2025 NBA Mock Draft – Extended Edition – 12/31/24

2025 NBA Mock Draft – Extended Edition – 12/31/24

December 31, 2024

12–17 minutes

Happy New Year! The college basketball schedule has been a bit light lately, so not many changes this week.

Draft order and lottery courtesy of http://www.tankathon.com.

Pick	Team	Player	2024-2025 Stats	Commentary
1	Detroit Pistons (14-18)	PF Cooper Flagg, Fr, Duke – 6’9, 205 lbs	16.3 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 3.5 apg	While a 14-18 record may not seem impressive, Detroit won 14 and 17 games the two previous seasons, so this is a big step up for them. Even better, they jump up nine spots to land the first overall pick in this mock draft. With Cooper Flagg’s offensive struggles, and Dylan Harper’s offensive dominance, this has become a real two man race for the first overall pick. I am still firmly on the Flagg hype train. His offense was known to be a work in progress, but he is already an NBA caliber defender, and is a great playmaker for a power forward. The “generational prospect” tags were nothing but media nonsense. Flagg was never that, but I am still convinced that he will be a very good NBA player.
2	Brooklyn Nets (12-20)	SG Dylan Harper, Fr, Rutgers – 6’6, 215 lbs	23.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 4.2 apg	The Nets reacquired their first round pick from the Rockets in hopes things would play out like this scenario. Brooklyn desperately needs star talent on the roster. Dylan Harper is right there with Cooper Flagg as the best player in this draft. He is a special offensive talent who excels with the ball in his hand, whether shooting, driving, or finding open teammates. He has some James Harden to his game. He would be a perfect fit for a Brooklyn team that lacks players who can create their own offense.
3	Portland Trail Blazers (11-21)	PG Kasparas Jakucionis, Fr, Illinois – 6’6, 200 lbs	16.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 5.3 apg	While I think it is too early to give up on a 20 year old player, the Trail Blazers will need to have the uncomfortable conversation as to whether they can build around Scoot Henderson. A better shooter may be required at the point guard position. Jakucionis is 6’6, but has true point guard skills. He can lead an offense and his jump shot is NBA ready. His savvy game would be a nice compliment to the athletic, offensively challenged guards on the Portland roster.
4	Toronto Raptors (7-25)	SF Ace Bailey, Fr, Rutgers – 6’10, 200 lbs	13.3 ppg, 5.8 apg, 4.6 rpg	The Raptors have talent, but not enough to compete, and will probably just go with the best player available here. It has not been a great showing so far for Ace Bailey. He has struggled to get to the rim, and basically never looks to pass. He has the look of a current version of Michael Porter Jr., which might not be the most exciting prospect for a player many compared to Kevin Durant in high school. Playing for a bad Rutgers team has not done him any favors, but I still have him in my top five. He is a natural scorer, and any team could use someone like that. He will have to show a better all around game to hold off other players coming for this spot.
5	New Orleans Pelicans (5-28)	SG Tre Johnson, Texas – 6’6, 190 lbs	19.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.4 apg	The Pelicans brought in Dejounte Murray to take the next step, but a plethora of injuries have made this another season to forget in New Orleans. Zion Williamson may be a lost cause, and this front office may have to pivot towards a different direction. If you are a fan of shooting, there may not be a better player in this class than Tre Johnson. He is shooting over 44% from the arc, and can score with ease. That skill is extremely valuable in the NBA. If he can show a bit of play making ability and defensive skills, he should be a top five lock. Right now it is mostly about the shooting.
6	Washington Wizards (5-25)	SG Egor Demin, BYU – 6’9, 190 lbs	13.3 ppg, 5.8 apg, 4.6 rpg	The Wizards are in the midst of a monumental rebuild. They are one of the only teams in the NBA relying on rookies, with their three first round picks all a big part of the rotation. Of course, that is one reason why they have the second worst record in the NBA, which makes falling to sixth overall in this mock such a gut punch. Washington should just go with the best player available here. Egor Demin started the season on fire, but struggled offensively before suffering an injury that has kept him out for the past month. He is a quality play maker and a fun stat sheet stuffer, but teams may struggle to figure out what his NBA role would be.
7	Charlotte Hornets (7-25)	PF Asa Newell, Georgia – 6’11, 220 lbs	15.5 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.2 spg	It has been another lost year for the Hornets. There is talent here, but so far it has not resulted in sustained success. Charlotte is especially porous on defense. Asa Newell is a quality all around big man. He has a nice touch around the basket, potential three point range, and is a quality rebounder and defender.
8	Utah Jazz (7-24)	SG VJ Edgecombe, Baylor – 6’5, 180 lbs	11.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 3.4 apg, 2.5 spg, 1.3 bpg	The Jazz are finally one of the worst teams in the NBA, just the way Danny Ainge wanted it. Unfortunately, a 7-24 record only got them the eighth overall pick in this mock. Lauri Markkanen is a solid building block, but other than him, Utah should bring in competition for all of its other players. It has been a slow start shooting wise for VJ Edgecombe, but his hustle and defensive instincts are off the charts. If he can develop his jump shot, the Jazz could have a great two way guard on their hands.
9	Sacramento Kings (13-17)	C Khaman Maluach, Fr, Duke – 7’2, 250 lbs	8.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 0.9 bpg	The long suffering Kings franchise looked to finally turn a corner a couple years ago, but they are back to dealing with turmoil. The head coach is gone, and the roster is a bad mix of offensive players who are not great shooters and a serious lack of toughness. Khaman Maluach may not set the stat sheet on fire, but he has the look of a solid starting center. He is a solid inside scorer, can rebound and block shots, and has shown the ability to stretch the floor offensively in the past. He is exactly what this Sacramento roster needs.
10	Oklahoma City Thunder (26-5)	SF Liam McNeeley, Connecticut – 6’7, 210 lbs	13.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.6 apg	From PHI (13-17) With a legit MVP candidate, a ton of young talent, and quite a bit of draft capital remaining, the Thunder are the envy of the NBA. They get a top ten pick from a surging 76ers team here. If there is one thing this team may possibly need, it is more bench scoring. Liam McNeeley would not be asked to do anything except knock down some jump shots for 20 minutes or so per game. He is one of the better shooters in this draft class.
11	San Antonio Spurs (16-16)	SG Ben Saraf, Israel – 6’5, 200 lbs	12.4 ppg, 4.2 apg, 2.9 rpg	From CHI (15-18) The Spurs have three of the top 18 picks in this mock. There is no way they do not draft a European prospect or two. Ben Saraf might not be a top notch athlete, but he is a talented, crafty scorer who can get buckets from all three levels. He also has shown a bit of point guard skills. Let the inevitable Manu Ginobili comparisons commence.
12	Houston Rockets (19-9)	C Derik Queen, Fr, Maryland – 6’10, 246 lbs	16.8 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 2.2 apg	From PHX (15-16) Houston is one of the deepest teams in the NBA, and has not been able to find minutes for the 2023 number three overall pick, so I doubt they would be interested in keeping this pick, owed to them by the cannonballing Phoenix Suns. Derik Queen is a crafty, old school offensive big man in the Al Jefferson mold. He would be a very solid backup to Alperen Sengun, and can do a few of the same things that Sengun does.
13	Golden State Warriors (16-16)	PG Boogie Fland, Arkansas – 6’2, 175 lbs	15.3 ppg, 6.2 apg, 3.6 rpg	The Warriors have delayed the inevitable rebuild for as long as they could, but the time may be coming. This is a team in freefall, and no minor trade is going to fix things. It is uncertain what this team will look like a year from now. Boogie Fland has been the best of John Calipari’s numerous freshmen. He is quick, agile, can run an offense and is a solid scorer. The main knock against him is size, but at this point in the draft, he could be a steal.
14	San Antonio Spurs (16-16)	PG Nolan Traore, France – 6’3, 175 lbs	10.4 ppg, 5.1 apg, 1.9 rpg	The Spurs would probably have liked to have tanked for another year or two, but Victor Wembanyama and the coaching staff are too good to let that happen. This is a serious playoff team right now. It has been a tough go of things for Nolan Traore, and his draft stock has suffered accordingly. He remians a solid playmaker with defensive ability, but the sshooting and scoring leaves a lot to be desired. We have seen French point guards struggle to acclimate to NBA defenses before. Whether that is fair or not to Traore, it is a legitimate concern. This would be a great landing spot for him. San Antonio is one of the better teams at developing young talent, and he gets to play with his countryman Wembanyama.
15	Indiana Pacers (16-17)	SG Jeremiah Fears, Fr, Oklahoma – 6’4, 182 lbs	18.1 ppg, 4.5 apg, 3.5 rpg, 2.2 spg	Jeremiah Fears has been a monster for the undefeated Oklahoma Sooners. He is an aggressive scorer, has great shooting range and can play point guard in a pinch. He could be a future 20 point per game scorer in the NBA and would be a nice fit next to Tyrese Haliburton in the Indiana back court.
16	Brooklyn Nets (12-20)	SF Will Riley, Fr, Illinois – 6’8, 180 lbs	12.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.5 apg	From MIL (16-14) The Nets have four first round picks in this mock draft exercise, and should scoop up several young players with upside. Will Riley is very young and raw, as most players who reclassify to move up a year are, but has the look of someone who can create his own offense, something most players on this Brooklyn roster lack.
17	Oklahoma City Thunder (26-5)	SF Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina – 6’7, 245 lbs	12.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3.1 apg	From MIA (16-14) Collin Murray-Boyles would fit in with what the Thunder love to do defensively. He is strong, can block shots and rebound. Offensively, his jump shot is a work in progress, but he is a good cutter and finisher.
18	San Antonio Spurs (16-16)	SF Kon Knueppel, Duke – 6’7, 217 lbs	12.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.1 apg	From ATL (18-15) San Antonio finally drafts an American player. Kon Knueppel has struggled with his jump shot here and there, but has the potential to be a knock down shooter. He also can handle the ball and initiate an offense on occasion.
19	Utah Jazz (7-20)	SF Noa Essengue, France – 6’9, 194 lbs	12.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.1 spg	From MIN (17-14) With three more first round picks in 2025, to go along with the three they had in 2024, expect the Jazz to continue to draft youth in hopes they strike it rich. Noa Essengue is in the Bilal Coulibaly/Tidjane Salaun mold, as a lanky, athletic French combo forward. He needs to gain strength and improve his jump shot, but he has the athleticism and energy to become a solid pro.
20	Atlanta Hawks (18-15)	SG Ian Jackson, Fr, North Carolina – 6’4, 190 lbs	13.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 0.7 apg	From LAL (18-13) The Hawks are really starting to figure things out, and have the look of an exciting up and coming team. If you are looking for a one trick pony, whose trick is one of the most valuable in the NBA, look no further than Ian Jackson. Jackson does not do much, but he is a heck of a shooter, and is coming off of back to back 24 plus point games. He is an easy fit off of any NBA bench.
21	Orlando Magic (20-14)	SF Hugo Gonzalez, Spain – 6’6, 207 lbs	3.0 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 0.7 apg	From DEN (18-13) The Magic have two first round picks and one of the youngest and deepest rosters in the NBA. This would be a good spot for a young developmental type with upside. Hugo Gonzalez has played less than 10 minutes per game for his European club, so scouts are going to have to do a bit of projection here. Fortunately for him, there are quite a few teams with multiple first round picks who could spend one on a developmental project.
22	Orlando Magic (20-14)	SG Drake Powell, North Carolina – 6’6, 195 lbs	6’1 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 0.9 apg	Drake Powell started the season off very slow for the Tar Heels, but has picked things up recently. He is getting more minutes and is showing a very nice shooting tough to go along with defensive potential. His counting stats are nothing to get excited about, but he is shooting 51/42/75, showing solid production. He has starting potential and could shoot back up into the lottery if he continues to improve.
23	Oklahoma City Thunder (22-5)	C Rocco Zikarsky, Australia – 7’3, 227 lbs	4.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 0.7 bpg	From LAC (19-13) The Thunder have three first round picks and a pretty full roster already, so I expect them to move one or two of these selections. Rocco Zikarsky would be a nice developmental project for Oklahoma City. He is very athletic but extremely raw. Learning behind Isaiah Hartenstein, a similar prospect a decade ago who has worked his way into becoming a great NBA player, would be a great position to be in.
24	Dallas Mavericks (18-10)	SF Adou Thiero, Arkansas – 6’8, 220 lbs	17.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.2 apg, 2.0 spg	The Mavericks look like contenders once again, thanks to an All Star back court and impressive collection of role players. Speaking of role players, Adou Thiero might be the best in this class. He will remind Dallas fans of Dorian Finney-Smith. He can run the floor, score from inside, rebound and play solid defense. He is a jump shot away from being a possible starter.
25	Brooklyn Nets (12-20)	C Thomas Sorber, Georgetown – 6’10, 255 lbs	15.7 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 2.5 apg, 2.2 bpg, 1.3 spg	From HOU (21-11) Thomas Sorber was not a top 20 recruit, but may be the most impressive freshman thus far. He does a little bit of everything on the court and stuffs the stat sheet. His lack of explosiveness may keep him from being a lottery pick, but he could carve out a role as a starting center in the NBA.
26	Memphis Grizzlies (22-11)	SF Alex Karaban, Jr, Connecticut – 6’8, 225 lbs	16.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.7 apg	After an injury ravaged 2023-2024 season, Memphis is reminding the NBA world that they are still one of the better teams in the NBA. Alex Karaban is the type of glue guy with a winning pedigree that would fit in well with the culture the Grizzlies have established. He is a tough scorer, good shooter and solid rebounder and defender.
27	Brooklyn Nets (10-15)	SG Kam Jones, Sr, Marquette – 6’5, 200 lbs	4.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 0.6 bpg	From NY (23-10) Yes, this is the fourth pick for the Nets. Brooklyn decides to bring in an upperclassmen to work with all of the young draft picks. Kam Jones is having a national player of the year type of season. He is a very good shooter, solid ball handler and can play some defense as well.
28	Boston Celtics (23-9)	C Tomislav Ivisic, So, Illinois – 7’1, 230 lbs	14.7 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.3 bpg	Zvonimir Ivisic may be the name NBA Draft fans know, but his twin brother Tomislav is having the superior college career. He is one of many legitimate NBA prospects playing for Illinois this year. He is a classic stretch five, with range out to the three point line. He can also grab rebounds, and could be a Luke Kornet clone for the Celtics.
29	Los Angeles Clippers (16-13)	PF JT Toppin, So, Texas Tech – 6’9, 225 lbs	18.6 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 1.9 bpg, 1.6 spg	From OKC (26-5) No team has gotten less from its draft picks the past decade and a half than the Los Angeles Clippers. This roster has a ton of veteran players on short term deals, so there could be minutes for an experienced rookie next year. JT Toppin is not a player you run offense for, but he is a hustle guy who can score from in close, and even hit some jump shots. He is also a fantastic rebounder and solid defender.
30	Utah Jazz (7-24)	SF Mackenzie Mgbako, So, Indiana – 6’9, 222 lbs	13.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.6 apg	From CLE (28-4) Utah rounds out the first round with its third pick of this draft. Mackenzie Mgbako has improved his shooting percentages by a wide margin as a sophomore. His calling card will be his jump shot, but he is also a decent rebounder as well.