NBA mock draft 2025: Massive modifications to first spherical projection after Cooper Flagg goes No. 1

January 30, 2025

2

The 2025 NBA Draft class is absolutely coming into focus with March Insanity across the nook. Whereas the hype of this class has worn off barely because the season has gone on, it’s nonetheless a robust group of incoming expertise outlined by excessive upside swings all through the lottery.

Duke’s Cooper Flagg is the plain No. 1 choose. He’s lived as much as the hype throughout his freshman 12 months with the Blue Devils, and will likely be anticipated to be an All-NBA participant by the point he reaches his prime. Behind Flagg, there are a selection of prospects who’ve a pathway to NBA stardom but in addition have scary draw back situations in the event that they don’t hit.

There’s been a number of modifications since our final mock draft. Oklahoma’s Jeremy Fears and Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe are among the many risers, whereas BYU’s Egor Demin is the most important faller. Right here’s how we see the 2025 NBA Draft class proper now, with quick scouting reviews on each potential first-round choose.

1. Washington Wizards – Cooper Flagg, F, Duke

Flagg resides as much as the ‘generational’ tag, and proving surely that he’s in a tier of his personal on this class. Flagg looks like a team-building cheat-code: at 6’9 with a 7-foot wingspan, he’s a virtually elite run-and-jump athlete with a continuous motor with supreme versatility on each ends of the ground. He’s a dominant defensive prospect who can defend the rim and routinely make large performs off-ball. Offensively, Flagg is already a killer play-finisher, transition risk, and offensive rebounder who’s flashing potential a jumbo on-ball creator. It is a reliable franchise-changing prospect who will ceaselessly bolster the trajectory of the fortunate workforce that wins the lottery to land him.

2. Utah Jazz – Dylan Harper, G, Rutgers

Harper is a large lead guard with a particular ability for getting downhill. At 6’6, 215 kilos with a reported 6’10 wingspan, the Rutgers freshman can strain the rim at will and has proven spectacular completion regardless of not being an explosive above-the-rim athlete.His capacity to separate pick-and-roll defenders is mesmerizing to look at, and so far he’s proven super craft on his capacity to hit layups. Harper is extra of a scorer than a playmaker in the meanwhile, however he’s proven he can deal with the keys to an offense with a virtually 30 p.c help charge and near a 2:1 help to turnover ratio. With solely common explosiveness, Harper might want to show he’s higher than the typical shooter he’s been to this point at Rutgers. Nonetheless, his capacity to get to the basket, hound smaller guards defensively, and deal with main utilization with above-average scoring effectivity has made him the clear No. 2 prospect on this class behind Flagg.

3. New Orleans Pelicans – V.J. Edgecombe, G, Baylor

Edgecombe is probably the most athletic guard the category, and currently he’s making actual strides together with his ability degree. Whereas he’s slightly undersized at 6’3 with a reported 6’6 wingspan, Edgecombe has absurd explosion that he makes use of to pressure turnovers, end on the rim, and create benefits in opposition to a set protection. Lengthy-term, he has the instruments to develop right into a lead shot creator with a depraved first step and next-level hangtime across the basket to transform layups or draw fouls. Edgecombe’s protection ought to translate to the league instantly. He’s an superior off-ball playmaker, with a large 3.3 p.c block charge fora guard and a 4.2 steal charge, and in addition has the potential to lock up on the ball. The large query right here his taking pictures, however even that has improved: he’s making 47.4 p.c of his threes on 5.2 makes an attempt per recreation over his final 11 video games. On a spaced out NBA flooring, Edgecombe’s pace and athleticism ought to really feel much more spectacular.

