It has been a few weeks since I have done one of these. Let’s go!
Draft order and lottery courtesy of http://www.tankathon.com.
| Pick | Team | Player | 2024-2025 Stats | Commentary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Washington Wizards (6-35) |
PF Cooper Flagg, Fr, Duke – 6’9, 205 lbs | 19.2 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 4.1 apg | The Wizards are in the midst of a monumental rebuild, and the record indicates that. Landing the first overall pick would be a huge boon for the organization. Cooper Flagg is the ultimate prize. He does almost everything well, and has really picked up his shooting and scoring lately. Flagg’s signature 42 point performance against Notre Dame on January 11 most likely certified his number one pick status. |
| 2 |  San Antonio Spurs (19-22) |
SG Dylan Harper, Fr, Rutgers – 6’6, 215 lbs | 19.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 4.3 apg | San Antonio has fallen off a bit the past couple of weeks, and the lottery balls reward them for that slip up. Landing in the top three would be huge for a team that probably needs one more lottery talent to add to its core. Dylan Harper has cooled off a bit following a blistering start to the season, but will most likely remain the second best prospect in this class. His ability to handle the ball and score would be an asset to any team. A back court of Stephen Castle and Harper could be special. |
| 3 |  Philadelphia 76ers (15-26) |
SF Ace Bailey, Fr, Rutgers – 6’10, 200 lbs | 19.9 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.4 bpg | Everyone keeps waiting for the 76ers to turn the corner, but it may not happen. This is looking like a lost season in Philadelphia. The silver lining, of course, would be a top three pick, like we have here. Ace Bailey has his issues with strength and vision, but he is a talented scorer with nice range on his jump shot. Couple that with strong rebounding and defensive instincts, and there is more to like than dislike here. |
| 4 |  Chicago Bulls (19-25) |
PG Kasparas Jakucionis, Fr, Illinois – 6’6, 200 lbs | 15.9 ppg, 5.3 apg, 5.1 rpg | The Bulls have been stuck in no man’s land for years, so landing a top four pick would do wonders for a roster deep in the mud. The Bulls have a lot of guards on the roster, but neither Lonzo Ball or Josh Giddey seem to be in Chicago’s long term plans. Kasparas Jakucionis is a crafty scorer and solid ball handler, and would be a nice compliment to Coby White in the back court. |
| 5 |  Toronto Raptors (10-32) |
PG Nolan Traore, France – 6’3, 175 lbs | 11.5 ppg, 4.9 apg, 2.0 rpg | It seems like it has been two decades since the Raptors won an NBA Championship. This is a rebuilding team in need of an identity, especially at point guard. After an extremely slow start to the season, Nolan Traore is starting to remind people why he was a top five prospect coming into the year. He has shown a legitimate ability to lead an offense and get to the bucket for points, and his jump shot is slowly rounding into form. With the importance of the point guard position in the NBA, he could continue to rise in the coming months. |
| 6 |  Utah Jazz (10-31) |
SG VJ Edgecombe, Baylor – 6’5, 180 lbs | 12.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.2 apg | The Jazz are one of the biggest tanking teams in the NBA this year, but with only the sixth pick to show for it in this exercise. The roster is still in flux, and Utah could go in any direction. VJ Edgecombe is a jumper away from being a top five pick, and even with that part of his game a work in progress, he does enough to entice lottery teams. He is a slasher on offense, and a real pest defensively. His outside game continues to improve, as well. |
| 7 |  New Orleans Pelicans (12-32) |
SG Tre Johnson, Texas – 6’6, 190 lbs | 18.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.0 apg | New Orleans has finally gotten some of its players back, and are 7-3 in their last ten games. This is a playoff team when healthy, but it is most likely too late to make a run this year, especially int the always competitive West. After the more well rounded players are off the board, Tre Johnson is an easy fit for any NBA roster. His calling card is his jump shot. He is a great spot up shooter. He has the ability to be a solid defender and ball handler as well, though he has yet to show that part of his game at Texas. |
| 8 |  Charlotte Hornets (11-28) |
SG Jeremiah Fears, Fr, Oklahoma – 6’4, 182 lbs | 16.8 ppg, 4.4 apg, 4.0 rpg | It has been another lost year for the Hornets. If this roster could simply stay healthy, they could push for the play in. But, just as Mark Williams returns, Brandon Miller is out for a while. Charlotte just needs to use this pick to add to the impressive talent already on hand, and hope for better health going forward. Jeremiah Fears has bounced back nicely from a rough few games. He still needs to shoot better, but his ability to get to the basket on offense and chip in defensively could make him a nice fit next to LaMelo Ball in the Hornets back court. |
| 9 |  Brooklyn Nets (14-29) |
C Khaman Maluach, Fr, Duke – 7’2, 250 lbs | 8.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.1 bpg | It is looking like the Nets will have four first round draft picks in 2025, but only their own will fall in the lottery. They are in free fall, and will definitely hope to wind up picking higher than this. This is definitely a best player available situation. Khaman Maluach’s counting stats may not look impressive, but his under the hood production has been tremendous. He is strong, a solid rebounder and shot blocker, and has a solid shooting touch. Playing with so many scorers for Duke has limited his chances, but he has played his role to perfection and looks like a definite starting center in the NBA. |
| 10 |  Portland Trail Blazers (14-28) |
PF Asa Newell, Fr, Georgia – 6’11, 220 lbs | 15.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.1 bpg | Drafting Donovan Clingan was a nice start, but this Portland roster still needs size. Asa Newell is a solid all around prospect that may lack that one special trait that would make him a top five pick. Still, he is a nice mid range game on offense, can rebound and run the floor, and is a quality defender. Maybe more of a jack-of-all trades type of guy than a true threat, but a solid player nonetheless. |
| 11 |  Golden State Warriors (16-16) |
SF Liam McNeeley, Connecticut – 6’7, 210 lbs | 13.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.6 apg | 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, so this is another best player available situation. Liam McNeeley is an easy player to project. He is a solid shooter, decent rebounder and underrated play maker. He suffered an injury that will keep him out for a while, but that should not impact his long term draft stock. |
| 12 |  Houston Rockets (28-14) |
SG Egor Demin, Fr, BYU – 6’9, 190 lbs | 10.8 ppg, 5.7 apg, 4.4 rpg | From PHX (21-21) 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 perplexing Phoenix Suns. Egor Demin has top ten talent, but I struggle to figure out what he would provide to an NBA team, which is why he is available here. He is a flashy passer and decent on the ball defender, but is woefully weak and a below average shooter. A project, to be sure. |
| 13 | Utah Jazz (7-20) |
SG Ben Saraf, Israel – 6’5, 200 lbs | 12.5 ppg, 4.3 apg, 3.1 rpg | 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. Ben Saraf is not the best athlete in this class, but is a crafty scorer and solid ball handler. |
| 14 |  Minnesota Timberwolves (22-21) |
SF Noa Essengue, France – 6’9, 194 lbs | 8.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 0.9 bpg | From DET (22-21) The disappointing Timberwolves get this pick from the surging Detroit Pistons. No amount of rookies are going to bring Karl-Anthony Towns back, but this selection could help solidify a shallow bench. Like many French players before him, Noa Essengue is a freak of nature athletically who is still rounding into form offensively. His jump shot has been hit and miss, but his effort, defensive potential and length should get him some late lottery looks. |
| 15 |  Oklahoma City Thunder (35-7) |
C Derik Queen, Fr, Maryland – 6’10, 246 lbs | 15.1 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.9 apg | From MIA (21-20) While the Thunder do not get Philadelphia’s first round pick in this mock draft, they still land a top 15 selection from yet another unlucky, underachieving team in the Miami Heat. This would be a good spot for Oklahoma City to add a young developmental big man. Derik Queen has struggled offensively the past couple of weeks, but still shows potential as an old school, back to the basket big. He is not much of a defender, but playing behind Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein, he can just focus on providing some points off of the bench. |
| 16 |  Orlando Magic (23-21) |
SF Kon Knueppel, Fr, Duke – 6’7, 217 lbs | 12.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.7 apg | Injuries have destroyed what looked like a potentially special season for the Orlando Magic. This is a deep team loaded with talent, but sometimes, injuries are just too much to overcome. Going forward, this is a team that needs to surround its stars with shooters. Kon Knueppel may not be the best athlete or defender, but he can handle the ball and knock down jump shots. |
| 17 | San Antonio Spurs (19-22) |
SF Hugo Gonzalez, Spain – 6’6, 207 lbs | 3.0 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 0.5 apg | From ATL (22-20) You know the Spurs are not going to come out of this draft without at least one European prospect. It has been a slow season for Hugo Gonzalez, who is playing for a top team in Europe, but he has shown in the past a strong ability to score in a variety of ways. San Antonio is one of the best teams at developing talent, and this selection could pay off in a big way down the road. |
| 18 |  Atlanta Hawks (22-20) |
SG Ian Jackson, Fr, North Carolina – 6’4, 190 lbs | 15.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 0.9 apg | From SAC (22-20) 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 scored between 18 and 27 points seven straight games before a recent six point stinker. |
| 19 |  Dallas Mavericks (23-20) |
SF Adou Thiero, Arkansas – 6’8, 220 lbs | 16.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.1 apg | The Mavericks have predictably struggled without its superstar Luka Doncic, but I still think this is a championship quality roster, thanks to an All Star back court and solid 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. |
| 20 | Atlanta Hawks (22-20) |
