2025 NBA Mock Draft: Cooper Flagg at No. 1? Little question. However who else is a first-round decide?

It is time for the Candy 16, which makes this an ideal time to launch my first mock draft for the 2025 NBA Draft.

Under is the primary spherical for my mock. You could find this mock, plus a full second spherical and scouting experiences for each single prospect within the 2025 NBA Draft Information.

Among the prime prospects are nonetheless enjoying, together with Duke’s Cooper Flagg and Maryland’s Derik Queen. Others have seen their seasons finish already like Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe and Colorado State’s Nique Clifford. After which we have a number of worldwide prospects scattered among the many faculty skills, like Noa Essengue and Nolan Traoré, each from France. Let’s get to it with the primary spherical:

Issues are trending up in Washington as of late. Final 12 months’s second choice, Alex Sarr, is making main strides on each ends of the ground. And the Wizards’ younger guards and wings are displaying flashes on a game-to-game foundation. However what the franchise actually wants is a cornerstone, and that’s what Flagg would carry as a do-it-all ahead who hustles like a madman, makes his teammates higher as a passer, and has dialed in a knockdown jumper.

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Whereas main Duke to the Candy 16, he’s displaying why he’s each one of the best offensive and defensive prospect on this draft class, making him the most secure No. 1 decide in ages. The Wizards have handled loads of misses through the years, whereas Flagg is a certain factor. It’s his development as a shot creator that may resolve if he reaches his All-Star ground or soars to his Corridor of Fame ceiling.

What a bummer for the Jazz in the event that they find yourself with the second decide. Not solely as a result of they’ve tanked exhausting and even acquired a $100,000 superb. However as a result of they have already got drafted promising guards in recent times, together with Isaiah Collier and Keyonte George. Ideally, they’d discover a better-fitting prospect.

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Regardless, Harper is one of the best prospect of the bunch as a big-bodied, lefty combo guard with NBA blood in his veins, because the son of Ron Harper. And like his father, Harper has a high-floor with the talent, poise and playmaking instincts to dictate the sport at his tempo. 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. If the Jazz find yourself with this decide, I’ll be questioning in the event that they’ll look to commerce down for a haul, identical to Danny Ainge did ages in the past when operating the Celtics and flipped Markelle Fultz for Jayson Tatum.

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 wouldn’t it result in successful basketball?

Bailey’s uncooked edges as a shot creator and defender, plus his taking pictures inconsistency, want sanding down to show him right into a full-on star. The Hornets may 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 is wanting increasingly more like his prime self, so irrespective of how a lot his harm historical past is lingering at the back of everybody’s minds, he nonetheless stays the cornerstone of the Pelicans. Pairing him with gamers who can area the ground is paramount, particularly if these gamers additionally supply related explosive skills like Edgecombe does as a high-motor wing who flies out of nowhere for poster dunks and chase-down blocks.

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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 coming into a ball-sharing offense in New Orleans.

Queen’s leaning buzzer-beating game-winner to ship Maryland to the Candy 16 is the shot of March Insanity up to now, 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.

The Sixers choosing him would function as each a hedge in opposition to the well being of Joel Embiid, but additionally as a supporting piece alongside him because the Sixers want frontcourt depth they usually may share the ground collectively. If Queen interprets his velvet contact to the perimeter, he has offensive star upside, although his inside scoring, playmaking chops and magnetic rebounding alone give him tantalizing potential.

Jakučionis is a slick shot-creator with a artistic passing gene and a fearless scoring skill, carving up defenses with artful finishes, step-back jumpers, and jaw-dropping passes. And with D’Angelo Russell, De’Anthony Melton and Cam Thomas all coming into free company, level guard will likely be a place of want for the current and the longer term. As a freshman, Jakučionis would comply with up his highlights with turnover brain-farts that derail the hype prepare. However he’s proven sufficient highs to warrant a top-10 choice if a staff just like the Nets can afford to be affected person.

The Raptors want some extent guard of the longer term, however not a real throwback who dominates touches. They want somebody who will be the first creator, but additionally play with out the ball. That’s why Fears makes complete sense. The Oklahoma freshman is a dynamic guard with a twitchy attacking type and a knack for coming via as a clutch shooter. He was considered 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 anyplace on the ground, so he could solely want time to emerge as a star.

