It’s finally draft week, folks. Kevin Durant already got traded and now the NBA’s about to get crazy. Everyone’s bluffing, nobody’s sleeping, and someone’s about to make a decision that shocks everybody.
In that spirit, here’s my first-round mock draft based on the latest intel that leans into some of the stranger rumors that have been percolating around the league in recent days.
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For a full second round plus scouting reports of every player, check out my 2025 NBA Draft Guide.
No surprises here. Flagg can help Dallas in both the short-term and long-term as a do-it-all forward who hustles like a madman, makes his teammates better as a passer, and has dialed in a knockdown jumper. He’s both the best offensive and defensive prospect in this draft class, making him the safest No. 1 pick in ages. As long as his jumper falls, he could play as a small forward next to Anthony Davis and another big. It’s his growth as a shot creator that will decide if he reaches his All-Star floor or soars to his Hall of Fame ceiling.
In all likelihood, the Spurs will keep this pick and draft Harper, but league sources say they are listening to trade offers from teams drafting in the handful of spots behind them. “They want a ridiculous haul,” said a front office executive. “Far more than I’d expect anyone to give up.” Harper is a big-bodied lefty combo guard who has a high floor with the skill, poise and playmaking instincts to dictate the game at his pace. If Flagg had never reclassified, Harper would be the consensus top pick with star upside. But he made only 36.8% of his catch-and-shoot 3s and just 28.7% of his dribble jumpers. De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle are more interior-focused guards, too, and so is Jeremy Sochan in the frontcourt. How many shaky shooters can the Spurs really put around Victor Wembanyama? That’s the whole reason why San Antonio would even listen to offers. But thus far they haven’t engaged in anything serious, leaving suitors thinking they’ll just take Harper, bank on his massive upside, and figure out team fit later.
(Taylar Sievert/Yahoo Sports Illustration)
It appears that Edgecombe is the favorite here over Ace Bailey. Some league front office executives wonder if it’s all a smokescreen for Philadelphia general manager Daryl Morey to gain leverage. But on paper, Edgecombe makes total sense for the Sixers. He is an explosive, high-motor wing who flies out of nowhere for poster dunks and chase-down blocks. He pairs his elite athleticism with a knockdown spot-up jumper and fearless slashing. Though he needs to improve his shot creation to become more of a primary creator, the Sixers have enough in that department as is, so Edgecombe would get time to develop on his own timeline.
Knueppel has a sharpshooter’s stroke, brainy pick-and-roll playmaking, and crafty scoring feel. He’s the type of player who can come in right away and fit on any team, including perfectly between LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. He’s got a slick midrange bag and strength scoring inside, but to become a player that takes over games he’ll need to overcome his average athleticism. This would matter a bit less playing in Charlotte, since he could be one of multiple ball-handlers on the team. For my interview with Knueppel, you can check it out on YouTube, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. You can also read a written version here on Yahoo Sports.
If Johnson and Ace Bailey are both still on the board at this point, the Jazz will get their choice of two energizing shot-makers. Johnson gets the nod here though, since he is the best overall shooter in this draft class. The Texas freshman can catch fire from all over the floor, drilling step-backs and off-screen jumpers with ease. But he needs to continue developing his point guard skills while also honing his shot selection and dramatically improving his defense. This makes him an imperfect fit next to Keyonte George and Isaiah Collier, but are either of them really the point guard or even 2-guard of the future? The Jazz just need to take the best talent and worry about fit later considering the rebuilding phase of the franchise. For my interview with Johnson, you can check it out on YouTube, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.
For a long while, Maluach was connected to the Raptors, but most NBA executives don’t expect him to make it there. The question is who would take him before then. Maluach could go as high as third, depending on who’s drafting in that slot. One team spotlighted in recent days is the Wizards. In Washington, Malauch would join Alex Sarr to make for an incredibly versatile frontcourt. Maluach is a towering rim protector with switchable mobility, erasing shots at the rim and shadowing quick guards on the perimeter. Beyond dunking lobs, he’s a work in progress on offense with a lack of seasoning as a screener, shooter, and creator. Such a raw skill-set should come as no surprise since the South Sudan native didn’t start playing basketball until he was 13. The Wizards are young enough that they could afford to be patient in his development.
On one hand, it seems outrageous that a player with Bailey’s scoring talent could drop this far. Bailey is a ridiculous shot-making machine, capable of splashing contested jumpers from every spot on the floor and with the swagger of a throwback bucket-getter. And he wants to be a star too, so the vision is there. But on the other hand, it’s hard to have watched these playoffs and believe Bailey is anywhere close to seeing his style translate. Bailey’s raw edges as a shot creator and defender need major sanding down to turn him into a full-on star.
The Nets have a clean slate with very few players under contract. Fears is a dynamic guard with a twitchy attacking style and a knack for coming through as a clutch shooter. He was one of college basketball’s youngest freshmen, and it showed with his shaky decision-making as a shooter and passer. But he has a feel for shot creation and a handle that lets him get anywhere on the floor, so he may only need time to emerge as a star.
Newell’s range is trending toward the lottery, according to sources around the league. It’s because of his immense versatility on defense as a 6-foot-9 rim protector who can also comfortably switch screens. He has springs in his legs, regularly slamming lobs and swatting shots. And if he ever develops his jumper, he has a chance to exceed all expectations.
The return Phoenix got from Houston for Kevin Durant isn’t so bad, considering Durant is 37 years old and has only one year remaining on his deal. It sure would’ve been nice to get back its first in 2027 or 2029, but a 23-year-old guard in Jalen Green, a valuable starter in Dillon Brooks, five second-round picks, and this year’s 10th pick is a solid return nonetheless. With this pick, it would make sense for the Suns to target more defense and it’d only make more sense to turn to a product of Arizona. Bryant is a rangy, athletic forward who projects as a highly versatile defender. And though he’s raw as a ball-handler, he’s a skilled spot-up shooter and a hyper-aware cutter. At a minimum, he has the baseline skills to be a great role player with the upside to someday be much more.
The Trail Blazers made amazing progress this season across the board, and following the All-Star break they had a top-five defensive rating. Murray-Boyles would serve as a double down on that identity since he operates like a defensive savant the way he locks down every position, uses his ninja-quick hands to swipe at the ball, and inhales rebounds. He’s a special defensive presence, and offensively he’s a bulldozer finisher with a playmaking feel. Improving his jumper would move him out of tweener territory and into All-Star status.
Queen is a burly big with guard-like handles who dazzles with spin moves and crafty finishes like his game-winning leaning jumper to send Maryland to the Sweet 16. Once Nikola Vučević walks in free agency in 2026 (or gets traded prior), then Queen would be able to contribute in a larger role. The question is how long, if ever, it’ll take for him to translate his velvet touch to the perimeter. If he does that, he has offensive star upside. But his interior scoring, playmaking chops, and magnetic rebounding alone give him tantalizing potential. Those traits make him a fascinating fit as a two-man threat with Coby White and the existing Chicago core.
League sources say the Hawks are looking to move way up from this pick and have called teams even drafting in the top five. They are targeting a center. So if they stay put, it only makes sense to give them Beringer, the best lob threat remaining on the board. Beringer began playing basketball only three years ago, which makes him a raw project, but also makes his natural talents all the more impressive. He is a center, but has the quickness of a guard, giving him immense defensive versatility to build on for years to come.
The Spurs should find a center who can play next to and behind Wembanyama. Sorber could fit the bill since he’s shown flashes of mobility moving his feet on defense and the promise of a jumper. But at his foundation, he has a massive frame and the throwback skill set to match with strong screens, soft-touch finishes, and gritty drop-coverage instincts. At a minimum, he’d be a quality backup behind Wemby. And at best, they could become twin towers that start and end games.
Congratulations to Oklahoma City for winning the NBA Finals! The broadcast showed general manager Sam Presti texting on his phone with less than 90 seconds left in the game. Was he communicating with a loved one or negotiating a trade? It’d be comical but unsurprising if it were the latter situation, since the champs have every player under contract next season, will have last year’s lottery pick Nikola Topić healthy again, have three top-44 picks this year, and could have up to four firsts next year. Consolidating could be a priority for Presti. If they stay put with this pick, though, Coward would make perfect sense as another addition. Coward has gone from a Division III player to a potential first-round pick in just a few years behind his rapid development into a prospect with a valued 3-and-D skill-set. But he brings even higher upside thanks to his passing vision. For more on Coward, watch or listen to my one-on-one interview with him.
The Grizzlies received this pick courtesy of the Magic, and it could be easy to see them going a ton of different directions with it. One path: Get more ball-handling. Demin has a rare ability at his size to make dazzling passes. But he’s also struggled to shoot and create his own shot against lengthy defenders, making him more of a love-him or hate-him prospect than a sure thing.
Clayton didn’t stop rising after leading Florida to the NCAA title — he has continued excelling in workouts and is getting looks from teams in the top 20. After missing out on Durant, the Wolves will be in the market for more shooting. Clayton is arguably the best shooter left on the board. He’s fearless with the versatility to take any shot at any moment, and his defense made strides in the tournament too.
There’s arguably no better swing left on the board than Essengue, who is a toolsy forward with a fluid handle, dynamic finishing package, and highly versatile defense. Essengue has seen his minutes dwindle in the BBL championship, which is indicative of his rawness. He needs to improve his jumper and his fundamentals on defense.
Riley has dynamic driving ability and playmaking instincts that scream upside as a jumbo-sized, shot-creating wing. He’s worked out with teams in the 10-20 range, and there’s a strong chance he doesn’t make it to this point. But his jumper is streaky, and his defense is unreliable since he’s so lean physically and lacks fundamentals. The team that drafts him will need to be patient, just like the Nets could be.
Richardson is a skilled combo guard with a lethal midrange game and a poised pick-and-roll feel, looking like he downloaded the experience of his NBA veteran father, Jason Richardson. Jase didn’t inherit his father’s height or dunk contest athleticism, though, so his smaller stature could cap his upside. Tyler Herro and Richardson could share creation responsibilities in the Miami backcourt, and Bam Adebayo would have another two-man-game partner to work with.
Clifford is a tough-as-nails wing who does it all and could fill a number of different roles for the Jazz. He defends multiple positions, crashes the boards, and scores from everywhere. But as a super senior with only Mountain West pedigree, he lacks experience against high-level competition despite his age.
This is probably too low for KJ. He’s been connected to teams drafting in the late lottery. But the reality is that someone will inevitably fall, and in this mock it’s him. And maybe that could be a blessing in disguise since pairing Jakučionis with Trae Young would allow them both to play off-ball more often, alleviating the pressure on Jakučionis to be a primary shot-creator. As a freshman he’d follow up highlights with turnover brain-farts that would derail the hype train. But in Atlanta, he could pick his spots that show off his creative passing gene and a fearless scoring ability.
Traoré oozes upside with his size, blazing speed, and shiftiness off the bounce. But he’s an inefficient scorer all over the floor who needs to improve his erratic decision-making to prove he’s worth the swing. Bailey, Traoré, and Zion Williamson would undoubtedly be one of the most exciting teams to watch. Whether it’d become good is a whole different question.
Though the Thunder already have Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren, it wouldn’t hurt to have another big in the rotation to use, aside from Jaylin Williams. Raynaud has leveled up every year at Stanford, turning into a player who pops 3s, slashes to the rim with a smooth handle, and makes eye-popping passes. As a talented passer who also offers solid defense, there’s little reason to think the Frenchman won’t carve out an NBA role.
McNeeley is a sharpshooting wing with superb instincts moving without the ball, and the touch to splash from deep ranges. Though he doesn’t project as a primary shot creator, his feel as a connective passer gives him the skill to fit into any type of offense. This would allow him to be the perfect backup to Desmond Bane early in his career, or even share the floor in some lineup configurations.
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Wolf is 6-11 but ran point for Michigan, playing a slick style with risky passes and step-back jumpers that made him a highlight factory. But he’s also a turnover machine and his shooting numbers are shaky, making him more of a raw bet who needs time to prove he can match his flash with substance. Why not take a big swing if you’re Brooklyn?
Powell has a chiseled frame that he uses to barrel into defenders at the rim and to contain opponents when he’s on defense. He’s a switch-everything defender who plays with a high motor, and if his spot-up jumper translates he checks all the boxes to be a 3-and-D role player at a minimum. As a former projected lottery pick, maybe the Nets could tap into a higher level of upside in him.
Thiero is a slasher with a jacked frame and an explosive first step, but he has severe limitations on offense as a shooter. If he’s able to figure out the shot, then his length and versatility would make him a classic 3-and-D role player. Even without it, the Celtics could find value by using him in spots occupied by Jrue Holiday as a screener, roller, and at-rim finisher.
Kalkbrenner is a throwback 7-footer who owns the paint, swatting shots with his giant wingspan and dunking everything in sight. It’s a bit strange he isn’t a better rebounder. But as a super senior, he’s also developed some sneaky passing and shooting skills that hint at higher upside. The Suns badly need a big man, and it’s hard to do much better than Kalkbrenner at this point of the draft.
Fleming is a hustler who drains spot-up jumpers and brings energy on defense, swatting shots and snagging boards. But he has some real warts as a ball-handler with a lack of experience against high-level competition, so teams will have to feel real confident his role player skill set will translate. With Kawhi Leonard and James Harden handling the rock in Los Angeles, Fleming’s positive qualities could allow him to slot in right away.
For a full second round plus scouting reports of every player, check out my 2025 NBA Draft Guide.
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