2025 NBA Draft Results

Round 1 Picks 1-15

The 2025 NBA Draft is one of the deeper drafts in recent memory. The 2025 NBA Draft is probably the strongest of any sport in 2025 including NFL, NHL, MLB, MLS, and WNBA.

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: June 25, 2025.

1. Dallas Mavericks: Cooper Flagg, SF, Duke A+ Grade
   
   
   This is the first NBA Mock Draft that I've made since October 2nd. A lot has happened since then including certain players reclassifying by withdrawing eligibility from the 2025 NBA Draft, Luka Doncic getting traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Dallas Mavericks winning the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery after failing to secure a playoff spot at the Play In Tournament moving up from 11 to 1 in the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery. One constant that remained the same was Cooper Flagg being the best overall player in the 2025 NBA Draft. This means the Dallas Mavericks get Cooper Flagg after trading their best player to the Los Angeles Lakers one year after making the 2024 NBA Finals.
   
   
   
   Dallas Mavericks GM Nico Harrison watched the Luka Doncic trade age like milk after trading a 25 year old that was a top 5 player in the league. Unless Flagg is so dominant that he makes people forget about Luka Doncic right out of the gate as a rookie which seems unlikely.
   
   
   
   Meanwhile Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill saw the Mikko Rantanen trade age like wine with some hat tricks against Colorado and Winnipeg before disappearing against Edmonton in the 2025 Western Conference Finals. With the Dallas Stars making their third straight Western Conference Finals appearance, the Stars are now viewed as the most popular team in the eyes of most casual Dallas Sports fans since Dallas has 1 Stanley Cup Finals appearance back in 2020 during the Covid Bubble and 4 Western Conference Finals appearances this decade matching the Mavericks NBA Finals appearance while also doubling the Mavericks Western Conference Finals appearances in the 2020's decade. This will remain the case until the Dallas Cowboys return to the playoffs, Cooper Flagg puts the Dallas Mavericks on the map, or Paige Bueckers puts the Dallas Wings on the map in the WNBA.
   
   
   
   With Dallas being one of the five biggest sports markets in North America and the Mavericks wanting a basketball only arena in 2031 when the lease at American Airlines Center expires, the NBA has to spoil the Dallas Mavericks by gifting them the first pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. It's the only way the NBA can save face with the city of Dallas after the Luka Doncic trade. The only sports team in the city of Dallas that has the leverage to get taxpayer funding from residents for a new arena is the Dallas Stars, who might just opt to stay at American Airlines Arena with an arena renovation versus building a new arena. I'm guessing Dallas Stars owner Tom Gaglardi already has started working on top secret renderings for a renovation to AAC or a new NHL only arena and will make this information available to the public as soon as the Dallas Stars win or make another Stanley Cup since construction for American Airlines Arena began in September of 1999 three months after the Dallas Stars won their only Stanley Cup in 1999 when Dallas defeated the Buffalo Sabres on the road before losing the 2000 Stanley Cup Finals to the New Jersey Devils at Reunion Arena. The Dallas Mavericks aren't perceived in the same light as the Stars right now and that is mainly due to trading Luka Doncic away to the Los Angeles Lakers. I could bring up more backstories about how I became a Stars fan during the 1999 Stanley Cup Playoffs, but won't since people want to read about Cooper Flagg.
   
   
   
   The Dallas Mavericks will have Kyrie Irving at point guard, Klay Thompson moving back to his natural position at shooting guard after playing small forward prior to Luka Doncic getting traded, Cooper Flagg at small forward, P.J. Washington at power forward, and Anthony Davis at center. The Dallas Mavericks can easily make a push for a playoff spot next season with this starting five. Anthony Davis is under contract until 2028 and Klay Thompson is under contract until 2027. P.J. Washington enters a contract year at power forward. Jaden Hardy, Max Christie, Daniel Gafford, and Dereck Lively II are quality bench players. The Dallas Mavericks need to avoid the injury bug in if they want to recapture the magic they had in 2023-2024 when the Dallas Mavericks won the 2024 Western Conference Finals before losing to the Boston Celtics in the 2024 NBA Finals.
   
   
   
   The 6-7 221 lb Cooper Flagg was the number one recruit in the 2024 High School Basketball class originally as the top player in the 2025 High School Basketball class before reclassifying. Thanks to reclassifying, Cooper Flagg was able to enroll at Duke a year early.
   
   
   
   Cooper Flagg had 20.5 points per game, 10 rebounds per game, 6.2 assists per game, 3.7 steals per game, and 3.7 blocks per game as a true freshman in High School where he was named the Maine Gatorade Player Of The Year as a Freshman in 2020. He led Nokomis Regional High School to a Class A State championship scoring 22 points and 16 rebounds during his sophomore season in 2021. Cooper Flagg had 25.5 points per game, 13 rebounds per game, 6.9 blocks per game, 5.7 assists per game, 1.4 steals per game at the nike EYBL Peach Jam Event where he had 38 points, 16 rebounds, and 12 blocks in one game before having a triple double in another game. Cooper Flagg moved to Florida before his junior season where he enrolled at Montverde Academy, one of the power house High Schools for Basketball in 2022. Cooper Flagg had 16.5 points per game, 7.5 rebounds per game, 3.8 assists per game, 2.7 blocks per game on a 33-0 Montverde Academy team that was the best team in High School Basketball as Cooper Flagg won Gatorade National Player Of The Year and Naismith Player Of The Year in the same season as a High School senior in 2023-2024.
   
