The Mavericks are reportedly dedicated to creating this choice (versus packaging it for a veteran), which ensures Flagg will start his NBA profession taking part in residence video games in Dallas. Does it assure the youngest Wood Award winner in historical past will emerge as the perfect participant from this draft? Not essentially. However Flagg was all the time going to be the one good selection at No. 1 whatever the franchise selecting.

Harper is the consensus No. 2 prospect on this draft and thus must be the second participant chosen even when he isn’t an ideal match on a roster already that includes De’Aaron Fox and reigning Rookie of the Yr Stephon Fort. As others have famous, that would result in San Antonio buying the decide to franchises extra in want of a lead guard with nice positional dimension. So regulate that. Both means, regardless of which franchise finally ends up selecting second, Harper is more likely to be the second identify introduced.

There’s some thought that the Sixers might attempt to transfer this decide for a veteran given the place former MVP Joel Embiid is in his profession. That is comprehensible. But when the Sixers do execute the decide, they should not let the presence of proficient younger guards like Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain on their roster steer them away from Johnson, the participant I imagine is the third finest prospect on this draft. The one-and-done athlete from Texas led all freshmen in scoring whereas taking pictures 39.7% from 3-point vary on 6.8 makes an attempt per contest. Spectacular numbers, throughout. And most of them are the kinds of numbers that ought to translate nicely to the following degree.

The Hornets went from having nearly as good of odds as anyone to land Flagg and maintain him 150 miles from the place he starred at Duke to sliding right down to fourth on this draft. That is dangerous luck. However they will nonetheless have a chance to land a difference-maker — amongst them Edgecombe, who’s a top-shelf and explosive athlete able to creating posters in transition. He is the kind of prospect who’s each secure and crammed with upside after serving to Baylor make what was a sixth straight journey to the NCAA Event.

Extra proof that Rutgers ought to’ve been higher than it was is the truth that the Scarlet Knights completed with a dropping document regardless of having two projected top-five picks. Bailey’s upside is great provided that he is an electrical shot-creator and shot-maker. He checks the field of finest prospect obtainable, at this level on this mock draft, and thus makes probably the most sense for a Utah franchise nonetheless completely rebuilding.

Knueppel was largely wonderful via Duke’s run to the Closing 4, averaging 19.0 factors whereas taking pictures 63.6% from past the arc. He is an elite shooter, clearly, however removed from solely a shooter — and anyone labeling him as little greater than a catch-and-shoot risk is wildly underestimating Knueppel’s versatility as a participant who initiatives as a pleasant constructing block for a Wizards franchise that mainly wants all the pieces.

What Jakucionis lacks in explosiveness he makes up for together with his numerous skillset and excessive basketball IQ. The Lithuanian solely shot 31.8% from 3-point vary in a single season at Illinois. That should not be ignored. However Jackucionis has beforehand proven to be a extra dependable shooter than he largely demonstrated with the Illini and will turn into a pleasant piece going ahead alongside Zion Williamson in New Orleans.

Fears is about to affix the comparatively brief listing of one-and-done lottery picks who had been ranked exterior of the highest 60 of their highschool courses. His distinctive skill to alter speeds and maintain defenders off steadiness is an excessive amount of to disregard even when his subpar 3-point share is a supply of concern. Armed with 4 first-round picks, Brooklyn can and may take a giant swing right here. For my part, Fears is the largest swing obtainable at this level on this mock draft.

Maluach’s really nice freshman yr concluded horribly with a zero-rebound effort in 21 minutes throughout Duke’s season-ending loss to Houston. However that was only one recreation towards an older and stronger crew, and it should not bitter entrance workplaces an excessive amount of on an 18 year-old who can transfer unusually nicely for a person his dimension. Merely put, the Raptors must be in best-prospect-available mode. Maluach initiatives as that prospect right here.

The Rockets are a 52-win franchise with most of its essential items beneath contract. They’ll afford to package deal this decide in a commerce or apply it to a high-upside prospect — and Bryant clearly represents the latter. These playoffs have reminded everyone how a lot nice 3-and-D wings influence successful within the postseason. Bryant has the instruments to grow to be one and must be chosen accordingly no matter his restricted position as a freshman at Arizona.

Richardson did not emerge as a starter at Michigan State till midway via the season however rapidly confirmed himself to be the crew’s most dynamic scorer. He is the son of 14-year NBA veteran Jason Richardson, which is considered as a constructive amongst NBA entrance workplaces. The combo guard is a high-energy prospect with the kind of basketball IQ youngsters of gamers typically possess, and he must be a smart choice for a Portland franchise with promising frontcourt items already in place.

The mix proved that Fleming is somewhat taller than 6-8 (barefoot) with a wingspan somewhat higher than 7-5. These measurements are nice for someone who additionally shot 39% from 3-point vary on 4.5 makes an attempt per recreation as a 20 year-old, and that is among the many causes Fleming has an actual probability to go within the lottery regardless of largely working off of the nationwide radar in three seasons at Saint Joseph’s.

The Hawks had been as soon as once more a below-average defensive crew, partly as a result of the franchise level guard, Trae Younger, had one of many worst defensive-ratings within the NBA. Murray-Boyles might assist enhance that problem. Sure, he is a non-shooting and undersized front-court piece, which makes him a considerably divisive prospect. However the two-year participant from South Carolina is impactful in a number of methods on each ends of the courtroom, and his really feel for the sport, instincts and defensive versatility have many evaluators on board with the 19 year-old being a lottery decide.

