2025 NBA mock draft: Way too early look at Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey goes no. 10
The 2025 draft looks to be much stronger than the previous draft, filled with star prospects and impressive depth up to this point. The picks in this 2025 NBA mock draft are representative of what I would do, not what I think will happen, as that’s nearly impossible to predict this early.
Disclaimer: The first round order was determined by a Tankathon sim.
1. Brooklyn Nets - Cooper Flagg, F, Duke
Flagg is the best American prospect to enter the draft since Zion Williamson, fueled by his truly generational defensive talent. 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 Brooklyn’s franchise if they win the lottery next year.
2. Washington Wizards - Dylan Harper, PG, Rutgers
After accumulating tons of ancillary talent over the past few seasons, the Wizards 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 no-brainer selection here for Washington.
3. Detroit Pistons - Rocco Zikarsky, C, Brisbane
Zikarsky’s impressive play in a limited role in the NBL combined with his dominant youth sample make him an easy top-three 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. Zikarsky should have the finishing and size to add enough value on offense to become a true star defensive anchor which the Pistons would have a hard time passing on atop the draft.
4. Chicago Bulls - Nolan Traore, PG, Saint Quentin
Chicago finally drafts an initiator of the future in Traore, who’s incredible first step and size fuel elite driving upside. 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 Bulls.
5. Charlotte Hornets - Khaman Maluach, C, Duke
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.
6. Portland Trailblazers - 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 Portland team with plenty of questionable shooters. 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.
7. Utah Jazz - Hugo Gonzalez, G, Real Madrid
Defensive prospects are still a need for Utah 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.
8. Toronto Raptors - VJ Edgecombe, G, Baylor
Edgecombe’s recent performance with the Bahamas introduced him to the masses. 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.
9. San Antonio Spurs - Boogie Fland, PG, Arkansas
San Antonio finally adds their point guard of the future in Fland, who might be the best advantage creator 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 some, though playing next to Victor Wembanyama will help minimize those issues and maximize his strengths.
10. San Antonio Spurs - Ace Bailey, F, Rutgers
I’m a bit lower than the consensus on Bailey given the general strength of the draft as well as some of my concerns about his feel, efficiency and defensive ability. Regardless, 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.
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 - Collin Murray-Boyles, F/C, South Carolina
Murray-Boyles’ unique profile pops out, as he was an elite interior scorer, passer, rebounder and defensive playmaker as a freshman. Sacramento still needs more defensive help on the interior 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. If Murray-Boyles can develop an even semi-reliable jumper, his upside will be sky-high as a unique, two-way star.
13. Los Angeles Clippers -Kasparas Jakucionis AM, PG, Illinois
As the Clippers’ roster continues to age, they should target upside early in the draft. Jakucionis has the tools for LA to mold into their long-term point guard, as he’s one of the best pure passers in the draft. 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.
14. New Orleans Pelicans - Asa Newell, F, Georgia
New Orleans still should be targeting role players to fit with Zion Williamson and the rest of the core. 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 Pels’ young core which will always be critical to insulate Zion and the rest of their defensively challenged stars.
15. Orlando Magic - Jalil Bethea, G, Miami
Even after adding Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Tristan Da Silva, Orlando will still likely prioritize shooters going forward. 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 and Paolo Banchero, acting as a potential long term replacement for Caldwell-Pope.
16. Utah Jazz - Isaiah Evans, F Duke
With their second pick in the draft, the Jazz add another tall shotmaker in Evans who is more offensively slanted than their other wing picks. He’s an awesome 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.
17. Indiana Pacers - Noa Essengue, F, Ulm
Indiana should continue to prioritize defense in the draft, which leads them to select Essengue here. He’s a raw offensive player but Indiana’s potent offense should help him develop as his defense keeps him on the floor. Essengue is incredibly tall, long and fluid, providing impressive on and off ball defensive upside. Those movement skills allow for impressive versatility, letting Essengue guard the ball, navigate screens and defend the rim.
18. Atlanta Hawks - Ian Jackson, F, UNC
Jackson adds a more offensively slanted wing to go along with Atlanta’s growing defensive perimeter talent. Jackson is at his best attacking as a secondary next to elite initiators, perfect for a Trae Young Hawks team. 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 Hawks here.
19. Memphis Grizzlies - Kam Jones, G, Marquette
The Grizzlies add long term depth at guard with Kam Jones, adding one of the best offensive weapons in the draft to this point. Jones’ combination of ballhandling creation, elite shooting and playmaking make him an ideal third guard in any offense, especially one as potentially potent as Memphis’s He’s a bit weak finishing at the rim and Jones’ lack of strength does hurt him on defense, but legit pass-dribble-shoot tall guards will always be valuable.
20. Golden State Warriors - Milan Momcilovic, F, Iowa St
As Golden State exits the dynasty years and transitions into a new era, a high-upside shotmaker like Momcilovic makes sense. He’s 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.
21. Houston Rockets - Flory Bidunga, C, Kansas
Bidunga is one of the freakiest athletes I can remember watching. He’s incredibly strong with special vertical pop and speed for a 6’8 ceAnter. 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. Houston could still use extra secondary rim protectors and Bidunga is one of the best in the class at swooping in from the weak side to block and contest shots.
22. Oklahoma City Thunder - Owen Freeman, C, Iowa
Freeman adds more long-term depth at the center spot for the Thunder, adding another legitimate rim protector. 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 Thunder role player.
23. Oklahoma City Thunder - Egor Demin, G, Real Madrid
The Thunder love drafting tall passers and Egor Demin fits that bill. 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.
24. Brooklyn Nets - Joson Sanon, G, Arizona St
Sanon’s athletic tools are his main sell, as his explosion both horizontally and vertically are elite. Sanon is best playing off of two feet where he can be patient and maximize his athletic gifts. Though Sanon’s feel for the game is raw, those athletic tools plus his promising pull-up jumper could make him an intriguing offensive upside swing, perfect for a Nets team that will be deep in their rebuild.
25. Brooklyn Nets - Tre Johnson, G, Texas
Brooklyn continues to swing on high-upside guards with Johnson, who’s one of the highest recruits in the country. 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.
26. Dallas Mavericks - Nique Clifford, F, Colorado St
As Dallas continues to contend for titles, they will want to add high-value role players, which is exactly what Clifford brings. He’s a tall wing with incredible passing manipulation and vision, providing important secondary playmaking creation next to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. His mobility on defense, especially defending the ball, will bolster the Mavs on that end of the floor as well.
27. Utah Jazz - Drake Powell, F, UNC
Utah continues to stack up athletic, defensively oriented wings with Powell late in the first round. He’s a superstar athlete, with the explosion, movement and balance to develop into an elite defender, especially defending off of the ball. Powell’s offense is currently raw and he’ll need to improve his jumper to succeed on offense, but the flashes of slashing and playmaking provide optimism.
28. Brooklyn Nets - Dink Pate, PG, Capitanes
Though the Nets may not make all four first-round picks, Pate is another developmental talented guard to add to the roster. He’s a tall guard who specializes in the pick and roll, finding teammates with his excellent vision and pace. Pate needs to improve as a scorer, off ball player and defender to be worth a top pick, but Brooklyn will have plenty of time to develop him.
29. Orlando Magic - John Mobley Jr., G, Ohio St
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, especially to a still shooting needy Magic team.
30. Boston Celtics - 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 in Boston’s five out system. Karaban’s high basketball feel and smarts also profile with the Celtics’ normal type, making him an all around fit here.
Final list of picks for 2025 NBA mock draft