With the NBA Draft Combine finished and pre-draft workouts underway, we’re less than a month away from the 2025 NBA Draft. And what a class it is, as NBA scouts and analysts alike have raved about the elite nature of this group.
Though the top of the board is mostly solidified, there’s still a ton to figure out in the coming weeks in terms of who could make a huge jump up draft boards with excellent workout sessions.
With that being said, there’s no doubt about the top pick, as yet another generational Duke Blue Devil will be picked No. 1 in the draft.
1) Dallas Mavericks
Cooper Flagg, Duke
Cooper Flagg has been penciled in as the top choice in this draft for quite some time. Yet, as soon as the Dallas Mavericks were announced as the winners of the No. 1 pick via the draft lottery, there was speculation that they could use the pick in a trade for Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo or Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant.
Those rumblings were shut down as quickly as they arose, as multiple reports have confirmed that Dallas will keep the pick and call Flagg’s name come draft night. And what a player they’ll get, as he led the Blue Devils in every major stat category as arguably the best player in college basketball at just 18 years old.
The only hole to poke in his game is a difficulty in creating his own shot, especially down the stretch in games, but he won’t have to worry about that for at least a couple years with the Mavericks, as he’ll be teaming up with Anthony Davis and, once he returns from an ACL tear, Kyrie Irving.
While the youngster develops that part of his game, he’ll step in with a slew of additive qualities: unselfishness and creativity in terms of finding teammates, versatility on both ends of the floor, top-shelf athleticism, a never-ending motor, and a competitive drive to win.
It’s a slam-dunk selection for the Dallas organization in a time when they needed it the most.
2) San Antonio Spurs
Dylan Harper, Rutgers
Dylan Harper is the other assured pick in this draft, as he’s been solidified as the second-best prospect behind Flagg for months now.
The former Rutgers Scarlet Knight averaged 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game last season as the team’s offensive engine. A lead guard at 6’6″, Harper has tremendous positional size that allows him to finish over defenders in the lane, see passing lanes, and allows more room for error as he doesn’t have to create quite as much separation as smaller guards to be able to get his shot off.
It took Harper no time to show scouts that he was deserving of this selection, as he scored 36 and 37 points in the sixth and seventh games of his freshman season, respectively. Both games showcased his ability to draw contact, use patient footwork in the lane, and get to the free-throw line, as he shot a combined 30 free throws.
There’s still some chatter about the Spurs packaging this pick in a deal for Antetokounmpo, but it seems like that idea is fading. Selecting Harper and pairing him with generational star Victor Wembanyama was a dream scenario heading into the draft lottery — and then it actually became a possible reality.
Harper has all the qualities that have made other lead guards with size in the NBA successful, making this a no-brainer for San Antonio.
3) Philadelphia 76ers
Ace Bailey, Rutgers
Despite measuring in at 6’7.5″ at the combine after being listed at 6’10” for the Scarlet Knights, Ace Bailey is still the pick here. An inch or two should not be the determining factor between taking or passing on his talents.
And besides, the film doesn’t lie. Bailey averaged 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game as a freshman, as he exhibited his tough shot-making abilities as a lengthy wing with the ability to create his own shot.
His 3-point shooting will need some work efficiency-wise (he shot 34.6% from deep), but that also came with a burden of carrying the offense alongside Harper and with many of his looks coming off the dribble. On a team like the Philadelphia 76ers, he’ll enjoy a vast amount of wide-open catch-and-shoot opportunities with stars Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey drawing attention.
A part of his game that needs refining is his defense. He has all the tools to be a great defender, but he didn’t put forth the required effort to be considered that. Whether or not that was because he expended so much energy on the offensive end remains something the team will have to figure out.
For Philadelphia, they’re getting a tremendous scorer who could help contribute on the older stars’ timeline (Embiid and Paul George) while also developing into a star himself alongside Maxey and second-year two-guard Jared McCain as the future building blocks of the franchise.
4) Charlotte Hornets
V.J. Edgecombe, Baylor
V.J. Edgecombe started the season slowly and had trouble finding his rhythm early on into his freshman season with the Baylor Bears. But once head coach Scott Drew decided to put the ball in his hands more down the stretch, he blossomed as a dynamic slasher who can also shoot the 3-ball at a proficient level.
But for the Bahamaian, it starts on the defensive end of the floor where his versatility and size at 6’5″ show up alongside his tenacious competitive drive. He averaged 2.1 steals per game last season, using his length to disrupt the opposition.
