1. Dallas Mavericks: Cooper Flagg | PF | Duke
If this draft were to be based only on intangibles, Flagg would be the number one pick. His instincts, competitiveness, basketball IQ, and motor separate him as a prospect. What makes Flagg so special is that he possesses all of those winning traits and is also one of the most skilled and athletic players in this draft while standing at 6’8. The potential five man lineup of Kyrie, Klay, Flagg, AD, and Lively will be a scary sight for most teams.
Ceiling: Scottie Pippen (with a better jump shot) | Floor: Aaron Gordon
2. Milwaukee Bucks (From San Antonio): Dylan Harper | PG | Rutgers
After reports came out that Giannis is exploring other options, the Spurs now have a golden opportunity this offseason to pair Victor Wembanyama and Giannis Antetokounmpo together, potentially forming the greatest defensive duo ever. How would they do it you may ask? The Spurs would send pick number 2, Stephon Castle, Harrison Barnes, and another future first round pick to the Bucks in exchange for Antetokounmpo. If trading Giannis becomes the Bucks’ best option, this deal is highly appealing. The Bucks get their point guard for the future in Harper, more draft capital, and the reigning Rookie of the Year in Castle. Harper is an incredibly crafty scorer and playmaker. There have not been many point guard prospects who control the pace of the game like he does.
Ceiling: Cade Cunningham | Floor: Coby White
3. Philadelphia 76ers: Ace Bailey | SF | Rutgers
Although there are reports that Bailey may fall in the draft due to his unwillingness to workout for certain teams, Bailey is still the best overall player at pick 3. Bailey offers dynamic shot-making upside with positional length (6’8″, 7-foot wingspan). He’s an ideal fit for Philadelphia’s aging roster and long-term cap situation. A fluid athlete with range out to the NBA three, Bailey has shown flashes of creating his own looks and scoring at all three levels. He needs to improve his consistency and defensive discipline, but with Paul George aging and Joel Embiid’s future in question, Bailey is a high-upside pick the Sixers can afford to take.
Ceiling: Paul George | Floor: Michael Porter Jr.
4. Charlotte Hornets: VJ Edgecombe | G/F | Baylor
Edgecombe is a dynamic slasher with elite quickness and defensive upside. His athletic burst is comparable to guys like Anthony Edwards and Ja Morant. He complements LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller well, bringing rim pressure and a fierce, competitive mentality. His spot-up shooting has improved (52 made threes last season), and he grew as a shot creator as the season progressed. If those parts of his game can develop, he could be an All-NBA type player. At 6’4″, he’s slightly undersized for a wing, but the Hornets need high-motor defenders and culture-changers—Edgecombe brings both.
Ceiling: Anthony Edwards | Floor: Iman Shumpert
5. Utah Jazz: Tre Johnson | SG | Texas
A polished scorer with positional size, Johnson gives Utah a perimeter shot-maker to pair with Keyonte George and Isaiah Collier. Johnson’s mid-range game is especially fluid and efficient for his age, and he shined in clutch moments for Texas. He’s not an elite athlete or passer, but he excels in pick-and-roll sets, reads help defenders well, and never seems to take a bad shot. Utah’s rebuild is still in the talent accumulation phase, and Johnson may offer the best combination of floor and ceiling.
Ceiling: Devin Booker | Floor: Bogdan Bogdanovic
6. Washington Wizards: Jeremiah Fears | PG | Oklahoma
Fears averaged 22.3 points and nearly five assists over his final nine games, flashing dynamic ball-handling, scoring craft, and fearlessness. At 6’3″ with a quick first step and tight handle, he’s nearly impossible to stay in front of as a defender. His decision-making and three-point shot remain inconsistent, but the Wizards are in no rush. With time, Fears could become a franchise lead guard.
Ceiling: Derrick Rose | Floor: Scoot Henderson
7. New Orleans Pelicans: Khaman Maluach | C | Duke
The Pelicans got great production out of last year’s first-round selection Yves Missi; however, they still lack size on the inside. Maluach may be the most underrated prospect in this draft. His measurables are comparable to Rudy Gobert, and he’s still only 18 years old. His touch around the rim is great, and he’s shown glimpses of a jumper. His feel for the game needs work, but he will get more comfortable as he gets more experience. Maluach offers higher long-term upside than Missi and fits as a long-term lob threat and paint deterrent.
Ceiling: Rudy Gobert | Floor: JaVale McGee
8. Brooklyn Nets: Derik Queen | C | Maryland
The Nets grab one of the most uniquely skilled bigs in the class at pick 8. At 6’9”, 250 pounds, Queen is undersized but boasts exceptional touch, balance, and feel. He’s among the best passing big men in the draft, capable of operating as a high-post facilitator or creating offense from the short roll. His crafty footwork and dexterity around the basket allow him to score in tight spaces, and his hands are elite both as a finisher and as a rebounder. While he lacks vertical pop and isn’t a true rim protector, his defensive instincts, quick hands, and ability to guard in space mitigate some concerns. His ceiling may depend on how much shooting he develops—Queen flashes touch from midrange and the free throw line, hinting at potential expansion to NBA three-point range. For a Nets team craving identity and offensive flow, Queen provides both.
