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Fox Sports
an hour ago
- Business
- Fox Sports
2025 NBA Mock Draft: VJ Edgecombe moves into top 3, Cedric Coward makes big leap
As the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers gear up to meet in the NBA Finals later this week, those two teams are as much of a testament as any that building through the draft, smart transactions and front-office execution cannot be overstated in importance. The Thunder represent what a draft night can do for an organization. Look back at 2022, when Sam Presti selected Chet Holmgren with the No. 2 overall pick in the draft and then used the 12th pick, which was acquired from the Clippers back in the 2019 Paul George/Shai Gilgeous-Alexander blockbuster move, to get Jalen Williams out of Santa Clara. Fast-forward to 2025, and Williams, Holmgren and Gilgeous-Alexander have combined to form an organic big three of their own. The best part about this draft? There are several transformational players in this class with the upside to be 15-year All-Stars in the league. That was not the case last year, and even in 2023, after Victor Wembanyama, there were more questions than answers on the talent side. There are still questions about what teams will do in this year's draft as the majority of the first round will be made up of college one-and-done players. That adds intrigue and buzz because of how many times fans have seen them in action over the course of the last year. Here's how I see things going down in my latest NBA Mock Draft: 1. Dallas Mavericks: Cooper Flagg, Duke I got to sit courtside to call Flagg's games at Peach Jam in 2023. He was the best defensive player at the high school level that I've ever seen in my 15 years of watching high school and college basketball. He's such a unique prospect. A kid from Maine who was discovered in the fourth grade by a random parent. A junior-high student who was in the back of a car chowing on pizza for a two-hour ride to AAU practice. A fearless competitor who, in an era driven by social media, could care less about it. He lets his game do the talking. Dallas, don't trade out. Take this kid. He's generational. Odds to be No. 1 pick: -100,000 2. San Antonio Spurs: Dylan Harper, Rutgers If I were the Spurs, I would take a strong trade offer in this position, but if they end up with the 6-foot-6 bucket-getting guard out of Rutgers, I would not mind that one bit either. I know there are questions about Stephon Castle and De'Aaron Fox and how much this all fits, but depth has been a theme in these NBA playoffs and Harper is in a class of his own at No. 2 for best overall talent. Odds to be No. 2 pick: -4000 3. Philadelphia 76ers: VJ Edgecombe, Baylor First and foremost, you have to think Daryl Morey is doing all he can to get a team baited into a trade to take Ace Bailey out of Rutgers at No. 3. Philadelphia is ready to win now with money locked up with Paul George, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. That said, Edgecombe is a tough guard who averaged 15 PPG, six RPG and three APG in the Big 12 and was a capable defender. Yes, he's a bit undersized, but he plays the game the right way and would help Philadelphia now. Odds to be No. 3 pick: +130 4. Charlotte Hornets: Ace Bailey, Rutgers I don't see Bailey going past fourth in the draft because any way you slice it, his 6-10 frame coupled with guard skills makes him one of the most unique one-and-done prospects we've seen. His offensive prowess is special when he's cooking from the perimeter, but shot selection is a real issue at times. He also has some maturing to do defensively. But, to average 18-and-7 on 46% shooting in the Big Ten as a freshman when you're the focal point of any defense speaks to his skillset. Odds to be No. 4 pick: +180 5. Utah Jazz: Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma The 18-year-old skipped his senior year of high school, stepped foot into Norman and helped the Sooners get to the NCAA Tournament after averaging 17/4/4 per game. Utah needs help, and while Fears had some shooting and turnover concerns in his lone year of college, the amount of great things he did and a willingness to defend with close to two steals per game are cause for me to say he'd be a terrific pick at No. 5. Odds to be the No. 5 pick: +500 6. Washington Wizards: Tre Johnson, Texas Washington has so many organizational questions to ponder between expiring contracts and what exactly they think of Jordan Poole following his breakout year. But this team was still 29th in the NBA in shooting. They lack offensive firepower, playmaking and shooting. Johnson averaged 20 points per game in the SEC while shooting 40% from downtown. He or Fears should be who the Wizards target. 