The NBA playoffs are into the second round, meaning that 22 teams are on to the offseason. The 2025 NBA Draft features an especially enticing crop of prospects, with potential superstars and perennial All-NBA prospects throughout the lottery.
With the lottery just days away, let’s forecast all 30 picks for the first round. Note that for NCAA players, anyone can enter the draft but may still withdraw to preserve their college eligibility until June 15 at 5 p.m. ET. Therefore, the actual prospect pool teams will have to pick from is still evolving.
This 2025 NBA Mock Draft order is based on the NBA standings at the conclusion of the regular season. The actual order will be determined by the NBA Draft Lottery on May 12.
1) Utah Jazz
Cooper Flagg, Duke
The Utah Jazz ended up with the outright worst record at 17-65. That marked the worst season in franchise history, as Utah had never won fewer than 20 games, even in lockout-shortened seasons.
But if the Jazz get the first overall pick, the worst season in team history could become one of the best. Cooper Flagg lived up to the hype in his lone season at Duke, solidifying himself as the top overall pick after years of expectations he would eventually become a generational prospect.
Flagg immediately profiles as a five-tool player, as he averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game. It’s easy to imagine him as a two-way menace who serves as the hub of his next team on both ends of the floor, the way that Jayson Tatum and Giannis Antetokounmpo do for their teams now. It’ll be a minute before we can assume Flagg ascends to that same All-NBA company, but everything is in place for him to turn a franchise around in the same fashion.
2) Washington Wizards
Dylan Harper, Rutgers
The Washington Wizards have been an aimless franchise since the John Wall-Bradley Beal partnership flamed out. Apart from a short playoff appearance as the eight seed in 2020-21, the Wizards have been a non-competitive franchise, finishing below 20 wins in consecutive seasons.
But if the Wizards land a top-two pick, they’ll finally have a player to build around again. Rutgers combo guard Dylan Harper would be an elevated version of what Washington enjoyed with prime Wall and Beal. The freshman sensation scored 19.4 points per game at Rutgers this past season, shooting 48.4% from the field despite struggling from deep (33%).
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HIs ability to get to the rim is what will keep his offense afloat until his jumper improves. Harper did shoot 75% from the line, so there are signs that his jumper should come around. He would immediately become the engine of a Wizards offense that ranked last in offensive efficiency, as Harper could be the No. 1 overall pick in many drafts that didn’t also happen to include Flagg.
3) Charlotte Hornets
Ace Bailey, Rutgers
The other half of Rutgers’ freshman star duo, Ace Bailey also had a tremendous season. He averaged 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds while shooting 46% from the field. Bailey’s shotmaking gives him an All-NBA upside, as he shot 34.6% from three despite taking plenty of difficult off-the-dribble shots from deep.
The 6’10”, 200-pound Bailey is an oversized wing, as he has the athleticism and movement skills of a guard in a center’s body. That physical profile should immediately translate to Bailey providing value on defense and as a rebounder. Bailey can either serve as the center in five-out spread lineups, or play next to a big to create a jumbo-sized frontcourt capable of switching against opposing teams.
With the Hornets, Bailey could form a gigantic frontcourt paired alongside Mark Williams and Brandon Miller. His shot selection would need improvement, as the Hornets already have some bad offensive habits that led to them finishing 29th in offensive efficiency. However, Bailey’s two-way upside should keep him somewhere between third and fifth in the actual draft.
4) New Orleans Pelicans
V.J. Edgecombe, Baylor
V.J. Edgecombe averaged 15.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game en route to Big 12 Freshman of the Year and All-Big 12 Second Team honors. Although Edgecombe looks like an undersized wing at only 6’5”, he plays bigger than his listed size due to an extremely high motor and absurd athleticism.
Edgecombe’s bounciness and explosiveness translates to excellent on-ball defense. The Baylor product ranked fourth in the Big 12 with 2.1 steals per game. He also grabbed nearly six rebounds per game, an excellent total for a player of his size and reflective of how he simply out-athletes much of his competition.
Offensively, he might be more of an off-ball player, though that’s a trait he could develop by his second contract. The New Orleans Pelicans are in a good position to allow Edgecombe to come along as a secondary offensive weapon, with C.J. McCollum and Zion Williamson initiating much of the offense and Trey Murphy III coming on as a primary offensive creator.
5) Philadelphia 76ers
Tre Johnson, Texas
The Philadelphia 76ers flopped to a disastrous 24-58 season after preseason expectations that they might finally break past the second round of the playoffs. However, the Sixers may have preserved their first-round pick in the process, as they’ll hang on to it as long as it lands in the top six (otherwise it transfers to the Oklahoma City Thunder).
Tre Johnson would be quite the reward for tanking after averaging 19.9 points per game at Texas. Offense was his calling card in his freshman season, as he recorded 15 games with 20+ points while shooting 39.7% from three-point range.
His shot selection will need better judgment in the NBA, and his lack of size is an imperfect fit next to Tyrese Maxey. However, Johnson would give Philadelphia a second scoring option, which was lacking far too often given the injury woes of Joel Embiid and Paul George.
6) Brooklyn Nets
Kasparas Jakučionis, Illinois
The Brooklyn Nets are in need of a foundational backcourt piece. Cam Thomas filled it up, but his one-dimensional score-only skillset wasn’t conducive to winning basketball. If Brooklyn moves on from Thomas in free agency, Kasparas Jakucionis could enter as a replacement with a high 3-point ceiling and better size.
Jakučionis filled up the stat sheet at Illinois, averaging 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. The 6’6″ combo guard handled a large offensive role for the Illini, which led to too many turnovers and struggles from deep (31.8% from 3). However, he shot 84.5% from the free throw line, suggesting the potential for better accuracy from deep over time.
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The Nets could play Jakučionis either on- or off-ball, depending on how they operate in free agency as the team with the most cap space this offseason. His unselfishness as a playmaker would enable Jakučionis to adapt to a lower usage offensive role if the Nets splurge for a primary creator in free agency.
7) Toronto Raptors
Kon Knueppel, Duke
Kon Knueppel won’t turn 20 years old until August, but already comes with a pretty clear projection. The Duke wing should quickly emerge as a lethal three-point shooter, allowing him to contribute off the bench from Day 1 as the rest of his skillset grows.
Knueppel hit 40.6% of his 3s during his freshman year at Duke, while also sinking 91.4% of his free throws. He profiles as a player who could threaten the 50/40/90 club during his prime, giving the Toronto Raptors a sorely needed perimeter threat. The Raptors ranked 23rd in three-point field goal percentage (34.8%), and only the Orlando Magic made fewer total threes per game than Toronto (11.8).
The 6’7” Knueppel was able to hold up defensively because of his size, though that will be tested in the NBA. His addition would allow the Raptors to continue leaning into their roster-building strategy of collecting bigger wing types, with Scottie Barnes and R.J. Barrett fitting that mold as well.
8) San Antonio Spurs
Derik Queen, Maryland
The Maryland big has seen his stock rise throughout the pre-draft process, to the point where Derik Queen could easily be a top-10 pick. At 6’10” and 246 pounds, Queen has an NBA-ready body for a big, along with advanced handles and a soft touch around the rim.
There are concerns about Queen’s interior defense, but the San Antonio Spurs would be well-equipped to handle that risk with Victor Wembanyama on the back line. Queen averaged 16.5 points and 9.0 rebounds per game as a freshman, shooting 56% on 2-point field goal attempts. Plus, Queen can at least move defensively, which should allow him to funnel towards help when he gets switched onto smaller guards on the perimeter..
Queen is only 20 years old, and his combination of interior scoring and rebounding should help him go in the lottery. The Spurs need to boost their scoring support for Wemby, and a Queen-Wembanyama frontcourt pairing would have a pretty clear division of responsibilities between offense and defense.
9) Houston Rockets (via PHX)
Khaman Maluach, Duke
Few players have risen more than Khaman Maluach, who just beat the early entry deadline. The Duke freshman is 7’2″ and should serve as an elite rim protector. Even better, he also possesses the mobility to switch and defend in space against ball-handlers. Eventually, Malauch could develop into a perennial All-Defense member with the upside for more if his offense comes around.
Maluach does have a long way to go on that side of the court. Right now, he’s essentially a lob threat only, as he averaged 8.6 points per game and shot 4-for-16 from three for the season. The South Sudan native began playing basketball when he was 13, which means he’ll need some patience with his development. However, he’s come a long way already, and all the physical traits are in place for his exponential rate of improvement to continue.
The Houston Rockets have been one of the few teams to lean into double-big lineups, with the duo of Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams destroying opponents on the glass. Adams is aging and will need a successor, however. Malauch would protect the undersized Sengun on the back line and serve as a strong offense-defense complement.
10) Portland Trail Blazers
Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina
Collin Murray-Boyles is a little undersized for a frontcourt player at 6’8″. However, the Portland Trail Blazers are in need of wing-sized players, and Murray-Boyles comes with a developed offensive game that could diversify the Blazers’ offense beyond their guard-heavy approach.
The South Carolina big possesses an advanced offensive feel and tenacity to do the dirty work on both ends of the floor. As a sophomore for the Gamecocks, Murray-Boyles averaged 16.8 points per game on 58.6% shooting overall, while also grabbing 8.3 rebounds per game.
His effort on defense led to lots of highlight plays, with 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks per game this past season. He hasn’t developed a three-point jumper yet, as he shot 26.5% from deep this season after attempting only five total 3s as a freshman. Nonetheless, Portland could protect Murray-Boyles with the 7’2” Donovan Clingan at center, allowing him to play the four without imbalancing the team too much.
11) Dallas Mavericks
Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma
Jeremiah Fears doesn’t turn 19 until October, which has him as a likely lottery pick after an impressive freshman season. The Sooners point guard averaged 17.1 points, 4.1 assists, and 4.1 rebounds, largely due to his ability to effortlessly create shots in the paint.
Fears is a crafty ball-handler who uses his quickness and surprising strength to get downhill, make tough shots, and absorb contact. The 6’4″ guard is capable of big scoring nights even without a great jumper at the moment. Fears shot 28.4% from three on nearly four attempts per game, though his 85.1% free throw percentage is indicative of better days ahead on that front.
For now, Fears would give the Dallas Mavericks sorely needed ball-handling depth early in the season. Although there’s reported optimism about Kyrie Irving being able to return next season, the 33-year-old will need recovery time after his March torn ACL. Dallas is one of the teams that could give Fears opportunity for some early run leading bench units right away.
12) Chicago Bulls
Liam McNeeley, Connecticut
UConn wing Liam McNeeley will need more seasoning after shooting 38.1% from the field and 31.7% from 3 as a freshman. However, he actually profiles as a plus shooter from long range, and his 86.6% free throw percentage is more indicative of what scouts expect his long-term shooting accuracy to look like.
McNeeley does have strong instincts as a passer, which should allow him to serve as a cog in a cohesive offense while his jumper smooths out. And at 6’7”, McNeeley would add a sorely needed wing-sized player to the Chicago Bulls roster, which was extremely reliant on the backcourt tandem of Coby White and Josh Giddey to generate offense.
The Bulls transformed into a three-point heavy offense, as they took the fifth-highest rate of three-pointers this past season. McNeeley may not reach his ceiling right away, but he’s worth an upside swing for the team that has leaned into three-point shooting and needs better personnel to actually execute that vision.
13) Atlanta Hawks (via SAC)
Jase Richardson, Michigan State
The son of 13-year NBA veteran Jason Richardson, Jase Richardson won’t win any Slam Dunk contests but was very effective for Michigan State nevertheless. The younger Richardson improved as last season went on and finished the year averaging 12.1 points per game on 49.3% shooting, including 41.2% from deep.
Richardson comes with a well-rounded shot profile that should allow him to contribute immediately on offense. As the season went on, Richardson shouldered more scoring responsibility, leading the Spartans in points in six of the team’s final eight games of the regular season as well as during the Sweet 16 win over Ole Miss.
Although the Atlanta Hawks already have a smaller guard in Trae Young, the 6’3” Richardson could still fit next to Young since his playmaking isn’t quite there yet. Playing off-ball would allow Richardson to score first, and the Hawks’ collection of bigger defensive-minded wings could equip them to handle a small backcourt tandem.
