2025 NBA Mock Draft: Ace Bailey makes a surge to 5th, Nolan Traore leapfrogs Dylan Harper
As the college basketball season inches nearer, let’s dive into another 2025 NBA mock draft.
Note: The picks are representative of what I would do, not what I think will happen, as that’s nearly impossible to predict this early. The first round order was determined by a random Tankathon sim.
1. Washington Wizards - Cooper Flagg, F, Duke
As the college season approaches, the hype for Cooper Flagg continues to build after his participation with the US Select team. Flagg is one of the best high school rim protectors, on-ball stoppers, and off-ball disruptors I’ve ever watched and projects to compete for defensive player of the year trophies year in and out. Flagg still needs to develop his handle and creation, but his already great shooting and passing feel are a strong offensive starting point. He’s the kind of prospect who could change the direction of Washington’s franchise if they win the lottery next year.
2. Toronto Raptors - Nolan Traore, PG, Saint Quentin
Toronto leaps up to the second spot in this draft, landing their initiator point guard of the future in Traore. He’s dominated youth competition and excelled at the pro level, winning with his special driving and impressive passing feel, especially on skip passes to the perimeter. Traore must improve his consistency as a defender and an outside shooter. If he does, Traore has a chance to develop into a franchise-changing offensive star for the Raptors.
3. Brooklyn Nets - Dylan Harper, PG, Rutgers
Despite missing out on the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes, the rebuilding Nets add their point guard initiator of the future in Harper. He’s an enormously strong and powerful driver with the change of direction handle to create space for his jumpers and drives. Harper’s passing out of the pick and roll is excellent and he’s flashed overwhelming defensive ability, especially sliding on the ball. His upside is extremely high given his dominant offensive skillset and physical tools, making him a possible star both on and off of the ball.
4. Charlotte Hornets - Rocco Zikarsky, C, Brisbane
If the Hornets are concerned about Mark Williams’ long-term health or just want to add a star center prospect, Rocco Zikarsky would be a strong option. Zikarsky’s impressive play in a limited role in the NBL combined with his dominant youth sample make him an easy top-five pick. He’s a special mover at his size, fluidly backpedaling in the pick and roll and covering ground to block shots. Despite only being 17, Zikarsky’s feel, technique and positioning on the defensive end are seasoned like a veteran.
5. Detroit Pistons - Ace Bailey, F, Rutgers
Detroit badly needs wings and shotmaking from the wing even after adding Tobias Harris in free agency. Bailey is an extremely talented prospect, as 6’8 shotmakers as fluid as him are rare. Bailey does flash impressive playmaking at times and that combined with his shooting could turn him into an exciting offensive player if everything breaks right.
6. San Antonio Spurs - Kasparas Jakucionis, PG, Illinois
Jakucionis exploded onto the scene this Summer dominating club and international youth tournaments, playing like a star on-ball initiator prospect. He’s an elite pick-and-roll passer, capable of spraying passes to every corner of the floor. Jakucionis’s passing combined with strong off-dribble shooting provides an impressive offensive foundation for a high-upside point guard prospect.
7. Portland Trailblazers - VJ Edgecombe, G, Baylor
Edgecombe’s recent performance with the Bahamas introduced him to the masses despite not qualifying for the Paris Olympics.. He’s one of the most athletic prospects in the draft, winning with elite burst and explosion on both ends of the floor. Edgecombe’s special mostly comes on defense, where his tools and instincts give him rare rim protection and ground coverage value for a smaller guard. Edgecombe’s handling and advantage creation are still inconsistent, but his physical tools, solid feel and shotmaking flashes all could congeal into a star player.
8. Chicago Bulls - Khaman Maluach, C, Duke
The Bulls badly need star talent, especially at the center position as Nikola Vucevic ages. Maluach is one of the draft’s biggest mystery boxes, coming over from the Basketball Africa League to a stacked Duke team. He’s a rare mover at 7’2, capable of sliding on the perimeter, covering large swathes of ground and protecting the rim. Maluach’s offense is extremely raw, as he’s not an efficient scorer or decision-maker at the moment. If he can turn his impressive flashes of handling creation into consistent offense, Maluach has the tools to develop into a star big man.
9. Utah Jazz - Collin Murray-Boyles, F, South Carolina
Utah still needs more defensive help all over the board and Murray-Boyles' combination of elite team defensive feel, positioning and strength provides significant upside, even if he is a bit short for a big. Murray-Boyles’ unique profile pops out, as he was an elite interior scorer, passer, rebounder and defensive playmaker as a freshman. If Murray-Boyles can develop an even semi-reliable jumper, his upside will be sky-high as a unique, two-way star.
