Evaluating the 2025 NBA Draft class has been the last word rollercoaster. This group entered the 12 months wanting prefer it may probably be one of many strongest courses in latest reminiscence, however a lot of that optimism light by the halfway level within the season. We’re left with a draft class that has a generational No. 1 overall pick, a strong No. 2 overall pick, after which a bunch of high-upside prospects with sufficient flaws to tank their careers if issues play out poorly.
Cooper Flagg is a lock to go No. 1 general the Mavericks. Dylan Harper would be the No. 2 decide, to the San Antonio Spurs, until they make a shock determination to commerce out. After that, issues get murky. The Philadelphia 76ers have various good decisions at No. 3 general, however no clear reply. The Brooklyn Nets reportedly wish to transfer up from No. 8, however will anybody forward of them make their decide out there?
Lower than two weeks out from the draft, I at all times like to consider what would make for a perfect pick when a team comes on the clock. This mock is a mix of my very own participant rankings (which will probably be revealed within the days to return) and group want. Listed here are the picks that may draw an A-grade on draft evening.
1. Dallas Mavericks – Cooper Flagg, F, Duke
Flagg checks each field for a No. 1 general decide, and he has a respectable case as one of the best American basketball prospect since LeBron James. Flagg put up monster manufacturing in main Duke to the Remaining 4 because the youngest participant on this draft class with a Dec. 2006 birthday. He has a great mixture of positional dimension, athleticism, IQ, and burgeoning talent. The Maine native developed his status as an off-ball playmaker on each ends of the ground, however his lone season of faculty proved that he’s an elite offensive engine within the making with the ball in his arms. It’s nonetheless onerous to imagine the Mavericks jumped up within the lottery to land the No. 1 general decide after their terrible Luka Doncic commerce in Feb. I still think the Mavs should fire Nico Harrison, trade Anthony Davis, and reset for the long run round Flagg. He’s going to be an impactful two-way participant straight away, however he’s nonetheless years away from hitting his prime, and that’s when Dallas actually must be loading up.
2. San Antonio Spurs – Dylan Harper, G, Rutgers
Harper has had a stranglehold the No. 2 decide on this draft, and I’ve no qualms with that. Each group within the NBA is in search of massive guards who can generate paint touches at will, and end with gentle contact or kick out to teammates because the protection rotates. That’s Harper’s sport in a nutshell. He’s large for a lead ball handler at 6’6 with a 6’10.5 wingspan, and he makes use of his size defensively by making use of spectacular ball stress in opposition to smaller guards. He confirmed an unimaginable mixture of downhill driving and ending regardless of not precisely having nuclear hops across the basket. Harper’s three-point shot is a query mark, and that makes him a little bit of an odd slot in San Antonio with two different shaky shooters in De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Fort already entrenched within the backcourt. I believe there are some attention-grabbing commerce situations right here whether the Spurs swing for a superstar or trade down to acquire more future picks while staying in the top-10, however finally it’s onerous to move on a prospect with Harper’s upside.
Picture by Elsa/Getty Photos
3. Philadelphia 76ers – Kon Knueppel, G, Duke
I keep going back-and-forth between Knueppel and VJ Edgecombe for this decide. Neither is an ideal match positionally for a Sixers group that already has two smaller guards within the backcourt in Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain, however a group selecting within the top-three finally must prioritize taking one of the best out there participant. Knueppel was Duke’s unsung hero subsequent to Flagg throughout his freshman season, offering knockdown capturing and pinch of pick-and-roll playmaking that ought to serve him properly within the NBA. He ought to provide immense capturing gravity with a three-year observe report of elite three-point capturing relationship again to highschool, and I believe his really feel for the sport and toughness are spectacular sufficient to assist him overcome his common size and athletic explosiveness. It doesn’t matter what the futures of Joel Embiid and Paul George maintain, Knueppel is a profitable participant who suits into any variety of lineup constructions.
