NBA Draft Recap

Summary

The Athletic NBA Daily: NBA Draft Recap – Detailed Summary

Release Date: June 27, 2025

Hosts: Jessica Hawk and Tyler Rucker from No Ceilings

In this episode of The Athletic NBA Daily, hosts Jessica Hawk and Tyler Rucker dive deep into the recent NBA Draft, analyzing team strategies, standout picks, and the overarching impact of the new class on the league's future. The conversation is enriched with expert insights, memorable quotes, and thoughtful discussions, making it an essential listen for NBA enthusiasts.

---

Emotions and Reactions Post-Draft

The draft concluded with a mix of excitement and uncertainty as teams secured their future through new talent acquisitions. Jessica introduces Tyler Rucker, expressing her anticipation to hear his expert analysis.

Jessica Hawk [02:03]:
"Hopefully right? It's like this whirlwind of emotion mostly for the parents but also for the fans as they're seeing their teams kind of start to the next chapter."

Tyler Rucker [03:07]:
"It's something that drives me crazy a little bit each year because not only am I getting excited about these guys getting drafted for each team, but then half the time I'm like, wait, actually, they're going somewhere else."
([03:07])

Tyler highlights the perennial issue of fans wearing the wrong team hats due to last-minute trades, emphasizing the emotional turmoil this causes.

---

Key Team Strategies and Notable Picks

Portland Trailblazers and the Young Hansen Debacle

One of the most talked-about moments was Portland's decision to draft Young Hansen, which left many baffled given the team's existing roster and Hansen's trade prospects.

Tyler Rucker [04:17]:
"I think Portland Trailblazers fans, I've had a lot of them reach out to me... just confused of like, oh, we really swung on Hanson Yang in the first round. And it's like, I just be patient."
([04:17])

Hansen's offensive prowess is seen as a long-term asset, despite initial skepticism about his defensive capabilities.

Jessica Hawk [05:10]:
"I do respect teams that go, you know, they trade up, they figure it out because one, as a player, it makes you feel very wanted."
([05:10])

Charlotte's Impressive Draft Class

Charlotte's strategic picks have garnered praise for their fit and potential impact.

Tyler Rucker [06:21]:
"For me, it was Charlotte. I really liked their class."
([06:21])

Charlotte secured players like Con Knippel and Ryan Kalkbrenner, blending toughness with high basketball IQ, signaling a balanced approach to team building.

---

Trade Dynamics and Team Maneuvering

Boston's Strategic Moves

Boston made significant trades, including acquiring the number 32 pick, sparking discussions about their long-term plans.

Tyler Rucker [07:03]:
"With Boston, a lot of us thought that Boston might be looking for a center... He ended up going to Charlotte later, but that was a big trade."
([07:03])

This move reflects Boston's commitment to strengthening their center position, though it involved substantial concessions.

Phoenix Suns and Timberwolves Trade

Phoenix's acquisition of Rasheer Fleming from the Timberwolves was another highlight, showcasing their intent to bolster their roster.

Tyler Rucker [07:03]:
"I thought the Phoenix Suns kind of maneuvering the board to get up to get to the top and make a trade with the Timberwolves for Rasheer Fleming was a great move."
([07:03])

---

International Talent and Overseas Prospects

The draft saw a surge of international players making their mark, with Tyler spotlighting Bogey Markovich and Jonathan Gavoni as key overseas talents to watch.

Tyler Rucker [14:21]:
"Bogey Markovich, who got selected with the 47th pick to the Milwaukee Bucks, is one that I’m really excited to keep an eye on."
([14:21])

Jessica Hawk [13:17]:
"It seems like a lot of these overseas guys want to be a part of this."
([13:17])

These players bring diverse skill sets and international experience, potentially enriching their NBA teams.

---

Summer League Expectations and Standout Matchups

As the season progresses to the summer league, Tyler shares his excitement for rookies like Ace Bailey and Trey Johnson, anticipating their immediate impact.

Tyler Rucker [12:00]:
"I’m really looking to see what Ace Bailey can do. I think a lot of people were given Ace a lot of attention throughout the pre-draft process."
([12:00])

He also highlights potential thrilling matchups, such as Mavericks vs. Lakers and Sixers vs. Spurs, predicting high-intensity games.