4. Charlotte Hornets – Ace Bailey, F, Rutgers

Bailey is probably the most polarizing participant within the class, but nonetheless looks like a lock for the top-5 because of his mixture of dimension, youth, shot-making, and athleticism. At 6’10 with a 7-foot wingspan, Bailey performs with a relentless inexperienced gentle, which ends up in him taking and making some ridiculous photographs from the perimeter. One of many youngest gamers on this class with an Aug. 2006 birthday, Bailey is oozing with uncooked expertise however nonetheless must learn to truly play basketball. He is among the most reticent passers I’ve ever scouted, and has solely recorded 16 assists in his first 16 video games. His lack of really feel reveals up defensively at occasions too, however his bodily instruments are so good that he can usually get well to the ball. A guess on Bailey this excessive would require a workforce believing they’ll proceed to show him the sport, which isn’t a foul guess for a participant this younger and this proficient.

5. Brooklyn Nets – Khaman Maluach, C, Duke

Maluach has performed a slim position in his freshman season at Duke, however it looks like he’s simply scratching the floor of his long-term potential. The Duke middle has elite bodily instruments for an NBA middle at 7’2, 250 kilos with a reported 9’8 standing attain. He’s basically been in a catch-and-dunk position up to now, however he’s additionally placing up one of the environment friendly scoring seasons a draft prospect has ever had. By his first 20 video games, the South Sudan native is taking pictures a surprising 75.6 p.c from the sphere. He’s a monster on the offensive glass and has critical upside as a rim protector, although his timing feels a half-second late as a shot blocker proper now. Maluach has dangerous fingers and is completely incapable of constructing performs for his teammates, which might considerably cap his upside if it doesn’t enhance. Nonetheless, he’s flashed sufficient ball dealing with and taking pictures capacity within the BAL earlier than enrolling at Duke to make groups assume he has one other degree to get to together with his ability.

6. Toronto Raptors – Kasparas Jakucionis, G, Illinois

Jakucionis’ excellent manufacturing throughout his freshman season ought to earn him seems to be within the draft beginning at No. 3. The Illini level guard has best-in-class imaginative and prescient and creativity as a passer, with a uncommon capacity to go his teammates open and ship dimes from all angles. Jakucionis additionally places strain on opposing defenses as a scorer: his stepback three going left is a deadly weapon, and he’s proven an unimaginable knack for attending to the foul line this season. His 64 p.c true taking pictures is an unbelievable quantity for a guard — particularly one like Jakucionis who lacks elite athletic traits. It’s truthful to marvel if the foul drawing will translate to the following degree, as a result of the Lithuanian is restricted together with his burst. He additionally wants to chop down on his turnovers and his fouls on protection. Thus far, Jakucionis is a significantly better taking pictures off the dribble than he’s off the catch, which limits his capacity as a flooring spacer. He isn’t defensive prospect regardless of having good power for his age. There’s a pathway for Jakucionis to be a very good start line guard within the NBA, however his margins will likely be slim as a result of his lack of athletic explosion.

7. Portland Path Blazers – Asa Newell, F, Georgia

Newell is an enormous ahead who can end performs with energy across the rim and supply some paint safety defensively. At 6’10, the Georgia freshman has hammered house 43 dunks in his first 21 video games whereas taking pictures 73 p.c on the rim. He’s been a monster on the offensive glass with a 15.2 p.c o-board charge that ranks top-30 in America, per KenPom. Newell has been making an attempt to indicate off his three-point stroke for NBA groups, and whereas he’s not a shooter but (13-for-47 from deep up to now), it’s encouraging that he’s not scared to take them. Scouts will query Newell’s really feel for the sport with nearly as many turnovers as assists, and they’ll marvel if he’s lengthy sufficient (7-foot wingspan) to capably maintain down minutes on the 5. Newell might have to be in a extra restricted play-finishing position to be at his greatest, but when he finds the proper entrance courtroom match, he has the instruments to be a productive participant.

8. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (through 76ers) – Jeremy Fears, G, Oklahoma

Fears confirmed a number of indictors for star potential throughout his crimson sizzling begin as a freshman at Oklahoma. He’s cooled down a bit in convention play in opposition to a tricky SEC schedule, however there’s nonetheless lots to love about his long-term projection. The 6’4 guard has actual shot creation potential with a decent deal with and the flexibility go move into pull-up jumpers. He’s carried a sky-high utilization charge (31 p.c) at a younger age (he turned 18 in Oct.) with above-average scoring effectivity (58 p.c true taking pictures). Fears’ three-ball hasn’t been falling currently and his lack of power can get him in some dangerous spots, however he’s a worthy long-term creation guess after the highest prospects are off the board.

