2025 NBA Mock Draft: Cooper Flagg reigns supreme, Kasparas Jakucionis at 3, Khaman Maluach at 4
With the college season in full swing and conference play nearing, it’s time for a new 2025 NBA Mock Draft. We’re learning more about what the end-of-season NBA standings may look like and which prospects make sense and are possible fits for those franchises.
As per usual, this mock draft will consist of what I would do at each slot, not what I think will happen.
1. Washington Wizards - Cooper Flagg, F, Duke
Flagg’s all-around game has translated immediately to college basketball, dominating on defense, as a slasher and as a passer. His threes aren’t falling yet, but Flagg’s strong pre–NCAA shooting track should help him normalize eventually. The Wizards still need their franchise cornerstone and Flagg has the ceiling of a top-five NBA player, making him the obvious top pick.
2. New Orleans Pelicans - Dylan Harper, G, Rutgers
Arguably the best player in college basketball, Harper looks like a surefire NBA star. He’s dominating college opponents, living at the basket, passing all over the floor and defending the ball. Assuming his 3-point jumper improves, Harper should quickly develop into an offensive engine in the pros. After a nightmare season, the Pelicans should look to draft the best talent available regardless of position or role and Harper is that prospect.
3. Utah Jazz - Kasparas Jakucionis, G, Illinois
Jakucionis is proving himself as one of college basketball’s best guards, starring as an off-dribble shotmaker and high-level passer. Those two skills often blend to form NBA stars and Jakucionis can get there assuming he improves his downhill advantage creation and defense. Despite those flaws, Jakucionis boasts star lead guard upside and the Jazz are still searching for one, especially given Keyonte George’s struggles this season.
4. Toronto Raptors - Khaman Maluach, C, Duke
Maluach’s imposing physical tools have immediately translated to a winning impact at the college level. He’s still raw, especially on the offensive end, but Maluach towers over opponents and thrives as a lob target, rebounder and interior defender. His physical tools and versatility will entice Masai Ujuri and a Raptors team searching for its eventual star center of the future.
5. Charlotte Hornets - Ace Bailey, F, Rutgers
The Hornets have an excellent foundation in the backcourt and a strong big-man option in Mark Williams (assuming he can remain healthy). Their main hole comes on the wing, making Bailey a clear fit for the Hornets. Bailey must prove himself a better driver and playmaker than he’s shown so far, but his shotmaking talent is undeniable. His defense has been promising as well, suggesting he could develop into a jumbo 3-and-D wing option next to LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller.
6. Philadelphia 76ers - Derik Queen, C, Maryland
Queen has been one of the best players in college basketball to begin the season, dominating defenses as a jumbo advantage creator. His 3-point shooting and interior defense are notable weak points, but Queen’s creation upside makes him worthy of a high pick regardless. The 76ers should seek out the highest-ceiling players they can find at any position, making Queen a logical pick here.
7. Portland Trailblazers - Labaron Philon, G, Alabama
Philon’s all-around impact has been massive for Alabama so far. He’s an explosive driving creator with a high-end passing feel which translates to the defensive end. The Blazers have quite a few young guards but Philon’s talent may be too much to pass on. His experience playing off of the ball will help Portland feel confident about his fit assuming his 3-pointer can progress.
8. Detroit Pistons - Jeremiah Fears, G, Oklahoma
One of the breakout stars of the college season, Fears has been the driving force for an undefeated Oklahoma team. His threes aren’t falling yet, but Fears has displayed everything else a team would want in a primary guard — elite driving, high-end passing flashes and defensive event creation. For a Detroit team that needs more creation next to Cade Cunningham, Fears makes sense here as an upside swing.
9. Brooklyn Nets - Nolan Traore, G, Saint Quentin
Traore has struggled to score this season in the French league, leading to some worries about his offensive translation. The Nets are a team that can afford to be patient with Traore as he improves his finishing and jump shot. His first step, pick-and-roll passing and defensive ability are all high-level tools that give Traore a high ceiling even considering his notable improvement points.
