It is time for the Candy 16, which makes this an ideal time to launch my first mock draft for the 2025 NBA Draft.
Beneath is the primary spherical for my mock. Yow will discover this mock, plus a full second spherical and scouting stories for each single prospect within the 2025 NBA Draft Information.
A number of the prime prospects are nonetheless taking part in, together with Duke’s Cooper Flagg and Maryland’s Derik Queen. Others have seen their seasons finish already like Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe and Colorado State’s Nique Clifford. After which we have got a number of worldwide prospects scattered among the many school skills, like Noa Essengue and Nolan Traoré, each from France. Let’s get to it with the primary spherical:
Issues are trending up in Washington as of late. Final yr’s second choice, Alex Sarr, is making main strides on each ends of the ground. And the Wizards’ younger guards and wings are exhibiting flashes on a game-to-game foundation. However what the franchise actually wants is a cornerstone, and that’s what Flagg would carry as a do-it-all ahead who hustles like a madman, makes his teammates higher as a passer, and has dialed in a knockdown jumper.
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Whereas main Duke to the Candy 16, he’s exhibiting why he’s each the most effective offensive and defensive prospect on this draft class, making him the most secure No. 1 decide in ages. The Wizards have handled loads of misses through the years, whereas Flagg is a positive factor. It’s his development as a shot creator that may determine if he reaches his All-Star flooring or soars to his Corridor of Fame ceiling.
(Henry Russell/Yahoo Sports activities Illustration)
What a bummer for the Jazz in the event that they find yourself with the second decide. Not solely as a result of they’ve tanked exhausting and even obtained a $100,000 tremendous. However as a result of they have already got drafted promising guards in recent times, together with Isaiah Collier and Keyonte George. Ideally, they’d discover a better-fitting prospect.
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Regardless, Harper is the most effective prospect of the bunch as a big-bodied, lefty combo guard with NBA blood in his veins, because the son of Ron Harper. And like his father, Harper has a high-floor with the ability, poise and playmaking instincts to dictate the sport at his tempo. However the destiny of his jumper will decide whether or not he’s an All-Star or simply one of many league’s many stable guards. If the Jazz find yourself with this decide, I’ll be questioning in the event that they’ll look to commerce down for a haul, similar to Danny Ainge did ages in the past when operating the Celtics and flipped Markelle Fultz for Jayson Tatum.
Bailey is a ridiculous shot-making machine, able to splashing contested jumpers from each spot on the ground with the swagger of a throwback bucket-getter. Inserting him alongside LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller would create an absurd scoring trio. However would it not result in profitable basketball?
Bailey’s uncooked edges as a shot creator and defender, plus his taking pictures inconsistency, want sanding down to show him right into a full-on star. The Hornets may need no option to take the swing although, given how effectively he’d doubtlessly match subsequent to a totally realized Ball and Miller.
Zion Williamson is trying increasingly more like his prime self, so regardless of how a lot his harm historical past is lingering at the back of everybody’s minds, he nonetheless stays the cornerstone of the Pelicans. Pairing him with gamers who can area the ground is paramount, particularly if these gamers additionally supply related explosive skills like Edgecombe does as a high-motor wing who flies out of nowhere for poster dunks and chase-down blocks.
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The Baylor freshman pairs his elite athleticism with a knockdown spot-up jumper and fearless slashing. Although he wants to enhance his shot creation to grow to be extra of a major creator, he’d be coming into a ball-sharing offense in New Orleans.
Queen’s leaning buzzer-beating game-winner to ship Maryland to the Candy 16 is the shot of March Insanity thus far, and it captured why he’s such a extremely touted prospect as a burly massive with guard-like handles who dazzles with spin strikes, and artful finishes.
The Sixers choosing him would function as each a hedge towards the well being of Joel Embiid, but in addition as a supporting piece alongside him because the Sixers want frontcourt depth they usually may share the ground collectively. If Queen interprets his velvet contact to the perimeter, he has offensive star upside, although his inside scoring, playmaking chops and magnetic rebounding alone give him tantalizing potential.
Jakučionis is a slick shot-creator with a inventive passing gene and a fearless scoring capacity, carving up defenses with artful finishes, step-back jumpers, and jaw-dropping passes. And with D’Angelo Russell, De’Anthony Melton and Cam Thomas all coming into free company, level guard will likely be a place of want for the current and the long run. As a freshman, Jakučionis would comply with up his highlights with turnover brain-farts that derail the hype prepare. However he’s proven sufficient highs to warrant a top-10 choice if a group just like the Nets can afford to be affected person.
Jeremiah Fears might be the ground normal the Raptors desperately want. (Picture by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Pictures)
(Jared C. Tilton by way of Getty Pictures)
The Raptors want some extent guard of the long run, however not a real throwback who dominates touches. They want somebody who could be the first creator, but in addition play with out the ball. That’s why Fears makes complete sense. The Oklahoma freshman is a dynamic guard with a twitchy attacking model and a knack for coming by way of as a clutch shooter. He was one in all school basketball’s youngest freshmen, and it confirmed together with his shaky decision-making as a shooter and passer. However he has a really feel for shot creation and a deal with that lets him get anyplace on the ground, so he could solely want time to emerge as a star.
Tyler Herro turned an All-Star this season, exhibiting his capacity as a combo guard. However he wants a backcourt associate. Johnson is a clutch shot-maker who can catch hearth from everywhere in the flooring, drilling step-backs and off-screen jumpers with ease. However he must proceed growing his point-guard abilities whereas additionally honing his shot choice and dramatically bettering his protection. Perhaps there’s an excessive amount of of the identical factor between Herro and Johnson, however Johnson has flashed some playmaking abilities that would emerge within the Miami system.
The Spurs can’t simply let Victor Wembanyama bail everybody out on protection. They want extra assist by his aspect, and Murray-Boyles operates like a defensive savant the way in which he locks down each place, makes use of his ninja-quick palms to swipe on the ball, and inhales rebounds. He’s a particular defensive presence that might match completely on protection subsequent to Wemby and Jeremy Sochan, giving them the scale and size to have a dominant defensive frontcourt. The offensive match might be somewhat clunky since Murray-Boyles is an unproven shooter, however he’s a bulldozer finisher with a playmaking really feel. If he fixes his jumper, there’s All-Star upside.
Scoot Henderson has made some progress this season, but it surely’s nonetheless not clear if he’s able to being the purpose guard of Portland’s future. Knueppel is smart as a range on this regard since he brings greater than only a sharpshooter’s stroke due to his brainy pick-and-roll playmaking and artful scoring really feel. Whereas he’s not a major creator, he could be one of many group’s creators alongside Deni Avdija on the wing, Donovan Clingan from the excessive publish, and Scoot in ball screens.
Khaman Maluach is amongst three potential lottery picks from Duke. (Picture by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Pictures)
(Jared C. Tilton by way of Getty Pictures)
The Nikola Vučević and Zach Collins period has to finish quickly when their contracts are off the books in 2026, proper? A middle is a necessity. Maluach is a towering rim protector with switchable mobility, erasing pictures on the rim and shadowing fast guards on the perimeter. However past dunking lobs, he’s a piece in progress on offense with a scarcity of seasoning as a screener, shooter and creator. Such a uncooked ability set ought to come as no shock because the South Sudan native didn’t begin taking part in basketball till he was 13. So taking Maluach would make a whole lot of sense for the Bulls since he can study as a rookie earlier than getting heavier minutes transferring ahead.
Kyrie Irving will miss a bit of subsequent season due to a torn ACL, and he’s an growing old free agent this summer time anyway. The Mavericks want a long-term level guard. Traoré oozes upside together with his measurement, blazing pace and shiftiness off the bounce. However he’s an inefficient scorer everywhere in the flooring who wants to enhance his erratic decision-making to show he’s definitely worth the massive swing. Mavericks normal supervisor Nico Harrison has confirmed he’s unafraid to take dangers, and I do know you’re pondering that remark is concerning the boneheaded Luka Dončić commerce, however on this case it’s extra concerning the Dereck Full of life choice. Full of life was a uncooked participant who proved to be an instant-impact contributor. Traoré may comply with the identical path if he falls in a state of affairs that lets him play straight away just like the Mavericks roster would.
Clifford practically led Colorado State to the Candy 16, slinging a bullseye go from the low publish to a 3-point shooter, earlier than Maryland hit a buzzer-beater to tear their hearts out. However the play was emblematic of Clifford’s recreation as a do-it-all wing who can go when he must, which might make him an ideal match with the Hawks alongside Trae Younger. Clifford defends a number of positions, crashes the boards, and scores from all over the place. However as an excellent senior with solely Mountain West pedigree, he lacks expertise towards high-level competitors regardless of his age; his NCAA match success started to reduce that concern although.
The Rockets have somewhat little bit of all the pieces on their roster already, so taking a swing would make some logical sense for his or her entrance workplace. Demin has a uncommon capacity at his measurement to make dazzling passes. However he’s additionally struggled to shoot and create his personal shot towards prolonged defenders, making him extra of a love-him or hate-him prospect than a positive factor. Proper now, with BYU within the Candy 16, he’s trying extra like a love-him prospect together with his pictures falling extra steadily.
Jase Richardson’s poise and scoring make him a worthwhile asset. (Picture by Nick Cammett/Getty Pictures)
(Nick Cammett by way of Getty Pictures)
The Magic rank twenty fifth in 3-point makes an attempt and thirtieth in 3-point proportion. This decide must be used on a shooter who can deal with somewhat bit, which makes Richardson a great match. The Michigan State freshman is a talented combo guard with a deadly midrange recreation and a poised pick-and-roll really feel, trying like he downloaded the expertise of his NBA veteran father, Jason Richardson. Jase didn’t inherit his father’s top or dunk contest athleticism although, so his smaller stature may cap his upside. However what the Magic want is taking pictures subsequent to Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, and their very own blossoming skills completely complement Richardson.
One other French man in San Antonio. And why not? Essengue is a toolsy ahead with a fluid deal with, dynamic ending bundle, and extremely versatile protection. However his long-term upside hinges on the jumper clicking. The Spurs are growing a powerful observe file of serving to shooters. And if it doesn’t, his ending and versatile protection are sufficient to make him an important French match subsequent to Wemby.
Bryant is a rangy, athletic ahead who initiatives as a extremely versatile defender. He’s uncooked on offense although, as proven by his up-and-down performances with Arizona going to the Candy 16. Past his chopping, he wants to enhance as a shooter to earn minutes in high-leverage video games.
McNeeley did not shut the season the way in which he would’ve wished to, making solely 14 of his closing 49 pictures, which included a loss to Creighton within the Large East match semifinal and a loss to Florida within the second spherical of the NCAA match. However regardless of his poor taking pictures percentages, scouts nonetheless imagine in his upside as a sharpshooting wing with excellent instincts transferring with the ball, and the contact to splash from deep ranges. Although he doesn’t mission as a major shot creator, his really feel as a connective passer offers him precisely the kind of ability set to suit subsequent to a star like Anthony Edwards.
Wolf is a 7-footer who has helped lead Michigan to the Candy 16 by taking part in a slick model with dangerous passes and step-back jumpers that made him a spotlight manufacturing unit. However he’s additionally a turnover machine and his taking pictures numbers are shaky, making him extra of a uncooked guess who wants time to show he can match his flash with substance. In any case, pairing him with Jakučionis in Brooklyn would make for lots of enjoyable video games within the years to return.
Beringer could be a traditional Sam Presti decide. Beringer started taking part in basketball solely three years in the past, which makes him a uncooked mission, but in addition makes his pure skills all of the extra spectacular taking part in this season for Cedevita in France and the EuroCup. The Thunder don’t actually need him to contribute as we speak contemplating how deep the roster is. However he’s a large, long-term swing as a middle with the quickness of a guard, giving him immense defensive versatility to construct on for years to return.
Riley has dynamic driving capacity and playmaking instincts that scream upside as a jumbo-sized, shot-creating wing. Choosing him would comply with the identical philosophy that the Warmth took with Kel’el Ware, betting that their tradition and developmental success may maximize Riley’s skills. However his jumper is streaky, and his protection is unreliable since he’s so lean bodily and lacks fundamentals.