4. Charlotte Hornets – VJ Edgecombe, G, Baylor
Edgecombe may be essentially the most explosive athlete within the class, and his spot-up capturing and defensive playmaking are interesting sufficient to make him a candidate for the third general decide. Charlotte needs to be thrilled if he’s nonetheless on the board at No. 4. Edgecombe needs to be a great slot in an uptempo offense led by LaMelo Ball, and his potential to power turnovers on protection ought to get the group out and working. He nonetheless wants loads of refinement in his offensive sport, notably as a pull-up shooter and rim finisher. Edgecombe’s elite athleticism paired together with his potential to keep away from turnovers and contribute on the glass provides him a safer flooring, and he nonetheless may have an All-Star ceiling if he develops extra craft offensively. He suits properly between Ball and Brandon Miller, and will assist Charlotte discover the id it badly wants.
5. Utah Jazz – Khaman Maluach, C, Duke
I’m shopping for Maluach’s upside due to his ridiculous size, expert rim ending, defensive paint safety, and capturing potential. The Duke freshman measured at practically 7’1 barefoot with a wingspan a tick underneath 7’7 and a 9’6 standing attain, which can make him one of many tallest and longest gamers within the league. He was a hyper-efficient scorer in a slender function for Duke with 73.6 % true capturing bouyed by 77 % ending on the rim. Maluach put up solely pedestrian block and rebounding charges for somebody together with his dimension, however Duke switched him rather a lot on the perimeter and he seemed snug defending in house. I like that he makes his free throws (76.6 %) and confirmed a willingness to take threes earlier than arriving in Durham. The Jazz are so distant from being aggressive that they want a excessive upside swing, and to me Maluach has the very best ceiling within the class after Flagg and Harper.
6. Washington Wizards – Collin Murray-Boyles, F, South Carolina
Right here’s my first curveball of this mock. The Wizards have gone for instruments over manufacturing within the final two drafts with Alex Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly, and now I believe it’s time for them to go the opposite approach. Murray-Boyles will invite apparent skepticism from entrance places of work as an undersized massive man who can’t shoot threes but, however he’s so robust in virtually each different space that he nonetheless has a pathway to high-level impression. The South Carolina sophomore is one of the best defensive participant on this class with a formidable combo of power and size (7’1 wingspan). He’s a plus ball handler and passer for his place offensively, and he can take opposing bigs off the dribble as a bully-ball scorer. With Sarr preferring to drift to the perimeter to take threes, Murray-Boyles is an interesting match right here who may function an offensive hub whereas offering some a lot wanted defensive spine for a younger group. His management qualities and intangibles appear off the charts, and if his three-point shot ever comes round, he might be one of many greatest steals of this class.
7. New Orleans Pelicans – Tre Johnson, G, Texas
The Pelicans can be thrilled to see the board break like this with Johnson, Jeremiah Fears, and Ace Bailey all nonetheless out there at No. 7 — a extremely unlikely state of affairs in actuality. I’m going with Johnson as a quick-trigger capturing guard who wouldn’t take the ball out of Zion Williamson’s arms and will assist repair the three-point points that doomed the Pelicans’ offense this 12 months. If Williamson goes to be a part of New Orleans’ long-term future, he wants shooters round him, and Johnson has a case alongside Knueppel as the highest shooter within the class. His sport is extra well-rounded than it will get credit score for, with some first rate flashes of passing and on-ball defensive depth. Johnson can takeover a sport as a scorer when he will get scorching, and that’s a pleasant complement to have taking part in off Zion’s scoring gravity. If the Pelicans hold Trey Murphy and Herb Jones round, abruptly there’s a nucleus for a aggressive group if all the pieces comes collectively, beginning with Williamson’s well being.
Picture by James Gilbert/Getty Photos
8. Brooklyn Nets – Jeremiah Fears, G, Oklahoma
There are many rumors that the Nets wish to transfer as much as draft Fears, and on this state of affairs he falls to them with the eighth decide. Fears is a true upside swing with spectacular manufacturing in a tricky convention at an excellent younger age (he gained’t flip 19 till Oct.). He has one of the best mixture of pace and ball dealing with within the class, which permits him to get wherever he desires on the ground. The problem with Fears proper now could be that he was a poor rim finisher (53 %) and a shaky three-point shooter (28 %) as a freshman with the Sooners. There needs to be hope that his ending can enhance as he good points power and craft, and there’s motive to imagine in his capturing growth given his contact from the free throw line and mid-range, mixed his flashes of deep vary this season. Fears wants loads of bodily and talent growth, however he does some issues that may’t be taught, and his manufacturing in opposition to SEC groups was spectacular given his youth.
9. Toronto Raptors – Ace Bailey, F, Rutgers
Bailey probably gained’t be on the board at No. 9, however this must be his absolute flooring. The Raptors have an affinity for gamers like Bailey, a 6’9 wing with an elite highschool pedigree who continues to be rising into his physique and his sport. Bailey’s expertise is apparent from the second he walks into the fitness center as a tall wing scorer with unbelievable shot-making potential and elite bodily instruments. It’s onerous to search out gamers with this mixture of size (7-foot wingspan), athletic explosiveness, and capturing contact, and Bailey checks all three packing containers. The problem with Bailey is he doesn’t actually know play basketball but: he showcases poor court docket imaginative and prescient and an lack of ability to get his teammates concerned as a passer. He could make some superior restoration performs defensively, however his preliminary psychological lapses can compromise a group defensive construction. I don’t see star upside on Bailey till his deal with and all-around consciousness improves, however he ought to nonetheless have a high-floor together with his physicality and capturing. This could be a house run decide for the Raptors at No. 9.
10. Houston Rockets – Kasparas Jakucionis, G, Illinois
The Rockets were named as one of five teams interested in Kevin Durant, and this decide is probably going going out in any commerce package deal. If Phoenix have been selecting right here, Jase Richardson can be the odds-on favourite given the Suns’ glaring Michigan State bias. Ought to Houston hold this decide, Jakucionis would give them a dimension they don’t at the moment have on the roster. The Lithuanian level guard is likely one of the most gifted passers on this class, whether or not he’s working pick-and-roll within the halfcourt or getting his group out in transition with hit-ahead passes. His stepback three could be a lethal weapon, and he confirmed a capability to get to the foul line at Illinois. Jakucionis isn’t an excellent athlete, and he had large turnover issues when groups began to blitz him this 12 months. I’m nervous about his potential to attain from two-point vary, and if he may even get to impartial defensively. Nonetheless, Jakucionis’ passing could be particular, and if his pull-up three is falling, he can actually stress an opposing protection. He’s price a shot within the late lottery or center a part of the first-round.
11. Portland Path Blazers – Jase Richardson, G, Michigan State
It’s a typical chorus that you may’t educate dimension and athleticism. Can the identical be stated for really feel? In that case, Jase Richardson is a simple lottery decide on this class with razor-sharp IQ matched with elite three-point capturing potential. Richardson took off as quickly as Michigan State lastly inserted him within the beginning lineup in Feb., turning right into a lethal off-ball scorer who not often turned the ball over. If solely the son of Jason Richardson had his father’s dimension. The freshman guard measured at 6-foot on the mix, however his 6’6 wingspan does give him strong size. It is going to be attention-grabbing to see if Richardson can scale up after a low-usage function in school, however even when he can’t, his talent set nonetheless seems like a very good match for a Blazers group that wants capturing and connective passing. Even scarier than his lack of dimension may be his damage historical past: Richardson had a hole in his femur that required a bone graft in high school. If the damage is not a priority, Portland may simply cowl Richardson on protection with monsters like Donovan Clingan and Toumani Camara on the ground. His potential to search out gentle spots within the opposing protection may assist their offense take off. It’s onerous for a small guard to make it in immediately’s league, however Richardson’s talent set provides him a terrific likelihood to do it.
