Maryland’s Derik Queen To Enter 2025 NBA Draft
Maryland star Derik Queen has decided to leave school early and go pro, he said on SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt (YouTube link).
“I’m proud to say I’m entering the 2025 NBA draft,” the 6’10” center said.
Queen’s decision isn’t a surprise. He is projected to go No. 10 overall in ESPN’s latest mock draft, per Myron Medcalf of ESPN.com, and is the No. 10 prospect on their latest big board (from last week).
Queen was highly productive in his freshman season with the Terrapins, averaging 16.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks in 36 appearances (30.4 minutes per contest). He helped guide Maryland to a 27-9 record and a spot in the Sweet 16, scoring 27 points in a loss to Florida.
As Metcalf notes, the Baltimore native boosted his stock with some impressive postseason performances, including a game-winner in the second round of the NCAA tournament against Colorado State.
Grizzlies Notes: Defense, Jackson, Iisalo, Aldama, Morant
The Grizzlies‘ offense has been under the spotlight since Taylor Jenkins‘ ouster last week due to the massive changes the coaching staff made to its system coming into the season and the steps the team has taken recently to undo some of those changes. However, the Grizzlies’ play on the defensive side of the ball has been a bigger issue during the club’s recent slide, William Guillory of The Athletic wrote this week after the Warriors put up 134 points against Memphis in a Tuesday win.
The Grizzlies performed better defensively in Thursday’s win over Miami, but a unit that had the NBA’s seventh-best defensive rating prior to the All-Star break has still ranked just 20th in the league since then.
Although Defensive Player of the Year candidate Jaren Jackson Jr. missed five games during that stretch due to an ankle sprain, the team’s decline in effectiveness on that end of the court can’t be chalked up to being without its top rim protector for a little over a week. Jackson has posted a 115.2 defensive rating during his time on the court since the All-Star break, compared to a 106.4 pre-All-Star mark.
Here’s more on the Grizzlies:
- Who exactly is new Grizzlies interim head coach Tuomas Iisalo? In another story for The Athletic, Guillory profiles Jenkins’ replacement, noting that the Finnish assistant was a relative unknown to most NBA fans before his promotion last week. “He’s a really smart guy. No bulls–t,” Grizzlies wing Desmond Bane said. “It’s all about winning and how you get there. Nothing else really matters. He’s not a man of many words if you ain’t talking about basketball.”
- The Grizzlies and Santi Aldama didn’t agree to a rookie scale extension prior to the 2024/25 season, but locking up the forward in restricted free agency this summer is reportedly a priority for the front office. Speaking to Cyro Asseo de Choch of HoopsHype, Aldama said he wasn’t bothered by putting off contract talks until the 2025 offseason. “Yeah, figure it out later,” he said. “At the end of the day, I want to be somewhere where we’re winning and where we’re fighting for the right stuff. I think here, we got a great thing going. We have a great relationship here, so I would love for it to keep that way. I’m just focusing on taking it day by day, getting better day by day. And that stuff will take care of itself.”
- In case you missed it, Grizzlies star Ja Morant was fined $75K earlier today for making finger-gun gestures during Thursday’s game in Miami. Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal explains why the NBA hit Morant with a fine for that gesture even though there are several players around the league who perform similar celebrations.
Previewing 2025/26 Player Option Decisions
A total of 20 NBA veterans hold player options on their contracts for the 2025/26 season, as our free agent list shows.
Those 20 players range from superstars like LeBron James to reserves like Eric Gordon. The value of their respective options reflects that wide gap -- James would earn nearly $53MM if he opts in for next season, while Gordon would earn just shy of $3.5MM.
Still, despite the huge difference between those two players' potential '25/26 salaries, Gordon may be the one of the two more likely to pick up his option and lock in that guaranteed money for next season. Each player facing an option decision will weigh several factors, including his 2024/25 performance, his role, his age, and what sort of offers might be available to him on the open market if he opts out.
Most players holding options won't have to finalize a decision until the league-wide deadline of June 29, but it's not uncommon for certain options to be exercised in April, shortly after a player's season wraps up. So we're looking ahead today at all 20 of those decisions to try to get a sense of which direction they might go.
Let's dive in...
Pistons Clinch First Playoff Berth Since 2019
With their win in Toronto on Friday, the Pistons have officially clinched a top-six spot in the Eastern Conference, securing their first playoff berth since the 2018/19 season (Twitter link).
It’s the latest achievement in what has been a remarkable turnaround for the Pistons, who posted the worst record in the NBA – and the worst mark in franchise history – a year ago when they went 14-68. Detroit has more than tripled that win total this season, sitting at 43-34 with five games still to play.
