The 2025 NBA Draft class has been under scrutiny for a while now, especially with Cooper Flag taking the spotlight as the top overall prospect. His decision to reclassify created a clear frontrunner, essentially making it a foregone conclusion. Meanwhile, Dylan Harper from Rutgers has solidified his status as a widely agreed-upon second pick. Over the last year, the rest of the lottery prospects have been shifting on various draft boards, and now, it’s their turn to face the music.
In recent news, the Oklahoma City Thunder captured the championship by defeating the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA Finals. The playoffs underscored the significance of players with a high basketball IQ, showcasing a versatile bench that really enhanced their lineup. It’ll be interesting to see how these insights will shape this year’s draft decisions.
Currently, analyzing the draft landscape has become somewhat convoluted, clouded by rumors and smokescreens. While the top of the first round is starting to crystallize, some pivotal moments could sway the overall board. Notably, the Phoenix Suns acquired the 10th pick in a trade with the Houston Rockets involving Kevin Durant. As we approach the 2025 NBA Draft on June 25th, with the second round wrapping up the next night, let’s take a look at an updated mock draft.
More analysis follows after the table.
NBA Mock Draft 2025 Following Thunder’s Championship Win
| Pick | Team | Player | Position | School | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dallas Mavericks | Cooper Flag | F | Duke | Freshman |
| 2 | San Antonio Spurs | Dylan Harper | G | Rutgers | Freshman |
| 3 | Philadelphia 76ers | VJ Edgecombe | G | Baylor | Freshman |
| 4 | Charlotte Hornets | Kon Knueppel | G/F | Duke | Freshman |
| 5 | Utah Jazz | Ace Bailey | F | Rutgers | Freshman |
| 6 | Washington Wizards | Tre Johnson | G | Texas | Freshman |
| 7 | New Orleans Pelicans | Jeremiah Isiah | G | Oklahoma | Freshman |
| 8 | Brooklyn Nets | Khaman Maluach | C | Duke | Freshman |
| 9 | Toronto Raptors | Kasparas Jakucionis | G | Illinois | Freshman |
| 10 | Phoenix Suns | Jace Richardson | G | Michigan | Freshman |
| 11 | Portland Trail Blazers | Carter Bryant | F | Arizona | Freshman |
| 12 | Chicago Bulls | Colin Murray Boyles | C/F | South Carolina | Sophomore |
| 13 | Atlanta Hawks | Noah Essenge | F | Ulm | Born in 2006 |
| 14 | San Antonio Spurs | Derrick Queen | F/C | Maryland | Freshman |
| 15 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Thomas Solver | C/F | Georgetown | Freshman |
| 16 | Memphis Grizzlies | Nike Clifford | G/F | Colorado | Senior |
| 17 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Cedric Coward | F | Washington State | Senior |
| 18 | Washington Wizards | Egoldemin | G | BYU | Freshman |
| 19 | Brooklyn Nets | Joan Bellinger | C | Cedevita Olimpija | Born in 2006 |
| 20 | Miami Heat | It’ll be Riley | G | Illinois | Freshman |
| 21 | Utah Jazz | Walter Clayton Jr. | G | Florida | Senior |
| 22 | Atlanta Hawks | Rasheer Fleming | F | St. Joseph’s | Junior |
| 23 | New Orleans Pelicans | ASA Newell | F | Georgia | Freshman |
| 24 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Noapender | F | Le Mans | Born in 2005 |
| 25 | Orlando Magic | Liam McNeely | F | UConn | Freshman |
| 26 | Brooklyn Nets | Danny Wolf | F | Michigan | Junior |
| 27 | Brooklyn Nets | Nolan Traore | G | San Quentin | Born in 2006 |
| 28 | Boston Celtics | Ryan Calbrener | C | Clayton | Senior |
| 29 | Phoenix Suns | Ben Saraf | G | Ulm | Born in 2006 |
| 30 | Los Angeles Clippers | Drake Powell | F | North Carolina | Freshman |
As we near draft night, many notable questions linger about the first-round picks.
How far might Ace Bailey drop in the NBA Draft?
Bailey was viewed as a strong contender for the second pick during the preseason when he joined Rutgers. And despite fairly comparable performances with others like Electric and Rocky, he managed to stay in the top five for most boards throughout the season. Rutgers, however, never made it close to the NCAA Tournament. Bailey struggled with efficiency in high-scoring situations, revealing both his unique skills and the areas he needs to improve.
Interestingly, Bailey declined to participate in private workouts during the pre-draft phase and canceled an engagement with the 76ers, who hold the third pick. Reportedly, he mentioned wanting a clear path to making a significant impact. Some speculate he might be eyeing teams beyond the top three. There’s chatter that he could land with the Nets at the 8th spot, but I wouldn’t be surprised if a team trades up for him beforehand.
