President Trump is urging Republicans on Capitol Hill to pass the party’s sprawling tax cuts and spending package, while threatening to yank the recesses next week if the legislation is not on his desk.
The call to action comes as GOP leaders are trying to enact the “big, beautiful bill” by their self-imposed July 4 deadline, which the administration has backed.
Both chambers are scheduled to be on recess next week to celebrate Independence Day, leaving little time for Republicans to finish up their work. The Senate still has to approve the package, and then the House must give it a final stamp of approval, a pair of herculean tasks that are being stymied by a number of lingering policy disagreements.
Trump wants the first of those two parts — Senate passage — done this week, and says Republicans should remain in town to get the measure cleared.
“To my friends in the Senate, lock yourself in a room if you must, don’t go home, and GET THE DEAL DONE THIS WEEK,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Work with the House so they can pick it up, and pass it, IMMEDIATELY. NO ONE GOES ON VACATION UNTIL IT’S DONE.”
The House and Senate are both scheduled to break for recess on Friday, with lawmakers heading home for Independence Day parades and barbecues. Trump, however, is threatening to thwart that plan, saying lawmakers must remain in session until the legislation is enacted.
Republican leaders in both chambers, to be sure, have suggested the same. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) wrote in a Fox News opinion piece on Monday that the upper chamber will remain in Washington until it clears the legislation.
Thune wants to put the package on the floor in the middle of this week.
“Senators return to Washington today and we will remain here until this bill is passed,” Thune said. “We know that Democrats will fearmonger and misrepresent our efforts, and we expect them to drag this debate long into the night with unrelated issues. However, I am confident we will get this bill across the finish line.”
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), meanwhile, urged House Republicans during a closed-door conference meeting Tuesday morning to be “flexible” next week as he commits to his July 4 timeline, a source told The Hill.
It remains unclear if Republicans will be able to meet their deadline. Lawmakers are still at odds over a number of key policy issues — including Medicaid cuts, the rollback of green-energy tax credits and the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap, among others — a group of thorny matters that have thus-far left the party fractured.
Trump on Tuesday made the case for speedy passage of the package.
“Now that we have made PEACE abroad, we must finish the job here at home by passing “THE GREAT, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL,” and getting the Bill to my desk, ASAP,” he wrote, referring to the ceasefire he announced on Monday between Israel and Iran. “It will be a Historic Present for THE GREAT PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, as we begin the Celebration of our Country’s 250th Birthday.”
Circle (CRCL) stock fell as much as 7% on Tuesday, retreating from a sharp rally fueled by optimism over stablecoin regulation and adoption as Wall Street shifted its focus to the rising risk of competition in the digital token space.
Shares of the issuer of the USDC stablecoin (USDC-USD) were on track to snap a three-day winning streak. The stock has more than doubled since the Senate passed the GENIUS Act last week — legislation that would establish a federal framework for digital tokens backed by assets such as the US dollar.
“In the near term, we expect CRCL to continue trading off bullish momentum around stablecoin adoption,” wrote Compass Point analyst Ed Engel in a note Tuesday.
But the same regulatory clarity that lifted Circle shares is also expected to open the floodgates for new competition once the bill is finalized later this summer, Engel said.
“We expect competition to accelerate after stablecoin legislation passes,” wrote Engel. “This influx of competition could reduce long-term market share expectations and pressure CRCL shares in 2025.”
Engel and his team initiated coverage of the stock with a Neural rating and $205 price target.
Circle generates most of its revenue from “reserve income” — interest earned on assets backing its USDC stablecoin, which are mostly short-term US Treasuries.
The company also earns income from services like blockchain integration, where developers pay Circle to integrate USDC into their applications, and also fees for redeeming USDC for dollars.
Engel emphasized that distribution will be the key driver of market share growth going forward, especially as more regulated companies begin launching their own stablecoins.
“Circle already pays ~60% of reserve revenue to distribution partners, primarily to Coinbase (COIN) but more recently Binance,” wrote Engle. “While Coinbase and Binance are ideal partners for capturing demand from crypto speculators, we believe USDC needs to partner with mainstream businesses to capture market share within payments.”
On Monday, fintech firm Fiserv (FI) announced plans to launch a digital asset platform, including a new stablecoin (FIUSD) by the end of this year using existing infrastructure from issuers Paxos and Circle.
“For CRCL, we like seeing its inclusion as a leading partner of FI as FI develops its own stablecoin – this is a nice ‘win’ for CRCL which highlights the company’s ongoing rise,” Seaport Research Partners analyst Jeff Cantwell wrote in a note on Monday.
Last week, Cantwell initiated coverage on Circle with a Buy rating and a $235 price target. Shares have soared more than 700% from their IPO price of $31 on June 5.
Google is freshening up its Phone app with a new interface that’s supposed to make it easier to find contacts and your calls. The test is gradually rolling out to some of Google’s public beta users, and also includes some style changes that align with Android’s more youthful Material 3 Expressive design language.
For starters, Google has changed up the bottom menu bar, replacing the “Favorites,” “Recents,” “Contacts,” and “Voicemail” tabs with just three options: “Home,” “Keypad,” and “Voicemail.” Under the new Home tab, you’ll find your favorites in bubbles at the top of your screen, but it’s now followed by a call log list that no longer nests calls from the same person under one entry. That means you’ll see each call as a new entry (even if it’s your mom calling you five times in a row when you don’t pick up).