   
   
   Cooper Flagg was the first teenager and first collegian since 2013 to qualifty for the 2024 USA Men's Basketball Team at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. Cooper Flagg has short range, medium range, long range, passing, defending, rebounding, shot blocking, stealing, versatility, basketball IQ to dominate offensively and high point the basketball on defense whether it be by blocking, rebounding, or stealing. Cooper Flagg can defend the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, the 3 at small forward, the 4 at power forward, and the 5 at center. His player comparisons on offense were Scottie Pippen and Larry Bird while his player comparison for his defense is Andrei Kirilinko during his playing time in High School.
   
   
   
   He's a pretty complete prospect, but the drawback is he's not seen an elite iso-scorer yet despite checking every box in terms of offensive or defensive traits. He's Duke's best player since Zion Willamson in 2019. Honestly, I think he's better than Zion Williamson. This is the player I'm locked in on at one. The only question is which NBA team will end up with Cooper Flagg. Cooper Flagg played power forward at Duke, but has the body and size of an NBA small forward. Cooper Flagg is a combo forward with the versatility to play both small forward and power forward with the ability to shoot like a guard as well as the ability defend like a big at center.
   
   
   
   Cooper Flagg had 19.2 points per game, 7.5 rebounds per game, 4.2 assists per game, 1.4 blocks per game, 1.4 steals per game, a 48.1 % field goal percentage, a 38.5% three point percentage, and a 84% free throw percentage as a freshman at Duke in 2024-2025. Cooper Flagg took Duke to the 2025 Men's Final 4 with Duke entering the NCAA Tournament as ACC Champions as well as the number two team in the country where Duke blew a massive lead to Houston in the final 5 minutes.
   
   
   
   Cooper Flagg led Duke in points, assists, rebounds, steals, and blocks as a true freshman. Cooper Flagg can hit shots from short range, medium range, and long range. He can pass at a high level. He steals the basketball. He rebounds and defends like a big despite being a combo forward. I would argue Cooper Flagg not Travis Hunter is the most complete prospect out of the entire field of pro prospects in the 2025 NFL, NHL, NBA, MLB, MLS, and WNBA Drafts since Flagg led Duke in five different categories as a true freshman. That would be my arguement for Flagg over Hunter. Cooper Flagg has a chance to be a special player in the NBA down the road, but the bigger question is can he fill the void Luka Doncic left right out the gate as a rookie.
   
   
   
2. San Antonio Spurs: Dylan Harper, PG, Rutgers A+ Grade
   
   
   The San Antonio Spurs jumped 6 spots from 8 to 2 following the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery. Greg Popovich retired and stepped down as the San Antonio Spurs head coach due to health issues, but will be the President of the San Antonio Spurs. Mitch Johnson who joined the San Antonio Spurs in 2016 as an assistant to Greg Popovich is the new head coach. The Dallas Mavericks aren't the only NBA team in Texas trying to get a new arena as San Antonio released renderings for a new downtown arena in a project known as Project Marvel which whill include a new Spurs Arena, expansions of the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, renovations to modernize the Alamo Dome, and a and bridge over interstate 37.
   
   
   
   San Antonio has DeAaron Fox at point guard replacing Chris Paul as Fox is expected to get a long-term extension after the Spurs traded for the fifth pick in the 2017 NBA Draft drafted by the Sacramento Kings. Devin Vassell the San Anotnio Spurs 2020 first round pick out of Florida State remains the starting shooting guard. Harrison Barnes started all 82 games for the second year in a row with Barnes entering the final year of his contract as the starting small forward. Jeremy Sochan, San Antonio's 2022 first round pick is the starting power forward, and Victor Wembanyama the first pick in the 2023 NBA Draft is the starting center. San Antonio has Tre Jones, their 2020 second round pick as their backup point guard in a contract year like Chris Paul with both Jones and Paul set to be UFA's. Connecticut combo guard Stephon Castle, was the San Antonio Spurs 2024 first round pick playing as a backup shooting guard to Devin Vassell and got to start 47 games. Keldon Johnson, the San Antonio Spurs 2019 first round pick still averaged over 12 points per game even in a bench role where he was a backup after averaging 19.9 points per game two years ago. Julian Champaigne is your backup power forward. San Antonio does not have a backup center to Victor Wembanyama at the moment which is somewhat problematic with both De'Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama suffering season ending injuries last year.
   
   
   
   There's three superstar players that can average 20 points a game in this starting lineup in De'Aaron Fox, Devin Vassell, and Victor Wembanyama whose going to be the face of this team for the next two decades after posting 21.4 points per game in 71 starts as the number one pick in the 2023 NBA Draft unless his injuries continue in the coming years. San Antonio could draft that fourth star player with this second overall pick while also having the flexibility to ease that player into the lineup rather than rushing that player to start right out of the gate.
   