For any team in the league, those are desirable traits by themselves. But add in his talent and potential offensively, and Edgecombe has a chance to be a special player in the pros.
The Charlotte Hornets have a solid young core of point guard LaMelo Ball, wing Brandon Miller, and center Mark Washington. Slotting in Edgecombe at the 2-guard would be the best spot, ensuring that he has positional size. Though a rebuilding team, he wouldn’t have to carry too much of the load due to the offensive production already on the roster.
Barring an unforeseen development, it’s highly unlikely that the former Baylor star gets past the Hornets.
5) Utah Jazz
Tre Johnson, Texas
This is where the draft will truly start. Utah was spurned out of a top-three pick with bad draft lottery luck, but they’re still in position to land a player with high potential in Tre Johnson.
The former Texas Longhorns combo guard led the SEC in scoring at 19.9 points per game on 42.7% shooting from the field. While that number will need to improve at the pro level and will likely improve with time, he had to shoulder a huge load of the Texas offense, as there was no other proven creator on the roster.
What’s extremely impressive is his 3-point mark of 39.7% on 6.8 attempts per game — in other words, high volume with a high hit rate. While he won’t have the ball in his hands nearly as much in the pros, that percentage inspires major belief that he’ll be an above-average shooter on the wing if everything else fails.
But if he does blossom into a high-level scorer, the Utah Jazz will be elated. They’ve tried their hand at landing a point guard in recent drafts without much luck as it stands today. Johnson likely wouldn’t be the lead guard, but if he’s as advertised, he would be a franchise-changing player for Utah as they aim to build their roster around him.
6) Washington Wizards
Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma
Jeremiah Fears, another young prospect, skipped his senior year of high school in order to begin playing with the Oklahoma Sooners a year early. And boy, did that bet pay off.
Given the keys to the offense from Day 1, he registered team-highs in points (17.1), assists (4.1), and steals (1.6) while reeling in 4.1 rebounds per game as well. It was a wonderful freshman campaign for the 6’4″ point guard who displayed many traits that translate right away to the NBA — speed and agility being the biggest ones.
It’s a thrill to see Fears blast up the court with the ball, as he did often at Oklahoma. He was extremely hard to stop in transition and showed an improved ability to dictate the game in the half-court as well.
The biggest knock on his game is 3-point shooting, as he hit on just 28.4% from long range. But with continued development, that should stand to improve.
Although Washington’s 2024 No. 14 pick Bub Carrington had a promising rookie season while handling some of the ball-handling responsibilities, the team shouldn’t be worried about fit after coming off two consecutive sub-20-win seasons. Fears is the most talented player available — this should be an easy pick if he’s still on the board.
7) New Orleans Pelicans
Kon Knueppel, Duke
The New Orleans Pelicans have an interesting decision to make here: Do they go with a player who has the highest ceiling, or a player who will be a sure-fire contributor and has the makings of a guy who will be in the league for over a decade?
I propose that they go with the latter due to the state of their roster. New Orleans claimed the seventh-overall pick was not the plan when the season began, as they have several All-Star caliber players on their roster who all suffered injuries.
With that being said, they don’t need to go shooting for the stars with this pick. Duke’s Kon Knueppel is right there for them, and they’ll take him.
And why not? The guy was a 40.6% 3-point shooter during his freshman campaign and averaged 14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. Largely a stand-still shooter during the non-conference portion of the schedule, he grew into an above-average creator of his own shot and for others, finding space in the mid-range and showing off a nice array of footwork off two feet in the paint.
The concern is foot speed defensively, but if the 6’7″ former Blue Devil can continue to improve his offensive versatility, he could easily be a multi-time All-Star and a top-five player from this draft.
8) Brooklyn Nets
Kasparas Jakučionis, Illinois
As opposed to the Pelicans, the Brooklyn Nets don’t have any franchise-building young prospects on the roster — yet. Kasparas Jakučionis could be it, as the Lithuanian native dominated during his amateur years in Europe before excelling during his lone season at Illinois.
As a 6’6″ lead guard in the Big Ten, he averaged 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game on his way to being selected second-team all-conference by the media. He showed a familiar creativity, finding the open man in pick-and-roll situations like many European guards have in their game.
