Danny Green Says Lakers Will Not Win A Championship With The Current Roster

2025 NBA Draft: 7 sleepers to watch who have the potential to be late steals

Yahoo

12 minutes ago

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2025 NBA Draft: 7 sleepers to watch who have the potential to be late steals

Every year during NBA draft season, the actual playoffs are also happening and a bunch of former late first-rounders, second-rounders, and undrafted guys are making real winning plays. It's happening again right now among the Finals teams: Andrew Nembhard (31st in 2022) is a key starter for Indiana, while point guard T.J. McConnell is in his 10th season and still playing bench minutes after going undrafted in 2015. Pascal Siakam just won East Finals MVP as a late first-rounder (27th in 2016) who transformed from an energizing backup to an all-around star. OKC received massive contributions in the West finals from three undrafted guys: Lu Dort, Kenrich Williams, and Alex Caruso. This followed a series win in which Jaylin Williams (34th in 2022) played crucial minutes. Starting center Isaiah Hartenstein (43rd in 2017), and backup wings Isaiah Joe (49th in 2020) and Aaron Wiggins (55th in 2021) have also made significant contributions. That's what this list is about. Not lottery picks. Just prospects who won't be flashy draft night picks, but might be the reason a team wins a playoff series sooner than later. Here are seven sleepers. Powell doesn't scream sleeper. In fact, he was originally projected as a lottery pick. Then he averaged only 7.4 points as a Tar Heels freshman and began slipping down draft boards. But with a chiseled 6-foot-5 frame, a 7-foot wingspan, and a motor that doesn't quit, Powell projects as the kind of playoff-viable role player every contender can't have enough of. As a North Carolina freshman, opponents shot only 38.1% from 2-point range when defended by Powell, and he was both a switchable perimeter defender and an effective helper at the rim. Advertisement Offensively, he's a connective passer, a straight-line slasher who finishes through contact, and a reliable shooter off the catch. Powell made 40% of his 90 catch-and-shoot 3s, per Synergy. This is consistent with his numbers in high school, where he made 40.2% of his 3s as an upperclassman. (James Pawelczyk/Yahoo Sports Illustration) Powell's stock dipped in part because of the expectations that he'd be more of a primary creator for North Carolina. But he displayed a stiff handle, and his jumper off the dribble is shaky. He missed 16 of his 23 jumpers off the bounce, including all five of his 3s, per Synergy. Last month, Powell worked out for the Bulls, who own the 12th and 45th picks in the draft. Maybe by draft night in late June, he'll rise up boards enough to be drafted a lot closer to 12th than 45th. And that rise has already begun after a stellar draft combine in which he posted the best athletic measurements of anyone there. Advertisement And besides: Development is never linear. Powell was projected as a top-10 pick because of the flashes he showed in high school, making 40.4% of his 94 dribble jumpers as a senior. What if he taps into those skills again down the line? Then taking him in the first round is a no-brainer. Because even without becoming a guy who regularly generates offense, Powell certainly has the role-player foundation to enhance stars and close playoff games. Nembhard is a classic old-school floor general who ran the show for Gonzaga, averaging 9.8 assists to just 2.5 turnovers. He plays with a veteran's poise, throws bullseye passes to shooters, and makes smart decisions. He also finishes well for his size, using crafty angles and soft touch off the glass. And he made progress as a shooter during his senior season. Over his first three college years, he made 37.1% of his catch-and-shoot 3s before making a career-high 44.4% as a senior. The issue was his pull-up 3. He made 27.2% of his dribble jumper 3s through his junior season before making 36.7% as a senior. Finally, his 44.9% stroke on pull-up midrange jumpers began to translate. Though he's still a low-volume shooter, it's encouraging to see his numbers tick up; it's crucial for a player at his size. Advertisement At the draft combine, Nembhard measured in at 5-11 without shoes and only 176 pounds. History isn't kind to guards that small. Then again: After going undrafted in 2015, McConnell is in the 10th season of his career and playing pivotal playoff minutes. Like McConnell, Nembhard