I looked at every Top NBA Players rankings to find a consensus of how the media views the players in the league heading into the upcoming season. The data is sortable, downloadable, and color-coded. Enjoy! FULL LIST: bit.ly/49ePEqf

It looks like LeBron James was working out at the Clippers practice facility. But I can confirm that when the Clippers moved to their new arena, they no longer needed the Honey Training Center in Playa Vista. It is now used by Klutch Sports Group.

It is the middle of the NBA season so I ranked every mascot in the league. Some of these are genuinely amazing and some terrify me.

Luka Dončić never recorded a 42-inch vertical at the 2018 NBA Draft Combine. In fact, Luka Dončić did not even attend the 2018 NBA Draft Combine. He had just one dunk last season, per NBA.com, and his vertical on that dunk was 23.4 inches.

Baltimore legend Dan Deacon performed the best rendition of the national anthem.

Some of my own intel: Brice Williams (Nebraska) is headed to the Detroit Pistons, Matthew Cleveland (Miami) is signing with the Dallas Mavericks, and Coleman Hawkins (Kansas State) will start his pro career with the Dallas Mavericks. Full tracker for 2025 NBA undrafted free agency:

Cedric Coward is easily one of the most interesting prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft. For my last interview in the Prospect Park series with @usatodaysports.usatoday.com in this cycle, Coward told me his inspirational story of how he went from D-III to the pros.

Jeremiah Fears is one of the most fun players in the 2025 NBA Draft. After foregoing his senior year of high school, the speedy freshman guard had more than 17 ppg at Oklahoma. Read or watch my full interview with him:

With the 2025 NBA Finals officially done, everyone is focusing on the draft. One hot name right now is Georgia forward Asa Newell. Check out episode two of Prospect Park, brought to you by @usatodaysports.usatoday.com and @forthewin.bsky.social.

ICYMI Catch up on yesterday's live Third Apron podcast with @BryanKalbrosky.bsky.social on the 2025 NBA Draft! YouTube: youtube.com/live/ZI1r5cX... Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/47zQ... Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2...

My latest 2025 NBA Mock Draft is now live. It is gathered with intel from around the league and includes quotes given to me by top prospects (including Dylan Harper, Kon Knueppel, Jeremiah Fears, Cedric Coward, and more) about the pre-draft process. This includes Ace Bailey dropping quite a bit:

My video series about the NBA draft, Prospect Park, is back at @forthewin.bsky.social and @usatodaysports.usatoday.com Our first episode is with Kon Knueppel, the other exciting Duke star you’re not talking enough about. Read or watch in full: ftw.usatoday.com/story/sports...

My newest 2025 NBA Mock Draft is live and we have a much clearer picture after the NCAA's early entry withdrawal deadline. This includes original quotes from Dylan Harper, Kon Knueppel, Jeremiah Fears, and Asa Newell. Our latest first-round projections:

I can’t wait to go around town tomorrow and ask everyone if they caught the fight last night. Probably would need to clarify that I am (of course) discussing John Mulaney getting absolutely wrecked by three teenagers before Bone Thugs-N-Harmony performed.

Blake Griffin about #NBAonPrime 👀 "The TNT guys are great. It’s one of the best sports shows on TV. Part of the humor of that show is that they don’t know who some of these guys are. That show is untouchable but for us, we’re making sure we’re informed." Read our full conversation:

I spoke to Jeremy Sochan about drinking wine with Gregg Popovich, eating Filipino cuisine like dried mango, and playing basketball with Victor Wembanyama. It was, predictably, a lovely conversation.

I spoke to Dylan Harper, the best prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft who did not make the March Madness tournament. His answer about how he got so good at creating for himself near the rim based on advice from his mom was especially insightful. ftw.usatoday.com/story/sports...

I caught up with Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson, who had plenty to say, including: 🏀 He would "definitely" do the dunk contest 🏀 He almost pretended to be his twin brother Amen during the Rising Stars Challenge 🏀 He says he is the NBA's best perimeter defender (and he may be!)

I simply must brag about the amazing Valentine’s Day presents that I just received because I am very happy. #LGM 💙🧡 @emmasculating.bsky.social

I spoke to the legendary Vince Carter. We spoke about the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade, his number retirement by the Nets, and (of course) his role in the “Like Mike” film.

Severence just had its own uniquely twisted version of the “Pine Barrens” episode from The Sopranos and it’s all I can think about right now. Masterful.

Myles Turner was once again not traded by the Pacers at the NBA trade deadline. He posted this reaction on social media, which is the sort of pop culture crossover that I (and other Survivor fans) can celebrate.

