2025 NBA Draft Combine: Top storylines to watch throughout week

The 2025 NBA Draft Combine is scheduled to begin this week, with the top candidates to hear their name called in June going through tests and interviews before a set of scrimmages which often impacts the stock of several players. Throughout the week, each prospect will learn more about their stock.

With more than 100 players entering the draft last month, it is time for college basketball players with remaining eligibility and international prospects to evaluate whether they should remain in the class or withdraw. Among those potential players, there are many who could swing both the college and professional landscape.

Entering the 2025 NBA Draft Combine, here is a list of the top storylines to follow. From Measurements to testing, there is no shortage of data to take in.

In the transfer portal

Cedric Coward, PJ Haggerty, Yaxel Lendeborg, RJ Luis, Jamir Watkins, Darrion Williams

This group of players could play a pivotal role in how the NBA Draft and NCAA transfer portal play out over the coming month, either solidifying their commitment to the professional route or a new school. While some have already committed to a new school, others immediately move to the top of every team’s board based on the holes left.

For the likes of Cedric Coward and Yaxel Lendeborg, there is already a set power struggle in play. Both have committed to Top 10 programs for 2025-26, giving them leverage to negotiate draft guarantees and hypothetical contracts with interested teams throughout the week.

Those who remain uncommitted still have plenty leverage themselves, with the option to back out of the draft and test which college programs have a pile of money left to invest in top-end talent. While those details will remain behind the scenes, the final answer will tell all.

On the court, these are players to watch in testing. Strong numbers throughout the week could be the difference in landing the guarantee they are looking for, or getting the feedback needed to improve next season.

Borderline draft prospects

Alex Condon, Isaiah Evans, Karter Knox, Tahaad Pettiford, Labaron Philon, Milos Uzan

While many players who were once considered second-round candidates — or some in the first round — before landing NIL deals to return for another college basketball season, others tested the water. This group of players shares many similarities with the first, but also possesses key differences.

Each one of these players has a deal on the table from their college program, ready to go if they withdraw from the draft. Of course, they found it acceptable given they did not enter the transfer portal.

However, they come to the pre-draft process as pivotal players in the outcome of the NBA and college basketball. Choosing to remain in the draft process would leave a massive hole in their team’s lineup, forcing them to reallocate assets to whatever transfer portal prospects are left on the board. Heading back to school shortens the list of viable picks and increases the chance NBA teams opt to take swings or long-term plays by the end.

As a result, the number of these players who make the transition from measurements and workouts to scrimmages will be interesting to follow. The ability to impress in a setting designed to separate the players beyond the lottery could benefit any borderline player. However, one bad day could end with a college return.

International intrigue

Hugo Gonzalez, Nolan Traore, Noah Penda, Noa Essengue, Bogoljub Markovic, Michael Ruzic

For many fans, this is the first chance to watch significant minutes from the top international prospects. Compared to their peers in many different ways, the chance to evaluate all players in the same setting is always a valuable datapoint.

Some of those listed did not play many minutes for their club team, making the offseason workouts a pivotal part of their NBA journey, whether in drills or a scrimmage. Others are hoping to get in front of decision makers who have largely heard about them from scouts.

International prospects have increasingly found a new path to develop, heading into the college ranks as they prepare for the NBA. It both introduces them to American culture and basketball with time to adjust, and provides more data against common opponents. Whether any of these players choose to withdraw — and what they could decide after that — remains to be seen.

NBA Draft lottery

The cap to the weekend is a special event which brings hope to 14 NBA teams that they could land the No. 1 pick and change the trajectory of their franchise. This season, the prize is Cooper Flagg.

The odds are based on the final standings of the non-playoff teams, with several pick protections on traded assets left to sort out. The flattened lottery odds give the bottom teams in the league equal odds at getting the top pick.

Multiple times since the format change, there have been big leaps to the top of the draft order which drastically change how the coming month will play out. It also shifts the rebuild schedule for front offices across the NBA.