BALTIMORE — As Orioles manager Brandon Hyde strode toward the hill, his pitcher, Kyle Gibson, stared off into the distance.

Hyde, also clearly worn down by a month of these walks, fixed his gaze on nothing in particular. The gray-bearded skipper and the veteran hurler did not actually make eye contact until they came face to face on the foot of the mound. When the two beleaguered individuals finally acknowledged each other — with Gibson handing the baseball to Hyde before turning toward the showers — there was no animosity, no anger, no feeling of disdain. Just two frustrated baseball men, each facing their own crossroads and running low on answers.

Signed late in spring training after an untimely injury to Orioles frontline arm Grayson Rodriguez, the 37-year-old Gibson made his 2025 debut on Tuesday. Things did not go to plan. The New York Yankees battered the soft-tossing righty for nine earned runs across just 3 2/3 innings of work. Gibson surrendered home runs to the first three hitters he faced. By the time the O’s hitters came to the plate in the bottom of the first, they were already down 5-0.

Just two seasons ago, Gibson led a 101-win, AL East-champion Orioles team in innings. He was also that pitching staff’s heart and soul. His return to Baltimore was supposed to be part-reunion, part-stopgap. An emergency measure but a welcome one.

Entering play Tuesday, the Orioles’ rotation had a combined 5.62 ERA, the third-worst mark in MLB. Gibson, an incredibly well-respected clubhouse presence, spent most of April building up his workload. His comeback Tuesday seemed perfectly timed, a reliable veteran swooping in to Band-Aid a wounded staff.

Instead, Gibson couldn’t stop the bleeding. His outing was a catastrophe, a long-ball barrage of epic proportions. It marked the first time since 2016 that a starting pitcher allowed four home runs and seven hits in the first inning of a game. And for the Orioles, the horror show evening was a crushing encapsulation of the club’s complete inability to record outs.

One month into the 2025 season, the Orioles sit at a dismal 11-18 — the fourth-worst record in baseball, ahead of only the Rockies (4-25), White Sox (7-22) and Pirates (11-19). Following Tuesday’s blowout 15-3 loss, Baltimore trails New York by 6.5 games in the AL East. Perhaps most striking: No team has seen a steeper decline in playoff odds since Opening Day. FanGraphs had the Orioles at 48.2% to make the postseason on Day 1; that number is currently at 14%. The season is long (and, for some, full of terrors), but Hyde and general manager Mike Elias could not have envisioned a worse start.

So what in the world is going on here? How did this front office fail so dramatically to supplement its enviable core of young hitters with even league-average pitching? And, most importantly, what happens now?

The Baltimore Orioles, it must be said, are not dumb.

Elias, who took over as president of baseball operations in November 2018, has earned a strong reputation in regard to analytics and organizational infrastructure. Under his guidance, the O’s built a draft-and-development monster that has churned out a wave of impact position players such as Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, Jordan Westburg, Colton Cowser and Jackson Holliday. That core — supplemented by massive developmental leaps from big-league hitters such as Anthony Santander, Cedric Mullins and Ryan O’Hearn — propelled Baltimore to playoff appearances in 2023 and 2024.

The team’s pitching, particularly its starting pitching, has been a very different story. Since Elias’ first draft in 2019, the Orioles are the only MLB team to not have a pitcher they drafted reach the big leagues while still with the organization. Kade Strowd, who was promoted and demoted this week without making an appearance, would’ve been the first Elias-drafted pitcher to debut for the Birds.

To be fair, Baltimore has focused most of its amateur attention on position players; only the Tigers, Nationals, Giants and Astros have drafted fewer pitchers than the Orioles during the span in question. They’ve also acquired multiple young, quality arms via trade, including Kyle Bradish, Tyler Wells and right-handed prospect Chayce McDermott. Brandon Young, who made his MLB debut last weekend, was signed as an undrafted free agent after 2020’s truncated, five-round draft. And Rodriguez, currently on the IL, was drafted by the previous regime but developed almost entirely by Elias’ group.

Still, the lack of homegrown arms is striking, particularly when the club also hasn’t committed long-term dollars to secure elite pitching in free agency.

The blockbuster acquisition of ace Corbin Burnes in January 2024 was an encouraging splash, a rare moment of transactional aggression from the typically long-term-oriented Elias regime. Even though Burnes departed in free agency after just one season, that deal, which sent pitching prospect DL Hall, shortstop prospect Joey Ortiz and a compensation pick to Milwaukee, could not have turned out better. Burnes was dynamite in his one year in Baltimore, which included a sensational, though ill-fated, postseason start. Meanwhile, Hall has battled injuries since joining the Brewers, and Ortiz, after a promising 2024 season, has been one of the game’s worst hitters this year.

A deal last deadline for Zach Eflin, too, has been a massive victory. Eflin was wonderful for Baltimore down the stretch in 2024 and was throwing well this season before he was sidelined by a minor lat issue.

Yet even with how well those trades played out, the Orioles did not replicate that strategy this past winter after Burnes left. They were not seriously connected to current Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet, the best pitcher moved in the offseason. Nor were they players for southpaw Jesús Luzardo, who went from Miami to Philadelphia and currently ranks fourth among starters in fWAR.

Instead, the Orioles dipped a toe — not a foot — into the free-agent pitching waters. They spent, but they did so poorly, cautiously, conservatively. New billionaire owner David Rubenstein signed off on the largest year-over-year percentage payroll increase in the sport. But Baltimore misfired when flexing its newfound financial muscle.

