2025 NBA Mock Draft: First round predictions and pick projections
The 2025 NBA Draft tips off on Wednesday Night. Cooper Flagg is the headliner of this year’s class, but he’s not the only star of the selection show.
The NBA Finals are over but the league is not done grabbing the headlines in the sports sections just yet. Just a few days after the Oklahoma City Thunder won their first ever championship, them and the 29 other teams in the league shift their focus on the NBA Draft.
Cooper Flagg has been a shoe-in first overall all pick for the last couple years. The fact that the Dallas Mavericks were served up a miracle by getting the #1 pick, there is no doubt that Flagg will be putting on a Mavs hat after Adam Silver calls out the first pick of Wednesday night. After that, everything is kind of up in the air. Unlike the last few years, there is more homegrown talent than foreign superstars in this year’s draft class. Here is our Mock Draft a little more than 24 hours from the start of the 2025 NBA Draft.
1) Dallas Mavericks, Cooper Flagg, Duke, F
No one will be surprised when the Mavs take Cooper Flagg with the top pick in the draft. After going to Duke a year early and dominating at the college level he is ready to make the next jump. He’s a 7 footer who can put the ball on the deck, knock down jumpers, is a natural born leader and can lock down on the defensive side of the ball. This is about as certain of a pick as Wemby, or Zion or LeBron was back. All he will have to do is establish himself as an elite player like No. 1 picks before him.
2) San Antonio Spurs, Dylan Harper, Rutgers, G
This could be a potential trade situation for the Spurs.They have used so many draft picks to build a team that could one day contend, and now that it seems like that team is starting to blossom, they could use some veteran experience. If they don’t trade the pick, drafting Dylan Harper from Rutgers would most likely be the most viable option for team that needs some help in the back court.
3) Philadelphia 76ers, Tre Johnson, Texas, G
The rebuild is on in Philly, and they have needs all over the board. They need to take the best fit for them, and I think that’s Tre Johnson. Great size, and a huge upside Johnson could come in and make an immediate impact in Philly. He’s got some polishing off to do off the dribble but do a lot of the guys in this class.
4) Charlotte Hornets, VJ Edgecombe, Baylor, G
For a long time Duke has been a breeding ground for future Charlotte Hornets, and there are a couple of Dukies in the top 10 prospects list, but whatever the Hornets have been doing lately isn’t working. Buzz City loves a player with highlight potential, and no one fits that bill more than VJ Edgecombe. He’s got crazy ups and will be a regular on Sportscenter’s Top 10 list. Can he help them win games, that’s another question.
5) Utah Jazz, Ace Bailey, Rutgers, G
The Jazz offloaded a handful of staple players with the intention of revamping the roster and they are going to need to start drafting well if they are going to get back into contention. If he is still on the board with the 5th pick, Utah go with Ace Bailey who can come in help bring a culture of change to a team that has been irrelevant for way too long.
6) Washington Wizards, Kon Knueppel, Duke, G
The Wizards have players that can put the ball in the basket. They need glue guys who can make this group of guys an actual team. Kon Knueppel is one of those guys that can bring a winning attitude and some leadership to a team that has needed that for a long time. IT’s a lot to ask for a rookie to come in and play that captain role, but once he earns the respect of the locker room, he can start to carry this team on and off the court.
7) New Orleans Pelicans, Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma, G
The Pelicans seemed to have moved on from their base of players that they had pieced together around Zion Williamson. They tried and it didn’t work. Now its time to move on and try to find a new cast to complement Williamson. They take Jeremiah Fears who is especially good off the dribble, not just getting buckets but creating open shots for his teammates. Zion needs someone like that to take a little pressure off of him.
8) Brooklyn Nets, Noa Essengue. France, F
The Nets have four first round draft picks this year, and you have to think they are going to take a chance on someone who can come in and play a role right off the bat. Noa Essengue has been playing against pros for the last couple years despite being one of the youngest players in the class. He’s long, lengthy and athletic and uses his body to affect them game on both sides of the court. He can improve his shooting from the perimeter and fill into his body but the upside is there for the young Frenchman.
9) Toronto Raptors, Khaman Maluach, Duke, C
The Raptors have had a strong connection with Duke’s center Khaman Maluach, and if he should slip to the 9 spot, Toronto is going snatch him up lickity split. He’s got a tremendously high ceiling, and can plug into the Raptors front court smoothly as his game continues to develop.
