Every 2025 NBA mock draft will look different due to prospect projection, draft order changes, and varying opinions on the direction a certain franchise is headed. For the sake of this exercise, I’ve taken some liberties when it comes to forecasting future results (and thus draft order) and what current preps will put their names in the hat.
This is a very fluid situation, but with the NBA All-Star Game behind us and March Madness on the horizon, this is as good a time as any to take a look at how the 2025-26 NBA season could be impacted by the incoming rookie class.
Who will your favorite team add on June 25? The grades for these prospects are incredibly close, and while I believe the top option is a cut above the rest, even the No. 1 spot isn’t a certainty given Cooper Flagg recently set social media ablaze with flirtatious quotes about him considering a return to campus for his sophomore campaign
1) Washington Wizards
Cooper Flagg, Duke
I don’t think you can afford to get cute at the top spot in this draft, assuming that Flagg declares, which I still 100% expect. I went over his fit for Washington and the other teams in the mix for a 14% chance to be awarded the top overall pick this summer.
2) New Orleans Pelicans
Ace Bailey, Rutgers
New Orleans sent Brandon Ingram north of the border at the trade deadline and get the opportunity to essentially replace him with a high-pedigree prospect who doesn’t celebrate his 19th birthday until August.
3) Utah Jazz
VJ Edgecombe, Baylor
Utah has some interesting pieces in place, but an athletic point guard has to be near the top of their wish list. This is a team already functioning at an above-average pace despite a lack of a true offensive leader.
There were whispers of “Dwyane Wade” on the broadcast of his game against Arizona, and while I think that’s overly optimistic, VJ Edgecombe’s skill set is deserving of such a comp.
4) Charlotte Hornets
Tre Johnson, Texas
Tre Johnson has proven plenty capable of getting buckets during his freshman season, which makes him an interesting add to a perimeter-based Charlotte Hornets team that is positioned to try to outscore opponents for as long as the LaMelo Ball/Brandon Miller duo is at the center of this roster.
5) Toronto Raptors
Dylan Harper, Rutgers
Toronto might not be far away from being in position to win a playoff series, and a player like Dylan Harper can help them move into that conversation right away. There might be some skill duplication here with other wings on this roster, but with how the game is played today, the next team that complains about having too many athletic multi-level scorers will be the first.
6) Brooklyn Nets
Boogie Fland, Arkansas
Brooklyn doesn’t lack players willing to fire away questionable shots, but that requires a point guard to direct things. Boogie Fland comes from the John Calipari school of guidance, owns an assist-to-turnover ratio north of 3.5, and was born in this area.
The Nets will only win as many games as their offense allows them to, and adding Fland elevates their floor immediately.
7) Philadelphia 76ers
Kasparas Jakučionis, Illinois
One of the surprise risers this season gives Philadelphia nice size in a backcourt that is going to feature Tyrese Maxey for years to come. The health of Joel Embiid is always going to drive the success of this team, but taking some of the pressure off of him with another perimeter threat with some playmaking DNA is something I expect this team to do with regularity this summer.
8) Chicago Bulls
Asa Newell, Georgia
Asa Nowell’s build (220 pounds) may prove prohibitive when it comes to doing much damage in the paint at the professional level. But with Nikola Vučević’s days in Chicago likely numbered (rumored in various trades this winter and will be entering the final year of his deal), a 6’11” prospect with some offensive and defensive versatility, Newell is an interesting add for a team with some upside already rostered in the backcourt.
9) Portland Trail Blazers
Egor Demin, BYU
Portland spent on Donovan Clingan a year ago and has recently invested in backcourt upside. With the paint accounted for and pending lottery tickets handling the ball, a 6’9″ player like Egor Demin, who is already playing in a wide-open offense, will likely be of interest.
10) San Antonio Spurs (From ATL)
Kon Knueppel, Duke
I haven’t been shy about my optimism for San Antonio, and Kon Knueppel could play a role sooner than later. He’s not Duke’s most hyped prospect (obviously), but don’t take that to mean that he can’t impact the pro game in Year 1, especially for a team willing to come preloaded with open looks for its wings.
11) Miami Heat
Liam McNeeley, UConn
What direction Miami goes in the post-Jimmy Butler era is anyone’s guess, but Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo appear to be solidified as the building blocks. Assuming that’s the case, a versatile win who can both attack and shoot could be of interest.
A traditional point guard is likely a target as well, making Miami a trade candidate should another team be willing to be part with multiple future picks for a spot in the lottery.
12) Atlanta Hawks (From SAC)
Thomas Sorber, Georgetown
The Clint Capela era could well be coming to an end in Atlanta, but they get the opportunity to replace him with a new physical clone who comes with a more up-to-date skill set.
Thomas Sorber hasn’t made defenses pay for leaving him on the perimeter just yet, but with a free-throw percentage north of 70%, there are breadcrumbs to suggest that the three-point shot will be a tool he has access to.
13) Houston Rockets (From PHO)
Jase Richardson, Michigan State
The Rockets hit the skids when Fred VanVleet got hurt, so what better way to build for the future than to pick up a heady point guard who was under the watchful eye of Tom Izzo this season?
Houston has talent on its front line, and a player like Jase Richardson could help maximize that potential quickly as he develops into an NBA-level player.
14) Miami Heat (From GS)
Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma
Miami is one of a handful of teams who could use a point guard, and they get a chance to land an interesting prospect here. Jeremiah Fears will need to improve his assist-to-turnover ratio to earn minutes at the professional level, but his ability to convert over half of his two-point attempts will be appealing to a roster like the Heat’s.
15) San Antonio Spurs (From ATL)
Nolan Traoré, France
San Antonio could pounce with a few international prospects on the board, as they’ve proven savvy in that regard. De’Aaron Fox is clearly a building block for this backcourt, but adding an upside player — Nolan Traoré turns 19 in May — next to him would allow this team to explore various sets and creative ways to draw attention away from Victor Wembanyama.
