The team aiming to shake up the NBA Draft 2025

The 2025 NBA Draft takes place on Wednesday, and we may see multiple trades before and during the draft. The Indiana Pacers, who will play the seventh game of the NBA Finals on Sunday against the Oklahoma City Thunder, have already made a trade prior to the draft involving the 23rd overall pick in the first round. The Charlotte Hornets are another team that could be active in trade negotiations.

Brett Siegel, an NBA expert at ClutchPoints, analyzed how Kevin Durant is impacting the latest draft news and mentioned former Rutgers star player, Ace Bailey, and how he could fall in the first round. The Charlotte Hornets, selecting fourth, may receive calls for Bailey if the Philadelphia 76ers do not pick him with their third selection.

"League sources indicate that the Hornets have been actively involved in trade discussions with other teams targeting the fourth pick, anticipating that the 76ers might pass on Bailey," Siegel said. "There also appears to be a potential pre-draft battle looming between the Wizards, the Pelicans, and the Nets for Jeremiah Fears, considered by many as the second-best guard in the draft after Harper."

Cooper Flagg is projected to be selected first overall by the Dallas Mavericks, and Dylan Harper should be the second pick, either by the San Antonio Spurs or by another team that negotiates for the selection. San Antonio may also make a significant move for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Work of the Charlotte Hornets

Let's look back at the Hornets, a team that is trying to change the course of the franchise. Their star players are LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Mark Williams. Williams was nearly traded to the Los Angeles Lakers last season, but a failed physical sent him back to Charlotte. It's only a matter of time before the Hornets trade him as their relationship seems to have soured. Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints shared his thoughts on the matter.

"Mark Williams continues to surface in trade discussions around the league, and it seems like it's just a matter of time before the Hornets move him. Many are trying to connect the dots ahead of the draft with the rumors surrounding the Hornets, who are active in trade talks, leading to a hypothesis suggesting that Khaman Maluach is Charlotte's top target within the top 10."

If the Hornets plan to replace Williams with Maluach, it might be wise to move down in the draft as he is not a clear top-five selection. Landing him with a pick between 8 and 12 could benefit the franchise. They could also acquire their desired player by trading down in the draft, even if it's not Maluach.

The Hornets could engage in multiple trades during or around the draft to move Williams and determine his future.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El equipo que aspira a trastocar el NBA Draft 2025