Rocco Zikarsky talks to media at the 2025 NBA basketball draft combine in Chicago, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

NEW YORK — The Minnesota Timberwolves were set to kick off the second day of the NBA draft with the 31st overall pick on Thursday. Instead, they traded back twice for the 45th overall pick in this year’s draft, two second-rounders and cash considerations.

With the 45th overall pick, Minnesota drafted center Rocco Zikarsky out of Australia. Zikarsky is the second international center the Timberwolves selected in this draft after taking Joan Beringer with the 17th overall pick on Wednesday.

Once the clock started on the Timberwolves’ pick, they traded it to the Phoenix Suns for the 36th overall pick this year and two future second-rounders yet to be announced, according to Shams Charania. Minnesota then sent the 36th overall pick to the Lakers in exchange for the 45th overall pick and cash considerations.

Zikarsky, ESPN’s 41st-ranked prospect, played two years in the Australian National Basketball League for the Brisbane Bullets. He finished his career there averaging 3.8 points per game with 2.6 rebounds and 0.8 blocks over 45 games. 

This past year, Zikarsky averaged 4.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 0.6 blocks per game in 11.8 minutes per contest over 18 games. He shot 52% from the field and 57% from the free-throw line. He made one of his five 3-point attempts on the season.

During his two seasons with Brisbane, the Bullets went 13-15 in 2023-24 and 12-17 in 2024-25.

Zikarsky, standing at 7-foot-3 and 257 pounds, has a 9-foot, 6.5-inch standing reach. He struggled to consistently make layups and free throws, but showed potential with his offensive rebounding ability and his potential as a rim protector, according to ESPN. 

Born on July 11, 2006, Zikarsky will be turning 19 in just over two weeks.

The Timberwolves could potentially lose center Naz Reid and forward Julius Randle before next season, with the frontcourt duo each holding player options that need to be picked up or declined by Sunday. 

Starting center Rudy Gobert still has two remaining years on his contract with the Wolves, worth $35M in 2025-26 and $36.5M in 2026-27 before his $38M player option for the 2027-28 season. Gobert will be 35 heading into the season of his player option before being slated for free agency in 2028-29.

Phoenix used the 36th overall pick to select forward Rasheer Fleming out of St. Joseph’s while the Lakers drafted Adou Thiero from the University of Arkansas. ESPN ranked Fleming as its 27th overall prospect and Thiero as its 32nd.

Fleming, who has drawn comparisons to Minnesota forward Jaden McDaniels, averaged 14.7 points and 8.5 rebounds on a 62% effective field goal percentage for St. Joe’s, while Thiero averaged 15.1 points and .58 rebounds on a 57% effective field goal percentage at Arkansas this year after transferring from the University of Kentucky. Both Fleming and Thiero just completed their junior seasons.