If you are a fan of the Kings, here is everything you need to know about Jake LaRavia after he was traded by the Grizzlies:

The Lakers are contenders.

When I wrote about lob threat targets for the other day, I didn’t include Mark William’s because I assumed he wasn’t available (and wrote as much as well) via trade. But he is easily one of the best options in the league as an alley-oop partner for Luka Doncic. ftw.usatoday.com/lists/lakers...

I never doubted for a second that Pete Alonso would return home to the New York Mets, baby.

The Grizzlies have an interesting decision to make about Jake LaRavia before the NBA trade deadline. “Some stuff might not even be in the stat sheet,” Ja Morant told me. “But it leads to winning.” Read my feature about the 23-year-old Memphis forward:

Luka Doncic needs a lob threat like Dereck Lively and Daniel Gafford. Rob Pelinka said as much. I looked at the most prolific alley-oop finishers in the NBA to find a potential big man for the Lakers via trade. Perhaps the most interesting candidate is Robert Williams. Here are some other names:

Huge trade. It really makes you wonder: What will Lakers fans remember most about the Jalen Hood-Schifino era?

🏀 LaMelo Ball received more of a voting presence for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game from fans than the media. 🏀 Kevin Durant received a larger share from NBA players than he did from the media. 🏀 Donovan Mitchell got more love from the media than he did fans. Other takeaways from ASG voting results:

This is my (admittedly dusty) bobblehead of Ichiro and Ken Griffey Jr. from the 2010 “Cooperstown Bound” collection. Both of these dudes deserved unanimous Hall of Fame nods. One of my favorite eBay purchases I will ever make.

🏀 NEW 2025 NBA MOCK DRAFT 🏀 I've included some fascinating stats on prospects I'm higher on than consensus like: Kasparas Jakucionis Derik Queen Thomas Sorber Ian Jackson Rasheer Fleming Jase Richardson Alex Toohey Miles Byrd ...and plenty more!

Paige Bueckers returns to the UConn starting lineup tonight after suffering an injury last week. I spoke to the future WNBA star about this NCAA season, playing for coach Geno Auriemma, her Nike deal, the rise of Minnesota basketball, and more. It was a great conversation.

I wrote about my favorite albums of 2024, although I am late to share them here. @cwdarney.bsky.social compiled the full list, but I contributed excerpts on the following: Charli XCX Cindy Lee Father John Misty MJ Lenderman Mk.gee Vampire Weekend WHY? <3

If anyone is in Eugene and can grab me this at the Oregon basketball game tonight, I would be incredibly grateful. DM me for details to make arrangements and I will be so happy.

Curiously enough now that Thunder big man Isaiah Hartenstein is a minority owner of ratiopharm ulm: I had Oklahoma City projected to select Noa Essengue (who plays for the German club) in my latest mock draft. I don't know if this news makes OKC more or less likely to select him, but still notable.

The basketball was extremely good today. NBA on Christmas just feels different and we have had some remarkable games.

The first time I read my friend @yossigozlan.bsky.social, it was clear his words were invaluable and deserved attention from a wider basketball audience. His ability to understand and explain the CBA allows others to learn how NBA transactions work and become smarter fans. Subscribe. Trust me.

Max Fried, welcome to New York. Let’s enjoy a pastrami sandwich together at Frankel’s Deli if you ever find yourself in Greenpoint.

This is my mood knowing that Juan Soto signed with the Mets.

This photo rocks so much.

I smell roses. #GoDucks

This is an amazing NBA starter pack. It's got it all. Just hit Follow All ! go.bsky.app/5YP4x2U

Here are all the sports references that I heard on GNX, the surprise new album from Kendrick Lamar. ftw.usatoday.com/2024/11/kend...

I wrote a 2025 NBA Mock Draft. It is still very early but this gives at least a general and cursory sense of ranges for top players beyond Cooper Flagg and Ace Bailey. Some initial standouts include Tre Johnson, Egor Demin, Derik Queen, JT Toppin, and Kam Jones. ftw.usatoday.com/lists/nba-mo...

Here’s how I’d fix the allstar game. A two part-event. First, there’s the game. Second, the losing team goes onstage to be roasted by our best comedians.

I’m sorry but the four-team format for the NBA All-Star Game is truly gibberish and it would make far more sense to fully cancel the event than to pursue whatever nonsense this idea they have just suggested.

Oh hey! We're here too. Come follow our staff and a bunch of other important sports accounts. ftw.usatoday.com/lists/9-blue...

Many of my coworkers at USA TODAY Sports' For The Win have migrated to this platform, too. Please consider reading their words and engaging with their content as well. You may love it! go.bsky.app/QaF44J5