2025 NBA mock draft 2.0: Rounding up the final consensus expert predictions
To get a sense of where prospects stand as of right now, For The Win has surveyed all of the leading mock drafts to provide a general consensus.
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Since our last update, the following players have improved their rankings the most: Noa Essengue, Joan Beringer, Walter Clayton Jr., Kon Knueppel, V.J. Edgecombe, Carter Bryant, and Noah Penda.
Meanwhile, the following players have dropped the most: Derik Queen, Ace Bailey, Jase Richardson, Nolan Traoré,Tre Johnson, Liam McNeeley, and Egor Demin.
For this exercise, we're using my latest mock along with other mainstream mocks from the following publications (sorted alphabetically):
Our scoring methodology was based on a trade value chart from ESPN's Kevin Pelton.
All heights are listed without shoes unless noted otherwise for international prospects who have not yet participated in the NBA Draft Combine.
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Meanwhile, for more prospect coverage, here is our latest NBA mock draft at For The Win.
Note: These rankings do not reflect our personal opinions or team fit but rather where experts currently have each prospect slated.
The best takes and the sharpest bets on all the hoops storylines you need to know. Sign up for our Layup Lines newsletter, hitting your inbox on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
1. Cooper Flagg
Cooper Flagg talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Marriott Marquis Chicago.
TEAM: Duke
POSITION: Wing
HEIGHT: 6' 7.75''
DRAFT AGE: 18.5
PREVIOUS RANK: 1
More: Cooper Flagg had the toughest quote about quick rise to No. 1 NBA pick
2. Dylan Harper
Dylan Harper (29) participates in the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena.
TEAM: Rutgers
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POSITION: Guard
HEIGHT: 6' 4.50''
DRAFT AGE: 19.3
PREVIOUS RANK: 2
More: Q&A: Meet Dylan Harper, the best NBA Draft prospect who did not make March Madness tourney
3. V.J. Edgecombe
VJ Edgecombe Jr. #1 takes part in a shooting drill during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena on May 13, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
TEAM: Baylor
POSITION: Wing
HEIGHT: 6' 4.00''
DRAFT AGE: 19.9
PREVIOUS RANK: 4
More: ESPN's NBA mock draft had 1 intriguing V.J. Edgecombe, 76ers workout detail
4. Kon Knueppel
Kon Knueppel talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Marriott Marquis Chicago.
TEAM: Duke
POSITION: Wing
HEIGHT: 6' 5.00''
DRAFT AGE: 19.9
PREVIOUS RANK: 6
More: Meet NBA draft prospect Kon Knueppel, the other Duke star you're not talking enough about
5. Ace Bailey
Ace Bailey #21 looks on during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena on May 13, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
TEAM: Rutgers
POSITION: Forward
HEIGHT: 6' 7.50''
DRAFT AGE: 18.9
PREVIOUS RANK: 3
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More: The alarming reasons why Ace Bailey's NBA draft stock is plummeting
6. Jeremiah Fears
Jeremiah Fears answers questions from reporters during media availability at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena on May 14, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
TEAM: Oklahoma
POSITION: Guard
HEIGHT: 6' 2.50''
DRAFT AGE: 18.7
PREVIOUS RANK: 6
More: Meet Jeremiah Fears, the NBA Draft prospect who wants to 'destroy' opponents
7. Tre Johnson
Tre Johnson (56) participates in the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena.
TEAM: Texas
POSITION: Wing
HEIGHT: 6' 4.75''
DRAFT AGE: 19.3
PREVIOUS RANK: 5
8. Khaman Maluach
Khaman Maluach answers questions from reporters during media availability at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena on May 14, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
TEAM: Duke
POSITION: Big
HEIGHT: 7' 0.75''
DRAFT AGE: 18.8
PREVIOUS RANK: 8
9. Noa Essengue
TEAM: ratiopharm ulm (Germany)
POSITION: Wing
HEIGHT: 6' 10.00''
DRAFT AGE: 18.5
PREVIOUS RANK: 14
10. Carter Bryant
Carter Bryant answers questions from reporters during media availability at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena on May 14, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
TEAM: Arizona
POSITION: Forward
HEIGHT: 6' 6.50''
DRAFT AGE: 19.6
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PREVIOUS RANK: 12
11. Kasparas Jakučionis
Kasparas Jakucionis talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Marriott Marquis Chicago.