might be small, but he has the brain and the floor game to carve out a backup PG role, especially if his shooting proves real. If a team is looking for a bankable NBA skill, Brea has it with his shooting. He drilled 43.4% of his 3s over five college seasons, and it wasn't just spot-ups. Brea moves like a pro relocating, sprinting off screens, setting his feet with perfect balance, and firing with confidence. He's got deep range, a lightning-quick release, and enough size at 6-6 to get his shot off against contests. That gives him a real floor as a rotation player in today's spacing-obsessed league. Advertisement Then you factor in his passing ability. By no means is Brea a primary creator, but he keeps the ball moving and shows connecting passing skill off the dribble. The swing skill is his defense: If he can get stronger and improve his lateral quickness enough to hold his own on defense, he becomes a playoff guy in the mold of a Sam Hauser type. Martin is a violent athlete with a chiseled frame, explosive leaping ability, and a level of physicality that overwhelms softer players. These NBA playoffs showed how much physicality matters, but also how much speed does too. And Martin never seems to run out of energy despite defending full court, crashing the glass, and flying around as a defender and cutter. Advertisement At only 6-2, he's not a primary playmaker and his shot is streaky at 36.4% on 3s across five college seasons, so he doesn't fit neatly into a traditional backcourt role. But in the right system, Martin's blend of athleticism, toughness, and defensive impact could make him a playoff contributor who earns his way onto the floor. Lanier is a flamethrower. After four seasons at North Florida, he transferred to Tennessee and instantly became one of the most dangerous movement shooters in college basketball. He hit 39.5% of his 3s this season, and it wasn't just standstill looks. Lanier sprinted into shots off screens and attacked closeouts with side steps or rhythm pull-ups. He has deep range, lightning-quick mechanics, and the confidence to let it fly no matter the spot on the floor and no matter the defense. But despite the shot-making craft, Lanier has limitations that cap his stock. He's a small combo guard at 6-4, and only 13% of his shots came at the basket, per Synergy. He's not a playmaker either, often misfiring when asked to create. But if a team needs a microwave shooter off the bench who can play off stars and space the floor, Lanier can help an offense tomorrow. Advertisement Sallis plays like a guy who just knows how to hoop. He is a slippery, poised scorer who scores from midrange with advanced body control and has a passing feel. That last point is important, since he measured at only 6-4 without shoes, so he might need to lean into some of his point skills at the next level. At his core, though, Sallis is a bucket-getter. He made 51 midrange pull-ups as a junior then 78 as a senior, hitting 51.2% of his 252 attempts. He's been very streaky from 3-point range, but his touch from midrange and from the line (near 80%) are positive indicators that he'll figure out his catch-and-shoot 3-point jumper. If the shot comes around, he could become a solid secondary creator who contributes on both ends. Yang has a chance to stick in the pros as a throwback big with a massive 7-1 frame. Coming from China, he plays with an old-school style with polished footwork, touch and craft around the basket, and some slick passing skills. Yang consistently makes quick reads out of the post and on handoffs, so he can do some of the things you'd see from an Alperen Şengün or Isaiah Hartenstein type of big. And much like them, he flashes a shooting touch that may or may not translate. Advertisement Defensively, he's a strong positional rebounder and space-eater in the paint who uses his size to wall off drivers and clean the glass. But Yang hasn't shown the foot speed to defend in space or comfortably switch, even against Chinese competition. If anything holds him back from carving out an NBA career, it'll be his defense. But Yang's offensive talent gives him a chance to be the best Chinese big man to play in the NBA since Yao Ming. And if his athleticism improves to the point he can survive on defense, then his offensive upside gives him the potential to be a major steal. Who are your sleepers in the 2025 draft class? Let me know in the comments below, and check out my Draft Guide with scouting reports of every player and a two-round mock.

