2025 NBA Mock Draft: Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe makes late leap, Duke’s Kon Knueppel cracks prime 5

There isn’t any rational justification to think about anybody else with the No. 1 total choose. Flagg met all of the hype after which some throughout a standout freshman season at Duke, displaying three-way scoring potential, defensive versatility and the intangibles which made him the highest highschool prospect in his class. Dallas is not going to overthink this and can choose a flexible ahead who might be an All-Star early in his profession.

The son of Bulls and Lakers legend Ron Harper validated himself as a premier level guard prospect amid Rutgers’ struggles. He is expert as each a passer and multi-level scorer out of the pick-and-roll, with a very sturdy crowning glory on the rim. His 33.3% 3-point mark wasn’t elite, however he confirmed loads of catch-and-shoot promise, which helps alleviate issues about his match with De’Aaron Fox in San Antonio. Harper’s measurement and size – his wingspan is almost seven ft – additionally differentiates him from different level guards.

On condition that Ace Bailey reportedly canceled his exercise with the 76ers, it might make taking Edgecombe a good simpler proposition. He is a two-way perimeter expertise who’s broadly considered a top-5 prospect within the class. Edgecombe’s athleticism and motor had been on show at Baylor, the place he shined as an electrical transition finisher and energetic perimeter defender. He can play on or off the ball, and his 3-point taking pictures improved dramatically to 39.1% throughout Huge 12 play. He is nice at attending to the rim in half-court units, however he did battle to complete at instances. If Edgecombe can study to depend on a strong runner and lean some on a floater, he might be an offensive maestro.

Johnson thrived offensively as a freshman whereas competing in an all-time nice SEC. He acquired buckets in quite a lot of methods, and never simply as a ball-handler. He was efficient as a spot-up shooter and shot a blistering 52.1% coming off screens. That off-ball proficiency will likely be key, since he is not precisely a pass-first level guard. Johnson additionally wants to enhance drastically on the rim so as to attain his potential, however that ought to come as he develops extra power. Charlotte ranked twenty eighth in 3-point taking pictures proportion at 33.9% final season, and its prime shooter by proportion — Seth Curry — is an unrestricted free agent. Johnson would make a variety of sense.

Utah has loads of measurement beneath group management for years to return and seems to have its lead guard of the long run in Keyonte George. Including Knueppel, a bodily two-guard, would give the 3-point comfortable Jazz one other marksman to construct round. He is an outstanding catch-and-shoot menace who’s energetic and efficient off the ball at relocating, firing off screens and getting his ft set in transition. Knueppel is not only a shooter, although. He was an efficient finisher on the rim and flashed loads of potential to function a secondary playmaker and facilitator whereas at Duke. He’ll have to reply defensive questions on his quickness, however his ample offensive promise ought to far outweigh that concern.

Bailey’s wingspan is not fairly as rangy as Kevin Durant, however the comparability remains to be apt. Although it is clearly outlandish to anticipate that Bailey will likely be a 15-time All-Star, he is a giant wing with awe-inspiring offensive potential that was on show in three 30+ level outings vs. Huge Ten competitors. He is nonetheless simply 18 and has all of the instruments to common 20+ factors as he nears his prime. He might group with final yr’s lottery haul of Alex Sar, a middle, and Bub Carrington, a degree guard, to provide Washington a various trio of constructing blocks all age 20 or youthful.

With Dejounte Murray coming off a torn Achilles and CJ McCollum coming into the ultimate yr of his contract, New Orleans might use a lead guard. Fears is a polarizing prospect, however he matches the invoice. He’s an electrical initiator with highlight-reel playmaking potential courtesy of elite quickness and ball-handling. His jumper remains to be coming alongside, and there are questions on his defensive viability due to his measurement. However the offensive upside and chops as a lead guard are abundantly clear.

No matter whether or not D’Angelo Russell finally ends up again in Brooklyn, the Nets want a long-term level guard possibility (amongst many different issues.) Jakucionis burst onto the scene at Illinois with an eye-opening freshman season that consisted of the Lithuanian guard constantly dicing up opposing defenses out of the pick-and-roll. He is a giant ball-handler with super passing and playmaking instincts who additionally thrives ending on the rim. His 3-point taking pictures is a big work in progress. But when it comes alongside, he might be a long-term NBA starter.