TEAM: Illinois
POSITION: Guard
HEIGHT: 6' 4.75''
DRAFT AGE: 19.1
PREVIOUS RANK: 10
More: Why Derik Queen may slide in the 2025 NBA Draft
12. Collin Murray-Boyles
Collin Murray-Boyles talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Marriott Marquis Chicago.
TEAM: South Carolina
POSITION: Big
HEIGHT: 6' 6.50''
DRAFT AGE: 20.1
PREVIOUS RANK: 13
13. Egor Demin
Egor Demin talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Marriott Marquis Chicago.
TEAM: BYU
POSITION: Guard
HEIGHT: 6' 8.25''
DRAFT AGE: 19.3
PREVIOUS RANK: 11
14. Derik Queen
Derik Queen talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Marriott Marquis Chicago.
TEAM: Maryland
POSITION: Big
HEIGHT: 6' 9.25''
DRAFT AGE: 20.5
PREVIOUS RANK: 9
More: Why Derik Queen may slide in the 2025 NBA Draft
15. Joan Beringer
TEAM: KK Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia)
POSITION: Big
HEIGHT: 6' 11.00''
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DRAFT AGE: 18.6
PREVIOUS RANK: 15
16. Cedric Coward
Cedric Coward talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Marriott Marquis Chicago.
TEAM: Washington St.
POSITION: Forward
HEIGHT: 6' 5.25''
DRAFT AGE: 21.8
PREVIOUS RANK: 15
More: Q&A: How Cedric Coward went from D-III to the most captivating NBA draft prospect
17. Thomas Sorber
Thomas Sorber answers questions from reporters during media availability at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena on May 14, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
TEAM: Georgetown
POSITION: Big
HEIGHT: 6' 9.25''
DRAFT AGE: 19.5
PREVIOUS RANK: 19
More: Q&A: Thomas Sorber knows there is so much he hasn't even shown before NBA Draft
18. Asa Newell
Asa Newell talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Marriott Marquis Chicago.
TEAM: Georgia
POSITION: Forward
HEIGHT: 6' 9.00''
DRAFT AGE: 19.7
PREVIOUS RANK: 21
More: Q&A: Asa Newell pitches his 'contagious' energy as NBA draft prospect
19. Nique Clifford
Nique Clifford talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Marriott Marquis Chicago.
TEAM: Colorado St.
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POSITION: Forward
HEIGHT: 6' 5.25''
DRAFT AGE: 23.4
PREVIOUS RANK: 17
20. Walter Clayton Jr.
Walter Clayton Jr. answers questions from reporters during media availability at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena on May 14, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
TEAM: Florida
POSITION: Guard
HEIGHT: 6' 2.00''
DRAFT AGE: 22.3
PREVIOUS RANK: 27
More: Is Walter Clayton Jr. an NBA Draft first-round pick after his incredible March Madness?
21. Nolan Traoré
TEAM: Saint-Quentin (France)
POSITION: Guard
HEIGHT: 6' 3.00''
DRAFT AGE: 19.1
PREVIOUS RANK: 16
22. Danny Wolf
Danny Wolf talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Marriott Marquis Chicago.
TEAM: Michigan
POSITION: Big
HEIGHT: 6' 10.50''
DRAFT AGE: 21.2
PREVIOUS RANK: 22
23. Jase Richardson
Jase Richardson talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Marriott Marquis Chicago.
TEAM: Michigan St.
POSITION: Guard
HEIGHT: 6' 0.50''
DRAFT AGE: 19.7
PREVIOUS RANK: 18
More: 5 things to know about Michigan State star Jase Richardson
24. Liam McNeeley
Liam McNeeley talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Marriott Marquis Chicago.
TEAM: Connecticut
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POSITION: Wing
HEIGHT: 6' 6.75''
DRAFT AGE: 19.7
PREVIOUS RANK: 20
25. Will Riley
Will Riley talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Marriott Marquis Chicago.
