It has been a while since I have done a full mock draft with analysis. With the NCAA Tournament championship game tomorrow, now is a great time to dive back in!
Draft order and lottery courtesy of http://www.tankathon.com.
| Pick | Team | Player | 2024-2025 Stats | Commentary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Philadelphia 76ers (23-55) |
PF Cooper Flagg, Fr, Duke – 6’9, 205 lbs | 19.2 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 4.2 apg | This would be a silver lining for what has been a nightmare season in Philadelphia. Cooper Flagg would fit in perfectly between Joel Embiid and Paul George in what would hopefully be a healthy 76ers roster next year. His ability to impact the game in a variety of ways is unlike anything we have seen from a college prospect in recent memory. He is a good shooter, ball handler, passer and defender. Maybe not a future MVP candidate, but a definite All Star, he is the clear prize of this draft. |
| 2 |  Washington Wizards (17-60) |
SG Dylan Harper, Fr, Rutgers – 6’6, 215 lbs | 19.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 4.0 apg | The Wizards are in the midst of a monumental rebuild, and the record indicates that. This roster is basically a blank slate, so any player at any position should be in consideration. Dylan Harper is comfortably in the number two spot as far as 2025 NBA Draft prospects go. He is a good facilitator, but what makes him special is his ability to get his own baskets, using his strength to outmuscle opponents. Players who can generate their own offense when things get tough is extremely important in the NBA. |
| 3 |  New Orleans Pelicans (21-56) |
SF Ace Bailey, Fr, Rutgers – 6’10, 200 lbs | 17.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.3 apg | The Pelicans tried to go for it by trading for Dejounte Murray, but continuous injuries continue to plague this franchise, which is at a crossroads this off-season. Landing a top three pick would help. I struggle to put two Rutgers players in the top three, when they could not even lead their team to a winning record, but the board falls this way. I have my worries about Ace Bailey’s ability to get to the rim and shoot with consistency, but there may not be a more talented offensive threat in this draft. He could help replace some of the offense New Orleans lost when Brandon Ingram was traded. |
| 4 |  Portland Trail Blazers (34-44) |
SG VJ Edgecombe, Fr, Baylor – 6’5, 180 lbs | 15.0 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.2 apg | The Trail Blazers have quietly put together a pretty impressive season, and actually jumped five spots in the draft order to end up here. VJ Edgecombe would be a perfect fit as part of a Portland guard rotation light on players who can impact the game defensively. Edgecombe’s calling card is his ability to pester opposing guards, but his offense, especially shooting, greatly developed as the season went on. The only concern is size, as Edgecombe is probably smaller than his listed measurables. |
| 5 |  Utah Jazz (16-62) |
SG Jeremiah Fears, Fr, Oklahoma – 6’4, 182 lbs | 17.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 4.1 apg | No team has openly tanked as hard as Utah, a team that was actually fined. Unfortunately, the risk with that is wasting a season and ending up with the fifth overall pick, like what has happened here. This is a team with quite a few intriguing young players, but none you would call a franchise cornerstone, so any position should be on the board here. As one of the youngest players in college basketball, Jeremiah Fears struggled with consistency, but showed the ability to become a solid, dynamic scoring combo guard in the Jamal Murray mold. |
| 6 |  Charlotte Hornets (19-59) |
C Derik Queen, Fr, Maryland – 6’10, 246 lbs | 16.5 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 1.9 apg | It has been another lost year for the Hornets. This team has a few talented players, but prolonged injuries continue to torpedo any chances of success. Mark Williams and Miles Bridges could both be traded in the off-season, opening up a spot in the front court. Derik Queen is a bit of a throwback big. He is not the most athletic or the best defender, but is a crafty scorer who can get buckets in a variety of ways. Testing will be key here, if he can ace the pre-draft process he could be a very high pick. |
| 7 |  Brooklyn Nets (25-53) |
PG Kasparas Jakucionis, Fr, Illinois – 6’6, 200 lbs | 15.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 4.7 apg | The Nets could have up to four first round picks in this draft, and have a giant hole at point guard, so they could be the one team to gamble on Kasparas Jakucionis in the top ten. This is a player with serious positives and just as many warts. He is a crafty ball handler and passer, and can score from most places on the court. On the flip side, he is still a work in progress as a point guard, and turns the ball over way too much for comfort. A lump of clay that will need to be molded for sure, but a solid risk for the Nets here. |
| 8 |  Toronto Raptors (16-35) |
SF Noa Essengue, France – 6’9, 194 lbs | 12.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.4 spg | Every year, there seems to be a French player that flies up the draft board as the draft nears. This year, it looks to be Noa Essengue. I like Essengue as a prospect more than Tidjane Salaun, who went sixth overall in 2024. Essengue is a lanky, talented slasher on offense and has the potential to be a plus defender. Gaining strength and improving his jumper will be key, but he has the potential to be a solid 3-and-D role player for the Raptors. |