They handed a one-year, $13 million contract to 35-year-old Japanese righty Tomoyuki Sugano, a long-time NPB soft-tosser finally making the stateside leap. Soon after, they gave 41-year-old Charlie Morton a similar one-year, $15 million deal, banking on experience over long-term upside. Baltimore also inked reliever Andrew Kittredge to a one-year, $10 million pact — though he has since landed on the injured list. And when Rodriguez, slated to slot behind Eflin in the rotation, went down late in camp, the team turned to Gibson on a one-year, $5 million deal.

And now, the Birds are left with a team ERA of 5.52 and a mountain to climb.

Besides Sugano, who has a 3.00 ERA through six starts, Baltimore’s offseason plan already looks, at best, woefully insufficient and, at worst, like abject baseball negligence. Morton pitched to a 10.36 ERA across his first six outings before an encouraging showing Tuesday in relief of Gibson. Gibson, even at his best, is not some kind of magic salve. Rodriguez, now on the 60-day IL, is still months away. Bradish and Wells, both recovering from Tommy John surgery, could return by midsummer, but the club will be wary of leaning on either right away.

That unfortunate rash of injuries, which can be expected to happen to every club, exposed Baltimore’s dearth of reliable depth options. And at the top of the staff, there’s no dependable shutdown arm. That’s why, even once Eflin returns, the outlook for Baltimore’s rotation remains hazy. The best-case short-term scenario involves a step forward from inexperienced left-hander Cade Povich and a stabilization from established workhorse Dean Kremer, whose 7.04 ERA is well above his career mark. 

A rotation composed of that duo, a healthy Eflin, a purring Sugano and something, anything, from either Gibson or Morton could crawl its way back to average. But unless Rodriguez, Bradish and Wells all come back with a vengeance, it’s difficult to see how Baltimore’s starting staff elevates itself to join baseball’s elite.

This organization is not in full disaster mode — not yet. Not for this season and not for this rebuild. Things might well turn around. But the margin for error in Baltimore is disappearing quickly.

That’s a large part of what has made the first month of the 2025 season so frustrating and, potentially, foreboding for the Orioles. With their window of contention open, each year that goes by without a playoff run is a chance wasted. And before the calendar has even turned to May, 2025 is looking like a huge missed opportunity.

BALTIMORE — As Orioles manager Brandon Hyde strode toward the hill, his pitcher, Kyle Gibson, stared off into the distance.

Hyde, also clearly worn down by a month of these walks, fixed his gaze on nothing in particular. The gray-bearded skipper and the veteran hurler did not actually make eye contact until they came face to face on the foot of the mound. When the two beleaguered individuals finally acknowledged each other — with Gibson handing the baseball to Hyde before turning toward the showers — there was no animosity, no anger, no feeling of disdain. Just two frustrated baseball men, each facing their own crossroads and running low on answers.

Signed late in spring training after an untimely injury to Orioles frontline arm Grayson Rodriguez, the 37-year-old Gibson made his 2025 debut on Tuesday. Things did not go to plan. The New York Yankees battered the soft-tossing righty for nine earned runs across just 3 2/3 innings of work. Gibson surrendered home runs to the first three hitters he faced. By the time the O’s hitters came to the plate in the bottom of the first, they were already down 5-0.

Just two seasons ago, Gibson led a 101-win, AL East-champion Orioles team in innings. He was also that pitching staff’s heart and soul. His return to Baltimore was supposed to be part-reunion, part-stopgap. An emergency measure but a welcome one.

Entering play Tuesday, the Orioles’ rotation had a combined 5.62 ERA, the third-worst mark in MLB. Gibson, an incredibly well-respected clubhouse presence, spent most of April building up his workload. His comeback Tuesday seemed perfectly timed, a reliable veteran swooping in to Band-Aid a wounded staff.

Instead, Gibson couldn’t stop the bleeding. His outing was a catastrophe, a long-ball barrage of epic proportions. It marked the first time since 2016 that a starting pitcher allowed four home runs and seven hits in the first inning of a game. And for the Orioles, the horror show evening was a crushing encapsulation of the club’s complete inability to record outs.

One month into the 2025 season, the Orioles sit at a dismal 11-18 — the fourth-worst record in baseball, ahead of only the Rockies (4-25), White Sox (7-22) and Pirates (11-19). Following Tuesday’s blowout 15-3 loss, Baltimore trails New York by 6.5 games in the AL East. Perhaps most striking: No team has seen a steeper decline in playoff odds since Opening Day. FanGraphs had the Orioles at 48.2% to make the postseason on Day 1; that number is currently at 14%. The season is long (and, for some, full of terrors), but Hyde and general manager Mike Elias could not have envisioned a worse start.

So what in the world is going on here? How did this front office fail so dramatically to supplement its enviable core of young hitters with even league-average pitching? And, most importantly, what happens now?

The Baltimore Orioles, it must be said, are not dumb.

Elias, who took over as president of baseball operations in November 2018, has earned a strong reputation in regard to analytics and organizational infrastructure. Under his guidance, the O’s built a draft-and-development monster that has churned out a wave of impact position players such as Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, Jordan Westburg, Colton Cowser and Jackson Holliday. That core — supplemented by massive developmental leaps from big-league hitters such as Anthony Santander, Cedric Mullins and Ryan O’Hearn — propelled Baltimore to playoff appearances in 2023 and 2024.

The team’s pitching, particularly its starting pitching, has been a very different story. Since Elias’ first draft in 2019, the Orioles are the only MLB team to not have a pitcher they drafted reach the big leagues while still with the organization. Kade Strowd, who was promoted and demoted this week without making an appearance, would’ve been the first Elias-drafted pitcher to debut for the Birds.

To be fair, Baltimore has focused most of its amateur attention on position players; only the Tigers, Nationals, Giants and Astros have drafted fewer pitchers than the Orioles during the span in question. They’ve also acquired multiple young, quality arms via trade, including Kyle Bradish, Tyler Wells and right-handed prospect Chayce McDermott. Brandon Young, who made his MLB debut last weekend, was signed as an undrafted free agent after 2020’s truncated, five-round draft. And Rodriguez, currently on the IL, was drafted by the previous regime but developed almost entirely by Elias’ group.

Still, the lack of homegrown arms is striking, particularly when the club also hasn’t committed long-term dollars to secure elite pitching in free agency.

The blockbuster acquisition of ace Corbin Burnes in January 2024 was an encouraging splash, a rare moment of transactional aggression from the typically long-term-oriented Elias regime. Even though Burnes departed in free agency after just one season, that deal, which sent pitching prospect DL Hall, shortstop prospect Joey Ortiz and a compensation pick to Milwaukee, could not have turned out better. Burnes was dynamite in his one year in Baltimore, which included a sensational, though ill-fated, postseason start. Meanwhile, Hall has battled injuries since joining the Brewers, and Ortiz, after a promising 2024 season, has been one of the game’s worst hitters this year.

A deal last deadline for Zach Eflin, too, has been a massive victory. Eflin was wonderful for Baltimore down the stretch in 2024 and was throwing well this season before he was sidelined by a minor lat issue.

Yet even with how well those trades played out, the Orioles did not replicate that strategy this past winter after Burnes left. They were not seriously connected to current Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet, the best pitcher moved in the offseason. Nor were they players for southpaw Jesús Luzardo, who went from Miami to Philadelphia and currently ranks fourth among starters in fWAR.

Instead, the Orioles dipped a toe — not a foot — into the free-agent pitching waters. They spent, but they did so poorly, cautiously, conservatively. New billionaire owner David Rubenstein signed off on the largest year-over-year percentage payroll increase in the sport. But Baltimore misfired when flexing its newfound financial muscle.

They handed a one-year, $13 million contract to 35-year-old Japanese righty Tomoyuki Sugano, a long-time NPB soft-tosser finally making the stateside leap. Soon after, they gave 41-year-old Charlie Morton a similar one-year, $15 million deal, banking on experience over long-term upside. Baltimore also inked reliever Andrew Kittredge to a one-year, $10 million pact — though he has since landed on the injured list. And when Rodriguez, slated to slot behind Eflin in the rotation, went down late in camp, the team turned to Gibson on a one-year, $5 million deal.

And now, the Birds are left with a team ERA of 5.52 and a mountain to climb.

Besides Sugano, who has a 3.00 ERA through six starts, Baltimore’s offseason plan already looks, at best, woefully insufficient and, at worst, like abject baseball negligence. Morton pitched to a 10.36 ERA across his first six outings before an encouraging showing Tuesday in relief of Gibson. Gibson, even at his best, is not some kind of magic salve. Rodriguez, now on the 60-day IL, is still months away. Bradish and Wells, both recovering from Tommy John surgery, could return by midsummer, but the club will be wary of leaning on either right away.

That unfortunate rash of injuries, which can be expected to happen to every club, exposed Baltimore’s dearth of reliable depth options. And at the top of the staff, there’s no dependable shutdown arm. That’s why, even once Eflin returns, the outlook for Baltimore’s rotation remains hazy. The best-case short-term scenario involves a step forward from inexperienced left-hander Cade Povich and a stabilization from established workhorse Dean Kremer, whose 7.04 ERA is well above his career mark. 

A rotation composed of that duo, a healthy Eflin, a purring Sugano and something, anything, from either Gibson or Morton could crawl its way back to average. But unless Rodriguez, Bradish and Wells all come back with a vengeance, it’s difficult to see how Baltimore’s starting staff elevates itself to join baseball’s elite.

This organization is not in full disaster mode — not yet. Not for this season and not for this rebuild. Things might well turn around. But the margin for error in Baltimore is disappearing quickly.

That’s a large part of what has made the first month of the 2025 season so frustrating and, potentially, foreboding for the Orioles. With their window of contention open, each year that goes by without a playoff run is a chance wasted. And before the calendar has even turned to May, 2025 is looking like a huge missed opportunity.

Since the NBA flattened the

The Nets have a clean slate this offseason, so Flagg would be joining a team that could go in any sort of direction whether it’s a slow build or a quick turnaround. As a do-it-all forward who hustles like a madman, makes his teammates better as a passer and has dialed in a knockdown jumper, he could fit anywhere. He’s both the best offensive and defensive prospect in this draft class, making him the safest No. 1 pick in ages. It’s his growth as a shot creator that will decide if he reaches his All-Star floor or soars to his Hall of Fame ceiling.

2. New Orleans Pelicans: Dylan Harper, G, Rutgers

Harper is a big-bodied lefty combo guard with NBA blood in his veins, as the son of Ron Harper, who was a 20/5/5 guy before winning five titles as a role player. Like his father, Harper has a high floor with the skill, poise and playmaking instincts to dictate the game at his pace, skills that could really help in New Orleans given Dejounte Murray is recovering from a torn Achilles. But the fate of Harper’s jumper will determine whether he’s an All-Star or just one of the NBA’s many solid guards, which makes him an imperfect fit on paper next to Zion Williamson.

3. Philadelphia 76ers: Ace Bailey, F, Rutgers

Sixers fans would be happy they get to keep their pick. Bailey is a ridiculous shot-making machine, capable of splashing contested jumpers from every spot on the floor and with the swagger of a throwback bucket-getter. But his shooting consistency, plus his raw edges as a shot creator and defender, need sanding down to turn him into a full-on star. But Bailey isn’t a prospect who could help right away, so there’d be a great debate among Sixers fans whether his acquisition should signal a new future focus or if he should be utilized as a trade piece to bolster the present.

4. Houston Rockets (via Phoenix): VJ Edgecombe, G, Baylor

Jalen Green isn’t that guy. That much is clear watching the Rockets this postseason. If Green were traded, Edgecombe would make sense as a replacement as an explosive, high-motor wing who flies out of nowhere for poster dunks and chase-down blocks. He pairs his elite athleticism with a knockdown spot-up jumper and fearless slashing. Though he needs to improve his shot creation to become more of a primary creator, any trades the Rockets make would separately address that need.

5. Utah Jazz: Kon Knueppel, G/F, Duke

With Isaiah Collier and Keyonte George already on the roster, can the Jazz really afford to draft another guard like Jeremiah Fears or Tre Johnson? Perhaps Utah would go in that direction since Collier and George both have shaky shots. Maybe neither of them is the guy. But they’ve both shown enough flashes to continue investing in them when Fears and Johnson aren’t guarantees to thrive anyway. Going with Knueppel would better fit Utah’s youth movement. Knueppel brings more than just a sharpshooter’s stroke, thanks to his brainy pick-and-roll playmaking and crafty scoring feel. He’s got a slick midrange bag and strength scoring inside, but to become a player who takes over games, he’ll need to overcome his average athleticism. The Jazz could afford to be patient with him.

6. Washington Wizards: Khaman Maluach, C, Duke

Bub Carrington showed real promise as a rookie point guard for the Wizards, and Jordan Poole had the best 3-point shooting season of his career. Are we sure the Wizards would take another guard like Jeremiah Fears or Tre Johnson? If Poole gets traded, then sure. But if not, it might make sense to double down on defense. Maluach and Alex Sarr could develop into a highly versatile frontcourt duo since both can theoretically space the floor on offense and offer switchability on defense. And the Wizards can be patient with Maluach since the South Sudan native has a raw skill-set and didn’t start playing basketball until he was 13.

7. Charlotte Hornets: Jeremiah Fears, G, Oklahoma

LaMelo Ball is Charlotte’s point guard today. But how sure are we he’s the point guard for the long term? Fears is a dynamic guard with a twitchy attacking style and a knack for coming through as a clutch shooter. He was one of college basketball’s youngest freshmen, and it showed with his shaky decision-making as a shooter and passer. But he has a feel for shot creation and a handle that lets him get anywhere on the floor, so he may only need time to emerge as a star. And in the meantime, his skill-set would allow him to play alongside LaMelo.

8. Toronto Raptors: Tre Johnson, G, Texas

The Raptors could use a long-term guard, so Johnson makes sense as a clutch shot-maker who can catch fire from all over the floor, drilling step-backs and off-screen jumpers with ease. But he needs to continue developing his point guard skills while also honing his shot selection and dramatically improving his defense.

9. San Antonio Spurs: Derik Queen, C, Maryland

Queen’s leaning buzzer-beating game-winner to send Maryland to the Sweet 16 is one of the highlights of March Madness, and it captured why he’s such a highly touted prospect as a burly big with guard-like handles who dazzles with spin moves and crafty finishes. Can you imagine pairing him with Victor Wembanyama in the Spurs’ frontcourt? Wemby would cover for all the concerns about Queen’s interior defense, allowing Queen to do what he’s better at and roam the perimeter and help inside. And offensively, Wemby’s shooting prowess eases the pressure on Queen to develop his own jumper. But if Queen translates his velvet touch to the perimeter, he very well could become a centerpiece. For now, his interior scoring, playmaking chops and magnetic rebounding give him tantalizing potential.

10. Portland Trail Blazers: Collin Murray-Boyles, F, South Carolina

The Trail Blazers made amazing progress this season across the board, and following the All-Star Break they had a top-five defensive rating. Murray-Boyles would serve as a double down on that identity since he operates like a defensive savant the way he locks down every position, uses his ninja-quick hands to swipe at the ball and inhales rebounds. He’s a special defensive presence, and offensively he’s a bulldozer finisher with a playmaking feel. Improving his jumper would move him out of tweener territory and into All-Star status.

11. Dallas Mavericks: Jase Richardson, G, Michigan State

With Kyrie Irving sidelined for most of next season, the Mavericks will need some support in the backcourt. Richardson is a skilled combo guard with a lethal midrange game and a poised pick-and-roll feel, looking like he downloaded the experience of his NBA veteran father, Jason Richardson. Jase didn’t inherit his father’s height or dunk-contest athleticism though, so his smaller stature could cap his upside. For Dallas, he could serve more of a primary role early on before taking a backseat once Kyrie returns.

12. Chicago Bulls: Liam McNeeley, F, Connecticut

The Bulls were third in 3-point attempts per game but only 13th in percentage. They clearly want to be a high-volume and high-efficiency scoring team. Maybe McNeeley can help since he projects as a sharpshooting wing with superb instincts moving with the ball and the touch to splash from deep ranges. Though he doesn’t project as a primary shot creator, his feel as a connective passer gives him the skill to fit into any type of offense like Chicago’s with multiple points of creation.