Yahoo

15 minutes ago

Yahoo

Mayor wants authority to hire, fire police chief

Only two of the seven members of the commission responsible for hiring and firing the Honolulu police chief were told by Mayor Rick Blangiardi that he wants to bring in Hawaii island's police chief to Arthur 'Joe ' Logan. Blangiardi, in an interview with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, said his administration will introduce an amendment to the city charter to remove the Honolulu Police Commission's authority over the office of the chief of the police. The Honolulu Police Department is only city department that the mayor cannot make decisions about the leadership of, he said. The Office of the Mayor is responsible for keeping the community safe, Blangiardi said, noting you can't 'hold somebody responsible and not give them commensurate authority.' 'I don't have the authority to hire and fire (the police chief ). But that doesn't mean I can't have a candid conversation with the chief of police about the state of the department. Which is exactly what I did, ' said Blangiardi, noting the process of seeking to change the city charter takes at least 18 months. 'I have responsibility not only for HPD but all public safety issues and I have no authority, to deal, officially, (with ) who is the chief of police ' Blangiardi said. 'That's wrong and that is fundamentally bad management structure.' In response to a Star-Advertiser request to interview Logan, Kathleen Alina Lee, HPD's public information officer, told the Star-Advertiser that at 'this time, Chief Logan will not be offering interviews regarding his retirement.' 'All information available is in his current statement. Should he decide to open up the opportunities for interviews in the future, we'll reach out and let media know, ' said Lee, in a statement. The commissioners will meet today at 2 p.m. in the first floor Conference Room A at HPD's Alapai Headquarters for their regularly scheduled meeting. Blangiardi informed HPC Chair Kenneth Silva and Vice Chair Laurie Foster that Logan would retire June 30 and he had negotiated Hawaii Police Chief Ben Moszkowicz's application to serve as interim HPD chief starting July 16. Moszkowicz, a former major with HPD, was one of four finalists for chief when Logan, 66, was selected May 23, 2022. Moszkowicz is a 22-year veteran of HPD who left the department to become chief on Hawaii island. Blangiardi made no secret of his desire for Logan to move on from his post. A public rift between the two leaders emerged following a 2024 New Year's Day-long manhunt and shootout. HPD did not notify the public that officers were chasing around the island an armed attempted murder suspect, who had shot his ex-girlfriend, until the suspect was dead and two officers were shot. The Star-Advertiser asked all seven members of the commission if they discussed Blangiardi's police leadership transition and what they knew about Logan's retirement, who informed them and when. On Monday, Blangiardi, speaking to reporters in his office about Logan's ouster, said commissioners were 'well aware of this for some time now.' The commission is not required to consider Blangiardi's recommendation more than other applicants. The Star-Advertiser also asked about Blangiardi's desire to take away the commission's oversight of HPD's chief. Foster told the Star-Advertiser that in mid-May, the mayor 'indicated to me that he was going to act on his dissatisfaction with the chief ' but did not discuss how he planned to do so 'nor did he mention Chief Ben as a replacement.' Foster believes it is 'inappropriate to suggest that the answer to HPD governance is simply the mayor having oversight authority over the chief.' 'The entire HPD governance model has to be comprehensively reassessed. As I understand it, oversight authority of the chief's office was removed from the mayor in the past for good reason. In part, that reason was to separate HPD governance from the political process, which seems quite appropriate for that time period, ' Foster said. 'When that happened, however, there appears to have been little thought given to the appropriate HPC governance of HPD. Currently, HPC has very little ability to influence the chief or HPD and therefore HPC is a neutered organization that is considerably hampered from doing their job of 'holding the chief accountable.'' The criteria for selecting commissioners and the selection process is 'flawed ' and needs to be assessed as well, he said. 'My suggestion is that a small group of knowledgeable and unbiased people be assigned the responsibility of comprehensively assessing the entire HPD governance model and to make recommendations to the City Council, ' Foster said. This group would focus only on HPD governance, not on all commissions, she said. The Charter Commission is tasked with assessing all commissions and 'I suggest that this mandate is too broad.' Commissioners did not discuss the mayor's move to take out Logan and make Moszkowicz HPD's 13th chief, Silva told the Star-Advertiser. 'The commission will accept all interested and qualified candidates cover letters and resumes for consideration, ' said Silva, noting that as of Monday afternoon no one had applied to serve as interim HPD chief. He and Blangiardi 'had conversations regarding Chief Logan's leadership at HPD.' 'The commission meets twice a month. Our next meeting is June 4. The commission, because of the sunshine (law ), did not meet to discuss chief's retirement (on Monday ), ' said Silva, noting the commission had just started to review Logan's annual performance review. 'Chief Logan didn't let me know he was retiring until after the meeting he had with the mayor (on Monday ).' Logan's last review from the commission in August said he was exceeding expectations as a leader, innovator and a cost saver while needing to improve internal and external communications. Commissioner Ann Botticelli told the Star-Advertiser she learned of Logan's retirement from the news media. She interviewed Moszkowicz as part of the chief selection process in 2022 and he 'was a good candidate.' 'Having said that, I believe our responsibility is to invite others to also apply (internally and externally ) and select the best candidate for the job, ' she said. Botticelli said it is a good idea to review how the commission is set up in general, to include a review of why it was first established in 1932. That review should include a look at what the roles and responsibilities of the commission are and whether they are still appropriate today. Any consideration of overhauling the commission should also consider why voters rejected previous attempts to change the charter to give the mayor the same authority to hire and fire the police chief, Botticelli said. 'The larger question of who should be responsible for hiring and firing the chief should be part of that larger discussion, ' she said. Commissioner Doug Chin told the Star-Advertiser that he did not know Logan was retiring until 'I heard the announcement on Monday around 4 p.m. ' … But I also had stepped down in January from being chair when my official term had expired and I became a holdover appointment. I hope to learn more at a future meeting, ' Chin said. Commissioners Elizabeth Char, Carrie K.S. Okinaga and Jeannine A. Souki did not reply to Star-Advertiser requests for comment. All members serve staggered five-year terms and the panel 'appoints and may remove the Chief of Police, ' according to the city's description of commissioners' duties. Commissioners review rules and regulations for the HPD's administration, the annual budget and may make recommendations to the mayor. The commission also receives, considers and 'investigates charges brought by the public against the conduct of the department or any of its members ' and submits a written report of its findings to the chief, who is responsible for the disciplinary process.