---

Inspiring Stories from the Draft

The draft was not just about talent but also about remarkable personal stories that resonated with fans and players alike.

Carter Bryant's Advocacy

Carter Bryant's entry into the league was marked by his heartfelt representation of the deaf community, bringing a powerful narrative to the forefront.

Tyler Rucker [23:42]:
"I watched his video the day of the draft and I was like, this is what it's all about... this is for someone else, not just for me."
([23:42])

Cedric Cowardly's Journey

Cedric Cowardly, transitioning from a Division 3 school to the NBA, exemplifies determination and hard work.

Jessica Hawk [24:16]:
"Another one out of D3 into the NBA first round. It was just, it was pretty dope."
([24:16])

These stories add depth to the draft, highlighting the diverse backgrounds and resilience of new players.

---

Final Thoughts and Future Outlook

Tyler Rucker's Top Picks and Predictions

Tyler commends the San Antonio Spurs for their strategic selections, particularly praising Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant for their potential impact.

Tyler Rucker [22:12]:
"One of my favorite drafts was the San Antonio Spurs. They got two of my guys that I just absolutely love... Dylan Harper was just a home run pick."
([22:12])

He also expresses optimism for teams like Utah and Toronto in the upcoming summer league, anticipating exciting performances and further team development.

Tyler Rucker [26:04]:
"I think Utah will be a tough team. They got a lot of talent from last year's class."
([26:04])

Looking Ahead

As the draft concludes, Tyler shifts focus to the future, with plans for mock drafts and eagerly awaiting the summer league to see rookies put their skills to the test.

Tyler Rucker [25:14]:
"I'm getting ready for next year already... I get so pumped for summer league."
([25:14])

---

Closing Remarks

Jessica wraps up the discussion by emphasizing the importance of team gear alignment and community support for the new draft class, while encouraging listeners to stay engaged with future episodes.

Jessica Hawk [27:53]:
"Go get the right hats. Make sure you get the right merch. Don't buy the wrong jerseys."
([27:53])

The episode concludes with heartfelt thanks to Tyler Rucker for his comprehensive analysis and a reminder for listeners to stay connected through social media and upcoming content.

---

Notable Quotes:

• Tyler Rucker:
  "It's the biggest moment of your life, and you're wearing the wrong team hat. Like, come on, we got to fix it."
  ([03:07])

• Jessica Hawk:
  "These pictures are going to be played forever and ever."
  ([03:27])

• Tyler Rucker:
  "Portland knows what they're doing. They got a great scouting department."
  ([04:49])

• Jessica Hawk:
  "There was a lot of really cool stories in that way."
  ([23:42])

---

This comprehensive recap encapsulates the essence of the NBA Draft as discussed on The Athletic NBA Daily, providing listeners with in-depth analysis, memorable moments, and a glimpse into the future of the teams and players emerging from the draft.

Transcript

[Ryan Reynolds]

This message is brought to you by Apple Card. Whoa. I just found out you can earn up to 3% daily cash back on everyday purchases made with Apple Card. Yeah, you can earn unlimited daily cash back with Apple Card on every purchase.

[Tyler Rucker]

No matter where you check out with.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Apple Pay, you always get daily cash. The possibilities are endless. What's better is that daily cash can.

[Tyler Rucker]

Automatically grow when you open a high.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Yield savings account through Apple Card. That's like endless plus one. Visit Apple Co card calculator today and discover just how much daily cash you can earn. Subject to credit approval Savings available to Apple Card owners subject to eligibility Savings and Apple Card by Goldman Sachs Bank USA member FDIC terms and [e-mail] when pro defensive end Cam Jordan isn't running after quarterbacks, he's running his own businesses. He sat down with Microsoft's Jessica Hawk to learn how AI can help being.

[Jessica Hawk]

Innovative with how to have success and.

[Tyler Rucker]

How to formulate that success.

[Jessica Hawk]

That synergy between AI and a business coming together. It's like coaches game plan as well as the player. AI is creating a perfect plan and it's the business like hey, we have this imperfect solution. Let's meld them together and see what happens.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Ready to raise your AI game? Find your winning edge at Microsoft.com challengers Hey, it's Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile. Now I was looking for fun ways to tell you that Mint's offer of unlimited Premium Wireless for $15 a month is back. So I thought it would be if we made $15 bills but it turns out that's very illegal. So there goes my big idea for the commercial. Give it a [e-mail] Switch upfront payment.

