Inside the Combine: Buzz, Breakouts, and Behind-the-Scenes Intel

What scouts are saying, who’s climbing boards, and which rumors are worth watching

As we enter the thick of NBA Draft season, trade rumors, draft buzz, and misinformation are flooding social media feeds daily. I prefer to be responsible and make sure I’m on the right side of the rumor mill, so I lean toward the sources I trust—people I’ve built strong personal relationships with over the years.

That’s why I spent Day 2 of the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago gathering real intel from scouts, executives, and league personnel who are plugged in.

Tuesday marked the first time this year’s top prospects took the floor, with projected No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg leading a group that included Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, Tre Johnson, and VJ Edgecombe.

While they were busy going through athletic testing, lane agility drills, and shooting evaluations, the real conversations were unfolding in the stands—focused on the Mavericks’ lottery win, the Spurs’ dilemma at No. 2, and the emerging trade chatter surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo.