2025 NBA Mock Draft (1st Round)

2025 NBA Mock Draft 1.0

We are a little less than a week removed from getting the lottery results and now the fun begins. Combines and pro days are in full effect along with all of the rumors and speculations. I believe this draft will be one of the most active ones ever. The way it fell, some of these players don’t fit in with the teams timeline or scheme. There is also a big piece or two that could shift the entire draft.

With that said, we have our order and I have mocked the full first round. An updated big board along with the second round mock will be out this week.

Dallas Mavericks - Cooper Flagg, F, Duke

Flagg & Anthony Davis on defense will be something to watch. Dallas may not necessarily be the greatest fit but it allows Flagg the ability to not be relied upon on a nightly basis. This also allows his development to not be rushed which will pay off in the future. I expect him to stuff the stat sheet and while he may not score 20+ points a game - his impact on both ends will be felt.

How Kidd utilizes Flagg will be intriguing, but I would love to see him with the ball in his hands as an initiator like he was at Duke. They still must address the backcourt concerns without Kyrie - getting a veteran who can help Cooper get some easy shots when he is off ball would be nice. This team’s defense was not good down the stretch but Flagg will change that immediately with his versatility and skillset.

San Antonio Spurs - Dylan Harper, G, Rutgers

Another interesting fit but if anyone can make it work, it’s the Spurs. Harper being versatile offensively helps, but his off-ball movement will need to get better. He shot well on catch and shoot opportunities but when he has the ball in his hands, he is deadly.

Running the second unit will allow him to be more of a point guard and control the game but when they stagger some starters, he could do a little of both. That versatility along with the elite at the rim finishing is why Harper to the Spurs will work.

Philadelphia 76ers - Ace Bailey, F, Rutgers

76ers are in an interesting spot. Injuries derailed their season but coming into next season, they’ll be in championship mode. Ace has incredible upside and star potential but his shot selection is a big concern. Insert him in this situation and I believe it will help strengthen some of those weaknesses.

He will not be asked to carry a heavy load, while also being in position to learn from Paul George who is one of the comparisons some have for him. Being instant offense off the bench is what I presume to be his initial role - which can be beneficiary to him and his development.

Charlotte Hornets - Tre Johnson, G, Texas

There was not a shooting category that the Hornets did not rank in the bottom five in last year. What better way to help get out of the cellar than add one of the best shooters in the draft. Tre can flat out shoot the basketball - it was on full display last year when he shot nearly 40% on a nice volume. With LaMelo running the show and Miller on the wing, Tre could add so much spacing to the Hornets.

His ability to shoot off the dribble or catch adds even more upside as he is not solely depending on catch and shoot opportunities. Tre can provide immediate contribution while also being allowed to play through mistakes which will benefit his development.

Utah Jazz - Kon Kneuppel, F, Duke

There are numerous avenues that Utah can go with this pick. They are pretty loaded in the backcourt but lack depth on the wing, especially shooting. Kon is a low maintenance player who does not need the ball to be effective but has shown he is capable of being a secondary initiator if he must.

Jazz ranked bottom ten in three-point% and lacked a consistent knockdown shooter. With the heavy rotation of playmaking guards - Kon does not have to do a lot of self-creation for his shots, which is a weakness of his. This is one of my favorite fits just for what Kon would be able to provide offensively with his shooting ability.

Washington Wizards - VJ Edgecombe, G, Baylor

I love the direction the Wizards are going as far as building through the draft and developing throughout the season. It may not be the pick they wanted but adding one of the best athletes in the draft who has all-star potential is something I think they will take. A strong downhill driver who is electric in transition and can also space the floor with his catch and shoot ability. VJ is a seamless fit into a team who should look to play with more pace to help showcase their young athletic core.

Despite the lack of recent success, the new front office has come in and did a solid job. I can see the Wizards having an Indiana Pacer type of trajectory if they can keep developing and growing together with their core. That team comparison goes right into how I see VJ projecting - which is how Bennedict Mathurin is trending in Indiana.

New Orleans Pelicans - Jeremiah Fears, G, Oklahoma

At times during the season the Pelicans were using forwards as their point guard, The injury bug bit them hard which is why they are selecting here. Nothing is truly perfect BUT this fit is as close as you can get to it. Fears is a day one contributor in New Orleans which instantly improves their team. Why do I say this? Well, CJ McCollum has been the primary point guard prior to Dejounte Murray being acquired and he is better suited at the two guard. Murray is a combo guard that has developed into more of a point guard while he was in Atlanta but his strength is being a two guard.

Fears had the keys as a freshman in the best conference we have ever seen in college basketball and he thrived. His ability to be a playmaker as well as score the ball at all three levels opens driving lanes for Zion, catch and shoot opportunities for Trey Murphy and lobs for Yves Missi. Obviously, I don’t expect the Pelicans to give him the keys right away but even without the ball in his hands he can be effective. The shooting was inconsistent but I believe in that improving at this level with the spacing and help from his teammates.

Brooklyn Nets - Khaman Maluach, C, Duke

If a team believes in his ability to be a stretch five - this may be too low for him. This is a huge draft for the Nets who are looking to rebuild their core. Maluach is a young skillful big with a ton of upside - likely to show more offensively than he did at Duke. He was not asked to do much outside of rim run and catch lobs, but there are some that think he can consistently knock down jumpers. Defensively is where his money will be made early on until his offensive game grows.

The block rate and rebounding need to be at a higher level but his ability to defend in space is rare for a prospect his size. There were some inconstancies in his play in college but one thing remained the same and that was his motor. Pairing him beside a rebounding machine-like Sharpe, I think that is a nice paring for the future of their interior.

Toronto Raptors - Derik Queen, F/C, Maryland

The Raptors core is set. The addition of Brandon Ingram gives them a nice balanced core that could make some noise next year IF HEALTHY. The backcourt depth is solid but the frontcourt could use a makeover. Poeltl is a veteran presence who still can be beneficial while you have a young developing big in Mogbo who is still raw offensively. Insert Derik Queen who is as skillful as they come at his size and has the productivity to match.

Queen adds a post scoring presence to the Raptors that could help elevate this offense. I’m aware teams do not throw the ball in the post like they once did but with Queen’s skillset – he is able to also face up and be a playmaker from anywhere on the court. His ceiling would be even higher if he can consistently knock down a 15–17-foot jumper but what he does at his skillset mixed with the type of players he would be playing with here is picture perfect.

Houston Rockets - Kasparas Jakucionis, G, Illinois

The Rockets are in an interesting place after being a top two seed in the West but being bounced in the first round. One issue was their lack of creators and backcourt depth. Fred Van Vleet played heavy minutes and while he performed at a high level - there was not a lot of backup initiators of the offense. Kasparas has great positional size with high level court awareness and can also orchestrate out of pick and roll sets.

The shooting was horrific for the Rockets in the post season and while Kasparas was streaky in college, with a lower shot diet, he could be more effective with his shooting. Ime does not play young players much, especially ones who do not defend at a high level. Defense is not the strong point of Jakucionis’s game but with his size and the way he can run an offense, that may help him get on the floor.

Portland Trailblazers - Collin Murray Boyles, F, South Carolina

The Blazers are trending in the right direction and the development of their young players is impressive. That improvement inked Chauncey Billups to an extension and this draft could help elevate them to the next step in this process. CMB is a productive undersized forward that has extremely high upside on defense. Offensively he relies more on his strength and ability to get to his spots within 15 feet. Improvement in his shooting will raise his floor but I believe his defensive ability and motor will get him consistent minutes

The front court may seem crowded but there is a chance that Ayton, Grant, and Robert Williams III could be out in Portland. That opens a lot of minutes and production needed as Clingan would slide into a starter role. CMB is not limited to being a bruiser on offense but he can also initiate some offense and has a nose for offensive rebounds. The physicality he plays with allows Portland to use him at the five when they go small while not having a drop off on the defensive end.

Chicago Bulls - Cedric Coward, F, Washington St

One of the biggest risers of the draft this year has been Cedric Coward. A unique story to fit a unique player who is the prototypical wing that teams are looking for. Big, rangy, and athletic but also can be versatile on both ends of the floor. The Bulls need wing depth and Coward fits the description with his skillset. His weaknesses can be masked here due to the multiple ball handlers the Bulls have at the guard position. Developing a tighter handle along with increasing his playmaking ability will be key but he will not have to be asked to do a bunch of that in the beginning.

Defensively is where the Bulls need the most help and Cedric can provide that with his length, IQ, and versatility. On the offensive end he can knock down shots - although it was a smaller sample size, he shot around 40% from three. The shooting does not have to be that great but if he can be mid to high 30’s with his defensive upside - Coward will be one of the steals of this draft.

Atlanta Hawks - Nique Clifford, G, Colorado St

Clifford is a swiss army knife that can affect the game in numerous ways. He is instant production for a middling team who needs more from their guards outside of Trae Young. The emergence of Dyson Daniels and upside of Risacher are two bright spots for the future but there needs to be more. Clifford is versatile on both ends of the floor but more importantly he impacts the game without having to score.

I would love to see Trae more off ball and allow him to come off some screens and effect the game as a secondary initiator in certain instances. Nique can help with that while also protecting Trae defensively alongside Dyson. Snyder likes using unique lineups and although Nique is a bigger guard, he can still slide into the forward position and be effective.

San Antonio Spurs - Maxime Raynaud, C, Stanford

There are a multitude of ways the Spurs could go but why not grab one of the more skilled big men in the draft. Maxime was dominant in the ACC and showed the ability to get better each year - raising his points per game over 13 points from his freshman year to his senior season. The backcourt is loaded with depth but up front they are a little light. Raynaud not only could provide offense off the bench but he is a better rim protector and perimeter defender than what he is given credit for.

Obviously, the strength will need to get better but the work ethic and willingness is there. Despite his age, he’s a late bloomer with a high ceiling. Let us not forget, San Antonio has had success with French prospects through the years - Maxime would be another added to that list here.

Oklahoma City Thunder - Jase Richardson, G, Michigan St

There is not much you can do to improve a 60+ win team with the MVP and multiple high-level players on team friendly deals. They have endless draft picks and all these players cannot play or produce in each season. That said, if there was something to add, it would be a combo guard that is efficient, smart, and versatile.

Jase may be small but more than makes up for it with his productivity. It is going to be tough for Jase to crack the rotation unless a move is made but his youth and work ethic makes him a developmental piece for the future if they choose to go that route.

Orlando Magic - Will Riley, F, Illinois

Shooting. Shooting. Shooting. The focal point for this off season for Orlando is to get as much shooting as they can. Their cornerstones are already set with Paolo and Franz but what’s around them is the issue. One of the worst shooting teams in the league by all metrics is in dire need of some shot makers. Insert Will Riley who can make shots in a variety of ways. A fluid off ball mover who makes himself available and can attack close outs. His finishing ability at the rim needs to be better but his job will be to stretch the floor and open driving lanes for Paolo and Franz.

Riley has exceptional positional size which allows him to play with a variety of lineups. Orlando has a big team that plays hard defensively which Riley will need to work on but the effort and desire is there. Riley’s defense is not horrible, he battles and fights but does struggle a bit in space with shiftier defenders. Nothing that can’t be improved in a defensive scheme like Orlando runs but his offense (specifically shooting) should land him some opportunities to compete for minutes.

Minnesota Timberwolves - Egor Demin, G, BYU

Mike Conley has been a great fit for this team with his leadership and timely possessions in their back-to-back Western Conference Finals trips. Going into next year it will be a lot to ask for the veteran to continue to play at the level he’s played over the last handful of years. Egor would be a seamless fit with his size and court vision. He will be coming into a team where he can be an initiator rather than a shooter but also being able to showcase his elite passing in transition.

The shooting and consistency will need to be better but both can be developed under a good system that Finch runs. Alexander-Walker is a free agent and could be looking to get more money and minutes next year. That leaves a hole in the depth of the guard position that Egor can fill. I would love to see the aggression we saw in the NCAA Tournament which raises his floor but for what the Wolves need him to be - this is a great fit for both parties.

Washington Wizards - Thomas Sorber, C, Georgetown

How healthy that foot is defines if this position is too low or too high. Sorber was on pace for a record setting freshman campaign until it was derailed by his foot injury. Wizards have a nice defensive anchor in Sarr that progressed well throughout the season and pairing him with Sorber will raise both of their floors. Defensively, Sorber and Sarr could be one of the better young tandems in the East.

The defense is excellent but offensively Sorber is extremely talented. He has good hands and touch around the rim. His ability to be effective as a roller on high pick and rolls needs improvement but if he has post up opportunities, he can capitalize. With the two big lineups being so effective in the playoffs, if Sorber is healthy and medicals are clean – Wizards have themselves a formidable rotation of big men.

Brooklyn Nets - Noa Essengue, F, Ratiopharm ULM

You got your big man with the first pick – now it is time for a wing with tremendous upside in Essengue. Cam Johnson is at one wing and could potentially be on the move, which allows Noa to step in and try to produce at a high level. He has been ultra-productive despite the lack of a consistent jump-shot.

He relies more on his length and speed to be productive on offense. Needs to gain strength along with a reliable jumper but his skillset and experience should allow for him to be an impact player right away. Brooklyn is low on wing depth and the relentless nature in which Noa plays with on both ends should be something the Nets are intrigued by.

Miami Heat - Nolan Traore, G, Saint Quentin

Life post Jimmy Butler was not successful for Miami. They lacked identity and structure which led to their demise in the play-in game. Riley came out and said they are not running it back but this pick should help with a fresh start. Davion Mitchell is a free agent and Nikola Jovic seems to have fallen out of the rotation. Traore was once seen as a lottery talent but was not as effective this past year than the prior.

Traore has a nice blend of speed and agility that allows him to blow by defenders for a good shot or create for his teammates. There was not a lot of shots being created for others on this Miami team. The selection of Traore helps with their playmaking issues while improving their guard depth if they can resign Davion and get productive minutes from Jovic.

Utah Jazz - Rasheer Fleming, F, St Joes

After drafting their shooter to help the scoring and spacing, I like the Jazz to add one of the more underrated prospects in the draft. At the wing position there is not a level of athleticism that can help you win games. Cody Williams is still developing, John Collins is a free agent, and there is not much after that. Rasheer is an older prospect that can impact winning right away for Utah. Stuffing the stat sheet is a specialty of Flemings and his defensive versatility allows the Jazz a perimeter defender that they have not had in some time.

The shot creation issues can be covered up a bit due to the guard depth the Jazz have. Collier is the best playmaker but they have multiple guards who can handle the ball to alleviate some ball handling from Fleming. It does have to improve but his ability to do everything else on both sides of the ball is why this is a seamless fit for Utah.

Atlanta Hawks - Asa Newell, F, Georgia

The Hawks have done well with drafting and developing in their front court. De’Andre Hunter, Onyeka Okongwu, Jalen Johnson and John Collins all got better each year under the Hawks development staff. While two of those players are on to other rosters, the leaps that Onyeka and Jalen made justifies why Asa is a good fit for the roster. Clint Capela is a free agent which slides Oneyka to the full-time center and opens a void for a big off the bench.

Asa is a relentless competitor with a high motor and defensive versatility. He can be effective in a role similar to when he played with four other high level college players in high school – 3 of them in this draft. That shows he is capable of being low maintenance and effective on low usage. A good lob threat for Trae and will be elite on the offensive glass to create second chance opportunities. With the development in Atlanta doing what they do, I would not be shocked to see Asa play a similar role to what Onyeka or Collins did in their first few seasons.

Indiana Pacers - Carter Bryant, F, Arizona

Prototypical wing with great size, versatility and three-point shooting upside. In a wing heavy league – Carter checks a lot of boxes with his ability to defend multiple positions and provide impact without the ball in his hands. Not many teams have more players who do so than the Indiana Pacers. They have a Myles Turner issue they need to handle in the off-season but if he leaves, Carter could be of immediate use.

Outside of Siakam and spurts from Toppin, there is minimal wings on the roster that possess both the upside and versatility that Bryant provides, especially on defense. The numbers do not jump off the screen but the intangibles and advanced analytics are in his favor. Stylistically, Carter would be highly effective in this system and if he can showcase what he did to end the year at Arizona – this may be too low of a draft position.

Oklahoma City Thunder - Walter Clayton Jr, G, Florida

Taking Jase with their first pick and having him develop in the G-League sets up for this pick to contribute right away. Clayton Jr has a skill that every team wants and needs – shooting. He can make shots at a high level in a bevy of ways. The shot diet is a bit questionable at times but he is not solely dependent on the jumper. He gets to the free throw line and downhill at a decent rate.

There is not a team that has too many shot makers which is why I believe Clayton Jr has a chance to at least get his feet wet next year for the Thunder. They play a healthy dose of players but most are wings – so there may be some minutes for a flamethrower behind SGA to keep him fresher for the post season. Clayton Jr’s experience as an older prospect helps him here because the development is somewhat close to the ceiling. Although if there is any more untapped potential in him, he is in the right place to get it out of him.

Orlando Magic - Liam Mcneely, F, UConn

One shooter is not enough. After taking Riley with their first pick - I would double down with another shooter. Liam is a different shooter than Riley in the sense that he struggles on movement shooting but his catch and shoot ability is lethal. He was nearly 45% on spot up jumpers and around 36% on catch and shoot opportunities. This blends well with what Orlando needs when Paolo and Franz are being loaded up on and can spray to the corners to a shooter like Liam.

The lack of athleticism and shot creation is a point of improvement but I don’t think it’s as big an issue in this system. I also thought his shot creation was better after injury and he was asked to do a lot for a UConn offense that did not have the best backcourt. This spot is ideal for him to just be a shot maker and off ball mover to free up space and driving lanes. In a scaled down role along with what Orlando needs, Liam paired with Riley is a good start to the offseason.

Brooklyn Nets - Labaron Philon, G, Alabama

There was minimal guard depth for the Nets last year. Add that to the guards they have that are free agents this summer besides Russell. The need for a shot creator and ball handler should be top priority. Philon can do both and will be in a system that will allow him to play through mistakes, develop and be more of the player he was in high school.

I thought the Alabama system didn’t fit his game particularly well due to his inability to be a knockdown three-point shooter. They also had a bevy of guards who needed the ball and limited the showcasing of Philon’s abilities. Despite those hurdles, he still finds himself in the first round. I love this paring with Maluach and the upside of their two-man game. Philon is a guard I believe will outperform his draft range – specifically in a situation like this with a rebuilding team.

Brooklyn Nets - Danny Wolf, C, Michigan

After taking a more traditional big man with their first pick, Wolf is a good pick here with his unique skillset. While Maluach is the potential rim protector and lob threat - Wolf is a playmaking big who can push the ball off a rebound and occasionally hit a three-point shot. There are no limitations to how Wolf can be utilized regardless of the lineup. He can be on the floor with another big man (like he was at Michigan) or he can be used as a hub for the offense as the lone big man on the floor like how Sengun is used.

Brooklyn is rebuilding and needs to stack quality depth. Wolf gives them versatility offensively while also having the potential to be big and physical on the defensive side. He is not the best defender, particularly in space but if he is put in an advantageous lineup (with Maluach), he could be serviceable. The turnovers were high but that was with high usage. In a scaled down role, I think the decision making will be better. There are just not many 7 footers who can do what Wolf does and pairing him with defensive minded big men raises his floor even higher.

Boston Celtics - Yaxel Lendeborg, F, UAB

The Tatum injury makes this Celtics off season look completely different. The rumblings of a shakeup of the roster have grown louder as the season has progressed. Developing a hybrid player like Yaxel seems like something Brad Stevens and Mazzula would be interested in. There are numerous questions with this entire roster but the front court is where it gets tricky. Kristaps injury history and lack of productivity this year makes him more expendable. Horford is a year older and certainly could use a smaller role. No Tatum means role must expand and players need to be developed for the future.

Yaxel is an older prospect but he’s a late riser to basketball. Once an avid gamer/streamer, he put the camera down and developed himself into a one of the best forwards in college basketball. The productivity is insane despite it being against lesser competition. When you fill the stat sheet like Yaxel does - it raises eyebrows regardless of completion. Learning under two elite wings and a veteran like Horford will help benefit Yaxel in his development but it may be hard to keep him from getting minutes if the production is even half of what it was in college.

Phoenix Suns - Tahaad Pettiford, G, Auburn

Decisions must be made by the young guard. The money is better in Auburn but there could be some opportunity to not only be a first rounder but be a contributor in his first year. Phoenix is likely to move into a slight rebuild mode centered around Devin Booker. Their guard play was inefficient and nonexistent at times which put more on their core three of Durant, Booker, and Beal. Pettiford may be small in stature but he plays much bigger. An aggressive and fearless three level scorer and he battles on defense.

It may take him a month or so to get consistent minutes but when that opportunity is given, I expect Pettiford to take full advantage. His scoring will translate but he needs to be a better playmaker being that his role will be to do more distributing than scoring. Defensively with his size he will be targeted but he is not a push over. I have him a bit higher on my big board but fit wise, Phoenix makes sense.

Los Angeles Clippers - Ben Saraf, G, Ratiopharm ULM

An older team with championship aspirations are likely looking for stash pieces this late in the draft. Ben is one of the youngest prospects in the draft with extremely high upside. He was a high usage guard in one of the best leagues outside of the NBA. Clippers are not guard heavy outside of Harden, so they could use another potential ball handler and initiator of the offense.

Saraf can orchestrate pick and rolls while distributing at a high level in half court sets as well as transition. The shooting needs some work but that can develop over the course of a season. A good stash prospect to develop and get contributions from if an injury happens or they want to switch things up during the season.