Despite shooting just 31.8% from beyond the arc, he had numerous stretches of strong shooting performances, likely meaning the load of carrying an NCAA Tournament team was too much late in the season for his jumper to sustain. That shouldn’t be a huge concern, as that’s not atypical.
Brooklyn badly needs a marketable star to hitch its wagon to, and while the former Fighting Illini star isn’t the biggest name, he has as high of a ceiling as anyone left in the draft and will likely be given the ball from Day 1. If he dominated in Europe and college, what’s stopping him from continuing the trend in the NBA?
The Nets are in a prime position to take a chance that he’s their lead guard of the future.
9) Toronto Raptors
Khaman Maluach, Duke
Khaman Maluach is an interesting prospect to project, as he produced in a limited role for Duke during his lone season in Durham, N.C.
His numbers don’t blow you away, as he averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game, but it’s the way he impacted the game that stuck out. Standing just under 7’1″ barefoot at the draft combine and with a wingspan of nearly 7’7″, his length scared away many opposing players who intended to finish at the rim. He easily changed or discouraged more shots than he blocked.
While all of that doesn’t scream star, it does scream defensive building block in a Rudy Gobert-esque role. There’s also some belief that Maluach could develop a 3-point stroke, as he made four of 16 attempts during the season, but he is impressing during pre-draft workouts.
The Toronto Raptors have a starting center in place in Jakob Poeltl, but he is far from the lengthy player that Maluach is and has a much lower ceiling than the former Blue Devil. Toronto would likely view this pick as nabbing its center for the future and the anchor of its defense for years to come.
10) Houston Rockets
Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina
Collin Murray-Boyles is a physical, defensive-minded prospect — exactly the type of player that Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka covets. At roughly 6’7″ and 240 pounds with a 7’1″ wingspan, the former South Carolina Gamecock is physical and moves his feet well, all while having the length to block shots and steal the ball, as evidenced by his 2.8 steals + blocks combined per game last season.
Though he doesn’t project as a big-time scorer in the pros, he was no slouch on that end in college. During his sophomore season in 2024-25, he averaged 16.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists while shooting 58.6% from the floor as a finisher around the rim.
As Houston navigates a time with several high-quality young players up for extensions in the coming years, they have to start replenishing through the draft, as the roster will simply get too expensive. Murray-Boyles exemplifies the exact toughness and defensive competitiveness that would make him successful with the Rockets.
11) Portland Trail Blazers
Derik Queen, Maryland
One of the more intriguing prospects in this draft, as far as play-style, Derik Queen’s 6’9″, 247-pound frame belies his comfort level to play on the perimeter. His stat line also suggests that he’s just a regular big man, as he scored 16.5 points and collected a team-high 9.0 rebounds.
But he’s as dynamic as big men get. He has deceptive foot speed for his size and can handle the ball very well, creating for himself off the dribble and getting to the basket. He uses his big frame to create space on drives to the hoop, something that will serve him well in the NBA as he’ll learn to draw fouls in those situations.
Portland has its center of the future in 7’2″ Donovan Clingan, last year’s seventh pick. What they don’t have is an established power forward, a spot that Queen would fill from Day 1. A prospect with this high of a ceiling — due to his distinct play-style — would be a solid pick-up for anyone, especially a rebuilding team like the Portland Trail Blazers.
12) Chicago Bulls
Jase Richardson, Michigan State
Jase Richardson got off to a slow start during his lone season with the Michigan State Spartans before injuries pushed him into the starting lineup. He didn’t look back, becoming the team’s go-to scorer and raising his averages to 12.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game.
He fits the modern NBA extremely well, as the lefty can get downhill and finish with his patented scoop shots, or when he nailed 3-pointers at a 41.2% rate when defenders went under screens or on catch-and-shoot attempts.
His 6’0 1/2″ measurement was concerning, as he functions more as a combo guard than as a point guard. But that would work in Chicago, as they have 6’8″ Josh Giddey slated as the point guard. Coby White is the starting 2-guard and could help in Richardson’s development as they ease him in off the bench.
13) Atlanta Hawks
Egor Demin, BYU
Coming over from Russia, Egor Demin spent one year with the BYU Cougars before entering the draft as a tall point guard with a knack for finding the open man with creative passes. However, it wasn’t known quite how tall he was until he measured in at a surprising 6’8″ barefoot, meaning his playing height is closer to 6’9″.
Having a primary ball-handler at that height is an extreme advantage — even if he’s not the most threatening from deep, as he shot just 27.3% from deep. There is hope he can further develop his shot, as he impressed at the draft combine in drill work.
Trae Young is the point guard in place for the Atlanta Hawks right now, but his name has been floated as a potential trade piece this summer. Even if he isn’t traded, this makes sense. Atlanta has been steadfast in adding tall, lengthy, and athletic wings to their roster; why not add someone who fits that mold at point guard who can grow into that role for the future?
14) San Antonio Spurs
Noa Essengue, France
It should come as no surprise to see the Spurs comfortably draft an overseas player — especially one from Wembanyama’s home country. Noa Essengue is a player who, if he reaches his potential, would fit perfectly as a complement in San Antonio’s lineup.
Measuring in at 6’9″ with a 6’11” wingspan, Essengue spent two seasons playing professionally in Germany as a role-playing forward on the perimeter. He’s extremely athletic, thriving in transition and on drives to the rim.
Relatively thin, whether or not he can add mass to his frame could determine whether or not he reaches his full potential.
15) Oklahoma City Thunder
Will Riley, Illinois
Standing 6’8″, Will Riley is a terrific shot-maker and projects as a high-scoring player on the wing at his peak. During his freshman season at Illinois, he averaged 12.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. His percentages weren’t great (43.2% from the field and 32.6% from 3-point range), but he excelled late in the season as one of the Fighting Illini’s most reliable scorers.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are always looking to add players with length and potential — two things that Riley certainly has. Almost assuredly entering next season as the favorite to win the 2026 NBA title, Oklahoma City could ease Riley into the program as he gets stronger and becomes more consistent with his shot.
16) Orlando Magic
Joan Beringer, France
Joan Beringer is exactly the type of prospect the Magic need. Measuring at just under 6’10”, he’s a highly athletic rim-running center who, at this point in his career, is best defensively as a switchable big man with versatility to defend on the perimeter.
Starting center Wendell Carter Jr. has been OK the past few seasons for Orlando, but he puts a cap on their ceiling due to his lack of athleticism. Beringer would immediately step in as an option at that position, raising the ceiling and further strengthening a tremendous defense.
17) Minnesota Timberwolves
Danny Wolf, Michigan
Danny Wolf is not the typical 6’11”, 252-pound big man with a 7’2″ wingspan. Instead of roaming the paint on both ends of the floor, he’s more than comfortable staying out on the perimeter. In fact, the Yale Bulldogs transfer played point guard at times for the Michigan Wolverines.
During his junior season at Michigan, he averaged 13.2 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists while showing improvement in shooting 33.6% from deep.
Minnesota traded away Karl-Anthony Towns for cap reasons last summer and looks poised to lose 2024 Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid via free agency, presenting a major need for a backup big man. Wolf could fill that role while also playing alongside Gobert, as his prowess on the perimeter will be valuable in the NBA.
18) Washington Wizards
Asa Newell, Georgia
Though Washington drafted 7’0″ center Alex Sarr with the second-overall pick in 2024, they could look to add a big man who can be an anchor in the paint. While Sarr blocked 1.5 shots per game during his rookie season, he revealed himself as a versatile defender on the perimeter who also strives to play around the 3-point line offensively.
Enter Asa Newell, who measured in at 6’9″, 223 pounds with a 6’11” wingspan but was primarily around the basket during his time with the Bulldogs. The numbers back it up, as he scored 15.4 points, grabbed 6.9 rebounds, and shot 54.3% from the field. He’s a terrific leaper, finishing lobs and changing shots on the other end.
Pairing the two together could solidify the Washington Wizards’ frontcourt for the future as they aim to build out the rest of their roster.
19) Brooklyn Nets
Carter Bryant, Arizona
Carter Bryant is a wildcard in this draft, as he played just 19.3 minutes per game, averaging 6.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists. But that’s not how he’ll excel early in his career — it’s on the defensive end of the floor, where he amassed a combined 2.0 blocks and steals per game during his freshman season.
Measuring in at roughly 6’7″, 215 pounds, and with a nearly 7’0″ wingspan, Bryant is the exact type of athletic wing that is so coveted in today’s NBA. He doesn’t quite have the offensive game yet, but the hope is that he develops his shooting mechanics — which aren’t that far off — and becomes more aggressive attacking the basket on offense.
After selecting a high-ceiling play-maker in Jakučionis with the No. 8 pick, the Nets take Bryant, who will be a developmental project but could be the perfect complement on the wing in the future.
20) Miami Heat
Nique Clifford, Colorado State
Everything about Nique Clifford screams “Miami Heat.” He spent five seasons at the college level — three at Colorado and the last two at Colorado State — before fully breaking out into the player he is today.
Last season, he led the Colorado State Rams in points (18.9), rebounds (9.6), assists (4.4), and steals (1.2). He also shot 37.7% from beyond the arc, a marked improvement from earlier in his career. Mind you, this is a 6’6″ two-guard doing this as well.
Miami always seems to draft mature and poised players that will fit into their self-proclaimed “Heat Culture.” If Clifford falls to this spot, as he’s projected to as a 23-year-old prospect, this would be an on-brand pick for team president Pat Riley and the Heat organization.
21) Utah Jazz
Liam McNeeley, UConn
Liam McNeeley’s shooting ability would be welcomed with open arms in Utah, where they don’t have a player of his type on the roster. At nearly 6’7″, he’s a wing who can shoot the 3 while showing the ability with the Huskies to create his own shot and for others.
Just a freshman, he stepped into the door of a team attempting to defend two consecutive national titles and led the team in scoring at 14.5 points while grabbing 6.0 rebounds and dishing out 2.3 assists per game. His percentage from deep (31.7%) doesn’t tell the full story, as immense pressure was placed on him from opposing defenses.
More catch-and-shoot opportunities will be presented to him in the NBA, and if he can continue his growth as a creator himself, the Jazz could have a player similar to Gordon Hayward, who starred for the franchise years ago.
22) Atlanta Hawks
Thomas Sorber, Georgetown
With Clint Capela expected to depart via free agency, backup center Onyeka Okongwu will fill his shoes in the starting lineup. That leaves a vacancy at the backup center spot that could be Sorber’s from Day 1.
His size (6’9″ barefoot) and heft (263 pounds) will serve him well in his adjustment to the NBA. He’s not just a power player, however, as he has a terrific touch around the basket in averaging 14.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game as a freshman.
The Hawks should be targeting a big man with this pick, and Sorber fits the mold ofthe player they need.
23) Indiana Pacers
Nolan Traoré, France
This late in the draft, a prospect like Nolan Traoré is just too good to pass up for the Indiana Pacers despite having franchise point guard Tyrese Haliburton on the roster. They’re similar players, as both have positional size for a lead guard (Traoré at 6’4″ and Haliburton at 6’5″) and are terrific in the open court at finding teammates.
Traoré’s top skill is his speed, as he explodes out of the pick-and-roll while having the ability to find the open man. He’s not a great scorer by any means at this point, needing to develop his shooting and creation of his own shot before he plays a significant role in the league.
A positive for Indiana is that they’re in the enviable position of having a complete roster that can allow a player to develop for a couple of years before needing them to contribute. Traoré fits in that bucket, making the Pacers an enticing spot for his future success.
24) Oklahoma City Thunder
Rasheer Fleming, Saint Joseph’s
Rasheer Fleming is exactly the type of player the Thunder covet, as he’s a versatile front-court player measuring in at just over 6’8″ but with an impressive 7’5″ wingspan. Oklahoma City’s defense is already among the best in the NBA, fueling their NBA Finals run — with the length the former Hawks forward possesses, he would fight right in.
Offensively, he showed promise of developing into a pick-and-pop and pick-and-roll player, as he averaged 14.7 points while shooting 39.0% from deep last season. But make no mistake; his mark will be made on the defensive end.
25) Orlando Magic
Hugo González, Spain
Badly needing a guard who can create offense, Hugo González has all the potential to be a rotational piece for the Orlando Magic with a season or two of development.
That’s not to demean his defense, which has improved in his seasons playing professionally, but his offense is what’s most needed by the Magic, as his slashing and athleticism have been on full display from the 2-guard spot.
26) Brooklyn Nets
Ben Saraf, Israel
Ben Saraf, the FIBA U18 EuroBasket MVP, is an intriguing prospect whose best skill is his passing ability. At 6’5″, he’s a comfortable ball-handler who created much of his team’s offense last season.
He’ll need to improve his long-range shooting, but slashing to the rim has been no issue for the Israeli native. Though his fit next to Jakučionis may be clunky at times, as both are similar players, the Nets aren’t in a position to take the best fit. They need to amass as much talent as possible, regardless of position.
