NBA mock draft 2025: Good picks for every workforce within the first spherical

June 12, 2025

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Evaluating the 2025 NBA Draft class has been the final word rollercoaster. This group entered the yr trying prefer it might probably be one of many strongest courses in current 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 general choose, a sturdy No. 2 general choose, 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 choose, to the San Antonio Spurs, until they make a shock resolution to commerce out. After that, issues get murky. The Philadelphia 76ers have numerous good selections 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 choose obtainable?

Lower than two weeks out from the draft, I at all times like to consider what would make for an ideal choose when a workforce comes on the clock. This mock is a mix of my very own participant rankings (which can be printed within the days to come back) and workforce want. Listed below are the picks that might draw an A-grade on draft evening.

1. Dallas Mavericks – Cooper Flagg, F, Duke

Flagg checks each field for a No. 1 general choose, and he has a reputable case as one of the best American basketball prospect since LeBron James. Flagg put up monster manufacturing in main Duke to the Closing 4 because the youngest participant on this draft class with a Dec. 2006 birthday. He has a really perfect mixture of positional dimension, athleticism, IQ, and burgeoning talent. The Maine native developed his popularity as an off-ball playmaker on each ends of the ground, however his lone season of school proved that he’s an elite offensive engine within the making with the ball in his palms. It’s nonetheless exhausting to imagine the Mavericks jumped up within the lottery to land the No. 1 general choose after their terrible Luka Doncic commerce in Feb. I nonetheless suppose the Mavs ought to fireplace Nico Harrison, commerce Anthony Davis, and reset for the longer term 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 choose on this draft, and I’ve no qualms with that. Each workforce within the NBA is on the lookout for huge guards who can generate paint touches at will, and end with delicate 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 strain towards 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 Fortress already entrenched within the backcourt. I feel there are some fascinating commerce eventualities right here whether or not the Spurs swing for a celebrity or commerce down to accumulate extra future picks whereas staying within the top-10, however finally it’s exhausting to go on a prospect with Harper’s upside.

3. Philadelphia 76ers – Kon Knueppel, G, Duke

I hold going back-and-forth between Knueppel and VJ Edgecombe for this choose. Neither is an ideal match positionally for a Sixers workforce that already has two smaller guards within the backcourt in Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain, however a workforce choosing within the top-three finally must prioritize taking one of the best obtainable 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 effectively within the NBA. He ought to supply immense capturing gravity with a three-year monitor document of elite three-point capturing courting again to highschool, and I feel 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 probably 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 choose. Charlotte needs to be thrilled if he’s nonetheless on the board at No. 4. Edgecombe needs to be a really perfect slot in an uptempo offense led by LaMelo Ball, and his skill to power turnovers on protection ought to get the workforce 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 skill to keep away from turnovers and contribute on the glass provides him a safer flooring, and he nonetheless might 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 identification 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 almost 7’1 barefoot with a wingspan a tick below 7’7 and a 9’6 standing attain, which is able to make him one of many tallest and longest gamers within the league. He was a hyper-efficient scorer in a slender position for Duke with 73.6 p.c true capturing bouyed by 77 p.c ending on the rim. Maluach put up solely pedestrian block and rebounding charges for somebody together with his dimension, however Duke switched him so much on the perimeter and he regarded comfy defending in house. I like that he makes his free throws (76.6 p.c) 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 feel it’s time for them to go the opposite manner. Murray-Boyles will invite apparent skepticism from entrance places of work as an undersized huge man who can’t shoot threes but, however he’s so sturdy in virtually each different space that he nonetheless has a pathway to high-level affect. The South Carolina sophomore is one of the best defensive participant on this class with a powerful combo of energy 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 might function an offensive hub whereas offering some a lot wanted defensive spine for a younger workforce. His management qualities and intangibles appear off the charts, and if his three-point shot ever comes round, he might be one of many largest steals of this class.

7. New Orleans Pelicans – Tre Johnson, G, Texas

The Pelicans could be thrilled to see the board break like this with Johnson, Jeremiah Fears, and Ace Bailey all nonetheless obtainable 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 palms and will assist repair the three-point points that doomed the Pelicans’ offense this yr. 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 enjoying off Zion’s scoring gravity. If the Pelicans hold Trey Murphy and Herb Jones round, all of a sudden there’s a nucleus for a aggressive workforce if the whole lot comes collectively, beginning with Williamson’s well being.

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 choose. Fears is a real upside swing with spectacular manufacturing in a troublesome convention at an excellent younger age (he received’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 p.c) and a shaky three-point shooter (28 p.c) as a freshman with the Sooners. There needs to be hope that his ending can enhance as he positive factors energy 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 towards SEC groups was spectacular given his youth.