10) Phoenix Suns, Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois, G
The Suns are planning on the go after trading Kevin Durant, and while they got a lot of collateral in their deal with the Rockets, they would love to find someone to fill the role of the Hall of Famer. Obviously a rookie isn’t going to just take the place of KD, but Kasparas Jakucionis could be a guy that brings a little excitement to a team that needs to show some sign of life after falling off the map in the last couple of years.
11) Portland Trail Blazers, Egor Demin, BYU, G
The Blazers just traded for Jrue Holiday who is most likely going to come in and be the stating point guard, but having a guy like Egor Demin come in and learn from a two time champion could be huge in the long run. People are saying he is the best passer in the league, and that could bring a little spice to a team that has been all too bland for much too long.
12) Chicago Bulls, Carter Bryant, Arizona, F
Carter Bryant is a long and lengthy three and D guy, and that kind of player is is welcome on any team looking to bring a little balance to the roster. He can do it on both ends, and the Bulls need a lot of help all over the board. He’s a 6’7” swingman who can fill in holes for the Bulls next season.
13) Atlanta Hawks, Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina, F
The Hawks need some love in the paint. For years they have been trying to build a team around Trae Young, and despite their run to the Conference Finals a couple years ago, it hasn’t worked on a consistent enough basis. They need someone rough and rugged who will bring a little bit of muscle to this team that can settle for being too finesse at times. Collin Murray-Boyles may not be the biggest big man in the draft, but he is a work horse that is going to bring a gritty attitude to a Hawks team that desperately needs it.
14) San Antonio Spurs, Derik Queen, Maryland, C
Last time we saw Derik Queen was in the NCAA Tournament when he drilled the buzzer beater to beat Colorado State in the second round of the tournament. He’s a more conventional big man, but he’s only 6’9” which might present a problem, but when you pair him up with Wemby down low that isn’t as big of a problem as it would be with other teams. He’s a fantastic talent on the offensive end, but needs to hit the gym a little more to make the most out of his incredible natural born talent.
15) OKC Thunder, Thomas Sorber, Georgetown, C
What in the world do the NBA Champs need? This was about as deep of a team as any in the league, and that’s a big part of why they were champs. They could use a little more depth down low, but that’s about their only need in the draft. Thomas Sorber could be the move with the 15 pick. He’s not the tallest at 6’9” but his massive 7’6” wingspan makes him a threat on both ends of the floor. He can sit back and learn in his first few years, and that will give him a chance to develop his game on an already championship caliber team.
16) Memphis Grizzlies, Liam McNeeley, UConn, G
The Grizzlies just traded away one of the top three point shooters in the game in Desmond Bane, and now they need someone to replace that perimeter threat. Liam McNeely is one of the best shooters in the draft class, shooting almost 40% from the perimeter. On top of that he has tremendous size at 6’7” and that could be a welcomed sight for a Grizzlies team that needs a lot of help all around.
17) Minnesota Timberwolves, Asa Newell, Georgia, F
They love big, quick, mobil guys in Minnesota and that is exactly what Asa Newell was for the Georgia Bulldogs. He can plug in off the bench and give Rudy Gobert a rest while providing a different style of play for the second unit.
18) Washington Wizards, Nique Clifford, Colorado State, G
The Wizards are young enough. That’s what happens when you are consistently one of the worst teams in the league year after year. They need some maturity in the locker room and they can get that with 23 year old Nique Clifford who is a productive two way player.
19) Brooklyn Nets, Will Riley, Illinois, G
The Ben Simmons thing didn’t work out in Brooklyn or anywhere else for that matter, but at 6’8” Will Riley is a similarly shaped player with a much better potential for scoring the ball. He’s more of a shot taker and a shot creator, but he can get to the basket and distribute which will make him even more dangerous was his body fills out.
20) Miami Heat, Nolan Traore, France, G
After trading away Jimmy Butler in the middle of last season, Tyler Herro found himself shouldering a lot of the ball handling responsibilities. He’s a scorer who doesn’t need the ball to create his shots. That’s why the Heat could use someone like Nolan Traore who has been playing in France for the last few years. He is a versatile guard who can create off the dribble and run the pick and roll. There will be some growing pains, but coach Spoelstra will be able to get him NBA ready.