The Pistons’ bounce-back season has been driven by an All-NBA caliber performance from former No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham, though he wasn’t in action in Friday’s playoff clincher, having missed his sixth consecutive game due to a left calf contusion.
Instead, it was rising third-year center Jalen Duren (21 points, 18 rebounds, six assists, four blocks), Sixth Man of the Year contender Malik Beasley (21 points), and veteran role player Tim Hardaway Jr. (23 points) who played key roles in the 117-105 win over the Raptors.
Veteran forward Tobias Harris and second-year wing Ausar Thompson are among the other most important contributors in Detroit, along with veteran guard Dennis Schröder, who has taken on a role similar to the one Jaden Ivey played before breaking his leg in January.
While the Pistons have now secured their spot in the postseason, their exact seed in the Eastern Conference is still to be determined.
Friday’s victory moves them a half-game ahead of the 42-34 Bucks for the No. 5 spot, which would likely line them up for a first-round date with the No. 4 Pacers. Sliding to No. 6 would probably result in a matchup with the Knicks in round one, though neither New York nor Indiana is officially locked into its seed yet.
As Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press notes, the Timberwolves are now assured of receiving the Pistons’ 2025 first-round pick, which had been top-13 protected.
Dwight Howard Elected To Hall Of Fame
Former NBA center Dwight Howard has been elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and will be part of the class of 2025, reports Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).
The first overall pick in the 2004 draft, Howard immediately became the starting center for the Magic and spent the next eight seasons in Orlando, winning three Defensive Player of the Year awards with the team and finishing in the top five in MVP voting in four consecutive seasons from 2008-11. The Magic made the playoffs in six straight years during Howard’s tenure, appearing in the NBA Finals in 2009.
From 2012-22, Howard bounced around the NBA, spending time with the Lakers, Rockets, Hawks, Hornets, Wizards, and Sixers. He had three separate stints with the Lakers during that decade and won his first and only championship with the team in 2020.
Howard earned a total of eight All-Star nods and appeared on eight All-NBA teams, including five First Teams, over the course of his 18-year NBA career. In addition to winning DPOY three times, he made an All-Defensive team five teams, including claiming a spot on the First Team for four years in a row from 2009-12.
Howard led the league in rebounding five times and currently ranks 11th on the NBA’s all-time rebounding list. He was also the league leader in blocked shots twice and ranks 15th all-time in that category.
The big man didn’t play college basketball but fortified his Hall of Fame résumé by winning an Olympic gold medal with Team USA in Beijing in 2008.
The Hall of Fame will officially announce its full class of 2025 on Saturday at the NCAA Final Four. According to reporting from Charania, Howard and another former NBA star, Carmelo Anthony, will be among the first-ballot selections in that group.
Pelicans Notes: Alvarado, McCollum, Zion, Tax, Brooks
With most of the Pelicans‘ usual starters shut down for the rest of the season, guard Jose Alvarado has become a primary scoring option, having led the team with 16 field goal attempts in each of the past two games. Typically a complementary player on offense and more of a defensive specialist, Alvarado admitted that the new role has taken some getting used to, per Rod Walker of NOLA.com.
“When you have guys like CJ (McCollum) and Zion (Williamson) and Trey Murphy who create so much attention, you get the easier shots,” Alvarado said. “Now they are all out and the scouting (reports) are more about you in that sense. The guys know my weaknesses and not my weakness, so they test you mentally. You’ve got to continue to make shots and continue to improve. You’re going to turn the ball over, but you’ve got to keep going. You’re going to miss shots, but you’ve got to keep shooting.”
Alvarado’s performance as a go-to scorer has been up and down. He’s made just 11 of those 32 shot attempts over the past two games, including 1-of-12 three-pointers, while turning the ball over nine times. Still, he appreciates that he and some of his fellow role players are getting the chance to take on additional responsibilities as the season winds down.
“The positive is that it’s a season that Jose gets to grow,” Alvarado said, referring to himself in the third person. “Young guys get to grow. A chance to see what you’re capable of doing. …The younger guys and me are learning a lot. I’m learning as this process goes on and it’s going to get me better later in my future. I have to understand that.”
Here’s more on the Pelicans:
- In a separate story for NOLA.com, Walker explains why it was a no-brainer for the Pelicans to shut down Williamson and McCollum for the final two weeks of the season due to health issues.
- Speaking to Mark Medina of Sportskeeda, McCollum discussed his right foot injury and expressed optimism that he’ll fully recover soon enough to have a relatively normal offseason and be 100% healthy when training camp opens in the fall. McCollum also touched on several other topics in the interview, including his belief that Williamson’s professionalism and work ethic have improved this season and what he thinks a fully healthy version of this Pelicans team would be capable of.
