Washington Wizards

30 of 30

Megan Briggs/Getty Images

Predicted starters: Bub Carrington, CJ McCollum, Khris Middleton, Bilal Coulibaly, Alex Sarr

The Wizards might have a few more familiar faces than your typical rebuilder, but their commitment to a youth movement is clear. They have seven different first-round picks from the last two drafts—Carrington, Sarr, Tre Johnson, A.J. Johnson, Kyshawn George, Will Riley and Dillon Jones—plus 2023 first-rounders Coulibaly and Cam Whitmore.

While player development is their top priority from this point forward, that doesn’t mean they have to unleash all of their youth at once. It would make sense, at least early in the season, to keep a few savvy veterans like McCollum and Middleton with the opening group to ensure the offense has flow and purpose. Marcus Smart could be utilized in a similar role, though his defense is probably less helpful than the other vets’ offense with this specific group.

Remember, this is a prediction for opening night. By season’s end, Washington might (and probably should) be overloaded with youth in its opening five, especially if that means the veterans—who are all on expiring contracts—were sent out for anything of substance between now and the deadline.

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.

Open Extended Reactions

The 2025 NBA draft is a wrap, with Cooper Flagg (No. 1 to the Dallas Mavericks) and Dylan Harper (No. 2 to the San Antonio Spurs) the headliners of what turned out to be a first round full of twists.

Ace Bailey came off the board at No. 5 to the Utah Jazz, a team that wasn’t one of his planned destinations, but could be an excellent landing spot. The New Orleans Pelicans made an aggressive play to pair Jeremiah Fears (No. 7) with Derik Queen (No. 13), moving valuable draft capital to make it happen. The Portland Trail Blazers made the most surprising pick of the first round by selecting Yang Hansen (ranked No. 35 in our final Top 100 big board). And the Brooklyn Nets, who controlled five first-round picks, drafted all five to jump-start a youth movement.

What was the best value pick? Which team drafted the best class? And which players could be named first-team All-Rookie? We have spent years studying the prospects in the 2025 class, and here are the moves we liked, the moves that surprised us and we’ll share a few long-term predictions.

Let’s dig into the fallout of this draft by answering 15 questions.

Jump to a topic:

Favorite pick | Ideal situation | Best value

Biggest surprise | Class pick | In-draft trades

Surprise faller | ROY candidates | All-Rookie players

G-league hitter | Undrafted underdog

Predictions | Overall takeaways

What was your favorite pick of the entire draft?

Givony: Kasparas Jakucionis to the Miami Heat at No. 20. Not only did the Heat get the No. 10 player on my big board, they also got a player who fills a roster void and fits their culture and style of play perfectly. Jakucionis (6-foot-6, 205 pounds) has the ballhandling and playmaking ability to offer much-needed shot creation in the backcourt, but he also is big enough to operate off the ball alongside All-Star combo guard Tyler Herro.

With Davion Mitchell (restricted free agent) coming off a strong playoff showing, the three could certainly play in the same lineup at times, thanks to Jakucionis’ size, strength and perimeter shooting prowess — positional versatility that is ideal for the modern NBA.

In their draft room and after eating perogies (an Eastern European staple) on Thursday, the Miami Heat front office secured Russian center Vlad Goldin, the No. 2-ranked undrafted free agent prospect on the ESPN Top 100 big board (No. 49). He adds to the Heat’s growing roster of international performer in recent years, including Lithuanian and Russian players. The Heat also have Sweden’s Pelle Larsson and Serbia’s Nikola Jovic on their roster.

Woo: Khaman Maluach to the Phoenix Suns at No. 10. I can’t tell you whether the Suns will be any good next season. But I can say they did a good job of addressing some of last season’s problems, particularly by drafting Maluach, who is the exact type of jumbo paint protector Phoenix was sorely missing.

I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say the Suns had zero defensive identity last season, and Maluach (in tandem with new addition Mark Williams) should help change that tone. He should be able to thrive complementing the Suns’ ball dominant perimeter group.

Which player landed in the ideal situation to maximize his talent?

