2025 NBA Mock Draft: Kevin Durant commerce shakes up first spherical, leaves Suns with difficult determination at No. 10

It is reasonably telling that, even in peak smokescreen season, we’ve not heard one peep in regards to the Mavericks buying and selling their choose or choosing anybody apart from Flagg. This child was born to be the No. 1 choose within the NBA Draft, and it’ll come to fruition on Wednesday.

Phrase on the road is that the Spurs have acquired some profitable presents for his or her choose however they’re infatuated with Harper, a combo guard who’s seen as the one “certain factor” within the draft exterior of Cooper Flagg. Match should not actually come into the equation this excessive within the draft, however given his taking pictures skill and dimension Harper shouldn’t have any drawback enjoying alongside De’Aaron Fox and/or Stephon Citadel within the Spurs rotation.

It is bizarre that Bailey hasn’t labored out for anybody, however the 76ers must assume when it comes to not solely what this choose can do for them proper now, but in addition how he is perhaps seen by different groups when it comes to commerce worth. Bailey ticks each containers as a 6-9 bucket-getter who can instantly present reduction for Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George, however who may be seen because the centerpiece of a commerce for an additional win-now participant down the highway.

The Hornets made marginal defensive enchancment final season, and the prospect of an Edgecombe-Brandon Miller perimeter protection basis must be attractive subsequent to the offensive-minded LaMelo Ball. Edgecombe ought to be a stopper instantly, and has important potential as a secondary playmaker and off-ball scorer. At this level, he is merely the perfect participant on the board.

Utah was sixth within the NBA in 3-point makes an attempt per sport final season, however landed twenty second in 3-point share. As arguably the perfect shooter within the draft, Knueppel ought to assist Will Hardy preserve his bombs-away assault whereas including rather more accuracy. The Duke product has additionally proven the power to complete at a excessive clip across the rim when attacking closeouts, and is a connective passer who does not make many errors. Latest Jazz first-rounders have not labored out nice, and Knueppel is not less than one thing of a recognized commodity.

Washington appears to be considerably enamored with Jeremiah Fears, however the Johnny Davis purple flags is perhaps too robust there. If Johnson — maybe the perfect uncooked scorer in all the draft — remains to be on the board, he appears to be the best choose for a franchise nonetheless a good distance from competition that completed useless final in offensive effectivity final season.

Jakucionis suits the invoice of a contemporary NBA guard with dimension, elite playmaking and the power to hit deep 3s off the dribble. His 6-6 body will enable him to play subsequent to Dejounte Murray and CJ McCollum (for so long as they’re on the crew), and he’ll be a wonderful complement to Trey Murphy III and Zion Williamson because the Pelicans assume towards the longer term.

In the event you want somebody to get to the rim, Fears is your man — and at this level, the Nets might use just about every part. One of many youngest gamers within the class (he does not flip 19 till October), Fears definitely wants room to develop and Brooklyn can present that. He’s completely relentless attending to the rim with an elite deal with, however his taking pictures and playmaking would be the main areas of concern.

It is bizarre to see a man who averaged six factors in his solely faculty season within the prime 10 of the NBA Draft, however when you watch Bryant’s movie you perceive why he is such an thrilling prospect. He profiles as a 3-and-D man who can slot into just about any lineup instantly, with the potential to develop into rather more offensively.

After the Kevin Durant commerce, the Suns clearly have a watch on the longer term but in addition need to stay aggressive. At 7-2 with a 7-7 wingspan, the rim-running, shot-blocking Maluach threads that needle superbly, and may turn out to be a obligatory lob risk as Devin Booker and Jalen Inexperienced break down defenses. Maluach has nice instincts for somebody who picked up basketball comparatively late, and the 18-year-old will solely enhance on each ends of the ground as he matures.

The Blazers can lastly see the sunshine on the finish of the tunnel with Deandre Ayton’s contract expiring after this season, and Queen would offer a improbable 1-2 huge man punch alongside final yr’s first-round choose, Donovan Clingan. Enjoying each collectively would possibly create some spacing points, however Queen profiles as a wonderful backup heart who can function because the offensive hub for reserve models along with his distinctive playmaking skill for his dimension.

Billy Donovan disparaged the Bulls’ guard-heavy roster, so it is sensible for them to go for an enormous right here. Newell could also be a attain at No. 12, however his talent set suits the fashionable NBA — particularly if his 3-point shot turns into dependable. Even when it does not, he is nonetheless a wonderful finisher and a lob risk along with his 7-foot wingspan, and he has some switching potential on the perimeter.

Yearly I fall irrationally in love with one prospect, and this yr it is Clifford. His age (23) might scare some groups away, however the Hawks might instantly slot him in as a do-everything wing, able to scoring or facilitating relying on who else is on the ground. His confidence jumps off the display screen, and he ought to be capable of make a right away impression for a crew seeking to win now.

Demin is a challenge, however the Spurs are inclined to do effectively with these. If he pans out, he is principally a 6-9 level guard who might help create some jumbo-sized lineups alongside Victor Wembanyama. Taking pictures and protection are the massive query marks, however his expertise makes the gamble price it at No. 14.

If one OKC weak spot revealed itself throughout the postseason, it was the occasional scoring droughts because of a heavy reliance on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Enter Richardson, a knockdown 3-point shooter who has additionally proven ending skill within the midrange and on the rim. He also needs to be capable of grasp on the league’s finest protection, which might assist him vie for taking part in time instantly.