TEAM: Illinois
POSITION: Wing
HEIGHT: 6' 8.25''
DRAFT AGE: 19.3
PREVIOUS RANK: 24
26. Rasheer Fleming
Rasheer Fleming talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Marriott Marquis Chicago.
TEAM: Saint Joseph's
POSITION: Forward
HEIGHT: 6' 8.25''
DRAFT AGE: 21.0
PREVIOUS RANK: 25
27. Drake Powell
Drake Powell #82 takes part in a shooting drill during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena on May 13, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
TEAM: North Carolina
POSITION: Wing
HEIGHT: 6' 5.25''
DRAFT AGE: 19.8
PREVIOUS RANK: 27
28. Noah Penda
TEAM: Le Mans (France)
POSITION: Forward
HEIGHT: 6' 7.25''
DRAFT AGE: 20.5
PREVIOUS RANK: 32
29. Maxime Raynaud
TEAM: Stanford
POSITION: Big
HEIGHT: 7' 0.25''
DRAFT AGE: 22.2
PREVIOUS RANK: 26
More: 2025 NBA Draft Combine: 5 biggest winners, including Maxime Raynaud and Miles Byrd
30. Ryan Kalkbrenner
Ryan Kalkbrenner answers questions from reporters during media availability at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena on May 14, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
TEAM: Creighton
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POSITION: Big
HEIGHT: 7' 1.00''
DRAFT AGE: 23.5
PREVIOUS RANK: 29
BEST OF THE REST
31. Hugo González
32. Ben Saraf
33. Yanic Konan Niederhäuser
34. Chaz Lanier
35. Adou Thiero
36. Hansen Yang
37. Kam Jones
38. Tyrese Proctor
39. Bogoljub Marković
40. Johni Broome
41. Jamir Watkins
42. Sion James
43. Alex Toohey
44. Koby Brea
45. Rocco Zikarsky
46. Micah Peavy
47. Javon Small
48. Alijah Martin
49. John Tonje
50. Eric Dixon
51. Ryan Nembhard
52. Hunter Sallis
53. Kobe Sanders
54. Lachlan Olbrich
55. Vlad Goldin
56. Tamar Bates
57. Amari Williams
58. Brice Williams
59. Mark Sears
60. RJ Luis Jr.
61. Brooks Barnhizer
62. Dink Pate
63. Mohamed Diawara
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64. Saliou Niang
65. Chucky Hepburn
66. Viktor Lakhin
67. Max Shulga
68. Grant Nelson
69. Will Richard
70. Khalif Battle
This article originally appeared on For The Win: 2025 NBA mock draft 2.0: Rounding up the final consensus expert predictions
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Miami Herald
a few seconds ago
- Miami Herald
What to know about Heat's 2025-26 schedule: List of games, how many on national TV and more
Following the departure of Jimmy Butler and two consecutive first-round playoff exits, the Miami Heat is apparently no longer a national draw. On Thursday afternoon, the NBA released the 2025-26 regular-season schedule that includes 80 (40 home and 40 away) of the 82 games for each team because two games from Dec. 9 to Dec. 15 remain up in the air until the group stage of the league's in-season tournament plays out. The Heat will open this upcoming season on the road against the Magic in Orlando on Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. It marks the sixth time in the past 10 seasons that the Heat has opened the schedule against the Magic, with five of those games coming in Orlando. For perspective, the last time the Heat opened a season on the road and the game wasn't in Orlando came in the 2011-12 season when it faced the Mavericks in Dallas on Dec. 25, 2011. But like many of the games on the Heat's schedule, this season's opener against the Magic won't be on national TV. Just two years after being slotted for 16 national TV appearances for the 2023-24 regular season at the time that schedule was released, the Heat is currently scheduled for just five national TV games this upcoming season. While that number could change during the course of the season, the Heat's five national TV appearances this season consists of two games on Amazon Prime Video's streaming service (Nov. 14 at New York Knicks and Feb. 28 vs. Houston Rockets), one game on ESPN (Nov. 19 vs. Golden State Warriors), one game on NBC (Jan. 6 at Minnesota Timberwolves) and one game on NBC's streaming partner Peacock (March 30 vs. Philadelphia 