We’re approaching the 2025 NBA Draft, and anticipation is building fast. With plenty of surprises and potential trades on the horizon, rumors are already starting to heat up around the league.
So, what’s the latest buzz? Let’s take a look at the current landscape and dive into some of the key storylines everyone’s keeping an eye on.
Spurs have shown ‘zero interest’ in trading No.2 overall pick
Our batch of updates comes from ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo, via their latest 2025 NBA Mock Draft. Unsurprisingly, Givony projects the San Antonio Spurs to select Rutgers guard Dylan Harper with the second overall pick — and barring a dramatic twist, that selection seems all but locked in.
Harper is all but assured to hear his name called with the No. 2 pick, with rival teams saying the Spurs have shown zero interest in engaging in trade conversations. The franchise is taking a patient approach to building out its roster around Victor Wembanyama, viewing Harper as another cornerstone. Harper has visited the Spurs in San Antonio, and hosted the front office privately, appearing to have considerable enthusiasm for joining the storied franchise as it looks to return to championship contention.
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Harper is currently the overwhelming favorite to go No. 2 overall, sitting at -9000. For comparison, Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe trails far behind at +2500, with Ace Bailey at +3000.
While there were early whispers about the Sixers reaching out to San Antonio, all signs now point to the Spurs staying put and confidently selecting Harper. The bigger question might be how he fits in alongside their current backcourt. With De’Aaron Fox already leading the offense and Stephon Castle emerging as a rising talent, Harper’s addition does raise some fit questions.
That said, the Spurs are clearly taking a “best player available” approach. With Wembanyama as the centerpiece, the front office appears committed to collecting elite talent first, and sorting out the rest later.
Details in VJ Edgecombe’s Sixer Workout
According to Givony and Woo’s latest mock draft, Edgecombe remains the leading candidate to be selected third overall by the Sixers.
Edgecombe appears in pole position to hear his name called at No. 3 because of his unique talent, but also because Ace Bailey’s clear determination to avoid teams in this range puts the 76ers in a difficult position, potentially selecting someone who clearly does not want to play for them.
While sources say Edgecombe appeared nervous during his private workout in Philadelphia and did not shoot the ball particularly well in an unnatural one-on-one setting, he made a strong impression in interviews and meetings, something the front office values more highly.
As for the odds, this is where things start to get interesting. As of now, FanDuel has Edgecombe as the odds-on favorite at -320 to be selected third overall. Ace Bailey sits at +440, while Tre Johnson and Kon Knueppel follow closely at +750 each.
While some Sixers fans may be experiencing Markelle Fultz flashbacks — given his famously underwhelming pre-draft workout — it’s important to keep perspective. One individual session should not dictate a team’s entire evaluation. This appears to be Edgecombe’s first (and possibly only) pre-draft workout, which would naturally be a nerve-wracking experience for any 19-year-old. At the end of the day, he won’t be asked to make jumpers in an empty gym to help the Sixers win games.
The main purpose of these workouts and meetings is to get a sense of the person behind the player. And by all accounts, Edgecombe blew the Sixers away on a personal level, earning praise for his maturity, character, and professionalism. He’s widely regarded as mentally mature beyond his years, which could be a major factor in Philadelphia’s decision-making process. While it’s fair to acknowledge a less-than-stellar workout, it’s important not to overreact. In the eyes of the Sixers, the impression Edgecombe left off the court might matter even more than the shots he missed on it.
Ace Bailey: The ultimate wildcard
Bailey has been one of the biggest names in this draft cycle but not always for the reasons you’d expect. Despite his immense talent and sky-high ceiling, Bailey has yet to participate in a single pre-draft workout with an NBA team, a decision that has left many around the league puzzled.
As outlined by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo, there are a number of key talking points surrounding Bailey heading into Wednesday’s draft:
Bailey, the No. 3 prospect on our big board, is the only U.S. prospect who has yet to visit an NBA team facility, continuing to decline workout invites from Philadelphia, Charlotte and Utah, and seemingly preferring the group of teams ranked outside the top five, specifically Washington, New Orleans and Brooklyn at Nos. 6-7-8. This type of slide could cost him $10-15 million if it happens.
Bailey’s camp states they “feel confident going into the draft process,” which most NBA teams interpret as meaning he has received assurances of being selected by a team considered more advantageous to Bailey in the long term, considering factors such as geography, minutes, role, opportunity and development.
However, this is not an unprecedented situation. Just last year, Alex Sarr appeared to discourage Atlanta from considering him with the No. 1 pick, ultimately dropping to Washington at No. 2 as he had hoped.
Despite the negative publicity this move has generated, rival agents are closely monitoring Bailey’s strategy, recognizing the clear benefits of guiding clients to more favorable situations with an eye on maximizing long-term earning potential. Bailey could potentially recoup the money he loses in his first contract with a much larger second contract, especially if he achieves his very high ceiling as an All-Star-caliber shotmaking wing.
As things currently stand, Bailey is the odds-on favorite to be selected sixth overall by the Washington Wizards, listed at +240. Jeremiah Fears follows at +340, with Tre Johnson close behind at +450. Bailey is also firmly in the mix for the fourth pick, though he’s not the frontrunner there. Kon Knueppel currently leads with +125 odds, while Bailey trails at +320.
This range of outcomes only reinforces Bailey’s status as the ultimate wild card in the draft. His talent is undeniable, but the ambiguity surrounding his availability and intentions has made it difficult for teams to confidently project where he’ll land.
On the other hand, these projections may echo a growing belief around the league: that Bailey prefers to end up somewhere on the East Coast, specifically in the corridor between New York City and Atlanta. If that’s the case, his pre-draft strategy, while unconventional, might be more calculated than chaotic.
With the draft fast approaching, questions still outweigh answers — especially around prospects like Bailey and Edgecombe. Teams are weighing talent against risk, and players are carefully shaping their own narratives. Only one thing is for certain: It’s shaping up to be an unpredictable night.