9. Chicago Bulls – Collin Murray-Boyles, F/C, South Carolina

Murray-Boyles bypassed the draft final 12 months to return to South Carolina for his sophomore season, and has pulled off the uncommon feat of accelerating his utilization whereas bettering his scoring effectivity and sustaining his elite degree defensively. There will likely be skepticism about how he’ll deal with the NBA as a 6’7 large man with out a dependable exterior shot, however his manufacturing and flashes of translatable ability ought to give groups optimism. Murray-Boyles is highly effective 245-pound athlete who assaults the opposition aggressively at each ends of the ground. He’s the probably the greatest defensive prospects on this class as an enormous who can blow up pick-and-rolls, pressure turnovers on digs, and supply stout paint safety regardless of his lack of dimension. On offense, Murray-Boyles can play within the quick roll together with his spectacular passing capacity whereas producing energy as a downhill scorer. He’s been capable of create seems to be for himself at occasions together with his mixture of power, dealing with, and contact. He’s additionally a strong screener. His manufacturing is tough to argue with, however it is going to be fascinating to see how groups view his projection come draft time.

10. San Antonio Spurs – Tre Johnson, G, Texas

Tre Johnson’s upside is tied to how his nuclear taking pictures capacity interprets to the best ranges. The 6’6 freshman wing is hitting 38 p.c of his threes on 6.6 makes an attempt per recreation, exhibiting a fast launch and the flexibility to hit photographs after off-ball motion. The issue is Johnson simply doesn’t have a well-rounded recreation: he’s restricted as a ball handler and barely will get to the foul or foul line, and he additionally almost as many turnovers as assists. If Johnson can survive on the defensive finish, he ought to have sufficient gravity as a shooter to provide himself actual offensive utility even together with his flaws.

11. San Antonio Spurs (through Hawks) – Derik Queen, C, Maryland

It could be simple to write down off Queen’s NBA translation as an undersized large man with solely common athleticism and no actual three-point shot, however that might overlook all the pieces that’s made him particular as a freshman for Maryland. The beefy 6’10 large man can create offense with the ball in his fingers with a sophisticated deal with for his participant his dimension. He can use his large body to create house when he will get going downhill, and he’s proven delicate contact (72.5 p.c on the rim) when he will get in shut. Queen might want to reduce down his turnovers and turn into a greater passer, however there will likely be extra consideration on his taking pictures projection. He’s been strong from the foul line this 12 months (76 p.c), however is just 2-of-22 from three. A novel participant who would require a exact match to hit his highest finish outcomes, Queen’s projected vary may very well be one of many wider on this class.

12. Golden State Warriors – Ben Saraf, G, Ulm

The 6’5 level guard out of Israel is placing collectively a powerful season within the German league at 18 years outdated. Saraf has full management of the sport as a lead guard, exhibiting nice passing imaginative and prescient and a strong mid-range pull-up jumper he can use as a scoring weapon. The problem with Saraf is his three-point shot hasn’t been falling and he falls under the NBA common in run-and-jump athleticism for a guard. Nonetheless, Saraf has sufficient similarities to Kasparas Jakucionis to demand lottery seems to be if the Illini freshman goes top-5.

13. Atlanta Hawks – Labaron Philon, G, Alabama

Philon struggles to shoot from deep and is restricted athletically, however nonetheless leaves an indelible imprint in each recreation. The 6’4 freshman from Alabama has plus power and instincts and makes use of it to make all types of profitable performs. He’s rebounder for his place, he can lock down defensively, and his flashes of bullying his means by defenses as a pick-and-roll ball handler are spectacular. Philon has showcased good contact inside and a capability to self-create seems to be off the dribble, so his sub 30 p.c three-point stroke shouldn’t be too scary for his professional projection. He simply seems to be like a task participant who does all of the little issues to assist groups compete.