13. Atlanta Hawks (via Sacramento): Kasparas Jakučionis, G, Illinois

The Hawks have Trae Young, but it’d still be beneficial to add some more creators by his side. Jakučionis is a slick shot-creator with a creative passing gene and fearless scoring ability, carving up defenses with crafty finishes, step-back jumpers and jaw-dropping passes. But as a freshman he’d follow up those highlights with turnover brain-farts that derail the hype train. Playing with Trae would ease the demand on him, likely leading to more efficient results.

14. San Antonio Spurs (via ATL): Egor Demin, G, BYU

Maybe the Spurs would actually look to package both of their lottery picks in a trade to move up in the draft, or in a trade for a star. But if they stay put, then Demin would make for an interesting fit as a big guard who has a rare ability at his size to make dazzling passes. But he’s also struggled to shoot and create his own shot against lengthy defenders, making him more of a love-him or hate-him prospect than a sure thing.

15. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Miami): Noa Essengue, F, Ratiopharm Ulm

Essengue is a toolsy forward with a fluid handle, dynamic finishing package and highly versatile defense. But his long-term upside hinges on the jumper clicking. And if it doesn’t, his defense must reach a level that prevents coaches from keeping him off the floor. The Thunder can let him take his time.

16. Orlando Magic: Nique Clifford, G, Colorado State

Clifford is a tough-as-nails wing who does it all. He defends multiple positions, crashes the boards and scores from everywhere. As a super senior with only Mountain West pedigree, he lacks experience against high-level competition despite his age. But his skill-set would, in theory, allow him to fit right away on Orlando’s roster, providing shooting to a team that ranked 25th in 3-point attempts and last in percentage.

17. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Detroit): Will Riley, F, Illinois

Riley has dynamic driving ability and playmaking instincts that scream upside as a jumbo-sized, shot-creating wing. This could make him a great fit as a supporting piece next to Anthony Edwards. But pre-draft workouts will be telling for his true draft stock since his jumper is streaky, and his defense is unreliable because he is so lean physically and lacks fundamentals.

18. Washington Wizards (via Memphis): Nolan Traoré, G, Saint-Quentin

After bypassing guards in the lottery, taking a shot at one at this part of the draft could make more sense. Especially since Traoré offers a different style to Carrington. Traoré oozes upside with his size, blazing speed and shiftiness off the bounce. But he’s an inefficient scorer who needs to improve his erratic decision-making to become a reliable player.

19. Brooklyn Nets (via Milwaukee): Asa Newell, F, Georgia

Newell has springs in his legs, regularly slamming lobs and swatting shots. Even though his discipline reflects his youth, his energetic style suggests he’ll someday become a highly versatile defender. And in a frontcourt next to Flagg, he’d have someone to grow alongside to form a dominant defensive duo.

20. Miami Heat (via Golden State): Carter Bryant, F, Arizona

Bryant is a rangy, athletic forward who projects as a highly versatile defender. He’s raw on offense though, so Miami would be taking a longer view with a pick like this one. Beyond his cutting, he needs to improve as a shooter to earn minutes in high-leverage games.

21. Utah Jazz (via MIN): Joan Beringer, C, Cedevita Olimpija

Beringer began playing basketball only three years ago, which makes him a raw project, but also makes his natural talents all the more impressive. He’s a center, but he has the quickness of a guard, giving him immense defensive versatility to build on for years to come. The Jazz don’t really have a young piece like him in the frontcourt, so he’d be worth the gamble for such a young team.

22. Atlanta Hawks (via Lakers): Yaxel Lendeborg, F, UAB

Lendeborg fills the stat sheet in every category, showing off athletic shot creation, dominant rebounding and versatile defense. There really isn’t anything he can’t do, it’s just a matter of whether what he did in a weaker conference can translate to the pros. And for Atlanta, the risk seems worth the upside swing.

23. Indiana Pacers: Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Creighton

The Pacers are in the East semis with a tough series coming against the Cavaliers, but looking ahead: Myles Turner will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. So will their other bigs on the roster, so even if Turner returns, finding a backup could make logical sense. Kalkbrenner is a throwback 7-footer who owns the paint, swatting shots with his giant wingspan and dunking everything in sight. It’s a bit strange he isn’t a better rebounder. But as a super senior, he’s also developed some sneaky passing and shooting skills that hint at higher upside.

24. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC): Labaron Philon, G, Alabama

OKC has a plethora of guards already on the roster, but Philon presents so much long-term upside at this point of the draft as a shifty point guard with a buttery floater, advanced pick-and-roll playmaking and a deceptive handle that lets him control the tempo. His feathery touch teases untapped shooting potential, but he’s got to prove it to become an offensive maestro.

25. Orlando Magic (via Denver): Walter Clayton Jr., G, Florida

After selecting Clifford earlier in the first round, here’s another shooter for the Magic. The best shooter in all of March Madness. Clayton hit some of the clutchest shots all tournament long, leading Florida to the NCAA championship game before playing with great effort on defense and making some slick passes to help lead them to the title. Throughout his collegiate career, he showed major limitations as a defender and as a decision-maker. But he’s a fearless shooter with the versatility to take any shot at any moment. And that’s precisely what the Magic need.

