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USA Today
25-06-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Why Noa Essengue left his German pro team's finals for the draft
Forward Noa Essengue left the German Basketball Bundesliga Finals to join the 2025 NBA Draft green room in Brooklyn on Wednesday night. If you're wondering if he's a lock to go high in this year's NBA Draft, this decision sure does raise the possibility to that very scenario. Leaving the German pro team during its finals is a big decision, but Essengue undoubtedly makes a move like this if an NBA team is telegraphing to his representation that they're likely to take him. NBA Big Board's Rafael Barlowe touched base with Essengue's reps to see what was what with the decision. I spoke with his agent, who was quick to clarify: this decision was made in full coordination with all three parties—Essengue, his agency, and Ratiopharm Ulm. This wasn't a walkout or a rogue call. But optics matter, and the reaction has been split. Some scouts and executives I talked to viewed it as a non-issue—if it was pre-arranged and everyone signed off, it's part of the business. Others weren't as forgiving, questioning what it says about Essengue's commitment to his teammates and his timing. We'll know soon enough if Essengue's decision to head to New York was the right one and where he begins his NBA journey. A reported secret private workout with the Toronto Raptors makes you wonder if he goes as high as No. 9 overall.
USA Today
21-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Who are the best fits for the Boston Celtics in the 2025 NBA draft?
Who are the best fits for the Boston Celtics in the 2025 NBA draft? The Celtics will likely need to add depth to their backcourt and big man rotations if cost-cutting trades are made by the front office to address a potentially historic tax bill. And with Boston controlling the Nos. 28 and 32 picks overall in the first and second rounds overall, respectively, the Celtics have a good shot of finding help at those spots in the draft, but which prospects are the best fit for the team moving forward? The cohost of the CLNS Media "Garden Report" podcast, Bobby Manning, took some time to sit down with "NBA Big Board" podcast host and draft expert Rafael Barlow to talk through which players in a range Boston could get to that would be the best fit for the team's needs and culture. Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what they had to say about who they think the Celtics ought to draft. If you enjoy this pod, check out the "How Bout Them Celtics," "First to the Floor," and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network:
