2025 NBA Mock Draft
The conference finals are in full swing for four teams, but the rest of the league is preparing for next month’s NBA draft. Duke freshman Cooper Flagg is projected to be this year’s No. 1 pick, which stunningly belongs to the Dallas Mavericks.
Here is our 2025 NBA mock draft:
Top 14 Picks
Every NBA team receives five minutes to make their first round selection, but this pick should be decided much quicker than that. The Mavericks have been on the clock since they drew the No. 1 pick in last week’s draft lottery. Flagg, the consensus top pick, is the most obvious choice and his dynamic two-way skill set would mesh well alongside Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson and the rest of the Mavericks.
The rest of the league is also preparing for the draft, with several teams looking to add young talent to their rosters. The San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, and Charlotte Hornets are all looking to add key players to their teams.
1. Dallas Mavericks
The pick: Cooper Flagg, forward, Duke
Mavericks
Flagg is the most obvious choice for the Mavericks, and his dynamic two-way skill set would mesh well alongside the team’s existing players.
2. San Antonio Spurs
The pick: Dylan Harper, guard, Rutgers
San Antonio has two lottery picks in this draft, which is almost as surprising as Dallas winning the No. 1 pick. Harper is the unanimous choice for its first selection. Two of the last three Rookie of the Year winners – Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle – are members of the Spurs.
3. Philadelphia 76ers
The pick: Ace Bailey, forward, Rutgers
Rutgers could have two of the top three picks in this draft if Philadelphia selects Bailey, a versatile wing who can score at all three levels. After a disastrous season in which the Sixers’ big three of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George suffered season-ending injuries, Philadelphia is in a position to add one of the best players in the draft.
4. Charlotte Hornets
The pick: V.J. Edgecombe, guard, Baylor
Edgecombe is one of the most athletic guards in this year’s draft class and that natural talent would bode well with the Hornets next to LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. He’s not only a threat on the offensive end, but Edgecombe has exceptional defensive playmaking instincts and has the motor to become an elite shot-blocking guard.
5. Utah Jazz
The pick: Kon Knueppel, guard, Duke
The Jazz finished with the worst record in the NBA and most expected them to be one of the top suitors for Flagg, but they dropped to the fifth spot – the worst possible outcome. However, the Jazz could still be in the running for another player from Duke. Knueppel could be a viable pick for Utah, especially since he’s a high-level floor spacer who can knock down shots from the perimeter.
6. Washington Wizards
The pick: Tre Johnson, guard, Texas
The Wizards are in the middle of a full-blown rebuild and could use a spark of energy. Johnson, a native of Garland, can add that explosive scoring punch to a Washington backcourt that already includes Jordan Poole. Johnson, a Lake Highlands product, is a catch-and-shoot threat who can also use his length to shoot over taller defenders.
7. New Orleans Pelicans
The pick: Jeremiah Fears, guard, Oklahoma
The Pelicans could use some help with their backcourt depth since DeJounte Murray will be coming off an Achilles injury. Fears should be able to play alongside CJ McCollum, especially since he’s one of the most versatile guards in this class.
8. Brooklyn Nets
The pick: Collin Murray-Boyles, forward, South Carolina
Murray-Boyles is projected as a top-10 pick in this year’s draft class and the lowly Nets could benefit from a defender of his caliber. His defensive versatility is a result of his upper-body strength and quick reflexes, which would bode well in a front court next to Nets center Nic Claxton.
9. Toronto Raptors
The pick: Khaman Maluach, center, Duke
Another Duke player. Yes, the Blue Devils could have a decorated group of draftees in 2025. Maluach is a 7-footer who can add a prominent defensive presence to the Raptors’ front court. His size allows him to serve as a formidable lob threat.
10. Houston Rockets (via Phoenix Suns)
The pick: Carter Bryant, forward, Arizona
The Rockets took a leap this season and finished with the second-best record in the Western Conference. They have a bevy of dynamic young pieces and could add another with Bryant, who brings defense to the professional level.
11. Portland Trail Blazers
The pick: Derik Queen, center, Maryland
The Trail Blazers selected a center in last year’s draft when they picked Donovan Clingan, but there’s always room for more bigs. Just ask Dallas. Queen is a solid playmaker for his size at 6-9, and uses his crafty finishing skills to score at the rim.
12. Chicago Bulls
The pick: Kasparas Jakucionis, guard, Illinois
Jakucionis is a solid choice for the Bulls with the 12th pick in the draft. He has a great feel for the game and can orchestrate the pick-and-roll effectively, which is a bonus for a young guard in the NBA.
13. Atlanta Hawks (via Sacramento Kings)
The pick: Asa Newell, forward, Georgia
The Hawks could be in need of a front-court presence since Clint Capela will be a free agent this summer. Newell, who went to college a little over an hour from Atlanta, is a serviceable lob threat and shot blocker.
14. San Antonio Spurs (via Atlanta Hawks)
The pick: Liam McNeely, forward, Connecticut
The Spurs have Wembanyama, Castle and several other playmakers, including Harper from this mock draft. Now, they need a shooter. McNeely, who attended John Paul II, fits that bill and could complement San Antonio’s young core.
Conclusion
The 2025 NBA draft is shaping up to be an exciting one, with several talented players available. The Dallas Mavericks are expected to take Cooper Flagg with the first overall pick, while other teams like the San Antonio Spurs and Philadelphia 76ers are also looking to add key players to their rosters. With the draft just around the corner, fans are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to see their favorite teams select the next generation of NBA stars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about the 2025 NBA draft:
