RealGM Basketball Wiretap

12 May 2025

• Mavericks Win 2025 NBA Draft Lottery; Spurs, Sixers, Hornets In Top-4

  The NBA held its 2025 Draft Lottery in Chicago on Monday with the Dallas Mavericks winning the lottery with a 1.8 percent chance. The San Antonio Spurs moved up to No. 2 ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers at No. 3, and Charlotte Hornets at No. 4.

  Cooper Flagg is the presumptive No. 1 pick with Dylan Harper expected to be selected at No. 2. The draft is expected to open up considerably after the first two picks of the draft with a number of candidates vying for consideration at No. 3 and beyond.

  The Mavericks were in the lottery after they traded away Luka Doncic and endured a number of injuries issues for the remainder of the season. Dallas won their initial play-in game against the Sacramento Kings, but were defeated in the second play-in by the Memphis Grizzlies to remain in the lottery.

  2025 NBA Draft Lottery Order

  1. Dallas Mavericks
  2. San Antonio Spurs
  3. Philadelphia 76ers
  4. Charlotte Hornets
  5. Utah Jazz
  6. Washington Wizards
  7. New Orleans Pelicans
  8. Brooklyn Nets
  9. Toronto Raptors
  10. Houston Rockets (from Brooklyn via Phoenix)
  11. Portland Trail Blazers
  12. Chicago Bulls
  13. Atlanta Hawks (via Sacramento)
  14. San Antonio Spurs (via Atlanta)

• Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper Widely Expected To Be Top Two Picks At 2025 NBA Draft

  In their latest look at the 2025 NBA Draft, ESPN's Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo broke down who each lottery team could pick, depending on where their pick falls. While things get very interesting depending on who gets the third pick, Cooper Flagg of Duke and Dylan Harper of Rutgers are the consensus first and second picks, respectively.

  The third pick is heavily dependent on which team lands there. Some teams may prefer forward Ace Bailey of Rutgers, while others are higher on guard V.J. Edgecombe of Baylor. Givony and Woo have reached a consensus that Bailey or Edgecombe, in some order, should be the third and fourth players off the board.

  From there, the draft takes a lot of turns. Jeremiah Fears, Tre Johnson, Kasparas Jakucionis, Khaman Maluach, Kon Knuppel and Derik Queen round out the top 10.

• Magic Could Have Interest In Trading For Anfernee Simons

  The Orlando Magic's interest in adding a point guard may have been overstated in recent years. The Magic have been content with Jalen Suggs handling the role, while Paolo Banchero and Franz handle a heavy dose of playmaking.

  After their first-round playoff series loss to the Boston Celtics, Orlando may be re-thinking that approach. One projected target for the Magic could be Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons.

  Orlando could use Simons' shooting ability, as the Magic ranked last the NBA in three-point shooting last season. The Orlando native has hit 38.1% of this three-pointers during this seven-year career.

  Simons has one season remaining on his contract at $27.7 million for 2025-26. With the Blazers having Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe as their backcourt of the future, the veteran combo guard has been projected as the odd man out in Portland.

• Blazers Let Go Of Assistant Coaches Roy Rogers, Chris Fleming, Ryan Gomes

  The Portland Trail Blazers will not renew the contracts of Roy Rogers, Chris Fleming and Ryan Gomes, sources told The Oregonian.

  Rogers was the team's defensive coordinator, with Fleming working closely with Scoot Henderson.

  Gomes worked as a player development coach.

  The Blazers extended Chauncey Billups' contract earlier in April.

• Rival Teams Monitoring Anfernee Simons, Matisse Thybulle, Robert Williams III, Deandre Ayton

  Teams around the NBA are monitoring the situation of the Portland Trail Blazers' Afernee Simons, Matisse Thybulle, Robert Williams III, and Deandre Ayton, according to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.

  All four players will be on expiring contracts next season.

  Williams has been the frequent target of trade rumors since getting traded to the Blazers.

  The Blazers recently extended general manager Joe Cronin and head coach Chauncey Billups.

• Matisse Thybulle Sees Himself In Portland, Excited For Trail Blazers Future

  Last season was a frustrating one for Portland Trail Blazers guard/forward Matisse Thybulle. The veteran wing didn't make his season debut until March 16. Once he was able to suit up, Thybulle played in the Blazers final 15 games, averaging a career-high 7.5 points per game on 48% shooting, including 44% on three-pointers.

  Now, Thybulle is looking forward to next season, even giving indications that he plans to pick up his $11.55 million player option for next season.

  "I can't wait to get a full season under our belts," Thybulle said. "Because this whole year, especially as we forged our identity as being a defensive team, I was just chomping at the bit."

  The former two-time All-Defensive Team selection is excited that Chauncey Billups received a contract extension. Thybulle expressed confidence in Portland continuing to improve into next season.

  "Chauncey getting his extension is really exciting and definitely makes me optimistic for running it back with these guys," Thybulle said.

• Trail Blazers, Chauncey Billups Reach Multiyear Deal

  Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups has agreed to a multiyear contract extension, sources told ESPN on Sunday.

  Trail Blazers officials negotiated a new deal with Billups' representation, Andy Miller of Klutch Sports, as the coach was finishing his fourth season and the final guaranteed year on his contract Sunday.

• David Adelman Could Be Head Coach Candidate For Nuggets, Blazers

  David Adelman was elevated by the Denver Nuggets to interim head coach this week and will be given the opportunity to audition for the job. If the Portland Trail Blazers decide to part ways with Chauncey Billups this offseason, they will likely also have interest in Adelman.

  Adelman joined the Nuggets in 2017 as an assistant coach.

  Adelman's father, Rick Adelman, was a longtime NBA head coach including two trips to the NBA Finals with the Blazers.

  Adelman has a "steadiness and calm demeanor" that is different to Malone's.

• Joe Cronin, Blazers Sign Multi-Year Extension

  The Portland Trail Blazers have agreed to a multi-year contract extension with General Manager Joe Cronin.

  Cronin was originally named the General Manager on May 10, 2022 after serving in the role as interim since December 3, 2021. In the past three seasons, Cronin has engineered roster moves that have improved the team's overall talent level and competitiveness going forward. Through trades, Cronin spearheaded the additions of Jerami Grant in July of 2022, Deandre Ayton and Toumani Camara in September of 2023, and Deni Avdija in July of 2024.

  Under Cronin's direction, the Trail Blazers have also added talent through the draft selecting Shaedon Sharpe in 2022, Scoot Henderson in 2023, and Donovon Clingan in 2024. Both Sharpe (2023) and Henderson (2023, 2024), along with Camara (2024), have been named to NBA Rising Stars teams at multiple All-Star weekends.

  "Joe has demonstrated leadership and vision during his time as General Manager, and I'm excited to see him continue building the foundation for a long-term, winning team," said Jody Allen, chair of the Portland Trail Blazers. "We are all thrilled with the team's forward momentum and excited for the future of Trail Blazers basketball."

  "I am honored that Jody and Bert have put their continued trust in me and thank them for believing in this opportunity to further our pursuit of building a winning team in Portland," said Joe Cronin, Portland Trail Blazers General Manager. "My vision is to have a competitive roster with the potential for sustained success, while creating a culture that helps all our players, coaches and staff thrive. I couldn't be more excited for what's to come."

  Since first joining the team as an intern, Cronin has gained experience within the organization across a variety of front office roles. Now with 19 years of front office experience, including extensive knowledge of the salary cap, proven management skills, player evaluation prowess, and player contract expertise, Cronin will continue to lead the Trail Blazers.

• Robert Williams III To Undergo Arthroscopic Procedure In Left Knee, Out 4-6 Weeks

  Robert Williams III is set to undergo an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee to address inflammation, the Portland Trail Blazers announced.

  Williams is set to miss the next 4-6 weeks.

  Williams is averaging 5.8 points and 5.9 rebounds in 20 games this season.