In the wake of the NBA’s 2025 draft combine, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo have updated their mock draft, taking into account which prospects saw their stock rise – or decline – as a result of their performances in Chicago.
While there weren’t any major changes at the top of ESPN’s latest mock, there were some movers further down the draft order. Stanford big man Maxime Raynaud, for instance, was considered one of the big winners of the combine due to his strong play during scrimmages. After coming in at No. 34 in ESPN’s mock draft last Monday, Raynaud has jumped to No. 24 in the newest version.
Forward Cedric Coward was another prospect who moved up from the second round (No. 35) in ESPN’s previous mock draft to the first round (No. 30) in today’s update. Although Coward has committed to transferring from Washington State to Duke, signs are pointing to him keeping his name in the draft and going pro, according to Woo.
Coward, whose 2024/25 season was cut short due to a shoulder injury, has limited reps against high-level competition despite spending four seasons in college, which is a concern for some NBA teams who are “hesitant about his surprising rise,” Woo adds.
Here are a few more draft-related notes:
- A panel of ESPN draft experts and analysts share their takeaways from last week’s combine, while Cyro Asseo de Choch of HoopsHype identifies his winners and losers from the event. His list of winners includes prospects like UNC’s Drake Powell, UConn’s Liam McNeeley, and Rasheer Fleming of St. Joseph’s, while Maryland’s Derik Queen, Michigan State’s Jase Richardson, and Michigan’s Vladislav Goldin are among his losers.
- John Hollinger of The Athletic has also shared his impressions from the combine, including the best and worst performers in scrimmages, as well as the player measurements that stood out for better (like Thomas Sorber‘s 7’6″ wingspan) or worse (Richardson’s height coming in below 6’1″).
- After declaring for the 2025 NBA draft as an early entrant, Florida center Rueben Chinyelu has decided to pull out and return to school for his junior season, per Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports (Twitter link). Chinyelu was a full-time starter for the national champions in 2024/25, averaging 6.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks in 19.0 minutes per game across 40 outings.
- According to Rothstein (Twitter link), sophomore guard Silas Demary Jr. is also withdrawing from the draft after testing the waters as an early entrant. Demary, who is transferring to UConn for his junior year, spent his first two college seasons with Georgia, averaging 13.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.7 steals per game in 33 starts for the team last season. He made just 39.6% of his shots from the floor, but had a solid 37.4% mark on three-pointers.
How is Raynaud defensively?
Defensively, he’s not particularly versatile—more suited for drop coverage than switching or defending in space … His lateral mobility and foot speed are average, which could be a concern against NBA pick-and-roll schemes … Posted just 0.8 blocks and 0.4 steals per game in 2024–25, which speaks to his limited defensive impact outside of positional size … Can struggle with quicker bigs or stretch-fives who pull him away from the paint.”
nbadraft.net
Damn. I am disappointed that he dropped into the 1st. I was thinking he could a nice 10-15 minutes a night guy for the Warriors. He played 4 years, and got better every year. There is potential for him to get better. You don’t always need every player to be a superstar. Just guys that can contribute.
Well, maybe there is a draft and stash out there to be had. Jokic went at #41.
But the Warriors have Post?
Why have two Posts when the dubs already have one that’s way better?
Seems to me they would go after a different type of a five. One that can play defense and block shots? They already have the shooting scoring five on the roster?
At #41, there ain’t whole lot out there. It really takes 3 years to develop a big. He could become a trade asset. 7-footers are always at a premium.
Might have to go the free agent or trade route to find a serviceable big man.
I really don’t understand why the Warriors don’t pick up a Robin Lopez or other scrub type who is looking for work.
Their reasoning is that they are ineffective on offense, but I submit that Kevin Looney is ineffective on offense also.
He’s a great rebounder, but doesn’t even have The push shot in the lane like iHart.
I think even Robin Lopez can score down low and then provide the giant imposing figure in the middle on defense.
But I don’t know.., just thinking out loud.
They have to find somebody that’s for sure. Can’t go Greymond Looney and Post next year. That’s 100% certain.
Brook Lopez is a Free Agent. If the Bucks are busting the team up, they probably won’t sign him. Brook still lives in Fresno, surprisingly.
I was thinking. They draft Maxime. Get Brook on a minimum. He could help mentor both Post and Maxime. Butler is/was working with Kuminga.
With center so tough to find I think Brook can get a lot more than the minimum. But I might be surprised. Maybe he wants to play close to home?
Brooke being from Cali could sign there. He would be an excellent addition. I don’t see Kuminga coming back. I’m his agent I tell him to run away. Warriors should get good value for him. It’s better for team to get a player who is ready now. I see Blazers as good place for Kuminga, even Nets.
Defense comparison like Sabonis
Or Drummond might be better comparison
Queen has been looked at as not in condition. He could slip a bit. I see him in shape as a serious big 4-5 player. He is a smart player. Could fall into Bulls lap. Georgetown big man Sorber has also been up and down. I see him as a solid 4-5 at next level. Anotge guy Bulls should be looking at. This a deep draft. There is serious talent outside the lottery. Even solid rotation players at end of first rd.This is a deep draft. There is also buzz about Sixers trading for a ready now player. I’m Sixers I would be trying to trade up for Harper. Thats the move ….
Definitely should be a PF