[Maya]

Of $45 for three month plan equivalent to $15 per month required new customer offer for first three months only. Speed slow after 35 gigabytes of network's busy taxes and fees extra see mintmobile.com.

[Jessica Hawk]

Welcome back to the show guys. Athletic NBA Daily. Xena K here joined by Tyler Rucker from no Ceilings. Tyler, welcome to the NBA Daily.

[Tyler Rucker]

Thank you so much for having me on. I'm, I'm excited and thrilled to be here. I can't believe the draft's over. It feels like it's, it's sad. But I'm also excited to kind of now see these guys at the summer league.

[Jessica Hawk]

Hopefully right? It's like this like whirlwind of emotion mostly for the parents but also for the fans as they're seeing their teams kind of start to the the next chapter, right? Some teams are Building for the future. Some teams are plugging holes, and some teams are just trying to figure out, do we still want our jobs as GMs tomorrow. That's what we're going to get into today. Just looking a little bit of what happened over the last two days of the draft. And I'm very excited to talk to you because you're quite literally an expert about this. And so I want to see. I want to gauge you from not only an expert, but also kind of as a fan of the NBA. So I'm going to start first and foremost. What did you think about the hat debacle?

[Tyler Rucker]

It's something that drives me crazy a little bit each year because not only am I getting excited about these guys getting drafted for each teams, but then half the time I'm like, wait, actually, they're going somewhere else, and I'm trying to keep up with the trade. So we got to figure out something with the hats because it just. It's the biggest moment of your life, and you're wearing the wrong team hat. Like, come on, we got to fix it.

[Jessica Hawk]

These pictures are going to be played forever and ever and ever. These guys gonna be all Stars one day. It's gonna be that picture with Adam Silver or Mark Tatum in the wrong hat. I just. It. It seems like a simple problem to be able to address, but I guess we're just here with that. I was hoping you might have a solution, Tyler, but we'll have to keep thinking about that.

[Tyler Rucker]

I have to keep thinking about it. Yeah. Because that's. Because I still have Luca with a Hawks hat. It, like, burned in my head. So we. We've gotta figure something out. It's creating nightmares for fan bases.

[Jessica Hawk]

Agreed. Okay. Well, speaking of nightmares for fan base, I'm really actually happy you brought that up. As you're looking across the draft, if you were to lead a group therapy session for a fan base out in the NBA, who do you think deserves it the most or needs it the most after how their team drafted this year?

[Tyler Rucker]

You know, I. I think Portland Trailblazers fans, I've had a lot of them reach out to me. Kind of just confused of like, oh, we really swung on Hanson Yang in the first round. And it's like, I just be patient. It's okay. I trust that front office, and he's a. He's a really talented player on the offensive side of the ball. Has some special gifts with his footwork and everything. And I trust what they're building. Port Portland knows what they're doing. They Got a great scouting department. So I. I've had a lot of Blazers fans reach out today. I've been like, it's okay. Take some deep breaths. We're going to be all right.

[Jessica Hawk]

Yeah. I think a lot of people were wondering, first and foremost, he would have been available tonight. Right. And why do you go so early with that? And then on top of it, there's so much size already in Portland, and so it just didn't qu. Quite make sense. But it's interesting. You're having the same kind of reaction that s had about Young Hans Hansen. Young Hansen. We're gonna have to get this right.

[Tyler Rucker]

It's like, yeah, I mean, same way.

[Jessica Hawk]

Family name is Young, gotta say, but we're not gonna call him Hansen. We're probably gonna call him Young Hansen out of China. And, you know, you talk about his, you know, footwork and. And particularly his offensive ability, but what are the main questions around him, like the defensive end of things?