Givony: Bailey to the Utah Jazz at No. 5. Despite the drama around Bailey’s preferred draft destination (Washington?) and his agent’s alleged threat to a top-five team before the draft to potentially not report to camp, it wasn’t surprising to see this situation amicably resolved, likely in no small part due to Bailey’s lack of leverage because of the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement and the public relations backlash this move generated.

When Bailey arrives in Utah on Saturday and sees how fortunate he is to land in a situation with an ample opportunity, a lack of star power, an outstanding coaching staff and a highly passionate fan base, he should quickly realize he is in the perfect place to reach All-Star potential.

Ace Bailey, the No. 3 prospect on ESPN’s big board, was a hotly debated prospect among NBA teams all season. (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Woo: Egor Demin to the Brooklyn Nets at No. 8. I’m more optimistic on Demin’s future than some seem to be — there will always be a premium placed on prospects in his mold as a jumbo playmaker, and I understand why the Nets believed he was worth the dive that early in the draft. Going to a team where he’ll get a chance to play right away with plenty of on-ball reps, pair with the other talented passers in Brooklyn’s draft class and also hone his shooting is ideal.

His rookie season could be something of a crucible, but his unselfish style of play falls in line with how the Nets clearly want their team to look. Landing in a blank slate situation like this could be huge for Demin, as opposed to having to fight for minutes on a deeper roster that might have limited the opportunity to spread his wings.

What was the best value pick?

Givony: Liam McNeeley to the Charlotte Hornets at No. 29. I’m still surprised McNeeley (ranked No. 17 on our top 100 big board) fell to the end of the first round. Known for his shooting prowess for most of his career, McNeeley hit only 32% of his 3s at UConn this season. He had several workouts where he struggled to shoot as effectively in private settings as NBA teams had hoped.

I’ve seen McNeeley shoot lights-out in many different settings and firmly believe he will thrive with NBA spacing in a smaller offensive role than he was asked to shoulder at UConn. He also brings more to the table with his size (6-foot-8 in shoes), toughness, feel for the game and overall skill level. It’s not easy to find this type of player, so I believe the Hornets will end up getting a steal with this pick.

Woo: Jakucionis to the Heat. Miami benefited from some of the unexpected decisions ahead of it by drafting a player who some (me included) viewed as a top-10 prospect — and one who also fits the Heat’s need for a playmaking guard. He was ultimately a little more polarizing than we expected, but my guess is this one will age better for the Heat than it will for the teams that passed on him.

Which pick most surprised you?

Givony: Demin to the Nets. A lot of people had a hard time understanding why we kept Demin in our top 10 all year, especially as he was struggling badly in Big 12 play. Still, I was a little surprised to see him selected ahead of Khaman Maluach and Jakucionis, who I had in front of him on our Top 100 big board. We had heard the Nets wanted to come out of this draft with a starting point guard, and they now have three candidates for that position: Demin, Nolan Traore and Ben Saraf (and maybe Danny Wolf too).

I love the fact Demin will be empowered to reach his full potential in an outsized role (similar to BYU), where he’ll be able to play through mistakes, but will also have playmakers alongside him. Ideally, there would be a little more shooting to be found in this group, but that’s something the Nets can work through long term, potentially with another high pick in next year’s loaded draft, where A.J. Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer or Nate Ament all look like outstanding fits.

Woo: Yang Hansen to the Portland Trail Blazers at No. 16. My reaction was closer to fascination than shock. Yang has an intriguing skill set for a teenage big who was going to be worth someone rolling the dice on. I liked what I saw from him at the combine, but there was no expectation that he would wind up inside the top 20, and it’s a big gamble on his offensive talent ultimately translating from a low level in China.

The only team that was widely tied to Yang was the Nets, who held four picks behind the Trail Blazers in the first round. I understand why Portland took him where it did, as a blanket statement on draft strategy. If you love a guy, just take him, don’t risk it. Trading back was probably a challenge, but even with that rationale, the thought of Yang going that high never crossed my mind in any scenario.

Which team has your favorite class as a whole?

