2025 NBA Mock Draft: Cooper Flagg goes No. 1 to Mavericks, Duke teammate Kon Knueppel strikes into prime 5

Mavs GM Nico Harrison made one of many wildest trades in NBA historical past earlier this 12 months. 4 months later, Harrison could have one of many best selections of his profession to make on who to pick with the No. 1 choose. Drafting Flagg — who might be Dallas’ homegrown star for the following decade — won’t ever erase buying and selling away Luka to the Lakers, but it surely’s a comfort prize to a fan base that is been by means of the ringer the final 4 months. The Mavs have spectacular frontcourt depth, however drafting anybody aside from Flagg can be a stunner.

My first thought when the Spurs received choose No. 2 was will Harper and De’Aaron Fox be capable to co-exist within the backcourt? Harper is alone in Tier ll of draft prospects on this class, so it will be stunning to see anybody however Harper taken with this choose. Would the Spurs take into account shifting this choose for a celebrity … similar to Giannis Antetokounmpo? Who is aware of. Regardless, the Spurs ought to take the perfect participant on the board and work out the remainder later.

The 76ers’ transfer as much as No. 3 was stunning. I believed it was extra probably Philadelphia would fall out of the top-seven and have to offer its choose to Oklahoma Metropolis than what transpired on Monday. The 76ers can go a number of instructions right here, however including Bailey to a core of Tyrese Maxey, Paul George, Jared McCain and Joel Embiid can be mutually useful.

One in every of my favourite potential suits within the draft is Edgecombe going to Charlotte. I am an enormous believer within the two-way upside Edgecombe has. He generally is a true two-way star on the subsequent stage sooner or later. Edgecombe improved his shot all through the season and is among the most athletic gamers in his draft class. Edgecombe subsequent to LaMelo Ball can be enjoyable to look at.

After lacking out on the Flagg sweepstakes, Utah selects the teammate of the long run No. 1 total pick of Duke. Knueppel is a sharpshooter who can be a right away contributor for the Jazz from Day 1. If that is how the board shakes out, I may see Utah deciding between Knueppel and Johnson.

Washington ethically tanked and was punished for it. The Wizards have their large man of the long run in Alex Sarr, so why not pair him with top-of-the-line pure scorers within the class? Johnson has skyrocketed up draft boards throughout the previous few months. He can affect successful on the subsequent stage along with his elite shotmaking skills.

This choose has the potential to shake up the draft large time. With Zion Williamson being a attainable commerce candidate this summer time, the Pelicans choose top-of-the-line defenders on this draft class to pair with fellow large man Yves Missi.

The Nets had been one other group that hoped the lottery balls would fall their approach. Nonetheless, Brooklyn can come out of the draft with a right away contributor at choose No. 8. Fears is a artful guard able to filling a right away gap in Brooklyn’s backcourt.

Maluach is an imposing presence within the paint and was a unbelievable finisher across the rim throughout his lone season at Duke. He impacted the sport defensively regardless of solely averaging 1.3 blocks per recreation. Maluach nonetheless wants time to develop, however going to Toronto can be an important scenario for him.

It is a important offseason for Houston and the Rockets can be clever to commerce this choose and consolidate a few of their depth for an additional star. Nonetheless, if Houston stays on the clock, level guard is an space of want. Houston selects the Illinois star who can doubtlessly be Fred VanVleet’s successor.

Portland is a group within the West that may doubtlessly take a soar through the 2025-26 marketing campaign. Fleming has every little thing NBA decision-makers are searching for on the subsequent stage. Fleming is a plus shooter (39% on 4.5 makes an attempt), possesses a 7-foot-5 wingspan and has defensive upside that would translate to the following stage. His testing numbers on the NBA Mix helped his lottery case.

Queen has a singular ability set for the middle place. He’s a talented passer and a fluid scorer inside. He might want to enhance the jumper on the subsequent stage, however the Maryland star can be a enjoyable slot in Chicago and a possible substitute for Nikola Vučević.

Bryant has been a quick riser all through the draft course of. The Arizona star may nonetheless return for his sophomore season, but it surely’s probably he finally ends up as a mid-to-late first-round choose subsequent month. Bryant began simply 5 video games for Arizona this season, however he has the right measurement to be a wing on the subsequent stage. It would not be stunning if he results in the lottery.

McNeeley is a plug-and-play ahead within the NBA. He performs effectively throughout the movement of an offense and has expertise taking part in with different very proficient gamers at the highschool and faculty ranges. When McNeeley missed time with an damage at UConn, his group appeared notably totally different. His capturing numbers from 3-point vary do not inform the complete story.