27) Brooklyn Nets
Cedric Coward, Washington State
Cedric Coward is as unknown a prospect as there is. Beginning his career at the D-III level at Williamette in Oregon, he transferred to Eastern Washington after a dominant freshman season. Then, he joined the Washington State Cougars for his senior season and averaged 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game in just seven games before a shoulder injury ended his season.
With a 6’5″, 213-pound frame — and a 7’2″ wingspan — Coward has prototypical size to excel in the league on both ends of the floor.
The Nets could easily take another chance on a long-term prospect here, who’s shown signs of being an excellent shooter, creator, and defender. Despite being 21 years old, his career path inspires belief that he can continue his upward trend in the league.
28) Boston Celtics
Maxime Raynaud, Stanford
A fast riser after a couple of terrific performances at the draft combine scrimmages, Maxime Raynaud produced at a high level for the Stanford Cardinal during his senior season. As the focal point of the offense, he averaged 20.2 points and 10.6 rebounds while nailing nearly two triples a game on 34.7% from behind the line.
Though he’s unlikely to be a high scorer in the league, he should be an enticing prospect for the Boston Celtics. Potentially set to lose Al Horford (retirement) and Kristaps Porziņģis (trade for cap space) within the next year or two, Raynaud’s abilities from deep would be put to good use. He’s also a requisite defender, averaging 1.4 blocks and 0.9 steals as a senior.
29) Phoenix Suns
Walter Clayton Jr., Florida
Walter Clayton Jr.’s run through the NCAA Tournament culminated in a Florida Gators championship and him being named the 2025 Final Four Most Outstanding Player — and a rise up draft boards. His 3-point shooting in the tournament brought to mind Stephen Curry at Davidson.
While he’s clearly not seen as the prospect that Curry was, he’s still viewed as a solid point guard who could come in and provide scoring with a floor of being a backup point guard. He showed a deft passing ability as well, something Phoenix needs as it navigates the summer without a proven guard slated to handle the ball outside of Devin Booker.
30) Los Angeles Clippers
Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton
Ryan Kalkbrenner doesn’t have the potential to be a long-term star, but he does project as a role-playing backup center — exactly what the Los Angeles Clippers should be looking for with the final pick in the first round.
Standing 7’1″, the former Creighton Blue Jays center amassed a record four straight Big East Defensive Player of the Year awards, something that should, in part, translate to the pros as an extremely lengthy defensive anchor. Lacking a backup center behind starter Ivica Zubac, the 23-year-old Kalkbrenner could walk in and have that spot from Day 1.
Round 2 | 31) Minnesota Timberwolves
Drake Powell, North Carolina
A former five-star prospect who struggled to fully unleash his talents during his lone season with the North Carolina Tar Heels, Drake Powell is extremely athletic and projects as a two-way player at his peak. Standing 6’5″, he’s a 2-guard with a promising ability to slash to the rim while defending well enough to spark thoughts that he could fit into the Timberwolves’ program in the future.
32) Boston Celtics
Jamir Watkins, Florida State
A four-year man at the college level, Jamir Watkins was one of the top players in the ACC last season in averaging 18.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. He’s not a great shooter, but he made up for it with a terrific feel for the game and ball-handling ability at 6’7″. Boston could be looking to add more mature, ready-made prospects and Watkins fits that mold.
33) Charlotte Hornets
Noah Penda, France
Noah Penda has the frame of a prototypical NBA wing, standing 6’8″ with good length and the ability to shoot the ball. The Hornets need to acquire as much talent as possible and will hope Penda can develop into a rotational piece in the future.
34) Charlotte Hornets
Adou Thiero, Arkansas
With their second of two straight picks, Charlotte takes a player who’s the same height as Penda but has a completely different play style and is more polished after three seasons under coach John Calipari. Offensively, he specializes in attacking the hoop off closeouts and finishing at the rim; defensively, he uses his 7’0″ wingspan to get his hands on passes and register steals, leading to breakaway opportunities.
35) Philadelphia 76ers
Johni Broome, Auburn
A finalist for the Naismith Award, Johni Broome faces questions as to how his plodding, bruising play style will translate to the pros. But with a contending mindset, the 76ers should be comfortable betting that he can turn into a solid role player in a similar mold as power forward Guerschon Yabusele, who had a good season last year as a hefty 4-man with sneaky athleticism.