26. Brooklyn Nets (via Knicks): Tahaad Pettiford, G, Auburn

The Nets basically don’t have a roster for next season with so many players hitting free agency, and they don’t have any guards under contract, so after drafting two frontcourt players now’s the time to find a ball-handling guard. Pettiford is a combo guard with a sniper’s touch, raining 3s and lethal floaters while flashing playmaking savvy and a bulldog mentality on both ends. But his smaller size means he’ll need to clean up his shot selection and decision-making to max out his game. Playing with Flagg would help him find that balance.

27. Brooklyn Nets (via Rockets): Hugo Gonzalez, G/F, Real Madrid

Gonzalez is a high-motor wing with great defensive tools and a slashing style on offense. If his jumper and handle develop, he could be a versatile two-way starter. The Nets can afford to be patient with a player who barely even played off the bench overseas, instead valuing the upside he showed playing for his youth teams.

28. Boston Celtics: Danny Wolf, C, Michigan

Following the sale of the franchise, outgoing Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck has been open about how second-apron penalties, not rising luxury tax penalties, are what will force the team to make some changes. Even without them though, the Celtics need to sure up the frontcourt. Al Horford is old. Kristaps Porzingis is injury-prone. Fortunately, there are a ton of options in the late first round that fit the bill, such as Wolf, a 7-footer who ran point for Michigan, playing a slick style with risky passes and step-back jumpers that made him a highlight factory. But he’s also a turnover machine and his shooting numbers are shaky, making him more of a raw bet who needs time to prove he can match his flash with substance.

29. Phoenix Suns (via Cavs): Maxime Raynaud, F, Stanford

The Suns need some bigs and Raynaud has leveled up every year at Stanford, turning into a player who pops 3s, slashes to the rim with a smooth handle and makes eye-popping passes. As a talented passer who also offers solid defense, there’s little reason to think the Frenchman won’t carve out an NBA role.

30. Los Angeles Clippers (via Thunder): Rasheer Fleming, F, Saint Joseph’s

Fleming is a hustler who drains spot-up jumpers and brings energy on defense, swatting shots and snagging boards. But he has some real warts as a ball-handler with a lack of experience against high-level competition, so teams will have to feel real confident his role player skill-set will translate. With Kawhi Leonard and James Harden handling the rock in Los Angeles, Fleming’s positive qualities could allow him to slot in right away as a possible upgrade off the bench over Ben Simmons.

View the full second round and scouting reports for every single prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft Guide, which you can find here.

Since the NBA flattened the

The Nets have a clean slate this offseason, so Flagg would be joining a team that could go in any sort of direction whether it’s a slow build or a quick turnaround. As a do-it-all forward who hustles like a madman, makes his teammates better as a passer and has dialed in a knockdown jumper, he could fit anywhere. He’s both the best offensive and defensive prospect in this draft class, making him the safest No. 1 pick in ages. It’s his growth as a shot creator that will decide if he reaches his All-Star floor or soars to his Hall of Fame ceiling.

2. New Orleans Pelicans: Dylan Harper, G, Rutgers

Harper is a big-bodied lefty combo guard with NBA blood in his veins, as the son of Ron Harper, who was a 20/5/5 guy before winning five titles as a role player. Like his father, Harper has a high floor with the skill, poise and playmaking instincts to dictate the game at his pace, skills that could really help in New Orleans given Dejounte Murray is recovering from a torn Achilles. But the fate of Harper’s jumper will determine whether he’s an All-Star or just one of the NBA’s many solid guards, which makes him an imperfect fit on paper next to Zion Williamson.

3. Philadelphia 76ers: Ace Bailey, F, Rutgers

Sixers fans would be happy they get to keep their pick. Bailey is a ridiculous shot-making machine, capable of splashing contested jumpers from every spot on the floor and with the swagger of a throwback bucket-getter. But his shooting consistency, plus his raw edges as a shot creator and defender, need sanding down to turn him into a full-on star. But Bailey isn’t a prospect who could help right away, so there’d be a great debate among Sixers fans whether his acquisition should signal a new future focus or if he should be utilized as a trade piece to bolster the present.

4. Houston Rockets (via Phoenix): VJ Edgecombe, G, Baylor

Jalen Green isn’t that guy. That much is clear watching the Rockets this postseason. If Green were traded, Edgecombe would make sense as a replacement as an explosive, high-motor wing who flies out of nowhere for poster dunks and chase-down blocks. He pairs his elite athleticism with a knockdown spot-up jumper and fearless slashing. Though he needs to improve his shot creation to become more of a primary creator, any trades the Rockets make would separately address that need.

5. Utah Jazz: Kon Knueppel, G/F, Duke

With Isaiah Collier and Keyonte George already on the roster, can the Jazz really afford to draft another guard like Jeremiah Fears or Tre Johnson? Perhaps Utah would go in that direction since Collier and George both have shaky shots. Maybe neither of them is the guy. But they’ve both shown enough flashes to continue investing in them when Fears and Johnson aren’t guarantees to thrive anyway. Going with Knueppel would better fit Utah’s youth movement. Knueppel brings more than just a sharpshooter’s stroke, thanks to his brainy pick-and-roll playmaking and crafty scoring feel. He’s got a slick midrange bag and strength scoring inside, but to become a player who takes over games, he’ll need to overcome his average athleticism. The Jazz could afford to be patient with him.

6. Washington Wizards: Khaman Maluach, C, Duke

Bub Carrington showed real promise as a rookie point guard for the Wizards, and Jordan Poole had the best 3-point shooting season of his career. Are we sure the Wizards would take another guard like Jeremiah Fears or Tre Johnson? If Poole gets traded, then sure. But if not, it might make sense to double down on defense. Maluach and Alex Sarr could develop into a highly versatile frontcourt duo since both can theoretically space the floor on offense and offer switchability on defense. And the Wizards can be patient with Maluach since the South Sudan native has a raw skill-set and didn’t start playing basketball until he was 13.