   
   
   There are also rumors that the San Antonio Spurs could trade this pick for Milwaukee Bucks power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo the Milwaukee Bucks 2013 first round pick that won 2021 NBA Finals MVP. A starting lineup with De'Aaron Fox, Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Victor Wembanyama would be a matchup nightmare for NBA teams in the post Popovich era. I do not see San Antonio trading out of 2 unless they get Giannis, whose now 30 with a player option for 2026 before he becomes a UFA in 2027. Regardless of whether the San Antonio Spurs keep or trade this pick, Rutgers combo guard Dylan Harper is nearly a lock to go second overall behind Cooper Flagg as Dylan Harper has the versatility to play both guard roles. Dylan Harper would start out as the backup point guard to DeAaron Fox if Devin Vassell remains on the San Antonio Spurs with Stephon Castle remaining the backup shooting guard with two different combo guards as your backup guards.
   
   
   
   There is also a trade rumor that the San Antonio Spurs could trade the fourteenth pick, Devin Vassell, and Harrison Barnes to Phoenix for small forward Kevin Durant. Executing this trade gives San Antonio a starting five with De'Aaron Fox at point guard, Dylan Harper at shooting guard, Kevin Durant at small forward, Jeremy Sochan at power forward, and Victor Wembanyama at center.
   
   
   
   At the end of the day, I believe the San Antonio Spurs stay at 2. Giannis is still a top 5 player in the league, but he's now 30. Giannis will probably get one more pay day and can opt out of his contract if he is unhappy with the team he gets traded to. There is also the possibility that Giannis declines at some point in his thirties after his next payday, but Giannis still has a couple of prime seasons left. Basically, what I'm trying to say is the juice is not worth the squeeze for San Antonio to trade away the second pick in the 2025 NBA Draft for Giannis, especially if Dylan Harper ends up becoming a better player than Cooper Flagg like some believe he can.
   
   
   
   The 6-4 213 lb Dylan Harper is a combo guard who averaged 23 points per game in 2023-2024. He played point guard in High School, but has the body, size, and shooting of a pure 2 at the shooting guard making Dylan Harper a combo guard. Dylan Harper had 19.4 points per game, 4.6 rebounds per game, 4 assists per game, 1.4 steals per game, a 48.4% field goal percentage, a 33.3% three point percentage, and a 75% free throw percentage during his lone season at Rutgers in 2024-2025.
   
   
   
   Dylan Harper has the short range, medium range, long range, passing, court vision, can defend the 1 at point guard or the 2 at shooting guard. Dylan Harper edged out Cooper Flagg by 1 inch 36.5 to 35.5 for the best vertical jump between those two at the 2025 NBA Combine
   
   
   
   Dylan Harper is the son of Maria Harper and former NBA player Ron Harper who won five titles with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers. He's also the younger brother of former Rutgers standout Ron Harper Jr. Dylan Harper was the Gatorade High School Player Of The Year in New Jersey last year.
   
   
   
   Dylan Harper gives the San Antonio Spurs a point guard with a similar skill set to Detroit Pistons point guard Cade Cunningham. He plays shooting guard like James Harden. Having a combo guard with the playmaking of Cunningham and shooting of Harden is very lethal. Also, San Antonio would have the luxury to ease Harper into the lineup like the Orlando Magic had during Penny Hardaway's rookie season.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Philadelphia 76ers: V.J. Edgecombe, SG, Baylor A+ Grade
   
   
   The Philadelphia 76ers moved up from 5 to 3 after winning the third lottery drawing in the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery. Philadelphia also plans on building a new basketball arena. It is very ironic that each of the first three lottery draws went to teams trying to get new NBA arenas.
   
   
   
   Philadelphia has Tyrese Maxey their 2020 first round pick at point guard, Quentin Grimes, an RFA at shooting guard, Kelly Oubre Jr. at small forward in a contract year, Paul George at power forward, and Joel Embiid the Philadlephia 76ers 2014 first round pick at center. Jared McCain, Philadelphia's 2024 first round pick out of Duke showed progress as a rookie too. Everyone in this starting five averaged over 10 points per game, but nobody on the Philadelphia 76ers entire roster of players that averaged over 10 points per game started 60 games last year. Injuries were a huge reason why Philadelphia finished in the bottom five.
   
   
   
   Philadelphia has narrowed the third pick down to 4 players looking at Rutgers shooting guard Airious Bailey, Baylor shooting guard/small forward V.J. Edgecomb, Duke shooting guard Kon Knueppel, and Texas shooting guard Tre Johnson. I cannot see Philadelphia taking Kon Knueppel or Tre Johnson at 3 even though both of those players are still longshots to be drafted by Philadelphia.
   
   
   
   This selection is going to come down to whether Philadelphia 76ers General Manager Darryl Morrey likes Airious Bailey or V.J. Edgecombe more since both players have the versatility to play both shooting guard as well as small forward. Either guy would push Kelly Oubre Jr. for the starting small forward job as Kelly Oubre Jr. gets traded at the 2026 NBA Trade Deadline if Kelly Oubre Jr. doesn't use his player option to opt out of Philadelphia this offseason. If Kelly Oubre Jr. does opt out of his player option, then the rookie Philadelphia drafts at 3 is a day 1 starter. Airious Bailey was my number two player in the Fall behind Cooper Flagg, ahead of Dylan Harper but he's dropped to 3 with Harper moving ahead of him. V.J. Edgecombe was my fourth best player in the preseason and managed to live up to the top 5 hype. Airious "Ace" Bailey did not interview with teams leading up to the 2025 NBA Draft despite having a strong family background.
   
   
   
   The 6-4 193 lb V.J. Edgecombe had 15.5 points per game, 5 rebounds per game, 2.3 assists per game, and 2.2 steals per game as a junior in 2022-2023. V.J. Edgecombe had 17.3 points per game, 6 rebounds per game, 4 assists per game, and 2.3 steals per game in 2023-2024. V.J. Edgecombe was the New York Gatorade Player Of The Year during both his junior and senior seasons. V.J. Edgecombe chose Baylor over Duke and Kentucky. V.J. Edgecombe had 15 points per game, 5.6 rebounds per game, 3.2 assists per game, 2.1 steals per game, a 43.6% field goal percentage, a 34% three point perentage, and a 78.2% free throw percentage in 2024-2025.
   
   
   
   V.J. Edgecombe has the short range, medium range, and long range shooting you want. He's was a good passer, but not a great passer in High School. He took his passing to another level at Baylor with people callign V.J. Edgecomb a playmaker on offense. he can defend against the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, and the 3 at small forward in short range, medium range, and long range. He will struggle against bigger players that play the 4 and the 5, but coaches won't match Edgecombe up against those players despite his size.
   
   
   
   V.J. Edgecombe's floor was a top 8 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and his ceiling was a top 4 pick coming out of High School. His floor is now a top 4 pick and his ceiling is a top 3 selection if Philadelphia chooses V.J. Edgecombe at 3, which the Philadelphia 76ers did as V.J. Edgecombe can play either shooting guard or small forward with Edgecombe being a regular starter by next year or the 2025 NBA Trade Deadline if Philadelphia keeps their starting five from last year in tact while easing in V.J. Edgecombe. His floor for a player comparsion is Houston Rockets shooting guard Jalen Green and his ceiling is Miami Heat shooting guard Dwayne Wade. The most realistic player comparison I've seen is shooting guard Victor Oladipo.
   
   
   
4. Charlotte Hornets: Kon Knueppel, SG, Duke B+ Grade
   
   
   The Charlotte Hornets won the fourth and final 2025 NBA Lottery Draw. Charlotte was a bottom three team tied with Utah and Washington for best NBA Lottery odds at the number one pick, so they move down one spot. Despite this, Charlotte still has a lottery pick as Charlotte fell from 3 to 4.
   
   
   
   The Charlotte Hornets have LaMelo Ball their 2020 first round pick at point guard, Brandon Miller their second overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft at small forward, and Miles Bridges their 2018 first round pick at power forward. Grant Williams played fewer games this season versus last season making him expendable at power forward. Outside of Brandon Miller, nobody else in this starting five started more than 22 games with LaMelo Ball, Grant Williams, and Mark Williams all starting 22 or fewer games with Grant Williams only starting 19 games despite these guys all having high point totals in 2023-2024. Brandon Miller was injured in his sophomore season. Charlotte needed to draft a shooting guard to comlete their starting five, but chose Tidjane Salaun sixth overall in the 2024 NBA Draft.
   
   
   
   The 6-5 219 lb Kon Knueppel had 25.9 points per game, 8.6 rebounds per game, 5.3 assists per game, shot 59.4% field goal percentage, a 84.9% free throw percentage, and a 39.5% three point percentage. Kon Knueppel won Wisconsin Gatorade Player Of The Year and led Wisconsin Luthera to a 30-0 record and a state title. He also recored 11 points, 11 assists,a nd 5 boards in the State Championship Game in the state of Wisconsin in 2023-2024. Kon Knueppel had 14.4 points per game, 4 rebounds per game, 2.7 assists per game, a 47.9% field goal percentage, a 40.6% three point percentage, and a 91.4% free throw percentage as a freshman in 2024-2025.
   
   
   
   Kon Knueppel can make shots from short range, medium range, and long range. He passes well. Kon Knueppel can defend the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooitng guard, or the 3 at small forward.
   
   
   
   Charlotte took my third best shooting guard. I had Airious "Ace" Bailey and Texas shooting guard Tre Johnson graded higher, but Charlotte might know something about Kon Knueppel that the public doesn't.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Utah Jazz: Airious Bailey, SG, Rutgers A+ Grade
   
   
   Utah had the worst NBA record this past season. Utah fell from 1 to 5 in the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery and picks fifth in the 2025 NBA Draft.
   
   
   
   The Utah Jazz have Collin Sexton at point guard, Keyonte George their 2023 first round pick drafted fourteenth overall at shooting guard, Lauri Markannen is a viable small forward, John Collins at power forward, and Walker Kessler at center with Kessler finally breaking out this past season after a rough rookie and sophomore campaign. The Utah Jazz extended their one potential UFA Lauri Markkanen whose now locked up until 2029 with Clarkson, Sexton, and Collins being UFA's in 2026.
   
   
   
   The 6-7 203 lb Airious "Ace" Bailey had the versatility to play all five positions including the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, the 3 at small forward, the 4 at power forward, and the 5 at center coming out of High School. Airious "Ace" Bailey mainly plays shooting guard and small forward in either of those roles on the wing. Airious "Ace" Bailey had 33.4 points per game, 15.5 rebounds per game, 3.9 assists per game, and 2.1 blocks per game on a 26-6 McEachen High School team in 2023-2024. He was the Georgia Gatorade Player Of The Year last year. Airious "Ace" Bailey had 17.6 points per game, 7.2 rebounds per game, 1.3 assists per game, 1.3 blocks per game, 1 steal per game, a 46% field goal percentage, a 34.6% three point percentage, and a 69.2% free throw percentage in his lone season at Rutgers in 2024-2025.
   
   
   
   Airious "Ace" Bailey has a lot of family ties to basketball as well. His father played college basketball at Houston, his mother played college basketball at West Virginia, and his aunt Venus played in the WNBA and was a member of Team USA's 1996 Olympic Women's Team that won a gold medal. Airious "Ace" Bailey had 12 schools looking at him, but ultimately went with Rutgers.
   
   
   
   Airious "Ace" Bailey can defend the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, the 3 at small forward, the 4 at power forward, and the 5 at center. His medium range shot is money as he made a ton of medium range shots in High School continuing to make those medium range shots at Rutgers even when double teamed by two defenders. He made a short range shot while triple teammed at Rutgers. He can make shots from long range. He can dunk from short range.
   
   
   
   His shot selection from short range and long range does need to improve, but he averaged more points per game than Cooper Flagg coming out of High School which is encouraging. He can make short range and long range shots, but he doesn't make those shots as consistently as his medium range shots. His handle needs improvement and he reacts too quickly when defenders apply rim pressure in short range situations. He also took too many contested shots and needs refinement as a short range and long range shooter as this was his biggest weakness entering college. His decision making is an area of improvement, but his decision making got much better as the season progressed. He's also going to want to hit the weight room and add some muscle too. His work ethic is through the roof as he and his Rutgers teammate Dylan Harper trained with Milwaukee Bucks power forward Giannis Anteokounmpo two days ago on the final day of September back in 2024.
   
   
   
   Airious "Ace" Bailey's natural two positions are shooting guard and small forward. Ace Bailey can play all five positions, but the 2 and the 3 are his best positions. Ace Bailey can play point guard, but if Utah drafts a point guard with their next pick then Bailey will probably play shooting guard on the Utah Jazz.
   
   
   
6. Washington Wizards: Tre Johnson, SG, Texas A+ Grade
   
   
   The Washington Wizards fell from 2 to 6 after failing to win a lottery spot in the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery. Washington missed out on some of the star players in the lottery picks, but might be able to land a quality starter in the 2025 NBA Draft.
   
   
   
   Washington currently has Bub Carrington their second 2024 first round pick at point guard, C.J. McCollum at shooting guard, Khris Middleton at small forward, Kelly Olynyk at power forward, and Alexandre Sarr the Washington Wizards 2024 first round pick drafted second overall at center. This starting five is okay, but a couple of upgrades are needed if Washington wants to be playing past April. Washington drafted Tre Johnson, who might start out as a sixth man, but should be the starting shooting guard by 2026, perhaps eralier if C.J. McCollum gets moved at the 2026 NBA Trade Deadline.
   
   
   
   Tre Johnson was one of the most consistent shooting guards in High School. Tre Johnson had three consecutive seasons where he scored 20 or more points in High School.
   
   
   
   The 6-6 190 lb Tre Johnson had 23.8 points per game, 5.6 rebounds per game, and 2.3 assists per game as a sophomore in 2021-2022. Tre Johnson averaged 23 points per game and had 29 points in the state Championship in his junior season leading Lake Highlands to their first state championship in Texas since 1968 in 2022-2023. Tre Johnson had 21.8 points per game, 6.4 rebounds per game, and 2.7 assists per game while being named Texas Mr. Basketball which goes to the top Texas High School basketball player as the Texas Associaton of Basketball Coaches decide who win this award in 2023-2024. Tre Johnson had 19.9 points per game, 3.1 rebounds per game, 2.7 asssists per game, a 42.7% field goal percentage, a 39.7% three point percentage, and a 87.1% free throw percentage as a freshman at Texas in 2024-2025.
   
   
   
   Tre Johnson has the shooting to make short range, medium range, or long range shots. Tre Johnson hits over 40 percent of his three point shots and 90 percent of his free throw shots. He's not uber athletic, but he's such a consistent shooter that he's drawn comparisons to former Detroit Pistons shooting guard Rip Hamilton from the Detroit Pistons 2004 NBA Finals team. There are questions about Tre Johnson defensively, but I thought he was effective defensively.
   
   
   
   
   
7. New Orleans Pelicans: Jeremiah Fears, PG, Oklahoma C+ Grade
   
   
   The New Orleans Pelicans dropped from 4 to 7 following the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery. New Orleans was a team that underachieved last season.
   
   
   
   The New Orleans Pelicans have Dejounte Murray at point guard, Jordan Poole at shooting guard, Trey Murphy III a 2021 first round pick at small forward, Zion Williamson the New Orleans Pelicans first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft at power forward, and Yves Missi, their 2024 first round pick at center. Jose Alvarado is the backup point guard, Jordan Hawkins is the backup point guard, , Brandon Boston Jr. is another shooting guard for depth that averaged over 10 points per game, and Herb Jones is the backup small forward.
   
   
   
   New Orleans drafts Jeremiah Fears as a backup point guard to Dejounte Murray. Jeremiah Fears needs to improve his three point shooting and defense, and if he gets eased in, this could work.
   
   
   
   The 6-2 179 lb Jeremiah Fears had 17.1 points per game, 4.1 rebounds per game, 4.1 assists per game, and 1.6 steals per game, a 43.4% field goal percentage, a 28.4% three point percentage, and an 85.1% free throw percentage as a freshman in 2024-2025.
   
   
   
   Jeremiah Fears has the short range and medium range you want. He needs to improve his three point shooting and defense despite being the consensus second best point guard in the 2025 NBA Draft.
   
   
   
8. Brooklyn Nets: Egor Demin, SG, BYU A Grade
   
   
   Brooklyn moved down 2 spots from 6 to 8 in the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery. I felt like Brooklyn lacked a starting five at the beginning of the season. Now that may not be the case.
   
   
   
   Brooklyn has Keon Johnson at point guard, Cameron Thomas whose an RFA at shooting guard, Ziare Williams at small forward whose an RFA, Cameron Johnson at power forward, and Nic Claxton at center. Everyone in this starting five averaged 10 points per game and is back. Brooklyn got hit hard with injuries.
   
   
   
   Keon Johnson is more of a shooting guard than a point guard, but showed versatility to play both guard spots as Johnson enters a contract year. Cameron Thomas and Ziare Williams are both RFA's. Brooklyn might take one player at every position with five of their first round picks, but packaging those picks to trade up is also a possibility. I can also see a power forward getting picked with that final first round pick since Cameron Johnson is more of a small forward than a power forward with both Cameron Johnson and Noah Clowney set to be UFA's in 2027.
   
   
   
   The 6-8 199 lb Egor Demin had 16 points per game, 8.2 rebounds per game, 3.8 assists per game, and 1.6 steals per game on Real Madrid in 2023-2024. Egor Demin had 10.6 points per game, 5.5 assists per game, 3.9 rebounds per game, a 41.2% field goal percentage, a 27.3% three point percentage, and a 69.5% free throw percentage as a fresman at BYU in 2024-2025.
   
   
   
   Egor Demin was a preseason top 10 pick, but he fell to the back half of the first round in this mock draft. He did get a green room invite to the 2025 NBA Draft.
   
   
   
   Egor Demin can shoot from short range, medium range, and long range. He has the passing, ability to defend the 1 at point guard or the ability to defend the 2 at shooting guard. Egor Demin gives Brooklyn an ideal combo guard that can contribute off the bench until he's ready to start. The only weakness in Egor Demin's game was his long-range and three point shooting which was a weakness at Real Madrid, but Egor Demin began to show flashes of fixing that after his freshman season at BYU which is why I'm not that concerned about his weakness.
   
   
   
   
   
9. Toronto Raptors: Collin Murray-Boyles, PF, South Carolina C- Grade
   
   
   Toronto fell from 7 to 9 following the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery. Toronto still has a top 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
   
   
   
   Toronto is gonna roll with Immanuel Quickley at point guard, Gradey Dick thier 2023 first round pick at shooting guard, RJ Barrett at small forward, Scottie Barnes their 2021 first round pick at power forward, and Jakob Poeltl at center. This starting five is okay, but not great. Toronto did trade for Brandon Ingram and everyone in this starting five averaged over 14 points per game, so I'm not sure if Ingram starts or used as a sixth man. Ochai Agbaji got traded to Toronto and did well as a backup shooting guard.
   
   
   
   The 6-6 239 lb Collin Murray-Boyles had 10.4 points per game, 5.7 rebounds per game, 1.8 assists per game, a 59.7 field goal percentage, a 66.7% free throw percentage, and a 0% three point percentage as a freshman in 2023-2024. Collin Murray-Boyles had 16.8 points per game, 8.3 rebounds per game, 2.4 assists per game, 1.5 steals per game, 1.3 blocks per game, a 58.6% field goal percentage, a 26.5% three point percentage, and a 70.7% free throw percentage as a sophomore in 2024-2025.
   
   
   
   Collin Murray-Boyles is a decent short range and medium range shooter. His inability to hit long-range shots makes him a bench player when he gets to the NBA. He's talented enough to go in the late first round, but the top 10 hype he's gotten is unwarranted.
   
   
   
   Toronto reached here. No matter how good Collin Murray-Boyles is, he's not going to outperform Scottie Barnes.
   
   
   
10. Phoenix Suns: Khaman Maulach, C, Duke A Grade
    
    
    Phoenix only fell one spot from 9 to 10 in the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery. The Houston Rockets owned the Phoenix Suns 2025 first round pick, but Phoenix traded Kevin Durant to Houston to get this pick back.
    
    
    
    The Phoenix Suns have Devin Booker their 2015 first round pick that started out at shooting guard now at point guard, Jalen Green is their shooting guard, Bradley Beal moves to small forward, and small forward Dillon Brooks moves to power forward, and Mark Williams, the Charlotte Hornets 2022 first round pick was traded to the Phoenix Suns for pick 29 during the 2025 NBA Draft.
    