10. Chicago Bulls - VJ Edgecombe, G, Baylor
Edgecombe has struggled to score early in his career, unable to create efficient looks for himself consistently. Even considering these struggles, his special athletic tools, defensive potency and passing make him a worthwhile upside swing. For a Chicago Bulls team desperate for real star talent, his downside would be well worth the risk toward the middle of the lottery.
11. Sacramento Kings - Collin Murray Boyles, F/C, South Carolina
To the chagrin of their fanbase, the Kings still haven’t addressed their glaring need for more defensive talent in the frontcourt. Murray-Boyles is one of the best big-man defenders in the class, providing impressive perimeter versatility, pick-and-roll defense and rim protection. He’ll eventually need to expand his range as a 6’8 big, but his intersection of talent and fit is too great for Sacramento to pass on.
12. Atlanta Hawks - Tre Johnson, G, Texas
Atlanta’s strong defensive foundation could use another creator to support Trae Young, especially given Bogdan Bodganovic’s struggles this season. Johnson is a ridiculous tough shotmaker with a high shooting ceiling. His limitations as a slasher may cap his ceiling, but Johnson’s scoring along with real passing skill and defensive flashes make him a surefire lottery talent and a logical Hawks fit.
13. San Antonio Spurs - Boogie Fland, G, Arkansas
The Spurs will need to search for a lead guard replacement when Chris Paul inevitably retires. Fland has been excellent to begin his college career, thriving as a playmaker and outside shooter. He must improve as a finisher and interior defender, but Victor Wembanyama’s presence will help compensate for these weaknesses as he develops.
14. Oklahoma City Thunder - Thomas Sorber, C, Georgetown
Despite their addition of Isaiah Hartenstein this offseason, Oklahoma City could still benefit from more center depth. Sorber has been stellar to begin his freshman season, dominating on both ends of the floor with his high skill level, touch and athletic tools. His potential as a play-creator and finisher as well as a versatile defender should attract the Thunder to help develop him as part of their long-term frontcourt plans.
15. Indiana Pacers - Noah Penda, F, Le Mans
An injury-riddled Pacers’ season has underscored the need for more frontcourt depth. Penda is a multi-talented 6’8 forward, flashing high-level feel for the game, coordination, defensive ability and skill flashes. His quick processing theoretically fits Indiana’s high-paced, passing-centric offense and his defensive range would help compensate for their defensive limitations
16. San Antonio Spurs - Kon Knueppel, F, Duke
Knueppel has had some difficulties handling college athletes, leading to struggles on the defensive end and as a driver. He’ll bounce back as a shooter, though, and his dynamic shotmaking and passing make him a valuable offensive prospect. The Spurs still need more scoring around Victor Wembanyama and Knueppel has the on and off-ball skills to benefit from San Antonio’s ecosystem.
17. Houston Rockets - Kam Jones, G, Marquette
Jones has taken another leap this season, establishing himself as one of, if not the best perimeter players in the country. The Rockets desperately need more scoring, shooting and creation from the outside and Jones provides all of those things. His experience playing on and off of the ball will let him play next to Houston’s offensive centerpieces and run bench units if needed.
18. Utah Jazz - Hugo Gonzalez, F, Real Madrid
Utah badly needs perimeter defensive help, especially on the wing. Gonzalez is an excellent athlete, capable of walling up on the ball, powering through screens and protecting the rim from the weak side. If he improves as a shooter, Gonzalez could develop into a key 3-and-D wing piece for a Jazz team that continues to stack young talent.
19. Brooklyn Nets - Liam McNeeley, F, UConn
McNeeley will continue to rise up draft boards based on his recent scoring output. Aside from his shooting at 6’7, McNeeley is an excellent foul drawer, boosting his efficiency. The Nets will need more complementary wing talent, especially if they trade some of their current pieces like Cam Johnson or Dorian Finney-Smith. McNeeley might not boast special upside but he should develop into a useful rotation wing.