Givony: Charlotte Hornets. I already wrote about McNeeley above, but I also like the additions of Kon Knueppel (No. 4) and Ryan Kalkbrenner (No. 34) quite a bit. Knueppel’s feel for the game, selfless style of play, strength and toughness should make him easy to play with, especially alongside LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, who he could complement quite well. I was a huge fan of Knueppel all season and was not surprised to see him go in the top five.

With Kalkbrenner, the Hornets got a plug-and-play big who looks ready to play rotation minutes right away on a cheap rookie-scale deal. Charlotte needed someone NBA-ready after trading Mark Williams for the pick that got them McNeeley and a 2029 first-rounder, which I thought was a great move as well.

Woo: San Antonio Spurs. Lucking into Harper was one thing, but the Spurs were right not to lean into any temptation to trade him and fast-track their competitive window. I understand the fit concerns, and it would be simpler were De’Aaron Fox not in the mix already, but the idea of letting Harper jell with Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle makes a lot of sense.

Generally speaking, we love to assign a sense of immediate title urgency to every team fortunate enough to employ superstar-caliber talent but one has to remember Wembanyama is 21 years old. In my mind, there was never any need for San Antonio to do anything but select and see how these players grow together. Factor in No. 14 pick Carter Bryant, who should complement his more ball dominant teammates with shooting and perimeter defense over time, and the Spurs could have an excellent thing going.

Which team has your least favorite class as a whole?

Givony: There isn’t one team that stands out, though I would have loved to have seen the Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets jump into the action in either round, but it’s understandable why both teams are prioritizing their playoff windows right now.

Woo: New Orleans Pelicans. This is less about the talent of players they drafted and more about how the Pelicans invited risk and fit concerns with their string of recent transactions. Fears is a real talent, but him maximizing it in what could be a crowded backcourt with Jordan Poole now in the mix is a concern.

And I struggle to see how Queen can share the floor with Zion Williamson in a winning context — neither can shoot from the perimeter or protect the paint at a high level, and they might ultimately get in each other’s way. I’m concerned about the chances either lottery pick gets to use their talents in the situation.

Of course, I understand a new front office targeting the guys they like, putting their stamp on the team and figuring out other things later. It would all be a little more palatable had the Pelicans not sold off their own draft pick next year to make it work — a move that places pressure on their current group to take a huge collective step forward.

What was your favorite in-draft trade?

Givony: The Atlanta Hawks trading down to ultimately draft Asa Newell at No. 23. Woo recapped the New Orleans side of the Queen deal, but a shoutout to the new Hawks front office (led by Onsi Saleh) is in order. The Hawks secured what I project to be the No. 8 pick in the 2026 NBA draft, just for moving down 10 spots in this draft. I had Queen rated 23 spots ahead of Newell on my personal big board, so there’s certainly room to quibble about value.

But it’s fair to question the process New Orleans went through, clearly telegraphing its interest in Queen so strongly in the lead-up to the draft that it hurt its negotiating leverage. It led to giving up a potentially high draft pick in 2026, which should have netted New Orleans a lot more than what it did.

Breaking News from Shams Charania Download the ESPN app and enable Shams Charania’s news alerts to receive push notifications for the latest updates first. Opt in by tapping the alerts bell in the top right corner. For more information, click here.

Woo: The Jazz trading up to draft Walter Clayton Jr. at No. 18 I admittedly was not a huge Clayton proponent during the season, but the more I evaluated him, the more I started to buy his shotmaking talent as an intriguing bet in a draft class that was pretty light on point guards. The Jazz didn’t have to pay much to do it, and while he might have to fight for minutes, there’s a reasonable chance Clayton becomes a valuable contributor.

What was your least favorite in-draft trade?

Givony: Memphis trading up five spots with Portland from No. 16 to No. 11, giving up an unprotected first-round pick from the Orlando Magic in 2028 and two second-round picks (2027 via Atlanta and 2028 from Orlando). That feels like an awfully big haul to move up just five spots, even if there were a lot of rumblings that the Oklahoma City Thunder (picking No. 15) were also trying to move up for Cedric Coward. I wasn’t especially sold on Coward being picked that high, so we’ll have to see how this plays out.