Google is also trying out a new gesture that will allow you to swipe horizontally to answer or decline a call. The company says it’s testing this feature based on feedback that this will help prevent accidental declines or answers while taking your phone out of your pocket.
Aside from those changes, you’ll also see some visual updates in the app, with the incoming call page now framing your contact in a more whimsical, lumpy circle.
NBA draft analyst and writer Joined ESPN.com in July 2017 Founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service used by NBA, NCAA and international teams
NBA draft analyst and writer Joined ESPN.com in 2023 Covered the NBA and NBA draft for Sports Illustrated from 2015-2023
Jun 23, 2025, 06:30 AM ET
The 2025 NBA Finals are in the rearview; NBA draft week is underway; and the intrigue continues to swirl behind the scenes. Duke’s Cooper Flagg and Rutgers’ Dylan Harper are expected to come off the board at No. 1 and No. 2 to the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs, respectively. After that, the picture is less clear.
Ahead of the two-day draft, which begins Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET (on ABC, ESPN and the ESPN App) at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, the Philadelphia 76ers hold the keys to the start of the draft at No. 3 with VJ Edgecombe the presumptive favorite and Ace Bailey potentially falling down the board.
Trade talks continue behind the scenes as NBA teams huddle this week, with a major domino falling Sunday with the Suns and Rockets agreeing to send Kevin Durant to Houston, a deal that saw the No. 10 pick go to Phoenix as part of a package including Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks.
ESPN draft analysts Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo will be tracking news and team and player information until the Mavericks go on the clock Wednesday, with this version of the mock draft undergoing updates until draft time, based on our latest intel.
Notes: The New York Knicks‘ second-round pick was rescinded by the NBA after an investigation into Jalen Brunson‘s free agency signing in the summer of 2022. … All heights are listed as the barefoot numbers from the NBA.
Flagg made his way to Dallas this week for a visit with his projected new team, touring the city and team facilities, holding an on-court workout and leaving a strong impression on Mavericks brass throughout. There continue to be no secrets around what to expect here: Dallas might have caught an all-time lottery break in jumping its odds from No. 11 to land the No. 1 pick.
Set to make his NBA debut at 18 years old, Flagg will be positioned to make an immediate impact for a Mavericks franchise that intends to be competitive in 2025-26. Dallas will hope that walking into what figures to be a winning situation will help fast-track his growth even more, as the team has a playmaking void at the outset of next season with Kyrie Irving recovering from an ACL tear. The league will be watching what type of impact Flagg can provide immediately, with his versatile two-way skill set providing a strong starting point as he begins his professional career with high expectations. — Woo
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See why Cooper Flagg is the No. 1 prospect in the NBA draft
Check out the best plays from Duke freshman Cooper Flagg ahead of the 2025 NBA draft.
Harper is all but assured to hear his name called with the No. 2 pick, with rival teams saying the Spurs have shown zero interest in engaging in trade conversations. The franchise is taking a patient approach to building out its roster around Victor Wembanyama, viewing Harper as another cornerstone. Harper has visited the Spurs in San Antonio, and hosted the front office privately, appearing to have considerable enthusiasm for joining the storied franchise as it looks to return to championship contention.
The 19-year-old’s combination of size, shot-creating prowess, passing creativity, finishing skill and scoring instincts makes him the type of lead guard and offensive engine that is coveted in today’s NBA, as his strong frame appears well-suited for playing through the physically demanding vigor required in the playoffs. The challenge of acquiring these types of players has made the Spurs reluctant to pass on the opportunity to add Harper. — Givony
Edgecombe appears in pole position to hear his name called at No. 3 because of his unique talent, but also because Ace Bailey‘s clear determination to avoid teams in this range puts the 76ers in a difficult position, potentially selecting someone who clearly does not want to play for them.
While sources say Edgecombe appeared nervous during his private workout in Philadelphia and did not shoot the ball particularly well in an unnatural one-on-one setting, he made a strong impression in interviews and meetings, something the front office values more highly.
As with Harper in San Antonio, Edgecombe’s fit in Philadelphia’s backcourt with Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain doesn’t appear to be seamless. Still, there’s significant upside to tap into with the high-level explosiveness Edgecombe possesses, as well as the flashes he has shown as a passer, shooter and defender. — Givony
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VJ Edgecombe’s high-flying game is ready for the next level
Check out highlights from Baylor freshman VJ Edgecombe ahead of the 2025 NBA draft.
Should Edgecombe (whom the Hornets are said to be high on) come off the board at No. 3, Charlotte will likely be choosing between trade-down scenarios or picking among Knueppel, Jeremiah Fears, Bailey and Tre Johnson. The fact that Fears and Bailey have not worked out for the Hornets doesn’t appear to be a significant hindrance in their decision-making process.
Rival teams believe the Hornets will ultimately prioritize Knueppel’s strong perimeter shooting, playmaking and leadership skills, as well as his strong fit with the likes of LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. The Hornets would be going for a safer option in Knueppel after swinging for the fences with Tidjane Salaun in last year’s draft at No. 6.
Knueppel rates well in analytics-based draft models, but the Hornets might ponder whether they could still add him if they elect to move down a few slots and acquire additional assets in the process. — Givony
Under new leadership in Austin Ainge, it’s unlikely the Jazz will be married to previous draft picks who have yet to show they are surefire long-term keepers.
With star power being a significant need for the Jazz, it makes sense to take the plunge on a talent such as Fears, who had an outstanding season at Oklahoma despite being one of the youngest players in college basketball at 18 years old. His combination of size, speed, pace, shotmaking and shot creation gives him significant long-term upside, as he can get anywhere on the floor to create for teammates while dishing on the move, finish skillfully in the lane or draw fouls.
The Jazz got their first look at Fears in a private one-on-zero workout Thursday. He is also said to be drawing considerable interest from New Orleans and Brooklyn at Nos. 7 and 8 should he not hear his name called here, with the Hornets at No. 4 also not ruling out picking him despite already having a starting point guard on the roster in LaMelo Ball. — Givony
Bailey, the No. 3 prospect on our big board, is the only U.S. prospect who has yet to visit an NBA team facility, continuing to decline workout invites from Philadelphia, Charlotte and Utah, and seemingly preferring the group of teams ranked outside the top five, specifically Washington, New Orleans and Brooklyn at Nos. 6-7-8. This type of slide could cost him $10-15 million if it happens.
Bailey’s camp states they “feel confident going into the draft process,” which most NBA teams interpret as meaning he has received assurances of being selected by a team considered more advantageous to Bailey in the long term, considering factors such as geography, minutes, role, opportunity and development.
However, this is not an unprecedented situation. Just last year, Alex Sarr appeared to discourage Atlanta from considering him with the No. 1 pick, ultimately dropping to Washington at No. 2 as he had hoped.
Despite the negative publicity this move has generated, rival agents are closely monitoring Bailey’s strategy, recognizing the clear benefits of guiding clients to more favorable situations with an eye on maximizing long-term earning potential. Bailey could potentially recoup the money he loses in his first contract with a much larger second contract, especially if he achieves his very high ceiling as an All-Star-caliber shotmaking wing. — Givony
Johnson has been viewed by many teams as having a somewhat narrow band of landing spots, between picks No. 4 and 6, but there are realistic scenarios like this one where he slips out of that group.
Here, Fears moves into the top five, Bailey makes it to what appears to be a soft landing spot in Washington and Johnson becomes the player who slides.
The Pelicans are thought to have interest in Bailey and Fears — and some around the league have been curious whether New Orleans might ultimately try to trade up, particularly after acquiring the No. 23 pick from Indiana last week. But the Pels also have the ability to simply sit at No. 7 and see who from this tier of prospects falls to them.
On paper, Johnson makes sense as a fit for the Pelicans, considering their need for additional perimeter shooting as well as younger backcourt reinforcements, with Dejounte Murray injured and CJ McCollum turning 34 in September and entering the final year of his contract. On top of those factors, there’s an argument for him as best-available here, considering his scoring prowess.
Khaman Maluach is another player under consideration for New Orleans here, with his rim protection potentially adding a different dimension to the team’s defense. — Woo
Maluach appears firmly in consideration in New Orleans and Brooklyn, but he is also seen by some teams as the most likely among the second-tier players in the Nos. 3-8 range to experience a slight drop if a surprising prospect disrupts this part of the draft, though perhaps only a few slots down the board.
Maluach fills a clear need that many teams are looking for: He’s a true center who can serve as a defensive anchor in the paint and has significant potential for growth physically and skillwise. He plays with tremendous intensity and is beloved by coaches and teammates because of his unique off-court intangibles.
His ability to protect the rim, cover ground in a variety of pick-and-roll schemes, and provide vertical spacing as a roller and cutter, while sprinting aggressively in transition, will appeal to any team seeking a center to build around in the long term. — Givony
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The highlights that make Khaman Maluach an exciting NBA prospect
Check out the top plays from Duke freshman Khaman Maluach ahead of the 2025 NBA draft.
Essengue’s predraft process continues to be put on hold as his season is prolonged, with Ulm now up 2-1 and in position to secure the championship with a win Tuesday. Regardless of when he arrives in the U.S., he will not conduct any private workouts for teams.
The Raptors are a franchise that rival teams have had a hard time pegging in terms of their intentions, partially because of the wide range of prospects who could be considered in this tier and partially because of their roster, which has considerable depth at every position, besides perhaps center.
Essengue’s length, mobility and defensive versatility would certainly fit the Raptors’ DNA, even if his inconsistent perimeter shooting would create some challenges in spacing the floor effectively for the likes of Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram. His youth, tools, two-way instincts and rapid rate of improvement this season suggest a high ceiling that some teams in this part of the draft could surely want to tap into. — Givony
It’s not easy to peg Murray-Boyles’ draft range, with most pointing to the Nos. 10-16 range, which includes some of the most analytics-influenced teams in the NBA, Atlanta, Oklahoma City and Memphis. NBA teams say Murray-Boyles rates historically well in their draft models, thanks to his strong passing, foul-drawing ability, 2-point shooting, defensive playmaking and youth, which will appeal to several teams in this range.
Murray-Boyles’ toughness, unselfishness, defensive versatility and playmaking give him a high floor, even if his lack of size and perimeter shooting might make him a situational fit in certain lineup configurations.
With the Suns desperately needing to upgrade their frontcourt — especially after losing their starting power forward in Durant — Murray-Boyles is likely someone the team will consider heavily if it keeps the pick, along with a more traditional big man such as Derik Queen. — Givony
Bryant has had a positive predraft process and appears ticketed for the late lottery, with interest coming from Phoenix following the Suns’ trade in at No. 10, plus Portland at No. 11 and Atlanta at No. 13 closely linked as landing spots.
The Trail Blazers appear set at center with Donovan Clingan long-term as well as Deandre Ayton still under contract, but are otherwise positioned to target the best available talent here, having worked out most of the names projected in this range. Bryant would give them additional shooting, perimeter size and positional versatility working in behind Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara.