14. Dallas Mavericks – Kon Knueppel, G, Duke

Knueppel’s manufacturing hasn’t fairly matched his preseason hype, however there’s nonetheless participant right here with translatable NBA expertise. The thick 6’7 wing can play on- or off-the-ball offensively, with spectacular poise working within the pick-and-roll and the flexibility to bomb away from three-point vary off the catch. Knueppel lacks the size and explosion you often see out of NBA wings, which makes his defensive projection an enormous query mark and places extra emphasis on his have to shoot at a excessive degree. Whereas the thought some had of him as a possible top-5 choose feels too optimistic, his dribble-pass-shoot ability set turns into extra interesting regardless of his limitations in direction of the center of the primary spherical.

15. Minnesota Timberwolves – Liam McNeely, F, UConn

McNeeley’s case for a top-20 choose begins together with his capacity to be probably the greatest shooters on this draft class. The 6’7 freshman wing is making 38 p.c of his threes on 9.5 makes an attempt per 100 possessions. He’s displayed connective passing traits and has simply sufficient ball dealing with juice to beat a scrambling shut out. McNeeley is restricted athletically which is able to harm his protection and rim ending (he solely has one dunk this 12 months), however he’s a excessive flooring prospect with sufficient offensive expertise to remain on the ground.

16. Orlando Magic – Jase Richardson, G, Michigan State

Jase Richardson has gone from legacy recruit to instantaneous affect freshman at Michigan State. Richardson is slightly small (listed at 6’3) and doesn’t have his father’s elite athleticism, however he’s an extremely sensible participant who is aware of easy methods to choose his spots on the ground. Richardson is a ridiculously environment friendly scorer making 64 p.c of his two-pointers, 41 p.c of his threes, and 82 p.c of his free throws. Whereas he’s not an incredible playmaker, he additionally not often makes errors, boasting a virtually a 2:1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Richardson has performed with low utilization (17.6 p.c) up to now, and it’s onerous to say how he’d scale as much as an even bigger position in opposition to greatest and extra athletic competitors. If nothing else, Richardson simply is aware of easy methods to play, and has confirmed he’s already rattling good in opposition to outdated competitors in school.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: JAN 25 Georgetown at Providence

17. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (through Warmth) – Thomas Sorber, C, Georgetown

Sorber has been probably the greatest freshmen surprises of the season, going from the No. 40 general recruit within the RSCI to a possible top-20 choose throughout his debut season with at Georgetown. The 6’10 large man has performed with imposing physicality at each ends of the ground. He’s an excellent rebounder, a tricky display screen setter, and may soak up contact within the paint defensively whereas nonetheless difficult the shot. He’s flashed the connective passing traits that NBA groups love out of their large males, and he seems to be like a strong finisher inside. Sorber doesn’t have a three-point shot in the meanwhile, he’s a bit undersized for a middle, and he’s not a fast twitch athlete, however his highly effective and environment friendly recreation will get the job performed.

18. Houston Rockets (through Suns) – Nolan Traore, G, France

Traoe was thought of a possible top-5 choose coming into the season, however an up-and-down 12 months for Saint-Quentin within the prime French professional league has abruptly made him one of many class’ most divisive prospects. The 6’5 guard has an intriguing mixture of pace, playmaking, and rim strain that might translate nicely because the NBA pushes the tempo to new heights yearly. The problem is that he isn’t an inefficient scorer proper now (47 p.c true taking pictures) with simply common vertical pop across the basket and a shaky three-point shot. The 18-year-old is dealing with an unlimited utilization charge (31 p.c) whereas dealing with more durable competitors than any school participant, so perhaps the concept he’s sliding on this draft is totally overblown.

