The 2025 NBA Draft is right around the corner, and the field is set. A bunch of potential prospects just returned to college, leaving teams around the league with a final picture of who will be available for them to select. Teams like the Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns will be looking for win-now pieces, while teams like the Brooklyn Nets and Utah Jazz just want to hit the reset button.
Luckily for everyone involved, there are plenty of players who fit the billing for all of those ideals. The 2025 class is extremely deep, giving every team around the league plenty of options come draft night.
Let’s take a look at who every team could take.
Hardwood Houdini's first NBA Mock Draft of the season
1. Cooper Flagg - Dallas Mavericks
This is the most obvious pick in the draft. Barring another catastrophic Nico Harrison mess-up, Cooper Flagg will replace Luka Doncic as the face of the Dallas Mavericks franchise just a few short months after the trade that broke the NBA world.
2. Dylan Harper - San Antonio Spurs
With Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and De’Aaron Fox already in place, the San Antonio Spurs will now get to add Dylan Harper to their young core. Something special is brewing in San Antonio.
3. Ace Bailey - Philadelphia 76ers
Putting a pure scorer like Ace Bailey next to Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain should give the Philadelphia 76ers one of the better young cores in the league. If Bailey can reach his full potential, this Sixers core could be dangerous for the next decade.
4. VJ Edgecombe - Charlotte Hornets
The top four (and maybe even five) picks of this draft should be certain. VJ Edgecombe’s 3-and-D build fits perfectly next to the rest of the Charlotte Hornets’ young core, and he has the potential to be so much more than that, too.
5. Tre Johnson - Utah Jazz
Though the Utah Jazz will miss out on one of the top three players in this year’s class, Tre Johnson is a perfectly fine consolation prize. Johnson is one of the best bucket-getters in this year’s class, and he will instantly be a focal point of Utah’s offense.
6. Derik Queen - Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards falling out of the top three was a catastrophic tumble. But now that they’re at six, why not take a chance? In theory, Derik Queen is one of the most talented players in the class, there are just some fit and NBA translation concerns. The Wizards have the time to figure all of that out.
7. Kon Knueppel - New Orleans Pelicans
It’s unclear what the New Orleans Pelicans will do this summer, especially with the latest Zion Williamson reports, but taking Kon Knueppel is as safe of a pick as they could make. A wing core of Knueppel, Trey Murphy III, and Herb Jones is phenomenal moving forward.
8. Khaman Maluach - Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets have all the flexibility in the world, so at this point, they should just take the best player available. That may very well be Khaman Maluach. The Duke big man is a very raw talent, but if he reaches his full potential, he could be one of the best defenders in the NBA.
9. TRADE: Jeremiah Fears - Milwaukee Bucks
With the reported mutual interest between the Giannis Antetokounmpo and Toronto Raptors, let’s get spicy. Here’s a mock trade that would land The Greek Freak in Toronto:
Raptors receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Bucks receive: Scottie Barnes, Gradey Dick, Ochai Agbaji, Ja’Kobe Walter, No. 9 Pick in 2025 NBA Draft, Three first-round picks, Three first-round pick swaps
The Raptors would get to roll out a starting lineup of Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Brandon Ingram, Antetokounmpo, and Jakob Poeltl, while the Bucks would get every possible draft pick they can, as well as an established All-Star in Scottie Barnes.
Then, with the ninth pick, they would take a swing on Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears to lead their new-look youth movement. Fears showed huge flashes of potential with the Sooners last year and seems to be a consistent three-point shot away from an elite lead guard in the NBA.
10. Cedric Coward - Houston Rockets
This seems like a match made in heaven. The Houston Rockets need a guy who will elevate their team on both ends of the court, and that’s exactly what Cedric Coward can do. The rapid draft riser is the perfect 3-and-D blend of win-now and massive potential swing.
11. Noa Essengue - Portland Trail Blazers
After a sudden surge to end last season, the Portland Trail Blazers may try to push forward this year, but Noa Essengue would still be a quality pick. He’s a high-upside player, but if he reaches his full potential, he could be the perfect two-way player to slot in next to Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara in Portland’s forward room.
12. Carter Bryant - Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls have started a trend of drafting uber-athlete wings/forwards who need to develop a jump shot. Carter Bryant could be the guy to break that trend. He’s not a great individual shot-creator, but he can knock down catch-and-shoot jumpers, and his defensive potential is off the charts.
13. Danny Wolf - Atlanta Hawks
Few players have a wider projected draft range than Danny Wolf, but the big man out of Michigan has the potential to be a special talent. With his size and passing abilities, he could be one of the most unique centers in the league. Or, in the case of the Atlanta Hawks, he could be a very intriguing upside swing as a four next to Okyeka Okongwu.
14. Jase Richardson - San Antonio Spurs
After taking Harper earlier in the draft, picking up Jase Richardson here would be the perfect opportunity for the Spurs to address their desperate need for shooting. Richarson projects to be one of the better shooters in this draft class, and his creation as a ball-handler bodes well for his bid for a spot as a guard off of San Antonio’s bench, too.
15. TRADE: Thomas Sorber - Milwaukee Bucks
Yet another trade for the Bucks here as they continue their roster teardown post-Antetokounmpo trade:
Thunder receive: Bobby Portis, Two second-round picks
Bucks receive: No. 15 Pick in 2025 NBA Draft, Ousmane Dieng
The Thunder would add a ball of intensity to their frontcourt room, taking some of the load off of Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. Meanwhile, the Bucks could take a flier on Dieng while also getting back into the first round.
With this pick, the Bucks would grab Georgetown big man Thomas Sorber. The big-bodied center is an emphatic defender with a solid playmaking IQ and a ferociousness not all too dissimilar to Bobby Portis.
