The Florida Gators minimize down the nets, and now, with the NBA common season barreling towards its end line, the concentration is going to shift quick towards the NBA Draft. For lottery groups, top-ranked freshmen like Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper current an opportunity to vary the trajectory of a franchise. And for playoff groups, seasoned upperclassmen similar to Walter Clayton and Nique Clifford may assist bolster their future title odds. There are additionally plenty of worldwide prospects nonetheless finishing their seasons which can be scattered all through the draft class.
Beneath is the primary spherical for my mock. You could find this mock, plus a full second spherical and scouting experiences for each single prospect in our 2025 NBA Draft Information.
Commercial
Let’s get to the primary spherical:
All that tanking and a $100,000 positive can be greater than price it if Utah lands the primary decide to pick out Flagg. The Duke freshman is a do-it-all ahead who hustles like a madman, makes his teammates higher as a passer, and has dialed in a knockdown jumper. Whereas main Duke to the Candy 16, he’s displaying why he’s each the most effective offensive and defensive prospect on this draft class.
In Utah, he’d slot in completely alongside Lauri Markkanen, forming a flexible frontcourt duo that may stretch defenses and lock down opponents. His playmaking additionally enhances Isaiah Collier and Keyonte George. However what Utah actually wants is a cornerstone to uplift all of its current expertise, and it’s Flagg’s progress as a shot creator that may determine if he reaches his All-Star flooring or soars to his Corridor of Fame ceiling.
Harper is a big-bodied lefty combo guard with the talent, poise and playmaking instincts to dictate the sport at his tempo, which makes him fairly a terrific comfort prize for the purpose guard-needy Wizards in the event that they land the second decide. Harper additionally has NBA blood in his veins, because the son of Ron Harper, who was a 20/5/5 man earlier than successful 5 titles as a job participant. Like his father, Dylan Harper has a excessive flooring. However the destiny of his jumper will decide whether or not he’s an All-Star or simply one of many league’s many strong guards.
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. Putting him alongside LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller would create an absurd scoring trio. However would it not result in successful basketball?
Commercial
Bailey’s uncooked edges as a shot creator and defender, plus his capturing inconsistency, want sanding down to show him right into a full-on star. The Hornets might need no option to take the swing although, given how effectively he’d probably match subsequent to a totally realized Ball and Miller.
Zion Williamson was wanting an increasing number of like his prime self earlier than a low again bone contusion sidelined him for the rest of the season. However irrespective of how a lot his harm historical past is lingering behind everybody’s minds, he nonetheless stays the cornerstone of the Pelicans. Pairing him with gamers who can house the ground is paramount, particularly if these gamers additionally provide comparable explosive skills like Edgecombe does as a high-motor wing who flies out of nowhere for poster dunks and chase-down blocks.
Commercial
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 main creator, he’d be getting into a ball-sharing offense in New Orleans.
The Sixers have a 64% probability of conserving their decide this yr, except they enhance these odds by by some means catching the tanking Pelicans. In the event that they land with the fifth or sixth decide (21.8% probability) it’s clearly a win that they wouldn’t lose the choice to the Thunder. However there’s actually no clear prospect that will make sense on this slot. Do the Sixers take an unproven huge like Khaman Maluach or Derik Queen? Is one other guard like Tre Johnson or Jonathan Fears actually wanted?
Not likely, which is why I discover myself questioning in the event that they’d attain for Murray-Boyles, who 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. CMB would add one thing utterly completely different to the Sixers’ rotation. And although Murray-Boyles is an unproven shooter, he’s a bulldozer finisher with a playmaking really feel. If he fixes his jumper, there’s All-Star upside.
With D’Angelo Russell, De’Anthony Melton, and Cam Thomas all getting into free company, guard can be an space of want within the current and future in Brooklyn. Perhaps Johnson is simply Thomas 2.0 since he nonetheless must develop his level guard expertise and shot choice. However he’s proven extra playmaking upside than Thomas did in faculty, and he’s taller. Johnson is a clutch shot-maker who can catch hearth from everywhere in the flooring, drilling step-backs and off-screen jumpers with ease. The Nets may use a bucket-getter and be affected person serving to him develop these different qualities.
Jakučionis is a slick shot creator with a inventive passing gene and a fearless scoring means, carving up defenses with artful finishes, step-back jumpers and jaw-dropping passes. And the Raptors want some extent guard of the longer term who can thrive with and with out the ball. That’s why KJ is sensible. However he’s not a certain factor. As a freshman, Jakučionis would observe up his highlights with turnover brain-farts that derailed the hype practice. However he’s proven sufficient highs to warrant a top-10 choice.
Queen’s leaning buzzer-beating game-winner to ship Maryland to the Candy 16 is likely one of the highlights of March Insanity, and it captured why he’s such a extremely touted prospect as a burly huge with guard-like handles who dazzles with spin strikes, and artful finishes. Are you able to think about pairing him with Victor Wembanyama within the Spurs’ frontcourt? Wemby would cowl for all of the considerations about Queen’s inside protection, as a substitute permitting Queen to do what he’s higher at and roam the perimeter and assist inside. And offensively, Wemby’s capturing prowess eases the strain on Queen to develop his personal jumper. But when Queen interprets his velvet contact to the perimeter, he very effectively may grow to be a centerpiece. For now, his inside scoring, playmaking chops and magnetic rebounding alone give him tantalizing potential.
Scoot Henderson has made some progress this season, however it’s nonetheless not clear if he’s able to being the purpose guard of Portland’s future. Knueppel is sensible as a variety on this regard since he brings greater than only a sharpshooter’s stroke because of his brainy pick-and-roll playmaking and artful scoring really feel. Whereas he’s not a main creator, he could be one of many crew’s creators alongside Deni Avdija on the wing, Donovan Clingan from the excessive submit, and Scoot in ball screens.
Of all two-man lineup combos to play a minimum of 150 minutes this season, Steven Adams and Alperen Şengün rank No. 1 within the NBA in each web score and defensive score. However Adams is 31 and can grow to be a free agent this summer time, so having a rim protector within the developmental pipeline can be sensible for Houston. 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 an absence of seasoning as a screener, shooter and creator. His power should enhance too, which was made clear within the Last 4 when he grabbed zero rebounds in a loss in opposition to Houston. Such a uncooked talent set ought to come as no shock for the reason that South Sudan native didn’t begin taking part in basketball till he was 13.
Tyler Herro grew to become an All-Star this season, displaying his means as a combo guard. However he wants a backcourt associate. Fears is a dynamic guard with a twitchy attacking fashion and a knack for coming by means of as a clutch shooter. He was certainly one of faculty 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 wherever on the ground, so he might solely want time to emerge as a star in Miami’s system.
The Bulls are trending up this season behind the ascent of Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis and Coby White. Including one other guard may make some sense, particularly somebody like Richardson who may thrive in two-man recreation actions with Giddey and Buzelis, whereas complementing White within the backcourt. The Michigan State freshman is a talented combo guard with a deadly midrange recreation and a poised pick-and-roll really feel, wanting 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 he has an “it issue” about him that would blossom in Chicago.
Kyrie Irving will miss a piece of subsequent season because of a torn ACL, so the Mavericks want so as to add some extra playmaking. Demin has a uncommon means at his measurement to make dazzling passes, so he can play extra on-ball till Irving returns earlier than sliding into extra of an off-ball function the place his slicing really feel and defensive versatility would nonetheless deliver worth. However long-term, Denim must show he can shoot and create his personal shot in opposition to prolonged defenders, which makes him extra of a love-him or hate-him prospect than a certain factor.
Clifford practically led Colorado State to the Candy 16, slinging a bullseye move from the low submit to his teammate for a 3, 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 move 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. As an excellent senior with solely Mountain West pedigree, he lacks expertise in opposition to high-level competitors regardless of his age; his NCAA event success started to attenuate that concern although.
One other French man in San Antonio. And why not? Essengue is a toolsy ahead with a fluid deal with, dynamic ending package deal, and extremely versatile protection. However his long-term upside hinges on the jumper clicking. The Spurs are creating a powerful observe document of serving to shooters. And if it doesn’t, his ending and versatile protection are sufficient to make him a terrific French match subsequent to Wemby.
McNeeley did not shut the season the way in which he would’ve needed to, making solely 14 of his closing 49 pictures, which included a loss to Creighton within the Massive East event semifinal and a loss to Florida within the second spherical of the NCAA event. However regardless of his poor capturing percentages, scouts nonetheless consider in his upside as a sharpshooting wing with very good instincts shifting with the ball, and the contact to splash from deep ranges. The Magic rank twenty fifth in 3-point makes an attempt and thirtieth in 3-point proportion, so this decide must be used on a shooter and McNeeley ought to be capable of get again to his knockdown methods subsequent to Orlando’s core stars.