9. Toronto Raptors – Ace Bailey, F, Rutgers

Bailey possible received’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 remains to be rising into his physique and his sport. Bailey’s expertise is clear from the second he walks into the fitness center as a tall wing scorer with incredible shot-making skill and elite bodily instruments. It’s exhausting to seek out gamers with this mix of size (7-foot wingspan), athletic explosiveness, and capturing contact, and Bailey checks all three containers. The problem with Bailey is he doesn’t actually know easy methods to play basketball but: he showcases poor court docket imaginative and prescient and an incapacity to get his teammates concerned as a passer. He could make some superior restoration performs defensively, however his preliminary psychological lapses can compromise a workforce 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 is able to be a house run choose for the Raptors at No. 9.

10. Houston Rockets – Kasparas Jakucionis, G, Illinois

The Rockets have been named as considered one of 5 groups excited about Kevin Durant, and this choose is probably going going out in any commerce package deal. If Phoenix have been choosing right here, Jase Richardson could be the odds-on favourite given the Suns’ obtrusive Michigan State bias. Ought to Houston hold this choose, Jakucionis would give them a dimension they don’t at present have on the roster. The Lithuanian level guard is among the most gifted passers on this class, whether or not he’s working pick-and-roll within the halfcourt or getting his workforce out in transition with hit-ahead passes. His stepback three generally is 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 yr. I’m apprehensive about his skill 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 value 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 standard chorus you can’t train dimension and athleticism. Can the identical be stated for really feel? If that’s the case, Jase Richardson is a simple lottery choose on this class with razor-sharp IQ matched with elite three-point capturing skill. 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 hardly ever 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. Will probably be fascinating to see if Richardson can scale up after a low-usage position in faculty, however even when he can’t, his talent set nonetheless appears like a very good match for a Blazers workforce that wants capturing and connective passing. Even scarier than his lack of dimension may be his damage historical past: Richardson had a gap in his femur that required a bone graft in highschool. If the damage is now not a priority, Portland might simply cowl Richardson on protection with monsters like Donovan Clingan and Toumani Camara on the ground. His skill to seek out delicate spots within the opposing protection might assist their offense take off. It’s exhausting for a small guard to make it in at the moment’s league, however Richardson’s talent set provides him an amazing probability 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 idea for his case as a lottery choose. 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 prime German league for Ulm. His scoring effectivity has been undeniably spectacular with 62.7 p.c true capturing, and he’s carried out effectively to hit the glass (20.1 p.c defensive rebound price) and discover his methods into blocks and steals defensively. Essengue simply doesn’t have a really polished dribble, go, and shoot talent set at this level, and that makes his projection somewhat bit difficult. He’s solely made 28 p.c of his threes this season on 122 makes an attempt, his 8.4 p.c help price is tremendous low, and whereas his deal with appears to be like good within the open flooring, it could possibly simply be disrupted by ball strain. 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 effectively and not using a good bounce shot but is spectacular. The Bulls must draft for ceiling, and Essengue’s is excessive given his instruments and manufacturing.

13. Atlanta Hawks – Carter Bryant, F, Arizona

The Hawks have sought to encompass Trae Younger with size, athleticism, and defensive upside, and Bryant could be one other excellent match for that mould. The Arizona freshman put up big-time defensive playmaking numbers and flashed spot-up capturing potential this yr. He has an amazing body for a professional wing at 6’8 with a 7-foot wingspan, and he regarded 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 huge man was a strong and environment friendly inside scorer who flashed the potential to develop as a passer throughout a incredible season at Maryland. Queen is unattainable to include in the course of the ground with stunning ball dealing with skill, an innate data of easy methods to get his defender off steadiness, and delicate contact close to the rim. The workforce that takes Queen has to imagine in his star outcomes, as a result of his position participant translation is a manner larger query mark. Queen is undersized for a middle, and confirmed poor defensive habits and conditioning. He solely made 4 three-pointers all yr, 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 have the ability to overcome it. This is able to be a dream haul for the Spurs with Harper and Queen, however I wouldn’t be stunned to see this choose traded for Kevin Durant.

15. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder – Thomas Sorber, C, Georgetown

Sorber is a throwback huge man who can defend the paint, rebound, display, and make some spectacular passing reads. He has top-of-the-line combos of size and energy on this class, with a monstrous +9 wingspan offsetting some considerations about his lack of peak 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 plenty of house. He can play somewhat heavy at instances 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 might give the workforce a long-term substitute 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 manner 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 skill to create his personal shot might translate effectively to the subsequent stage. Clayton isn’t very huge 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 best talent is an ideal match for Orlando’s largest weak point.

17. Minnesota Timberwolves – Nique Clifford, F, Colorado State

Clifford can be 24 years outdated 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 eventually rising as an on-ball engine this yr for Colorado State. He hit 37.5 p.c of his threes on 279 makes an attempt throughout his closing two years in faculty. His development as a playmaker was simply as spectacular this yr, with a 26.8 p.c help price whereas nonetheless being an environment friendly quantity scorer. Clifford isn’t overly spectacular together with his size/energy/athleticism and he’ll be in a a lot smaller utilization position within the NBA, however he has a manner of filling within the cracks that feels excellent for a contender just like the Wolves.

