May 14, 2025; Chicago, Il, USA; Cooper Flagg talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Marriott Marquis Chicago. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn ImagesMay 14, 2025; Chicago, Il, USA; Cooper Flagg talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Marriott Marquis Chicago. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
With the NBA Draft less than 48 hours away and the rumor mill running on overdrive, pivotal decisions loom at every slot on the draft board.
Assuming the draft order is not beset by trades, here is my final 2025 mock draft for each lottery pick:
1. Dallas Mavericks: Cooper Flagg
6-foot-9 | 221 pounds | Forward | Duke | Freshman | 18.5 years old
A no-brainer choice at No. 1, with Dallas winning the sweepstakes for an A-list prospect with franchise-altering qualities. Nico Harrison surrendered one franchise cornerstone for pennies on the dollar only to happen upon his successor less than six months later. A combo forward with ball skills, positional size and boundless versatility, Flagg slots into a menacing front line next to Dereck Lively II and Anthony Davis. With Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington on the outside looking in, the Mavs have ample trade chips to address their areas of need.
2. San Antonio Spurs: Dylan Harper
6-6 | 213 pounds | Guard | Rutgers | Freshman | 19.3 years old
Mar 9, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Dylan Harper (2) runs up court after a basket against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first half at Jersey Mike's Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn ImagesMar 9, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Dylan Harper (2) runs up court after a basket against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first half at Jersey Mike's Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The De'Aaron Fox trade looks wholly superfluous in hindsight. But with a 6.3 percent chance of landing the No. 2 pick, the Spurs stumbling into prime draft position is a luxury to embrace. Despite a logjam in the backcourt, Harper is the best player available and levels up San Antonio's perimeter dynamism to the nth degree. Equipped with the size to play the two, having a wealth of creators can be a good problem to have. With Kevin Durant off the table, the Spurs move forward with an eye to the future and a supercharged ball-handling trio.
3. Philadelphia 76ers: V.J. Edgecombe
6-5 | 193 pounds | Guard | Baylor | Freshman | 19.9 years old
Mar 8, 2025; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears guard VJ Edgecombe (7) reacts after a play against the Houston Cougars during the second half at Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn ImagesMar 8, 2025; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears guard VJ Edgecombe (7) reacts after a play against the Houston Cougars during the second half at Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images
With Ace Bailey purposefully steering clear of certain teams on the board— notably canceling his workout with the Sixers—Edgecombe seems destined for Philadelphia. The basketball fit is intriguing to say the least. Despite much trepidation around the status of Paul George and Joel Embiid, Edgecombe amplifies the strengths of Tyrese Maxey in particular. He brings plenty of offensive punch on the receiving end of outlet passes in transition as well as dogged determination defensively. Best suited as a secondary or tertiary on-ball attacker in the halfcourt who can reliably knock down spot-up threes, V.J. fits the bill as it pertains to both the Sixers' infrastructure and Daryl Morey's basketball philosophies.
4. Charlotte Hornets: Ace Bailey
6-9 | 203 pounds | Forward | Rutgers | Freshman | 18.9 years old
Jan 13, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Ace Bailey (4) celebrates during the second half against the UCLA Bruins at Jersey Mike's Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn ImagesJan 13, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Ace Bailey (4) celebrates during the second half against the UCLA Bruins at Jersey Mike's Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Despite redundancies in terms of a lack of rim pressure next to LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, Bailey's talent is too hard for Charlotte to pass up at No. 4. Beggars cannot be choosers, as the Hornets' roster construction ultimately falls at the feet of the lottery gods. Kon Knueppel is more complementary and Khaman Maluach makes sense as their desired Mark Williams replacement. But getting a prospect the caliber of Bailey in their building is a win on all fronts, despite some schematic calculus required from Charles Lee to make the perimeter puzzle pieces fit together.
5. Utah Jazz: Tre Johnson
6-6 | 190 pounds | Guard | Texas | Freshman | 19.3 years old
Mar 19, 2025; Dayton, OH, USA; Texas Longhorns guard Tre Johnson (20) high fives Xavier Musketeers head coach Sean Miller after making a three point basket in the second half at UD Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn ImagesMar 19, 2025; Dayton, OH, USA; Texas Longhorns guard Tre Johnson (20) high fives Xavier Musketeers head coach Sean Miller after making a three point basket in the second half at UD Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
The Jazz have ranked top 10 in 3-point attempts per game for three consecutive seasons under Will Hardy, but bottom 10 in efficiency. Johnson's shot-making prowess and possession-to-possession mileage as an off-ball mover will turbocharge Utah's halfcourt offense. Additionally, his stature mitigates much of the concern that comes along with playing beside Collin Sexton or Keyonte George for extended stretches.
6. Washington Wizards: Jeremiah Fears
6-4 | 180 pounds | Guard | Oklahoma | Freshman | 18.7 years old
AZ Compass point guard Jeremiah Fears (2) committed to the University of Illinois. credits: Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal / USA TODAY NETWORKAZ Compass point guard Jeremiah Fears (2) committed to the University of Illinois. credits: Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal / USA TODAY NETWORK
Washington's team-building trajectory is a slow burn, and what better way to set themselves up for success than by securing their point guard of the future? Fears' uncanny driving ability and knack for independently getting to his spots gives him the best lead guard potential in the entire class. Pairing Alexandre Sarr with either Khaman Maluach or Derik Queen in the frontcourt is incredibly tempting. But acquiring an ostensible offensive engine for the years to come should take priority over shoring up their defensive baseline in the midterm.
7. New Orleans Pelicans: Kon Knueppel
6-6 | 219 pounds | Guard | Duke | Freshman | 19.9 years old
Feb 1, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Kon Knueppel (7) drives the ball around North Carolina Tar Heels guard R.J. Davis (4) during the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn ImagesFeb 1, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Kon Knueppel (7) drives the ball around North Carolina Tar Heels guard R.J. Davis (4) during the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
Constant injuries have detracted from the Pelicans' quality of personnel year after year, but Knueppel would be a hand-in-glove fit provided he is available at No. 7. You can never have enough shooting, plus Kon's capacity as an ancillary ball handler or pick-and-roll operator would serve New Orleans well while DeJounte Murray slowly works his way back from a ruptured Achilles. He conveniently mirrors Trey Murphy III's all-purpose skill set as a backcourt running mate who can hold up defensively.
8. Brooklyn Nets: Kasparas Jakucionis
6-6 | 205 pounds | Guard | Illinois | Freshman | 19.1 years old
Feb 5, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kasparas Jakucionis (32) goes to the basket against Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Dylan Harper (2) during the first half at Jersey Mike's Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn ImagesFeb 5, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kasparas Jakucionis (32) goes to the basket against Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Dylan Harper (2) during the first half at Jersey Mike's Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The Nets need an upside swing above all else, particularly in the backcourt. Do not be dismayed by the lowly 3-point numbers at Illinois, as a forearm injury in January dragged down Jakucionis' shooting efficiency. While the turnovers can be off-putting, they are eminently correctable in a less taxing or ball-dominant role. Brooklyn can afford to be patient. Kasparas' combination of size, passing vision and dribble creation make him an alluring option at No. 8. After all, the Nets have a dearth of high-yield guards to usher them into the next era.
9. Toronto Raptors: Khaman Maluach
7-2 | 253 pounds | Big | Duke | Freshman | 18.8 years old
Dec 4, 2024; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Khaman Maluach (9) during the second half against the Auburn Tigers at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils won 84-78. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn ImagesDec 4, 2024; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Khaman Maluach (9) during the second half against the Auburn Tigers at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils won 84-78. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images
While Jakob Poeltl is the incumbent five-man in Toronto, he is likely worth more to another franchise than he is to Masai Ujiri. With Quickley, Barrett, Barnes and Ingram headlining the Raptors' perimeter rotation slots, they can afford to reach for a big and bolster their front line. Maluach is a colossus on the interior and a deceptively pliable pick-and-roll defender whose game has plenty of unexplored terrain. With bigs currently at a premium, adding Maluach simultaneously gives the Raptors much-needed depth as well as valuable trade ammo.
10. Phoenix Suns: Thomas Sorber
6-10 | 263 pounds | Big | Georgetown | Junior | 19.5 years old
Feb 15, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Georgetown Hoyas forward Thomas Sorber (35) is helped off the court after an injury during the first half against the Butler Bulldogs at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn ImagesFeb 15, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Georgetown Hoyas forward Thomas Sorber (35) is helped off the court after an injury during the first half against the Butler Bulldogs at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
After predictably being dealt, the No. 10 pick inevitably changes tune. With Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks in tow and no picks of their own for the foreseeable future, hitting on this pick is imperative for the Suns. Running it back with Nick Richards and minimum free agents at center will be tough sledding. Assuming Maluach does not fall to No. 10, Sorber is arguably the best two-way big available as both a defensive anchor and a high-post facilitator offensively. Collin Murray-Boyles also fits the mold, but size should be at the top of the Suns' wish list.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Carter Bryant
6-8 | 215 pounds | Forward | Arizona | Freshman | 19.6 years old
Portland is finally curating its roster after dealing Anfernee Simons to Boston. Jerami Grant's days in Portland have seemed to be numbered for a matter of years now. Whether or not he sticks around, the Blazers could use additional forward depth. Bryant is an athletic specimen with all the outlines of an additive role player—40 percent 3-point shooting, opportunistic cutting, and the physical tools to traverse the positional spectrum defensively. While Bryant is relatively raw, he forecasts as a high-end 3-and-D wing with the end-to-end quickness to complement the likes of Sharpe, Avdija and Henderson.
12. Chicago Bulls: Collin Murray-Boyles
6-8 | 239 pounds | Forward | South Carolina | Sophomore | 20.0 years old
If Chicago's play-in loss to Miami last season taught us anything, it is that the Bulls need competent defenders pronto. Murray-Boyles is a stalwart on the less glamorous side of the ball. He is switchable, moves his feet nimbly and executes rotations as well as anyone his age. Despite a concerningly shaky jump shot, Collin has solid passing feel and is adept at attacking closeouts on the second side. Assuming Nikola Vucevic stays put, the perimeter and paint resistance deployed by a player of Murray-Boyles' archetype is exactly what the Bulls need.
13. Atlanta Hawks: Cedric Coward
6-7 | 213 pounds | Forward | Washington State | Senior | 21.8 years old
With the East-to-West dichotomy ever-widening and Eastern Conference stars dropping like flies, Atlanta poses to have a distinctly win-now disposition in 2025-26. They have options aplenty at No. 13, but the idea of adding Coward to their wing rotation is enticing. Coward was a late riser during the pre-draft process. He is a laser 3-point shooter with textbook mechanics and boasts a 7-5 wingspan, which he aptly leverages as a supplemental rim protector. Coward makes a lot of sense as both a pressure-release kick-out option on offense and a havoc-wreaker behind the play on defense.
14. San Antonio Spurs: Derik Queen
6-10 | 248 pounds | Big | Maryland | Freshman | 20.5 years old
Should Noa Essengue fall to the fringes of the lottery, the French connection may be impossible to pass up for San Antonio at No. 14. However, in the event that Queen is available, the Spurs should not think twice. Queen is an offensively gifted but defensively challenged hybrid big who will draw plenty of interest in the mid-lottery. He is a tailor-made frontcourt partner for Victor Wembanyama whose maneuverability, playmaking chops and high-low synergy would work wonders in San Antonio's five-out halfcourt ecosystem.