The Ringer's NBA Draft Show

J. Kyle Mann is joined by Tate Frazier from One Shining Podcast as they discuss the ongoing debate over evaluating players based on their physical tools versus their game tape, NIL’s effect on the NBA draft, upside for some of the players who decided to return to school, Michigan’s portal haul, and whether Florida can still be an elite team (02:25). Next, they dive into the Charlotte Hornets, as Tate explains why they should draft Tre Johnson, Brandon Miller's role with the franchise, and whether it's time to move on from LaMelo Ball (31:22). Check out The Ringer’s 2025 NBA Draft Guide [https://nbadraft.theringer.com/] for all the latest prospect rankings, draft grades, and more! Host: J. Kyle Mann Guest: Tate Frazier Producer: Jessie Lopez Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

BYU freshman guard Egor Demin joins J. Kyle Mann to discuss his basketball journey (03:13). They go through how Egor’s time with Real Madrid pushed his love for playing basketball, why he decided to go to BYU instead of playing professionally overseas, the mental experience gained while playing in college, and lessons he took after BYU’s blowout loss to Providence. Egor also shares why he enjoys watching Deni Avdija and Cade Cunningham, his unique passing style, and confidence with playing in the pick-and-roll at the next level. Check out The Ringer’s 2025 NBA Draft Guide [https://nbadraft.theringer.com/] for all the latest prospect rankings, draft grades, and more! You can read Kyle’s article mentioned in this episode here [https://www.theringer.com/2025/05/21/nba-draft/nba-draft-dylan-harper-ace-bailey]. Host: J. Kyle Mann Guest: Egor Demin Producer: Jessie Lopez Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

J. Kyle Mann is joined by The Ringer’s Danny Chau to process the 2025 NBA draft lottery. The guys discuss the bizarre past three months for the Mavericks, which somehow culminated in them landing the no. 1 pick (and likely Cooper Flagg), despite only having a 1.8 percent chance to do so. They talk through why they’re betting on Flagg’s NBA success and his ability to step into the shadow of Luka Doncic in Dallas. They round out the show by trying to figure out what the Spurs should do with the second overall pick, talking through the Sixers’ options at no. 3, commiserating with the Jazz's and Wizards’ awful lottery luck, and much more. Check out The Ringer's post-lottery mock draft [https://nbadraft.theringer.com/mock-draft] and Danny's latest piece on Cooper Flagg [https://www.theringer.com/2025/05/12/nba/cooper-flagg-dallas-mavericks-nba-draft-lottery-2025]! Host: J. Kyle Mann Guest: Danny Chau Producer: Ben Cruz Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

J. Kyle Mann begins the show by talking to The Ringer’s Joe House about the upcoming NBA draft class and how some of the top prospects would fare with his beloved Washington Wizards (00:00). Then, 7-foot-1 center Ryan Kalkbrenner joins the show to discuss his evolution at Creighton, NBA hopes, some misconceptions surrounding his game, and more (33:09). Check out The Ringer’s 2025 NBA Draft Guide here. [https://nbadraft.theringer.com/] Host: J. Kyle Mann Guests: Ryan Kalkbrenner and Joe House Producers: Ben Cruz and Troy Farkas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

J. Kyle Mann welcomes CBS's Adam Finkelstein to talk about the evolution of college recruiting, the challenges of assessing young talent, the impact of NIL, and the rise of AI in scouting. Plus, they evaluate the NBA prospects of guys like Boogie Fland, Yaxel Lendeborg, Cooper Flagg, and AJ Dybantsa. After that, Maxwell Baumbach of No Ceilings joins the show to talk about the challenges of identifying hidden talent before getting into emerging prospects like Cedric Coward and Nique Clifford. Check out The Ringer’s 2025 NBA Draft Guide for all the latest prospect rankings, draft grades, and more! Host: J. Kyle Mann Guests: Adam Finkelstein and Max Baumbach Producers: Ben Cruz and Troy Farkas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]