NBA Draft Rumors: Suns, Pelicans, Nuggets, Caleb Love, Kings

With the 2025 NBA Draft fast approaching, teams are zeroing in on potential fits, and for the Phoenix Suns, that means floor-spacing big men.

According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Suns are “highly intrigued” by the idea of adding a stretch five, both in the veteran market and with the No. 29 pick in the draft. Two names to watch: Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner and Stanford’s Maxime Raynaud. Both are reportedly “very much in consideration” for Phoenix’s lone first-round pick. Kalkbrenner recently worked out for the team.

Raynaud is ranked No. 24 on ESPN’s draft board and offers size, touch, and versatility. Kalkbrenner, a three-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year, sits at No. 33 and brings rim protection with growing range — the kind of modern big man the Suns could slot next to their star trio.

Pelicans Eyeing Wing Depth?

New Orleans, which holds the seventh overall pick, brought in two wings for workouts last week: Duke’s Kon Knueppel and Washington State’s Cedric Coward, per HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.

Knueppel is projected to land at No. 7 in HoopsHype’s aggregate mock draft and checks in at No. 8 on ESPN’s board, while Coward ranks No. 29. With uncertainty surrounding Brandon Ingram’s future, it’s a spot worth monitoring.

Nuggets Cast Wide Net

Denver, picking late in the second round, recently hosted Arizona’s Caleb Love, Kansas big man Hunter Dickinson, Bradley forward Darius Hannah, and Indiana center Oumar Ballo, per ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk.

Love is the lone prospect among the group currently listed on ESPN’s top 100 (No. 75), but Ballo — a second-team All-Big Ten selection — also worked out for the Kings and could be a sleeper pick in the 40s.

Kings Workout Features Mix of Guards, Bigs

Sacramento, holding the No. 45 pick, brought in a six-man group this week: Alabama’s Mark Sears, West Virginia’s Javon Small, UCLA’s Kobe Johnson, G League Ignite’s Dink Pate, Indiana’s Oumar Ballo, and Serbian center Bogoljub Markovic.

Markovic (No. 38), Small (No. 49), and Pate (No. 56) all rank inside ESPN’s top 60, with Markovic drawing intrigue for his mobility and touch at 6-foot-10.

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