — Givony

Noah Penda, F, France

Strengths: Penda is a strong-framed wing-forward with an excellent feel for the game, a 6-foot-11½ wingspan and defensive versatility who fills up the stat sheet with rebounds, assists, steals and blocks.

Weaknesses: He is stronger than he is vertically explosive and remains inconsistent from the perimeter, shoots the ball with unorthodox mechanics and converted less than 30% of his 3-pointers this season and throughout his career.

The verdict: Making the transition from Pro B to Pro A look easy, Penda had an excellent season for a playoff team in France, making plays defensively and using his frame and smarts to create for himself and others off the dribble. His shooting is a key swing skill, as he otherwise checks a lot of boxes as a two-way contributor. — Givony

Jamir Watkins, SG/SF, Florida State, senior

Strengths: Watkins is a stout defender with an excellent frame and a 6-foot-11 wingspan who filled up the box score impressively at Florida State.

Weaknesses: The 23-year-old was productive as a secondary ball handler last season but has never been able to find consistency with his outside shot, hitting just 32.5% of his career 3-pointers at the college level.

The verdict: Few players helped themselves at the NBA combine as much as Watkins as he brought physicality and high-level intensity defensively while making plays all over the court. Turning 24 in early July, his NBA-ready frame and tools give him an immediate skill he can hang his hat on, but finding a way to score consistently in the half court will be essential to him sticking long term. — Givony

37. Detroit Pistons (from Dallas and San Antonio via Toronto)

Chaz Lanier, SG, Tennessee, super senior

Strengths: Lanier is a dangerous movement shooter with solid physical tools. He has proved himself as a prolific shotmaker in the SEC after he transferred from North Florida to Tennessee.

Weaknesses: He has questions to answer with his feel for the game, passing and defensive prowess after struggling to impact games when his outside shots weren’t falling.

The verdict: A true late bloomer who averaged 3.7 points per game over his first three collegiate seasons, Lanier turned a corner with his jumper as an upperclassman to complement his solid size, frame and 6-foot-9 wingspan. He is not much of a ball handler and will need to use his tools better defensively, but he has a clear niche to fill with the way he can space the floor and shoot off screens. — Givony

38. Indiana Pacers (from San Antonio)

Koby Brea, SG/SF, Kentucky, super senior

Strengths: Brea has been the best shooter in college basketball over the past two seasons, hitting 47% of his 3s and boasting solid physical tools.

Weaknesses: As effective as he is as a floor spacer, his negative wingspan, average defense and explosiveness limit his role-player potential.

The verdict: After making 50% of his 3s at Dayton in 2023-24, Brea backed up his performance with another excellent shooting season for Kentucky (2024-25). He’s a standout floor spacer and movement shooter in an era in which shooters in his mold are at a premium. What he can bring beyond his shooting will dictate how quickly he finds a role in the NBA. — Givony

39. Toronto Raptors (from Sacramento via Portland)

John Tonje, SF, Wisconsin, super senior

Strengths: Tonje is a solidly built wing with good size, length and aggressiveness, coming off a breakout season at Wisconsin in which he emerged as one of the best scorers in college basketball.

Weaknesses: He is not much of a passer and lacks great defensive tools, relying on a bully-ball style that might work better as a 24-year-old in college than against NBA opponents.

The verdict: Tonje had a tremendous season for the Badgers, getting to the line and making 39% of his 3-pointers with strong volume. His 41-point effort against Arizona on Nov. 15 was one of the more memorable single-game efforts of the season. His maturity could be an asset in the proper role, but he still has things to prove for NBA purposes, as the track record of older players in this mold is decidedly mixed historically. — Givony

Micah Peavy, SG/SF, Georgetown, senior

Strengths: Peavy is a versatile wing with solid size who defends with high-level intensity and made notable strides in 3-point shooting as a fifth-year senior.