36) Brooklyn Nets
Yanic Konan Niederhauser, Penn State
Easily one of the top risers in this year’s class, Yanic Konan Niederhauser used the G League Elite Camp to earn an invite to the official draft combine, where he impressed greatly. As a bouncy seven-footer with peak athleticism and great length with a 7’3″ wingspan, the Nets may find their cheap replacement to current center Nic Claxton early in the second round.
Yanic Konan Niederhauser is one of the best athletes in this draft, standing 7’0, 243pounds with a 7’3 wingspan and 9’3 standing reach. He has significant potential as a vertical pick and roll spacer and led the Big Ten in blocks. https://t.co/ioKLqoDJWb pic.twitter.com/YZvsw9DJYV
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 28, 2025
37) Detroit Pistons
Chaz Lanier, Tennessee
Detroit had major success last season surrounding All-Star point guard Cade Cunningham with shooters, and they landed another here. It’s unclear if both Tim Hardaway Jr. and Malik Beasley will be able to be brought back, but Chaz Lanier offers another option as a five-year college player who shot 40.2% from deep in his career.
38) San Antonio Spurs
Rocco Zikarsky, Australia
Measuring in at 7’3″, a lineup with Rocco Zikarsky and Wembanyama would be a nightmare for opposing defenses within the arc. Though he’s limited at every other aspect of his game right now, Zikarsky could serve as another Spurs developmental success story with a couple of years of seasoning.
39) Toronto Raptors
Dink Pate, NBA G League
Dink Pate’s athleticism sticks out, yet he’s unpolished in nearly every other aspect of his game. His defense is good, which would be the pull here for the Raptors, who need wings who can defend. Pate is talented, yet will need potentially years of development — likely back in the NBA G League.
40) Washington Wizards
Kam Jones, Marquette
A four-year 2-guard for the Marquette Golden Eagles, Kam Jones excelled during his senior season in averaging 19.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists as the primary creator. Though his ceiling is limited due to his lack of athleticism and defensive ability, he’s an accomplished offensive performer. With a second-round pick, it doesn’t hurt the Wizards much if his game doesn’t translate.
41) Golden State Warriors
Alex Toohey, Australia
Alex Toohey, at nearly 6’8″, has a chance to become a role player in the league relatively early on. His defensive ability will help him out, as will his understanding of how to move off the ball. The Golden State Warriors covet both of those skills as well as shooting, another aspect of Toohey’s game that will serve him well.
42) Sacramento Kings
John Tonje, Wisconsin
John Tonje isn’t seen as a high-ceiling prospect after spending six years at the college level, but the Sacramento Kings need a mature, accomplished prospect who can be plugged in right away for 10-15 minutes a game at the guard position. Nailing 40.5% of his 3-pointers last season, at the very least, he could space the floor during his rookie season.
43) Utah Jazz
Bogoljub Marković, Serbia
A Serbian prospect, the 6’11” Bogoljub Marković has a surprisingly good 3-point stroke and is a rare prospect this late in the draft who has the real potential to become a rotational guy with further development. The rebuilding Jazz are fine with that, as they’re trying to improve the games of all their young prospects and could add one more in Marković.
44) Oklahoma City Thunder
Yang Hansen, China
Not previously seen as a draft pick, Yang Hansen’s scrimmages at the combine opened a lot of eyes around the league. He measured in at over 7’2″ in shoes and, while certainly not the fastest, had good foot speed for that size and showcased a nice touch around the rim. In all, he was a more polished prospect than expected, potentially sparking interest for the Thunder, who could use a young big to develop.
45) Chicago Bulls
Koby Brea, Kentucky
Koby Brea was one of the best shooters in the country last season for the Wildcats, nailing a blistering 43.5% of his 3s. The Chicago Bulls took the second-most 3s per game in 2024-25, prompting them to pluck a high-level shooter who can space the floor even further for them.
46) Orlando Magic
Michael Ružić, Croatia
The Magic have size on the wing — so why not add more? Michael Ružić stands 6’11” with a smooth jumper and has the defensive tools to develop into a proficient player on that end of the floor, something head coach Jamahl Mosley requires for play time.
47) Milwaukee Bucks
RJ Luis Jr., St. John’s
Deciding to stay in the might bite RJ Luis Jr. in the butt, as he’s projected to be a mid-to-late-second round pick. Nonetheless, a team with hopes of staying competitive in the East — regardless of whether they keep Antetokounmpo — like Milwaukee would benefit from adding the steady role-playing potential of Luis.