2025 NBA Draft: 7 sleepers to watch who could be difference-makers at the next level

Yahoo

22 minutes ago

Yahoo

2025 NBA Draft: 7 sleepers to watch who could be difference-makers at the next level

Every year during NBA draft season, the actual playoffs are also happening and a bunch of former late first-rounders, second-rounders, and undrafted guys are making real winning plays. It's happening again right now among the Finals teams: Andrew Nembhard (31st in 2022) is a key starter for Indiana, while point guard T.J. McConnell is in his 10th season and still playing bench minutes after going undrafted in 2015. Pascal Siakam just won East Finals MVP as a late first-rounder (27th in 2016) who transformed from an energizing backup to an all-around star. OKC received massive contributions in the West finals from three undrafted guys: Lu Dort, Kenrich Williams, and Alex Caruso. This followed a series win in which Jaylin Williams (34th in 2022) played crucial minutes. Starting center Isaiah Hartenstein (43rd in 2017), and backup wings Isaiah Joe (49th in 2020) and Aaron Wiggins (55th in 2021) have also made significant contributions. That's what this list is about. Not lottery picks. Just prospects who won't be flashy draft night picks, but might be the reason a team wins a playoff series sooner than later. Here are seven sleepers. Powell doesn't scream sleeper. In fact, he was originally projected as a lottery pick. Then he averaged only 7.4 points as a Tar Heels freshman and began slipping down draft boards. But with a chiseled 6-foot-5 frame, a 7-foot wingspan, and a motor that doesn't quit, Powell projects as the kind of playoff-viable role player every contender can't have enough of. As a North Carolina freshman, opponents shot only 38.1% from 2-point range when defended by Powell, and he was both a switchable perimeter defender and an effective helper at the rim. Advertisement Offensively, he's a connective passer, a straight-line slasher who finishes through contact, and a reliable shooter off the catch. Powell made 40% of his 90 catch-and-shoot 3s, per Synergy. This is consistent with his numbers in high school, where he made 40.2% of his 3s as an upperclassman. (James Pawelczyk/Yahoo Sports Illustration) Powell's stock dipped in part because of the expectations that he'd be more of a primary creator for North Carolina. But he displayed a stiff handle, and his jumper off the dribble is shaky. He missed 16 of his 23 jumpers off the bounce, including all five of his 3s, per Synergy. Last month, Powell worked out for the Bulls, who own the 12th and 45th picks in the draft. Maybe by draft night in late June, he'll rise up boards enough to be drafted a lot closer to 12th than 45th. And that rise has already begun after a stellar draft combine in which he posted the best athletic measurements of anyone there. Advertisement And besides: Development is never linear. Powell was projected as a top-10 pick because of the flashes he showed in high school, making 40.4% of his 94 dribble jumpers as a senior. What if he taps into those skills again down the line? Then taking him in the first round is a no-brainer. Because even without becoming a guy who regularly generates offense, Powell certainly has the role-player foundation to enhance stars and close playoff games. Nembhard is a classic old-school floor general who ran the show for Gonzaga, averaging 9.8 assists to just 2.5 turnovers. He plays with a veteran's poise, throws bullseye passes to shooters, and makes smart decisions. He also finishes well for his size, using crafty angles and soft touch off the glass. And he made progress as a shooter during his senior season. Over his first three college years, he made 37.1% of his catch-and-shoot 3s before making a career-high 44.4% as a senior. The issue was his pull-up 3. He made 27.2% of his dribble jumper 3s through his junior season before making 36.7% as a senior. Finally, his 44.9% stroke on pull-up midrange jumpers began to translate. Though he's still a low-volume shooter, it's encouraging to see his numbers tick up; it's crucial for a player at his size. Advertisement At the draft combine, Nembhard measured in at 5-11 without shoes and only 176 pounds. History isn't kind to guards that small. Then again: After going undrafted in 2015, McConnell is in the 10th season of his career and playing pivotal playoff minutes. Like McConnell, Nembhard might be small, but he has the brain and the floor game to carve out a backup PG role, especially if his shooting proves real. If a team is looking for a bankable NBA skill, Brea has it with his shooting. He drilled 43.4% of his 3s over five college seasons, and it wasn't just spot-ups. Brea moves