I would have liked to have seen Portland move down another five-to-10 picks for Yang, and perhaps pick up more assets in the process, but it seems the trade market softened quite a bit outside the top 15, with minimal movement in the second half of the first round.

Woo: New Orleans mortgaging the future for Queen. Considering all the circumstances, no matter how badly you believe in the Maryland center (or no matter who you think should have been the 13th pick instead), trading away a 2026 first-round pick to move up 10 spots in this draft was hard for me to rationalize. It’s less about the player and more about the process.

play 1:26 The plays that Derik Queen is bringing to the Pelicans Check out some top highlights from Derik Queen as the Pelicans trade up to take him.

In five years, we’re all going to wonder why ____ fell in the draft?

Givony: Hugo Gonzalez to the Boston Celtics at No. 28. I had him rated as the No. 15 player on my personal big board, 13 spots ahead of where he was drafted. He started the process as a projected top-10 pick, but it’s not hard to understand why his stock fell, as he struggled to get on the floor for a loaded Real Madrid team. Had Gonzalez played for Ratiopharm Ulm, went to BYU (which recruited him heavily prior to signing Demin), or spent a season with the NBL Next Stars program in Australia … he would have been a clear lottery pick in my view.

He built an impeccable résumé as one of the top prospects in international basketball in FIBA youth competitions and junior club competition prior to this season.

I also love his fit in Boston, where he’s certain to emerge as a fan favorite due to the frenetic intensity level he brings defensively. I was told Boston was telling agents it planned to sign whichever rookie it took with this pick for 80% of the rookie scale, but due to Gonzalez’s significant buyout with Real Madrid ($1.4 million), that won’t be viable, as Gonzalez will already need to cover a significant portion of that out of his pocket.

Woo: Will Riley to the Washington Wizards at No. 21. I probably saw more of him up close than anyone, as I saw Illinois live many times last season. I’m a big believer in Riley’s talent and think there’s a chance he rises to the top on a Wizards team that is going to give a lot of opportunities to their young talent. He’s going to have to work hard at his physical development to make it happen — Riley is 6-foot-8, 180 pounds — but how many wings with legitimate size and offensive talent have ever been too skinny to make it in the NBA?

Riley isn’t lacking for actual game, and I think he’ll surprise some people over time.

Call it now: Who will win NBA Rookie of the Year?

Givony: Flagg. He is the best player in this class and will be asked to play a significant role for the Mavs immediately, as they have very little shot creation on their roster currently and will need him to be a star from day one. They’ll need him to essentially keep them afloat in the brutal Western Conference as they wait for Kyrie Irving’s return from a knee injury.

Woo: Anyone other than Flagg? Um, no. That’s not to discredit any player in this draft, but I don’t think this is a particularly bold call. He’s walking into an excellent opportunity to stand out right away, and I suspect we’ll see him figure the NBA out on the fly, and rather quickly.

Call it now: Which five players will be named to the NBA All-Rookie first team?

Givony: Flagg, Harper, Bailey, Knueppel, Tre Johnson (Wizards).

Woo: Flagg, Harper, Johnson, Knueppel — and primarily so we don’t pick the exact same players, I’ll go with the other Jazz rookie, Clayton Jr.

Which player is most likely to light up the G League in 2025-26?

Givony: Javon Small, No. 48 pick by Memphis. A first-team all-conference player in the loaded Big 12, Small carried an undermanned West Virginia team to the cusp of a NCAA tournament berth with steady shot creation and shotmaking while bringing major toughness on both ends of the floor, things that typically translate well to the G League.

He’ll be a handful to deal with in transition and should thrive in the wide-open nature of that league, likely putting up points in bunches while making winning plays on both ends of the floor. I would not be surprised to see him emerge as another Scotty Pippen Jr.-type gem for Memphis in the coming years.

Woo: Ryan Nembhard, undrafted. Nembhard will sign a two-way deal with the Mavericks, and the caveat here is that I could see him getting fast-tracked to a roster spot and NBA utility purely due to the Mavs’ lack of point guard depth. I love Nembhard’s feel for playmaking and involving teammates and believe he can transcend his size limitations (6-foot, 180 pounds). He’ll be among the top guards in the G League whenever he’s assigned there.

Which undrafted player are you most interested to follow?

Givony: Eric Dixon with the Los Angeles Lakers. The former Villanova guard was the No. 1 scorer in college basketball this season, averaging 23 points and shooting 41% from 3. He’s not just a spot-up shooter though, he can hit tough side-step and iso pull-ups, and attacks closeouts to draw fouls at a strong rate. He stands 6-foot-8 with a powerful 260-pound frame, making him a true inside-out mismatch in the Guerschon Yabusele mold. Dixon, 24, will need to prove he can hold his own defensively, but he’s got some real toughness and physicality on top of his ability to stretch the floor. I like this addition quite a bit for the Lakers.

I heard Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka spent time with Dixon after his predraft workout with the team. Apparently, Pelinka told Dixon the story of Kobe Bryant’s visit to the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, which was cleared out for them. Pelinka said the first thing Bryant noticed was the lack of lighting and how Michelangelo was forced to do much of his work by candlelight, which demonstrated his attention to detail and the focus required to master his craft under tough conditions. Bryant related this to his work on the basketball court, imagining what Michelangelo’s mindset might have been like at the time, in terms of perfecting his craft and creating a world-renowned masterpiece, despite less-than-ideal circumstances.

Woo: John Poulakidas with the LA Clippers. The former Yale guard was one of the deep sleepers I grew to like over the course of the season. Poulakidas (6-foot-6, 205 pounds) has strong proportions for a wing, he’s a very good shooter already, and if he can step up his defensive contributions, there’s a path for him to make it onto a roster through the backdoor (he’s reportedly signing an exhibit-10 with the Clippers). Quality 3-point marksmen with NBA size often get to skip the line more so than any other role archetype.

Make one prediction about this class for five years from now:

Givony: Joan Beringer (No. 17 to the Minnesota Timberwolves) will be an All-Defensive team candidate in five years. He’s getting a rare opportunity to learn from four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and fellow Frenchman Rudy Gobert in practice every day. Beringer, who grew an inch and a half over the past year, had never touched a basketball until summer 2021, as he was focused on soccer until a late growth spurt allowed him to outgrow the sport.

He proved to be the top shot blocker in the Adriatic League during his first season of professional basketball, demonstrating exceptional instincts and agility as a drop defender and rim protector, giving him huge potential to grow into long term on that end of the floor.

The Nets’ first pick of their 2025 NBA draft began by taking BYU’s Egor Demin at No. 8. (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Woo: The Nets’ draft ages better than expected. There’s a clear vision for what Brooklyn was trying to do: It bought low on Nolan Traore (No. 19) and Drake Powell (No. 22) coming off of down seasons and it loaded up on high-IQ passers with above-average size with Demin, Ben Saraf (No. 26) and Wolf (No. 27). Clearly, the Nets want to build an unselfish team that shares the ball. I’m not as concerned about these guys getting in each other’s way developmentally as some people seem to be.

All of these players need to improve their perimeter shooting — which is a fair critique and major variable. Still, I worry less about skill set overlap when you’re bringing together guys who love to pass. Letting them all start their careers together, build chemistry and play a distinct style should facilitate easier looks all around. The Nets appear to have minutes for everybody as they prepare to spin the lottery wheel again next season — and I think at least a few of these players will outkick expectations.

What is your top overarching takeaway from this draft?

Givony: College basketball is back and not going away anytime soon. After the top two picks in last year’s draft came from France (Zaccharie Risacher) and via Australia (Alex Sarr), there were zero non-collegiate international players selected in the top 10 this year, and only six chosen in the first round. These are historically low numbers, but they could decrease even further next year, as we currently only project four non-collegiate international players to be picked in the first and second rounds, which will likely be the lowest we’ve seen in some time.