Weaknesses: Peavy has unorthodox mechanics on his jumper, hitting 32% from 3 and 61% from the free throw line for his college career, with lackluster efficiency inside the arc. While his motor translated in a variety of ways at the college level, he lacks great length for NBA purposes, with an even wingspan. He turns 24 on July 16.

The verdict: In the third stop of his college career, Peavy kept Georgetown afloat at times last season with his assertive, opportunistic scoring. He showed versatility in finding teammates and making more shots than expected from beyond the arc. His career struggles from the free throw line, at-times adventurous decision-making and age are concerns. Still, the dearth of players in his mold will give him opportunities to show his game translates to higher levels of competition — Givony

41. Phoenix Suns (from Golden State, Brooklyn and Indiana via Miami)

Bogoljub Markovic, PF/C, Mega Superbet (Adriatic)

Strengths: Markovic is a skilled big man who scored from all over the floor with impressive efficiency in his first season in the Adriatic League, winning the equivalent of rookie of the year.

Weaknesses: With a 6-foot-11 wingspan and a narrow frame, he struggles to consistently make his presence felt defensively and on the glass, often looking a step slow with his awareness on both ends.

The verdict: Markovic had a breakout year culminating in a strong showing at the Nike Hoop Summit. At his best, his ability to space the floor, push off the defensive glass and finish skillfully in the paint is intriguing, but he’ll need to make progress with his physicality, feel for the game and toughness to make use of those tools at the highest levels. — Givony

42. Sacramento Kings (from San Antonio via Chicago)

Rocco Zikarsky, C, Brisbane (Australia)

Strengths: Zikarsky is young (18) with massive size, a budding skill level and obvious potential defensively, thanks to his 9-foot-6½ standing reach.

Weaknesses: While his size is a significant asset in the paint, he does not move his feet particularly well in space or provide as much physicality as one might hope, often appearing a step behind the action because of a lack of awareness.

The verdict: Zikarsky didn’t have as productive a second season in the NBL as most scouts had hoped. Although he was a consistent factor on the offensive glass, he struggled to score efficiently, missing layups and free throws, which hindered some of the optimism surrounding his floor-stretching potential. His ability to affect shots with his exceptional length is appealing, but he is still evolving as a rim protector when he isn’t parked under the rim. Regardless, his size and youth make him an intriguing bet for a team that believes in its player development infrastructure, helping the game slow down for him while his frame continues to mature. — Givony

play 1:36 Johni Broome’s NBA draft profile Check out some of the highlights that have made Johni Broome a top NBA draft prospect.

43. Washington Wizards (from Utah via Dallas)

Sion James, SF, Duke, super senior

Strengths: James played an essential role for Duke with his steady ballhandling, unselfishness, defensive versatility and opportunistic scoring. He added much-needed experience and toughness with his ripped frame.

Weaknesses: He has never been a very prolific scorer, lacking great length and dynamic shot creation, while having questions to answer about his shooting, given his crude mechanics and how judicious he was about letting shots fly from the perimeter.

The verdict: James played a similar role for the Blue Devils as he likely will at the next level, guarding multiple positions, staying active off the ball and doing the little things. He is not exceptionally long, but he fits a unique mold physically, which could be an asset for a team looking for a utility player, especially if he takes another step as a spot-up threat. — Givony

Javon Small, PG, West Virginia, senior

Strengths: Small is a tough, well-rounded guard who exhibited several strong role-playing qualities, carrying an undermanned West Virginia team with his defense and ability to create off the dribble.

Weaknesses: He has done what he can with his frame but does not possess great size, length or bulk by NBA standards.

The verdict: Small had a standout season in the Big 12, showcasing the burst to score in bunches and set up others on a roster that relied on him to do both. Successfully managing that responsibility while still providing energy on defense, he could be appealing for teams seeking guard depth. His ability to take another step as a shooter, finisher and decision-maker is a point of interest, as he is not quite big enough to rely solely on his defense. — Givony

45. Minnesota Timberwolves (trade with Lakers from Chicago via Sacramento)

Eric Dixon, PF, Villanova, super senior

Strengths: Dixon is a wide-bodied power forward who had a wildly productive season, leading the nation in scoring as a sixth-year senior. He’s making an obvious leap as a shooter.