Toronto has loads of scoring choices beneath group management for the foreseeable future. Including an elite rim protector and lob menace can be smart. Maluach is a towering presence who topped the charts at this yr’s mix by way of wingspan measurement at almost 7-7. He is restricted offensively largely to lobs, put-backs and receiving pocket passes. However he is elite at ending in these conditions. Even when his offensive recreation by no means expands to the perimeter — and it may not — these traits will guarantee he has a excessive NBA ground.

Houston has loads of younger expertise at a number of positions beneath group management. A win-now commerce can be wise. If not, Bryant is among the finest accessible prospects at No. 10 and will quietly slot in with out taking touches from a profitable however growing core. With a 7-foot wingspan and high quality athleticism, the ground is greater for Bryant than it’s for many gamers of his profile within the class. His playmaking and shot-creation aren’t there but, however he is younger and on a promising trajectory towards turning into a prototypical 3-and-D wing.

Portland has loads of younger ball-handlers and creators beneath group management and its middle of the long run in Donovan Clingan. Essengue might match nicely with these items. He has all of the makings of a defensive monster given his size and athleticism, and he is been nice in transition and on the rim offensively whereas enjoying in Germany’s prime professional division. There’s little indication that he will develop right into a refined on-ball participant, however it will likely be crucial that he present some extra flashes of perimeter proficiency if he will attain the starter-level potential that his bodily profile portends.

With a bevy of key gamers coming into the ultimate yr of their contracts, Chicago might take numerous paths. Demin’s productiveness tapered off as the pains of Huge 12 motion appeared to put on on his slender body throughout his freshman season at BYU. However the playmaking potential he confirmed is unusual, particularly when packaged in a 6-9 body. Demin struggled as a 3-point shooter for the Cougars, however he thrived on the rim and confirmed a knack for entering into the paint as a artful pick-and-roll ball-handler.

With Clint Capela headed to unrestricted free company, the Hawks have a gap of their frontcourt. The enchantment with Queen lies in his face-up potential as a scorer and playmaker. His ball-handling, passing and really feel for the sport are superior for a participant of his age and measurement, which is able to give him a baseline to work from as he works to refine his 3-point shot and defensive capabilities on the perimeter.

May Wolf and Victor Wembanyama play collectively? Completely. It will be a contemporary twist on the Spurs’ famed twin towers period with Tim Duncan and David Robinson. The time period unicorn turned an overused description of versatile seven-footers lately. But it surely precisely describes Wolf, who performs like a guard on the perimeter whereas nonetheless bringing the physicality of a extra conventional huge. Turnovers had been an issue for Wolf at Michigan, and he’ll need to develop a defensive identification. However his all-around versatility, particularly on offense, is tantalizing.

Oklahoma Metropolis has its core in place and might afford to take a swing on upside with a curious expertise like Fleming. The one gamers on the mix who registered longer wingspans had been Khaman Maluach, Ryan Kalkbrenner and Thomas Sorber, all of whom are true facilities. That is extraordinary size for somebody who might flex out and play on the perimeter within the NBA. Whereas Fleming is one thing of a positional enigma and did not face elite school competitors, his mixture of instruments and flexibility make him a worthy mid-first spherical choice.

Memphis likes drafting older gamers, and it is sensible right here given Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. are of their primes. Few wings on this class convey the mixture of size, athleticism and taking pictures that Coward can present. He’ll flip 22 throughout his rookie season, which implies that he might be a low-cost position participant throughout an necessary second within the franchise’s aggressive timeline. If Coward is fast to fulfill his defensive ceiling, he might be a rotational mainstay in Memphis early.

Murray-Boyles might apprentice beneath Julius Randle, who can be a bully-ball energy ahead with a pleasant left-handed contact. The previous South Carolina star is an undersized huge man who acquired lots of his buckets by way of conventional post-ups and because the roll man within the pick-and-roll in school. In principle, he can guard a number of positions, although that will likely be examined towards each towering bigs and fleet-footed perimeter gamers. If Murray-Boyles can develop a 3-point shot to go with his elite contact on the rim, he might pop.

McNeeley showcased a deep offensive repertoire throughout an injury-impacted freshman season. However he was additionally inefficient and struggled to complete on the rim. In the end, he is a flexible wing with loads of offensive upside and a few playmaking proficiency. Protection will possible be the swing ability that determines whether or not McNeeley turns into an NBA starter or if he is extra of a bench spark.

