Welcome to the latest version of the Hoops HQ NBA mock draft. There has been a good degree of movement since our latest mock was published almost two months ago, but the story at the top is very much the same. Barring something really unforeseen, when the NBA holds its annual draft lottery in May, the winner will have secured the opportunty to select Cooper Flagg from Duke. Beyond that, there is still much to be decided. Here’s how I see the rest of the first round shaping up as of today:
1. Washington Wizards: Cooper Flagg, 6-foot-9 freshman forward, Duke
2. Utah Jazz: Dylan Harper, 6-foot-6 freshman guard, Rutgers
3. New Orleans Pelicans: Ace Bailey, 6-foot-10 freshman wing, Rutgers
4. Charlotte Hornets: VJ Edgecombe, 6-foot-4 freshman guard, Baylor
5. Toronto Raptors: Jeremiah Fears, 6-foot-4 freshman guard, Oklahoma
6. Brooklyn Nets: Kasparas Jakucionis, 6-foot-6 freshman guard, Illinois
7. OKC Thunder (via 76ers): Asa Newell, 6-foot-11 freshman forward, Georgia
8. Portland Trail Blazers: Tre Johnson, 6-foot-6 freshman guard, Texas
9. Chicago Bulls: Khaman Maluach, 7-foot-2 freshman center, Duke
10. San Antonio Spurs (via Hawks): Ben Saraf, 6-foot-5 guard, Ratiopharm Ulm (Israel)
11. San Antonio Spurs: Collin Murray-Boyles, 6-foot-7 sophomore forward, South Carolina
12. Sacramento Kings: Egor Demin, 6-foot-9 freshman guard, BYU
13. Golden State Warriors: Kon Knueppel, 6-foot-7 freshman forward, Duke
14. Dallas Mavericks: Liam McNeeley, 6-foot-7 freshman forward, Connecticut
15. Orlando Magic: Noa Essengue, 6-foot-9 forward, Ratiopharm Ulm (France)
16. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Pistons): Thomas Sorber, 6-foot-10 freshman center, Georgetown
17. OKC Thunder (via Heat): Derik Queen, 6-foot-10 freshman center, Maryland
18. Houston Rockets (via Suns): Nolan Traore, 6-foot-3 guard, Saint-Quentin (France)
19. Utah Jazz (via Timberwolves): Hugo Gonzalez, 6-foot-9 forward, Real Madrid (Spain)
20. Brooklyn Nets (via Bucks): Carter Bryant, 6-foot-8 freshman forward, Arizona
21. OKC Thunder (via Clippers): Noah Penda, 6-foot-8 forward, Le Mans (France)
22. Indiana Pacers: Nique Clifford, 6-foot-6 senior forward, Colorado State
23. Atlanta Hawks (via Lakers): Rasheer Fleming, 6-foot-9 junior forward, Saint Joseph’s
24. Orlando Magic (via Nuggets): Ian Jackson, 6-foot-4 freshman guard, North Carolina
25. Brooklyn Nets (via Knicks): Jase Richarson, 6-foot-3 freshman guard, Michigan State
26. Brooklyn Nets: Alex Toohey, 6-foot-7 forward, Sydney (Australia)
27. Memphis Grizzlies: Labaron Philon, 6-foot-4 freshman guard, Alabama
28. Boston Celtics: Kam Jones, 6-foot-5 senior guard, Marquette
29. Los Angeles Clippers (via OKC): Boogie Fland, 6-foot-2 freshman guard, Arkansas
30. Phoenix Suns (via Cavs): Maxime Raynaud, 7-foot-1 senior center, Stanford
MOVING UP: Asa Newell, Thomas Sorber, Noah Penda, Jase Richardson, Maxime Raynaud
SLIDING: Nolan Traore, Labaron Philon, Boogie Fland
- The only question at No. 1 overall asks who’s going to be lucky enough to make the pick. Cooper Flagg is eliminating any chance of suspense or surprises for the 2025 draft. He’s averaging 22.0 points and 4.3 assists on 50.3 percent shooting and 38.2 percent from three since Duke beat Auburn on December 4. The gradual improvement since October is reminiscent of the evolution we saw at Montverde Academy. The ability to make adjustments is just another key selling point to Flagg and a big reason to bet on his trajectory. His shot creation has looked sharper. He appears more comfortable from behind the arc. And he’s reading defenses and double-teams quicker, allowing Flagg to double as both Duke’s No. 1 option and lead playmaker.
