It’s lastly draft week, of us. Kevin Durant already got traded and now the NBA’s about to get loopy. Everybody’s bluffing, no person’s sleeping, and somebody’s about to decide that shocks all people.
In that spirit, right here’s my first-round mock draft based mostly on the most recent intel that leans into among the stranger rumors which were percolating across the league in current days.
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For a full second spherical, plus scouting experiences of each participant, try my 2025 NBA Draft Guide.
No surprises right here. Flagg can assist Dallas in each the brief time period and long run as a do-it-all ahead who hustles, makes his teammates higher as a passer and has dialed in a knockdown jumper. He’s each the most effective offensive and defensive prospect on this draft class, making him the most secure No. 1 choose in ages. So long as his jumper falls, he might play as a small ahead subsequent to Anthony Davis and one other large. It’s his development as a shot creator that may resolve if he reaches his All-Star flooring or soars to his Corridor of Fame ceiling.
In all probability, the Spurs will hold this choose and draft Harper, however league sources say they’re listening to commerce gives from groups drafting within the handful of spots behind them. “They need a ridiculous haul,” mentioned a front-office government. “Excess of I’d count on anybody to surrender.” Harper is a big-bodied lefty combo guard who has a excessive flooring with the talent, poise and playmaking instincts to dictate the sport at his tempo. If Flagg had by no means reclassified, Harper could be the consensus prime choose with star upside. However he made solely 36.8% of his catch-and-shoot 3s and simply 28.7% of his dribble jumpers. De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Citadel are extra interior-focused guards, too, and so is Jeremy Sochan within the frontcourt. What number of shaky shooters can the Spurs actually put round Victor Wembanyama? That’s the entire purpose why San Antonio would even take heed to gives. However up to now they haven’t engaged in something severe, leaving suitors pondering they’ll simply take Harper, financial institution on his large upside, and determine group match later.
(Taylar Sievert/Yahoo Sports activities Illustration)
It seems Edgecombe is the favourite right here over Ace Bailey. Some front-office executives surprise if it’s all a smokescreen for Philadelphia normal supervisor Daryl Morey to realize leverage. However on paper, Edgecombe makes whole sense for the Sixers. He’s an explosive, high-motor wing who flies out of nowhere for poster dunks and chase-down blocks. He pairs his elite athleticism with a knockdown spot-up jumper and fearless slashing. Although he wants to enhance his shot creation to turn out to be extra of a main creator, the Sixers have sufficient in that division as is, so Edgecombe would get time to develop on his personal timeline.
Knueppel has a sharpshooter’s stroke, brainy pick-and-roll playmaking and artful scoring really feel. He’s the kind of participant who can are available in straight away and match on any group, together with completely between LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. He’s acquired a slick midrange bag and energy scoring inside, however to turn out to be a participant who takes over video games he’ll want to beat his common athleticism. This might matter a bit much less enjoying in Charlotte, since he may very well be one among a number of ball-handlers on the group. For my interview with Knueppel, you may test it out on YouTube, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts. You may as well learn a written model here on Yahoo Sports.
If Johnson and Ace Bailey are each nonetheless on the board at this level, the Jazz will get their selection of two energizing shot-makers. Johnson will get the nod right here although, since he’s the best overall shooter on this draft class. The Texas freshman can catch hearth from everywhere in the flooring, drilling step-backs and off-screen jumpers with ease. However he must proceed creating his level guard abilities whereas additionally honing his shot choice and dramatically bettering his protection. This makes him an imperfect match subsequent to Keyonte George and Isaiah Collier, however is both actually the purpose guard and even two guard of the long run? The Jazz simply have to take the most effective expertise and fear about match later. For my interview with Johnson, you may test it out on YouTube, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts.
For an extended whereas, Maluach was related to the Raptors, however most NBA executives don’t count on him to make it there. The query: Who would take him earlier than then? Maluach might go as excessive as third, relying on who’s drafting in that slot. One group spotlighted in current days is the Wizards. In Washington, Malauch would be part of Alex Sarr to make for an extremely versatile frontcourt. Maluach is a towering rim protector with switchable mobility, erasing pictures on the rim and shadowing fast guards on the perimeter. Past dunking lobs, he’s a piece in progress on offense with a scarcity of seasoning as a screener, shooter and creator. Such a uncooked talent set ought to come as no shock for the reason that South Sudan native didn’t begin enjoying basketball till he was 13. The Wizards are younger sufficient that they may afford to be affected person in his improvement.
On one hand, it appears outrageous {that a} participant with Bailey’s scoring expertise might drop this far. Bailey is a ridiculous shot-making machine, able to splashing contested jumpers from each spot on the ground and with the swagger of a throwback bucket-getter. And he needs to be a star, too, so the imaginative and prescient is there. However alternatively, it’s onerous to have watched these playoffs and imagine Bailey is wherever near seeing his model translate. Bailey’s uncooked edges as a shot creator and defender want main sanding down to show him right into a full-on star.
The Nets have a clear slate with only a few gamers below contract. Fears is a dynamic guard with a twitchy attacking model and a knack for coming via as a clutch shooter. He was one among school basketball’s youngest freshmen, and it confirmed along with his shaky decision-making as a shooter and passer. However he has a really feel for shot creation and a deal with that lets him get wherever on the ground, so he might solely want time to emerge as a star.
Newell’s vary is trending towards the lottery, in response to sources across the league. It’s due to his immense versatility on protection as a 6-foot-9 rim protector who also can comfortably change screens. He has springs in his legs, commonly slamming lobs and swatting pictures. And if he ever develops his jumper, he has an opportunity to exceed all expectations.
The return Phoenix acquired from Houston for Kevin Durant is not so unhealthy, contemplating Durant is 37 years outdated and has just one yr remaining on his deal. It certain would’ve been good to get again its first in 2027 or 2029, however a 23-year-old guard in Jalen Inexperienced, a precious starter in Dillon Brooks, 5 second-round picks and this yr’s tenth choose is a strong return nonetheless. With this choose, it will make sense for the Suns to focus on extra protection and it’d solely make extra sense to show to a product of Arizona. Bryant is a rangy, athletic ahead who tasks as a extremely versatile defender. And although he’s uncooked as a ball-handler, he’s a talented spot-up shooter and a hyper-aware cutter. At a minimal, he has the baseline abilities to be an ideal position participant with the upside to sometime be way more.
The Path Blazers made wonderful progress this season throughout the board, and following the All-Star break they’d a top-five defensive ranking. Murray-Boyles would function a double down on that identification since he operates like a defensive savant the way in which he locks down each place, makes use of his ninja-quick palms to swipe on the ball and inhales rebounds. He’s a particular defensive presence, and offensively he’s a bulldozer finisher with a playmaking really feel. Enhancing his jumper would transfer him out of tweener territory and into All-Star standing.
Queen is a burly large with guard-like handles who dazzles with spin strikes and artful finishes like his game-winning leaning jumper to ship Maryland to the Candy 16. As soon as Nikola Vučević walks in free company in 2026 (or will get traded prior), then Queen would be capable to contribute in a bigger position. The query is how lengthy, if ever, it’ll take for him to translate his velvet contact to the perimeter. If he does that, he has offensive star upside. However his inside scoring, playmaking chops and magnetic rebounding alone give him tantalizing potential. These traits make him an enchanting match as a two-man menace with Coby White and the present Chicago core.
League sources say the Hawks want to transfer method up from this choose and have known as groups drafting within the prime 5. They’re focusing on a middle. So in the event that they keep put, it solely is smart to offer them Beringer, the most effective lob menace remaining on the board. Beringer started enjoying basketball solely three years in the past, which makes him a uncooked undertaking, but in addition makes his pure skills all of the extra spectacular. He’s a middle, however has the quickness of a guard, giving him immense defensive versatility to construct on for years to come back.
The Spurs ought to discover a heart who can play subsequent to and behind Wembanyama. Sorber might match the invoice since he’s proven flashes of mobility transferring his ft on protection and the promise of a jumper. However at his basis, he has an enormous body and the throwback talent set to match with sturdy screens, soft-touch finishes and gritty drop-coverage instincts. At a minimal, he’d be a high quality backup behind Wemby. And at greatest, they may turn out to be twin towers that begin and finish video games.
Congratulations to Oklahoma Metropolis for profitable the NBA Finals! The printed confirmed normal supervisor Sam Presti texting on his cellphone with lower than 90 seconds left within the recreation. Was he speaking with a cherished one or negotiating a commerce? It’d be comical however unsurprising if it have been the latter scenario, as a result of the champs have each participant below contract subsequent season, could have final yr’s lottery choose, Nikola Topić, wholesome once more, have three top-44 picks this yr and will have as much as 4 firsts subsequent yr. Consolidating may very well be a precedence for Presti. In the event that they keep put with this choose, although, Coward would make good sense. Coward has gone from a Division III participant to a possible first-round choose in only a few years behind his fast improvement right into a prospect with a valued 3-and-D skill-set. However he brings even larger upside, because of his passing imaginative and prescient. For extra on Coward, watch or listen to my one-on-one interview with him.
The Grizzlies obtained this choose courtesy of the Magic, and it may very well be simple to see them going a ton of various instructions with it. One path: Get extra ball-handling. Demin has a uncommon means at his measurement to make dazzling passes. However he’s additionally struggled to shoot and create his personal shot towards prolonged defenders, making him extra of a love-him or hate-him prospect than a certain factor.
Clayton didn’t cease rising after main Florida to the NCAA title — he has continued excelling in exercises and is getting appears to be like from groups within the prime 20. After lacking out on Durant, the Wolves might be out there for extra capturing. Clayton is arguably the most effective shooter left on the board. He’s fearless with the flexibility to take any shot at any second, and his protection made strides within the match too.