The Pacers have been one of many league’s greatest groups for a number of months now, posting the seventh-best web ranking ever because the NBA Cup. However trying forward, Myles Turner will likely be a free agent this summer time, which suggests discovering one other massive man might be a precedence. Newell has springs in his legs, repeatedly slamming lobs and swatting pictures. Tyrese Haliburton would discover him greater than anybody ever has. Regardless that his self-discipline displays his youth, his energetic model suggests he’ll sometime grow to be a extremely versatile defender that would assist fortify this Pacers protection.
Clint Capela is an upcoming free agent, so regardless that Onyeka Okongwu is a high quality middle the Hawks might want to discover one other one. Sorber has a brick-house body and the throwback ability set to match with robust screens, soft-touch finishes and gritty drop-coverage instincts. Trae Younger may make his life simpler than it has ever been, similar to Trae does for all his bigs. However to be greater than a job participant, Sorber must faucet into the flashes he exhibits as a shooter whereas additionally bettering his perimeter protection.
Irrespective of the place the Wizards truly find yourself on lottery night time, their late first-round decide needs to be used to discover a participant that may assist carry extra constructive, profitable qualities to the group. Fleming is a hustler who drains spot-up jumpers and brings vitality on protection, swatting pictures and snagging boards. However he has some actual warts as a ball-handler with a scarcity of expertise towards high-level competitors, so groups should really feel actual assured his position participant ability set will translate. The Wizards can afford to take that threat, particularly after taking Flagg with their lottery decide.
After choosing Richardson earlier within the first spherical, right here’s one other shooter for the Magic. Evans is a sharpshooting wing with motion versatility and a microwave scoring capacity. Although his lean body retains him out of the paint, that issues far much less for Orlando’s roster given its stars already stay within the paint and simply want more room to function.
Gonzalez is a high-motor wing with nice defensive instruments and a slashing model on offense. If his jumper and deal with develop, he might be a flexible two-way starter. The Nets can afford to be affected person with a participant who barely even performed off the bench abroad, as a substitute valuing the upside he confirmed taking part in for his youth groups.
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One other abroad decide right here for the Nets. Saraf is a artful lefty playmaker who depends on guile, footwork and physique management. Restricted taking pictures and athleticism may cap his upside, however his positional measurement and ability might be exhausting to go up.
Following the sale of the franchise, outgoing Celtics proprietor Wyc Grousbeck has been open about how second-apron penalties, not rising luxurious tax penalties, are what is going to power the group to make some adjustments. Even with out them although, the Celtics must positive up the frontcourt. Al Horford is previous. Kristaps Porzingis is harm susceptible. Happily there are a ton of choices within the late first spherical that match the invoice, together with Raynaud, who has leveled up yearly at Stanford, turning right into a participant who pops 3s, slashes to the rim with a easy deal with, and makes eye-popping passes. As a proficient passer who additionally gives stable protection, there’s little cause to assume the Frenchman gained’t carve out an NBA position.
The Suns nonetheless want extra bigs after making a number of adjustments on the commerce deadline. Kalkbrenner is a throwback 7-footer who owns the paint, swatting pictures together with his big wingspan and dunking all the pieces in sight. As an excellent senior, he’s mature sufficient to plug into Phoenix’s rotation straight away and earn minutes. Along with his years in school, he’s additionally developed some sneaky passing and taking pictures abilities that trace at greater upside. In any case, he may help facilitate as an enormous within the Suns’ offense.
James Harden has turned again the clock in Los Angeles. However that doesn’t imply the Clippers shouldn’t be fascinated about an inheritor obvious for The Beard. Pettiford comes off the bench for Auburn and has helped lead the group to the Candy 16, exhibiting his ability as a combo guard with a sniper’s contact. Pettiford rains 3s and deadly floaters whereas flashing playmaking savvy and a bulldog mentality on each ends. However his smaller measurement means he’ll want to wash up his shot choice and decision-making to max out his recreation on the subsequent degree. Taking part in subsequent to Harden may assist him in that journey, similar to Harden was part of the event of Tyrese Maxey throughout his days in Philadelphia.