While Bryant isn’t expected to create much of his own offense in the near future, his ability to shoot from range, add value as a passer and guard all over defensively with his excellent physical tools gives him a realistic pathway to becoming a lineup fixture. — Woo
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Carter Bryant’s NBA draft profile
Check out some of the highlights that have made Arizona’s Carter Bryant a top NBA draft prospect.
Considering not many teams in this range have express backcourt needs, as well as the uncertainty surrounding potential trades, it has been tricky for some teams to confidently identify a landing spot for Jakucionis. Most project him in the Nos. 11-14 range, with the Trail Blazers and Bulls considered possible destinations, but also expect interest from teams in the top 10.
Chicago has a more glaring need in the frontcourt, with Nikola Vucevic on the final year of his deal and no bigs who are considered long-term keepers. Joan Beringer, Derik Queen, Danny Wolf and Thomas Sorber are thought to be among the centers they’ll consider.
Still, the Bulls are in the process of reimagining the team moving forward, with Josh Giddey due for a new contract, Matas Buzelis emerging and a glut of other guards who could be trade candidates. There’s a case to simply go best-available at this slot, with Jakucionis holding a good argument in this scenario.
Jakucionis’ unselfishness, playmaking, and size enabling him to play on and off the ball make him a relatively seamless fit in most places, with upside long-term considering he recently turned 19 years old. — Woo
Demin is another player teams have found tough to pin down in terms of his landing spot, having worked out for the vast majority of teams inside the top 20. Teams believe he’s a candidate for Toronto, Portland and Chicago as well as a sleeper target for Brooklyn, but it’s possible he’ll slip past that — at which point there’s a best-available case for a team such as the Hawks to simply take a swing.
Holding this pick and No. 22, the Hawks have the ability to move around in the draft, but they are in position to go best-available and pair the picks positionally if they stay put. Other players tied to Atlanta include Carter Bryant and most of the bigs in this range, including Beringer, Murray-Boyles and others.
At his size, Demin’s potential versatility as a perimeter playmaker stands out in the context of this class. The development of his jumper, something he has worked to showcase in private, is one of the more pivotal swing skills for any prospect. — Woo
Joan Beringer, C, Cedevita Olimpija Adriatic |TS%: 61.5
Beringer has had a busy schedule since arriving in the U.S. following the conclusion of his season in Slovenia, conducting workouts with Chicago, Brooklyn, San Antonio, Atlanta, Memphis, Minnesota and Houston, covering his bases in the Nos. 8-19 range.
The Spurs appear to be patiently building out their roster. They could look to add frontcourt depth at this stage of the draft, adding another rim protector alongside Victor Wembanyama to shore up their interior defense.
Beringer’s official measurements, conducted last week, indicate he has grown an inch and a half in the past year, now standing over 7 feet in shoes. His measurements are similar to those of Jaren Jackson Jr. and Myles Turner at the same age, helping to understand why he ranks as the draft’s best shot blocker. — Givony
Queen continues to receive mixed feedback on the workout circuit, with questions still hovering over his conditioning, shooting mechanics and competitive on-off switch. Although he is regarded as the most skilled big in the class offensively, he doesn’t appear to be maximizing some of the factors within his control and, as a result, hasn’t gathered much upward momentum during the predraft process.
Following the Suns’ acquisition of the 10th pick, Queen’s realistic range appears to start with the Suns at No. 10 and runs down into the teens, where at a certain point he becomes difficult to pass on.
The Thunder, pivoting to this draft fresh off winning the title Sunday night, are a team without any glaring roster needs but have been primarily linked by rival teams to big men, including Beringer and Sorber. Isaiah Hartenstein is under team control through 2026-27 (Oklahoma City holds a club option on the final year), and the idea of finding and developing a less expensive replacement holds weight, particularly with Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren both eligible to sign what figure to be hefty rookie extensions this summer.
Queen would simply be a bet on talent if he fell here, with the Thunder’s elite defense providing ample cover for him and Oklahoma City better positioned to weather risk than most. — Woo
Coward has seen his stock explode over the past month as teams have gotten a closer look at his impressive physical tools, perimeter shooting and defensive potential, creating a better understanding of his late-blooming trajectory.
A young senior who turns 22 on Sept. 11, Coward fits a mold every NBA team is seeking with his size and frame and career 38% 3-point shooting. He could still have room to improve, as he was improbably playing Division III basketball three years ago.
He worked out Monday for Memphis (one-on-zero because he still hasn’t progressed yet to 3-on-3 settings), which just acquired the No. 16 pick from Orlando. Coward also is getting long looks from Phoenix, Chicago, San Antonio and Oklahoma City, with most teams in the 20s operating under the assumption that he’ll be gone by that part of the draft. — Givony
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Cedric Coward’s NBA draft profile
Check out some of the highlights that have made Cedric Coward a top NBA draft prospect.
Sorber has also risen during the predraft process, despite being sidelined since February because of a toe injury that necessitated season-ending surgery, which means he will miss summer league. NBA teams are eager to acquire centers such as Sorber, who can provide physicality and rim protection with his robust frame and wingspan. The Suns, Bulls, Hawks, Spurs, Thunder, Timberwolves and Nets all appear interested in adding girth to their frontcourts.
The Timberwolves face uncertainty in the frontcourt this offseason, as Julius Randle and Naz Reid, who averaged a combined 60 minutes per game, possess player options in their contracts, giving them the opportunity to explore free agency this summer.