Queen is a super-interesting ahead who offsets a few of his bodily limitations with talent and smarts. He hit the buzzer-beater towards Colorado State that despatched Maryland to the Candy 16, scored 27 towards the eventual nationwide champion (Florida) and solidified himself within the NCAA Event as an intriguing lottery choice, significantly for a franchise that has two lottery picks and will use a proficient rookie alongside Victor Wembenyama.

The Thunder have a loaded roster and a number of first-round picks, making them a very good candidate to package deal belongings to presumably transfer up within the draft. As all the time, we’ll see. But when they sit tight at No. 15, McNeeley is a pleasant choice. He solely shot 31.7% from 3-point vary in his one yr at UConn — however scouts are largely unconcerned and nonetheless view him as a strong-shooting wing on the subsequent degree. An ankle sprain value him greater than a month of his season, however McNeeley confirmed sufficient whereas on the courtroom to persuade evaluators he is worthy of being chosen within the prime 20.

Clifford, 23, is older than the kind of prospects some entrance workplaces favor to pick out with top-20 picks — however he checks a variety of different packing containers. Good positional dimension? Sure. Competent shooter? Sure. Versatile defender? Sure. He could possibly be the following good NBA participant to emerge from the Mountain West Convention.

Wolf moved from the Ivy League to the Huge Ten and, statistically, arguably carried out even higher. The 7-footer has guard expertise and is a greater defender than some understand. He might add frontcourt versatility to a Minnesota franchise led by Anthony Edwards and setup to compete for championships this season and past.

Demin is a backcourt participant with great dimension — however one who turned it over 2.9 occasions per recreation this season, which must be no less than somewhat regarding for franchises viewing him as a ball-in-his-hands guard. The three-point share can be a problem. So it is easy to know why the one-and-done prospect from Russia is a divisive prospect, however there’s nonetheless little probability he goes a lot decrease than the center of the primary spherical.

Can Newell maintain the ground spaced as a reputable 3-point risk? If that’s the case, he ought to go greater. If not, he ought to go decrease. Both means, that is the swing-skill for the one-and-done prospect who carried out fairly nicely as a freshman in an SEC crammed with a lot older and stronger forwards. A Brooklyn franchise with a number of first-round can be smart to take a critical take a look at youthful prospects crammed with upside, and Newell matches that description contemplating he will not flip 20 years previous till October.

Essengue is a French prospect with nice positional dimension. As one of many youngest gamers obtainable, he is a long-term guess. But when the shot develops, and the defensive versatility turns into simple, the 18 yr previous could possibly be a steal at this level within the draft for a Warmth franchise seemingly at a crossroads after buying and selling Jimmy Butler and getting swept out of the playoffs by a Cavs crew that was subsequently eradicated by the Pacers in 5 video games.

Beringer is a frontcourt prospect with a 7-4 wingspan who supplies defensive versatility and the power to rim-protect. Is he able to contribute within the NBA subsequent season? Most likely not. However there’s loads to love with this 18 yr previous from Serbia who could possibly be a constructing block for a Utah franchise nonetheless years away from competing for something significant.

Traore does sufficient good issues with the ball in his fingers to safe a spot within the first spherical— however his inefficiency, and lack of taking pictures, are non-starters for some entrance workplaces. At 18, there are nonetheless a few years of improvement for the French native. Any franchise choosing him has to take action with that understanding.

Sorber appeared forward of schedule for a one-and-done prospect earlier than struggling a season-ending left-foot damage on Feb. 15. Regardless, he did sufficient in 24 video games to indicate he’d both spend subsequent season as a Huge East Participant of the Yr candidate or as a rookie within the NBA. The foot-injury is regarding, if solely as a result of large males with foot accidents do not have the perfect tales. However Sorber ought to nonetheless go within the first spherical of this draft and will present frontcourt depth for an Indiana franchise within the Jap Convention Finals for the second straight yr.

Saraf is one other worldwide prospect with good positional dimension. Issues about his taking pictures and athleticism ought to maintain him out of the lottery — however there’s sufficient pick-and-roll playmaking skill already in place to make sure his identify is named on this vary — whether or not it is to Oklahoma Metropolis at No. 24 or one other franchise on this neighborhood of the draft.

Raynaud improved statistically in 4 straight years at Stanford — going from someone who averaged 4.5 factors as a freshman to someone who averaged 20.2 as a senior. His skill to stretch the ground and cross at his dimension are thought-about strengths and could possibly be helpful for an Orlando franchise in want of extra scoring pop within the frontcourt.

Kalkbrenner is a four-time Huge East Defensive Participant of the Yr He is removed from what anyone would name a contemporary NBA heart. But when Zach Edey went within the prime 10 of the 2025 NBA Draft, there isn’t any cause Kalkbrenner cannot go within the prime 30 of the 2025 NBA Draft — particularly when there is a Brooklyn franchise with 4 first-round picks and a necessity at heart.

Clayton was the star of Florida’s nationwide title run whereas averaging 22.3 factors on 43.5% taking pictures from past the arc in these six NCAA Event video games. There are considerations about his decision-making and strategy to protection, however the Most Excellent Participant of the 2025 Closing 4 is such a talented and distinctive shotmaker that he is worthy of a critical look this deep within the first spherical by a Phoenix franchise that most likely must hit the reset button.

Jones helped himself with evaluators this previous season whereas exhibiting the power to deal with lead-guard obligations. Sure, his 3-point accuracy dropped to a career-low 31.1%, which wasn’t superb. However the four-year standout at Marquette had already established himself as a dependable shooter. So the dip should not matter an excessive amount of, and Jones might present backcourt depth from Day 1 in Los Angeles.