Weaknesses: His 6-foot-11½ wingspan, average physical traits and inconsistent defensive impact are limiting factors.

The verdict: Scoring prolifically from the perimeter at 259 pounds this season, Dixon worked himself from a reluctant shooter into the most dynamic shooting big man in the country over the course of his college career. His ability to rediscover some of the physicality and toughness he demonstrated earlier in his career as a rebounder and defender in a more minor role would be highly beneficial in carving out a post in the NBA. — Givony

Kam Jones, PG/SG, Marquette, senior

Strengths: Jones had a productive, efficient season orchestrating Marquette’s five-out spacing, making big shots and scoring prolifically en route to a first-team All-Big East campaign.

Weaknesses: He is not the most explosive guard and took a step back as a shooter in an expanded role this past season, having some questions to answer about his defense and ability to create efficiently in a more compact role.

The verdict: The senior answered the call on the ball this season, ranking among the best pick-and-roll creators in the country, after operating mainly off the ball a season ago. His decisiveness as a passer and scorer stood out, but his streaky shooting from beyond the arc and middling defensive impact give him some areas to work on as he looks to demonstrate that his game translates to higher levels of competition. — Givony

47. Milwaukee Bucks (from Washington via Detroit)

Alex Toohey, SF/PF, Sydney (Australia)

Strengths: Toohey is an intelligent, versatile forward whose maturity stood out in the NBL and at the NBA combine.

Weaknesses: Just an average athlete, he has made strides as a shooter. He will need to become more consistent from beyond the arc to carve out a role at the NBA level, though.

The verdict: Toohey checks some boxes with his feel for the game, consistent motor, length and anticipation on the defense. He has sharp basketball instincts, but he’ll need to become a more consistently aggressive and impactful offensive threat to use them in an NBA role — something he took a step in the right direction with this past year. — Givony

play 0:18 Hunter Sallis buries the tough layup Hunter Sallis knocks down a tough runner for Wake Forest.

48. Memphis Grizzlies (from Washington and Brooklyn via Golden State)

Amari Williams, C, Kentucky, senior

Strengths: Williams is a center with an interesting combination of length (7-foot-6 wingspan), rebounding prowess, shot blocking and feel as a passer.

Weaknesses: Not much of a scorer outside of his ability to draw fouls thanks to his size, Williams doesn’t have any range on his jumper, never improved as a free throw shooter (career 63%) and doesn’t bring as much defensive versatility as scouts might hope he would. He struggled when forced to step outside the paint and cover ground and wasn’t always great playing with intensity or awareness.

The verdict: Williams might not be adept at making quick rotations as a rim protector or flipping his hips on the perimeter, but he has excellent physical tools and ranked among the best rebounders in the country in his lone season at Kentucky. Combine that with his ability as a trigger man in handoffs and his ability to play above the rim on the move and he is an interesting situational fit for some teams. — Givony

Johni Broome, C, Auburn, super senior

Strengths: Broome is a physical and highly productive inside-outside threat with a good feel for the game. A finalist for the Wooden Award, he was the best player in college basketball for stretches last season.

Weaknesses: Lacking length and explosiveness, Broome got by on timing and tenacity in college but might be more of a situational fit in the NBA, especially if his unconventional shooting mechanics and career 30% 3-point percentage don’t translate.

The verdict: It is hard to understate just how effective Broome was this season. Minor injuries hampered him late, but his instincts as a scorer, passer and rebounder were apparent. His streaky shooting and limited defensive tools somewhat complicate his NBA fit, but he is among the most proven prospects in this draft. — Givony

play 0:48 Alex Toohey’s NBA draft profile Check out some of the highlights that have made Alex Toohey a top NBA draft prospect.