7. New Orleans Pelicans: Kon Knueppel, Duke The Pelicans had their worst season in the win column since 2011-12, with Brandon Ingram, Dejounte Murray and Zion Williamson never stepping foot on the floor together due to injuries. That said, New Orleans has a number of players under contract, and it feels like a team looking for plug-and-play options to aid their approach to win now. Knueppel's shotmaking, feel for the game and toughness all jump off the screen. The Nets hold four of the top 27 picks in this draft. They'll aim to start the night with a lead playmaker on the perimeter, unless they feel really strongly about Frenchman Noa Essengue or Duke's Khaman Maluach. Look for them to take Demin here, a 6-9 guard who uses his size and skill to be one of the best creators and passers in this draft class. Denim's shooting is of concern, but there's reason to believe that it can be developed, and the ball is on a string for him in pick-and-roll situations. 9. Toronto Raptors: Khaman Maluach, Duke The Raptors need to boost their frontcourt beyond Jakob Poeltl and there are a lot of signs that point to Maluach, who is 7-2 with a 7-6 wingspan, being just the man for the job if he's available at pick No. 9. Maluach is a phenomenal rim protector who is unafraid of physicality and possesses athleticism that oozes potential. While his offensive skillset needs to continue to grow, his mobility is a big strength, and it felt like he grew leaps and bounds in that column in his lone year at Duke. 10. Houston Rockets: Cedric Coward, Washington State The biggest riser in the 2025 draft class was originally slated to transfer to Duke, but the returns from his draft workouts were so strong that the 21-year-old has emerged as a lottery candidate and, in this case, a top-10 pick. Houston needs more perimeter offense. Coward averaged 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists per game this past year while shooting 56% from the floor and 40% from 3-point territory. His 6-6 frame gives him the ability to be a solid two-way player and somebody who can help a team win now. That fits the Rockets, who were the 2-seed in the West but got exposed on offense in the series loss to the Warriors. 11. Portland Trail Blazers: Carter Bryant, Arizona 12. Chicago Bulls: Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina 13. Atlanta Hawks: Jase Richardson, Michigan State 14. San Antonio Spurs: Derik Queen, Maryland 15. Oklahoma City Thunder: Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois 16. Orlando Magic: Liam McNeeley, UConn 17. Minnesota Timberwolves: Nique Clifford, Colorado State 18. Washington Wizards: Noa Essengue, Ratiopharm Ulm (Israel) 19. Brooklyn Nets: Nolan Traore, San Quentin 20. Miami Heat: Thomas Sorber, Georgetown 21. Utah Jazz: Danny Wolf, Michigan 22. Atlanta Hawks: Will Riley, Illinois 23. Indiana Pacers: Asa Newell, Georgia 24. Oklahoma City Thunder: Ben Saraf, Ratiopharm Ulm (Israel) 25. Orlando Magic: Adou Thiero, Arkansas 26. Brooklyn Nets: Walter Clayton, Florida 27. Brooklyn Nets: Hugo Gonzalez, Real Madrid 28. Boston Celtics: Joan Beringer, Cedevita Olimpija 29. Phoenix Suns: Rasheer Fleming, Saint Joe's 30. Los Angeles Clippers: Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! John Fanta is a national college basketball broadcaster and writer for FOX Sports. He covers the sport in a variety of capacities, from calling games on FS1 to serving as lead host on the BIG EAST Digital Network to providing commentary on The Field of 68 Media Network. Follow him at @John_Fanta . 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Time of India
5 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Steve Kerr's 2007 Salary Dump Helped Build the 2025 NBA Finals Roster of the Oklahoma City Thunder
(Image Source - Getty Images) During the 2007 season, Steve Kerr, who had just become the Suns' general manager, let go of Kurt Thomas to avoid being hit with the luxury tax. By trying to save money on the team, the move ended up helping the Oklahoma City Thunder reach the NBA Finals the following year. Sam Presti's savvy moves during this initial trade were what helped the franchise become successful again. From Salary Relief to Championship Contention: The Ripple Effect of a 2007 Trade In July 2007, the Phoenix Suns made a trade, sending Kurt Thomas along with their first-round picks for 2008 and 2010 to the Seattle SuperSonics. In exchange, they received a second-round pick for 2009 and an $8 million trade exception. The