18. Washington Wizards – Cedric Coward, F, Washington State

Coward is that this yr’s thriller man within the draft. He began his faculty profession on the D3 stage, spent two years at Jap 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 choose. Coward’s 7’2+ wingspan and 40 p.c capturing stroke from three has apparent attraction. He struggled towards prime competitors all through his faculty profession, and it’s exhausting to undertaking if he can create his personal shot in any respect towards NBA defenses. At this level within the draft, taking a swing on a wing with size and capturing looks as if a nice guess for the Wizards.

19. Brooklyn Nets – Noah Penda, F, Le Mans

Penda is a powerful and lengthy wing with playmaking skill 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 energy whereas exhibiting a powerful really feel for the sport on each ends. Penda is among the higher defensive wing prospects on this class with a eager understanding of easy methods to 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 sluggish within the NBA. He’s a very good swing for a workforce like Brooklyn with a number of picks.

20. Miami Warmth – Adou Thiero, F, Arkanas

Thiero rivals Edgecombe as probably the most explosive athlete within the class. He hammered house 45 dunks in 27 video games this yr, shot 68 p.c 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 entering into the passing lanes and may present some secondary rim safety. The problem for is that he’s a horrible outdoors shooter after making 28.4 p.c of his threes on solely 74 makes an attempt throughout three seasons of school ball. Miami appears 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 energy mixture is unassailable with a wingspan over 7’5 and a 232-pound body. He caught the NBA’s consideration with a big capturing leap as a junior at St. Joe’s, the place he knocked down 39 p.c of his threes on 159 makes an attempt. Fleming struggles to create his personal shot and I fear he might be somewhat sluggish defensively, however his dimension and capturing projection provides him a protected flooring for a task participant. Utah’s size could 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 greater than this, and he might make sense for the Hawks’ first choose at No. 13, too. The Georgia freshman is an explosive play finisher who dunked 57 instances in 33 video games, and shot 73 p.c on the rim. There’s some capturing upside right here too, however Newell’s shot nonetheless has an extended option to go after hitting solely 29.2 p.c 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 might run with Trae Younger and end performs when he’s arrange.

23. Indiana Pacers – Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Creighton

Kalkbrenner was a five-year faculty participant at Creighton who received three Huge East Defensive Participant of the Yr awards for his super rim safety. He’s an enormous middle at 7’1 barefoot with a 7’6 wingspan, and will have the ability to stroll into a task 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 p.c clip. His superior rim ending ought to translate to the subsequent stage even when the shot doesn’t. The Pacers’ entrance court docket has regarded shaky at instances 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 position if he might sustain with the tempo.

24. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder – Egor Demin, G, BYU

I gave my tackle Demin already, however in some unspecified time in the future his intersection of dimension and passing is value a swing. The Thunder love huge passers, and so they’ve developed capturing skill in lots of gamers earlier than. A deep workforce like OKC that might enable Demin to work on his physique earlier than he must play huge minutes might be a really perfect 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 infinite array of strikes for creating separation and delicate contact as a shooter. Riley confirmed the power to get three-pointers up with quantity even when his 32 p.c accuracy leaves so much to be desired. He wants a while so as to add energy to his body and go from shot-maker to shooter, however Riley’s scoring upside and flashes of passing skill 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 huge man who might get appears to be like within the lottery if the current 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 position and normally performs with power at each ends.

27. Brooklyn Nets – Kam Jones, G, Marquette

Jones was at all times generally known as a very good shooter throughout his first three years at Marquette, however he became top-of-the-line playmakers in faculty basketball as a senior. The 6’4 guard can generate paint touches with tight ball dealing with skill and sudden burst, and his passing imaginative and prescient is a reputable energy now. As Jones’ level guard duties ramped up, his shot fell off (31.1 p.c), and his four-year struggles from the free throw line cloud his capturing projection a bit. It appears like he has a protected flooring as a bench guard and a few upside to be greater than that, which makes him a worthy first-round choose in a skinny class.

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28. Boston Celtics – Danny Wolf, F, Michigan

Wolf has the dimensions 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 school basketball season, however his important turnover issues makes me skeptical he’ll keep in an on-ball position within the NBA. Wolf strikes his toes effectively sufficient defensively to offer himself an opportunity, and Boston appears like a great spot to develop his capturing. The Celtics might have loads of minutes obtainable subsequent yr with Jayson Tatum sidelined, and Wolf has sufficient upside if the whole lot comes collectively to make this a worthy swing.

29. Phoenix Suns – Nolan Traore, G, Saint Quentin

Traore was hyped as a possible top-5 choose going into the yr earlier than actually struggling together with his outdoors shot and scoring effectivity. He’s nonetheless one of many quickest gamers with the ball in his palms on this class, and his pass-first method would pair effectively subsequent to Devin Booker. Getting this kind of expertise so late in a skinny draft could 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 p.c from three) throughout his one yr at UConn. He’s restricted athletically and should work to keep away from being focused defensively, however his positional dimension and off-ball scoring can be attractive at a sure level. The Clippers can use extra shooters, and McNeeley remains to be promising in that space regardless of a poor faculty season.