50. LA Clippers (from New York Knicks, from OKC and Boston via Memphis)

Alijah Martin, SG, Florida, senior

Strengths: Martin is a strong, explosive wing whose shotmaking and defensive versatility played a key role in Florida’s championship run.

Weaknesses: While he has a 6-foot-7½ wingspan, Martin isn’t a great ball handler or passer for his size. He has been prone to streakiness from beyond the arc.

The verdict: Bouncy, physical and tough, Martin had some strong two-way efforts, especially when his shot was falling at a high rate. Playing bigger than his listed height defensively and making impressive plays in space, his physical tools were an asset at the college level, but he’ll have to become a more reliable shooter or effective playmaker to ease his transition to the NBA. — Givony

51. New York Knicks (from LA Clippers, Atlanta and Houston via Minnesota)

Adou Thiero, PF, Arkansas

Strengths: Thiero is perhaps the most explosive player in this draft, an event creator defensively who is a significant mismatch attacking in a straight line and the open court, drawing fouls in bunches and finishing in highlight-reel fashion.

Weaknesses: Somewhat stuck between forward positions, Thiero is a work in progress with his skill level, feel for the game and defensive engagement. He struggled to make shots consistently and missed most of the predraft process because of a lingering knee issue.

The verdict: Thiero showed significant progress as a junior but will have to make strides with his shooting and overall consistency to play a role at the NBA level. His defensive upside is apparent given his physical tools, and his trajectory over his three collegiate seasons makes him an interesting developmental swing. — Givony

52. Golden State Warriors (from Phoenix, Charlotte and Minnesota via Denver)

Vladislav Goldin, C, Michigan, super senior

Strengths: Goldin is a chiseled center with great size and length whose motor and productivity made him a key player in multiple NCAA tournament runs.

Weaknesses: Goldin moves well and can play above the rim with a head of steam, but he lacks quickness guarding in space and pursuing rebounds. His lack of perimeter skill limits his versatility, as he is not a great passer and doesn’t have much range on his jumper at this stage. At 24, he’s one of the oldest players in this class.

The verdict: Goldin was a force rolling to the rim and on the offensive glass, as his intensity and size at the rim can be imposing, even if he is not the most fluid or coordinated athlete. While he experimented with a jumper as a fifth-year senior, the center with a 7-foot-5 wingspan fits a more traditional mold on both ends, making his ability to anchor a defense and clean the glass consistently important at the next level. — Givony

53. Utah Jazz (from Lakers via LA Clippers)

Lachlan Olbrich, PF/C, Illawarra

Strengths: Olbrich is a throwback big man with a strong motor and feel for the game whose improvement this season helped the Illawarra Hawks to the NBL championship.

Weaknesses: Without the length to play center (6-foot-11 wingspan) and with a lack of floor-spacing ability for a power forward, he is somewhat stuck between positions on both ends and doesn’t possess great explosiveness to compensate.

The verdict: Olbrich returned to Australia after a productive freshman year in the Big West. He has come a long way since, showing excellent passing ability, strong interior skill, and the effort and physicality to get by defensively. His ability to figure out how to keep defenders honest from the perimeter will likely be crucial for his NBA chances, given his lack of physical defensive tools. — Givony

Ryan Nembhard, PG, Gonzaga, senior

Strengths: Nembhard is a cerebral point guard who led Division I in assists and showed his playmaking vision vividly in the G League Elite Camp and NBA combine scrimmages.

Weaknesses: Standing at 6-foot in shoes, he lacks great size, strength, length and explosiveness, limiting him as a finisher inside the paint and defensively.

The verdict: Nembhard might be behind from a physical perspective, but he’s probably the most established floor general in this draft. His gaudy 3.9 assist-to-turnover ratio and the way he passes people open stood out constantly last season. His polish as a distributor alone should find him a niche to fill at the next level, but his ability to become more than an opportunistic shooter could help solidify his standing. — Givony

Dink Pate, SG/SF, Mexico City (G League)

Strengths: Pate, 19, is a swingman with intriguing physical tools and a strong high school pedigree who has upside to grow into long term.

