Suns GM explains why the team picked Khaman Maluach in NBA draft
The Phoenix Suns’ general manager emphasized the reasons that led the team to pick Duke center Khaman Maluach No. 10 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft.
The second round of the 2025 NBA Draft is in the books, as is the NBA draft.
59 total picks were made over two days and two rounds.
Look back at our live updates for all 29 picks in the second round on June 26, beginning with the Phoenix Suns‘ selection of Rasheer Fleming at No. 31 and ending with the Memphis Grizzlies‘ selection of Jahmai Mashack at No. 59.
The second round picked off where the first left off, with a lot of trades and a lot of intrigue as teams scrambled to try to improve their rosters before NBA free agency.
Watch the 2025 NBA Draft on FUBO (free trial)
The final pick of the NBA Draft came from the Memphis Grizzlies, who took Jahmai Mashack with the No. 59 pick.
Mashack can play defense.
“He will do anything to win,” ESPN’s Jay Bilas said.
.@Sam_Vecenie on Tennessee guard Jahmai Mashack:
“Mashack was the best defensive player in college basketball this year and might be one of the best perimeter defenders on the planet right now. This is not an exaggeration.”
via Vecenie’s NBA Draft Guide at @TheAthletic pic.twitter.com/oRJdfHjG4a
— Josh Ward (@Josh_Ward) June 23, 2025
Niang is from Senegal, but has been playing in Italy, where his game has blossomed. He averaged 7.9 points per game and 5.2 rebounds per game last season.
Cleveland will try to develop him.
Shulga could be a sneaky good pick for the Celtics. He averaged 15 points per game last season and shot 38.7% from 3.
The Boston Celtics selected Max Shulga with the No. 57 pick.
39% 3-point shooter across five college seasons, Shulga offers did quite a bit of playmaking for VCU, being named Atlantic 10 player of the year.
Will be on a two-way contract with Boston.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 27, 2025
The Warriors moved up for this pick, giving the Grizzlies the No. 59 pick.
Richard, a guard, averaged 13.3 points per game for the national champs last season.
Will Richard legacy game came in the national championship game.
Just in case a franchise wants and needs a champion. pic.twitter.com/9dOFtIjSny
— Florida Basketball Hour (@FloridaBBHour) June 27, 2025
Another Australian has gone in the NBA Draft with the Bulls taking Lachlan Olbrich.
Lachlan Olbrich’s skill, craft and toughness earned him a callup to the NBA Combine with 31 points, 17 rebounds in 42 minutes. The 6’10 Australian won the NBL Championship with Illawarra this season, with some big games in the finals. pic.twitter.com/XCmriJcYHK
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 13, 2025
The Pacers took the Liberty guard, who averaged 13.7 points per game, at No. 54.
The Indiana Pacers have selected Liberty’s Taelon Peter with the No. 54 pick.
Big time athlete who led who led college basketball in true shooting percentage. Shot 76% for 2 and 46% for 3.
True sleeper pick for the Pacers.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 27, 2025
The Jazz have been busy in this draft. Their latest pick? John Tonje from Wisconsin.
Tonje can score. He averaged 19.6 points per game in his lone season with the Badgers.
The Utah Jazz have selected Wisconsin’s John Tonje with the No. 53 pick. One of the best scorers in college basketball. pic.twitter.com/igVBOyYQKf
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 27, 2025
The Warriors took the Australian player with the No. 52 pick, a pick the acquired in a trade with the Phoenix Suns.
The Golden State Warriors have selected Sydney’s Alex Toohey with the No. 52 pick.
A tough, versatile forward who brings feel for the game, consistent motor, length and anticipation on the defensive end. pic.twitter.com/io4pGBVekQ
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 27, 2025
The Knicks chose Mohamed Diawara from France with the No. 51 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
The Knicks brough in Diawara for a workout and were intrigued by the wing player’s potential.