76ers). The NBA TV schedule will be announced at a later date. In comparison, the Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers, Warriors and Knicks are each scheduled to have 34 of their games on national TV. Amazon Prime Video and NBC are the new rights holders in the NBA's move away from TNT Sports, which is no longer televising NBA games. This upcoming season is the first of an 11-year, $76 billion national television/streaming contract for the NBA, with Amazon Prime Video hiring Heat legends Udonis Haslem and Dwyane Wade as analysts. Another aspect of the Heat's schedule that stands out is the challenging stretch it will face to begin the season. Not only will the Heat play six of its first eight games on the road and embark on a West Coast trip during the second week of the regular season, but 11 of the Heat's first 15 games come against opponents that made the playoffs last season. But the Heat's longest trip of the season won't come until January, when Miami hits the road for five straight games (Jan. 19 at Warriors, Jan. 20 at Sacramento Kings, Jan. 22 at Portland Trail Blazers, Jan. 24 at Utah Jazz and Jan. 25 at Phoenix Suns). The longest homestand for the Heat this upcoming season lasts four games, as Miami has four four-game homestands on its schedule. Two of the Heat's four-game homestands will come in the first six weeks of the season. The Heat's All-Star break will span from Feb. 12 to Feb. 19, with the 2026 NBA All-Star Game set for Feb. 15 at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. The Heat's regular season comes to an end with an April 12 matchup against the Atlanta Hawks at Kaseya Center. The Heat is scheduled to hold its annual media day on Sept. 29 before opening training camp on Sept. 30 to kick off the 2025-26 season. The Heat will then play a six-game preseason schedule: Oct. 4 vs. Magic in Puerto Rico, Oct. 6 vs. Milwaukee Bucks in Miami, Oct. 8 vs. San Antonio Spurs in Miami, Oct. 12 vs. Magic in Orlando, Oct. 13 vs. Hawks in Atlanta and Oct. 17 vs. Memphis Grizzlies in Memphis. FanDuel Sports Network Sun is currently set to locally televise 76 of the 80 Heat regular-season games that were announced on Thursday. The only four games set to be exclusively broadcast on national TV are Nov. 14 at Knicks on Prime, Jan. 6 at Timberwolves on NBC, Feb. 28 vs. Rockets on Prime and March 30 vs. 76ers on Peacock. Here are some other things to know about the Heat's 2025-26 schedule: The Heat will see a familiar face in Duncan Robinson early in the season. Robinson left the Heat to sign with the Detroit Pistons in free agency this summer after spending the first seven seasons of his NBA career in Miami. The Heat's first matchup of the season against Robinson and the Pistons comes on Nov. 29 in Miami. The Heat will again welcome back Butler to Miami when it hosts the Warriors on Nov. 19 in a nationally televised game on ESPN. Butler has already played one game in Miami since being traded to the Warriors this past February following his contentious breakup with the Heat, getting blown out by the Heat 112-86 in his return to Kaseya Center on March 25. The Heat faces the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder this season on Jan. 11 in Oklahoma City and on Jan. 17 in Miami. The Heat has 15 back-to-back sets on its schedule this season, which is the same amount of back-to-backs that Miami played last regular season. But three of the Heat's back-to-backs this season require no travel, as Miami faces the Lakers on Nov. 2 and the Clippers on Nov. 3 in Los Angeles, hosts the Charlotte Hornets on Nov. 7 and the Trail Blazers on Nov. 8 at Kaseya Center, and hosts the Timberwolves on Jan. 3 and the New Orleans Pelicans on Jan. 4 at Kaseya Center. The six Eastern Conference teams that the Heat is currently scheduled to face only three times this regular season are the Brooklyn Nets, the Pistons, the Indiana Pacers, the Bucks, the 