Wizards turn their attention to prospects not named Cooper Flagg
CHICAGO — The Washington Wizards brain trust had little time to recover from falling as far as they could, to the No. 6 pick, in Monday's NBA draft lottery.
On Tuesday, the Wizards brass — a group that included General Manager Will Dawkins, Coach Brian Keefe and a slew of front office executives and scouts — assembled into the Wintrust Arena bleachers for the NBA draft combine.
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USA Today
35 minutes ago
- USA Today
What are draft experts saying about Sixers prospect VJ Edgecombe?
What are draft experts saying about Sixers prospect VJ Edgecombe? When it comes to the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NBA draft, the Philadelphia 76ers will have plenty of options. They can turn to the likes of Rutgers star Ace Bailey--or his teammate Dylan Harper if the San Antonio Spurs have different plans at No. 2--Duke's Kon Knueppel, or Baylor's VJ Edgecombe. Bailey has been the popular option for the Sixers in most mock drafts, but the other names mentioned--outside of Harper--have been options as well. The Sixers will be looking to add a talented young piece to a roster in need of youth, and while Bailey has been a popular choice, one has reason to believe that Edgecombe could be a better player long term. Here's what the draft experts at The Ringer have to say about Edgecombe: The smooth, frictionless explosion off one or two feet. The sheer elevation. The paraglider hang time. Edgecombe's run-jump ability is a sight to behold—there may be only a handful of players in the NBA who can match his blend of dynamic athleticism. He has absolute trust in his physical gifts, which grants him a certain level of on-court freedom not afforded to most players. Under those auspices, Edgecombe has honed an anticipatory sixth sense most commonly seen in shutdown cornerbacks. He has the skills, motor, and reaction speed to become one of the best shot-blocking guards in the NBA, to go along with his passing-lane ball hawking. And he has more of a proof of concept than most NCAA players his age, having shown off these abilities at some of the highest levels of international competition. Edgecombe was, at worst, the third-best player on the Bahamian national basketball team in the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, on a roster that also featured Deandre Ayton, Buddy Hield, and Eric Gordon. Edgecombe averaged a superb 2.1 steals per game in 2024-25 for the Bears and one has to wonder how that will translate to the league. He has the potential to be an absolute terror on the defensive end of the floor and one has to believe he is going to be able to be a candidate for the All-Defensive Team every year. He also has an ability to knock down an open 3 so that will be a big help.
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
LeBron Shuts Down The 'No Bag' Talk: "I'm Sitting Here With 50 Billion Points"
LeBron Shuts Down The 'No Bag' Talk: "I'm Sitting Here With 50 Billion Points" originally appeared on Fadeaway World. LeBron James is done listening to people claim he has 'no bag.' On the latest episode of Mind The Game, the all-time NBA scoring king finally addressed the long-running internet narrative questioning his creativity and dribble package. In true LeBron fashion, he didn't raise his voice, he raised the bar. Advertisement "When I was growing up, it wasn't talked about it. The least amount of dribbles to get where you need to get to was what I grew up on." "Michael Jordan wasn't out there dribbling 1,000 times, you know, to get to the spot. He'd get to a spot and raise. Isiah Thomas, as great of a handle that Isiah Thomas had, Isiah would get to a spot and raise." "All these guys that I grew up on, Grant Hill, get to a spot, I'm bigger than you. Big Dog Robinson, I'm bigger than you. Allen Houston, all these great players, that I grew up watching and admiring." "Penny Hardaway, they could dribble the basketball, but there's no... Tracy McGrady, even as great as Tracy's handle was, it was, I'm bigger than you, I'm gonna get to the spot and the least amount of dribbles." Advertisement "Kevin Garnett... Just good footwork, get over the top. If I'm bigger than you and I get you on my shoulder, I get you on my hip, I'm gonna use my size." "I see it all the time. It's like, you know, I'll be on social media, like, LeBron has no bag. LeBron has no bag and I'm sitting over here with 50 billion points." That's not hyperbole. LeBron James has amassed 52,243 career points, a mind-boggling number that includes 42,184 in the regular season and 8,289 in the playoffs. That's over 50,000 points in the NBA alone. Add in his points for Team USA, All-Star Games, the In-Season Tournament, and various exhibition and international games, and the total vaults well beyond the 52K mark. To put it simply, if LeBron has no bag, then basketball doesn't need one. Advertisement What triggered LeBron's subtle roast of the internet critics was a deeper discussion about how offensive basketball was taught and understood in his generation. He pointed out that players he admired growing up