The appeal of large NIL-related paydays in college has led many players to remain in school and has attracted more international players to the U.S., similar to what we saw with Demin and Jakucionis. Time will tell if revenue-sharing restrictions from the House settlement reduces the high NIL salaries we’re seeing now, which might cause some international players to stay home and develop through the traditional European basketball path.

Woo: Consensus is just a concept. Nearly all the first-round surprises we saw were by-products of teams simply trusting their boards and evaluation process above all else. Whether it was Memphis ensuring it snagged Coward, New Orleans going in big for Queen, Portland taking Yang higher than anyone expected or the Nets seeing value in making all five first-round picks, the draft is always in the eye of the beholder, and that’s why mock drafts tend to go off the rails at a certain point.

This draft was an entertaining reminder of how many teams are willing to select with conviction and forgo whatever the public’s notion of value might be.

Mavs’ Cooper Flagg has clear prediction for Suns center originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Phoenix Suns have been one of the most active teams in the NBA following the conclusion of the regular season. It became clear quickly that Suns owner Mat Ishbia wasn’t happy with how his team performed after they finished 36-46 and as the No. 11 seed in the Western Conference. The day after the season ended, the Suns announced that they were firing head coach Mike Budenholzer, despite four years and $40 million left on his deal.

Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The changes kept coming, as Ishbia made a bold move by demoting James Jones from the general manager position and president of basketball operations to a senior advisor. He then promoted Brian Gregory to the role of general manager. Ishbia and Gregory’s relationship goes back to their days at Michigan State, where Ishbia was a player and Gregory an assistant coach on the 2000 National Championship team.

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker pushes the ball upcourt as Los Angeles Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. defends at Intuit Dome on Oct. 31, 2024.Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Mavs’ Cooper Flagg has clear prediction for Suns center

Gregory got right to work. For months, it was speculated that the Suns were looking to move Kevin Durant and could’ve done so at the trade deadline, but ultimately held off. Just days before the 2025 NBA Draft, Gregory and the Suns executed a blockbuster trade.

Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

They sent Durant to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick, and five second-round picks in what has since become a record-breaking seven-team trade. With the No. 10 pick, the Suns used it to bolster their frontcourt by selecting Duke center Khaman Maluach.

His former Duke teammate, Cooper Flagg, delivered a clear prediction for Maluach and the Suns.

“I love Khaman, he’s like one of my best friends,” Flagg said. “He’s very versatile and he’ll do a lot on the court. He’s only been playing for four years, but I think he’s going to be really successful.”

Flagg was the leader of the Duke team that made the Final Four in this past March Madness. Many pegged them as the favorites to win the championship, but gave away a lead late against Houston, which saw the Cougars prevail.

Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The encouraging part about Maluach is that the Suns don’t need him to be good right away. The Suns traded the No. 29 pick in the draft to the Charlotte Hornets for center Mark Williams, who will almost surely get the starting minutes right away. That will allow Maluach to come along slowly and learn the NBA game, especially only played the sport for four years to this point.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 13, 2025, where it first appeared.

San Antonio Spurs: De’Aaron Fox Signs an Extension for Less Than the Max

27 of 30

Michael Gonzales/Getty Images

Beginning on Aug. 3, De’Aaron Fox will be eligible to sign a four-year, $229 million max extension that keeps him on the San Antonio Spurs’ books through 2029-30. This is almost assuredly a contract the team is prepared to bankroll. The Spurs don’t trade for him if it’s not.

Ending up with the No. 2 pick and Dylan Harper may not have been part of the plan, but that’s more likely to impact their longer-term valuation of Fox than their immediate one. And at this moment, he is a max or near-max caliber player.

San Antonio can get away with paying him like one through his age-32 season. A four-year extension essentially takes him through the heart of his prime.

Still, Fox’s determination to join the Spurs looms large here. “There was no f*cking list,” he told ESPN’s Michael Wright in March. “There was one team. I wanted to go to San Antonio.”

Now that he’s there, he’ll double-down on that commitment by taking less than $229 million—either because he recognizes a loss of leverage with Harper inbound, or because he wants to be an active facilitator of the Spurs continuing to take big swings on the trade market as they seek to flesh out a title contender around himself and Victor Wembanyama.