7. Charlotte Hornets: Jeremiah Fears, G, Oklahoma

LaMelo Ball is Charlotte’s point guard today. But how sure are we he’s the point guard for the long term? Fears is a dynamic guard with a twitchy attacking style and a knack for coming through as a clutch shooter. He was one of college basketball’s youngest freshmen, and it showed with his shaky decision-making as a shooter and passer. But he has a feel for shot creation and a handle that lets him get anywhere on the floor, so he may only need time to emerge as a star. And in the meantime, his skill-set would allow him to play alongside LaMelo.

8. Toronto Raptors: Tre Johnson, G, Texas

The Raptors could use a long-term guard, so Johnson makes sense as a clutch shot-maker who can catch fire from all over the floor, drilling step-backs and off-screen jumpers with ease. But he needs to continue developing his point guard skills while also honing his shot selection and dramatically improving his defense.

9. San Antonio Spurs: Derik Queen, C, Maryland

Queen’s leaning buzzer-beating game-winner to send Maryland to the Sweet 16 is one of the highlights of March Madness, and it captured why he’s such a highly touted prospect as a burly big with guard-like handles who dazzles with spin moves and crafty finishes. Can you imagine pairing him with Victor Wembanyama in the Spurs’ frontcourt? Wemby would cover for all the concerns about Queen’s interior defense, allowing Queen to do what he’s better at and roam the perimeter and help inside. And offensively, Wemby’s shooting prowess eases the pressure on Queen to develop his own jumper. But if Queen translates his velvet touch to the perimeter, he very well could become a centerpiece. For now, his interior scoring, playmaking chops and magnetic rebounding give him tantalizing potential.

10. Portland Trail Blazers: Collin Murray-Boyles, F, South Carolina

The Trail Blazers made amazing progress this season across the board, and following the All-Star Break they had a top-five defensive rating. Murray-Boyles would serve as a double down on that identity since he operates like a defensive savant the way he locks down every position, uses his ninja-quick hands to swipe at the ball and inhales rebounds. He’s a special defensive presence, and offensively he’s a bulldozer finisher with a playmaking feel. Improving his jumper would move him out of tweener territory and into All-Star status.

11. Dallas Mavericks: Jase Richardson, G, Michigan State

With Kyrie Irving sidelined for most of next season, the Mavericks will need some support in the backcourt. Richardson is a skilled combo guard with a lethal midrange game and a poised pick-and-roll feel, looking like he downloaded the experience of his NBA veteran father, Jason Richardson. Jase didn’t inherit his father’s height or dunk-contest athleticism though, so his smaller stature could cap his upside. For Dallas, he could serve more of a primary role early on before taking a backseat once Kyrie returns.

12. Chicago Bulls: Liam McNeeley, F, Connecticut

The Bulls were third in 3-point attempts per game but only 13th in percentage. They clearly want to be a high-volume and high-efficiency scoring team. Maybe McNeeley can help since he projects as a sharpshooting wing with superb instincts moving with the ball and the touch to splash from deep ranges. Though he doesn’t project as a primary shot creator, his feel as a connective passer gives him the skill to fit into any type of offense like Chicago’s with multiple points of creation.

13. Atlanta Hawks (via Sacramento): Kasparas Jakučionis, G, Illinois

The Hawks have Trae Young, but it’d still be beneficial to add some more creators by his side. Jakučionis is a slick shot-creator with a creative passing gene and fearless scoring ability, carving up defenses with crafty finishes, step-back jumpers and jaw-dropping passes. But as a freshman he’d follow up those highlights with turnover brain-farts that derail the hype train. Playing with Trae would ease the demand on him, likely leading to more efficient results.

14. San Antonio Spurs (via ATL): Egor Demin, G, BYU

Maybe the Spurs would actually look to package both of their lottery picks in a trade to move up in the draft, or in a trade for a star. But if they stay put, then Demin would make for an interesting fit as a big guard who has a rare ability at his size to make dazzling passes. But he’s also struggled to shoot and create his own shot against lengthy defenders, making him more of a love-him or hate-him prospect than a sure thing.

15. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Miami): Noa Essengue, F, Ratiopharm Ulm

Essengue is a toolsy forward with a fluid handle, dynamic finishing package and highly versatile defense. But his long-term upside hinges on the jumper clicking. And if it doesn’t, his defense must reach a level that prevents coaches from keeping him off the floor. The Thunder can let him take his time.

16. Orlando Magic: Nique Clifford, G, Colorado State

Clifford is a tough-as-nails wing who does it all. He defends multiple positions, crashes the boards and scores from everywhere. As a super senior with only Mountain West pedigree, he lacks experience against high-level competition despite his age. But his skill-set would, in theory, allow him to fit right away on Orlando’s roster, providing shooting to a team that ranked 25th in 3-point attempts and last in percentage.

17. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Detroit): Will Riley, F, Illinois

Riley has dynamic driving ability and playmaking instincts that scream upside as a jumbo-sized, shot-creating wing. This could make him a great fit as a supporting piece next to Anthony Edwards. But pre-draft workouts will be telling for his true draft stock since his jumper is streaky, and his defense is unreliable because he is so lean physically and lacks fundamentals.