[Tyler Rucker]

Yeah, I think it was tough for a lot of, you know, scouts and evaluators just trying to kind of measure of like, hey, what's the competition like overseas in the China League? And then all of a sudden, I think the defense is just kind of what you're trying to figure out. But with Portland, they're trying to build a team that's kind of anchoring themselves on their defensive talent. You know, they are. Brought Drew Holiday in this off season, and Tamani Kamara is taking great strides, Donovan clinging last year. So they're trying to build that identity. So now maybe you're thinking, hey, I'm see, I'm doing it too. Young Hansen is gonna be one of those guys that's just. Maybe you can have them around those pieces and his offensive game can. Can really unlock everything. So I. I get it. I think a lot of fans were thinking he would be available later, but it was a name too. That many, I think were thinking is maybe going to be like Brooklyn. Maybe it's gonna be a team that was wanting to get him so. And in doubt, go get your guy. And I guess that's what Portland.

[Jessica Hawk]

That's fair.

[Tyler Rucker]

Yeah.

[Jessica Hawk]

I do respect teams that go, you know, they trade up, they figure it out because one, as a player, it makes you feel very want appreciate you doing the things. Speaking of, you know, teams trading up, there were some interesting trades today that felt heavy. I'm thinking about Boston. I'm thinking about that number 32 pick and the haul that they got for that number 32 pick. Were there any trades today that surprised You. I think that one was the one that, you know, happened for me. But any trades in your. In your book that you were like, whoa, I did not expect them. Or even. Not even just today, but over the course of the draft, I think today.

[Tyler Rucker]

With Boston, a lot of us, you know, evaluators, people I know, ceilings, my team, we thought that Boston might be looking for a center, and we thought Kalkbrenner might have made a lot of sense there. He ended up going to Charlotte later, but that was a big trade for the amount of picks they got, so I understood why they fell back before the draft even started. I thought the Phoenix Suns kind of maneuvering the board to get up to get to the top and make a trade with the Timberwolves for Rasheer Fleming was a great move. So yesterday, I think the big one was, was the Pelicans was, you know, them going all out, trading that future pick to get Derrick Queen at 13. So I know that that drew a lot of attention online and in the draft community. But, you know, coming into the draft, if you said, hey, we left with Jeremiah Fears and Derrick Queen, I think you'd be ecstatic. It's just. It was a hefty price to pay with that 26 unprotected pick. But they. They're going to be proud about the rookie class they have, so hopefully it works out for them.

[Jessica Hawk]

Yeah, I'm looking at particularly the fact that, you know, I get that Boston wanted to, you know, get a guard, maybe get some size. I'm also thinking when you said about a team looking for size, I immediately thought about Los Angeles and thinking that maybe they were going to try and get maybe someone like a cult Brenner out of Kraton, especially because of his ability to score, his ability to def. And he's such a great rim protector, and he's got the. The height. And the. The Lakers end up in a situation where they don't get quite the size. Still trying to figure out what they're going to do. But it seems like there was a. A theme across teams in terms of potentially best fit versus talent or the best available versus fit. I wanted to ask you if you saw any philosophies kind of pop out in terms of the way that teams were addressing their needs for next year or in the next few years. As you look through the draft, anything pop out to you in terms of, like, the approach that teams had?

[Tyler Rucker]

Yeah, for me, it was Charlotte. I really liked their class. And you. You kind of saw they liked. They added some toughness they added some floor spacers, some high feel IQ guys. I just thought some competitive pieces. You know, they got Con Knippel and Liam McNeely in the first round and today they get Sion James. Then they get Ryan Kalkbrenner, who after the Mark Williams trade, Kalkbrenner looks like he could have a shot to play really early. And he's got great size. He's a talented defender. He was defensive player of the year in the Big east for four years. So it's. It's a good draft class for Charlotte, which I reached out to some. One of my friends and I was like, hey, congratulations. And they're like, we're not used to this. What's going on? We're getting this attention. So I think you see that with a couple teams and you see a couple teams looking for the future. And the Timberwolves getting Johan Behringer in the first round, I think was a great pick for kind of building some upside and being patient. So it was an interesting class to kind of see some teams targeting guys that might help them a little bit. I like what the warriors did, getting Will Richard later in the second round some. There's some nice pieces. I like the Lakers going to get a dude Darrow from Arkansas. So I think it's. It was a fun night. It was kind of interesting to see like, okay, that you guys want some athleticism. This team wants some toughness. And you're getting to see why these front offices love the draft because they get to kind of have their hands all over the place.

[Jessica Hawk]

Right. I mean, that's. You brought two teams that I think if there's anyone that drafted for fit and also their future, Minnesota and Charlotte. Absolutely. I love that. Charlotte also got two Duke teammates. So you automatically you're looking at Clonkinople and Sion James already having some chemistry coming in. You get that outside shooting that is going to go well with the Lamello ball. Brandon Miller to open up some lanes for them and then some size inside. Of course you just lose Mark Williams, you know, Ryan Kalk, runner is great out of Creighton for them. And then the duplicate of a Rudy Gobert is hilarious in Johan Behringer. I feel like we need to know more about this kid out of France. Also my unofficial winner of the draft. The country of France. They.

[Tyler Rucker]

They were on fire.

[Jessica Hawk]

They were on fire. And like, I think it was J Bills that said like, you know, yes, they're the best American. The best players are in America, but they're not all here. I was like, okay, well, they're all in France then. The amount of talent out of France was crazy. I want to ask you too, as you're looking at this, you know, the draft, etc, of course, this is the first step in these players journeys. Next step, summer league. What picks or matchups are you looking forward to watching in summer league?

[Tyler Rucker]

I. I'm really looking to see, you know, Utah. I want to see what Ace Bailey can do. I, I think a lot of people were given Ace a lot of attention throughout the pre draft process and I'm like, hey, I get it. You know, this is why they got agents. They've got guys that are doing this Stu now it's, let's get all the noise behind us and let's just, you know, check ball. Let's. Let's see what you got out there. You're an NBA rookie. So I'm excited to see Ace Bailey, Trey Johnson with the Wizards. I'm really excited. Just some offensive guys and then Walter Clayton, right after you win a national championship, you're going to be teammates with Ace Bailey. I want to see what he can do. So I, I think that's two of the guys I'm really excited about. And I think, you know, we're all excited to see Cooperation Flag. It's like, okay, let's see what you got. Like, yeah, I think my favorite matchup's gonna be. I feel like we always get the, the top guys going toe to toe on that first night of summer league. So I feel maybe we'll get a little Mavericks and Spurs. Maybe we get some Dylan Harper and Cooper Flag. I don't know, but I think they actually.

[Jessica Hawk]

Yeah, they actually, I think they might have announced it. I saw the graphic by Law Murray, one of our writers covering the league, and the Clippers and, And it was a hilarious graphic. Tyler. It was literally. I think it was the Mavericks versus the Lakers and then the Sixers versus the Spurs.

[Tyler Rucker]

Okay.

[Jessica Hawk]

And the la. The. The. The names were actually called out as to who you want to watch. So on the right side, it was F.J. edom versus Dylan Harper. Makes sense. On the left side it was Cooper flag. And you just take one guess who it was on the Lakers side.

[Tyler Rucker]

Was it Bronnie already?

[Jessica Hawk]

Oh, it was Bronnie James.

[Tyler Rucker]

Oh, man. It's sad that we could predict it, isn't it? It's just funny.

[Jessica Hawk]

20, 24, 55th pick. That matters, okay? That's what matters. For ESPN or whoever it was that put it out. I think it was espn but, yeah, either way, I, I do feel like it's going to be a ton of fun. This summer league especially, there was a lot of players that were drafted overseas that apparently are coming over. I know especially in the second round, you. You think about guys going two way or being stashed and kept, you know, their draft rights. But it seems like a lot of these overseas guys want to be a part of this. Are there any overseas talents that you're like, yo, keep an eye out on this person. They could be, you know, a star in this league.

[Tyler Rucker]

Yeah, you know, Bogey Markovich, who got selected with the 47th pick to the Milwaukee Bucks, is one that I, I'm really excited to kind of keep an eye on. I actually got to see, see him at Nike Hoop Summit, where a lot of the teams were kind of getting their eyes on him because he was kind of buzzing, like, is he going to be a this year guy or next year? And then he was fantastic. And I think all scouts were like, oh, he's going to be in this class, so he might be a stash guy. I know Jonathan Gavoni on the stream tonight was like, he's probably going to be a stash, but is one of those, like, if he's a stash, he's coming soon. Like, he's going to come next year and be a legit player. He's really skilled, bit of a pick and pop top weapon with some playmaking ability. So that's one that, you know, I, I would keep an eye on because I, I'm excited to see what Bogey can do at the NBA level.

[Jessica Hawk]

Yeah, I bet Giannis is also wondering if he's going to come over. It does seem like there's probably some free agents soon to be free agents that are also keeping their eye very closely on this draft to see who am I going to be paired up with next year and, you know, what kind of players can make an immediate impact. And that's one of the things that we were talking about earlier as we were wrapping up the first round, was just thinking, you know, outside of Cooper flag. Yes, we know new cornerstone, new face of the franchise down in Dallas. Definitely know that he has the size, the capability, the, the feel of the game to be able to come in and immediately make an impact. And you could say that, I would say for, you know, probably the top five picks. Ace Bailey is one of those that you're. You're still kind of figuring out in terms of his shooting consistency and things of that sort. But outside of I would say even the lottery, are there any non lottery picks that you're looking that could maybe immediately make an impact? And also because of the opportunity that's available, maybe not less so the talent, but because of the opportunity that might be available on their team, could make an all rookie team.

[Tyler Rucker]

That's a good one. You know, I, I would think Casper going to the Miami Heat is the one that I'm really. Yeah, I'm excited to see. I thought he was extremely impressive at Illinois this year. He had a forearm injury, then kind of struggled a little bit with his efficiency. But it seems like Miami always just hits gold in the draft and we're always looking at guys and they're like they're going to fall to the Miami Heat. So I think he landed in a perfect spot and wouldn't, wouldn't surprise me if he's one of those rookies that we're all looking back at. Like, why did he go 20th? Why did he wait that long? So I think that's one I'm definitely keeping an eye on. And then I know I brought it up earlier, but Walter Clayton Jr. Going to the Jazz I think is just a great fit. I, I know they need some help in the, in the backcourt. I know they have Isaiah Collier from last year that they're high on, but I think Clayton's shooting just could be a really interesting thing and I think could surprise some folks. And we, we might be looking back and saying he's one of the top 15 guys from this class.

[Jessica Hawk]

Wow. And Cosper Sciacca out of Illinois, I love the fact that he's 65205, that's a sizable guard and you need that. I think early in this draft you look at maybe like the, the Trey Johnson 6 5, but a little bit less on, you know, in size wise. And that's one of the things that a lot of scouts would say like in terms of bulking up. Is there any player that's kind of like that undersized vibe that you're like? I mean, Jeremiah Fierce, you know, comes to mind. But are there any players that are like undersized that might shock us all in the way that they're able to contribute as well?

[Tyler Rucker]

I think Jace Richardson going to Orlando was a perfect fit. They need shooting, they need guys that can score early on. And Jace was very impressive as a freshman at Michigan State. And I thought, you know, it's tough because he's a little undersized. He was around 6:1 and it sounds bad, but today that's just really small for the NBA point guard, you know, standards. But it's one of those things like if you can play, I think teams will get excited about you. And I know Orlando was excited and he's one that I think could surprise some people at summer league and have a good showing. So I think Jace is what the team needs with some offensive stuff and he also has a lot more upside. And obviously his dad was Jason Richardson, played at NBA for a long time, so never hurts to have good bloodlines. And I, I think that's going to be one I'm keeping an eye on too.

[Jessica Hawk]

Now is, is Jace Richardson like six one, like, like dating app six one or is he like properly.

[Tyler Rucker]

I think he's six two dating app maybe or six three dating app. But six one. I think that's a good way to put it.

[Jessica Hawk]

Yep. You know, sometimes these scouts, you know, it gets interesting. It's not until you really get the draft report. Like they are actually at the combine and people are like to the centimeter being able to measure some of these athletes. But I like that, I mean, you know, I'm out in the bay, Tyler. I'm always gonna root for an undersized guard. We got Steph Curry as the mold here, even though he's not that small. He was and, and has now bulked up a little bit, you know, to make himself fit. In terms of the NBA and what you need in today's NBA. On that topic, in terms of what you need in today's NBA, were there any teams that genuinely, I know you mentioned Portland probably needing a therapy session for their fan base, but any team personnel like what they did genuinely confounded you. Like you were like, how, what, how did this come up on the draft board? How, how did this decision end up being made? Because we had some thoughts earlier this morning. I'll share them after you share what you have to say.

