NBA Draft: Interior Playmakers Who Could Help Connect NBA Offenses

Current NBA offenses have been able to flow much more smoothly when they can run through smart decision-makers out of the post and these four players could be perfect fits for this role

Mar 9, 2024; Providence, Rhode Island, USA; Connecticut Huskies forward Alex Karaban (11) passes the ball against the Providence Friars during the first half at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images / Eric Canha-Imagn Images

In today’s NBA, several offenses have reached a new level thanks to forwards and centers who can play make for others. We have seen players like Nikola Jokic, Domantas Sabonis and Draymond Green force defenses into uncomfortable positions with their vision and willingness to share the ball. The 2025 draft class features a number of forwards and centers who could excel at this relatively new play style.

Let's look at four interior prospects who bring interesting playmaking potential to their teams:

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Alex Karaban | Forward | UConn | 6-foot-8 | 220 lbs

Feb 22, 2023; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; Connecticut Huskies forward Alex Karaban (11) passes the ball against the Providence Friars during the second half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images / Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Alex Karaban is one of the more versatile forwards in all of college basketball, as he can score from all three levels and is also extremely switchable on the defensive end. Although he averaged just below two assists per game last season, his playmaking numbers do not tell the whole story. His ability to make quick decisions out of the high post and off designated handoffs is very noticeable on film. He clearly has a good understanding of UConn’s offensive system and shows promise for fitting into NBA sets while helping their systems run smoothly. His willingness to make extra passes has been great for the Huskies in the past and should continue to stand out as they pursue a third straight national championship.

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Derik Queen | Forward | Maryland | 6-foot-10 | 246 lbs

Montverde s Derik Queen (25) shakes teammate hand during introductions against Whitehaven for a basketball game in the Winter Classic at the McDonald Insurance Arena on Friday, Feb. 09, 2024 in Bartlett, Tenn. / Stu Boyd II-The Commercial Appeal / USA TODAY NETWORK

Derik Queen is the only freshman on this list, thanks to his vision while playing out of the low post. He is a powerful presence in the paint, using his combination of strength and footwork to regularly gain position inside. Offensively, his standout ability is finding cutters and shooters with his back to the basket. In his two seasons at Montverde, Queen had a positive assist-to-turnover ratio, highlighting his decision-making despite hardly ever initiating the offense. Queen should be able to play make more during his freshman season due to his apparent role for the Terrapins. Slinging crosscourt passes after defenders collapse has been one of the more impressive aspects of his passing. While his productivity is still hypothetical, he will be one of the most interesting prospects to monitor throughout the upcoming season.

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Hansen Yang | Center | China | 7-foot-1 | 250 lbs

Hansen Yang has been the most productive passer on this list, averaging nearly five assists in FIBA play last season. He is physically massive; while he is not particularly impressive athletically, he makes great reads out of the post and creates opportunities for others moving off-ball. Yang will likely not play big minutes due to his lack of mobility, but he can be effective in spot minutes thanks to his dominant interior presence and willingness to move the ball for the best looks. He prefers to work slowly out of the low post and fires the ball out to shooters as soon as their defenders help too much into the lane. Yang can be a constant double-double threat if given the opportunity but will need to improve his mobility to showcase his unique skill set.

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Coleman Hawkins | Forward | Kansas State | 6-foot-10 | 225 lbs

Mar 30, 2024; Boston, MA, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Coleman Hawkins (33) attempts to dribble against the Connecticut Huskies in the finals of the East Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images / Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Coleman Hawkins has a well-rounded offensive skill set and has shown the ability to expand the offensive games of his teammates while playing alongside productive guards and bigs. Last season, Hawkins averaged nearly three assists along with 12 points on efficient shooting splits of 45%/37%/79%. Transferring to Kansas State will offer him the opportunity to create a new role for himself; while he will still be relied on to score, the Wildcats have done a good job of playing unselfishly, which should highlight his ability to create for others. He has good vision while playing along the perimeter but excels after attacking the high post, gathering and finding open teammates at the rim or relocating for catch-and-shoot threes. Hawkins’ combination of size and skill has landed him on draft radars over the past few seasons, and he should take another leap during the upcoming season.

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