Sorber’s length, feel for the game and developing skill set provide him with a chance to become a contributor in the coming years, even though it might take him some time to reach that point. — Givony
McNeeley has drawn positive feedback on the workout circuit, where he reminded teams of his all-around offensive ability coming off a tricky season that was hampered by an ankle injury. He has interest all over the back half of the first round, with Washington among his potential landing spots.
The Wizards were the most committed team in the league last season to giving their rookies meaningful minutes, and the current front office has thus far strongly valued positional size and feel in the draft. McNeeley could be a nice addition to the team’s group of wings as a capable decision-maker and shooter who also brings a level of toughness. — Woo
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See why Liam McNeeley is an intriguing NBA prospect
Check out highlights from UConn’s Liam McNeeley ahead of the 2025 NBA draft.
Newell is another player who appears to have helped himself in the predraft process, having showcased his physical tools and room for growth as a shooter, helping some teams better understand the potential versatility he could provide as a stretch-4. Still, he has a somewhat wider range on draft night, drawing consideration from teams in the back half of the lottery but with scenarios also in play where he could slip into the late teens or early 20s.
The Nets have understandably been among the busiest teams in the predraft process, holding picks in every part of the first round and five selections in the top 40. Most around the league expect Brooklyn to be active in trades this week, though it’s not yet clear exactly what that will look like, the prospect of trading up from here to acquire a second lottery pick is among the scenarios the Nets could explore.
Although the team is unlikely to roster five rookies, Brooklyn has brought in the vast majority of the draft for workouts, giving it more first-hand information on the class than any other team. The Nets are also viewed as a desirable destination by many agents, due to the minutes and opportunity they have available next season. Newell’s long-term upside could be appealing to them as a developmental addition here. — Woo
Clayton has showcased his dynamic shotmaking in workouts and worked his way up boards in a first round that has shaped up somewhat light on point guard options. He has fans in front offices selecting higher than this, and he appears to be positioned well to potentially land inside the top 20. His explosiveness and ability to create his own shot are strong calling cards that should give him a pathway to being a useful bench scorer, at worst.
Miami is perennially among the hardest teams for rival organizations, as well as player agents, to get a read on, with a tight-lipped approach to how it conducts its predraft process. Considering the Heat’s need for a proper point guard and the way Clayton seems to fit their mold, this fit makes sense on paper. — Woo
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1:56
See what makes Walter Clayton Jr. an intriguing NBA prospect
Check out highlights from Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr. ahead of the 2025 NBA draft.
Hugo Gonzalez, SG/SF, Real Madrid EuroLeague | TS%: 50.9
Gonzalez’s Real Madrid is currently competing in the finals of the ACB playoffs, meaning he will not be able to conduct any workouts in the U.S. before the draft, as the series might potentially extend to June 30.
Gonzalez finished the regular season strong, but his minutes have since faded as the playoffs progressed, with him playing only 10 total minutes in the past four games. He is nonetheless a prospect that a team in the 20s will likely decide to select, thanks to the impressive physical tools, strong feel for the game and frenetic energy he brings defensively.
Utah has clear needs on the wing and could give him the type of runway needed to reach the significant potential he showed at every stage of his career before this season. — Givony
Wolf has one of the wider ranges in the first round, with interest from several teams in the back half of the lottery as well as several potential landing spots in the top 20, including Memphis, Minnesota and Brooklyn.
The uncertainty around where he’ll wind up is due in part to a range of potential trade scenarios that could take place but also to the fact that Wolf’s uncommon mix of size and skill set has been a polarizing evaluation for many around the NBA. His playmaking ability in the frontcourt could be a fit in Atlanta should he fall here, although there appears to be a growing chance he won’t make it all the way to this spot. — Woo
New Orleans got this pick from Indiana last week, sending the Pacers’ 2026 first-rounder back to them in order to move back into the draft. Following Tyrese Haliburton‘s injury in Game 7 of the Finals, the Pacers will likely feel some slight relief in controlling their own pick as a result of that trade, with a long absence potentially on the horizon for their star.
That decision to trade with the Pacers raised the question among rival teams as to whether the Pelicans would dangle this pick to try to move up from No. 7, but New Orleans is thought to have genuine interest in several players in this range.
Clifford has interest in the teens, beginning with Memphis, with his range running down into the 20s. He has gotten positive feedback on the workout circuit, viewed as a potential plug-and-play rotation option due to his versatility coming off a strong year at Colorado State.
He’s among the players thought to be in the mix for the Pelicans at this slot, with the direction they go in terms of position hinging on what happens with their lottery pick. — Woo
Factoring in the Thunder’s wealth of young talent and crowded roster situation, most around the league believe Oklahoma City will ultimately opt to trade this pick. What that actually will look like remains to be seen — the Thunder could package it to try and move up from No. 15 and target exactly the player they want. They’re a team that has historically been active in draft-night deals.
Riley has fans in front offices in the top 20 but could also wind up falling into this range, with potential landing spots ahead of this, including Brooklyn, Atlanta and New Orleans. His advocates around the NBA see major upside because of his excellent size, offensive feel and shooting potential, but it’s understood that it will take him time to add physical strength and, hopefully, improve defensively. — Woo
Richardson is the highest-ranked player (No. 18) on the ESPN big board not to get invited to the NBA draft green room (24 players invited), leaving some uncertainty about where he might end up being selected.
