1. Dallas Mavericks
Tre Johnson, Texas
Cooper Flagg, F, Duke
Throughout the entirety of this past college basketball season and the pre-Draft process, there has been zero doubt who the Dallas Mavericks were taking with the No. 1 pick of the 2025 NBA Draft. Cooper Flagg stands head and shoulders above the rest of this draft class, the type of big built for the modern NBA. He will enter the NBA as one of the most hyped prospects in recent memory, joining a team that has a chance to quickly ascend the Western Conference pecking order.
2. San Antonio Spurs
Dylan Harper, PG, Rutgers
The Dylan Harper to San Antonio selection may not quite be as set in stone as Flagg to Dallas, but it would be a fairly shocking if the Spurs go any other direction than the Rutgers floor general. Harper will bring an advanced offensive game to San Antonio and forms an exciting young trio with Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle to begin the post-Gregg Popovich era.
3. Philadelphia 76ers
V.J. Edgecombe, G/F, Baylor
This is where the 2025 NBA Draft truly begins. With Ace Bailey likely to slide, Philadelphia becomes an interesting player near the top of this Draft. Best player available is still the most likely route and with Bailey a no-go, that has to be Baylor's V.J. Edgecombe. The uber-athletic wing will bring a highlight-reel player to The City of Brotherly Love, but it will be fascinating to see how he meshes with the likes of Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey.
4. Charlotte Hornets
Kon Knueppel, G/F, Duke
Kon Knueppel has been trending to this spot in recent days, and I love the fit more and more. He may not have the upside of other prospects set to hear their names called in the lottery, but he gives the Hornets a multidimensional scorer who can open up space on the floor. For a team that is led by the ball-dominant La'Melo Ball and the versatile Brandon Miller, that will be a much-needed luxury.
5. Utah Jazz
Ace Bailey, G/F, Rutgers
The most significant storyline heading into Draft Night is most certainly Ace Bailey. Bailey has all the traits of a dominant scorer at the next level, and he's widely considered a Top 3 prospect in this class. But he's refused to work out for several teams near the top of the board and seems intent on forcing his way to his preferred destination. While I doubt that's Utah, the Jazz take a swing here as they desperately look to upgrade a roster short on top talent.
6. Washington Wizards
Tre Johnson, G, Texas
Another team that could go several different directions, Washington would of course love if Ace Bailey were to slide to their spot at six. However, Tre Johnson is quite a consolation prize, as a volume-scoring guard who showed he could carry the offensive burden on a mediocre Texas team this past winter.
7. New Orleans Pelicans
Jeremiah Fears, PG, Oklahoma
The Pelicans may already have a capable starting guard duo in Dejounte Murray and C.J. McCollum, but it's hard to know whether either of those guys are going to be long-term pieces. Murray is fresh off a torn Achilles, and McCollum is beginning to show his age at 33 years old. Jeremiah Fears still has a ways to go to be a lead NBA guard, but the 19-year old is a potent pick-and-roll playmaker that will bring some much-needed energy to a lagging roster.
8. Brooklyn Nets
Khaman Maluach, F/C, Duke
With four first-round selections and a roster in flux, Brooklyn will be an important player come Wednesday night. Perhaps they take a stab at a playmaker like Kasparas Jakucionis or Egor Demin, but I instead see them taking their future rim protector in Khaman Maluach. The third Duke Blue Devil off the board, Maluach moves incredibly well for his size and could develop into a stretch five if his offensive game continues to develop.
9. Toronto Raptors
Derik Queen, F/C, Maryland
There are an abundance of guards and young forwards available for Toronto to choose from in this position, but the roster's greatest need is down low. Maryland's Derik Queen is a polarizing prospect among NBA folks, but has his fair share of admirers who appreciate his powerful, back-to-the-basket game. He could be the missing piece necessary to get the Raptors back into Eastern Conference contention.