[Tyler Rucker]

You know, I, I, it's the one that I go back and forth with is Brooklyn and I'm a little, I'm intrigued with the players they got. I'm. I like guys that are high feel, you know, good vision. Just guys that can see the floor. They drafted a lot of them, but you know, they got Jaeger demand early. They got Ben Siroff, Nolan treyer, so they definitely got a couple international point guards. And then Drake Powell was a, I thought a good piece with upside, good defensibility out of North Carolina. But then you added another playmaker and a big man and Danny Wolf. So they added a lot of Guards with five first round picks. And that's where I'm kind of like, okay, how's this going to work? I know that roster needs some depth and I know you're taking some swings, but sooner or later, like who's going to be on the court, who's going to share some time together? So I think that one, I like the idea of just getting some high fuel guys, some guys that'll play competitive basketball and bring it every night. But I'm just curious about, you know, how is it going to work, who's going to end up starting, who's going to end up getting more minutes. So I guess they're just kind of rolling with the punches.

[Jessica Hawk]

Did you feel like Brooklyn got a steal with Danny Wolf out of Michigan? Yeah, I felt like they got a steal at 27.

[Tyler Rucker]

I, I love Danny Wolf. I, it was the one player I asked around about and it was either it was an eye of the beholder type of prospect. When he asked around the leagues like some teams were like, I love him. I think he could go, you know, top 15, top 17. Some teams were like maybe late first. So I thought Brooklyn's value with Danny Wolf was, was probably one of my favorites of their picks. I just was like this, this is a really good pick where end of the first round it was great.

[Jessica Hawk]

Okay, okay. Any team in your perspective, actually, you know what if there was a team that you could give a grade to and they win, they are valedictorian of this draft, who would you say?

[Tyler Rucker]

You know, I, I, I would say my one of my favorite drafts was the San Antonio Spurs. They got two of my guys that I just absolutely love. And Dylan Harper too, I thought was just a home run pick. I know they've got a lot of guards, but I think spurs fans will find out quickly why Dylan Harper was the second best prospect in this class. And then Carter Bryant I think is a diamond in the rough. I really do feel that way. He didn't put up the greatest stats this year, but just a player that's kind of a late bloomer with great defensive tools, athleticism and intangibles. Like I've heard his interviews were great. So I'm a big believer of those two picks. Yeah, I think, yeah, I'm a, I'm.

[Jessica Hawk]

A huge fan of Carter Bryant. I think right now mostly because of the intangibles. Number one, loved his suit. Loved the suit. But two, he is a child of, of his mom who's Koda, who represents in the deaf community. And I just Thought it was so beautiful that, you know, one of his announcements was, you know, going into the draft, he talked about representing the deaf community and Gallaudet University. And I was like, this is so rare. There were some really, really cool stories in that way. I thought common Malwatch story was beautiful. But I was wondering, outside of the basketball, were there any to wrap it up at least? Were there any stories that kind of stood out to you that was like, wow, that's pretty special that this kid is now entering the league and this is what it's all about?

[Tyler Rucker]

I think it was Carter, for me, honestly, it was. I saw his video the day of the draft and I was like, this is what it's all about. Like, what a cool moment. And it's cool when you, when you see that on social media and everyone just immediately is like, oh, I'm rooting for this kid. I'm all in. Like, this is great. I want my team to get him even more now. So I thought Carter was probably one of my favorite stories. It's just, it's cool to see a young kid like that take a moment to be like, let me, let me do this. Like, this is, this is for someone else, not just for me. And that's what it was, a really special, cool moment at that, with that platform.

[Jessica Hawk]

Absolutely. Some people don't want to be labeled or boxed or, you know, or have the pressure of having to represent a whole entire community. And so there was, there was a lot of really cool stories. Cedric Cowardly, another one. I, I, I mean, out of D3 into the NBA first round. It was just, it was pretty dope. He had as Harry, our Bears nice long shot story out of D3 school that he went to on his own. He said I wasn't good enough yet. I needed more reps. I needed to get in the gym killed. It was in that Pacific Northwest area. As Dave DeFore told us earlier, it's always nice to be near the Nike hoop summits or the, any of the, any of the camps or any of the big, you know, big brands. That's where the scouts are always going to be. But lots of really dope stories coming out of the draft. Any last thoughts on this draft or anything that, you know, when you wrap up, Tyler, like, what are you going to be doing? What's your homework after this?