10. San Antonio Spurs - Liam McNeeley, F, UConn
McNeeley looks like the draft’s best three and D wing prospect. That’s a critical area of need for this young San Antonio team with plenty of questionable shooters, as pairing Wemby and Stephon Castle with reliable spacers will be critical. McNeeley is elite both off dribble and off of movement, as he’s been an incredibly efficient shooter on high volume throughout his high school career. To add to his shooting, McNeeley is a smart playmaker and an excellent defender, especially off-ball. He might never become a true star, but elite complementary role players are incredibly valuable.
11. Oklahoma City Thunder - Will Riley, G, Illinois
Riley perfectly fits OKC’s recent draft type as a tall playmaker with an excellent feel across the board. Unlike some of the Thunder’s recent picks, though, Riley is an elite shotmaker, flamethrowing from NBA range on off-dribble and off-catch triples. He could space the floor and attack closeouts as Riley improves physically, which will be his major obstacle to NBA stardom. If Riley can bulk up and improve as an athlete, he could develop into a true star creator at the next level.
12. Sacramento Kings - Hugo Gonzalez, G, Real Madrid
Defensive prospects are still a need for Sacramento, especially on the wing, and Gonzalez profiles as one of the better wing defenders in the draft. He’s a strong, explosive straight-line athlete, comfortable defending the ball with his speed and rotating to protect the rim. While Gonzalez is still a developing offensive player on the feel side of things, that same athleticism helps him get to the rim at will. His athletic tools along with improved shotmaking over the years give Gonzalez an intriguing two-way ceiling.
13. LA Clippers - Boogie Fland, PG, Arkansas
The Clippers add a possible point guard of the future in Fland to take over after James Harden’s eventual decline, who might be the best advantage creature in the entire draft. Fland’s slithery handle and quick first step let him get to any spot on the floor, which he capitalizes on with elite shotmaking, finishing touch and playmaking to his teammates. Fland’s smaller stature limits him as a defender and a finisher, though his offensive juice is undeniably that of a possible future star.
14. New Orleans Pelicans - Kon Knueppel, F, Duke
Kon Knueppel has been one of the country’s most efficient and prolific scorers throughout his high school career. He’s an elite three-point shooter and a dominant scorer in the mid-range, nailing all manner of fadeaways, turnarounds and off-dribble jumpers. Despite his athletic limitations on the wing, Kneuppel’s passing and defending feel help complement the scoring tools. He makes sense as another tall shooter to space the floor for Zion Williamson and company.
15. Orlando Magic - Jalil Bethea, G, Miami
Orlando will still likely prioritize shooters going forward even after adding Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Tristan Da Silva. Bethea is one of the draft’s most dynamic scorers, capable of sprinting off screens to hit threes from NBA range and work in the mid-range and at the rim as well. He’d slot in perfectly as an off-ball offensive player next to Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs.
16. Utah Jazz - Tre Johnson, G, Texas
Utah continues to swing on high-upside guards with Johnson as the Jazz continue to prioritize adding talented players over clean roster fits.. Johnson adds to the trend of Baylor recruiting high-volume scoring combo guards, as Johnson is a talented shotmaker off of the dribble with a solid handle and some secondary playmaking ability.
17. Indiana Pacers - Noah Penda, F, Le Mans Sarthe Basket
Penda starred in the French LNB Pro B last season, showcasing an NBA-level skillset with his dribbling, playmaking and defensive ability on the wing. He’ll need to progress as a shooter, but Penda’s rare feel for the game and movement skills make him an easy bet on the defensive end especially. He won’t have a path to playing time early in a full Pacers rotation, but he’ll need more time to develop into a reliable NBA player anyway.
18. Atlanta Hawks - Milan Momcilovic, F, Iowa St
Milan Momcilovic is one of the draft’s best shooters, comfortable pulling off dribble and sprinting off movement from all over the floor at 6’8. Momcilovic isn’t the quickest or most fluid athlete but he’s an incredibly smart player, positioning himself soundly on the defensive end and passing the ball well. Momcilovic adds another dynamic offensive weapon to a retooling Hawks team in need of more scoring juice outside of Trae Young.
19. Memphis Grizzlies - Flory Bidunga, C, Kansas
Given how stacked the Grizzlies’ roster currently is, they can afford to draft independent of position and shoot for high-end talent. Flory Bidunga is one of the freakiest athletes I can remember watching at the high school level. He’s incredibly strong with special vertical pop and speed for a 6’8 center. Though Bidunga is a bit small for the position and doesn’t space the floor, his athletic tools and feel for the game present significant upside.