His draft range starts around No. 16 with Memphis, which has drafted several players in the past few years with similar statistical profiles and might end up having a backcourt void to fill soon, all the way to the mid-20s portion of the first round.
The Magic are another team that could look to add shooting and backcourt depth and might be intrigued by Richardson’s scoring efficiency, defensive intensity and ability to play without the ball. — Givony
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Jase Richardson’s NBA draft profile
Check out some of the highlights that have made Michigan State’s Jase Richardson a top NBA draft prospect.
Nolan Traore, PG, Saint-Quentin France | TS%: 51.0
With four first-round picks at their disposal, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Nets take several talent swings, hoping to uncover gems with some of their later selections.
The Nets have a void in the backcourt, depending on what they do with their first few picks, and this situation will be considered highly attractive to any of the guards slated to be picked in this range.
After starting the season projected as a top-10 pick, Traore’s draft stock dropped because of inconsistent play, but there’s still plenty to like with his size, ballhandling, playmaking creativity and upside, making him a worthy gamble for a team in Brooklyn’s situation and at this point in the draft. — Givony
As previously mentioned, these Nets picks — particularly the pair in the 20s — are viewed around the league as fluid, depending on what moves Brooklyn ultimately decides to pursue this week.
Fleming was not invited to the NBA draft green room, pointing to the likelihood he might fall to the back of the first round. He hasn’t gathered much momentum over the past month but remains in consideration due to his physical tools and improving 3-point shooting. While not a flashy player or immensely skilled, his length, improvement track and late-blooming trajectory point to untapped potential. — Woo
Raynaud has played himself into late first-round consideration alongside a somewhat short list of centers, which also includes Ryan Kalkbrenner and Yanic Konan Niederhauser. He is broadly viewed as having the most untapped upside of that trio, due to his flashes of offensive skill and more developed capacity to space the floor. His showing at the draft combine helped to reaffirm that, and the fact he only picked up basketball full-time as a high school senior coupled with strong intangibles has helped his stock.
The Celtics are expected to be active this offseason, with a prerogative to trim payroll and with Jayson Tatum out for an extended period of time. Those factors enable them to go most any direction with this pick and at No. 32, with the focus on cultivating long-term roster quality more so than addressing short-term needs this late in the draft. Raynaud would provide a viable depth option up front as he continues to develop. — Woo
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Maxime Raynaud’s NBA draft profile
Check out some of the highlights that have made Maxime Raynaud a top NBA draft prospect.
The Suns had some real holes to fill in their frontcourt even before trading 7-foot power forward Kevin Durant for Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, a situation that has only been amplified.
The 23-year-old Kalkbrenner, a four-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year, looks more ready to help a team on the interior than most players in this draft range, being one of the best shot blockers in this class. The Suns will likely continue to be active in the coming days and could continue to make moves with their roster and increasing trove of first- and second-round picks, providing them significantly more flexibility than they’ve had of late. — Givony
Due to their hefty payroll, the Clippers will presumably be thinking with a short-term lens as they try to maximize this competitive window, with James Harden and Kawhi Leonard now in their mid-30s.
Penda, who can play multiple positions, is young enough to portend upside and might be a reliable jump shot away from offering some bench value, makes for an interesting fit here.
Penda has been an interesting sleeper name for teams due to his versatility and his capability to play all over the floor on offense and also defend several spots. While his perimeter shooting and limited run-jump physical profile are question marks for teams, his feel, skill and size are all nice selling points. — Woo
Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft expert and the founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service used by NBA, NCAA and international teams.
Jeremy Woo is an NBA analyst specializing in prospect evaluation and the draft. He was previously a staff writer and draft insider at Sports Illustrated.
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If you love easy-to-use makeup that enhances your natural beauty, this Laura Geller deal is too good to pass up. For one day only, you can grab this five-piece collection—worth $145—for just $39.98, giving you a rare 72% discount.
This set includes everything you need for a flawless, effortless look, from a skin-blurring foundation to a radiant blush and long-wearing lip and eye essentials. Laura Geller’s products are all about that “your skin but better” finish, making them perfect for everyday wear.
These limited-time bundles always sell out fast and are on sale for a limited time only, so make sure you run to get this price! This is your chance to refresh your routine with a full-face set at a fraction of the price. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the brand, this is one of the best beauty steals you’ll find.
New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo leads state Assembly member Zohran Mamdani by 14 points in the final round of ranked choice voting in a poll released just ahead of the city’s much-anticipated primary.
The survey from Yale Polling/YouGov, released Monday, shows Cuomo ahead in the first round of vote tabulating by 10 points over Mamdani — 38 percent to 28 percent. New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams came in third with 12 percent followed by city Comptroller Brad Lander with 7 percent and former Comptroller Scott Stringer with 6 percent.
All other candidates received 3 percent or less.
The ranked choice simulation — when a candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and their votes are redistributed to voters’ next available preference — continues until only Cuomo and Mamdani remain in contention. The former governor won in the tenth round, 57 percent to 43 percent.
The results show a brighter sign for Cuomo than those from the final survey of the primary race from Emerson College Polling/PIX11/The Hill also released Monday. In that poll, he led in the first round by just 3 points, within the margin of error, and Mamdani came out on top in the final round with about 52 percent to 48 percent.
Cuomo has been the front-runner for the Democratic nomination for mayor for months, but Mamdani has closed the gap in recent weeks as he seeks to coalesce progressive opposition to the former Empire State governor’s attempted political comeback. How close Mamdani is to successfully pulling it off depends on the survey.
The latest Yale/YouGov poll shows Cuomo has the strongest support among Black voters, leading by 42 points, voters earning less than $50,000 per year, leading by 34 points, and voters without a college degree, leading 44 points. Key to Mamdani’s coalition are white voters, leading by 18 points, voters earning more than $100,000 per year, leading by 20 points, and voters with a college degree, leading by 14 points.
Cuomo is also well ahead with voters 45 and older, while Mamdani leads among those under 45, the poll shows.
The ex-governor’s net favorability is slightly higher than the state lawmaker, though both candidates’ favorability ratings are roughly in line with each other. Cuomo is viewed at least somewhat favorably by 54 percent and unfavorably by 40 percent, while Mamdani is viewed at least somewhat favorably by 45 percent and unfavorably by 35 percent.
One additional x-factor to the race may be the intense heat hitting the northeast on Tuesday as voters head to the polls. Various candidates and New York stakeholders urged voters to cast their ballots early as forecasts predict temperatures could reach over 100 degrees in the city.
Whether the weather will have any effect on turnout remains to be seen.
The Yale/YouGov poll was conducted from June 17-22 among 645 registered New York City voters — including 416 who voted or plan to vote in the Democratic primary. The margin of error for the entire sample was 5 percentage points, while the margin of error for Democratic primary voters specifically was 6.7 percentage points.
Polymetals Resources has announced the commencement of continuous production of saleable silver-lead and zinc concentrates from its Endeavor mine in New South Wales (NSW), Australia.
Following an eight-month refurbishment programme, the Endeavor processing plant is now operational.
The processing plant has a capacity of 1.2 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) and features a two-stage crushing plant, three ball mills, a lead/zinc flotation circuit, thickeners, filtration, chemical, and concentrate storage facilities.
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The company will export zinc concentrate in parcels, each weighing 10,000 dry metric tonnes (dmt), from Berth 29 in Adelaide, with initial silver-lead concentrate exports in 5,000dmt parcels.
Polymetals executive chairman Dave Sproule said: “We are delighted with the completion of the Endeavor mill refurbishment. Milling operations are settling down well and we are addressing various maintenance issues as they arise.
“Pre-payment against holding certificates has been arranged with Ocean Partners to assist with working capital needs. The site continues to mill medium-grade ore whilst optimising processing to receive increasing primary feed grade and high-grade silver ore in the coming months.”
Located 40km north of Cobar in central-western NSW, the Endeavor mine is an underground operation in the Cobar Basin, second in size only to the CSA Copper mine. The mine was acquired by Polymetals in 2023.
The Endeavor project has a fully equipped underground base metal mine, operationally ready with a 7km decline, a 300m shaft with an associated headframe, winder, underground crusher, and all necessary pumping, safety, and related equipment.
The site also includes extensive mine development. Infrastructure at the mine includes a sealed access road, active rail infrastructure, grid power, and a secure water supply.
In February, Polymetals Resources secured firm commitments to raise A$35m in equity to support the restart of the Endeavor mine.
“Polymetals Resources’ Endeavor mine in Australia begins silver and zinc production” was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.
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Amazon announced its intention to bring same-day and next-day delivery to “tens of millions” of people who live in live in smaller towns by the end of 2026. Speedier deliveries will be available to residents “in more than 4,000 smaller cities, towns, and rural communities,” the company said in a press release Tuesday.
Items categorized as “everyday essentials,” including groceries, beauty products, household goods, or pet food, will now be available to small town or rural customers for same-day or next-day delivery. If they are Prime subscribers (currently $14.99 a month or $139 annually), they get unlimited free same-day delivery when spending over $25 at checkout.
Items categorized as “everyday essentials” will now be available to small town or rural customers for same-day or next-day delivery.
Amazon has already expanded its speedy delivery options to customers in over 1,000 small or rural communities, and people are buying these essential items at a higher rate than before. Amazon says over 90 percent of the top 50 items purchased for same-day delivery are “everyday essentials items.”
The company was able to accomplish this massive expansion by spending a lot of money — $4 billion, according to Amazon — on building new facilities and hiring new delivery drivers. Its also transforming existing delivery hubs in these smaller communities into hybrid facilities where Amazon packages can be prepped for final delivery.
And the company is using machine learning to better predict what items each communities buys in large quantities, so it can make sure to have those items in stock for faster delivery. This includes “the most-popular and frequently purchased items like wireless headphones, coffee pods, crackers, paper towels, and diapers, and products curated to fit local preferences like wild bird food in Dubuque, Iowa, travel backpacks in Findlay, Ohio, and after sun body butter in Sharptown, Maryland,” Amazon says.
While many residents of small towns may delight in faster Amazon deliveries, local business owners may have a different reaction. Amazon has long been a threat to local Mom-and-Pop shops that struggle to compete with the convenience of online shopping, while also laboring under high rents and other costs of doing business. Amazon argues that it provides opportunities for small businesses to reach new customers, but critics claim that the company exploits its dominance in the economy to squeeze out local entrepreneurs.
After signing All-Star Paul George and entering the 2024-25 season with championship aspirations, the Philadelphia 76ers enter a crucial offseason with the No. 3 pick in Wednesday’s 2025 NBA draft (8 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN) and plenty of massive questions to answer following a 24-58 season.
