2025 NBA Mock Draft

1. Dallas Mavericks: Cooper Flagg, 6-foot-8 freshman forward, Duke

At 18 years old, Flagg led Duke in every major statistical category, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.4 steals, while shooting 48.1 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from three. His versatility is what makes him truly special — Flagg is an elite three-level scorer, but he can also dominate games as a playmaker and defender. With his size, length and athleticism, he’s a tremendous shot blocker capable of guarding multiple positions.

There are practically no holes in Flagg’s game, which is why he’s a lock to be the No. 1 overall pick. His ceiling will largely be determined by how well he evolves as a ball-handler and isolation scorer, although he’s already solid in both departments. He could also become more reliable as a perimeter shooter. Still, Flagg checks every box and will have a major impact for the Mavs right away. — Alex Squadron

2. San Antonio Spurs: Dylan Harper, 6-foot-5 freshman guard, Rutgers

An incredibly gifted lead guard with great positional size, Harper solidified his spot as a top-three pick early on in the season, before injuries slowed him down. The 19-year-old has the offensive skillset and poise of an NBA veteran. With superb handles, advanced footwork and a wide variety of moves in his arsenal, he proved very difficult to contain in his sole season with the Scarlet Knights. Harper averaged 19.4 points (on 48.4 percent shooting), 4.6 rebounds, 4 assists and 1.4 steals per game. In just 29 outings, he set the program’s freshman scoring record (564 points).

While he has mastered how to manipulate defenses with his change of pace, Harper lacks the burst that other guards in the 2025 Draft possess, which will make it harder for him to create separation at the NBA level. He also struggles at times protecting the ball and shooting from the outside. Harper is likely to be taken with the No. 2 pick by the San Antonio Spurs, where he will have the benefit of playing alongside two stars — Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox — who will take a lot of the pressure off him. — AS

4. Charlotte Hornets: Khaman Maluach, 7-foot-2 freshman center, Duke

With similar draft combine measurements to four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, Maluach has the potential to be a premier rim protector in the NBA. He moves well for a 7-footer, which allows him to guard pick-and-rolls effectively. The center from South Sudan averaged 8.6 points (on 71.2 percent shooting), 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, and was the anchor of the No. 5 defense in college basketball, according to KenPom’s ratings. As an outstanding lob threat and strong finisher inside, Maluach recorded 77 dunks on the year, more than the 66 combined by Duke opponents. The draft process allowed him to flash a more expansive skill set than what NBA scouts saw during the season, when he filled a very specific role for coach Jon Scheyer. 

Maluach has only been playing basketball for five years, so he’s still building out his offensive repertoire and is prone to some mistakes on the defensive end, including committing unnecessary fouls. But based on how far he’s come in such a short time, Maluach probably has the highest ceiling of any big man in the draft. — AS

5. Utah Jazz: VJ Edgecombe, 6-foot-5 freshman wing, Baylor

Edgecombe is perhaps the most explosive athlete in the 2025 draft. After struggling to begin his freshman season with the Bears, the dynamic wing settled in and shined during conference play, eventually winning Big 12 Rookie of the Year with averages of 15.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.1 steals. “He’s not somebody that has to have the ball,” Baylor coach Scott Drew said about Edgecombe during the NCAA Tournament. “He’s not someone that has to score. He can affect it defensively. He wants to guard the other team’s best player. He wants to get a double-double on the glass. He gets as excited with an assist as he does a bucket. So when you coach somebody like that, it’s easy because you know he’s going to play hard no matter if he’s shooting or not.”

To untap his full potential, Edgecombe needs to develop as a shooter and a creator off the bounce. He was inconsistent from behind the arc at Baylor but heated up to finish, shooting 34 percent from three. Despite his remarkable athleticism, Edgecombe isn’t yet a reliable go-to scorer, but he has the tools to become one if he continues to grow in the NBA.  — AS

6. Washington Wizards: Jeremiah Fears, 6-foot-4 freshman guard, Oklahoma

One of the youngest players in the draft (turns 19 in October), Fears is a fearless lead guard with absurd potential. He uses a rare blend of speed, control and elite handles to apply constant pressure to the rim. He’s very comfortable creating his own shot and creating shots for others. His ability to get to the line, where he connects on 85.1 percent of his attempts, is among his biggest strengths — he had the 11th most free throws in the country last season (183), more than Flagg, Queen, Harper and Bailey. As Oklahoma’s engine, Fears averaged 17.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.6 steals. He wrapped up the season on a high note, averaging 25.7 points over his final three outings to boost his stock.