The Timberwolves took an enormous swing for Rob Dillingham in final yr’s draft. Traoré would current the same kind of alternative. Traoré oozes upside together with his measurement, blazing velocity 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 huge swing. In Minnesota, he’d have loads of time to be taught good habits from the bench on a crew making an attempt to compete for a championship.
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 all through the event and all season lengthy. Past his slicing, he wants to enhance as a shooter to earn minutes in high-leverage video games. However there’s tantalizing upside that would have attraction for a younger crew just like the Nets prepared to take a danger.
Beringer can be a basic Sam Presti decide. Beringer started taking part in basketball solely three years in the past, which makes him a uncooked venture, but additionally makes his pure skills all of the extra spectacular taking part in this season within the ABA League and the EuroCup. The Thunder don’t actually need him to contribute right this moment 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.
If the Wizards don’t find yourself with Flagg, maybe they search for a frontcourt match subsequent to Alex Sarr with this second first-round decide. Wolf is a 7-footer who helped lead Michigan to the Candy 16 by taking part in a slick fashion with dangerous passes and step-back jumpers that made him a spotlight manufacturing unit. However he’s additionally a turnover machine and his capturing numbers are shaky, making him extra of a uncooked guess who wants time to show he can match his flash with substance.
Riley has dynamic driving means and playmaking instincts that scream upside as a jumbo-sized, shot-creating wing. Deciding on him would observe 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.
Jazz followers, are you completely sure that certainly one of Isaiah Collier or Keyonte George is the franchise’s level guard of the longer term? I like each, however I’m not. Including one other level guard into the combination like Pettiford could be a sensible transfer, particularly if the Jazz are lucky sufficient to land Flagg with the primary decide. Pettiford got here off the bench for Auburn and helped lead the crew to the Last 4, displaying his talent 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 scrub up his shot choice and decision-making to max out his recreation on the subsequent degree.
After choosing McNeeley earlier within the first spherical, right here’s one other shooter for the Magic. The perfect shooter in all of March Insanity. Clayton hit among the clutchest pictures all event lengthy, main Florida to the NCAA championship recreation earlier than taking part in with nice effort on protection and making some slick passes to assist cause them to the title. All through his collegiate profession, he confirmed main limitations as a defender and as a decision-maker. However he is a fearless shooter with the flexibility to take any shot at any second. And that’s exactly what the Magic want.
The Pacers have been one of many league’s greatest groups for just a few months now, posting the seventh-best web score ever for the reason that NBA Cup. However wanting forward, Myles Turner can be a free agent this summer time, which implies discovering one other huge man could possibly be a precedence. Newell has springs in his legs, frequently slamming lobs and swatting pictures. Tyrese Haliburton would discover him greater than anybody ever has. Though his self-discipline displays his youth, his energetic fashion 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 though Onyeka Okongwu is a top quality middle the Hawks might want to discover one other one. Sorber has a brick-house body and the throwback talent 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, identical 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 enhancing his perimeter protection.
Gonzalez is a high-motor wing with nice defensive instruments and a slashing fashion on offense. If his jumper and deal with develop, he could possibly 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.
Commercial
One other abroad decide right here for the Nets. Saraf is a artful lefty playmaker who depends on guile, footwork and physique management. Restricted capturing and athleticism may cap his upside, however his positional measurement and talent could possibly be exhausting to move 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’s going to pressure the crew to make some adjustments. Even with out them although, the Celtics have to certain up the frontcourt. Al Horford is outdated. Kristaps Porzingis is harm inclined. Luckily 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 gifted passer who additionally gives strong protection, there’s little motive to assume the Frenchman received’t carve out an NBA function.
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 large wingspan and dunking all the things 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 faculty, he’s additionally developed some sneaky passing and capturing expertise that trace at greater upside. At least, he may help facilitate as an enormous within the Suns’ offense.
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 an absence of expertise in opposition to high-level competitors, so groups should really feel actual assured his function participant talent set will translate. With Kawhi Leonard and James Harden dealing with the rock in Los Angeles, Fleming’s constructive qualities may permit him to fit in straight away.
View the total second spherical and scouting experiences for each single prospect within the 2025 NBA Draft Information, which you’ll find right here.