18. Washington Wizards (via Memphis): Nolan Traoré, G, Saint-Quentin

After bypassing guards in the lottery, taking a shot at one at this part of the draft could make more sense. Especially since Traoré offers a different style to Carrington. Traoré oozes upside with his size, blazing speed and shiftiness off the bounce. But he’s an inefficient scorer who needs to improve his erratic decision-making to become a reliable player.

19. Brooklyn Nets (via Milwaukee): Asa Newell, F, Georgia

Newell has springs in his legs, regularly slamming lobs and swatting shots. Even though his discipline reflects his youth, his energetic style suggests he’ll someday become a highly versatile defender. And in a frontcourt next to Flagg, he’d have someone to grow alongside to form a dominant defensive duo.

20. Miami Heat (via Golden State): Carter Bryant, F, Arizona

Bryant is a rangy, athletic forward who projects as a highly versatile defender. He’s raw on offense though, so Miami would be taking a longer view with a pick like this one. Beyond his cutting, he needs to improve as a shooter to earn minutes in high-leverage games.

21. Utah Jazz (via MIN): Joan Beringer, C, Cedevita Olimpija

Beringer began playing basketball only three years ago, which makes him a raw project, but also makes his natural talents all the more impressive. He’s a center, but he has the quickness of a guard, giving him immense defensive versatility to build on for years to come. The Jazz don’t really have a young piece like him in the frontcourt, so he’d be worth the gamble for such a young team.

22. Atlanta Hawks (via Lakers): Yaxel Lendeborg, F, UAB

Lendeborg fills the stat sheet in every category, showing off athletic shot creation, dominant rebounding and versatile defense. There really isn’t anything he can’t do, it’s just a matter of whether what he did in a weaker conference can translate to the pros. And for Atlanta, the risk seems worth the upside swing.

23. Indiana Pacers: Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Creighton

The Pacers are in the East semis with a tough series coming against the Cavaliers, but looking ahead: Myles Turner will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. So will their other bigs on the roster, so even if Turner returns, finding a backup could make logical sense. Kalkbrenner is a throwback 7-footer who owns the paint, swatting shots with his giant wingspan and dunking everything in sight. It’s a bit strange he isn’t a better rebounder. But as a super senior, he’s also developed some sneaky passing and shooting skills that hint at higher upside.

24. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC): Labaron Philon, G, Alabama

OKC has a plethora of guards already on the roster, but Philon presents so much long-term upside at this point of the draft as a shifty point guard with a buttery floater, advanced pick-and-roll playmaking and a deceptive handle that lets him control the tempo. His feathery touch teases untapped shooting potential, but he’s got to prove it to become an offensive maestro.

25. Orlando Magic (via Denver): Walter Clayton Jr., G, Florida

After selecting Clifford earlier in the first round, here’s another shooter for the Magic. The best shooter in all of March Madness. Clayton hit some of the clutchest shots all tournament long, leading Florida to the NCAA championship game before playing with great effort on defense and making some slick passes to help lead them to the title. Throughout his collegiate career, he showed major limitations as a defender and as a decision-maker. But he’s a fearless shooter with the versatility to take any shot at any moment. And that’s precisely what the Magic need.

26. Brooklyn Nets (via Knicks): Tahaad Pettiford, G, Auburn

The Nets basically don’t have a roster for next season with so many players hitting free agency, and they don’t have any guards under contract, so after drafting two frontcourt players now’s the time to find a ball-handling guard. Pettiford is a combo guard with a sniper’s touch, raining 3s and lethal floaters while flashing playmaking savvy and a bulldog mentality on both ends. But his smaller size means he’ll need to clean up his shot selection and decision-making to max out his game. Playing with Flagg would help him find that balance.

27. Brooklyn Nets (via Rockets): Hugo Gonzalez, G/F, Real Madrid

Gonzalez is a high-motor wing with great defensive tools and a slashing style on offense. If his jumper and handle develop, he could be a versatile two-way starter. The Nets can afford to be patient with a player who barely even played off the bench overseas, instead valuing the upside he showed playing for his youth teams.

28. Boston Celtics: Danny Wolf, C, Michigan

Following the sale of the franchise, outgoing Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck has been open about how second-apron penalties, not rising luxury tax penalties, are what will force the team to make some changes. Even without them though, the Celtics need to sure up the frontcourt. Al Horford is old. Kristaps Porzingis is injury-prone. Fortunately, there are a ton of options in the late first round that fit the bill, such as Wolf, a 7-footer who ran point for Michigan, playing a slick style with risky passes and step-back jumpers that made him a highlight factory. But he’s also a turnover machine and his shooting numbers are shaky, making him more of a raw bet who needs time to prove he can match his flash with substance.

29. Phoenix Suns (via Cavs): Maxime Raynaud, F, Stanford

The Suns need some bigs and Raynaud has leveled up every year at Stanford, turning into a player who pops 3s, slashes to the rim with a smooth handle and makes eye-popping passes. As a talented passer who also offers solid defense, there’s little reason to think the Frenchman won’t carve out an NBA role.

30. Los Angeles Clippers (via Thunder): Rasheer Fleming, F, Saint Joseph’s

Fleming is a hustler who drains spot-up jumpers and brings energy on defense, swatting shots and snagging boards. But he has some real warts as a ball-handler with a lack of experience against high-level competition, so teams will have to feel real confident his role player skill-set will translate. With Kawhi Leonard and James Harden handling the rock in Los Angeles, Fleming’s positive qualities could allow him to slot in right away as a possible upgrade off the bench over Ben Simmons.

View the full second round and scouting reports for every single prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft Guide, which you can find here.