Fears clearly has the ability to erupt offensively, but his efficiency was up-and-down throughout his freshman campaign, particularly from behind the arc. He finished shooting just 43.4 percent from the field and 28.4 percent from deep. Wherever he lands, Fears will have to make strides as a perimeter shooter and learn how to protect the ball better if he is going to have such a high usage rate. He averaged 3.4 turnovers per game, which was one of the highest marks in college basketball. — AS

7. New Orleans Pelicans: Tre Johnson, 6-foot-6 freshman wing, Texas

The premier bucket-getter in the draft, Johnson is a threat from anywhere on the floor. He led the entire SEC in points per game (19.9) and shot 39.7 percent from three. He has a unique offensive arsenal that includes smooth pull-ups, fadeaways, step-backs and side-steps. His range extends well beyond the arc and he also has the size and touch to finish in the paint. He scored 20 or more 15 times and had a 39-point masterpiece against Arkansas in late February. With his shooting ability (both off the dribble and the catch) and overall gravity on the offensive end, Johnson should have an immediate impact in the NBA.

Similarly to Fears, Johnson can sometimes force the action, launching questionable midrange jumpers. To become a primary option in the NBA, Johnson will need to get to the free throw line more and develop as a passer. There’s little doubt that he will be able to score the ball at a high level, which is why he’s a projected top-10 pick, but he hasn’t yet proven that he can be a reliable defender. That will surely be a major point of emphasis as he prepares for his rookie campaign. — AS

8. Brooklyn Nets: Noa Essengue, 6-foot-9 forward, Ratiopharm Ulm (France)

Long, fluid and athletic, Essengue creates matchup problems all over the court. He is an explosive dribble-drive guy and is equally dynamic as a threat receiving passes or running the floor in transition. The 194-pound Frenchmen honed his elite finishing skills playing professionally in Germany last year.

Defensively, he has the skills, athleticism and quickness to defend multiple positions. His quick feet even make him capable of keeping guards in front of him. Essengue needs to bulk up and improve his perimeter shooting and add to his range to excel at the next level, but he’s a prospect with tremendous upside. — Mike Barber

9. Toronto Raptors: Kon Knueppel, 6-foot-7 freshman forward, Duke

 While Flagg grabbed the majority of the spotlight, Knueppel had a sensational season for the Blue Devils, averaging 14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists, while shooting 47.9 percent from the field, 40.6 percent from three and 91.4 percent from the free throw line. After Flagg sprained his ankle in the ACC Tournament, Knueppel guided Duke to the championship and was crowned MVP. The 19-year-old is one of the top shooters in the draft, but his offensive repertoire  goes way beyond that. He uses his strong, 219-pound frame to bully smaller guards inside and finish at the rim. Because of his shooting, advanced feel for the game and effectiveness without dominating the ball, Knueppel should be able to slide in easily on any NBA team. 

At the same time, Knueppel struggles a bit on the defensive end. There’s certainly room for growth, but his ceiling may be limited due to a lack of athleticism and lateral quickness, which will present a significant challenge when he’s matched up against shifty NBA guards. Regardless, Knueppel is a safe bet to be a high-impact player at the next level. — AS

10. Houston Rockets: Kasparas Jakucionis, 6-foot-6 freshman guard, Illinois

After playing professionally in Spain, Jakucionis spent last season at Illinois, averaging 15 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game and earning All-Big Ten honors. The 6-foot-6 combo guard connected on 31.8 percent of his shots from downtown.

Jakucionis has the size to be an effective offensive player with or without the ball. The Lithuanian native has an advanced feel for the game and is a crafty-playmaker. He boasts a dizzying array of scoring moves that make him potentially dangerous scoring from anywhere on the floor. 

However, Jakucionis struggled with turnovers last season and seemed to wear down as the year went on. He also has some questions to answer in terms of defensive quickness. — MB

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Asa Newell, 6-foot-11 freshman forward, Georgia

Newell feasts at the rim at both ends of the floor, averaging 15.4 points and 6.9 rebounds last year. An elite shot blocker with great timing and athleticism, he blocked 32 shots in 33 games at Georgia. He’s an instinctual defender, comfortable guarding on the perimeter and coming over for help.

Newell is also a speedy and explosive athlete, an excellent rim-runner and lob threat. He has plenty of room to grow as a shooter, a passer and by increasing his defensive discipline. — MB

12. Chicago Bulls: Collin Murray-Boyles, 6-foot-7 sophomore forward, South Carolina 

Murray-Boyles’ pro potential starts with his defensive prowess. His physical strength, thick build and innate toughness make him a versatile defender, and one who can switch into a variety of matchups. He brings the same tenacity and instincts when he’s crashing the glass.

