Despite the 2025 NBA Draft being just hours away, there is still major uncertainty regarding many top prospects’ destinations, pick movement, and player movement as the draft board unfolds.
Following an unexpected turn of events, Dallas jumped up 10 spots in the NBA Draft lottery, positioning them to select Cooper Flagg with the No.1 overall pick. Flagg is far and away the most complete prospect in the class, with great feel for the game, versatility, and defensive prowess. The Mavericks are slated to bring in the next face of their franchise for over a decade.
Despite trade speculations with their crowded guard rotation, the Spurs pick the best player available in Dylan Harper. While Flagg has garnered a majority of attention from fans, Harper has a case to be in a similar tier as a prospect. His downfill scoring ability and craftiness allow him to create advantages offensively, and his overall positional size projects to fare well defensively.
Philadelphia is a unique landing spot as they look to compete in a wide-open Eastern Conference. With Ace Bailey canceling multiple workouts, including one with the 76ers, VJ Edgecombe becomes a shoo-in selection. Edgecombe’s athletic profile and defensive pressure will help Philadelphia immediately, and his ability to finish plays and move without the basketball offensively will fit in with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Edgecombe would have the argument to be the best perimeter defender on the 76ers as it currently stands.
With multiple top prospects reportedly declining to workout with Charlotte, Kon Knueppel makes the most sense as a high-floor addition to Hornets team in desperate-need of talent. Knueppel projects to be a seamless offensive fit next to Lamelo Ball with his catch-and-shoot ability as well as being a capable pick-and-roll ball handler and decision maker.
Following a 17-win season, the Utah Jazz are another team in-need of an increase in talent. Selecting Tre Johnson gives Utah the best individual scorer in the draft with big-time upside. Johnson is an elite perimeter shooter both off-the-catch and off-the-dribble, and has shown promise with his pick-and-roll decision making.
While Ace Bailey’s agent and team have seemingly tanked his draft stock, the shot-making forward still has an argument for being a top three player in the class. While Bailey certainly has multiple areas in-need of growth, landing a player of his caliber is a win for Washington.
Following their first-round selection of Yves Missi in 2024, the Pelicans double-up on bigs by selecting Khaman Maluach with the seventh pick in 2025. Maluach provides a unique display of feel for the game and touch for a player who started playing the sport just 5 years ago. His size, athleticism, and timing make him one of the best defensive players in the draft and an elite lob threat. Any additional offensive development would be the cherry on top for New Orleans.
In what would be a no-brainer move with Jeremiah Fears on the board, the Nets select their lead guard of the future. While Fears is a development project, Brooklyn will be a good spot for the talented guard to come into his own. Fears’ ability to get to the rim gives him great offensive potential if his decision-making and scoring consistency can improve.
Noa Essengue has every trait of a Masai Ujiri first-round selection. Essengue’s size, length, and movement ability allow him to be a twitchy disruptor on the defensive end. While he may need to put on weight and work on his off-ball discipline, Essengue could end up being one of the best perimeter defenders in the class. Essengue has promise on offense with great transition finishing and ability to play through contact.
Following the Kevin Durant trade and coaching/regime changes, the Suns have stated that they’re looking to focus on player development going forward. With their void at center remaining unaddressed, Collin Murray-Bowles enters a situation with the potential to impact the team from day one. His defensive potential and versatility could contribute to a much needed improvement on that end of the floor. Ultimately, Murray-Bowles’ offensive development will determine his ceiling in the NBA.
As the Trail Blazers look to make a run for a playoff spot in 2026, Carter Bryant comes in as an ideal role player on a competitive team. His size, frame, and athleticism paired with his defensive instincts project to fit right in with Portland’s defensive identity. Bryant’s shot mechanics give him real promise as a catch-and-shoot threat.
While he hasn’t received as much noise as other prospects at his position, Joan Beringer has all the means to be a starting center for a competitive team down the line. With Nikola Vucevic’s days in Chicago being numbered, Beringer offers a contrast in playstyle and a future replacement. His leaping ability allows him to be a vertical threat on both ends of the floor.
Following the acquisition of Kristaps Porzingis, the Hawks can focus on ball-handling help for Trae Young. Kasparas Jukucionis comes in as arguably the best facilitator in the draft with a good handle and ability to get downhill. His comfortability as a jump-shooter will be a point of emphasis for his improvement at the NBA level, but his ability to take pressure off of Young will be vital for Atlanta.
As the Spurs look to open their window of contention, adding Cedric Coward to a talented draft haul only bolsters their talented roster. Coward has one of the more unique builds in the draft with his 7’ 0 wingspan despite only being 6’5. His great length allows him to rebound well for his size, and his defensive potential is immense. As a 40% three-point shooter, Coward projects to be an impactful role player immediately, and his frame gives him an elite ceiling.