21) Utah Jazz, Danny Wolf, Michigan, F
Not only is Danny Wolf one of the biggest players in the draft as 6’11” 252 lbs, but he also has an Ivy League brain that allows him to create from the post. The Jazz like guys who are versatile down low like a Kelly Olynyk. He flirted with triple doubles all throughout the season and has shown the ability to hit shots from the perimeter.
22) Atlanta Hawks, Cedric Coward, Washington State, F
He might have had a small sample size last year at Washington State, but Cedric Coward showed signs of being able to be an effective player on both ends of the floor. He’s got a great mix of size, length and athleticism and he can shoot the ball which is always a plus when you have a guy like Trae Young who can penetrate and kick out to the perimeter.
23) New Orleans Pelicans, Joan Beringer, France, C
With the departure of Jonas Valaciunas last season, the Pelicans could use some one to bang down low and that someone could be another European center. Joan Beringer is just 18 years old and still might need some time before he is ready to bang with the big boys down low, but he showed signs of promise playing for Cedevita in the Adriatic League. He is a great rebounded with a budding offensive game, and shot 61% from the field in one of the top leagues in Europe.
24) OKC Thunder, Hugo Gonzalez, Spain, G
The teenager debuted with Spanish power house Real Madrid a few seasons ago, and while he didn’t always get loads of playing time he came in and provided energy and passion off the bench. He’s a decent sized ball handler who has athleticism and strength to make a difference in his first year in the NBA, and the Thunder have the luxury of being able to groom him into a key role player.
25) Orlando Magic, Walter Clayton Jr., Florida, G
Why not keep it regional with Orlando’s pick at the 25 spot? Walter Clayton Jr. was the star of the NCAA Tournament with his spectacular second half performance that spurred the Gators to the National Title. He is undersized, but so was Cole Anthony who spent a lot of time in Orlando before getting traded to Memphis. Clayton is a winner and the Magic are creating a winning culture in Orlando.
26) Brooklyn Nets, Drake Powell, North Carolina, G
Who knows if the Nets will use all four of their first round picks. It’s not too likely considering there is very limited space on the roster, but if they are going to keep these picks then someone like Drake Powell could compete for a roster spot next year. He is a work in progress but one thing you can’t question is his commitment especially on the defensive end. He can shoot it from the perimeter, but has to work on his off the dribble offense to be a consistent contributor on the offensive end.
27) Brooklyn Nets, Maxime Raynaud, Stanford, C
Again, this pick could be traded by the end of the night, but if not, Brooklyn should look to get a little deeper down low. Maxime Raynaud is a budding big man with a 7 foot frame and a game that as only been developing for the last four or five years. For a guy who is still learning the game, it’s his offensive skill set that sets him apart. He’s got work to do on defense but if he learns to use his big body to plug the paint, he will be a valuable asset for any team.
28) Boston Celtics, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton, C
The Celtics have had one of the most complete teams in the league for the last couple years, but this season they were figured out by the Knicks in the Playoffs. Kristaps Porzigis was a shade of the player he was during their title run, and if they want they can use their first round pick to find a similar player. Ryan Kalkbrenner is a 7’1” center that can play off the pick and roll or pick and pop. He’s not a phenomenal three point shooter but has good touch for a 7 footer, and his presence inside will have a big effect on the defensive end.
29) Phoenix Suns, Rasheer Fleming, Saint Joseph’s, F
With Bradley Beal and Devin Booker still on the books in Phoenix they don’t need someone who is going to need the ball in his hands a lot down in the desert. Rasheer Fleming is one of those guys that can be effective both on the offensive and defensive end. He is a decent scorer with long arms and a big body. There is still much room for improvement, but he could find his way on a Suns team looking to do the same.
30) Los Angeles Clippers, Adou Thiero, Arkansas, F
The Clips weren’t far away from being a contender this season. They took the Nuggets to seven games in the first round of the playoffs and finished the regular season as one of the hottest teams in the league. With Harden and Kawhi running the show, they could use someone to bring a little excitement back to Lob City. Adou Thiero is a physical specimen, but his offensive game needs a little touching up. They’ll have to be patient with the former Arkansas Razorback, but he can be a valuable addition to a team that wants to be a serious threat in the West.
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