12. Chicago Bulls – Noa Essengue, F, Ulm
Essengue’s mixture of dimension, athleticism, and manufacturing in a professional league at an especially younger age makes up the premise for his case as a lottery decide. The 6’10 French ahead is the second youngest participant on this draft behind Flagg with a Dec. 2006 birthday, and he’s already been stuffing field scores all season lengthy within the high German league for Ulm. His scoring effectivity has been undeniably spectacular with 62.7 % true capturing, and he’s performed properly to hit the glass (20.1 % defensive rebound fee) and discover his methods into blocks and steals defensively. Essengue simply doesn’t have a really polished dribble, move, and shoot talent set at this level, and that makes his projection somewhat bit difficult. He’s solely made 28 % of his threes this season on 122 makes an attempt, his 8.4 % help fee is tremendous low, and whereas his deal with seems good within the open flooring, it may simply be disrupted by ball stress. Nonetheless, Essengue’s switchable protection on the perimeter and size on the rim is an interesting mixture, and the truth that he’s been scoring properly and not using a good bounce shot but is spectacular. The Bulls have to draft for ceiling, and Essengue’s is excessive given his instruments and manufacturing.
Picture by Christian Petersen/Getty Photos
13. Atlanta Hawks – Carter Bryant, F, Arizona
The Hawks have sought to encompass Trae Younger with size, athleticism, and defensive upside, and Bryant can be one other good match for that mould. The Arizona freshman put up big-time defensive playmaking numbers and flashed spot-up capturing potential this 12 months. He has a terrific body for a professional wing at 6’8 with a 7-foot wingspan, and he seemed like an explosive athlete at each ends. Bryant can’t actually create his personal shot but and he isn’t a lot of a passer, however so long as he continues flattening photographs as a flooring spacer, his protection ought to get him on the ground and provides him an extended profession.
14. San Antonio Spurs – Derik Queen, F/C, Maryland
There’s a case for Queen as one of many highest upside gamers on this draft class. The freshman massive man was a robust and environment friendly inside scorer who flashed the potential to develop as a passer throughout a unbelievable season at Maryland. Queen is unimaginable to include in the course of the ground with shocking ball dealing with potential, an innate information of get his defender off steadiness, and gentle contact close to the rim. The group that takes Queen has to imagine in his star outcomes, as a result of his function participant translation is a approach larger query mark. Queen is undersized for a middle, and confirmed poor defensive habits and conditioning. He solely made 4 three-pointers all 12 months, and isn’t a dependable flooring spacer. The questions on his protection and capturing are scary for a top-10 choice, however Queen is such a very good scorer that he ought to be capable to overcome it. This could be a dream haul for the Spurs with Harper and Queen, however I wouldn’t be shocked to see this decide traded for Kevin Durant.
15. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder – Thomas Sorber, C, Georgetown
Sorber is a throwback massive man who can defend the paint, rebound, display, and make some spectacular passing reads. He has among the finest mixtures of size and power on this class, with a monstrous +9 wingspan offsetting some considerations about his lack of top at 6’9.25 with out sneakers. Sorber isn’t an explosive athlete off the bottom, however he is aware of the place he be defensively and he takes up loads of house. He can play somewhat heavy at occasions and doesn’t present any capturing or spacing worth but. It feels just like the Thunder have focused traits like those Sorber possesses, and he may give the group a long-term alternative for Isaiah Hartenstein if he must be moved in a commerce.
16. Orlando Magic – Walter Clayton Jr., G, Florida
The Magic want capturing within the worst approach doable, and Clayton Jr. gave a convincing pitch that he needs to be an choice to fill it throughout March Insanity. The Florida guard went on a nuclear run as a scorer and shot-maker to steer the Gators to the nationwide championship, and his deep vary and talent to create his personal shot may translate properly to the following stage. Clayton isn’t very massive at 6’2 barefoot with a 6’4 wingspan, and he’s extra of a strong passer than a spectacular one. Orlando has loads of size elsewhere on the roster to insulate him defensively, and his biggest talent is an ideal match for Orlando’s greatest weak spot.