    
    
    The 7-0 252 lb Khaman Maluach lost 18 lbs to get down to 232 lbs. He had 25 points, 17 rebounds, and 2 blocks in on game on film. He's kind of raw as he's only played in 18 games while starting 7 in Africa, but NBA traits are there on tape in spades while he accepted an NCAA scholarship to Duke.
    
    
    
    Khaman Maluach was born in South Sudan. Former NBA player Loul Deng has been personally mentoring him in Senegal before he joined NBA Academy Africa where basketball is combined with education.
    
    
    
    His floor is Hasheem Thabeet and his ceiling is Dikembe Mutombo making him arguably the biggest boom or bust prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft. Rip to Dikembe Mutombo the former four time NBA Defensive Player Of The Year, who passed away on Monday morning as I began this 2025 NBA Mock Draft. With Luol Deng mentoring him and Duke giving him a basketball scholarship, I'd say he's closer to Mutombo than Thabeet depsite how raw he is, but he is very raw with 18 games played and 11 starts. He will need a ton of coaching at Duke to become a player who defends like Mutombo consistently despite having 17.5 points per game and 13.5 rebounds per game in 6 games where he started 5 this season in 2023-2024. Khaman Maluach had 8.6 points per game, 6. rebounds per game, 0.5 assists per game, 1.3 blocks per game, a 71.2% field goal percentage, a 25% three point percentage, and a 76.6% free throw percentage at Duke in 2024-2025.
    
    
    
    He's got the short range, medium range, and long range you want in a center. Khaman Maluach can defend the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, the 3 at small forward, the 4 at power forward, and the 5 at center. I've seen the shooting and passing I want from an NBA center even though his three point percentage needs to be above .250 once he gets to the NBA despite making three point shots consistently. Khaman Maluach can learn under Mark Williams without being rushed.
    
    
    
    
    
11. Memphis Grizzlies: Cedric Coward, SG, Washington State C- Grade
    
    
    The Portland Trail Blazers fell one spot from 10 to 11 in the 2025 NBA Draft. Portland did better than I expected, but still fell short of a playoff appearance like I projected. Portland traded this pick to the Memphis Grizzlies for pick 16 which is the Orlando Magic's original 2025 first round pick, a 2028 first round pick from the Orlando Magic, and two second round picks.
    
    
    
    Memphis has Ja Morant their 2019 first round pick drafted second overall at point guard, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope at shooting guard, Jaylen Wells their 2024 second round pick is the starting small forward, Jaren Jackson Jr. their 2018 first round pick drafted fourth overall at power forward in a contract year, and Zach Edey their 2024 first round pick at center. Scotty Pippen Jr. is the backup guard at both guard spots, Santi Aldama is the backup small forward, GG Jackson the Memphis Grizzlies 2023 second round pick is the backup power forward.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 214 lb Cedric Coward had 17.7 points per game, 7 rebounds per game, 3.7 assists per game, 1.7 blocks per game, a 55.7% field goal percentage, a 40% three point percentage, and a 83.9% free throw percentage as a senior at Washington State in 6 games before a season ending injury. Most have a first round grade on Cedric Coward, but I can see him slipping to the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft with his medical concerns.
    
    
    
    Cedric Coward can shoot from short range, medium range, or long range. He can pass like a point guard as he's considered a playmaker. Cedric Coward can defend the 1 at point guard the 2 at shooting guard, the 3 at small forward, and the 4 at power forward. Cedric Coward has a first round grade for a reason and if wasn't for his injury, I'd probably have him going much higher than where I have him projected.
    
    
    
    Memphis believes Cedric Coward is Washington State's best shooting guard since Klay Thompson despite the injuries. That's why they gave up a lot to get him.
    
    
    
12. Chicago Bulls: Noah Essengue, SF, Ratiopharm Ulm B- Grade
    
    
    Chicago stayed at 12 in the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery. Chicago ended up picking where they were expected to in the 2025 NBA Draft.
    
    
    
    Chicago has Coby White their 2019 first round pick at point guard, Josh Giddey at shooting guard is an RFA, Matas Buzelis their 2024 first round pick at small forward, P.J. Williams their 2020 first round pick at power forward, and Nikola Vucevic at center. Chicago's starting five isn't bad, but neither P.J. Williams or Matas Buzelis had over 10 points per game. White, Giddey, and Vucevic all managed to record over 10 points per game. Buzelis at least showed promise as a rookie while P.J. Williams had his worst season in the NBA after securing the bag following a promsing start to his career when the Chicago Bulls had him on a rookie deal. Depth is still needed at both forward spots where Buzelis and Williams played.
    
    
    
    The 6-8 194 lb Noah Essengue had 11.3 points per game, 10.7 rebounds per game, 2.7 blocks per game, and 1.3 steals per game in 2023-2024. Noah Essengue had 11.1 points per game, 5.1 rebounds per game, 1.2 assists per game, a 52% field goal percentage, a 27.9% three point percentage, and a 71.4% free throw percentage in 2024-2025.
    