- The Pelicans’ team salary is technically over the luxury tax line by about $530K following their signing of Kylor Kelley to a 10-day deal, notes Eric Pincus at his Subtack. However, ownership isn’t about to pay a tax bill for the first time in franchise history. As Pincus explains, a $700K bonus for Dejounte Murray currently counts against the cap because it was considered likely entering the season, but Murray won’t earn it after appearing in just 31 games this season. Once that bonus comes off the cap after the season, New Orleans’ team salary will dip back below the tax line by approximately $170K.
- Rookie forward Keion Brooks, who signed a two-way contract with the Pelicans on January 9, had appeared in just two NBA games for the team until March 21. Since then, he has played in six straight and averaged 8.8 points and 3.5 rebounds on 52.4% shooting in 22.3 minutes per night. Brooks, who says he wants to display his versatility and show he’s a “winning player,” is taking full advantage of his opportunity, Walker writes for NOLA.com. “He’s showing that he belongs here,” Alvarado said of his teammate. “It’s not only about scoring, but it’s about his effort in everything he does. Defensively and rebounding. Obviously the offense is going to show. I’m happy for him. He’s going to be a good player in the NBA.”
Knicks’ Anunoby: ‘I Should Win Defensive Player Of The Year’
In a wide-open Defensive Player of the Year race with no clear frontrunner, Knicks forward OG Anunoby became the latest player to make a case for himself.
“I think I should be on First Team All-Defense,” Anunoby said on Friday, according to Stefan Bondy of The New York Post. “I think I should win Defensive Player of the Year. I’ve always felt that way.”
Long viewed as one of the NBA’s top perimeter defenders, Anunoby has only been formally recognized for his performance on that end of the court once, when he was named to the All-Defensive Second Team in 2023.
That’s due in part to his injury history — 2022/23 was the only season in his last four before this one in which he has played more than 50 games. He believes it’s also a result of the way his defensive impact manifests beyond the box score.
“There’s no stats for (the offensive player calling a screen to avoid you),” Anunoby said. “There’s no stat for picking up a dribble to pass. Or shot attempts — like holding the other player to no shot attempts, there’s no stat for that. So (award voters) can’t really tell. They just always give it to the big men.”
Anunoby has appeared in 70 games this season and ranks sixth in the NBA in minutes per night. He’ll set a career high in games played if he sees action in five of the Knicks’ remaining six contests, so availability isn’t a concern this time around. And while his case for All-Defense and DPOY is predicated on more than just statistics, he’s one of just three NBA players who has registered at least 100 steals and 60 blocks this season.
Anunoby is still a long shot for Defensive Player of the Year due to the Knicks’ relatively average defense (their 113.4 defensive rating is 13th in the NBA) and the fact that voters typically favor big men, as he pointed out. But he’s a solid candidate for an All-Defense spot. The 27-year-old admitted on Friday that being rewarded for his defense with either honor would be “pretty important to me,” as Bondy relays.
Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama was considered the heavy favorite for the Defensive Player of the Year award this season before he was ruled out for the season in February after being diagnosed with a deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder. Since then, the betting odds have shifted frequently, with multiple players considered the new frontrunner for days or weeks at a time.
Warriors forward Draymond Green has been the candidate making his own case most vociferously in recent weeks. Cavaliers big man Evan Mobley and Hawks guard Dyson Daniels haven’t advocated for themselves as aggressively, but others have done so on their behalf.
Raptors’ Gradey Dick Out For Rest Of Season
Raptors wing Gradey Dick, who has been out since March 2 due to a right knee injury, will be shut down for the final 10 days of the season, bringing his second year in the NBA to an early end, head coach Darko Rajakovic said today, per Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca (Twitter link).
A lottery pick in 2023, Dick increased his scoring average to 14.4 points per game in 2024/25, though his shooting numbers dipped slightly across the board to .410/.350/.858. He also contributed 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 29.4 minutes per night across 54 games (all starts).
Considered one of the long-term building blocks in Toronto, Dick is under contract for $4.99MM next season. The Raptors will have until October 31 to determine whether or not to pick up his $7.13MM team option for 2026/27 — it’s a safe bet that option will be exercised, putting Dick on track to become eligible for a rookie scale extension during the 2026 offseason.
Rajakovic also provided reporters, including Lewenberg (Twitter link), with an update on Brandon Ingram on Friday. The forward has been able to do more on-court activities and is trending in the right direction in his recovery from a significant left ankle sprain that has sidelined him since December 7, according to Rajakovic.
The team is hopeful Ingram will be cleared for contact and fully participate in a practice next week, but with just four games left on Toronto’s schedule after tonight, time is running out for him to make his Raptors debut this season.
