NBA Draft June 25, 2025 8 PM EST With The 55th Pick

First workout mention: Samson Johnson


Here's a blurb and video of him from a Bucks twitter draft workout tracker account

 

The more I look into draft stuff and given the Lakers recent history, I think Dink Pate is probably that guy with the 55th pick. He's really young, freak athlete, has range with a. decent handle at 6'8". Draft him and let him keep developing, maybe he can become a decent defender as 3-D is at such a premium.

*edit* I forgot to mention Myles Bird out of San Diego State. 6'6", long, had a great combine and one of the best POA defender in the draft, averaged 2 steals and 1 elk last year. I think he'd be a great pickup at 55.

I think Yang may have played himself out of the late 2nd round range. But even if he's available there, he's not the vertical lob threat or rim protector most are looking for (I like him and am impressed with his skillset at that size).

If we want to go for a lob threat rim protection project, I think Yanic Konan Nieferhauser out of Penn State could be worth a look and could be there at 55. Measured 7' 250 lbs at the combine. Athletic rim runner, 13th in NCAA in Blocks per game. Though he might stay for the NIL money.

 

Other thoughts, seems like after the lottery things are really wide open, so might be a good draft to buy an early second rounder or even a first (if this is possible). I think Charlotte has two early 2nds? Some guys I like:

Late 1st rd/Early 2nd rd:

• Rasheer Fleming - I like him a lot but after his measurements (7-5 wingspan) he may even go in the lottery
• Yaxel Lendenborg - had a really good combine, 6'9" measured well, high bbIQ, skilled power forward maybe a bit of small ball 5. Could be a Brndon Clarke type role player. Seems he has a good NIL offer so he might return
• Maxime Raynaud - He's big at 7" with range and had a really nice combine on Off and Def (might have played himself into he first round)
• Cedric Coward - 6'6"wing with huge wingspan like Fleming, had a great combine
• Adou Theiro - 6'7' freak athlete, all around game and high motor, good rebounder at the wing, still a bit raw and plays a bit reckless at times
• Drake Powell - 6'6", very young, one of the top athletes, definitely a good draft and develop candidate

Undrafted:

• Micah Peavy - 6'8" forward high motor, all around skill, hard worker, had a great combine
• Jamir Watkins - same as peavy, high motor, all around wing
• Kobe Sanders - get's a lot of Kuzma comps, was injured at the combine
• Hunter Sallis - looks the part of an NBA 2 guard, bucket getter, had a great combine scoring the ball