The Knicks have a pre-draft workout scheduled with 6’9 French wing Mohamed Diawara, per @Tom_Cprt
Diawara, 20, has a 7’4 reported wingspan and 9’2 standing reach, has serious defensive versatility, and has been receiving advice from Pacôme Dadiet pic.twitter.com/g826dQig1M
— The Strickland (@TheStrickland) June 5, 2025
The Knicks traded this pick to the Clippers, who took the versatile Sanders out of Nevada. New York will have the No. 51 pick.
Sanders averaged 15.8 points per game with the Wolf Pack.
Kobe Sanders is a 6-foot-9 point guard (‼️) from San Diego
He is a 23-year-old senior for Nevada coming off a season averaging:
15.8 PTS
3.9 REB
4.5 AST
1.1 STL
0.3 BLK
Welcome to the Clippers! pic.twitter.com/IGshlbZgi8
— clippa twitta (@clipfullyloaded) June 27, 2025
Proctor, another Duke product, had 12.4 points per game for the Blue Devils last season.
He will reportedly be on the Cavaliers’ roster.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have selected Duke’s Tyrese Proctor with the No. 49 pick. They will be rostering this pick.
Sweet-shooting Australian who played multiple roles at the college level, showcasing his ability to function on and off the ball, helping Duke to the Final Four. pic.twitter.com/w70aSxBBrg
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 27, 2025
A guard out of West Virginia, Small scored 18.6 points per game and 5.6 assists per game last season for the Mountaineers.
The Memphis Grizzlies have selected Javon Small with the 48th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Fiesty competitor who impacts the game on both ends. Well-rounded with his athleticism, pick & roll playmaking, shot-creation, and defense. pic.twitter.com/A3H5tXCv7W
— Jacob Myers (@League_Him) June 27, 2025
Markovic, a forward from Serbia, averaged 14.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game last season, giving Milwaukee an intriguing prospect.
The Milwaukee Bucks have selected Bogoljub Markovic with the No. 47 pick.
Skilled big man who scored from all over the floor with impressive efficiency for Mega Superbet in the Adriatic League, where he’ll be stashed next season. pic.twitter.com/xruQOQyxHx
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 27, 2025
Williams, from England, intrigued some teams with his versatility.
He averaged 10.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game, while shooting 56.1% from the field for the Kentucky Wildcats last season.
The Boston Celtics have selected Amari Williams with the No. 46 pick. He will be on a two-way contract next season.
British center with an intriguing combination of length (7-foot-6 wingspan), rebounding prowess, shot-blocking timing and feel as a passer. pic.twitter.com/GgmlkryRem
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 27, 2025
Zikarsky is only 18. At 7-3, he will be the third tallest player in the NBA.
He averaged 4.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks in 12.2 minutes per game last season in the NBL.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have selected Brisbane Bullets center Rocco Zikarsky with the No. 45 pick.
The Australian has tremendous size at 7-foot-4 with a 9’7 standing reach, giving him significant potential defensively. Only 18-years old. pic.twitter.com/yWLkTtmvVf
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 27, 2025
The Thunder don’t have much room on their roster. They took Northwestern’s Brooks Barnhizer with the No. 44 pick to add some future depth.
Barnhizer averaged 17.1 points per game and 8.1 rebounds per game last season.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have selected Northwestern’s Brooks Barnhizer with the No. 44 pick. Will be on a two-way contract.
Glue-guy who produces rebounds, blocks, steals and assists at a strong rate at 6’6 with a 6’11 wingspan.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 27, 2025
Jamir Watkins was picked by the Washington Wizards at No. 43 overall, giving the Wizards even more youth.
Watkins scored 18.4 points per game last season and could have an instant impact in Washington.
The Washington Wizards have selected Florida State’s Jamir Watkins with the No. 43 pick.
Outstanding defender with an NBA-ready frame and a 6-foot-11 wingspan who filled up the box score impressively in the ACC. pic.twitter.com/cuA4ZqaENF
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 27, 2025
A talented big man just went off the board with Stanford’s Maxime Raynaud going to the Sacramento Kings at No. 42.
Many pegged Raynaud to go earlier in the draft.
Raynaud scored 20.2 points per game last season. He had 10.2 rebounds per game.
The Sacramento Kings have selected Stanford’s Maxime Raynaud with the No. 42 pick.
Fits a coveted mold at 7’1 with impressive shooting ability, which gives him a quicker path to a NBA role than some players who will be drafted before him. pic.twitter.com/rpQffTgGfV
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 27, 2025
The Suns have taken Kentucky guard with the No. 41 pick, picking Kobe Brea, who gets to join fellow former Kentucky guard Devin Booker in Phoenix.
Brea is a shooter. He shot 43.5% from 3 for the Wildcats last season. He also averaged 11.6 points per game.
Brea said that Devin Booker was his favorite player and now he gets to play with him.
Phoenix traded up to land Brea. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Suns are trading the No. 52 and No. 59 picks to the Golden State Warriors for No. 41.
Georgetown’s Micah Peavy went to the New Orleans Pelicans with the No. 40 pick.
Peavy had 17.2 points per game last season and 7.2 rebounds per game.
The New Orleans Pelicans have selected Georgetown’s Micah Peavy with the No. 40 pick.
Another DMV pick for Troy Weaver’s Pelicans.
Versatile wing with size who defends with high-level intensity and made notable strides in 3-point shooting as a fifth-year senior.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 27, 2025
The Florida Gators’ Alijah Martin went to the Raptors at No. 39 overall.
Martin is tough and is always in attack mode, which could pay dividends for the Raptors.
He averaged 14.4 points per game in his final season for Florida.
The Toronto Raptors have selected Florida’s Alijah Martin with the No. 39 pick. They will be keeping this pick.
Strong, explosive wing whose shot-making and defensive versatility played a key role in Florida’s championship run. pic.twitter.com/lJeoaPJSxZ
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 27, 2025
Kam Jones is headed to the Indiana Pacers, getting picked at No. 38.
Jones averaged 5.9 assists per game and 19.2 points per game last season and could be called on to immediately help a Pacers team without Tyrese Haliburton.
Kam Jones, simply put, is one of the most impactful prospects of the 2025 NBA Draft.
One of the strongest slashers in recent memory (65% rim FG) while bolstering a 3.11 (!) A/TO (38.1% AST) this season + a career 36.6% clip from 3 — strong blend of ball skills, feel + rim craft. https://t.co/4oWnbxHRLV pic.twitter.com/v3BNEm52h4
— Mohamed (@mcfNBA) June 24, 2025
Chaz Lanier is off the NBA Draft board after going to the Detroit Pistons at No. 37.
Lanier can flat out shoot and could really fit with the Pistons.
Lanier shot 39.5% from 3 last season.
The Detroit Pistons have selected Chaz Lanier with the No. 37 pick. They will be rostering this pick.
One of the best shooters in this draft, with the ability to come off screens with deep range. Also has good physical tools at 6’5 with a 6’9 wingspan. pic.twitter.com/d2wG1eHU33
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 27, 2025
The Lakers traded up to land this pick from the Minnesota Timberwolves and picked Arkansas’ Adou Thiero with the pick.
Thiero averaged 15.1 points per game for the Razorbacks.
“He plays hard,” ESPN’s Jay Bilas said.
Johni Broome had a huge season for the Auburn Tigers. Now, he’s taking his talents to the Philadelphia 76ers, who took him at No. 35 overall.
Broome led Auburn to the Final Four last season and was the SEC Player of the Year.
He averaged 18.6 points and 10.8 rebounds per game.
The Philadelphia 76ers have selected Johni Broome with the No. 35 pick. They will be keeping and rostering this pick.
The SEC Player of the Year, Broome was one of the best players in college basketball the past 3 seasons. Brings strong physicality, skill and feel for the game. pic.twitter.com/oYdkb2Do5L
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 27, 2025
The Hornets had back-to-back picks early in the second round, and they took Creighton center Ryan Kalkbrenner with their second selection.
He averaged 19.2 points per game and 8.7 rebounds per game and could have an instant impact in Charlotte after the Hornets traded Mark Williams to the Suns earlier in the draft.
Someone is going to get a steal drafting Ryan Kalkbrenner in the second round tonight.
The 7’2 center is a FOUR time Big East DPOY winner, and averaged 19 PPG this season on 65/35/68 splits.
Has been in the top 10 in FG% every year of his career.
— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) June 26, 2025
Duke has now had four players picked in the 2025 NBA Draft, with Sion James joining Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach in the NBA.
James could provide some much-needed playmaking ability to the Hornets. he averaged 8.6 points per game and 2.9 assists per game, with 4.2 rebounds per game for the Blue Devils.
The Charlotte Hornets have selected Sion James with the No. 33 pick.
Intelligent passer, defender and energy source who supplied a young Duke team much-needed experience contributing steadily to their Final Four run. pic.twitter.com/lcRbYFJ60C
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 27, 2025
The Orlando Magic have traded with the Boston Celtics to acquire the No. 32 picks in the 2025 NBA Draft, which they used to take Noah Pendsa from France.
ESPN reported that Orlando gave up No. 46 and No. 57, a 2026 second-rounder and 2027 second-rounder to get the pick.
Penda, 20, averaged 10.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 33 games last year in France’s top league.
Noah Penda is the best available international prospect on Day 2 of the 2025 NBA Draft.
Standing 6’7” with a 7’ wingspan, Penda is the ideal prototype teams covet for wing defenders.
Penda won’t be waiting long tonight to hear his name called.pic.twitter.com/c9wOKJRsS4
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 26, 2025
As reported, the Suns did take Rasheer Fleming with the No. 31 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft after trading up for him.
Fleming, a forward, is 6-9, 240. He averaged 14.7 points and 8.5 rebounds per game last season for Saint Joseph’s.
He gives the Suns some more length in the frontcourt.
“I thought he should have been a fist-round pick,” ESPN’s Jay Bilas said of Fleming.
He added: “He’s got a lot of ability.”
The Suns exit the 2025 NBA Draft with two prospects who have a very good shot at being long-term starters:
No. 10: Khaman Maluach
No. 31: Rasheer Fleming
After trading Kevin Durant, Phoenix is one of the draft’s biggest winners already. pic.twitter.com/GAuVKacgrn
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 26, 2025
The second round of the 2025 NBA Draft is here and it could be very intriguing.
It has already gotten off to an interesting start with Phoenix’s moves to trade up to the No. 31 pick in the draft (the first pick in the second round), putting the Suns in the spotlight once again.
Get ready for a potentially very wild second round of the 2025 NBA Draft, which we will cover in detail here.
We might know the first pick in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft. ESPN’s Shams Charania is reporting that the Suns, who have traded up to get the No. 31 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, are “eyeing” Rasheer Fleming with the pick.
Fleming, a forward, is 6-9, 240. He averaged 14.7 points and 8.5 rebounds per game last season for Saint Joseph’s.
Many thought he would be a first-round selection.
USA TODAY Sports had him going to the Orlando Magic at No. 25 in its final NBA mock draft for the first round.
It wrote of Fleming: “Fleming is a mobile forward who plays a physical game and has strong footwork to finesse his way around defenders. He likes to get easy buckets in transition, his 3-point percentage in nearly five attempts per game is encouraging and he is valuable in pick-and-rolls as the screener. Defensively, he deflects passes and can protect the rim. Fleming averaged 18.8 points and 7.7 rebounds and shot 58.9% in the last six regular-season Atlantic 10 Conference contests.”
Rasheer Fleming is a prototype for what NBA teams are looking for in a big man at St. Joe’s, making 44% of his 3s and racking up highlight reel plays galore with dunks, rebounds, steals and blocks thanks to his 7’5 wingspan.. pic.twitter.com/w7QKYFnZas
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) January 14, 2025
The Phoenix Suns are busy before the start of the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft. Very busy.
After trading to acquire the No. 36 pick in the second round earlier today with the Brooklyn Nets (Phoenix gave up two future first-round picks), the Suns have made two other moves to move up in the draft.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Suns are trading the No. 52 and No. 59 picks to the Golden State Warriors for No. 41.
He also reported that Phoenix is acquiring the first pick in the second round tonight, No. 31 overall, from the Minnesota Timberwolves for the No. 36 pick and two future second-round picks.
That would give the Suns the No. 31 and No. 41 picks in the second round.
Phoenix has now made four trades during the draft after landing Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets during the first round.
There have been four reported NBA trades involving the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft before the start of Day 2 of the draft.
In the first, the Los Angeles Lakers acquired the No. 45 overall pick in the second round today in exchange for the No. 55 pick and cash considerations, which went to the Chicago Bulls.
In the second, the Phoenix Suns landed the No. 36 overall pick in today’s second round and sent two future second-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets.
The Suns were also involved in the third and fourth trades of the day, with ESPN’s Shams Charania reporting that the Suns are trading the No. 52 and No. 59 picks to the Golden State Warriors for No. 41 and that Phoenix is acquiring the first pick in the second round tonight, No. 31 overall, from the Minnesota Timberwolves for the No. 36 pick and two future second-round picks.
But those are probably just a start. We will likely see a lot of trades throughout the second day of the NBA Draft.
There are a lot of lists out there listing the best available players remaining in the NBA Draft.
Who are some of the players to keep an eye on early on Thursday?
USA TODAY Sports lists Tennessee guard Chaz Lanier and Arkansas guard Adou Thiero among the best available players that haven’t been picked, and includes Saint Joseph’s forward Rasheer Fleming, France foward Noah Penda, Stanford center Maxime Raynaud and Creighton center Ryan Kalkbrenner.
Where will those players go in the 2025 NBA Draft?
Here are updated betting odds for the first two second-round picks in the 2025 NBA Draft tonight, courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
Odds to be No. 31 overall pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Rasheer Fleming: -115Noah Penda: +550Adou Thiero: +550Maxime Raynaud: +650Ryan Kalkbrenner: +1100Kam Jones: +1100Bogoljub Markovic: +1900Chaz Lanier: +1900Tyrese Proctor: +1900Jamir Watkins: +2600Koby Brea: +2600Alex Toohey: +2600Hunter Sallis: +2600Alijah Martin: +3400Eric Dixon: +3400Johni Broome: +3400RJ Luis Jr.: +3400Rocco Zikarsky: +9500John Tonje: +9500
Odds to be No. 32 overall pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Maxime Raynaud: +125Ryan Kalkbrenner: +470Rasheer Fleming: +600Noah Penda: +650Adou Thiero: +650Kam Jones: +1000Chaz Lanier: +1900Bogoljub Markovic: +1900Tyrese Proctor: +1900Koby Brea: +2600Jamir Watkins: +2600Alex Toohey: +2600Hunter Sallis: +2600Eric Dixon: +3400RJ Luis Jr.: +3400Alijah Martin: +3400Johni Broome: +3400John Tonje: +6000Rocco Zikarsky: +6000
The second round of the 2025 NBA Draft begins at 5 p.m. MST on June 26, 8 p.m. Eastern.
The second round of the 2025 NBA Draft on June 26 will air on ESPN.
The 2025 NBA Draft can be streamed on the ESPN app and is also available on streaming platforms that have ESPN, including FUBO, which offers a free trial.
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