17. Minnesota Timberwolves – Nique Clifford, F, Colorado State
Clifford will probably be 24 years previous as a rookie and doesn’t have a signature talent to hold his hat on, however he impacts the sport in so many areas with out taking a lot off the desk. Clifford was a defensive ace early in his profession earlier than increasing his capturing vary and at last rising as an on-ball engine this 12 months for Colorado State. He hit 37.5 % of his threes on 279 makes an attempt throughout his remaining two years in school. His progress as a playmaker was simply as spectacular this 12 months, with a 26.8 % help fee whereas nonetheless being an environment friendly quantity scorer. Clifford isn’t overly spectacular together with his size/power/athleticism and he’ll be in a a lot smaller utilization function within the NBA, however he has a approach of filling within the cracks that feels good for a contender just like the Wolves.
Picture by Michael Reaves/Getty Photos
18. Washington Wizards – Cedric Coward, F, Washington State
Coward is that this 12 months’s thriller man within the draft. He began his school profession on the D3 stage, spent two years at Japanese Washington, and performed simply six video games at Washington State earlier than a torn labrum ended his season. He had Duke and Alabama in a bidding warfare for his providers within the switch portal, however NBA groups have been so impressed by his measurements, interviews, and capturing stroke that he’s now a doable lottery decide. Coward’s 7’2+ wingspan and 40 % capturing stroke from three has apparent attraction. He struggled in opposition to high competitors all through his school profession, and it’s onerous to venture if he can create his personal shot in any respect in opposition to NBA defenses. At this level within the draft, taking a swing on a wing with size and capturing looks as if a high-quality wager for the Wizards.
19. Brooklyn Nets – Noah Penda, F, Le Mans
Penda is a robust and lengthy wing with playmaking potential on each ends of the ground. Measuring at 6’7.25 barefoot and 242 kilos with a 6’11.5 wingspan, the French wing has tons of size and power whereas exhibiting a robust really feel for the sport on each ends. Penda is likely one of the higher defensive wing prospects on this class with a eager understanding of rotate to fill within the gaps and muck up driving lanes. On offense, he retains the ball transferring across the perimeter and has proven good instincts as a cutter. Penda isn’t a very good shooter proper now, and it’s doable he’ll be somewhat gradual within the NBA. He’s a very good swing for a group like Brooklyn with a number of picks.
20. Miami Warmth – Adou Thiero, F, Arkanas
Thiero rivals Edgecombe as essentially the most explosive athlete within the class. He hammered residence 45 dunks in 27 video games this 12 months, shot 68 % on the rim, and flew by opponents within the open flooring. Thiero leverages his mixture of size (7-foot wingspan) and explosiveness to wreck havoc defensively, the place he’s nice on the moving into the passing lanes and may present some secondary rim safety. The problem for is that he’s a horrible exterior shooter after making 28.4 % of his threes on solely 74 makes an attempt throughout three seasons of faculty ball. Miami seems like an ideal place to unleash his physicality and assist him hone in talent set.
21. Utah Jazz – Rasheer Fleming, F, St. Joseph’s
Fleming’s size and power mixture is unassailable with a wingspan over 7’5 and a 232-pound body. He caught the NBA’s consideration with a major capturing leap as a junior at St. Joe’s, the place he knocked down 39 % of his threes on 159 makes an attempt. Fleming struggles to create his personal shot and I fear he might be somewhat gradual defensively, however his dimension and capturing projection provides him a secure flooring for a job participant. Utah’s size can be scary in the event that they have been to land Fleming and Maluach like they do on this mock.
22. Atlanta Hawks – Asa Newell, F, Georgia
Newell will in all probability go increased than this, and he may make sense for the Hawks’ first decide at No. 13, too. The Georgia freshman is an explosive play finisher who dunked 57 occasions in 33 video games, and shot 73 % on the rim. There’s some capturing upside right here too, however Newell’s shot nonetheless has an extended strategy to go after hitting solely 29.2 % on 89 makes an attempt. He’s a bit caught between positions within the NBA, not sufficiently big to play the 5 and probably not fast sufficient to play the 4. Nonetheless, Newell may run with Trae Younger and end performs when he’s arrange.