76ers and the Toronto Raptors. The Heat hosts the Pacers, 76ers and Raptors only once and makes just one trip to face the Nets, Pistons and Bucks. The Heat faces every other East team four times — for two home games and two road games. The Heat plays every Western Conference team twice — for one home game and one road game. The Heat will be working on some holidays. While the Heat doesn't have a game on Halloween, Christmas Day or Easter this season, it will take on the Pistons in Detroit on New Year's Day on Jan. 1 and face the Warriors in San Francisco on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 19. The Heat will also play on Super Bowl Sunday, traveling to face the Washington Wizards on the afternoon of Feb. 8. As part of the NBA's in-season tournament, the Heat's four group play games that will also count as regular-season games are Nov. 7 vs. Hornets, Nov. 14 at Knicks, Nov. 21 at Bulls and Nov. 26 vs. Bucks. As for conflicts with the Miami Dolphins on the Heat's regular-season schedule, the Heat and Miami Dolphins are currently set to play on the same day three times: Oct. 26 when the Heat hosts the Knicks and the Dolphins are in Atlanta to face the Falcons, Oct. 30 when the Heat is in San Antonio to play the Spurs and the Dolphins host the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday Night Football, and Dec. 21 when the Heat is in New York to take on the Knicks and the Dolphins host the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday Night Football. The Heat's regular-season schedule currently has two conflicts with Miami Hurricanes football games: Nov. 8 when the Heat hosts the Trail Blazers and the Hurricanes host the Syracuse Orange, and Nov. 29 when the Heat hosts the Pistons and the Hurricanes close their regular season on the road against the Pittsburgh Panthers. The Heat will play on the night of the 2026 College Football National Championship game (Jan. 19), which will take place in Miami on Jan. 19. The Heat will be in San Francisco to face the Warriors. The Heat and Florida Panthers play on the same day 32 times this upcoming season (seven more than last season). (All times Eastern) October Wed. Oct. 22 at Orlando, 7 p.m. Fri. Oct. 24 at Memphis, 8 p.m. Sun. Oct. 26 vs. New York, 6 p.m. Tue. Oct. 28 vs. Charlotte, 7:30 p.m. Thu. Oct. 30 at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m. November Sun. Nov. 2 at L.A. Lakers, 9:30 p.m. Mon. Nov. 3 at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m. Wed. Nov. 5 at Denver, 9 p.m. Fri. Nov. 7 vs. Charlotte, 8 p.m. Sat. Nov. 8 vs. Portland, 8 p.m. Mon. Nov. 10 vs. Cleveland, 7:30 p.m. Wed. Nov. 12 vs. Cleveland, 7:30 p.m. Fri. Nov. 14 at New York, 7 p.m. (Prime) Mon. Nov. 17 vs. New York, 7:30 p.m. Wed. Nov. 19 vs. Golden State, 7 p.m. (ESPN) Fri. Nov. 21 at Chicago, 8 p.m. Sun. Nov. 23 at Philadelphia, 1 p.m. Mon. Nov. 24 vs. Dallas, 7:30 p.m. Wed. Nov. 26 vs. Milwaukee, 7:30 p.m. Sat. Nov. 29 vs. Detroit, 8 p.m. December Mon. Dec. 1 vs. L.A. Clippers, 7:30 p.m. Wed. Dec. 3 at Dallas, 8:30 p.m. Fri. Dec. 5 at Orlando, 7 p.m. Sat. Dec. 6 vs. Sacramento, 8 p.m. (Dec. 9, 10, 13, 16: Emirates NBA Cup Knockout Rounds*) (Dec. 11, 12, 14, 15: Regular Season Games**) Thu. Dec. 18 at Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m. Fri. Dec. 19 at Boston, 7 p.m. Sun. Dec. 21 at New York, 6 p.m. Tue. Dec. 23 vs. Toronto, 7:30 p.m. Fri. Dec. 26 at Atlanta, 7 p.m. Sat. Dec. 27 vs. Indiana, 8 p.m. Mon. Dec. 29 vs. Denver, 7:30 p.m. January Thu. Jan. 1 at Detroit, 7 p.m. Sat. Jan. 3 vs. Minnesota, 5 p.m. Sun. Jan. 4 vs. New Orleans, 6 p.m. Tue. Jan. 6 at Minnesota, 8 p.m. (NBC) Thu. Jan. 8 at Chicago, 8 p.m. Sat. Jan. 10 at Indiana, 7 p.m. Sun. Jan. 11 at Oklahoma City, 7 p.m. Tue. Jan. 13 vs. Phoenix, 7:30 p.m. Thu. Jan. 15 vs. Boston, 7:30 p.m. Sat. Jan. 17 vs. Oklahoma City, 8 p.m. Mon. Jan. 19 at Golden State, 10 p.m. Tue. Jan. 20 at Sacramento, 10 p.m. Thu. Jan. 22 at