| 9 |  San Antonio Spurs (32-45) |
SG Tre Johnson, Fr, Texas – 6’6, 190 lbs | 19.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.7 apg | The Spurs seem to be set in the backcourt with De’Aaron Fox and Stephen Castle, but Tre Johnson is too good to pass up here. He is one of the best shooters in this class. He will need to work on his defense and show he can do more than knock down jump shots, but that part of his game is so solid that he should be a lottery pick. |
| 10 |  Miami Heat (35-43) |
SF Collin Murray-Boyles, So, South Carolina – 6’7, 245 lbs | 16.8 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 2.4 apg | The Heat have struggled to find its identity after trading Jimmy Butler. Collin Murray-Boyles could be a great fit on this roster. He is a rugged, tough scorer and great defender. After not making a single three pointer as a freshman, he began to work on that part of his game as a sophomore. If he can continue to develop his three point shot, he could be a very good one. |
| 11 |  Houston Rockets (51-27) |
C Khaman Maluach, Fr, Duke – 7’2, 250 lbs | 8.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.3 bpg | From PHX (35-42) As one of the best and deepest teams in the NBA, the Rockets will simply be drafting for depth here if they keep this pick. Despite less than stellar production at Duke, Khaman Maluach could be a top ten pick. I think he will carve out a career as a 10 year starter at center. He is a good rebounder, solid shot blocker and could eventually extend his shooting range out to the three point line. |
| 12 |  Chicago Bulls (36-42) |
PF Asa Newell, Fr, eorgia – 6’11, 220 lbs | 15.4 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.0 bpg | The Bulls are making a furious late season push towards the playoffs, but this is still a roster in transition. Picking in the 8-12 range seemingly every year, they are in position to land another role player. Asa Newell is the definition of “role player.” He is not elite in any one area, but can help out as a scorer, rebounder and shot blocker. His energetic style could make him a perfect first big off of the bench. |
| 13 |  Atlanta Hawks (36-41) |
SF Kon Knueppel, Fr, Duke – 6’7, 217 lbs | 14.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.7 apg | From SAC (37-40) Atlanta is one of the most intriguing young teams in the East. The trio of Jalen Johnson, Trae Young and Zaccharie Risacher is worth getting excited about, and with two more first round picks, they could fill out the bench. Kon Knueppel took a back seat to Cooper Flagg at Duke, but showed real ability as a knock down shooter and a guy who could handle the ball as well. If he can test well athletically, he could shoot into the top ten. |
| 14 |  Dallas Mavericks (38-41) |
PG Nolan Traore, France – 6’3, 175 lbs | 10.7 ppg, 4.9 apg, 0.7 spg | Dallas needs to think long and hard about finding an eventual, and maybe current, replacement for Kyrie Irving at point guard. Nolan Traore has his issues, mainly as a shooter and scorer, but his playmaking ability, team leading skills and defensive potential could make him an eventual starter. The track record of French point guards who could not develop a jump shot flaming out is high, but this is a worthy gamble at this point in the draft. |
| 15 | San Antonio Spurs (32-45) |
SF Carter Bryant, Fr, Arizona – 6’8, 220 lbs | 6.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.0 bpg | From ATL (36-41) Drafting Carter Bryant will require proper projection and patience, but he has the ability to be a plus defender and someone who could out-bully opponents for close buckets. He could be an ideal fit next to Victor Wembanyama in the San Antonio front court, but it will take time. He was invisible too often during his freshman season at Arizona. |
| 16 |  Orlando Magic (38-40) |
SG Jase Richardson, Fr, Michigan State – 6’3, 185 lbs | 12.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.9 apg | With Anthony Black and Jalen Suggs, the magic have talent in its back court, but lack the shooting required to compete in todays NBA. Jase Richardson may be too small and weak defensively to hold up as a full time player, but he is a real knock down threat offensively, and could vie for future sixth man of the year awards. |
| 17 |  Minnesota Timberwolves (46-32) |
PG Egor Demin, Fr, BYU – 6’9, 190 lbs | 10.6 ppg, 5.5 apg, ,3.9 rpg | From DET (43-35) Egor Demin is a really fun player in theory. It is hard to not get excited about 6’9 players who can pass like an old school Jason Williams. The problem is the rest of his game is lacking. He is not a great shooter and is too weak to hold his own as a defender. There is potential here for a contributor, but it will take time. If it pays off, he and Rob Dillingham would be a fun point guard duo for the Timberwolves. |
| 18 | Brooklyn Nets (25-53) |
SF Liam McNeeley, Fr, Connecticut – 6’7, 210 lbs | 14.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.3 apg | From MIL (43-34) The Nets have three of the next ten picks, so expect them to load up on freshmen who may have fallen into the cracks. Liam McNeeley is a talented scorer and shooter, but he struggled with consistency and may not offer enough in other areas to become a lottery pick. There is solid scoring potential here, however. |
| 19 | Washington Wizards (17-60) |
