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2025 NBA Mock Draft: Cooper Flagg stands alone as the likely top pick

The 2025 NBA Draft class projects to be loaded with talent, and despite the fact the 2024 edition just took place this past week, it's not too early to look to the future.

This draft class will generate a ton of excitement throughout this upcoming season and around the time of the NBA Draft lottery next spring.

With a full calendar year before the 2025 draft, it’s reasonable to assume that there will be plenty of risers and fallers on draft boards between now and then.

However, there are still educated guesses that can be made about the pecking order and where teams will be a year from now.

Let’s dive into our early 2025 NBA mock draft. 

1. Detroit Pistons - Cooper Flagg, PF (Duke)

One of the most complete prospects in recent memory stands out at the top of this 2025 NBA Draft class. Cooper Flagg’s shot still needs some work, but he projects to be a dominant defensive player and a terrific playmaker at the next level.

Flagg's already sky-high draft stock got a boost when he was called up to the USA Select Team this summer, where he'll team with NBA players Jaime Jaquez Jr., Brandon Miller, Jalen Suggs and Keegan Murray to practice against the USA Olympic team.

2. Brooklyn Nets - Ace Bailey, SF (Rutgers) 

Airious "Ace" Bailey has as much upside as any player in this draft class. The 6-foot-8 wing is an elite shotmaker and as explosive as it gets in transition.

All he needs is to cut down on some shot selection and turnover issues and he’ll be a very promising NBA player.

3. Washington Wizards - Nolan Traore, PG (France)

The NBA has become dominated by an international flavor in recent seasons and that should continue with Nolan Traore poised to be a top 5 pick. Traore averaged 10.3 points and 5.4 assists in seven games in France's top league in 2023/24.

4. Charlotte Hornets - Dylan Harper, G (Rutgers)

Another Rutgers player should be selected inside the top five as Dylan Harper’s versatility will undoubtedly be valued by a litany of NBA general managers. If he can develop a 3-point shot, the sky might be limit for Harper.

5. Portland Trail Blazers - Hugo Gonzalez, G (Spain)

Hugo Gonzalez is a prized prospect in next year’s draft, as the 17-year old has already put up strong numbers at the U18 European Championships and will further develop his game as part of Real Madrid in the Spanish league and the EuroLeague this season.

6. Toronto Raptors - VJ Edgecombe, SF (Baylor)

It wouldn’t be a surprise if VJ Edgecombe was a top-five pick, but for now he’ll check in at 6th to the Raptors, who are surely looking for a two-way wing talent of his caliber to inject some excitement into their franchise. 

7. Utah Jazz - Egor Demin, PG (BYU)

Egor Demin’s elite court vision is part of why he’ll surely fit in perfectly at BYU this season and will be a target for many NBA GMs come next year’s draft. It helps that his shotmaking continues to improve, particularly from beyond the arc.

8. Chicago Bulls - Khaman Maluach, C (Duke)

Khaman Maluach is one of the more intriguing prospects in the draft. The 7-foot-2 center certainly evokes a young Joel Embiid, only he’s “10 times better” than Embiid was at age 17, according to his coaches.

Playing for the City Oilers of the Basketball Africa League where he averaged a double-double, Maluach has dominated overseas competition. He'll play at Duke in the 2024/25 college basketball season.

9. San Antonio Spurs - Tre Johnson, G (Texas)

Tre Johnson’s profile fits that of a prolific scorer who can light it up at any time. Not only is Johnson a great three-level scorer, but he’s also advancing in a major way physically as the 6-foot-6 guard heads to Texas for (presumably) his one year as a member of the Longhorns.

10. San Antonio Spurs (via ATL) - Noa Essengue, PF (France)

A fluid athlete with a very raw basketball game, Noa Essengue could be a dream - or a long-term project - for an NBA team next summer. However, his potential suggests he could sneakily be one of the best players in this draft.

11. New Orleans Pelicans - Liam McNeeley, G (UConn)

An efficient off-ball scorer and shooter, Liam McNeeley is going to fit in perfectly in that UConn system, and he should rise up on draft boards across the league as a result.

12. Houston Rockets - Dink Pate, SG (G League Ignite)

Make no mistake about it, Dink Pate’s physical tools have been better than his play for the Ignite thus far. The Ignite program folded after the 2023/24 season, so he'll have to figure out where to play in 2024/25 to further hone his skills and boost his draft stock.

13. Los Angeles Clippers - Jalil Bethea, G (Miami)

Jalil Bethea is a long and rangy combo guard who has breakout potential written all over him as he prepares for a possible one-and-done season with the Miami Hurricanes.

14. Atlanta Hawks (via SAC) - Michael Ruzic, PF (France)

While his defense isn’t anything to write home about, Michael Ruzic is yet another European prospect who possesses a smooth offensive game and should be able to adapt well to modern NBA floor spacing. The France-born forward scored 4.9 points per game in his first professional season in Spain's top league.

Read the latest NBA news on site.

The rest

15. Oklahoma City Thunder (via MIA) - Rocco Zikarsky, C (Australia)
16. Golden State Warriors - Derrion Reid, F (Alabama)
17. Brooklyn Nets (via PHX) - Isaiah Evans, SF (Duke)
18. New Orleans Pelicans (via LAL) - Kwame Evans, F (Oregon)
19. Orlando Magic - Zvonimir Ivisic, F (Arkansas)
20. Utah Jazz (via CLE) - Karter Knox, SF (Arkansas)
21. Indiana Pacers - Colin Murray-Boyles, PF (South Carolina)
22. Memphis Grizzlies - Drake Powell, PG (North Carolina)
23. Brooklyn Nets (via MIL) - Josan Sanon, SG (Arkansas)
24. Dallas Mavericks - Mackenzie Mgbako, SF (Indiana)
25. Oklahoma City Thunder (via PHI) - JT Toppin, SF (Texas Tech)
26. Utah Jazz (via MIN) - Jarin Stevenson, SF (Alabama)
27. Brooklyn Nets (via NYK) - Dame Sarr, SG (Italy)
28. Orlando Magic (via DEN) - Ian Jackson, SG (North Carolina)
29. Oklahoma City Thunder - Izan Almansa, PF (Spain)
30. Boston Celtics - Alex Karaban, SF (UConn)

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time. 

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