Despite coming off of an NBA Championship, Sam Presti unsurprisingly positioned the Thunder to have another draft with multiple first-round selections. While OKC proved their regular season dominance to be legit with their finals run, there were moments when they were seemingly missing shotmaking and creation. Jase Richardson brings the reigning champs exactly that, with great shooting off the catch/dribble. As Richardson grows as a creator, he’ll take the pressure off of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander by providing spacing and ball-handling for the MVP.
Following the Desmond Bane trade, Memphis will reload their roster with rotational players. Nique Clifford comes in as an NBA-ready do-it-all wing with the potential to start for Memphis early on. Clifford did everything for Colorado State, offering playmaking and catch-and-shoot upside while being a disruptive team defender.
With Naz Reid entering unrestricted free agency, Minnesota reloaded their big-man depth by selecting Rasheer Fleming. While he won’t offer the same offense creation as Reid, Fleming is a great pick-and-pop threat and provides a better defensive profile than Reid. His size and movement ability allow him to play minutes as a small ball center as well as sharing the court with Gobert in spurts.
As talented as Derik Queen is, questions surrounding his defense and condition could negatively impact his draft stock. Washington gets arguably the best player on the board in Queen, and solidifies their front court pairing him with Alex Sarr.
The Nets grab their second guard of the draft in Edgor Demin, coming in as one of the better passers in the class. Demin’s size for a guard allows him to see over the defense and rebound fairly well. As good as Demin sees the game, his scoring leaves a lot to be desired. Ultimately, he has a long way to go to be a complete offensive player, but his feel for the game gives him great upside.
After Walter Clayton’s workouts with Miami reportedly went well, it’s become increasingly likely that the Heat may draft the NCAA National Champion. Clayton adds much-needed guard-play to take some pressure off of Tyler Herro. Bringing in arguably the best shooter in the draft gives Eric Spoelstra another dribble-hand-off option with Bam Adebayo.
Whether John Collins opts into his contract with Utah or tests free agency, the Jazz add a long term replacement in Asa Newell. His athleticism and off-ball movement make him an ideal role player. Newell’s shot mechanics project it to improve at the next level, and his help-side defense could prove to be valuable.
Having yet another first-round pick, the Nets land their center of the future. Thomas Sorber is an excellent value pick at this point in the draft, and it happens to be a position of need for the Nets. Sorber is an extremely instinctive defender and passer, and has potential to be one of the more versatile defensive bigs in the class. His ceiling will be reliant on his improvement as a play-finisher.
In another great value selection, the Pelicans grab two-way wing, Drake Powell. Despite being limited offensively at UNC, Powell proved to be a solid off-ball threat with his cutting and catch-and-shoot ability. The defensive end is his calling card, using his 7’ 0 wingspan to harass ball-handlers and force turnovers.
With their second selection of the first round, the Thunder added yet another defensive wing in Noah Penda. The French forward uses his size and motor to be an effective defender on and off-the-ball. While Penda needs to improve his shot, his instinctive decision making is encouraging for his offensive development.
In addition to the Desmond Bane trade, Orlando adds another perimeter shooter in Liam McNeely. Despite having below average splits at UConn, McNeely has shot the ball well in a majority of his basketball career, and his mechanics support that.
Following the Sorber selection, Danny Wolf is the second big of the draft and their fourth first round selection. While many scouts have questioned how his game will translate, it’s hard to ignore Wolf’s talent. His face-up game, shot making, and creativity make him one of the better offensive bigs in the class. If his defense and catch-and-shoot consistency improve, Wolf could have a long NBA career.
Capping off a first-round haul, the Nets grab one of the best perimeter defenders in the draft. Adou Theiro has arguably the highest motor in the class, allowing him to tirelessly hound opposing ball-handlers. He grades out as a late-round pick with his well below-average jump shot which may hinder his ability to close games in the NBA. Regardless of how his offense develops, Theiro’s unique athleticism and motor will keep him around for a long time.
With Boston parting ways with Kristaps Porzingis and potentially Luka Kornet, serious uncertainty looms over the Celtics’ center rotation. Ryan Kalkbrenner mirrors a lot of what Kornet did with his screen-setting, shot blocking, and ability to defend without fouling. While NBA teams may not view him as a jump-shooter at the next level, Kalkbrenner attempted the occasional top-of-the-key shot at Creighton. At worst, Kalkbrenner projects to be a viable backup in the NBA, if not more.
The Suns address another position of need, selecting the lead guard they’ve been missing over recent seasons. Nolan Traore will be a development project for Phoenix, but sharing the backcourt with Devin Booker will certainly ease him into that role. Similarly to other overseas guards in this class, Traore is an advanced passer with a lot of room to grow as a scorer.
Following a first-round exit, the Clippers fortify their bench with Will Riley. While Riley can be inconsistent with his jumper, he’s proven to be a tough shot-maker in big moments. Riley uses his great size to create scoring advantages, and could develop into a two-way wing.
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