Portland, 10 p.m. Sat. Jan. 24 at Utah, 9:30 p.m. Sun. Jan. 25 at Phoenix, 8 p.m. Wed. Jan. 28 vs. Orlando, 7:30 p.m. Fri. Jan. 30 vs. Chicago, 8 p.m. February Sun. Feb. 1 vs. Chicago, 6 p.m. Tue. Feb. 3 vs. Atlanta, 7:30 p.m. Fri. Feb. 6 at Boston, 7:30 p.m. Sun. Feb. 8 at Washington, 2 p.m. Mon. Feb. 9 vs. Utah, 7:30 p.m. Wed. Feb. 11 at New Orleans, 8 p.m. (Feb. 12-19: All-Star break) Fri. Feb. 20 at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m. Sat. Feb. 21 vs. Memphis, 8 p.m. Tue. Feb. 24 at Milwaukee, 8 p.m. Thu. Feb. 26 at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. Sat. Feb. 28 vs. Houston, 3 p.m. (Prime) March Tue. March 3 vs. Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m. Thu. March 5 vs. Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m. Fri. March 6 at Charlotte, 7 p.m. Sun. March 8 vs. Detroit, 6 p.m. Tue. March 10 vs. Washington, 7:30 p.m. Thu. March 12 vs. Milwaukee, 7:30 p.m. Sat. March 14 vs. Orlando, 8 p.m. Tue. March 17 at Charlotte, 7 p.m. Thu. March 19 vs. L.A. Lakers, 8 p.m. Sat. March 21 at Houston, 8 p.m. Mon. March 23 vs. San Antonio, 7:30 p.m. Wed. March 25 at Cleveland, 7:30 p.m. Fri. March 27 at Cleveland, 7:30 p.m. Sun. March 29 at Indiana, 5 p.m. Mon. March 30 vs. Philadelphia, 7 p.m. (Peacock) April Wed. April 1 vs. Boston, 7:30 p.m. Sat. April 4 vs. Washington, 3 p.m. Tue. April 7 at Toronto, 7:30 p.m. Thu. April 9 at Toronto, 7 p.m. Fri. April 10 at Washington, 7 p.m. Sun. April 12 vs. Atlanta, 6 p.m. * – Quarterfinals of the in-season tournament will be played on home court of higher seed. Semifinals and championship to be played in Las Vegas. ** – Teams that do not qualify for knockout rounds of the in-season tournament will have one home game and one road game added during this stretch.
USA Today
a few seconds ago
- USA Today
Details for Nets' 2025-26 NBA regular season schedule
The Brooklyn Nets have known for some time now the opponents they will face in the preseason and during Group Play of the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup. Along the way, Brooklyn realized that they would not be playing on some of the marquee nights for the NBA like Christmas Day, but it has to feel good finally knowing what the schedule for the 2025-26 regular season will be. The NBA announced on Thursday the full schedule for all 30 teams, including the Nets, and it seems that Brooklyn will be one of the teams in the league with the least amount of national exposure. The schedule shows that the Nets will be on national TV just twice with a matchup against Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves on Peacock on Nov. 3 and a contest against the Chicago Bulls on ESPN on Jan. 16. The 2025-26 schedule represents a decrease of three games as the Nets had five national TV games heading into the 2024-25 season and that was with a roster led by Cam Johnson, Nic Claxton, and Cam Thomas. This time around, Johnson will be playing for the Denver Nuggets and Thomas could be in a Nets uniform next season, but that depends on if he re-signs with Brooklyn this summer. During a season in which the Nets will have 14 back-to-backs, Brooklyn will open its season in a road matchup at LaMelo Ball and the Charlotte hornets on Oct. 22. The Nets' home opener will be on Oct. 24 as they will face Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers following a 2024-25 season in which Cleveland finished with the second-best record in franchise history. While Brooklyn will not be shown much to a national audience, that doesn't mean that there isn't notable players to watch out for as the Nets will still have players like Claxton in the fold. Brooklyn also added forward Michael Porter Jr. from the Nuggets and drafted guard Egor Demin with the eighth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft to potentially be the point guard of the future. Brooklyn has another 82 games to prove how successful this summer was.