It’s worth noting that Bailey is the only major prospect to turn down all workout requests. This could suggest he’s received assurances from teams not in the top three or possibly trying to orchestrate a preferred landing spot come draft night. His exceptional length—standing at 6’9″ with a 7-foot wingspan—and potential for shooting could position him as an ideal role player, yet he may not want to settle for anything less than stardom.
There’s also the possibility that teams might be wary of his capabilities, especially linked to his rather unorthodox pre-draft actions and the perception of him having “low feel” from his time at Rutgers. This could imply he’s more focused on his stats than contributing to team success. Ultimately, his talent is still promising, but how far might he drop before someone takes a chance on him?
Despite being highly rated, there are numerous factors that could lead to Bailey dropping on draft night. His passing skills are somewhat lacking, and he often opts for difficult shots that, although occasionally successful, tend to invite defensive pressure. At times, he seems mentally disengaged, though his impressive physical traits help him recover. Still, he may not be the most desirable pick amidst his downtrodden performance metrics.
In my previous mock drafts, I placed Bailey at No. 9, so I can’t say I’m shocked by the idea of him possibly sliding. For this one, though, I’ve projected him a little higher due to the sense that teams might aim to trade up. Even if the Jazz don’t make a move, the three teams directly behind them have enough incentive to try and snag Bailey before his value plummets. His range appears to be 5-8, and once selected, he will have a considerable journey ahead in honing his skills and mentality.
Three Prospects with High Risks and Rewards
I’ve been contemplating that the true measure of this draft class might ultimately hinge on three prospects who demonstrate both star potential and significant risk: Duke’s Khaman Maluach, Oklahoma’s Jeremiah Isiah, and Maryland’s Derrick Queen. All three are expected to enter the lottery, with Queen possessing perhaps the widest scope of possibilities regarding where he might land.
Maluach’s appeal lies in his impressive size (over 7’2″ and a wingspan exceeding 7’6″), solid interior scoring (with a notable true shooting percentage), and ability to defend the paint. However, to maximize his potential, he needs to develop as a shooter and versatile defender. Duke seemed cautious in utilizing him as a long-range shooter this past season, and while he hasn’t shown strong three-point numbers, he did exhibit decent free-throw skills for someone of his stature. I anticipate he’ll be a top-three pick, though it’s hard to envision him surpassing the Raptors’ 9th pick.
Fear, meanwhile, quickly garnered attention during his freshman season in Oklahoma with flashes of impressive ball-handling skills, elite speed, and the ability to shoot from deep. He showcased a strong statistical case despite only having three years in high school and guiding his team to the NCAA Tournament. However, concerns about his transition to the NBA linger, as he struggled with his shooting percentage and turnover rate. His defensive capabilities appear limited, and selecting him in the top 10 might necessitate confidence that his strength training can address his shooting issues. He still possesses valuable speed and skill, but his draft range seems to sit around the 5th to 8th spot.
As for Queen, he’s an imposing presence who excels at scoring. He demonstrates a powerful skill set for his size, combining speed and strength effectively. The potential of how he may exploit dynamic matchups is intriguing, yet if he doesn’t develop into a star, his projection could diminish considerably. Currently, he’s seen as a_no-d skillset defender with low energy and limited deterrent ability. His limited three-point shooting must also improve for him to create space effectively. I see him fitting well alongside Alex Searle in the Wizards’ frontcourt, starting with likely interest around the Raptors at number 9. I have him landing with the Spurs simply as the best player available in this mock draft, but it would be surprising if he fell out of the top 20.
Exploring Colin Murray-Boyles’ Draft Profile
This year, I’m delving into the draft profile of Colin Murray-Boyles, a sophomore center at South Carolina. He emphasized enhancing his shooting and attacking abilities, while his former coach praised his versatility and work ethic. It seems like he may land with the Houston Rockets (10th), Chicago Bulls (12th), or Oklahoma City Thunder (15th).
For those interested in my previous draft analyses, I’ve covered various prospects including Ron Holland, Amen and Ausar Thompson, Josh Giddey, and others like Cade Cunningham and Zion Williamson, among others.
What’s Next for the Suns with Their New Picks?
Following the trade of Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets, the best outcome for the Suns was acquiring the 10th pick in this draft, which they initially held. With no future first-round picks before 2032, it’s crucial for them to maximize their selections now. They could pursue several directions, from investing in Colin Murray-Boyles for a much-needed defensive edge to taking a chance on Derrick Queen, creating a formidable scoring duo with Devin Booker. There’s also potential interest in prospects like Noah Essenge for their long-term growth.
One bold prediction is that the Suns will aim for Jace Richardson, given Michigan’s influence.
When Does the 2025 NBA Draft Take Place?
What: 2025 NBA Draft First Round
When: Wednesday, June 25th (The second round is on June 26th)
Time: 8 PM
TV: ESPN/WATCH ESPN
Where’s Your Big Board?
I’ll have that soon. Be sure to check back on draft night for instant grades on all the first-round picks.