Murray-Boyles is no slouch on offense either. While  he averaged 16.8 points and 8.3 rebounds this past season, his limited shooting and size makes his NBA projection unsettled. — MB

13. Atlanta Hawks: Derik Queen, 6-foot-10 freshman center, Maryland

Queen is a polarizing prospect among NBA scouts, but he is projected to be drafted in the top 15 because of his extremely polished offensive game and dominance on the glass. As the centerpiece of a Maryland team that went 27-9, Queen averaged 16.5 points (on 52.6 percent shooting), 9.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists. The highly skilled big man has excellent footwork and touch in the paint. He’s also an impressive passer who makes solid reads when he draws attention on the low post. 

While he shoots it well from the free throw line (76.6 percent), Queen’s range does not yet extend to the three-point line, so he does not space the floor like other bigs in the draft. Defensively, he’s not a rim protector and has struggled at times guarding pick-and-rolls. His talent is undeniable, but there are questions about where exactly Queen fits in at the NBA level and whether he can be as successful in a quicker, more athletic game. — AS

14. San Antonio Spurs: Cedric Coward, 6-foot-6 senior wing, Washington State

One of the biggest risers in this year’s Draft class, Coward was limited to just six games this season due to a torn labrum but put up huge numbers, averaging 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.7 blocks, while shooting 55.7 percent from the field and 40.0 percent from three.

The versatile wing started his college career at the Division III level before transferring to Eastern Washington and blossoming into a star. With his combination of positional size, athleticism and three-point shooting, the 21-year-old has skyrocketed up the rankings throughout the Draft process. As Hoops HQ Draft expert Jonathan Wasserman wrote, “Coward is the ultimate high-risk, high-reward posterboy.” — AS

15. Oklahoma City Thunder: Carter Bryant, 6-foot-8 freshman forward, Arizona

Bryant is one of the best natural athletes in this year’s class. He is an explosive, above-the-rim finisher with above average strength and speed. 

Bryant has a smooth shot and knocked down 37.1 percent of his attempts from deep as a freshman at Arizona this past season.

Bryant has the tools that project to be an outstanding pro, but he’s still largely unproven. He played less than 20 minutes per game for the Wildcats, averaging 6.5 points and 4.1 rebounds. — MB

16. Orlando Magic: Nique Clifford, 6-foot-6 senior forward, Colorado State

Clifford is one of the most polished and prepared players in this year’s draft, having spent the past two seasons at Colorado State after three years at Colorado. He has played in 154 games, showcasing physical and instinctual perimeter defense and scoring (18.9 points). 

The biggest question for Clifford is if his game will translate against better competition. While he dominated the Mountain West, he was far less productive during his three seasons in the Big 12, where he averaged 5.4 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. — MB

17. Minnesota Timberwolves: Egor Demin, 6-foot-9 freshman guard, BYU

The Russian floor general has great size for a point guard and possesses  a natural feel for the game, great passing skills and strong defensive instincts. At 6-foot-9, he is a tough matchup for smaller guards and a versatile, switchable defender.

Demin handed out 5.5 assists, good for fourth in the Big 12 and he was ninth in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.9).

Despite his passing prowess, Denim’s offensive game is limited. He struggled to create his own shot and shot just 41.2 percent from the floor and 27.3 percent from beyond the arc. — MB

18. Washington Wizards: Rasheer Fleming, 6-foot-9 junior forward, Saint Joseph’s

Fleming brings an unpolished but promising skillset and the largest wingspan to height discrepancy (7-foot-5.25 wingspan) measured at he NBA combine. He is known for his slam dunks and explosive power alongside his signature pull-up jumper. Fleming shot 39.0 percent from three-point range last season. He’s got great reflexes and a sturdy base, and his 9-foot-1.5 standing reach makes his jump shots hard to block. His game is set apart by his focus and disruptive presence on defense. Fleming averaged 1.4 steals and 1.5 blocks per game in 2024-25. He is a player who must be respected at the perimeter and in the paint on both ends of the floor. 

Fleming’s passing leaves some to be desired. He averaged more turnovers (1.5) than assists (1.3)/ This often allowed defenses to corner him and force a poor pass. Additionally, Fleming has a hard time creating shots in isolation and thus has to rely on guards and movement to open opportunities for him. — Oliver Fell

19. Brooklyn Nets (via Bucks): Nolan Traoré, 6-foot-3 guard, Saint-Quentin (France

Traoré has unbelievable burst to the rim, great speed and good size for a point guard. He is a dazzling ball-handler and can be dynamic running the fastbreak. 