The Thunder have constructed one of many deepest rosters within the NBA. There aren’t many true positions of want on the roster. OKC can take the perfect participant accessible. Clifford can shoot, rebound, and defend at a really excessive stage. At 6-6, he was the shortest participant in Division l basketball who averaged not less than 9.5 rebounds per recreation.

Newell took his abilities to Georgia as one of many highest-rated signees in program historical past and raised his draft inventory all through the season. The ahead is an impactful defender and finisher across the basket.

Demin was one of many extra overestimated draft prospects through the early portion of the 2024-25 season earlier than hitting a wall at the beginning of Massive 12 play. If Demin can enhance his jumper on the subsequent stage, he might be top-of-the-line guards in his class when it is all mentioned and accomplished. That will likely be his swing ability. The Timberwolves drafted Rob Dillingham at No. 8 final 12 months, however beginning PG Mike Conley is nearing the tip of his taking part in profession.

The Wizards noticed Johnson fall to them at choose No. 6 on this mock draft. With Washington’s different first-round choice, the franchise selects an enormous man with a prolific offensive motor. Wolf is a fluid mover as a point-center and is a succesful playmaker throughout the movement of the offense. His protection is a query mark on the subsequent stage, however his offensive engine makes him a probable first-round choose.

The French ahead is among the youngest gamers on this 12 months’s draft. Essengue is a dynamic ahead who has proven enchancment as a shooter all through his taking part in profession and generally is a standout defender on the subsequent stage. It would not be stunning if Essengue is a draft riser subsequent month.

Richardson can be a enjoyable match with the Warmth. Richardson noticed his inventory rise all through the 2024-25 faculty basketball season. He began in a reserve position at Michigan State and blossomed into the perfect participant on Tom Izzo’s squad. Richardson is a good mid-range shooter and was unbelievable at ending across the rim throughout his lone season in East Lansing.

That is my third mock draft this draft cycle, and I’ve had Clayton going at this spot in each one among them. Clayton may go increased, however this spot looks like a great ground on draft night time. Clayton is a fearless shotmaker. I had the prospect to look at him up shut throughout Florida’s nationwide title run. He’ll have a really profitable NBA profession.

Sorber’s freshman season was reduce quick as a result of a season-ending foot damage, however he did appear like a first-round choose within the 24 video games he appeared in. Sorber confirmed promise as a stable rim protector after averaging 2.0 blocks per recreation. His capturing numbers from past the arc (16.2%) is one side of his recreation he can enhance on.

I am nonetheless a believer in Traore’s expertise. He has top-end velocity to play level guard within the NBA. At this level within the draft, taking the perfect participant accessible is the clever transfer, even when you have already got a franchise level guard on the roster in Tyrese Haliburton.

Broome was top-of-the-line gamers in faculty basketball this previous season and his rebounding and rim defending will translate to the following stage. Broome may step in instantly and be a key rotation piece for Orlando.

The Thunder have the posh of having the ability to take a participant at this vary with excessive upside due to their nearly nonexistent group wants. Riley suits that invoice. He’s a terrific shotmaker who would profit from including muscle to his lanky body.

What pops on tape from Beringer is his skill to complete persistently on the rim off pick-and-rolls. Beringer generally is a nice rim protector on the subsequent stage. He’s additionally superb at contesting pictures as a assist defender. He will likely be a mission on the subsequent stage, however with the fitting growth, he may thrive. It is definitely worth the swing at this choose.

Brooklyn has 4 first-round picks this 12 months, together with back-to-back picks on the finish of the primary spherical. Saraf, a southpaw guard, is a artistic playmaker able to getting others concerned within the offense. Saraf earned MVP honors through the FIBA U18 EuroBasket final summer time and has been rising up draft boards since.

The Celtics have loads of looming selections to make this offseason. Kalkbrenner is a plug-and-play large on the subsequent stage, who can contribute instantly on the defensive finish of the ground.

Will Coward ever go well with up for Duke? That’s to be decided, however his efficiency on the mix would possibly make his resolution that a lot tougher. Coward performed in his six video games this previous season for Washington State due to a season-ending shoulder damage, however has all the products to sneak into the tip of the primary spherical.

Lendeborg is one other participant with a call to make. The UAB star dedicated to Michigan out of the switch portal, however he would possibly by no means play a recreation for coach Dusty Might due to the best way he is turning heads on the mix. Lendeborg was the top-ranked participant within the switch portal rankings by 247Sports.