While it’d be nice for the Raptors if they could get a look at Ingram alongside Scottie Barnes for a game or two before season’s end, it’s likely not a major priority for the club, which is prioritizing its draft lottery odds at this point and acquired and extended Ingram with an eye toward 2025/26 and beyond.
As for Barnes, while the Raptors’ franchise player spoke on Thursday about wanting to play as much as possible in the final stretch of the season, he’ll be held out of Friday’s game vs. Detroit (the second end of a back-to-back) due to an MCP joint contusion in his right hand (Twitter link via Lewenberg). There’s no indication at this point that Barnes’ absence will extend beyond one game.
Draft Notes: Fland, Flagg, Final Four, Burton, Early Entrants
Arkansas guard Boogie Fland has announced (via Instagram) that he’s declaring for the 2025 NBA draft. While Fland, who just finished his freshman year with the Razorbacks, has the option of testing the draft waters and retaining his NCAA eligibility, his statement makes no mention of that plan, so it sounds like he’s preparing to go pro.
Fland, who won’t turn 19 until July, appeared in 21 games for Arkansas in his first – and potentially only – college season, averaging 13.5 points, 5.1 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in 31.8 minutes per contest. He made just 37.9% of his field goal attempts, including 34.0% of his three-pointers.
Fland underwent thumb surgery in January that was expected to end his season, but he returned to action for the NCAA Tournament last month. He wasn’t particularly effective in his three games back from the injury though, scoring just 12 total points on 4-of-18 shooting in 53 minutes against Kansas, St. John’s, and Texas Tech.
The 18-year-old ranked 48th overall on the latest 2025 draft big board from ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo.
Here are several more draft-related notes:
- ESPN’s Jeremy Woo spoke to NBA executives and scouts about current and past NBA comparables for projected No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg and got some interesting responses. Woo zeroes in on five of those players – Jayson Tatum, Kawhi Leonard, Lamar Odom, Scottie Pippen, and Andrei Kirilenko – and outlines the traits Flagg shares with each of them, as well as those he doesn’t.
- While Duke’s three projected lottery picks (Flagg, Khaman Maluach and Kon Knueppel) will be the headliners of Final Four weekend for NBA evaluators, there are plenty of other prospects to keep an eye on in the showdowns of No. 1 seeds featuring Duke vs. Houston and Florida vs. Auburn. Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports shines a spotlight on several of those players, including Houston guard Milos Uzan, Auburn big man Johni Broome, and Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr.
- After leading the ACC in scoring as a sophomore, Notre Dame guard Markus Burton has decided to remain with the Fighting Irish for at least one more year rather than entering the transfer portal or testing the draft waters, agent Ron Shade tells ESPN’s Givony (Twitter link).
- Here are a few more of the prospects who have announced they’re testing the draft waters this spring as early entrants:
- Mohammad Amini, G, Nancy Basket, France (born 2005) (Instagram link)
- John Blackwell, G, Wisconsin (sophomore) (Instagram link)
- Xaivian Lee, G, Princeton (junior) (Twitter link via Givony)
- Note: Also entering transfer portal.
- Yanic Konan Niederhauser, F, Penn State (junior) (Instagram link)
Nuggets’ Trey Alexander Named G League Rookie Of The Year
First-year guard Trey Alexander, who is on a two-way contract with the Nuggets, has been named the NBA G League’s Rookie of the Year, according to a press release.
Alexander signed a two-way contract with Denver last July shortly after going undrafted out of Creighton. He has played sparingly at the NBA level, logging just 110 total minutes across 22 outings, most of which came in garbage time. However, he has been a standout for the Grand Rapids Gold, the Nuggets’ G League affiliate.
In 30 total appearances in the Tip-Off Tournament and NBAGL regular season, Alexander averaged 25.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.6 steals in 37.0 minutes per game, posting a shooting line of .462/.395/.817.
“The Nuggets and Gold are so proud of Trey and all he has accomplished this season.” Gold general manager Ben Tenzer said in a statement. “He is a fantastic player, and an even better person. His work ethic and approach to the game are second to none. We have enjoyed watching his tremendous growth and look forward to all the success that comes his way in the future.”
While it’s possible that Alexander’s strong play in the G League will earn him a longer look from Denver in the NBA next season, he’ll need to be re-signed first. Since the 21-year-old’s two-way deal only covers one season, he’ll be eligible for restricted free agency this summer.
According to the NBA (Twitter link), David Jones Garcia of the Mexico City Capitanes was the runner-up in G League Rookie of the Year voting, while Windy City Bulls guard Jahmir Young, who is on a two-way contract with Chicago, finished third.
The award is voted on by the NBAGL’s head coaches and GMs.