Tyler Herro turned an All-Star this season, displaying his skill as a combo guard. However he wants a backcourt accomplice. Johnson is a clutch shot-maker who can catch fireplace from all around the ground, drilling step-backs and off-screen jumpers with ease. However he must proceed creating his point-guard expertise whereas additionally honing his shot choice and dramatically enhancing his protection. Perhaps there’s an excessive amount of of the identical factor between Herro and Johnson, however Johnson has flashed some playmaking expertise that would emerge within the Miami system.

The Spurs can’t simply let Victor Wembanyama bail everybody out on protection. They want extra assist by his aspect, and Murray-Boyles 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. He’s a particular defensive presence that might match completely on protection subsequent to Wemby and Jeremy Sochan, giving them the scale and size to have a dominant defensive frontcourt. The offensive match might be somewhat clunky since Murray-Boyles is an unproven shooter, however he’s a bulldozer finisher with a playmaking really feel. If he fixes his jumper, there’s All-Star upside.

Scoot Henderson has made some progress this season, but it surely’s nonetheless not clear if he’s able to being the purpose guard of Portland’s future. Knueppel is sensible as a range on this regard since he brings greater than only a sharpshooter’s stroke due to his brainy pick-and-roll playmaking and artful scoring really feel. Whereas he’s not a main creator, he will be one of many staff’s creators alongside Deni Avdija on the wing, Donovan Clingan from the excessive publish, and Scoot in ball screens.

The Nikola Vučević and Zach Collins period has to finish quickly when their contracts are off the books in 2026, proper? A middle is a necessity. 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 a scarcity of seasoning as a screener, shooter and creator. Such a uncooked talent set ought to come as no shock because the South Sudan native didn’t begin enjoying basketball till he was 13. So taking Maluach would make lots of sense for the Bulls since he can be taught as a rookie earlier than getting heavier minutes transferring ahead.

Kyrie Irving will miss a bit of subsequent season due to a torn ACL, and he’s an growing old free agent this summer time anyway. The Mavericks want a long-term level guard. Traoré oozes upside together with his measurement, blazing pace and shiftiness off the bounce. However he’s an inefficient scorer all around the ground who wants to enhance his erratic decision-making to show he’s definitely worth the huge swing. Mavericks basic supervisor Nico Harrison has confirmed he’s unafraid to take dangers, and I do know you’re considering that remark is concerning the boneheaded Luka Dončić commerce, however on this case it’s extra concerning the Dereck Vigorous choice. Vigorous was a uncooked participant who proved to be an instant-impact contributor. Traoré may comply with the identical path if he falls in a state of affairs that lets him play immediately just like the Mavericks roster would.

Clifford almost led Colorado State to the Candy 16, slinging a bullseye go from the low publish to a 3-point shooter, 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 go 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 in all places. However as an excellent senior with solely Mountain West pedigree, he lacks expertise in opposition to high-level competitors regardless of his age; his NCAA match success started to reduce that concern although.

The Rockets have somewhat little bit of every part on their roster already, so taking a swing would make some logical sense for his or her entrance workplace. Demin has a uncommon skill at his measurement to make dazzling passes. However he’s additionally struggled to shoot and create his personal shot in opposition to prolonged defenders, making him extra of a love-him or hate-him prospect than a certain factor. Proper now, with BYU within the Candy 16, he’s wanting extra like a love-him prospect together with his pictures falling extra regularly.

The Magic rank twenty fifth in 3-point makes an attempt and thirtieth in 3-point share. This decide must be used on a shooter who can deal with somewhat bit, which makes Richardson an excellent match. 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 what the Magic want is taking pictures subsequent to Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, and their very own blossoming skills completely complement Richardson.

One other French man in San Antonio. And why not? Essengue is a toolsy ahead with a fluid deal with, dynamic ending bundle, and extremely versatile protection. However his long-term upside hinges on the jumper clicking. The Spurs are creating a powerful observe report of serving to shooters. And if it doesn’t, his ending and versatile protection are sufficient to make him an awesome French match subsequent to Wemby.

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 going to the Candy 16. Past his slicing, he wants to enhance as a shooter to earn minutes in high-leverage video games.