19. Utah Jazz (through Timberwolves) – Noah Penda, F, Le Mans

Penda is a protracted and beefy ahead out of France who has proven nice two-way versatility in a tricky league as a 20-year-old. At 6’8 with a reported 7-foot wingspan, Penda seems to be like an incredible defensive prospect who has made some strides on offense. Whereas he’s restricted when it comes to each his pace and explosion, Penda is tremendous robust and at all times appears to know the place to be defensively. He’s put up monster defensive playmaking stats (3.3 p.c steal charge and 5.4 p.c block charge) that showcase his phenomenal defensive consciousness. Penda isn’t going to beat many gamers off the dribble, however he has some stuff you may work with offensively if he can shoot it at a league-average degree. He’s a sensible cutter and good passer who contributes on the offensive glass. Each workforce needs lengthy forwards with robust really feel for the sport, and Penda checks these packing containers.

20. Indiana Pacers – Noa Essengue, F, Ulm

Essengue is a 6’9 French ahead who deserves first spherical seems to be for his athletic instruments, constantly excessive motor, and strong productiveness as an 18-year-old within the German league. He has a particular ability for drawing fouls together with his capacity to deal with the ball a bit within the open flooring and discover openings on cuts across the basket. He’ll present some supplemental shot-blocking however can even get buried by stronger and longer gamers. His three-point shot (23.3 p.c on his first 60 makes an attempt) is his large swing ability.

21. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (through Clippers) – Ian Jackson, G, UNC

Jackson is a microwave scorer who has been on fireplace to begin convention play for North Carolina. The 6’5 guard is a blur with the ball in his fingers who shines in transition and may create scoring alternatives for himself within the halfcourt. He’s been a strong shooter from deep up to now at 39 p.c from three, however virtually all of his makes are assisted. Jackson doesn’t go a lot and his skinny body will give groups pause defensively. He’s additionally a lot older than a typical freshman, turning 20 in Feb. Jackson actually has some crimson flags as a prospect, however simply turning into a greater pull-up shooter would assist his projection immensely. Groups will at all times want guards who can create a bucket, and Jackson can do this.

22. Atlanta Hawks (through Lakers) – Johni Broome, C, Auburn

Broome has been one of the best participant in school basketball this 12 months, and it’s introduced renewed curiosity in his professional projection. The 6’10, 235-pound large man is an absolute bulldozer as an inside scorer, has confirmed nice shot-making contact from mid-range (almost 50 p.c on his first 63 mid-range twos), and he’s a adequate passer and decision-maker to be the hub of an offense. Broome has been a implausible rim protector (10 p.c block charge) and rebounder on each ends of the ground, and people expertise aren’t going to vanish simply because he’s a bit undersized for an NBA 5. As a fifth-year school participant there’s certain to be loads of skepticism about Broome’s NBA potential, however he’s been so rattling good this 12 months that he deserves an opportunity.

23. Brooklyn Nets (through Bucks) – Egor Demin, G, BYU

I used to be responsible of shopping for the early hype on Demin throughout his sizzling begin in opposition to a cupcake schedule. His manufacturing plummeted as BYU entered convention play, exposing his lack of pace and explosiveness and his shaky exterior shot. The concept of Demin as a 6’9 level guard with panoramic imaginative and prescient remains to be intriguing long-term, however he’s going to wish to up his ability degree and alter his physique to beat the considerations about his instruments.

24. Orlando Magic (through Nuggets) – Miles Byrd, San Diego State

Miles Byrd’s breakout season at San Diego State has marked him as probably the greatest potential 3-and-D wings within the class. Byrd has made main strides as a shooter, going from 31.1 p.c on 2.2 makes an attempt per recreation from three final season to 35.8 p.c on 6.2 per recreation this 12 months. His defensive markers are much more encouraging: his 5.2 p.c block charge and 4.4 p.c steal charge are monster numbers that present his athleticism, motor, and instincts. The 6’7 wing can proceed to indicate extra off the dribble, however he looks like he will be an impactful participant with out sucking up a ton of utilization on an NBA flooring. Whereas he’s technically in his third 12 months of faculty basketball. Byrd doesn’t flip 21 years outdated till Sept. and is already exhibiting he may very well be a late bloomer.