That begins with Joel Embiid, who had arthroscopic surgery on his troublesome left knee a couple of months ago after playing 19 games last season. With the Boston Celtics‘ Jayson Tatum injury (ruptured right Achilles) leaving the top of the Eastern Conference far more vulnerable than anticipated next season, Philadelphia believes it has a chance to contend — but that’s going to be viable only if Embiid is healthy rather than the hobbled version of himself.
Then there’s George, who also struggled to stay on the court and produce in his first season as a Sixer. Can he return to the level he was expected to be at after leaving the LA Clippers as a max free agent 12 months ago?
If they can, the 76ers should be in the mix at the top of the East. Whether they can do so, however, might be the East’s biggest unknown.
Philadelphia also has to decide what to do with restricted free agent Quentin Grimes and unrestricted free agent Guerschon Yabusele. As the team’s two brightest spots last season, they will likely garner outside interest after the way they played.
First, though, the 76ers have a fascinating decision to make with their pick at No. 3 — and they also have what could be a valuable early second-rounder (No. 35) to use on another potential contributor after acquiring the pick in the Caleb Martin trade in February. — Tim Bontemps
After lucking out in the lottery and not only keeping their pick, but seeing it jump to No. 3, the 76ers have an opportunity to add a major talent to their roster. Along with Jonathan Givony, we’re currently projecting VJ Edgecombe as the most likely option at No. 3 after a positive visit to Philadelphia positioned the Baylor shooting guard as the front-runner.
There’s room for another team to make an overture to trade up to this slot, and the 76ers should be open to the idea of using the pick to create value. But after a difficult, injury-plagued season, Philadelphia could also think big picture and take the best available prospect.
Edgecombe offers excellent upside as a shot-creating guard because of his explosiveness and ability to apply downhill pressure on defenses. While he doesn’t fill a direct positional need for the 76ers, he has the makings of a potential franchise building block. His strong intangibles have also helped his case here. He is broadly viewed as a safer option than Ace Bailey, who appears to be behind Edgecombe as a contender for this slot.
While they won’t have great power of choice at No. 35, the Sixers should ideally be targeting a player who can provide immediate roster depth. An experienced college player such as Ryan Kalkbrenner would make sense considering the need for depth behind oft-injured Embiid. — Jeremy Woo
In this trade offer, the 76ers would drop from No. 3 to No. 7 to pick up Jones, who made first-team All-Defense in 2023-24, though he played just 20 games because of a labrum tear in 2024-25. With a career 14% usage rate, Jones won’t add much offensively — his 42% 3-point stroke in 2023-24 looks like an outlier, and opposing defenses still don’t respect his jumper — but his point-of-attack defense would be tremendously important for a team with undersized Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain in the backcourt.
The 76ers ranked 26th in defensive rating this season, the franchise’s worst mark since the “Process” days. And that wasn’t entirely a function of their late-season tank, as they were 23rd before the All-Star break. Adding Jones, along with more playing time from Embiid, would go a long way toward addressing that weakness.
Whether New Orleans would want to give the 76ers that boost is less clear, as the new Pelicans front office hasn’t yet signaled how it wants to change a roster that disappointed so severely this season. But in theory, all options should be on the table for the Pelicans — even trading a valuable player such as Jones, who’s signed to a relatively cheap contract ($13.9 million in 2025-26 and $14.9 million in 2026-27) but will turn 27 years old in early October and might have already peaked.
Based on my draft value chart — which is based on the outcomes for all first-round picks from 2000 through 2016 — the gap between No. 3 and No. 7 is equivalent to a pick in the early 20s. It might be a stretch for Philadelphia to get New Orleans to accept a return like that for Jones. But if the Pelicans believe they might land a true star at No. 3 who won’t fall to No. 7, this deal would make sense for both sides. — Zach Kram
If the 76ers want to hold the No. 3 pick, it won’t be easy to make meaningful upgrades. Embiid, George and Maxey are the only Sixers earning eight figures, so salary matching for a star would be all but impossible unless they can include one of the big three. But Embiid and Maxey seem all but untouchable, and George’s contract looks underwater after a rough first season in Philadelphia — so how about an old-fashioned challenge trade, with no picks involved, just players who might benefit from a fresh start in a new city?
Denver has long been rumored to hold interest in George, who is theoretically an excellent fit for its small forward position, as a two-way secondary star with a smooth 3-point stroke. And if the Nuggets’ new front office decides it needs to gamble with a high-risk, high-reward move to compete with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the West, shifting from Porter to George could be the right call. Porter’s game has plateaued in Denver, and George offers a higher ceiling if he returns healthy in 2025-26.
For the 76ers, meanwhile, Porter’s contract is smaller than George’s and has one fewer year (accounting for George’s player option in 2027-28), increasing their financial flexibility going forward. And as an excellent 3-point shooter with size, Porter would provide pristine spacing around Maxey and Embiid, while fitting more on Maxey’s timeline than George, who’s almost a decade older. — Kram
Among those trade offers, this one fits best
ESPN’s Bobby Marks picks the most realistic of the trades and explains why this might or might not be feasible:
The trade with Denver is the best offer here because the three-for-one trade balances the Sixers’ roster while also removing the $56.6 million owed to George in 2027-28.
The trade with the Pelicans is a win-win. The 76ers entered the week of the draft with a “fictional” list of five players they would draft if they picked at No. 3: Edgecombe, Khaman Maluach, Bailey, Tre Johnson and Jeremiah Fears. By moving back four slots, Philadelphia still has the option to select a player on its list and, more importantly, add an All-NBA defender in Jones.
The trade is conditional on Oubre opting in to his $8.4 million contract for next season.