McNeeley did not shut the season the way in which he would’ve needed to, making solely 14 of his remaining 49 pictures, which included a loss to Creighton within the Massive East match semifinal and a loss to Florida within the second spherical of the NCAA match. However regardless of his poor taking pictures percentages, scouts nonetheless imagine in his upside as a sharpshooting wing with excellent instincts transferring with the ball, and the contact to splash from deep ranges. Although he doesn’t mission as a main shot creator, his really feel as a connective passer offers him precisely the kind of talent set to suit subsequent to a star like Anthony Edwards.

Wolf is a 7-footer who has helped lead Michigan to the Candy 16 by enjoying a slick type with dangerous passes and step-back jumpers that made him a spotlight manufacturing unit. However he’s additionally a turnover machine and his taking pictures numbers are shaky, making him extra of a uncooked wager who wants time to show he can match his flash with substance. At least, pairing him with Jakučionis in Brooklyn would make for lots of enjoyable video games within the years to return.

Beringer could be a traditional Sam Presti decide. Beringer started enjoying basketball solely three years in the past, which makes him a uncooked mission, but additionally makes his pure skills all of the extra spectacular enjoying this season for Cedevita in France and the EuroCup. The Thunder don’t really want him to contribute at present 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.

Riley has dynamic driving skill and playmaking instincts that scream upside as a jumbo-sized, shot-creating wing. Choosing him would comply with 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.

The Pacers have been one of many league’s finest groups for just a few months now, posting the seventh-best internet score ever because the NBA Cup. However wanting forward, Myles Turner will likely be a free agent this summer time, which implies discovering one other huge man might be a precedence. Newell has springs in his legs, recurrently slamming lobs and swatting pictures. Tyrese Haliburton would discover him greater than anybody ever has. Though his self-discipline displays his youth, his energetic type 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 despite the fact that Onyeka Okongwu is a top quality heart 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 task participant, Sorber must faucet into the flashes he exhibits as a shooter whereas additionally enhancing his perimeter protection.

Irrespective of the place the Wizards truly find yourself on lottery night time, their late first-round decide ought to be used to discover a participant that may assist carry extra constructive, successful qualities to the group. Fleming is a hustler who drains spot-up jumpers and brings power on protection, swatting pictures and snagging boards. However he has some actual warts as a ball-handler with a scarcity of expertise in opposition to high-level competitors, so groups should really feel actual assured his function participant talent set will translate. The Wizards can afford to take that danger, particularly after taking Flagg with their lottery decide.

After choosing Richardson earlier within the first spherical, right here’s one other shooter for the Magic. Evans is a sharpshooting wing with motion versatility and a microwave scoring skill. Although his lean body retains him out of the paint, that issues far much less for Orlando’s roster given its stars already stay within the paint and simply want more room to function.

Gonzalez is a high-motor wing with nice defensive instruments and a slashing type on offense. If his jumper and deal with develop, he might 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 enjoying for his youth groups.

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One other abroad decide right here for the Nets. Saraf is a artful lefty playmaker who depends on guile, footwork and physique management. Restricted taking pictures and athleticism may cap his upside, however his positional measurement and talent might be exhausting to go 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 is going to drive the staff to make some modifications. Even with out them although, the Celtics have to certain up the frontcourt. Al Horford is previous. Kristaps Porzingis is harm susceptible. Thankfully 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 presents 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 modifications on the commerce deadline. Kalkbrenner is a throwback 7-footer who owns the paint, swatting pictures together with his large wingspan and dunking every part in sight. As an excellent senior, he’s mature sufficient to plug into Phoenix’s rotation immediately and earn minutes. Along with his years in faculty, he’s additionally developed some sneaky passing and taking pictures expertise that trace at larger upside. At least, he might help facilitate as a giant within the Suns’ offense.

James Harden has turned again the clock in Los Angeles. However that doesn’t imply the Clippers shouldn’t be serious about an inheritor obvious for The Beard. Pettiford comes off the bench for Auburn and has helped lead the staff to the Candy 16, 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 wash up his shot choice and decision-making to max out his recreation on the subsequent stage. Enjoying subsequent to Harden may assist him in that journey, identical to Harden was part of the event of Tyrese Maxey throughout his days in Philadelphia.