Draft Day Intel: Brooklyn’s Picks, Trade Noise, Draft Fits, and Bold Swings
Inside the Latest Movement, Trade Buzz, and Prospect Positioning
Draft day is finally here.
It’s the first of two nights that I’ve spent the entire year building toward—hours of film, months of travel, gyms across Europe and college campuses alike. And now, I’m on the ground in New York City covering it all as the 2025 NBA Draft tips off.
Yesterday, I spent a significant amount of time at the official NBA Draft hotel for Media Day, speaking with players, agents, and family members. The mood? Anxious but electric. There’s a palpable sense that this draft is primed for chaos—and that started early.
The big headline to come out of yesterday was the three-team deal involving the Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, and Boston Celtics. From a draft perspective, it’s a move that impacts all three teams in meaningful ways. Boston offloaded salary and retooled their flexibility. Atlanta—long rumored to be searching for size or a move-up opportunity—landed Kristaps Porziņģis and kept their lottery pick at No. 13. And then there’s Brooklyn.
The Nets now hold five first-round picks. Yes, five. While conventional wisdom suggests they’ll package a few to move up or grab future capital, one agent I spoke with—who has multiple clients projected in the 15–30 range—told me the opposite.
Based on what he’s hearing, Brooklyn is preparing to use all five selections. That could change with one phone call, of course, but it gives you a window into how unpredictable tonight could get.
Stay tuned—I’ll be updating throughout the night with everything I see, hear, and learn from the Barclays Center floor.