He can be an energetic and disruptive on-ball defender, though he has a lot of room to develop mentally at that end of the floor. 

Traoré often plays too fast and needs to adjust his pace to be more successful. He can be careless with the ball, creating turnovers both from being over aggressive and sloppy and forces ill-advised shots. — MB

20. Miami Heat: Jase Richarson, 6-foot-3 freshman guard, Michigan State

Richardson, a dynamic wing and the son of former NBA player Jason Richardson, started the 2024-25 campaign playing a limited role off the bench. He finished as the Spartans’ primary scoring option and  one of the top guard prospects in the draft. Through the final 15 games of the season, the 19-year-old averaged 16.1 points on 47 percent shooting from the field and 42 percent from deep, helping lead Michigan State to the Elite Eight. He can score at all three levels and is exceptionally crafty around the basket.

As he transitions to the next level, the most obvious hurdle Richardson will have to overcome is a lack of size. Without top-tier speed or his father’s jaw-dropping hops, Richardson may have a hard time gaining separation against NBA athletes. If he is going to play more of a lead guard role, he will have to make strides  as a playmaker and facilitator, while continuing to become even more dangerous as a high-volume three-point shooter. — AS

21. Utah Jazz: Thomas Sorber, 6-foot-10 freshman center, Georgetown

Sorber is primarily an above-the-rim scorer with a fast twitch and exceptional coordination. A top 50 recruit in the class of 2024, he made an immediate impact at Georgetown, averaging 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.0 blocks per game. His basketball IQ and his ridiculous 7-foot-6 wingspan proved to be an effective combo.

While Sorber did make six threes at Georgetown, he did so on a paltry 16.2 percent clip. He struggles to create his own shot away from the basket and relies on movement to find teammates. Sorber also does not have much bounce or north-south speed. Sorber is just 19 years old and if he plays in the right system he could develop into a high-end contributor for a winning team. — OF

22. Atlanta Hawks: Maxime Raynaud, 7-foot-1 senior center, Stanford

A highly skilled big man from Paris, Raynaud averaged 20.2 points, 10.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game, while shooting 46.7 percent from the field and 34.7 percent from three. He was the main reason that Stanford, which was projected to finish 17th in the ACC, placed seventh with an 11-9 record.

Raynaud’s ability to shoot from behind the arc at 7-foot-1 makes him a very intriguing NBA prospect. He buried four or more three-pointers in six different outings last season. The 22-year-old also displays excellent touch around the basket and is a solid passer.

Despite his height, Raynaud is not an elite rim protector. There are some concerns about his lack of physicality and toughness inside as well. To carve out a significant role in the NBA, he will have to continue to improve on the defensive end. — AS

23. Indiana Pacers: Liam McNeeley, 6-foot-7 freshman forward, Connecticut

Skilled, smart and competitive, McNeeley’s play  earned him Big East Freshman of the Year honors with averages of 14.5 points and 6 rebounds per game. McNeeley is a confident and polished catch-and-shoot forward. He canned 31.7 percent of his three-point attempts, moves well without the ball and exploits matchups with the rock. 

He lacks the athleticism to create his own shot and struggled when shooting off the dribble. Similarly limitations show on the defensive end of the floor. — MB

24. Oklahoma City Thunder: Joan Beringer, 6-foot-11 center, Cedevita (France)

One of the youngest prospects in this class, Beringer only began playing basketball in the summer of 2021. He has made a name for himself in the Slovenian league, signing a four-year contract with Cedevita Olimpija. He’s a bouncy, quick, above-the-rim 7-footer with huge upside. With a 7-foot-5 wingspan and impressive defensive prowess, Beringer leads the Slovenian league in blocks and block percentage (8.7). 

Beringer has good defensive instincts and athleticism, but he has almost none of the classic basketball skills you would look for in a finished product. He averaged just 4.9 points per game and hasn’t attempted an in-game three-pointer in his young career. He has sensational footwork due to his time playing soccer in his youth. His jumpshot is rather undeveloped, with dunking being his primary method of scoring; free throws sit at 56.5 percent. He’s this year’s rawest prospect but has superstar potential if he develops successfully. — OF

25. Orlando Magic: Will Riley, 6-foot-8 freshman forward, Illinois

Riley fits the versatile wing archetype the NBA wants. An oversized guard, Riley has grown a full inch since the Nike Hoops Summit last year and is still filling into his frame. He is a talented shooter from beyond the arc and finishes with touch at the rim. In his one-and-done season at Illinois, Riley took home Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year award after averaging 12.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists on 26 minutes per night. 