    
    
    Noah Essengue can hit shots from short range or medium range. He defends well against the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, the 3 at small forward, and the 4 at power forward. Noah Essengue is not a very good three point shooter and he skipped the 2025 NBA Combine which is why he fell to 15 in this mock despite being a consensus lottery pick.
    
    
    
    He likes to play video games and watch anime in his free time. He's the second youngest player behind Cooper Flagg in the 2025 NBA Draft.
    
    
    
    
    
13. New Orleans Pelicans: Derik Queen, C, Maryland A Grade
    
    
    The Sacramento Kings were expected to pick thirteenth overall in the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery. They did, but the Atlanta Hawks now own their 2025 first round pick. Atlanta traded this pick to New Orleans for pick 23 and a 2026 first round pick which will either be the Pelicans first round pick or the Milwaukee Bucks 2026 first round pick which the New Orleans Pelicans also own. Whichever pick is the higher draft pick between those two will go to the Atlanta Hawks.
    
    
    
    The 6-9 247 lb Derik Queen had 16.5 points per game, 9 rebounds per game, 1.9 assists per game, 1.1 blocks per game, 1.1 steals per game, a 52.6% field goal percentage, a 20% three point percentage, and a 76.6% free throw percentage as a freshman in 2024-2025.
    
    
    
    Derik Queen can shoot from short range, medium range, and long range. He does have trouble defending and had the slowest time in a drill at the NBA Combine since 2022.
    
    
    
14. San Antonio Spurs: Carter Bryant, SF, Arizona B Grade
    
    
    The Atlanta Hawks got the fourteenth pick in the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery. The San Antonio Spurs own their 2025 first round pick as this is the final of the 14 lottery picks in the 2025 NBA Draft.
    
    
    
    San Antonio is looking at three different players at 14. Noa Essengue an International small forward on Ratiopharm Ulm, Carter Bryant the Arizona small forward that played off the bench, and Rasheer Flemming a power forward on Saint Joseph's. Noah Essengue is not a good three point shooter, but the Chicago Bulls took him at 12. Carter Bryant was a bench player even though you can argue his traits are better than Noah Essengue. Rasheer Flemming isn't just the best three point shooter, he's also well as the best defender of these three. He also fills the biggest need with San Antonio's lone remaining needs being depth at power forward and depth at center.
    
    
    
    I would have taken Flemming, but it was pretty clear Bryant was ahead of Flemming on the Spurs board. Whether Flemming was ahead of Noa Essengue who went twelfth overall to the Chicago Bulls and is from France like Victor Wembanyama is a question we will never know the answer to.
    
    
    
    The 6-6 214 lb Carter Bryant had 6.5 points per gmae, 4.1 rebounds per game, 1 assist per game, 1 steal per game, a 46% field goal percentage, a 37.1% three point percentage,a nd a 69.5% free throw percentage as a freshman in 2024-2025. Carter Bryant's 36.5 inch vertical at the 2025 NBA Combine was the second best among players at the 2025 NBA Combine.
    
    
    
    Carter Bryant can shoot from short range, medium range, or long range despite playing mostly off the bench as a freshman. Carter Bryant can defend against the 1 at point guard, the 2 at shooting guard, the 3 at small forward, and the 4 at power forward.
    
    
    
    
    
15. Oklahoma City Thunder: Thomas Sorber, C, Georgetown A Grade
    
    
    The Miami Heat got the fifteenth pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. They were picking at 15, but traded this first round pick to the 2025 NBA Champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder.
    
    
    
    Oklahoma City has Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at point guard, Alex Caruso at shooting guard in a contract year, Jalen Williams their second 2022 first round pick in the lottery at small forward, Chet Holmgren who was drafted second overall in the 2022 NBA Draft at power forward, and Isaiah Hartenstein at center. All five of these starters averaged over 10 points per game and all 5 starters are back. Luguentz Dort started most of the season at shooting guard when Alex Caruso was injured. Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe both contributed off the bench at shooting guard. Cason Wallace your 2023 first round pick and Nikola Topic your 2024 first round pick are both backup point guards to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
    
    
    
    Oklahoma City could use depth at small forward, power forward, and center. The Oklahoma City Thunder should end up adding depth at all three of these spots since they have three total picks. Right now, the early speculation is that the Oklahoma City Thunder will draft the best small forward on the board at 15 in a depth role as the backup to Jalen Williams.
    
    
    
    Oklahoma City gets a center for depth. Georgtown center Thomas Sorber is the top center on the board.
    
    
    
    The 6-9 262 lb Thomas Sorber had 14.5 points per game, 8.5 rebounds per game, 2.4 assists per game, a 53.2% field goal percentage, a 16.2% three point percentage, and a 72.4% free throw percentage as a freshman in 2024-2025. Thomas Sorber struggled in one on ones against Creighton center Ryan Kalkbrenner. He also lacks the athleticism to play the 4 at power forward in the NBA, so he will have to play the 5 at center despite being undersized.
    
    
    
    Thomas Sorber can shoot shots from short range and medium range. He's a great passer for a center. He struggles defensively and also struggles hitting three point shots.
    
    
    
    I mocked Thomas Sorber to Oklahoma City at 24. He was the consensus third best center behind Khaman Maluach and Derik Queen. Oklahoma City took Thomas Sorber at 15 with Isaiah Hartenstein in a contract year.