There’s arguably no higher wing left on the board than Essengue, who’s a toolsy ahead with a fluid deal with, dynamic ending package deal and extremely versatile protection. Essengue has seen his minutes dwindle within the BBL championship, which is indicative of his rawness. He wants to enhance his jumper and his fundamentals on protection.
Riley has dynamic driving means and playmaking instincts that scream upside as a jumbo-sized, shot-creating wing. He’s labored out with groups within the 10-20 vary, and there’s a robust likelihood he doesn’t make it up to now. However his jumper is streaky, and his protection is unreliable since he’s so lean bodily and lacks fundamentals. The group that drafts him will have to be affected person, similar to the Nets may very well be.
Richardson is a talented combo guard with a deadly midrange recreation and a poised pick-and-roll really feel, trying like he downloaded the expertise of his NBA veteran father, Jason Richardson. Jase didn’t inherit his father’s top or dunk contest athleticism, although, so his smaller stature might cap his upside. Tyler Herro and Richardson might share creation tasks within the Miami backcourt, and Bam Adebayo would have one other two-man-game accomplice to work with.
Clifford is a tough-as-nails wing who does all of it and will fill a variety of totally different roles for the Jazz. He defends a number of positions, crashes the boards and scores from in every single place. However as a brilliant senior with solely Mountain West pedigree, he lacks expertise towards high-level competitors regardless of his age.
That is most likely too low for KJ. He’s been related to groups drafting within the late lottery. However the actuality is that somebody will inevitably fall, and on this mock it’s him. And possibly that may very well be a blessing in disguise. As a freshman Jakučionis would observe up highlights with turnover brain-farts that will derail the hype practice. However in Brooklyn, he might showcase his artistic passing gene and a fearless scoring means.
Traoré oozes upside along with his measurement, blazing velocity and shiftiness off the bounce. However he’s an inefficient scorer everywhere in the flooring who wants to enhance his erratic decision-making to show he’s well worth the swing. Bailey, Traoré and Zion Williamson would undoubtedly make up some of the thrilling groups to look at. Whether or not it’d turn out to be good is a complete totally different query.
Although the Thunder have already got Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren, it wouldn’t harm to have one other large within the rotation to make use of, except for Jaylin Williams. Raynaud has leveled up yearly at Stanford, turning right into a participant who pops 3s, slashes to the rim with a easy deal with and makes eye-popping passes. As a gifted passer who additionally gives strong protection, there’s little purpose to assume the Frenchman gained’t carve out an NBA position.
McNeeley is a sharpshooting wing with excellent instincts transferring with out the ball, and the contact to splash from deep vary. Although he doesn’t undertaking as a main shot creator, his really feel as a connective passer provides him the talent to suit into any sort of offense. This might enable him to be the right backup to Desmond Bane early in his profession, and even share the ground in some lineup configurations.
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Wolf is 6-11 however ran level for Michigan, enjoying a slick model with dangerous passes and step-back jumpers that made him a spotlight manufacturing unit. However he’s additionally a turnover machine and his capturing numbers are shaky, making him extra of a uncooked guess who wants time to show he can match his flash with substance. Why not take an enormous swing in the event you’re Brooklyn?
Powell has a chiseled body that he makes use of to barrel into defenders on the rim and to comprise opponents when he’s on protection. He’s a switch-everything defender who performs with a excessive motor, and if his spot-up jumper interprets he checks all of the packing containers to be a 3-and-D position participant at a minimal. As a former projected lottery choose, possibly the Nets might faucet into the next degree of upside in him.
Thiero is a slasher with a jacked body and an explosive first step, however he has extreme limitations on offense as a shooter. If he’s ready to determine the shot, then his size and flexibility would make him a basic 3-and-D position participant. Even with out it, the Celtics might discover worth through the use of him in spots occupied by Jrue Vacation as a screener, curler and at-rim finisher.
Kalkbrenner is a throwback 7-footer who owns the paint, swatting pictures along with his large wingspan and dunking the whole lot in sight. It’s a bit unusual he isn’t a greater rebounder. However as a brilliant senior, he’s additionally developed some sneaky passing and capturing abilities that trace at larger upside. The Suns badly want an enormous man, and it’s onerous to do a lot better than Kalkbrenner at this level of the draft.
Fleming is a hustler who drains spot-up jumpers and brings vitality on protection, swatting pictures and snagging boards. However he has some actual warts as a ball-handler with a scarcity of expertise towards high-level competitors, so groups should really feel actual assured his role-player talent set will translate. With Kawhi Leonard and James Harden dealing with the rock in Los Angeles, Fleming’s constructive qualities might enable him to fit in straight away.
For a full second spherical, plus scouting experiences of each participant, try my 2025 NBA Draft Guide.