10. Phoenix Suns
Kasparas Jakucionis, PG, Illinois
The Suns vault themselves into the Top 10 with one of the picks they acquired in the Kevin Durant deal. Whether or not the franchise opts to hold on to Jalen Green, they need a point guard who can help the offense find a rhythm after a messy 2024-25 campaign. Kasparas Jakucionis is just that, a crafty, well-rounded offensive playmaker that should immediately improve this lineup.
11. Portland Trail Blazers
Carter Bryant, F, Arizona
Don't be shocked if Carter Bryant ends up going higher than most of the projections seem to have him. NBA scouts seem infatuated with his "3-and-D" potential, and his defensive versatility should earn him minutes from the get-go. As Portland looks to speed up their rebuild in the post-Damian Lillard years, a player like Bryant will certainly be valuable.
12. Chicago Bulls
Noa Essengue, F, France
I get the sense Chicago would love for a rim protector like Maluach or Queen to drop to them, but they'll have to pull an audible if this draft unfolds like so. With that in mind, perhaps they take a swing on a player like Noa Essengue, given this is his range. The French forward is raw, but teams can talk themselves into a combo forward with his skill set and defensive upside.
13. Atlanta Hawks
Asa Newell, F, Georgia
The Hawks don't have to end up going far with their No. 13 pick, staying inside the state of Georgia to add a high-upside forward in Asa Newell. The young forward grew offensively in a big way during his lone season with the Bulldogs and provides an immediate lob threat who will be active around the rim. If he can develop some range and consistency, he looks like a future stretch four.
14. San Antonio Spurs
Cedric Coward, G, Washington State
The Spurs got their floor general early on, now it's time to add a well-rounded wing with the final selection of the lottery. Cedric Coward has had a winding road to this point in his basketball career, but it's no secret NBA teams adore prospects like him, with his length, three-point shooting, and versatility. He'll find an immediate role here in San Antonio.
15. Oklahoma City Thunder
Joan Beringer, F/C, France
An international big man with loads of potential, yet one who still needs plenty of time to develop? This just feels like a Sam Presti pick at this spot. Joan Beringer could have the opportunity to sit and learn on the defending NBA Champions and continue to grow on both ends.
16. Memphis Grizzlies
Nique Clifford, G/F, Colorado State
Nique Clifford will be hurt by the fact he's 23 years of age, but at this point in the first round, I'm not sure you can find better value. The Colorado State product will bring smothering defense right away, and his versatility is an added bonus. With an offensive game already ready for the NBA, he should play immediate minutes for the Grizzlies.
17. Minnesota Timberwolves
Egor Demin, G, BYU
It would be a significant surprise if Egor Demin were to slide out of the lottery, but there's a chance one or two of these guys could slide, and he seems to be a polarizing prospect. Minnesota's greatest needs lie in the frontcourt, particularly after missing out on Kevin Durant, but Demin's playmaking could help unlock the other pieces on this roster and remind Wolves fans of Ricky Rubio.
18. Washington Wizards
Collin Murray-Boyles, F, South Carolina
Another player that could slip a bit depending on how the late lottery shakes out, Washington wouldn't hesitate to take a chance on a guy like Collin Murray-Boyles. His defense is already at an NBA level, but he needs significant work offensively to fulfill his potential. The Wizards have no plans to contend anytime soon, so they shouldn't have any problems taking a flier in the mid-first.
19. Brooklyn Nets
Nolan Traore, PG, France
Without a franchise point guard on the roster, the Nets may be convinced to take their chances with French guard Nolan Traore. Traore is an exceptionally fun player to watch, a lightning bug on the court who can immediately jolt this offense. He'll need time to grow as a scorer and will have to clean up his mistakes, but Brooklyn could be a good spot for him to learn and develop.
20. Miami Heat
Walter Clayton Jr., G, Florida
Fresh off a National Title, Walter Clayton Jr. may not be your typical Heat guard. He's a bit undersized and not a great defender, although he made strides in that area over his Florida career. However, he'd give this Miami team an elite scorer off the bench with limitless range - quite a need for a Heat second unit that was flat for much of this past season.