Riley showed impressive three-level scoring at Illinois with serviceable ball handling as well. He still has work to go in his decision making, having turned it  over 1.2 times per game. His defensive game leaves a lot to be desired and his negative wing-to-height ratio (6-foot-8.75)  does not align well with the NBA emphasis on length. Riley does have a good jump shot and genuine shot creating ability. If he can bulk up and improve his decision making, his upside is high. — OF

26. Brooklyn Nets: Drake Powell, 6-foot-6 freshman forward, North Carolina

NBA teams are very intrigued by Powell’s 3-and-D potential. The former five-star prospect and McDonald’s All-American didn’t make quite the splash that some anticipated at North Carolina, but he still shot 37.9 percent from deep and showed a lot of promise as a lockdown defender. Powell has great size, strength and athleticism and plays with a very high motor.

On a UNC team loaded with ball-dominant guards, Powell’s role was limited. He didn’t showcase much of an offensive game outside of his perimeter shooting (95 of his 211 shot attempts came from behind the arc). If he can evolve as a shot creator and playmaker, he should have a major impact at the NBA level. — AS

27. Brooklyn Nets: Danny Wolf, 7-foot senior forward, Michigan

Wolf possesses a guard’s skillset in a center’s frame, flashing three-point range, ball control, and the ability to direct traffic and find the open man. His 7-foot-2.5-inch wingspan allowed him to lead in the Big Ten in boards in 2024-25 while providing solid rim protection. During his previous stop at Yale, Wolf led the Ivy League in defensive efficiency and block percentage in 2023-24. 

Wolf’s speed is a major concern and could hinder his positional versatility. However, his bulky frame allows for effective post play and rebounding. Free-throw shooting is also a concern. Despite making 33.6 percent from beyond the arc in college, Wolf shot just 59.4 percent from the line at Michigan last season after converting 71 percent at Yale. — OF 

28. Boston Celtics: Walter Clayton Jr., 6-foot-2 senior guard, Florida

Clayton Jr. saw his draft stock rise tremendously throughout March and April while leading Florida to the NCAA Championship. He was named an AP first team All-American before the tournament started. Clayton Jr.’s shot making is his main asset and he showed the ability to take over games and swing momentum when it counted most.

Although shooting 13.5 field goals per game in 2024-25, Clayton Jr. flashed 50/40/90 potential (44.8, 38.6, 87.5) in the historically stacked SEC.Clayton has a Stephen Curry-like ability to work off screens. Defensively, he is savvy at deflecting balls and forcing turnovers. He has the speed to match most anybody but not necessarily the size.

His undersized frame is a lingering concern. Clayton Jr. also has not yet proven that he can be an NBA-level point guard. Despite handling the vast majority of shots at Florida, he averaged just 4.2 assists and a too-high tk turnovers per game. He got away with taking a high volume of contested shots in college, but that will be a lot harder to do in the NBA. Clayton Jr. has the potential to be a great value pick if he can mature into becoming an NBA floor general. — OF

29. Phoenix Suns: Ben Saraf, 6-foot-6 guard, Ratiopharm Ulm (Israel)

Saraf’s game is highlighted by an explosive first step and  crafty finishes via an array of floaters, layups and pull-ups. He has tremendous footwork and a remarkable ability to change speeds, confounding defenders to create space.

He honed his prowess on the defensive end playing professionally in Germany this past season, where he showed a knack for racking up steals and deflections.

Among his limitations: athleticism and outside shooting. — MB

30. Los Angeles Clippers: Noah Penda, 6-foot-8 forward, Le Mans (France)

Penda debuted a year ago in the top French professional league, where he started as a teenager. He is already one of the best one-on-one defenders in Europe with a downright uncanny ability to anticipate his opponent’s next move. In isolation, opponents shot just 27.3 percent against Penda last season. His off-ball defense is equally effective. It would not be outrageous to say Penda could make an all-defensive team during his rookie contract. 

On offense Penda brings a well-rounded potential. He shot 34.7 percent from three last season averaging about one make per game. His ball-handling is average and he’s not particularly fast on the drive, but he is a solid catch-and-shoot player with a high motor and a knack for putting back misses. 

The primary attribute that excites scouts about Penda is his tenacity. He’s always crashing the boards on both ends, nipping at ball handlers and intercepting nearby passes, all while generally staying out of foul trouble. Penda could not participate in this year’s NBA Combine due to his ongoing Euroleague campaign, but he is one of the best three-and-D prospects in this year’s class. — OF