like Michael Jordan, Penny Hardaway, Grant Hill, and Tracy McGrady, all emphasized efficiency over flash. He mentioned legends like Allen Houston and 'Big Dog' Glenn Robinson, who dominated their matchups by using size, footwork, and precision, not a flurry of crossovers or highlight-reel ankle breakers. Even someone like Isiah Thomas, known for his handle, played within a framework that emphasized getting to a spot with purpose. In that context, LeBron sees himself not as lacking a bag, but simply operating from a different philosophy. Advertisement The comments are a timely reminder that "bag" talk — especially the internet's obsession with flashy dribbling and aesthetic shot creation — often ignores the actual results. LeBron didn't need to dance with the ball. He bulldozed, he glided, he orchestrated, and he dominated. From post fades to downhill drives, from bullet passes to chase-down blocks, LeBron's game is built on control, versatility, and overwhelming impact. And while social media might be fixated on who has the deepest handle or slickest combo, LeBron is focused on the scoreboard and history. Whether or not someone wants to call it a 'bag,' LeBron's point is simple: the man with over 50,000 points, four championships, and a two-decade run of dominance doesn't need to prove his artistry. He is the canvas. Related: Dominique Wilkins Says LeBron James Is A Sidekick For The Lakers After Luka Doncic Trade This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
37 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Luka Doncic On Playing With LeBron James: "He Shows Up Like 10 Hours Before The Game"
Luka Doncic On Playing With LeBron James: "He Shows Up Like 10 Hours Before The Game" originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Luka Doncic hasn't been shy about expressing his awe at teaming up with LeBron James, and for good reason. The generational Dallas Mavericks talent, who was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in a blockbuster move last offseason, is now sharing the floor with one of the most legendary figures in NBA history. And for Doncic, even after years of dominating the league himself, the experience has been eye-opening. Advertisement In a recent interview with on Mind The Game, Doncic reflected on what it has meant to play alongside LeBron. "I mean, it's great. You see, I've never played with a guy like this. And, you know, just being traded to here, to L.A., I mean, it was different. But just to play with guys like him, like, it's unbelievable." "Like, I could learn so many stuff, you know. First of all, off the court, you know, all the things he does just to be ready for the game. And obviously on the court, everybody knows what kind of player he is." That readiness, according to Luka, is part of what sets LeBron apart. When asked by Nash for a specific example, Doncic laughed and said: Advertisement "Well, first of all, he shows up like 10 hours before the game. So that was really the main, like, I was, what? I came to the arena. He was already done working out. I was like, what?" While the duo's chemistry is still developing, Doncic sees it trending upward. 'I think it's a work in progress,' he said: "I think I still think it's a work in progress. When we two are out there, and AR, you know, he's been playing unbelievable. And I think it's just still a work in progress. You know, I think we're getting better and better every day." Despite flashes of brilliance, the Lakers' 2024-25 season ended in disappointment. Advertisement The team's glaring roster flaw, the absence of a true center, proved fatal in the playoffs, especially against the physicality of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Anthony Davis had left in the blockbuster trade and the Lakers never found a proper replacement. The Lakers were bounced in five games, leaving both Luka and LeBron frustrated. This offseason, Lakers GM Rob Pelinka has acknowledged that failure and made it clear that getting a center is priority number one. He also emphasized the importance of meeting LeBron James' expectations in what could be his final season. LeBron is expected to opt into his player option for his 23rd NBA season, and with Doncic now locked in as the franchise's future, the Lakers are in win-now and win-later mode. Advertisement Austin Reaves remains a key part of that vision. While rumors swirl about his trade availability, the Lakers have made it clear they won't move him unless it's for an All-Star talent. His agent has also come out publicly denying that Reaves is getting traded, reinforcing that he's still part of L.A.'s long-term core. Among the centers linked to the Lakers this summer are Daniel Gafford, Nic Claxton, and Brook Lopez. The team also holds valuable trade assets, including Dalton Knecht and a future first-round pick. With those chips in play, expect the Lakers to be aggressive in finding a center who can anchor the defense and complement both Luka Doncic's pick-and-roll mastery and LeBron James' all-around brilliance. Related: Luka Doncic Reveals How He Fell In Love With Basketball This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