25. Memphis Grizzlies – Rasheer Fleming, F, Saint Joseph’s

Fleming has been a revelation throughout his junior season, catching the NBA’s consideration for his huge body, spectacular defensive playmaking, improved taking pictures, and powerful ending on the rim. Fleming has ultimate dimension for an NBA 4 at 6’9, 220+ kilos with a reported 7’5 wingspan. He’s been capable of leverage these extremely lengthy arms to get blocks (5.1 p.c block charge) and steals (3.1 p.c steal charge) all season within the Atlantic-10. He’s additionally been cleansing the glass at each ends of the ground this 12 months, together with a 24.9 p.c defensive rebound charge that almost ranks top-50 within the nation. Fleming has made an enormous leap as a three-point shooter this 12 months (40.4 p.c on his first 89 makes an attempt), however he’s principally recognized for his inside scoring. He’s making 69 p.c of his photographs on the rim to this point, and has hammered in 29 dunks in his first 20 video games. Fleming doesn’t create off the bounce a lot and groups may nonetheless have skepticism about his shot given his non-existent mid-range recreation and poor free throw taking pictures numbers. His mixture of dimension and manufacturing ought to nonetheless be sufficient to get him seems to be later within the first spherical.

26. Brooklyn Nets (through Knicks) – Kam Jones, Marquette

Jones has a case as being one of the best guard in school basketball this 12 months after his important enchancment as a playmaker within the wake of Tyler Kolek’s departure from Marquette. The 6’5 senior guard has upped his help charge kind 16.6 p.c final 12 months to 40.3 p.c this season, which ranks top-10 within the nation. As Jones has soaked up extra utilization, it’s come at the price of his taking pictures: he was a 40.6 p.c three-point shooter final 12 months, and thats dipped to 32.7 p.c this 12 months. Jones can shoot it so groups shouldn’t be too frightened about that. He’s a strong worth late in spherical one as a possible backup guard.

27. Boston Celtics – Hugo González, F, Actual Madrid

Gonzalez has been on the NBA’s radar for some time after some robust showings at FIBA youth tournaments in recent times. Enjoying time has been onerous to come back by this season for the soon-to-be 19-year-old on probably the greatest golf equipment in Europe, however he nonetheless has the bodily instruments that enchantment to scouts. An athletic 6’6 ahead with a robust body, Gonzalez makes power performs defensively and on the glass, and has proven some progress together with his three-point stroke. If groups consider in his shot (which has solely hit at 28.6 p.c this 12 months on low quantity), he may go a lot increased than this.

28 Brooklyn Nets (through Rockets) – Donnie Freeman, F, Syracuse

Freeman has had an up-and-down season and is out proper now with a foot harm, however he’s intrigued each since his standout run on the McDonald’s All-American Recreation practices. Freeman has tons of expertise as a protracted and athletic 6’10 ahead with a simple taking pictures stroke. He’s been a monster on the defensive glass this 12 months, and his contact from the foul line (80 p.c) and deep vary ought to give groups assured he’ll shoot the three ball higher than he did earlier than the foot harm. Freeman is one thing of a lottery ticket choice, however he’s obtained the instruments groups needs.

29. Phoenix Suns (through Cavs) – Drake Powell, F, North Carolina

It’s simple to see what NBA like about Powell’s long-term projection as a protracted and athletic 6’6 wing who could make performs on protection and hit some catch-and-shoot threes. His manufacturing has been inconsistent a lot of the season, making him a premium candidate to return to highschool for sophomore 12 months in an try to spice up his draft inventory. If he does declare, groups may nonetheless discuss themselves into him as a long-term high-energy wing who can hold the ground spaced with a 37.5 p.c three-point stroke to this point.

30. Los Angeles Clippers (through Thunder) – Flory Bidunga, C/F, Kansas

Bidunga was a 5-star recruit who gained an even bigger position on Kansas throughout KJ Adams’ current harm. A brilliant bouncy 6’9 large man, Bidunga can end performs with energy above the rim on each ends of the ground. He doesn’t provide any taking pictures or creation, however he’s finisher inside and an absurdly fluid athlete.