Ceiling: Alperen Sengun | Floor: Montrezl Harrell
9. Toronto Raptors: Kon Knueppel | SF | Duke
One of the best shooters in the class, Knueppel is a plug-and-play offensive piece. He’s not a plus athlete, but he compensates with smarts, driving touch, smooth shooting mechanics, and smart decision-making. Knueppel is terrific playing off two feet and has the best ball fake in this year’s draft. Toronto needs shooting, and Knueppel fits the Raptors’ recent focus on size and versatility at every position.
Ceiling: Klay Thompson | Floor: Corey Kispert
10. Phoenix Suns (via Houston): Kasparas Jakucionis | G | Illinois
Jakucionis offers positional size (6’5″), smooth mechanics, and an advanced playmaking feel. He lacks elite burst but thrives in pick-and-roll scenarios and shows a mature floor game. His success will be determined by how consistent he can shoot from deep, an area he was not consistent in college. If Jakucionis can become more consistent from three and tighten up his defense, he could become Phoenix’s long-term answer at the point guard position.
Ceiling: Jamal Murray | Floor: Killian Hayes
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Collin Murray-Boyles | F/C | South Carolina
The Blazers will most likely go best available at this spot, which makes Murray-Boyles the clear choice. Murray-Boyles is one of the most versatile defenders in the class, capable of guarding multiple positions thanks to his quick feet and strong frame. He is a very effective scorer and passer out of the midpost, where he utilizes his strength and skill to create easy baskets. His shooting is a work in progress, but Portland can afford to be patient as he rounds out his offensive game. This pick allows the Blazers to shop Deandre Ayton, who contenders would likely give up a first round draft pick for. An Ayton trade would also allow the Blazers to build around the frontcourt duo of Murray-Boyles and Clingan, a duo that could terrorize teams defensively.
Ceiling: Zach Randolph | Floor: Thomas Bryant
12. Chicago Bulls: Thomas Sorber | C | Georgetown
Sorber is a 6-foot-9 center with a 7-foot-6 wingspan and possesses one of the most unique skill sets in the 2025 draft. Despite a season-ending foot injury, he impressed at Georgetown with his combination of strength, feel, and court awareness. Sorber is a gifted scorer and passer, and showcased the ability to play as a true stretch 5. Sorber does not pose as a lob threat, so his ability to shoot from three will play a major role in his success as a pro. Defensively, he posted elite block and steal rates while rarely fouling, and showed surprising lateral mobility for his size. Similar to the Trail Blazers, this pick allows the Bulls to move Nikola Vucevic in exchange for draft capital.
Ceiling: Al Horford | Floor: Trayce Jackson-Davis
13. Atlanta Hawks: Egor Demin | G | BYU
Demin is the biggest sleeper in this year’s draft. He’s a crafty 6’9 guard who excels as the lead ball handler in a pick-and-roll scenario. Demin’s efficiency from three and his ability to create his own shot will determine how good he pans out to be, two areas which he showed improvement in as the season progressed. Playing for former NBA assistant coach Kevin Young allowed Demin to get experience in a pro offense, which will help him make more of an immediate impact.
Ceiling: Tyrese Haliburton | Floor: Josh Giddey
14. San Antonio Spurs: Carter Bryant | F | Arizona
Bryant brings prototypical wing size (6’8″, 7’1” wingspan) and possesses great basketball instincts while being a lockdown defender. He didn’t get many opportunities to showcase his full offensive arsenal at Arizona, but he showed encouraging signs as a shooter late in the season (40% from three in Big 12 play) and has flashed the skill level to be able to create his own shot. His upside as a three-and-D wing is enticing for a Spurs team focused on building a talented roster around Victor Wembanyama.
Ceiling: Mikal Bridges | Floor: Jordan Walsh
15. Oklahoma City Thunder: Danny Wolf | F/C | Michigan
A skilled big with floor-spacing ability, Wolf brings size, passing vision, and high basketball IQ. At 6’10.5″, he’s a true stretch big who can operate as the ball handler in a big-to-big pick-and-roll, a play that will translate well given more spacing in the NBA. Wolf was also effective in short roll situations, always seeming to make the right play when the ball was in his hands. He will need to improve on the defensive end both as an on-ball defender and rim protector, but his offensive ability makes him a safe pick at 15. The Thunder will value his ability to make an immediate impact while backing up Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein.
Ceiling: Nikola Vucevic | Floor: Nemanja Bjelica
16-30
16. Orlando Magic: Nique Clifford (G/F, Colorado State)
17. Minnesota Timberwolves: Noa Essengue (PF, Ratiopharm Ulm)
18. Washington Wizards: Cedric Coward (G, Washington State)
19. Brooklyn Nets: Nolan Traore (G, Saint-Quentin)
20. Miami Heat: Liam McNeely (G/F, UConn)
21. Utah Jazz: Rasheer Fleming (F, St. Joseph’s)
22. Atlanta Hawks: Walter Clayton Jr. (G, Florida)
23. Indiana Pacers: Joan Beringer (C, Cedevita Olimpija)
24. Oklahoma City Thunder: Asa Newell (F, Georgia)
25. Orlando Magic: Will Riley (F, Canada)
26. Brooklyn Nets: Jase Richardson (G, Michigan State)
27. Brooklyn Nets: Adou Thiero (G/F, Washington State)
28. Boston Celtics: Maxime Raynaud (C, Stanford)
29. Phoenix Suns: Hugo Gonzalez (G/F, Real Madrid)
30. Los Angeles Clippers: Ben Saraf (G, Ratiopharm Ulm)
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