Business Upturn
a minute ago
- Business Upturn
Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes in the World in 2025
The business of sport has evolved far beyond competition and performance. In 2025, elite athletes operate as global brands, commanding incomes from club salaries, prize money, endorsements, appearance fees, and personal ventures. Measuring earnings has become a way of understanding the commercial side of sports, a realm where cultural influence and marketability often matter as much as performance statistics. Understanding the Landscape Before naming the top earners, it is essential to acknowledge that the data behind athlete incomes comes from a blend of public contracts, sponsorship disclosures, and expert financial estimates. These figures are not static—they shift with market deals, performance bonuses, and the rise or fall of endorsement partnerships. The Commercial Layer of Modern Sports While competitive success can open doors, the modern era rewards athletes who can engage fans, partner with brands, and maintain relevance across digital platforms. For instance, the economic ecosystem around high-profile sports has expanded to include merchandise, media rights, and secondary markets such as sports betting New Jersey , where public interest in certain athletes can influence betting volumes and fan engagement. In this context, it is important to recognize that betting should be approached with care, and resources like RG (Responsible Gambling) exist to promote awareness and protect against risky behavior. 1. Lionel Messi – Football The Argentine forward continues to command massive earnings, combining a top-tier salary with endorsement deals spanning sportswear, technology, and lifestyle brands. His global following ensures that his brand value remains exceptionally high, regardless of club affiliation. 2. LeBron James – Basketball In his 20th professional year, LeBron James blends on-court earnings with a diversified portfolio that includes entertainment ventures, investments, and real estate projects. His longevity and consistent performance sustain his commercial dominance. 3. Kylian Mbappé – Football Mbappé's contract with his club remains one of the most lucrative in football history. Combined with endorsements from global corporations, he represents the new generation of marketable athletes, appealing to both younger and traditional audiences. 4. Canelo Álvarez – Boxing One of boxing's most bankable fighters, Álvarez benefits from massive pay-per-view revenues alongside sponsorship and brand collaborations. Fight purses remain a primary income driver, but business investments contribute significantly. 5. Giannis Antetokounmpo – Basketball The 'Greek Freak' pairs NBA earnings with multinational brand endorsements. His story of international ascent adds to his marketability, making him one of the most recognized faces in global basketball. 6. Patrick Mahomes – American Football Quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, Mahomes has secured one of the NFL's largest contracts while expanding his influence into endorsements and equity stakes in sports-related businesses. 7. Rory McIlroy – Golf Golf's commercial structure rewards consistent performance, and McIlroy's income combines tournament winnings with endorsements from high-profile equipment and apparel companies. 8. Novak Djokovic – Tennis Djokovic's success across tournaments maintains his position as one of the top earners in tennis. Sponsorships with sports brands and health-focused companies bolster his overall income. 9. Kevin Durant – Basketball Durant's earnings come from both NBA contracts and his growing investment portfolio, including stakes in media, technology, and sports franchises. 10. Erling Haaland – Football The Norwegian striker has rapidly built a strong commercial presence through scoring achievements and brand endorsements, placing him among football's most marketable stars. The Broader Financial Picture Athletes' incomes in 2025 illustrate a few consistent trends: Diversification is key: Relying solely on salary is rare at the elite level; investments and endorsements are crucial. Digital engagement matters: Social media reach can directly impact commercial value. Global marketability outweighs local fame: Athletes with cross-market appeal often earn more. Responsible Betting in the Context of Sports Economics The commercial spotlight on elite athletes can influence betting activity, sometimes creating unrealistic public perceptions. When fans place wagers, whether casually or seriously, understanding the realities behind performance and market fluctuations is essential. RG (Responsible Gambling) emphasizes that betting should be undertaken with awareness, limits, and a clear distinction between speculation and factual performance analysis. Conclusion The highest-paid athletes of 2025 illustrate the fusion of sport, business, and media influence. While on-field achievements remain critical, the financial hierarchy of sports is increasingly determined by off-field activities and brand management. Observing these trends offers insight not just into athletic success but into the evolving economic fabric of global sport.