- The next tier of prospects behind Flagg has remained relatively the same all year. The flu and an ankle injury have limited Rutgers’ Dylan Harper lately, but there is enough tape and results for lottery teams to have confidence in his creativity, finishing craft, shotmaking skill and playmaking ability for a 6-foot-6 215-pound 18-year-old. Three 30-plus-point games in January helped underscore Ace Bailey’s outrageous shotmaking skill and a release point that creates an incredible advantage around the perimeter. V.J. Edgecombe remains firmly in the top five, particularly now that he’s brought his three-point mark up to 39.1 percent. The combination of rare explosion, improving shotmaking, defensive quickness and encouraging passing IQ points to one of the draft’s safest picks.
- Asa Newell has been practically automatic for Georgia, consistently giving the Bulldogs easy baskets and defensive activity. His game doesn’t scream upside, but it does seem highly translatable and valuable for the right NBA teams. Aside from showing obvious timing and tools for play-finishing and offensive rebounding, he’s also looked very comfortable scoring with hooks and confident shooting from deep. This early, you buy the shotmaking capability over the percentages in a 6-fot-11 teenager who’s highly productive and impactful.
- Thomas Sorber has entered the top-20 mix with his polished post skill, defensive presence, signs of passing IQ and flashes of shooting touch. He’s been too productive for teams to nitpick an inch or two of height. Even if the three-point shot never clicks, certain teams will covet Sorber’s interior scoring, 2.5 assists per game and defensive upside.
- Despite Carter Bryant’s pedestrian 6.2 points in 16.8 minutes, his 6-foot-8 size, shotmaking, athleticism at the rim and defensive playmaking still pop. He should look great in predraft workouts, and NBA teams willing to wait for results figure to be more open to letting Bryant develop his handle and creation in the G League.
- Jase Richardson may be looking at a difficult decision after the season. He’s earned scouts’ attention with how efficiently he scores within an offense, but he’d likely receive far more usage next year at MSU to develop on the ball and make a stronger draft case in 2026. If he does declare, he could look appealing to playoff teams that see a supporting shotmaking, slasher and good decision-maker.
- Scoring inside and out, Maxime Raynaud is producing with a level of skill that’s becoming more persuasive by the month. There should be first-round interest in a 7-foot-1 big who’s making 1.9 threes per game and consistently getting himself quality post looks and easy buckets.
- Nolan Traore is going to be a tough evaluation. One one hand, he’s an 18-year-old point guard starting in France’s top division, putting up excellent assist numbers and still averaging 11.3 points per game. On the other hand, he’s been brutal finishing inside the arc, his shooting is still a clear weakness and he doesn’t offer much off-ball value.
- Out for the season after shooting 39.1 percent in 18 games, Boogie Fland finished before easing scouts’ concerns over his size and athleticism. He’ll likely be viewed as more of a bench spark than a lead guard.
- Labaron Philon has shown great feel and touch for Alabama, but the lack of self-creation, athleticism and shooting range have become somewhat worrisome over the past few weeks.
- It’s easier to picture a NBA rotational big when Johni Broome is hitting threes like he did on Saturday at Ole Miss. Regardless, he’s no doubt improved his draft case this year with more rebounding, passing and shot-blocking. Age (turns 23 in July) and archetype will still work against Broome, and teams will likely view any shooting at the next level as more of a bonus. He could potentially generate interest in the 20s from playoff teams that value his NBA-ready body, toughness and interior scoring over long-term upside. But history suggests it’s safe to projected a second-rounder right now, particularly with how many interesting freshmen may come out.