21. Utah Jazz
Thomas Sorber, F/C, Georgetown
It can be easy to lose sight of Georgetown's Thomas Sorber with how many similar bigs there are in this Draft, but this could end up being far too low for him. Sorber reminds me so much of former Hoya great Roy Hibbert with his defense and touch around the rim, but he's still a bit of a mystery after just one season in DC.
22. Atlanta Hawks
Will Riley, G/F, Illinois
Atlanta seems ready to hold off on a major rebuild and instead work with what they have to try and rise up the ladder in the Eastern Conference. Selecting a player like Will Riley makes a lot of sense for a team with that mindset. Even with his youth, he should be able to add shooting right away, and at 6'9", you can imagine him filling any number of roles for this Hawks team.
23. New Orleans Pelicans
Liam McNeeley, G/F, UConn
If Liam McNeeley does indeed last into the 20s, somebody is getting a steal with the former UConn Husky. McNeeley has an NBA-ready game, a three-level scorer who can fit in just about any NBA offense. He's got size, playmaking, and seems to have the right head on his shoulders to be a successful pro. I love this value for the Pelicans.
24. Oklahoma City Thunder
Danny Wolf, F/C, Michigan
Sure, Oklahoma City already drafted a big man in Joan Beringer in the mid-first, but Michigan's Danny Wolf would play a much different role. Wolf's mobility and playmaking, despite being a legit seven-footer, means that he'll play a very active role in this Thunder offense, and give defenders someone to take the attention of the likes of SGA, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams.
25. Orlando Magic
Jase Richardson, G/F, Michigan State
Jase Richardson is another guy that I think will be an absolute steal if he does indeed last this deep into the first round. He seems to be trending down at the moment, but he's so much more than a high-flier. He has a really well-rounded offensive game and shot the ball well in East Lansing. Even with Desmond Bane coming in and taking over at the wing, I think Richardson finds minutes in this scenario.
26. Brooklyn Nets
Rasheer Fleming, F, Saint Joseph's
This isn't a swing for the Nets - Rasheer Fleming has one of the highest floors of any projected first-round prospect in this Draft. The Saint Joseph's product can play both ways at a high level, has a really effective offensive game, and can even shoot the ball from deep. Brooklyn just needs more players on this roster like him.
27. Brooklyn Nets
Maxime Reynaud, F/C, Stanford
Maxime Reynaud rose up draft boards quickly during this past season at Stanford, but now projects somewhere about in this range in the late first round. The 7'1" big man is surprisingly athletic and can step out and shoot the ball, but he needs to get bigger and stronger to survive life in the pros. If the Nets do indeed take Maluach earlier, I like the fit with these two big men.
28. Boston Celtics
Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Creighton
Could Boston take another Creighton product after taking Baylor Scheierman last year? Ryan Kalkbrenner seems to be slowly creeping up boards late in the process and could end up going higher, as he's one of the best and most proven bigs in this Draft. He doesn't bring a ton offensively, but with Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis both potentially gone, he will bring size for the Celtics.
29. Phoenix Suns
Drake Powell, G/F, North Carolina
Drake Powell didn't exactly light the world on fire during his lone season in Chapel Hill, but NBA teams are intrigued with his mix of athleticism and spot-up shooting potential. For the Suns, he gives them a developmental prospect on the wing who could grow into a "3-and-D" guy if nurtured correctly. For a team that doesn't have a lot in terms of long-term prospects right now, that's a win.
30. Los Angeles Clippers
Ben Saraf, G, Israel
I'm not sure NBA teams are going to let Ben Saraf get out of the first round. Built in the mold of Jakucionis and Demin, Saraf is a smooth operator offensively who will make his teammates around him better with his passing. He's still not a great scorer and needs work on defense, but he could be an impactful addition for the Clippers off the bench.
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