It is speculation season, as we all watch to see where Illinois basketball point guard Kasparas Jakucionis will be selected in the 2025 NBA Draft.
While the Illini didn’t end the season the way any of the fanbase wanted it to end, there will be multiple Illinois players selected in the first round of the NBA Draft next Wednesday, June 25.
Kasparas Jakucionis is one of the talented Illini players who has been invited to the draft green room. This is a chance for Jakucionis to get selected by a team that needs him and could use him early on in his career. But where will the point guard land?
Updated 2025 NBA mock draft options for Illinois basketball guard Kasparas Jakucionis
CBS Sports – Pick #8 – Brooklyn Nets
I would argue that out of all the teams Jakucionis wants to avoid, it is the Brooklyn Nets. CBS Sports has the Nets taking the point guard with pick No. 8.
The Nets are a dumpster fire of a franchise. They have made a couple of big moves over the last decade or so, but they can’t seem to get their stuff together. There is no guidance or leadership on that team, and I want Jakucionis to head to a team that has a future. Hopefully, this pick doesn’t come true.
USA Today – Pick #12 – Chicago Bulls
This would be a good landing spot for Jakucionis at pick No. 12. It would be a local move for him, and he would get to team up with former Illini Ayo Dosunmu.
Moreover, the Bulls have a very bright future. They are somewhat of an Oklahoma City Thunder-light. Chicago has a nice young core that can really play ball. Adding more point guard help would be good for the franchise. Getting Jakucionis in there would help elevate an already rising team.
ESPN – Pick #11 – Portland Trail Blazers
At first, I thought this was a confusing option for Jakucionis, but with the way the contracts are laid out, the Portland Trail Blazers do need some more point guard guidance at pick No. 11.
I am not a fan of Jakuionis heading to Portland, though. The Trail Blazers don’t really have direction, so there is no leadership. They do have a lot of expiring contracts after the 2025-26 campaign, though. That gives Jakucionis some starting opportunities in the future. I still hope he doesn’t land in Portland, though.
NBA Draft.net – Pick #13 – Atlanta Hawks
Three out of the four mock drafts make me nervous. Going to the Atlanta Hawks at pick No. 13 would not be ideal because they are a franchise that just can’t find footing.
There is a chance point guard Trae Young ends up leaving Atlanta, as that would open up some playing time, but there is just not a good team around the position. The Hawks will have to improve greatly for me to be comfortable with Jakucionis heading there.