Picture by Michael Hickey/Getty Photos
23. Indiana Pacers – Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Creighton
Kalkbrenner was a five-year school participant at Creighton who gained three Huge East Defensive Participant of the Yr awards for his super rim safety. He’s an enormous heart at 7’1 barefoot with a 7’6 wingspan, and may be capable to stroll into a job as a reserve shot blocker. Kalkbrenner additionally began to stretch out his capturing vary this previous season by flattening 21 threes at a 34.4 % clip. His superior rim ending ought to translate to the following stage even when the shot doesn’t. The Pacers’ entrance court docket has seemed shaky at occasions on this magical playoff run when its starters are off the ground, and it’s doable Kalkbrenner might be a stabilizing power in a smaller function if he may sustain with the tempo.
24. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder – Egor Demin, G, BYU
I gave my take on Demin already, however sooner or later his intersection of dimension and passing is price a swing. The Thunder love massive passers, they usually’ve developed capturing potential in lots of gamers earlier than. A deep group like OKC that would permit Demin to work on his physique earlier than he must play massive minutes might be a great touchdown spot.
25. Orlando Magic – Will Riley, G, Illinois
Riley is a strolling bucket. The Illinois freshman scored within the ninetieth percentile on isolation possessions with an countless array of strikes for creating separation and gentle contact as a shooter. Riley confirmed the flexibility to get three-pointers up with quantity even when his 32 % accuracy leaves rather a lot to be desired. He wants a while so as to add power to his body and go from shot-maker to shooter, however Riley’s scoring upside and flashes of passing potential make him a worthy goal for Orlando at both No. 16 or No. 25.
26. Brooklyn Nets – Joan Beringer, C, KK Cedevita Junior
Beringer is a long-and-mobile French massive man who may get seems within the lottery if the latest buzz is to be believed. He brings a ton of size (7’5 wingspan) and mobility to any entrance court docket, which helps him swat photographs and catch lobs close to the rim. The remainder of his offensive sport is underdeveloped, however Beringer is aware of his function and normally performs with vitality at each ends.
27. Brooklyn Nets – Kam Jones, G, Marquette
Jones was at all times often called a very good shooter throughout his first three years at Marquette, however he became among the finest playmakers in school basketball as a senior. The 6’4 guard can generate paint touches with tight ball dealing with potential and sudden burst, and his passing imaginative and prescient is a respectable power now. As Jones’ level guard duties ramped up, his shot fell off (31.1 %), and his four-year struggles from the free throw line cloud his capturing projection a bit. It seems like he has a secure flooring as a bench guard and a few upside to be greater than that, which makes him a worthy first-round decide in a skinny class.
Picture by Isaac Wasserman/NCAA Pictures by way of Getty Photos
28. Boston Celtics – Danny Wolf, F, Michigan
Wolf has the scale of a middle and the abilities of a degree guard. Watching him run a supersized pick-and-roll at Michigan was one of many true joys of the faculty basketball season, however his significant turnover problems makes me skeptical he’ll stay in an on-ball role within the NBA. Wolf strikes his toes properly sufficient defensively to present himself an opportunity, and Boston seems like a great place to develop his capturing. The Celtics may have loads of minutes out there subsequent 12 months with Jayson Tatum sidelined, and Wolf has sufficient upside if all the pieces comes collectively to make this a worthy swing.
29. Phoenix Suns – Nolan Traore, G, Saint Quentin
Traore was hyped as a possible top-5 decide going into the 12 months earlier than actually struggling together with his exterior shot and scoring effectivity. He’s nonetheless one of many quickest gamers with the ball in his arms on this class, and his pass-first strategy would pair properly subsequent to Devin Booker. Getting this sort of expertise so late in a skinny draft can be an enormous win for Phoenix.
30. Los Angles Clippers – Liam McNeeley, F, UConn
McNeeley was an elite shooter in highschool earlier than struggling together with his shot (31.7 % from three) throughout his one 12 months at UConn. He’s limited athletically and should work to keep away from being focused defensively, however his positional dimension and off-ball scoring will probably be attractive at a sure level. The Clippers can use extra shooters, and McNeeley continues to be promising in that space regardless of a poor school season.
Leave a reply
