Stephen A. Smith is a New York Times Bestselling Author, Executive Producer, host of ESPN's First Take, and co-host of NBA Countdown.

A detailed and energetic conversation between Stephen A. Smith and NBA insider Brian Windhorst, focused on the 2025 NBA Draft and its implications for various teams. Here's a breakdown of the key highlights and insights:

🏀 Top Draft Picks & Analysis 1. Cooper Flagg (No. 1 to Dallas Mavericks)
Compared to Tim Duncan in terms of impact potential.
Described as a “perfect modern player” — versatile, defensive-minded, and capable of initiating offense.
May not be a high-volume scorer or Rookie of the Year due to team context (Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson).
Could drive winning early, which is rare for rookies.

2. Dylan Harper (No. 2 to San Antonio Spurs)
Talented and versatile guard.
Spurs are building a positionless, modern roster similar to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Concerns about a crowded backcourt (De’Aaron Fox, Stefon Cassell, Devin Vassell).
Spurs took the best available talent, not drafting for fit.

🔥 Other Draft Highlights 🟢 Philadelphia 76ers
Drafted Edgecombe instead of Ace Bailey due to Bailey’s refusal to work out for teams.
Edgecombe impressed playing for the Bahamian national team.
Daryl Morey emphasized depth in the backcourt and Joel Embiid’s expected return.

🟣 Utah Jazz
Took a risk on Ace Bailey and Walter Clayton Jr.
Bailey is high-risk, high-reward; Clayton impressed in the NCAA tournament.
Utah is talent-starved and needs to take big swings.

🟡 New Orleans Pelicans
Traded up to draft Derrick Queen, giving up a valuable 2026 unprotected pick swap.
Criticized by Bill Simmons as one of the “dumbest trades of the decade.”
Windhorst notes the influence of Troy Weaver in the decision.
High upside with Queen and Jeremiah Fears, but risky if Zion gets injured again.

🏆 Winners of the Draft
San Antonio Spurs: Dylan Harper + Carter Bryant (compared to OG Anunoby).
Atlanta Hawks: Got a top-20 talent (Arsenal) at 23 and a valuable future pick.
Utah Jazz: Took bold swings on Bailey and Clayton Jr.

❌ Losers / Question Marks
Phoenix Suns: Traded two first-round picks for Mark Williams, who failed a physical with the Lakers.

Drafted Malik from Duke (a solid pick).
Strategy questioned due to asset depletion and win-now pressure.

🧠 Final Thoughts
Windhorst emphasizes that while some trades seem questionable now, player development and team context will ultimately determine success.
The NBA offseason remains unpredictable, and more moves are expected.

 

Stephen A. Smith is a New York Times Bestselling Author, Executive Producer, host of ESPN's First Take, and co-host of NBA Countdown.
A detailed and energetic conversation between Stephen A. Smith and NBA insider&nbsp;Brian Windhorst, focused on the 2025 NBA Draft and its implications for various teams. Here's a breakdown of the key highlights and insights:
<hr>
🏀 Top Draft Picks &amp; Analysis 1. Cooper Flagg (No. 1 to Dallas Mavericks)
<ul>
<li>Compared to Tim Duncan in terms of impact potential.</li>
<li>Described as a &ldquo;perfect modern player&rdquo; &mdash; versatile, defensive-minded, and capable of initiating offense.</li>
<li>May not be a high-volume scorer or Rookie of the Year due to team context (Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson).</li>
<li>Could drive winning early, which is rare for rookies.</li>
</ul>
2. Dylan Harper (No. 2 to San Antonio Spurs)
<ul>
<li>Talented and versatile guard.</li>
<li>Spurs are building a positionless, modern roster similar to the Oklahoma City Thunder.</li>
<li>Concerns about a crowded backcourt (De&rsquo;Aaron Fox, Stefon Cassell, Devin Vassell).</li>
<li>Spurs took the best available talent, not drafting for fit.</li>
</ul>
<hr>
🔥 Other Draft Highlights 🟢 Philadelphia 76ers
<ul>
<li>Drafted Edgecombe instead of Ace Bailey due to Bailey&rsquo;s refusal to work out for teams.</li>
<li>Edgecombe impressed playing for the Bahamian national team.</li>
<li>Daryl Morey emphasized depth in the backcourt and Joel Embiid&rsquo;s expected return.</li>
</ul>
🟣 Utah Jazz
<ul>
<li>Took a risk on Ace Bailey and Walter Clayton Jr.</li>
<li>Bailey is high-risk, high-reward; Clayton impressed in the NCAA tournament.</li>
<li>Utah is talent-starved and needs to take big swings.</li>
</ul>
🟡 New Orleans Pelicans
<ul>
<li>Traded up to draft Derrick Queen, giving up a valuable 2026 unprotected pick swap.</li>
<li>Criticized by Bill Simmons as one of the &ldquo;dumbest trades of the decade.&rdquo;</li>
<li>Windhorst notes the influence of Troy Weaver in the decision.</li>
<li>High upside with Queen and Jeremiah Fears, but risky if Zion gets injured again.</li>
</ul>
🏆 Winners of the Draft
<ul>
<li>San Antonio Spurs: Dylan Harper + Carter Bryant (compared to OG Anunoby).</li>
<li>Atlanta Hawks: Got a top-20 talent (Arsenal) at 23 and a valuable future pick.</li>
<li>Utah Jazz: Took bold swings on Bailey and Clayton Jr.</li>
</ul>
<hr>
❌ Losers / Question Marks
<ul>
<li>Phoenix Suns: Traded two first-round picks for Mark Williams, who failed a physical with the Lakers.
<ul>
<li>Drafted Malik from Duke (a solid pick).</li>
<li>Strategy questioned due to asset depletion and win-now pressure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<hr>
🧠 Final Thoughts
<ul>
<li>Windhorst emphasizes that while some trades seem questionable now, player development and team context will ultimately determine success.</li>
<li>The NBA offseason remains unpredictable, and more moves are expected.</li>
</ul>
<hr>
&nbsp;

On The Stephen A. Smith Show, Smith gives you his renowned point of view, breaking barriers beyond the world of sports, and tackling pertinent issues across entertainment, pop culture, society, business, and politics. Three times a week, you'll hear his unfiltered opinions on the day’s biggest headlines as well as straight-shooting interviews with top celebrities, game-changers, and thought leaders across the societal arena. The Stephen A. Smith Show is sure to entertain, inform, and motivate anyone who tunes in.

On The Stephen A. Smith Show, Smith gives you his renowned point of view, breaking barriers beyond the world of sports, and tackling pertinent issues across entertainment, pop culture, society, business, and politics. Three times a week, you'll hear his unfiltered opinions on the day’s biggest headlines as well as straight-shooting interviews with top celebrities, game-changers, and thought leaders across the societal arena. The Stephen A. Smith Show is sure to entertain, inform, and motivate anyone who tunes in.

The Stephen A. Smith Show

Interview Only: NBA insider Brian Windhorst, focused on the 2025 NBA Draft and its implications for various teams.

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/fa7c2ffe-633a-4298-ac3f-b30b00049dbc/transcript