PG Boogie Fland, Fr, Arkansas – 6’2, 175 lbs | 15.1 ppg, 5.7 apg, 3.4 rpg | From LAL (22-18) Boogie Fland is a talented scorer and a solid facilitator, but he has struggled with consistency recently. Couple that with his small frame and lack of strength, and he could struggle to find his way into the lottery. Still, you could do a lot worse than him as your back up point guard. I am not saying he is anything near Trae Young, but he does do some of the same things. |
| 21 |  Indiana Pacers (16-17) |
SF Alex Karaban, Jr, Connecticut – 6’8, 225 lbs | 15.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.8 apg | The Pacers are one of the hottest teams in the NBA, and look like the squad that made the Eastern Conference Finals last year. This is a deep roster, but adding a three and D guy like Alex Karaban could take the bench to the next level. He has helped Connecticut stay afloat without Liam McNeeley, and is shooting over 41 % from the three point arc. He is also an underrated defender and facilitator. |
| 22 | Oklahoma City Thunder (35-7) |
SG Drake Powell, Fr, North Carolina – 6’6, 195 lbs | 7.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 0.9 apg | From LAC (24-18) It is not easy to break through as a freshman at North Carolina, but Drake Powell is doing a solid job. Although he has not been a focal point of the offense, he has shot the ball pretty well and shows quite a bit of athletic ability. The Thunder are perhaps the deepest team in the NBA, but always look to develop two way wing players. |
| 23 | Brooklyn Nets (14-29) |
SG Labaron Philon, Fr, Alabama – 6’4, 177 lbs | 11.6 ppg, 3.8 apg, 3.7 rpg | From MIL (24-17) The Nets have three of the next six picks, so look for them to scoop up a couple of young players with potential here. Brooklyn does not have a point guard of the future, or present, on the roster. While I think Labaron Phiilon is more of a combo guard, he can play point in a pinch. He needs to improve his jump shot, but has strong scoring and defensive potential. |
| 24 | Orlando Magic (23-21) |
SF Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina – 6’7, 245 lbs | 15.4 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 2.0 apg | From DEN (26-16) The Magic could part ways with Jonathan Isaac in the off-season, which would open up a bench spot for a defensive minded combo forward. Collin Murray-Boyles lacks the jump shot to be a lottery pick, but is a solid inside scorer and a pest defensively, able to guard almost any position on the floor. |
| 25 | Brooklyn Nets (14-29) |
C Thomas Sorber, Georgetown – 6’10, 255 lbs | 14.2 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 2.6 apg | From NY (28-16) Sure, Brooklyn already drafted a center, but this is a team with four first round picks and little long term talent on the roster. Thomas Sorber is not a monster athlete, but has been one of the most productive freshmen in the country. He can do a bit of everything on both sides of the court, from scoring down low to dishing the ball to blocking shots. |
| 26 |  Memphis Grizzlies (22-11) |
PF Rasheer Fleming, Jr, Saint Joseph’s – 6’9, 240 lbs | 16.1 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 1.3 apg | After an injury ravaged 2023-2024 season, Memphis is reminding the NBA world that they are still one of the better teams out there. This is a team built around three All Star talents and a ton of role players. Rasheer Fleming would fit right in. He has completely filled up the stat sheet as a junior, showing very solid two way potential, both as a shooter and scorer, as well as a defender. |
| 27 | Brooklyn Nets (14-29) |
SG Sergio de Larrea, Spain – 6’6, 198 lbs | 5.8 ppg, 2.9 apg, 0.5 spg | From HOU (28-14) Have I mentioned that Brooklyn has four first round picks? This is a great spot for an emerging European prospect like Sergio de Larrea. He was not on my radar before the season, but his production in limited minutes cannot be ignored. He is a scoring combo guard who is shooting 46% from the three point line. |
| 28 |  Boston Celtics (23-9) |
C Danny Wolf, Jr, Michigan – 7’0, 250 lbs | 12.5 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 3.9 apg | Who is Danny Wolf? Let me introduce you to the newest member of my 2025 Draft Class. Wolf transferred from Yale to Michigan, and proceeded to become college basketballs Nikola Jokic. The Wolverines have had a solid season, and Wolf is the main reason why. He is a double double monster, and the offense routinely runs through him. There will always be worries about his athleticism, and the turnovers are worrying, but he is a fun prospect with a serious chance at an NBA future. The Celtics have an aging front court with little depth behind it, so this would be a nice fit. |
| 29 |  Los Angeles Clippers (24-18) |
SG Kam Jones, Sr, Marquette – 6’5, 200 lbs | 10.1 ppg, 6.7 apg, 4.9 rpg | From OKC (35-7) 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. Kam Jones has improved every year of his college career, and is putting on quite a show as a senior. He has almost tripled his assists per game, showing serious play making ability, and his scoring has kept up as well. He could be a quality backup combo guard for Los Angeles. |
| 30 | Utah Jazz (10-31) |
SF Noah Penda, France – 6’7, 225 lbs | 9.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.6 apg | From CLE (36-6) Utah rounds out the first round with the third French prospect of the draft. Like the others, Noah Penda’s athleticism is ahead of his overall game at this point. He has solid strength and decent play making ability, and like his countrymen, strong defensive potential. |
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