Suns were primarily focused on financial aspects, looking to reduce their salary and steer clear of the luxury tax. For the SuperSonics, this was a great opportunity to secure some valuable draft picks. Thanks to the trade, Sam Presti was able to draft Serge Ibaka from the Republic of the Congo in the 2008 NBA draft. Ibaka took charge of the Thunder defense, leading the league in blocks and playing a major role in helping the team win a Finals game. In 2016, Ibaka got traded to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Victor Oladipo and the draft rights to Domantas Sabonis. A year later, both of those players were included in a deal to bring Paul George over from the Indiana Pacers. George had a significant impact during his time with the Thunder, and in 2019, he was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers for a big package that included Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and several first-round picks. One of those selections was used to pick Jalen Williams in 2022. By the 2024–25 season, Gilgeous-Alexander had risen to become the league MVP, averaging 32.7 points per game, while Williams received his first All-Star nod and All-NBA recognition. Also Read: Zion Williamson Denies New Sexual Assault Allegations While Moriah Mills Publicly Responds to Being Rejected by Attorney Tony Buzbee When Steve Kerr moved Kurt Thomas in 2007 for budget reasons, it gave Kirk Hinrich and Oklahoma City Thunder what they needed to form a championship-contending team. Using smart trades, Sam Presti changed the team's initial resources into one centered around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, both considered MVP and All-Star caliber players. The story shows how significant smart managerial decisions can be in guiding a team over time.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
How can the Boston Celtics build back to a sustainable model like the OKC Thunder?
How can the Boston Celtics build back to a sustainable model like the OKC Thunder? How can the Boston Celtics build back to a sustainable model like the Oklahoma City Thunder? In this cap environment, the Thunder are uniquely poised to contend despite the punitive second apron restrictions currently pushing the Celtics to shed salary. Is there a way that Boston could mimic the team building strategies used by GM Sam Presti that got them there? Is it a fool's errand to even consider such a thing for the Celtics? And if an OKC-esque path is not on the table for Boston, what would the best path forward for the Celtics be given everything they currently have on their plate? The hosts of the CLNS Media "The Big Three NBA" podcast, A. Sherrod Blakely, Gary Washburn, and Kwani Lunis took some time on a recent episode of their show to talk it over with guest Josue Pavon. Check it out below to see what they had to say! 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:
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Magic Johnson Apologizes To OKC Thunder Moments After Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Wins West Finals MVP
Magic Johnson Apologizes To OKC Thunder Moments After Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Wins West Finals MVP originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The OKC Thunder have stunned the Timberwolves and sent them packing in Game 5 of their Western Conference Finals series. They won the game 124-94 to close out the series 4-1 in five games. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won the Magic Johnson Western Conference Finals MVP Award following his 34-point masterclass to help the Thunder close out the series. That makes two MVP awards for him in the same month, as earlier this month it was also declared that he is the recipient of the Michael Jordan MVP Award for the regular season. Advertisement Following the game, Magic Johnson himself took to social media to react to the Thunder's blowout win over the Timberwolves in Game 5, where they won by 30 points. He apologized to the Thunder for underestimating their abilities and congratulated Sam Presti, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and other related parties of the Thunder. "I want to apologize to the Oklahoma City Thunder for underestimating them and not thinking they were ready to compete for a Championship," he wrote on X right after the game ended. "I want to congratulate the Oklahoma City Thunder Coach Mark Daigneault as well as NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the rest of the OKC team on advancing to the NBA Finals!" wrote the Lakers legend on X. "Oklahoma City Thunder's