[Tyler Rucker]

You know what? I'm getting ready for next year already. We, we've got a, we got a mock draft coming out tomorrow at no ceilings and me.com. and then for 26, we're already planning ahead, but I get so pumped for summer league. I, I really do. I get pumped for the rookie class. I love the, the returners to see, like, who's been working on their game and everything. So this is a fun class. I'm excited to see what last year's class has been doing in the, in the off season. And then you start getting ready for, for the next NBA season. It's. This is the best time of the year. You get all the excitement. Everyone's team's gonna win the title next year now. So we're all getting pumped again.

[Jessica Hawk]

It is a really optimistic time. Any predictions for summer league title?

[Tyler Rucker]

Ooh, title. Gosh, it's tough because I always. I hate when they shut down guys, but I also am like, okay, don't play anymore. Don't get hurt.

[Jessica Hawk]

I was there for sec. Wemby's second game and then he got shut down.

[Tyler Rucker]

It was like the worst. I was there too. I was like, oh, no.

[Jessica Hawk]

Yeah. I don't know.

[Tyler Rucker]

I. I think, I think Utah will be a tough team. I think they're going to have a lot of players from last year's class. This year's class. That should be a fun one. So I, I think Utah will be a team to watch, keep an eye on. They got a lot of. A lot of talent from last year's class. I know that a lot of first round picks that hopefully playing this year.

[Jessica Hawk]

I want to see what Toronto does randomly. I think Toronto might, might have a little push there as well, just because of the combination of their last year's class and this one, but. Okay. Well, Tyler, I really appreciate you taking the time to break down this knowledge. I. I cannot imagine the amount of film you have watched to lead up to these two nights. But between no ceilings and obviously helping us out here over at the Athletic NBA Daily, you have done a wonderful job of showcasing your knowledge. Where can we find you outside of this?

[Tyler Rucker]

I'm. I'm on X, I guess we call it these days. I'm at Tyler Underscore Rucker and then [e-mail] where we'll have content all the time. Thank you guys so much for having me. This is a blast. I guess. I can't believe the draft's over. I don't know what to do now, so I gotta get ready for summer league.

[Jessica Hawk]

Okay, guys, go get the right hats. Make sure you get the right merch. Don't buy the wrong jerseys. Okay? Hopefully they'll get that right before everything gets going but appreciate you joining us, Tyler. Thank you to everyone that's on our live stream checking us out right now. Like the video. Subscribe and then go tell a friend that's that's your responsibility for tonight and then we'll give you the right hat. All right guys, enjoy the rest of your evenings.

[Maya]

Every idea starts with a problem. Warby Parker's was glasses are too expensive. So they set out to change that. By designing glasses in house and selling directly to customers, they're able to offer prescription eyewear that's expertly crafted and unexpectedly affordable. Warby Parker glasses are made from premium materials like impact resistant polycarbonate and custom acetate and they start at just $95 including prescription lenses. Get glasses made from the good stuff. Stop by a Warby Parker store near you.

[Sim]

Hey, it's Maya and Sim from the Girls that Invest podcast. If you are an IT or security pro, you know managing devices, identities and applications can feel overwhelming and honestly risky. That's where Trelica by1Password comes in. It helps conquer SaaS, sprawl and shadow it by discovering every app your team uses, managed or not. With pre built app profiles, you can assess risk, manage access, and even optimize your software spend. Plus IT simplifies onboarding, offboarding and compliance, all while cutting costs by eliminating unused licenses. Take the first step to better security for your team. Learn more at 1Password for.com Special offer.

[Maya]

Aging is a natural process, as we all know, and I for one don't mind embracing it. But I will tell you one part of aging that I don't care for. It's the symptoms that stem from changing hormones, especially as you get older, to perimenopause and menopause. That's why we want to tell you about Happy Mammoth's Hormone Harmony. Happy Mammoth, the company that created Hormone Harmony, is dedicated to making women's lives easier. And that means using only science backed ingredients that have been proven to work for women. They make no compromise when it comes to quality and it shows for a limited time you can get 15 off on your entire first order@happy mammoth.com just use the code Happy Me at checkout.