20. Orlando Magic - Ben Saraf, G, Ulm
The Magic’s lack of ballhandling talent has limited their offensive output, especially given their major injuries. Saraf is a dynamic creator with the basketball, whizzing high-level pick-and-roll passes all over the floor. He’s not an explosive athlete, but Saraf’s ball-handling, passing and shooting potential are all impressive. His experience running a pro offense as a teenage guard should help him translate to the NBA level.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder - Nique Clifford, F, Colorado State
Clifford is playing like one of the country’s best players early in the season, dominating games with his two-way impact. His 3-point shot is stabilizing as Clifford continues to drive, pass and defend at a high level on the wing. The Thunder always value skilled perimeter players with real passing talent, making Clifford a logical fit here who could contribute to winning basketball in year one.
22. Golden State Warriors - Jase Richardson, G, Michigan State
Golden State’s offense necessitates snappy decision makers and Richardson’s turnover avoidance and processing speed are both rare for a freshman guard. He’ll need to prove he can create and score at a higher usage, but his feel for the game, efficient scoring and defensive chops all will be attractive to teams, especially ones like the Warriors who run pass-heavy offenses.
23. Brooklyn Nets - Rocco Zikarsky, C, Brisbane
Zikarsky hasn’t taken the step forward some scouts hoped for in his second NBL season, stagnating in nearly all areas. He’s still a young, enormous center with a real defensive upside, making him worth a flier at some point in the first round. The Nets are a perfect team to take such a chance on a prospect who could return high defensive value in the future.
24. Orlando Magic - Egor Demin, G, BYU
High-level athletes seem to fluster Demin, evidenced by his 0-10 shooting performance against Providence. He’s still an excellent playmaker for a 6’9 guard, making him a worthwhile swing later in the first round. The Magic need more ballhandling and creation in the guard room and Demin could provide that while maintaining the height Orlando always seems to value in prospects.
25. Dallas Mavericks - Tahaad Pettiford, G, Auburn
Pettiford immediately established himself as an impact player for the Tigers early in his college career. A dynamic ballhandler and athlete, Pettiford can maneuver to whichever spot he chooses on the floor to score with both hands, shoot off of the dribble and make plays for others. The Mavericks can always benefit from more guard creation to take some burden off of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving and Pettiford could provide that.
26. Brooklyn Nets - Will Riley, F, Illinois
Riley has struggled to begin his college career, the physicality of college basketball proving difficult for him to overcome especially against high-level opponents. He’s still an excellent tall shotmaker with some passing and defensive upside, making him well worth a swing for a Nets team looking for high-ceiling talents.
27 Memphis Grizzlies - Chaz Lanier, G, Tennessee
Memphis’s half-court offense has been one of its biggest weaknesses this season. Lanier has burst onto the scene this season at Tennessee, proving himself a dynamic shotmaker with some driving ability. He’d thrive as a spacer next to Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and company while adding a bit of secondary driving and passing when the offense stalls.
28. Boston Celtics - Alex Karaban, F, UConn
The Celtics construct their identity on high-volume 3-point shooting and sharp decision-making, two traits Alex Karaban brings. He’s an excellent shooter off of movement, capable of splashing high-level shots as well as passing and defending at a solid clip. Boston could rely on Karaban immediately if needed, as his 3-and-D skillset should translate smoothly to the league.
29. LA Clippers - Milan Momcilovic, F, Iowa State
Momcilovic is once again shooting the ball at an elite level for a 6’8 forward. He’s still limited athletically, but Momcilovic boasts rare shotmaking tools for a player of his size. The Clippers have the defensive infrastructure to compensate for those limitations and they desperately need an infusion of offensive talent that Momcilovic could provide.
30. Utah Jazz - Asa Newell, F/C, Georgia
Newell’s athletic tools have popped off of the screen early in his college career, winning above the rim on both ends of the floor. He’s dunked the ball 27 times through his first 10 games, totaling the second most dunks in college basketball. The Jazz could use his athleticism and versatility, especially on the defensive end, as they mold him into a productive NBA big man.
2025 NBA Mock Draft: Final order for projected 1st round