like a pro relocating, sprinting off screens, setting his feet with perfect balance, and firing with confidence. He's got deep range, a lightning-quick release, and enough size at 6-6 to get his shot off against contests. That gives him a real floor as a rotation player in today's spacing-obsessed league. Advertisement Then you factor in his passing ability. By no means is Brea a primary creator, but he keeps the ball moving and shows connecting passing skill off the dribble. The swing skill is his defense: If he can get stronger and improve his lateral quickness enough to hold his own on defense, he becomes a playoff guy in the mold of a Sam Hauser type. Martin is a violent athlete with a chiseled frame, explosive leaping ability, and a level of physicality that overwhelms softer players. These NBA playoffs showed how much physicality matters, but also how much speed does too. And Martin never seems to run out of energy despite defending full court, crashing the glass, and flying around as a defender and cutter. Advertisement At only 6-2, he's not a primary playmaker and his shot is streaky at 36.4% on 3s across five college seasons, so he doesn't fit neatly into a traditional backcourt role. But in the right system, Martin's blend of athleticism, toughness, and defensive impact could make him a playoff contributor who earns his way onto the floor. Lanier is a flamethrower. After four seasons at North Florida, he transferred to Tennessee and instantly became one of the most dangerous movement shooters in college basketball. He hit 39.5% of his 3s this season, and it wasn't just standstill looks. Lanier sprinted into shots off screens and attacked closeouts with side steps or rhythm pull-ups. He has deep range, lightning-quick mechanics, and the confidence to let it fly no matter the spot on the floor and no matter the defense. But despite the shot-making craft, Lanier has limitations that cap his stock. He's a small combo guard at 6-4, and only 13% of his shots came at the basket, per Synergy. He's not a playmaker either, often misfiring when asked to create. But if a team needs a microwave shooter off the bench who can play off stars and space the floor, Lanier can help an offense tomorrow. Advertisement Sallis plays like a guy who just knows how to hoop. He is a slippery, poised scorer who scores from midrange with advanced body control and has a passing feel. That last point is important, since he measured at only 6-4 without shoes, so he might need to lean into some of his point skills at the next level. At his core, though, Sallis is a bucket-getter. He made 51 midrange pull-ups as a junior then 78 as a senior, hitting 51.2% of his 252 attempts. He's been very streaky from 3-point range, but his touch from midrange and from the line (near 80%) are positive indicators that he'll figure out his catch-and-shoot 3-point jumper. If the shot comes around, he could become a solid secondary creator who contributes on both ends. Yang has a chance to stick in the pros as a throwback big with a massive 7-1 frame. Coming from China, he plays with an old-school style with polished footwork, touch and craft around the basket, and some slick passing skills. Yang consistently makes quick reads out of the post and on handoffs, so he can do some of the things you'd see from an Alperen Şengün or Isaiah Hartenstein type of big. And much like them, he flashes a shooting touch that may or may not translate. Advertisement Defensively, he's a strong positional rebounder and space-eater in the paint who uses his size to wall off drivers and clean the glass. But Yang hasn't shown the foot speed to defend in space or comfortably switch, even against Chinese competition. If anything holds him back from carving out an NBA career, it'll be his defense. But Yang's offensive talent gives him a chance to be the best Chinese big man to play in the NBA since Yao Ming. And if his athleticism improves to the point he can survive on defense, then his offensive upside gives him the potential to be a major steal.

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2025 NBA Draft: 7 sleepers to watch who have the potential to be late steals

Mayor wants authority to hire, fire police chief

2025 NBA Draft: 7 sleepers to watch who could be difference-makers at the next level

Danny Green Says Lakers Will Not Win A Championship With The Current Roster

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2025 NBA Draft: 7 sleepers to watch who have the potential to be late steals

Mayor wants authority to hire, fire police chief

2025 NBA Draft: 7 sleepers to watch who could be difference-makers at the next level

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