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The NBA draft doesn’t just see top prospects get welcomed to their new teams — it’s also a time when clubs get the ball rolling with offseason trades.
Many expected a draft-night trade from a team trading up to select Ace Bailey, who went No. 5 to the Jazz, but no deal was made.
Still, some major moves were made while commissioner Adam Silver made his way through announcing each pick.
Spurs trade second-rounder to Pacers
The first deal of the night was a fairly minor one, as San Antonio dealt the No. 38 pick to Indiana for a future second-round pick and cash.
Hornets trade Mark Williams to the Suns for two first-rounders
After Charlotte’s attempt to trade Williams to the Lakers at the deadline this past season failed, the Hornets offloaded him for real this time.
Williams is headed to Phoenix in exchange for the No. 29 pick and a 2029 first-round pick, the least favorable of Cleveland, Utah and Minnesota’s selections and top-five protected, per ESPN.
Williams is the second center the Suns landed Wednesday.
They moved Kevin Durant to the Rockets on Sunday in a deal that brought Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and the 10th pick, which Phoenix used to select Duke center Khaman Maluach.
In addition to the draft compensation, Charlotte is acquiring Vasilije Micic.
Cedric Coward to Memphis, Yang Hansen to Portland
Washington State’s Cedric Coward was selected at No. 11, a pick that originally belonged to Portland, which Memphis acquired by sending a 2028 first-rounder via Orlando and two second-round picks.
The Blazers moved down to No. 16 and made the controversial choice to draft Yang Hansen from China.
Derik Queen heads to New Orleans
The Hawks traded the 13th pick to the Pelicans in exchange for the 23rd pick and an unprotected 2026 first-round pick, which will be the most favorable of New Orleans and Milwaukee’s selections.
New Orleans chose Maryland’s Derik Queen, and he will join No. 7 pick Jeremiah Fears in The Big Easy. Atlanta selected Georgia’s Asa Newell with the 23rd pick.
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Walter Clayton Jr. joins Ace Bailey in Utah
The Wizards elected to trade the No. 18 pick to the Jazz in exchange for the No. 21 pick, the No. 43 pick and second-rounders in 2031 and 2032.
Clayton, a national champion with Florida this April, joins Bailey in Utah, while the Wizards landed Illinois wing Will Riley via the No. 21 pick.
More trades could certainly be on the way.
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