16. TRADE: Collin Murray-Boyles - Boston Celtics
Draft season means trade season! As the Boston Celtics look to shed salary this summer, this deal would help them do exactly that. Meanwhile, the Orlando Magic would snag a massive shooting upgrade, and the Atlanta Hawks would add an extra first-round pick by taking the extra salary into one of their TPEs.
Celtics receive: No. 16 pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Magic receive: Sam Hauser, Second-round pick (via ATL)
Hawks receive: Cole Anthony, No. 28 Pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Adding Collin Murray-Boyles would be an extremely intriguing pick for the Celtics. The 19-year-old forward/center is drawing Draymond Green comparisons left and right due to his ability to play the five at just 6-foot-7.
He’s an absolutely elite defender who can guard almost every position on the floor at the highest level and, much like Green, his passing vision is top-notch.
The biggest concern with Murray-Boyles is his lack of a jump shot. If the Celtics feel as though they can get him there, he could turn into the steal of the draft. But even if the shot is a lost cause, his defensive IQ and overall jack-of-all-trades capabilities make him a steal at this spot in the draft.
17. Nique Clifford - Minnesota Timberwolves
One of the best 3-and-D prospects in the class, Nique Clifford would be a seamless fit with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He’s an older rookie, set to turn 24 before the season starts, but the Wolves need guys who can help them win now, and Clifford fits that billing to a tee.
18. Kasparas Jakucionis - Washington Wizards
This would be a very long way for Kasparas Jakucionis to slip, but if he does, the Washington Wizards would be grateful. With his level of shot creation and ability to lead the way as a ball-handler, they would have a fun young backcourt group with him, Jordan Poole, and Bub Carrington.
19. Egor Demin - Brooklyn Nets
Speaking of a long way to fall, the Brooklyn Nets would be getting one of the most interesting prospects in the class if Egor Demin fell this far. A 6-foot-9 point guard, Demin’s passing and defensive versatility could make him a perfect fit to lead the Nets’ current rebuild. (And the lobs from Demin to Maluach would be very fun to watch.)
20. Drake Powell - Miami Heat
Though he doesn’t seem to be the shot-creator the Miami Heat may want to put next to Tyler Herro, Drake Powell looks like the perfect role player for what they are building. With his passing, defense, and ability to knock down jumpers, he could play real minutes in Miami right away.
21. Nolan Traore - Utah Jazz
At the beginning of the season, Nolan Traore was projected to be in top-five-pick conversations. But after a relatively rough season with Saint Quentin, he’s fallen down boards. Still, his sky-high potential, elite ball-handling, and solid finishing around the rim make him a perfect upside swing for the Jazz here.
22. Noah Penda - Atlanta Hawks
If the Atlanta Hawks are all-in on putting a defensively stout team around Trae Young, Noah Penda would be the perfect selection. Penda’s a big wing with elite defensive versatility and a great knowledge of the game.
23. Asa Newell - Indiana Pacers
Clearly, the Thomas Bryant and Tony Bradley minutes worked out for the Indiana Pacers in the conference finals, but getting another big man into the mix would be smart. Asa Newell would give them a solid defensive presence and a nice lob threat, even when Isaiah Jackson comes back.
24. Maxime Raynaud - Oklahoma City Thunder
Just because they made a trade for Portis earlier in the draft doesn’t mean the Thunder can’t take a chance on a rookie big, too. Maxime Raynaud is an impressive interior defender who also possesses a pretty three-point shot.
25. Liam McNeeley - Orlando Magic
After trading for Hauser, the Magic could still double down on shooting by taking Liam McNeeley here. Though he wasn’t amazing at UConn this season, McNeeley is a big wing who could turn into a great NBA three-point shooter.
26. Hugo Gonzalez - Brooklyn Nets
The Nets are in a perfect position to take a chance on high-upside players. Hugo Gonzalez is a relative unknown because he didn’t play much on a stacked Real Madrid roster. However, he has all the makings of a quality player, full of defensive, playmaking, and shooting potential.
27. Will Riley - Brooklyn Nets
Speaking of taking swings, Will Riley has the outline of the exact type of wing every NBA team wants to get their hands on. He can drive, he can pass, and the shooting is coming along. If Jordi Fernandez could unlock his defensive potential, then the Nets would have something.
28. TRADE: Rasheer Fleming - Atlanta Hawks
Just like with Penda, drafting Rasheer Fleming would see the Hawks buy into the theory of surrounding Young with great defenders. After trading with the Celtics earlier in the draft, they would get to add a perfect 3-and-D forward, who could even spend some time as a small-ball five.
29. Ryan Kalkbrenner - Phoenix Suns
Trading for Nick Richards put a band-aid on the Phoenix Suns’ center situation, but adding Ryan Kalkbrenner to the mix would be perfect. He’s an absolute monster of a human, and his history as an elite defender would give the Suns a perfect role player.
30. Kam Jones - LA Clippers
Adding a bulky shot creator like Kam Jones here could give the LA Clippers a nice backup option at the guard position. Jones can create for himself and others, and he’s a solid defender. That’s exactly what LA should want in a role player.
FAST FORWARD: 32. Walter Clayton Jr. - Boston Celtics
With their only second-round pick, the Celtics could snag a quality role player in Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr. Though a bit undersized, Clayton plays with the confidence of a giant.
He’s one of the best (and most confident) shooters in the draft class, and he’s more than comfortable pulling up well beyond the three-point line. There’s also a little bit of sneaky athleticism there.
Clayton’s ability to run the pick-and-roll should also leave the Celtics comfortable with him having the ball in his hands if necessary, though he would likely primarily be an off-ball guy (a situation he should be able to thrive in).
There are some defensive concerns to be aware of with Clayton, most notably, his tendency to get lost off the ball, but the offense is all there, and Boston can work on the rest.