Sorber’s 7-6 wingspan suggests the rim safety acumen he confirmed at Georgetown will translate to the NBA. Although he is not essentially fast, he’s energetic defensively and performs with adequate instincts to be efficient away from the basket. He was finest offensively in post-up conditions at Georgetown, which raises questions on what his offensive position will likely be within the NBA. However as an incredible passer for his measurement, Sorber brings a lot to work with on each ends.

Clifford is not overwhelmingly lengthy or athletic. However he is a talented, stat-stuffing two-guard who can facilitate for himself and others out of the pick-and-roll or play off the ball. The primary-round enchantment in Clifford’s recreation is along with his intangibles as a defender, rebounder and blue-collar employee. He’ll flip 24 as a rookie and might be a long-term worth play for the Warmth.

Riley shined on the rim throughout his lone season at Illinois and likewise demonstrated ample flashes of shot-creation potential. He’s slender and never overly athletic, which makes him a polarizing prospect. Will the aforementioned offensive positives translate to the sport’s highest stage for a participant along with his body? In the event that they do, he might be a late-first spherical 3-and-D steal.

Traore performs with facilitating proficiency in a heavy pick-and-roll system for his French group. He has sufficient size to offset potential defensive issues over his smaller body and is nice on the rim for a participant of his measurement. P&R units and transition alternatives are the place he thrives, and his limitations as a shooter and isolation menace might cap his ceiling.

Beringer is among the prime rim protectors on this draft class, as evidenced by his 1.4 blocks per recreation in simply 18.8 minutes per contest with knowledgeable outfit in Slovenia. He does not flip 19 till November and is already displaying promise in transition and as a lob menace. He isn’t a post-up menace, and his shot wants a variety of work. However he’ll naturally draw some Rudy Gobert comparisons given they’re each French bigs with comparable strengths.

Penda initiatives as a utilitarian ahead and glue man who can hold the offense shifting as a passer. Regardless of his huge body, he is not an incredible finisher on the rim, and he’ll additionally need to show he is fast sufficient to protect NBA-level perimeter gamers. If he can try this and proceed enhancing his 3-point shot, Penda is usually a high-level NBA position participant who followers will recognize for his grit and flexibility.

Newell did most of his harm within the paint at Georgia, but it surely wasn’t as if the Bulldogs had been posting him up each time down the ground. Somewhat, his factors got here because of relentless board-crashing and cuts that showcased his physicality and really feel for the sport. These intangible expertise will translate and pair with a blossoming exterior shot to make Newell a helpful 4 or occasional stretch 5.

Gonzalez has garnered important recreation expertise with Actual Madrid’s senior group over the previous yr whereas nonetheless shy of his twentieth birthday. The wing is not able to play a serious position for a aggressive NBA franchise out of the gate. However he has good measurement, instincts and mobility, all of which portends long-term upside, as long as his exterior taking pictures consistency improves.

Richardson is an undersized two-guard who turned the offensive engine for Michigan State. However even after posting some spectacular taking pictures splits for the Spartans, he is acquired loads to show within the NBA. The left-hander might be a defensive legal responsibility because of his diminutive stature, and he is extra of a scorer than a playmaker. If nothing else, he might be an offensive spark plug off the bench.

Saraf is the kind of artful, on-ball playmaker who might annihilate the G League however battle with the NBA’s physicality and athleticism early. But when a franchise is prepared to grant him a beneficiant runway, the upside is super. With nice measurement and really feel for the sport, he has the power to develop right into a three-level scorer with the facilitating chops to run the present as both a starter or creator off the bench.

There are some flashes of Danny Wolf in the best way Raynaud strikes easily on the perimeter as a 7-footer. He is efficient in post-ups and acquired loads of them at Stanford, however he was additionally a profession 35% 3-point shooter in school. Although he is sturdy on the glass, he is not as a lot of a rim protector as you would possibly anticipate for a participant of his measurement. That would restrict his ceiling.

Powell’s 7-foot wingspan and combine-best 43-inch max vertical might make him a steal on this draft. The previous McDonald’s All-American wasn’t a lot of a ball-handler or isolation menace throughout his lone season at North Carolina. However he rated “glorious” on guarded catch-and-shoot makes an attempt, per Synergy. All informed, he is a high-upside 3-and-D participant with room to develop and spherical out his recreation.