16) Minnesota Timberwolves (From DET)
JT Toppin, Texas Tech
We’ve seen Anthony Edwards shift his game to a perimeter-oriented one, which makes a banging threat like JT Toppin appealing. He’s an athletic wing who isn’t worried about three-point shots and has proven plenty capable of getting to where he is comfortable over the past few weeks.
17) Orlando Magic
Noa Essengue, France
Orlando believes it has a solid foundation in place, so why not take a little bit of a risk on a profile here?
Noa Essengue has a near seven-foot wingspan to complement his 35+ inch vertical leap. This is a defensive-oriented team that could use creative ways to generate offense, and this 18-year-old has the potential to be an interesting add.
18) Dallas Mavericks
Will Riley, Illinois
Dallas wants to win with defense, and, when healthy, its frontcourt can do just that. With Kyrie Irving creating mismatches off the bounce, a shooter like Will Riley on the wing is appealing. His skinny frame makes any interior impact unlikely in the short term, but given how this roster is built, that’s an acceptable deficiency.
19) Brooklyn Nets (From MIL)
Derik Queen, Maryland
A big man with some shooting touch is always appealing, and while I have my questions about Derik Queen’s ability to score with consistency in the paint at the professional level, there are enough components of his game to make him an interesting add for a Nets team with a handful of darts to throw in this draft.
20) Utah Jazz (From MIN)
Carter Bryant, Arizona
Utah spent a first-round pick on Walker Kessler in 2022, and a player like Carter Bryant can combine with John Collins for versatile size next to the paint-clogging big man. The fit isn’t perfect, but the Jazz will look to add raw talent and potentially make moves to improve their future outlook.
Bryant gives them frontcourt depth and allows for roster creativity.
21) Indiana Pacers
Kanon Catchings, BYU
Tyrese Haliburton will lead the Indiana Pacers offense for the foreseeable future, and loading up on stretch bigs is the best way to maximize what he does well. Kanon Catchings is playing in an analytically sound offense now and figures to be comfortable with what Indiana wants to do.
22) Oklahoma City Thunder (From LA Clippers)
Ben Saraf, Israel
What do the Thunder have to lose? Maybe they move off of this pick, but if they don’t, they have more than enough room for error to gamble on the FIBA U-18 European Championship MVP. Oklahoma City doesn’t need an instant impact player, giving them the ability to be patient with an abroad talent like Ben Saraf.
23) Atlanta Hawks (From LA Lakers)
Ian Jackson, North Carolina
Ian Jackson is already playing in a breakneck offense, thus making the transition to Atlanta a clean one should it come to pass. Backcourt depth will be something the Hawks look to address this summer, no matter Trae Young’s future.
Jackson probably earns a Year 1 regardless, but if he can impress, maybe he gives Atlanta the freedom to explore trading its star point guard.
24) Brooklyn Nets (From HOU)
Labaron Philon, Alabama
College prospects coming from high-tempo environments are positioned to be comfortable in the NBA game more than most, and that is certainly the case for Labaron Philon. He’s not a perfect player, but Philon’s ability to shoot over 55% inside the arc while dishing out over two assists per turnover are traits that could translate to rotation minutes as an NBA rookie.
25) Orlando Magic (From DEN)
Danny Wolf, Michigan
Is Mo Wagner the answer in the paint? Wendell Carter Jr.? Goga Bitadze? A stretch option at the 5 position would clear a runway for Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero while forcing defenses to extend their focus outside of 15 feet.
Orlando is a good team despite some pretty clear flaws on the offensive end. Danny Wolf could prove to be a step in the right direction on this front.
26) Washington Wizards (From MEM)
Tahaad Pettiford, Auburn
Washington can use help across the board, but having a point guard to lead the rebuild would be a good place to start.
Tahaad Pettiford is a bit undersized, which might relegate him to a 3-and-p (pass) role. Nevertheless, that holds value at this point in the proceedings, especially if you believe in the frontcourt pieces that the Wizards have added over the past few seasons.
27) Brooklyn Nets (From NY)
Johni Broome, Auburn
A flashy franchise making a flashy pick? Johni Broome has checked all of the boxes at the collegiate level this season and is seemingly ready to make an impact at the professional level tomorrow.
Brooklyn isn’t in a position to win in a major way right now, but this type of pick can spark optimism for a team positioned to finish in the bottom two of their division for the fourth straight season.
28) Boston Celtics
Alex Karaban, UConn
Boston’s title window is right now, and this local-ish talent could slide into the rotation sooner than later thanks to his combination of size and range. For his career, Alex Karaban has more 3-pointers made than free throw attempts. Yep, that tracks for the franchise consistently sitting atop the NBA in 3-point rate.
29) Los Angeles Clippers (From OKC)
Jaxson Robinson, Kentucky
Los Angeles has an aging backcourt, which could make a more developed prospect like Jaxson Robinson attractive at the end of Round 1.
James Harden has a player option next season. If he picks that up, Robinson could get a season of grooming before fully given the keys to the car.
30) Phoenix Suns (From CLE)
Khaman Maluach, Duke
Trying to project the future of Kevin Durant is a fool’s errand, but I do like the idea of getting Phoenix a more traditional big man to pair with KD (one year left on his deal) and Devin Booker (three more seasons).
It would appear that the Suns want to surround their stars with specialists, and Khaman Maluach would make for an interesting paint presence with Nick Richards under contract for just one more season.
Heading into the NBA All-Star Break, here are our updated Power Rankings from @KyleSoppePFN ⤵ pic.twitter.com/w1G13bGz9w
— PFSN (@PFN365) February 17, 2025