fan base needs to give their GM, Sam Presti, a standing ovation for putting together an amazing roster!" he further added. Advertisement "Congratulations to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for winning the MVP of the Western Conference Finals named after me. What I love about Shai is that he dominates on the court and is humble off the court!" said Johnson as he congratulated SGA on winning the award named after him. He also congratulated the former Lakers player, Alex Caruso, for proceeding to the NBA Finals once again. Magic Johnson Picked The Minnesota Timberwolves To Win This Series Johnson even went on to criticize his pick in the series, the Minnesota Timberwolves. He called them out for bad body language and playing like they're already on vacation. Advertisement "The Minnesota Timberwolves did not put forth a desperation effort in tonight's game. They had bad body language and played like they were already on vacation." Before the series began, Johnson went on X to drop his predictions for the series. He picked the Knicks and the Timberwolves to win the respective conference finals. Turns out, both his predictions may be incorrect as the Timberwolves have been eliminated in five games and the Knicks are staring at elimination after going down 3-1 in their series against the Pacers. Related: "Work My Butt Off This Summer": Anthony Edwards Reacts To Embarrassing Game 5 Loss Against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on May 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Washington Post
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
Thunder storms into NBA Finals, leaving broken Timberwolves in its wake
OKLAHOMA CITY — The polite reaction to what unfolded Wednesday night in America's heartland would be to salute the Oklahoma City Thunder for reaching the NBA Finals and to gloss over the gory details of how it happened. This was, after all, a long-awaited coronation for a small-market marvel. Oklahoma City's 124-94 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals returned the franchise to the Finals for the first time since 2012 and avenged a heartbreaking West finals loss to the Golden State Warriors in 2016. Thunder owner Clay Bennett and General Manager Sam Presti, who have guided the organization since its controversial relocation from Seattle in 2008, wore proud smiles during a trophy presentation after the series-clinching win at Paycom Center. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City's MVP point guard, clasped his hands together to acknowledge the 'Loud City' faithful. The other Thunder players bounced with joy to celebrate their latest emphatic victory. '[My teammates] make the NBA not feel like a job,' Gilgeous-Alexander said. 'We have so much fun being out there together. This isn't the end of the road. We didn't start the season saying we want to win the West. We want to win the NBA championship. We're one step closer.' But telling the full story of the Thunder requires closely examining the Timberwolves, who were reduced to a broken and dysfunctional mess in the series clincher. Knowing that Minnesota's season was on the line, Oklahoma City played with unforgiving focus from the outset that bordered on sadistic. The Thunder didn't just beat the Timberwolves, it robbed Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle and company of their will to compete. In what was ostensibly a feel-good moment, Oklahoma City was so ruthless it was hard not to come away feeling bad for Minnesota. Still feeling the pain of a devastating last-second defeat in Game 4, Minnesota showed up Wednesday in body, but not mind or spirit. The Timberwolves were cooked midway through the first quarter, they trailed by 33 points at halftime, and they pulled their starters with more than six minutes left in the game. Fittingly, Edwards didn't even wait until the final buzzer to offer a congratulatory hug to Thunder Coach Mark Daigneault. Less than 10 days ago, the Timberwolves swaggered into Oklahoma City fresh off playoff series wins over the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors with the goal of bullying Gilgeous-Alexander and upsetting the top-seeded Thunder. After three blowout losses in cowboy country, the pitiful Timberwolves simply wanted to get out of Dodge. '[The Thunder] came ready to play and we didn't,' Edwards said. 