Weaknesses: Pate is at an early stage of development with his shooting, defense, decision-making and all-around consistency, being miscast as a point guard earlier in his career and thrust into a difficult situation in the G League as the youngest player in that league for two consecutive years.

The verdict: Pate had a few productive games for the Mexico City Capitanes after fighting an uphill battle for the G League Ignite last season. He flashed ability to weave his way to the rim in transition, made some simple plays off the dribble and got hot from the perimeter at times, but he has plenty of things to clean up as he remains green in many ways. Even so, his youth and flash give him intrigue for teams that believe in their player development. — Givony

56. Golden State Warriors (from Memphis via Houston)

Kobe Sanders, SG/SF, Nevada, senior

Strengths: Sanders has excellent size for a guard who played on the ball as much as he did in his lone season at Nevada.

Weaknesses: He has a negative wingspan and is a player with average skills, which showed up mostly on defense and sometimes in his poor shot selection.

The verdict: Sanders had a terrific season as a grad transfer using his size and ability to play with pace to create off the dribble. He was one of the top midrange scorers in the country but will need to make strides with his decision-making and spot-up shooting to ease his transition to the NBA. At the next level, he’ll face another learning curve defensively if he doesn’t add more toughness and physicality to his game. — Givony

57. Boston Celtics (via Orlando via Boston)

Izan Almansa, PF/C, Perth (Australia)

Strengths: The Spanish big man is a capable finisher and offensive rebounder. He has solid instincts on both ends of the floor and just turned 20 years old, leaving some time to make meaningful strides. His skill potential and size have always created some intrigue for NBA teams.

Weaknesses: Almansa struggles to score outside the paint and stretch the defense, nor is he physically imposing for an NBA center. He’s not a rim protector by trade, either.

The verdict: The past few years have been something of a journey for Almansa, who played last season for Perth in the NBL after prior stints at G League Ignite and Overtime Elite. Viewed as a potential first-round talent this time two years ago, Almansa played an inconsistent role in Australia and now profiles as a second-round international stash option. His game will need refinement before he challenges for an NBA roster spot. — Jeremy Woo

Saliou Niang, SG/SF, Trento (Italy)

Strengths: Niang is a physically gifted wing on an impressive trajectory who emerged from obscurity and developed into an impactful player in the Italian League and EuroCup for Trento.

Weaknesses: His offensive profile is questionable, as he has little shooting range, hitting 11 3-pointers in 45 games while posting more turnovers than assists.

The verdict: Niang’s defensive versatility, rebounding and intensity enabled him to contribute against high-level competition as he found ways to contribute on both ends despite lacking significant offensive polish. He’ll likely have to find some type of shooting range to have any chance of playing a role in the NBA, but he has upside to tap into based on the improvement he has shown the past two years. — Givony

59. Memphis Grizzlies (from Phoenix, Houston, via OKC)

Viktor Lakhin, C, Clemson, super senior

Strengths: Lakhin is a versatile big man and fifth-year senior who made real strides as a shooter to complement his interior skill level, as well as his passing and defensive timing.

Weaknesses: He is not particularly fast or explosive, being somewhat stuck between positions. He has relied on timing and craft at the college level, which might not translate seamlessly against better athletes. He has had several injuries over the past few years, missing most of the predraft process because of a ligament tear in his foot that will sideline him for several months.

The verdict: Lakhin had a terrific season, doing a little bit of everything with his feel for the game, finishing touch and maturity on the defensive end. His improvement as a floor spacer is notable. The lack of sample with his jumper means he’ll need to stay healthy and prove this part of his game is real to carve out a meaningful role in the NBA. — Givony

Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft expert and the founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service used by NBA, NCAA and international teams.

Jeremy Woo is an NBA analyst specializing in prospect evaluation and the draft. He was previously a staff writer and draft insider at Sports Illustrated.