SF Will Riley, Fr, Illinois – 6’8, 180 lbs | 12.6 ppgp, 4.1 rpg, 2.2 apg | From MEM (46-32) Will Riley is a talented scorer with 20 ppg potential, but desperately needs to stay in school one more year to develop strength and improve the other areas of his game. The second half of the first round of this draft is loaded with bad teams who acquired extra picks, like the Wizards, so a team will take a flyer on Riley. |
| 20 |  Oklahoma City Thunder (40-9) |
C Joan Beringer, France – 6’10, 230 lbs | 4.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.2 bpg | From LAC (46-32) The Thunder may be the deepest team in the NBA, but the one thing they could use is more size off of the bench. Joan Beringer is the ultimate project, as he only started playing basketball three years ago. The talent and potential is obvious. He has a long way to go offensively, but he can really run the floor and block shots. |
| 21 | Utah Jazz (16-62) |
SG Ben Saraf, Israel – 6’5, 200 lbs | 10.7 ppg, 3.6 apg, 3.3 rpg | From MIN (46-32) With two 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 a crafty scorer with real point guard abilities. His lack of a three point shot and deficiencies as an athlete could cap his upside, but he has the ability to carve out a role as a backup combo guard. |
| 22 |  Indiana Pacers (46-31) |
SG Walter Clayton Jr., Sr, Florida – 6’3, 195 lbs | 18.5 ppg, 4.1 apg, 3.7 rpg | Every year one or two players explodes in the tournament and shoots into the first round. This year, it is Walter Clayton Jr. The senior is coming off back to back 30 point games, and has Florida playing for the National Championship tomorrow night. It is important to not overreact to tourney games.. His lack of size and defensive ability could cap his upside, but Clayton Jr. should carve out a role as a score first combo guard off of the Indiana bench. |
| 23 | Miami Heat (35-43) |
SG Sergio De Larrea, Spain – 6’5, 175 lbs | 5.7 ppg, 2.5 apg, 2.2 rpg | From GSW (46-31) The Heat could use a long term option at point guard, even though that will be difficult to find here. Sergio De Larrea did not play a big role for his international team, but showed solid combo guard ability, both as a passer and three point shooter. |
| 24 | Orlando Magic (38-40) |
SF Noah Penda, France – 6’7, 225 lbs | 9.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.6 apg | From DEN (47-31) France sure knows how to produce top notch athletes. Noah Penda is the third Frenchman to go in this draft. He already has an NBA frame and has the potential to be one of the better defenders in the league. He will need to work on his jump shot, but could be an ideal Jonathan Isaac replacement in Orlando. |
| 25 | Atlanta Hawks (36-41) |
SG Nique Clifford, rSr, Colorado State – 6’6, 200 lbs | 18.9 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 4.4 apg | From LAL (48-30) Nique Clifford has worked his way from a deep bench warmer at Colorado to a legitimate first round pick a couple hundred miles down the road at Colorado State. He did everything for the Rams as a senior, leading the team in almost every category. He should be able to contribute in a bench role for Atlanta, though you always worry about players who spend their entire careers at a mid major school. |
| 26 | Brooklyn Nets (25-53) |
PF Rasheer Fleming, Jr, Saint Joseph’s – 6’9, 240 lbs | 14.7 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1.5 bpg | From NYK (49-28)) Brooklyn does not ONLY have to draft freshmen. Rasheer Fleming has developed into a strong role player. He may never be a starter, but can play a few different positions off the bench, knock down some jump shots and play solid defense. |
| 27 | Brooklyn Nets (25-53) |
C Thomas Sorber, Fr, Georgetown – 6’10, 255 lbs | 14.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 2.4 apg | From HOU (51-27) With Brooklyn’s fourth pick, they go the freshman route again. Thomas Sorber had a fantastic freshman season for Georgetown, but a lack of athletic ability or real defining trade limits his upside. He may not have the quickness or shooting to become a long term starter. |
| 28 |  Boston Celtics (57-20) |
C Danny Wolf, Jr, Michigan – 7’0, 250 lbs | 13.2 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 3.6 apg | Danny Wolf is an interesting prospect. He was a baby-Jokic as a junior at Michigan, often in control of the offense. However, he is not a great athlete or defender, and really struggled with turnovers. There is a lot to like here as a backup center, but he is someone who could flame out of the NBA quickly. |
| 29 |  Phoenix Suns (35-42) |
C Maxime Raynaud, Sr, Stanford – 7’1, 250 lbs | 20.2 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 1.4 bpg | From CLE (62-15) It has been a disastrous season for the Suns, and this team could look much different this year. Picking this low in the first round, it will be hard to find a starter, but Phoenix needs to add size to this roster. Maxime Raynaud is the fourth French player to go in this mock, and the first to play in college. He was a matchup nightmare as a senior for Stanford, and has a solid all around game with the potential to develop into a starter. |
| 30 |  Los Angeles Clippers (46-32) |
PG Boogie Fland, Fr, Arkansas – 6’2, 175 lbs | 13.5 ppg, 5.1 apg, 3.2 rpg | From OKC (64-14) Boogie Fland is a quick, talented scorer with solid passing ability, but a serious lack of strength could hinder his NBA potential. He would fit best as a change of pace backup point guard who can outrun opposing defenders. |
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