After their unfortunate loss to the Houston Cougars, the Elite Eight is where the journey ends for Zakai Zeigler and the Tennessee Volunteers. In the final year of his NCAA eligibility, Zeigler put up 13.9 points and 7.5 assists to help lead the Volunteers through the tournament.
His performance in the Elite Eight against Houston did not end well, but that shouldn’t knock his draft stock down by too much, especially considering what he has shown this season. Where are some potential landing spots for Zeigler in the 2025 NBA Draft?
5 Potential NBA Teams That Could Draft Zakai Zeigler
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards need help on the defensive end. Badly. Zeigler is undersized (5’9″) and slim (172 pounds), but he fulfills a need that the Wizards could use off the bench. Will the Wizards take a chance on Zeigler?
Golden State Warriors
If its one thing the Golden State Warriors love, it’s undersized guards. They’ve built a dynasty off running small lineups and using highly skilled players. Zeigler fits that mold perfectly. Despite his lack of size, Zeigler could instantly be a contributor in the pass-heavy system that the Warriors utilize.
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls don’t necessarily need a small guard, but they could use someone on the defensive end. Zeigler could become their version of Davion Mitchell, who is known for his defensive prowess and playmaking ability.
Where Zeigler would fit in offensively would be up to their coach, but he’s quick and possesses high IQ on the court, putting him ahead of the game already.
Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets don’t have a team built for the future just yet, but Zeigler could assist with that, leading the way for them to become formidable again. He likely would start in the NBA G League wherever he lands, but with his drive and ability, he could very well end up becoming a major player in the Nets’ rotation.
The Nets have a second-round pick, which they could use to draft Zeigler. With his NCAA journey now at a close, teams can decide what they want from him going into the draft.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The rich get richer? While the Cleveland Cavaliers are well-equipped in their backcourt, they could always use some more help off the bench. Zeigler fits well into their system and could be a great defensive stopper if he’s allowed to shine with the second unit.
The Cavaliers adding a smart guard who can defend just makes their chances of being atop the Eastern Conference next season ever stronger.
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