Breaking Down the Official Draft Results

The latest draft has concluded, with ten promising players finding new homes in the league. While some teams made bold moves early, others sought value in later rounds. Here’s a look at each selection and what they bring to their respective teams.

Round 1

1st Pick – Mavericks Select Brian Smith (4⭐️)

The Mavericks kicked off the draft with the selection of Brian Smith, a 4-star prospect. Despite modest last season played stats—2.4 PPG, 28.6 FG%, and 22.7 3P%—Smith’s playmaking potential and defensive prowess made him a coveted choice. His 1.7 RPG and 2.0 APG suggest a player capable of facilitating offense and contributing in multiple facets.

2nd Pick – Heat Select Colton Castle (3⭐️)

The Heat followed up with a more efficient scorer in Colton Castle. Averaging 4.9 PPG on an impressive 48.7 FG% and 42.9 3P%, Castle brings immediate shooting prowess. His rebounding (1.9 RPG) and assist numbers (0.8 APG) may not stand out, but his ability to stretch the floor is a major asset.

Round 2

*3rd Pick – Sonics Select Davante Green (3⭐️)
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The Sonics took a gamble on rookie Davante Green, hoping his untapped potential translates into on-court success.

4th Pick – Heat Select Saleem Ali Bey (3⭐️)

Another selection by the Heat, Saleem Ali Bey, offers versatility despite his modest stats (2.6 PPG, 37.5 FG%, 28.6 3P%). His rebounding ability (2.4 RPG) could provide a defensive boost.

5th Pick – Bulls Select Sed Dewayne (3⭐️)

Dewayne has a lot to prove after averaging just 1.2 PPG on poor shooting splits (27.3 FG%, 25.0 3P%). However, his rebounding (2.0 RPG) and playmaking (1.7 APG) could make him a useful depth piece.

Round 3

6th Pick – Heat Select Kyler Anderson (1⭐️)

A bit of a wild card, Anderson averaged 3.5 PPG on a respectable 42.9 FG%. Though his 3-point shooting (25.0 3P%) needs improvement, he has shown flashes of offensive promise.

Round 4

7th Pick – Mavericks Select Duce Perry (1⭐️)

Perry has yet to make an impact statistically (0.0 PPG, 0.0 FG%), but the Mavericks are betting on his potential to develop into a solid role player.

Round 5

8th Pick – Mavericks Select Tomas Mendez (1⭐️)

Mendez shot well from deep (38.5 3P%) and provided 1.7 PPG, showing potential as a sharpshooter. His limited rebounding (0.6 RPG) and playmaking (0.1 APG) mean he’ll need to round out his game.

9th Pick – Bulls Select Anthony Jones (1⭐️)

The Bulls opted for rookie Anthony Jones, a player yet to establish himself but with upside.

10th Pick – Sonics Select Saul Delacruz (1⭐️)

Delacruz struggled to make an impact (0.0 PPG, 0.0 FG%), but his rebounding (0.3 RPG) and defensive potential make him a developmental prospect.

Final Thoughts

The draft saw a mix of high-potential picks and developmental selections. The Mavericks and Heat were aggressive with multiple picks, while teams like the Bulls and Sonics took risks on raw talent. Only time will tell who will rise to the occasion and who will struggle to find their footing in the league.