The Grizzlies misplaced taking pictures by saying goodbye to Desmond Bane, so why not acquire some again with Coward? The 6-6 wing has boosted his draft inventory greater than another prospect because of his 7-2 wingspan and skill to knock down 3s at a excessive clip. Coward’s defensive potential is off the charts, which makes him a wonderful match for a Grizzlies crew seeking to fulfill the potential it confirmed a number of seasons in the past.

Who is aware of what is going on to occur with Julius Randle and Naz Reid, however Wolf could be an excellent insurance coverage coverage in case one of many bigs departs. Working just about as a guard at Michigan after transferring from Yale, Wolf can provoke offense or create his personal from the excessive submit or the perimeter. Minnesota loves its double-big lineups, and Wolf has the right talent set to enrich one other heart.

If any crew is in place to take an enormous swing, it is the Washington Wizards — and that is precisely what Beringer is. The French prospect does not flip 19 till November, and can want loads of seasoning earlier than he turns into a dependable rotation participant. The enchantment is clear, although, along with his 7-5 wingspan and ready-made position as a rim protector and lob risk. The Wizards have already seen success with different French draft picks (Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly), so why not roll the cube yet one more time?

A giant-time recruit out of highschool, Riley has been a bit undervalued in draft discussions for my part. He has deep vary on his jumper and shoots it with confidence, and he is a sensible sufficient cutter to benefit from defenders who go to sleep. With the ball, he is proven large instincts as a playmaker, which could possibly be additional developed in a system like Brooklyn’s that has the posh of endurance.

It might be a shock if Murray-Boyles drops this far, however I am not totally bought on his talent set translating to the NBA degree. The Warmth are the right group to make correct use of his skills, nonetheless, with the baseline of an incredible motor and defensive versatility. Offensively, it is laborious to be an enormous who is not a shooter OR a lob risk, however Murray-Boyles is a connective playmaker with good contact across the rim.

Essengue’s projections are all around the board, however I believe he suits properly right here as a low-risk swing by a franchise seeking to flip the nook (and reportedly cease tanking). The 6-9 wing ought to be a plus defender instantly and profiles as a reliable stopper down the highway — which could possibly be some time since he does not flip 19 till nearly Christmas. The offensive sport wants important refinement, however the potential is there.

With Clint Capela seemingly heading elsewhere in free company, Sorber can instantly slot in as Onyeka Okongwu’s backup. Sorber’s 7-6 wingspan permits him to play larger than his 6-10 body, and he ought to be a right away asset on the defensive facet. Offensively, he stays largely beneath the rim however is a dominant finisher inside, and he is proven flashes of intriguing playmaking potential.

One other prospect who I believe can outperform his draft place, Fleming’s ceiling goes sky-high if his 3-point taking pictures interprets to the NBA. If it does not, you continue to have a flexible defensive huge with a knack for getting his palms on the basketball. Fleming will be a right away terror in transition and out of the dunker spot, so his worth ought to reveal itself instantly for New Orleans.

May there be a extra excellent late-round steal for the Thunder? Basically the one issues working towards Clayton on this draft are his age (22) and dimension (6-3), and people have confirmed to be surmountable deficiencies if the talent set and make-up are there — which they definitely are with the Closing 4 Most Excellent Participant. Clayton’s 3-point taking pictures is elite and will probably be the talent that determines his ceiling, however his flooring can be extraordinarily excessive given his IQ and confidence.

I am not in love with McNeeley as a prospect, however his upside is definitely worth the threat right here for the Magic, who have been useless final in made 3-pointers final season. His percentages ought to enhance as his sport is simplified on the NBA degree, however McNeeley has proven rather more proficiency in catch-and-shoot conditions than off of motion, which limits his ceiling. If all of it comes collectively, nonetheless, he’ll be the right complement to the Magic’s younger core.

With a blazing first step which helps him get to the paint at will, Traore is an intriguing prospect as a combo guard with the potential to be a main ball-handler down the highway. The Nets are merely accumulating property at this level, so that they’ll simply take the perfect participant on the board, and Traore’s potential is definitely there if his 3-point shot improves.

If Brooklyn finally ends up holding all of its picks, it may need as many bites on the apple as potential. With that in thoughts, drafting Saraf right here is sensible because the seek for a real lead guard continues. At 6-5, he has reliable playmaking expertise in each transition and halfcourt, and does most of his scoring injury on the rim and with pull-up jumpers. He has an opportunity to be a very particular facilitator, however his offense might not be sufficient to make him an eventual starting-caliber level guard.

Penda has an NBA-ready physique, which might assist the Celtics as they navigate what could possibly be a transition yr with Jayson Tatum anticipated to overlook important time and a commerce or two probably forthcoming. With nice footwork and contact across the basket, Penda has a relentless motor and is usually a wrecking ball (in good and dangerous methods) on each ends of the ground. His mechanics additionally counsel that he might turn out to be a greater shooter than the chances point out.

Watching Lu Dort lock down opponents within the Finals might enhance the inventory of Thiero, an elite defensive prospect who lacks polish on the offensive finish. His lack of ability to persistently knock down 3s will seemingly stop him from staying on the courtroom for lengthy stretches, however the Suns will want all of the perimeter protection they will get with Devin Booker and Jalen Inexperienced within the backcourt. And if his offense develops, we’re speaking a few potential starter down the highway.

Gamers like Donovan Clingan and Zach Edey have confirmed that super-sized facilities can have a spot within the league, even when they are a bit gradual of foot. Kalkbrenner in all probability is not on the extent of these two, however he’ll defend the rim, rebound and set screens to liberate scorers. He additionally has intriguing potential as a 3-point shooter, which might clearly increase his NBA ceiling. The Clippers desperately want a backup for Ivica Zubac, and Kalkbrenner might fill that position properly.