48) Memphis Grizzlies
Tyrese Proctor, Duke
It seems like the Memphis Grizzlies produce an unheralded prospect into a rotational player every year, and Tyrese Proctor could be the next one here. A former five-star, the 6’5″ Proctor spent three seasons at Duke, never fully realizing his star potential. He does possess positional size and showed promise as a lengthy defender, something Memphis could use on the perimeter.
49) Cleveland Cavaliers
Javon Small, West Virginia
With backup point guard Ty Jerome expected to depart in free agency, the Cleveland Cavaliers could look to the draft to attempt to fill that spot in the coming years. Javon Small would be a good first step, as he’s a steady ball-handler and creator who has the defensive chops to compete at the next level.
50) New York Knicks
Sion James, Duke
The tough, defensive-minded Sion James has the New York Knicks written all over him. He doesn’t bring much offensively outside of knowing his role and being unselfish, but he has some Jrue Holiday-like tendencies as a physical, high-IQ defender and would be well worth the 50th pick here.
51) Los Angeles Clippers
Amari Williams, Kentucky
After selecting Kalkbrenner, the Clippers go back to the well here and nab the 7’0″, 262-pound Amari Williams. He’s unlike the Creighton star and Zubac, as he’s much more athletic and has an innate passing ability from the top of the key. If he doesn’t crack the rotation, no harm done here.
52) Phoenix Suns
Alijah Martin, Florida
How cool would it be to reunite the two Florida champions, Alijah Martin and Clayton? It’s a real possibility, as the Suns are right in the draft range for both players and have needs at the guard positions. Martin, although undersized for a two-guard, brings a physical toughness to the table that has been lacking in Phoenix.
53) Utah Jazz
Hunter Sallis, Wake Forest
Hunter Sallis was the primary scorer and creator for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons last season, making it a question of how he’ll transition into being a role player. With the Jazz, he may not have to do that, as they don’t have any stars already on the roster. This is purely Utah taking the upside on a guy who showcased himself as a steady scorer in college, yet doesn’t quite project as that in the league.
54) Indiana Pacers
Mark Sears, Alabama
This would be a tremendous landing spot for Mark Sears. He already operated a fast-paced, breakneck offense with the Alabama Crimson Tide and could transition right into another one in Indiana. He’d also get to learn from T.J. McConnell, who’s carved out a successful career as a long-time backup point guard — the consensus projection on Sears.
55) Los Angeles Lakers
Vladislav Goldin, Michigan
The Los Angeles Lakers need to add a center by all means. And while they’re almost certain to add one in free agency, their lone pick in this draft should be spent on one as well, with Vladislav Goldin a prime candidate. Measuring in at 7’0″ with a 7’5″ wingspan, Goldin knows his role: finisher in the paint and rim protector, two things Los Angeles struggled mightily with post-Luka Dončić trade.
56) Memphis Grizzlies
Grant Nelson, Alabama
An extremely versatile player, the 6’10” Grant Nelson doesn’t project as a high-ceiling project — he is what he is right now, essentially. But that doesn’t mean he has no value, as he could pop in the right situation. Extremely athletic and with a solid jumper, he could develop into a glue-guy for future Grizzlies teams.
57) Orlando Magic
Mouhamed Faye, Senegal
With their fourth pick in this draft, Orlando dips back into the center market and grabs Mouhamed Faye. Measuring in at 6’10” and 215 pounds, he’s a very raw prospect. Despite that, he’s shown the ability to finish lobs and protect the rim, giving him the potential to become a rotational player in the future.
58) Cleveland Cavaliers
Eric Dixon, Villanova
Eric Dixon led the nation in scoring last season, putting up 23.5 points per game in an offense that relied heavily on his production. That won’t be the case in the NBA, as he’s undersized for a power forward (6’7″) and doesn’t have much high-end athleticism. He is a terrific shooter, however, knocking down 40.7% of his 3s last season, and he could carve out a role as an end-of-the-bench stretch big.
59) Houston Rockets
Micah Peavy, Georgetown
A fifth-year senior for the Georgetown Hoyas, the ball was in Micah Peavy’s hands a lot last season, and he put up solid numbers. But where the 6’6″ 2-guard will find success in the NBA is on the defensive end, where his NBA-ready frame and strength (he also weighs 220 pounds) will help him out. It wouldn’t hurt for a defensive-oriented team like the Rockets to take a chance on him here.
