10 favorite prospect, team fits in 2025 NBA Draft
With the NBA Draft less than a month away, I look at 10 prospects and teams that seem like the perfect match for one another.
Fit is everything. While we all can spend tons of time evaluating a prospect’s projected outcome and ceiling, their landing spot dictates where it can really go. With the NBA Draft less than a month away, I look at 10 matches — ranging from ideal fits, swings for the fences, and everything in-between for both the team and player to be optimized. For the sake of the exercise, I stayed away from any combinations used in my recent mock draft post.
Jase Richardson / Orlando Magic. Richardson’s stock took a little bit of a hit at the combine when measurements came out, checking in under 6’2” without shoes on. It’s unclear if he could be a lead guard — although his ability or opportunity should be more of a discussion. With that said, he might be one of the most interesting fit-dependent picks in the draft. If selected by Orlando, Richardson can slot in at the 1 while still assuming combo guard responsibilities alongside Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs. He also addresses a significant need with outside shooting (45.7% on catch-and-shoot 3’s) — while serving as a connective playmaker, steady defender, and reliable play-finisher. If he pops as a point guard though, he might be the ideal guard to pair next to their star forward duo of Banchero and Wagner.
Cedric Coward / Atlanta Hawks. I’m so bullish on the Hawks’ supporting cast, as it felt like they’ve finally built a roster that best complements Trae Young. They have big players with versatility — Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, Zaccharie Risacher, and Onyeka Okongwu. However, they’re stuck in the play-in rut. With Coward, they’d acquire another long wing that’s an effective shooter and playmaker offensively, and a potentially devastating force defensively. If his game elevates as meteorically as his draft stock did, he can help the Hawks escape from the play-in territory.
Collin Murray-Boyles / Chicago Bulls. Murray-Boyles could be an intriguing stabilizer for a Bulls team with a fast offense and a spotty defense. The shooting will be a question, but he does everything else so well that his NBA outlook still projects to a high floor. CMB is a versatile wrecking ball defensively that can legitimately grow into a 1-5 defender because of his strength, lateral quickness, and quick hands. The Bulls could also tap into his playmaking as a handoff hub, short-roll playmaker, and post presence — opening up shooting and cutting opportunities for Coby White, Matas Buzelis, and Josh Giddey.
Noa Essengue / Brooklyn Nets. The Brooklyn Nets have multiple chances to take swings and to move up and down the board with four first-round picks. Slipping to 8th and missing out on a cornerstone for their rebuild was a tough blow, but Noa Essengue has the upside to grow into one of those players within that range. He’s not as much of a project as people anticipate — averaging 10.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and a steal per game on 51.6% shooting as a teenager with Ratiopharm Ulm. He’s a fluid mover that leverages his size and athleticism to ignite transition offense, touch the paint to draw fouls, and defend all over the floor. In a low-pressure situation like Brooklyn, Jordi Fernandez could get creativity to tap into Essengue’s intriguing versatility.
Thomas Sorber / Minnesota Timberwolves. With the 17th and 31st picks in this year’s draft, the Timberwolves are in an interesting Moneyball situation, especially with Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker entering free agency. With Reid’s free agency, and with Rudy Gobert on the other side of 30, they should roll with a center with one of these picks. Sorber might be one of the most complete defenders in this class, as he’s a stocks machine that can anchor a defense as a drop defender and a switchable one. In addition, they can get leverage from his playmaking when teams blitz Anthony Edwards.
Carter Bryant / Toronto Raptors. The Raptors need a bit more perimeter defense — Scottie Barnes is exceptional and could grow into an All-Defense player, but the rest of their guards and wings don’t bring a ton of optimism on that side of the floor. Bryant would slot in perfectly, as he doesn’t need that many touches, but he could also space the floor and finish plays effectively. They also just need a go-to perimeter stopper, and Bryant has the potential to be one of the best in this class with his size, quickness, tenacity, and athleticism.
Nique Clifford / Houston Rockets. The Rockets have interesting questions to answer with its talented rookie-contract players heading towards second contracts, and with the roster getting more expensive. If they keep the pick, do they roll with a ready rotation player? If so, there aren’t many rookies that would quickly become an Ime Udoka favorite quite like Nique Clifford. With his tenacity and playmaking, he should be valuable in the possessions game immediately, and he can see big minutes early — especially if Houston consolidates.
Micah Peavy / Philadelphia 76ers. The 76ers have an opportunity to add some more depth with the 35th pick. Peavy would be an older wing with size, versatile defense, and some creation skill for them to target in the second round. While you can’t bank on a second-round guy being an immediate rotation, Peavy has the tools to be one of the most significant value adds in this class at this portion of the draft. The 76ers could use another bigger wing defender, and Peavy could create chaos in this role.
Adou Thiero / Boston Celtics. I’m watching for the Celtics in this draft, as they hold the 29th and 32nd picks — opportunities for them to either move up or stay to get some potential rotation help. They’ve done a great job of acquiring bench guys to fit specific roles — Pritchard with creation, Hauser with shooting, Kornet for shot-blocking. They could use more perimeter defense off the bench. While I’m not as high on this guy as others in Draft Twitter, Adou Thiero would be such a good fit with the Celtics. Though he can’t shoot all that well — my main concern with him — he’s a physical specimen that could be a dawg defensively while rolling his way to the rim.
Sion James / Memphis Grizzlies. I have to close on a Grizzlies one. The Grizzlies hold the 48th and 56th picks in this draft. They have a clear need with perimeter defense and physicality. No player in the range fits the mold like Sion James. He’s not a slouch offensively, as he’s a steady playmaker, shooter, and finisher — a clear connector. Defensively, he’s built like a linebacker, can cover multiple positions defensively, hound opponents at the point-of-attack, and he’s more of an events creator than indicated at Duke (1.6 steals per game in four years at Tulane). His combine may get him out of range, but he has the tools to be the Grizzlies’ next draft hit. A Lu Dort type outcome with James wouldn’t shock me.
If you choose to support my Substack, SubTsakalidis — aka “SubTsak” — follow this link to my Allie’s Allies St. Jude fundraiser page. If you choose to subscribe, all proceeds will go towards St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
The 2nd Annual Donna Goodfellow Memorial CTC Open: Pickleball for a Cure will take place on Saturday, June 7th at Pickleball 901 at Carriage Crossing in Collierville!
This event raises money for West Cancer Foundation. Cost is $65/person and only $10 more for a second team—2 team/person limit. We will have food and drinks provided all day for players and guests. Come hang out, play some pickleball, and support a great cause!