20. Golden State Warriors - Juni Mobley, G, Ohio St
It’s not hard to imagine that Mobley might enter college basketball as the nation’s best shooter. He routinely pulled up from NBA range off dribble and off of movement, torching high school defenses. As his ancillary skills, namely handling and passing, have improved, Mobley projects as a possible one and done and another elite shotmaker to pair with an aging Stephen Curry.
21. Houston Rockets - Isaiah Evans, F, Duke
The Rockets are stacked with young talent, so they can afford to take a longer-term project that could benefit from developing on the bench for a year or two, He’s a dynamic on-ball shooter, pulling up from mid-range and beyond the arc to score over defenders. Evans must add strength to hold up at the NBA level but he’s shown enough promise as a rotational defender and a playmaker to provide optimism that he can be more than just a shotmaker.
22. Oklahoma City Thunder - Egor Demin, G, Real Madrid
The Thunder love drafting tall passers and Egor Demin adds another one after selecting Riley in the lottery. He’s an advanced pick-and-roll passer for a 6’8 guard, as Demin showcases the ability to find interior passes and skips with his advanced vision. He’s not the most athletic or explosive player in the world and that shows up on both ends, but Demin’s wonky driving rhythm and passing provide real offensive upside in an offense that loves excellent passers.
23. Oklahoma City Thunder - Asa Newell, F, Georgia
Even after adding Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency, the Thunder could still use long-term help at the four spots. Newell projects as a three and rim protection four, capable of spacing the floor and rotating down to block shots. He’s an incredibly versatile defensive player, protecting the rim with mobility and technique while possessing the mobility to slide out onto the perimeter. He’d add more wing defense to the OKC’s core and pairing him with an excellent shooting coach makes sense.
24. Brooklyn Nets - Ben Saraf, G, Ulm
Saraf earned MVP honors at the recent FIBA U18 Eurobasket tournament, dominating in all facets of the game. Handling with rare pace, explosion and precision, Saraf gets wherever he wants on the floor to set up shots for himself off the dribble or to his teammates with high-level, manipulative passing. If Saraf continues his upward track into next season, he could skyrocket up draft boards come next June.
25. Brooklyn Nets - Derrion Reid, F, Alabama
Reid profiles as an ideal modern wing with long arms and impressive athleticism downhill. He’s an especially dynamic creator for his size, creating space with his handle against slower defenders on the perimeter. He’s an impressive shooter from the outside who will see his efficiency rise with improved shot selection and discipline. He’ll have plenty of time to iron out kinks and develop into an impact player for the rebuilding Nets.
26. Dallas Mavericks - Alex Karaban, F, UConn
To the surprise of some, Karaban returned to UConn in pursuit of a third straight national title. He’s a dynamic shooter off the catch and off of movement, making him a perfect fit playing off of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. It never hurts to add more legit tall shooters that defenses can’t ignore, making him an obvious pick for the Mavs here.
27. Utah Jazz - Ian Jackson, G, North Carolina
Utah continues to add falling talent, as Jackson has the offensive skillset to go much higher in the draft. Jackson is at his best attacking as a secondary next to elite initiators and on-ball scorers which the Jazz have plenty of. He’s an excellent driver, secondary pick-and-roll player and shotmaker, providing three-level offensive upside. Jackson has the tools to impact the game positively on the defensive end, making him an ideal two-way fit for the Jazz here.
28. Brooklyn Nets - Patrick Ngongba II, C, Duke
Brooklyn rounds out their first-round haul with a high ceiling big in Patrick Ngongba II. Ngongba II was a dominant interior presence at the high school level, scoring with touch and power against overmatched opponents. He has the soft touch, quick processing, and catch-and-shoot potential to translate his offensive success to the next levels.
29. Orlando Magic - Mark Sears, PG, Alabama
Sears might be the best offensive player in all of college basketball this season. He’s an elite shotmaker from all over the floor and a consistent advantage creator, putting defenses in rotation whenever he touches the ball. Sears will always struggle in some ways as a sub-six-foot guard, but the Magic have the defensive infrastructure to help out and they will benefit greatly from his dynamic offensive repertoire.
30. Boston Celtics - Owen Freeman, C, Iowa
To help build contingency for Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis, the Celtics add a sturdy bug prospect in Freeman. Freeman’s verticality, reaction time and technique are all stellar protecting the rim and he has the mobility to occasionally work on the perimeter as well. He’s not an exceptional offensive player but Freeman can score in the post and finish plays, making him a potentially ideal Celtics role player.
The first round of 2025 NBA Mock Draft