Highlighting the NBA combine: top draft contenders and potential withdrawals

The 2025 NBA Draft Combine wrapped up in Chicago, offering a rare and revealing glimpse into the next generation of talent poised to reshape the league. From standout performances that bolstered draft stock to puzzling absences and looming withdrawal decisions, the week underscored the intense scrutiny these prospects face as they navigate their professional futures. With the Dallas Mavericks securing the No. 1 pick and locked on Cooper Flagg, the spotlight also shined on players each weighing the risks and rewards of entering the draft or returning to college amid the rising influence of NIL deals. Whether it's athletes like Hansen Yang flashing tantalizing glimpses of NBA-ready skills or others like Alex Condon sitting on the fence, the combine's outcomes will send ripples through the upcoming draft and beyond.

Top NBA Draft Combine Performers and Skill Showcases Elevating 2025 Prospects

The combine's 5-on-5 scrimmages and individual drills served as a critical evaluation platform, allowing teams to dissect not just raw talent but basketball IQ, resilience, and skill adaptability. Prospects took to the hardwood wearing gear from brands like Nike and Adidas, their performances tracked by advanced StatSports analytics, powering front offices' decision-making beyond traditional scouting.

• Cooper Flagg: Projected No. 1 pick, showed maturity and leadership befitting his lottery status, impressing scouts with his ability to create shots and energize teammates.
• Yaxel Lendeborg: With NBA-ready size and a 7-foot-4 wingspan, his polished passing and midrange game make him a coveted first-round candidate provided teams can overlook his defensive lapses.
• Tahaad Pettiford: The Auburn guard dazzled with his scoring versatility and defensive tenacity, highlighted by a 42-inch vertical leap measured with state-of-the-art equipment, placing him firmly in second-round conversations.
• Maxime Raynaud: Postponing scrimmages provoked intrigue, but his explosive 20-point, 9-rebound performance showcased why he could leap into the first round.
• Miles Byrd: Emblematic of the modern 3-and-D archetype, Byrd's defensive instincts and three-point shooting glimmered, aided by Under Armour gear enhancing his comfort and mobility on the floor.

Beyond athleticism, these players demonstrated a nuanced basketball awareness, a trend underscored by team reps from Adidas and Puma-sponsored squads focusing on skill refinement over pure speed or leaping ability. The interplay between player capacity and technological training support emerged as a fascinating subplot.

Combine Testing: Measuring Athleticism With Impact on Draft Stock

Testing sessions powered by StatSports biometric tools quantified vertical leaps, agility shuttles, and shooting accuracy, with players equipped in brands like Jordan Brand and Reebok stepping up their game. For example:

• Drake Powell's elite verticals put him among the most explosive wings this draft has seen, drawing parallels to Herb Jones' prototype.
• Mark Sears' sharpshooting drills proved his value as a reliable shooter, an increasingly coveted skill as NBA offenses demand spacing.
• Chaz Lanier's precise perimeter shooting reaffirmed his position as one of college basketball's premier snipers, subsequently raising his draft appeal.

Yet, some injuries and non-participation — such as Duke's Kon Knueppel sidelined with an ankle strain — added layers of uncertainty, reminding us that health often dictates draft trajectories as much as performance.

Potential Draft Withdrawals and Strategic Decisions Shaping the 2025 NBA Draft Landscape

With the NCAA withdrawal deadline looming on May 28, a slew of prospects faced the critical decision to stay in the draft or return to college, a calculation complicated by the rise of NIL deals offering lucrative opportunities outside the NBA. Players like Hansen Yang and Alex Condon epitomize this dilemma, balancing promising NBA upside against a chance to refine their game and market value in collegiate programs boosted by New Balance and Spalding partnerships.

• Hansen Yang: Showed flashes of elite passing and defensive potential but questionable quickness and rebounding; advised by scouts to consider withdrawing and honing his perimeter shooting and conditioning.
• Alex Condon: Hovering on the late first-round bubble, seeking firm guarantees; his decision heavily influenced by potential gains from staying with Florida post-national championship versus early entry.
• Yaxel Lendeborg: Torn between NBA aspirations and college development at Michigan; publicly admitted a 50/50 stance.
• Milos Uzan: On the cusp of second-round selection, undecided on draft status, weighing Houston’s championship-caliber roster impact and personal development.
• Jamir Watkins and Darrion Williams: Leave-it-or-live-it candidates in the transfer portal, facing stark financial contrasts between pro contracts and NIL-derived college earnings.

These strategic crossroads illustrate how the NBA Draft Combine now serves not just as talent evaluation but as a high-stakes crossroads where career-defining choices unfold under the watchful eyes of teams and markets.

Trade Rumors and Lottery Dynamics Influencing Draft Night Strategy

The draft lottery results injected a dose of unpredictability, with Dallas clinching the No. 1 pick and stirring conversations on blockbuster trades that could involve stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo. Meanwhile, teams picking later in the lottery—Houston, Portland, and San Antonio—appear poised to leverage their positions for immediate-impact veterans rather than drafting purely on upside.

• Spurs' No. 2 pick: Positioned for either selecting top-ranked prospect Dylan Harper or flipping the pick toward a established star, given their asset arsenal including future unprotected picks and swap rights.
• Philadelphia 76ers at No. 3: In the spotlight for trading discussions amid a still-murky rebuild and playoff ambitions.
• Trade chatter on back half lottery picks: Signals evolving strategies across the league where draft picks become currency for win-now moves.

Game plans on draft night will be shaped by how teams integrate emerging stars from this combine—many of whom showcased their potential in Adidas and Puma sneakers—while handling dynamic trade realities to balance short- and long-term ambitions.

For in-depth breakdowns and continuous updates on draft predictions, tiebreakers, the playoff bracket, and exclusive Mavericks draft lotto coverage, visit trusted analysis sites like Basketball Evolution and Mavericks Draft Lottery.

Stay sharp on evolving rosters and key decisions at NBA 2025 Draft Combine Roster and track the latest in early entries and mock drafts at NBA Draft Early Entries and NBA Mock Draft Cooper Flagg.