'When you lose a game like this, there isn't really too much to break down. They dominated the game from the tip. We lost. I can't think about how close I might have gotten [to the Finals]. They punched us in the face, and we lost the game and lost the series.' Gilgeous-Alexander posted 34 points, eight assists and seven rebounds in just 34 minutes to earn Western Conference finals MVP honors, applying the finishing touches to a series he dominated. Afterward, Gilgeous-Alexander said he wanted to close the series in five games because he 'didn't want to go back to Minnesota travel-wise.' Whether he meant to sound so dismissive or not, Gilgeous-Alexander dispensed with the Timberwolves on the court with a few easy flicks of his wrist. Though Game 5 featured another heavy dose of Gilgeous-Alexander's silky shooting, Thunder guard Alex Caruso provided the signature moment. After being knocked to the court by a hard foul from Naz Reid, Caruso cranked out several push-ups on the spot, popped to his feet with an ear-to-ear grin and egged on the home crowd. 'Go ahead,' Caruso seemed to be saying. 'Hit me again.' The Timberwolves folded instead. Edwards, harassed by the Thunder's many skilled perimeter defenders, was just another bystander during the early onslaught. Randle, overwhelmed by the Thunder's pressure all series, seemed to spend most of Game 5 frantically looking around for the basketball after committing yet another turnover. Minnesota managed just nine points in the first quarter. By halftime, the Timberwolves still had more turnovers (14) than made baskets (12). Edwards, who compiled most of his 19 points and six rebounds after the game had already been decided, tossed up three air balls on a night to forget. '[The Thunder is] like 15 puppets on one string,' Edwards said. 'They're super handsy. They pluck at the ball all night. They pressure the ball and get you out of your comfort zone. They're a really good team. Everyone here knows it. It's no surprise.' For the second straight season, the 23-year-old Edwards ended on a down note in the Western Conference finals. The three-time all-star, who was outplayed by Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic last year, averaged 23 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists against the Thunder, but he shot just 28.2 percent on three-pointers and committed 3.2 turnovers per game. '[Edwards has] got to learn to play against that physicality and that type of holding all the time,' Timberwolves Coach Chris Finch said. '[The Thunder] made it really hard for him. For a lot of the series, he did make the right play. We preach that to him all the time. We need him to be aggressive, for sure. He's got to find some easier buckets. I've got to help him do that. We were never able to establish something consistent with him.' The Timberwolves weren't any better defensively. Gilgeous-Alexander got wherever he wanted on the court, dancing past Jaden McDaniels on the perimeter and dicing up Rudy Gobert once he reached the paint. Jalen Williams (19 points, eight rebounds and five assists) and Chet Holmgren (22 points and seven rebounds) encountered little resistance, and the Timberwolves had no interest in making the extra-effort plays that are necessary to win at this late stage of the playoffs. Worst of all, the Timberwolves died as they lived: incessantly moaning to the officials. While Minnesota lacked the heart to keep up with Oklahoma City for more than five minutes, it somehow found the lung capacity to keep whining deep into the fourth quarter despite a deficit that topped out at 39 points. These troubling signs — Edwards's shrinking, Randle's perpetual confusion, the Timberwolves' collective persecution complex — are all testaments to the Thunder's ability to exhaust and chew up opponents. Oklahoma City's staggering portfolio will loom ominously in the lead-up to Game 1 of the Finals against the Indiana Pacers or New York Knicks on June 5. Across the regular season and postseason, Oklahoma City has an 80-18 record, a 43-7 home record and 61 double-digit victories. During this playoff run, the Thunder has amassed a sparkling plus-10.8 average margin of victory, including four wins by at least 30 points. And don't forget: Oklahoma City went 29-1 against Eastern Conference teams during the regular season, including sweeps of both the Pacers and Knicks. Perhaps that's the only consolation for the Timberwolves: They weren't the first team to tap out against the Thunder, and they might not be the last. 'We had it all going,' Daigneault said. 'The focus through the distraction of a closeout game to go to the Finals is what was most impressive. We were laser focused. That allowed our best to come to the surface. This is such a fun team. We're happy we're going to the Finals, but I don't want it to end. I don't want to stop coaching this team.'