14) San Antonio Spurs (via ATL)
Carter Bryant, Arizona
A prototypical wing at 6’8″ and 225 pounds, Carter Bryant represents the type of rangy athlete that can perfectly complement what the Spurs have between Wembanyama at center and De’Aaorn Fox and Stephon Castle in the backcourt. Early on, Bryant should serve as an impactful defender who can make plays off the ball on offense.
Bryant played just under 20 minutes per game as a bench player for Arizona this season. His very low usage translated to just 6.5 points per game. However, he also garnered 4.1 rebounds per game while shooting 37.1% from three, suggesting upside to develop into a desirable three-and-D wing.
The Spurs ranked only 20th in three-point field goal percentage, while also ranking 19th in percentage of attempts from three. Bryant should be able to boost that shot profile, and should be able to develop into a perfect complementary role player on the wing.
15) Oklahoma City Thunder (via MIA)
Nolan Traore, France
One of the youngest prospects in the draft, 18-year-old Nolan Traore will need some time to develop. However, he’s already 6’4″ and an effective playmaker, which gives him the type of upside that the Thunder can wait on if Traore becomes a draft-and-stash prospect
Traore has a lethal first step and terrific speed, which enables him to get to the rim at a high rate for a young player. His jumper does need significant improvement, as he shot just 37% from the field and 26.9% from 3 this season for Saint-Quentin in LNB Elite (France’s top basketball league).
However, the good news is that he improved his free throw percentage from 60.7% last year to 73.7% this season, a massive leap that suggests some overall shooting improvement is on the horizon. Anyone with his combination of size and explosive athleticism as a teenager is likely going to end up in the first round, and the Thunder can afford to be patient with his development.
16) Orlando Magic
Chaz Lanier, Tennessee
Chaz Lanier was a starter for Tennessee this season after transferring from North Florida. The fifth-year senior will have a floor as a deadeye shooter in the NBA, as he hit 39.5% of his 3-pointers on 8.2 attempts per game. His 123 total 3-pointers led the SEC in 2024-25 and should translate immediately.
At 6’4”, the 23-year-old has the size of a ball-handler but plays more off-guard. Lanier isn’t much of a passer, topping out at 1.8 assists per game in 2023-24. However, in the right environment, he would play off-ball and could focus on serving as a catch-and-shoot weapon, rather than trying to facilitate offense for others.
No team needs Lanier’s shooting more than the Orlando Magic, who exited in the first round for the second straight season. Injuries didn’t help, but the Magic’s 31.8% three-point percentage was also the worst by any team in the last nine seasons. Even though Lanier could be a fairly one-dimensional player in the NBA, that singular skill is incredibly valuable, particularly for an offensively-challenged team like Orlando.
17) Minnesota Timberwolves (via DET)
Nique Clifford, Colorado State
Nique Clifford is a versatile 6’6” wing who can defend multiple positions, making him an easy fit for virtually any roster. Clifford’s defensive multiplicity is his biggest strength. He’s also a strong rebounder (9.6 per game last season at Colorado State) despite being a smaller wing.
However, Clifford’s most obvious calling card is his ability to score from everywhere. He averaged 18.9 points per game on 49.6% shooting for the Rams this past season, including 37.7% from 3 on nearly five attempts per game. He’s also drastically improved at the free throw line throughout his college career, jumping from 53.2% two years ago to 77.7% this past season.
He’s an older prospect at 23 years old, which could keep him out of the lottery when coupled with his status as an older prospect from a smaller conference. However, the Minnesota Timberwolves have valued switchable wings who can shoot, and could lose one in free agency this year in Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Clifford would be a nice succession plan who fits well into the Wolves’ roster-building ethos.
18) Miami Heat (via GS)
Asa Newell, Georgia
Asa Newell averaged 15.4 points and 6.9 rebounds per game for Georgia this season, earning All-SEC Freshman honors. His 6’11” frame comes with explosive athleticism for a big, giving him the potential to control the paint at both ends of the floor.
Newell should contribute as a rebounder and defender right away. Newell had the third-highest offensive rebounding percentage in the SEC at 13.9% while also averaging a block per game. His jumper isn’t there yet, as he shot 29.2% on 3s, but his solid 74.8% free throw percentage hints at untapped potential there.
Newell also improved as the year went on, finishing 34.2% from three over his final 11 games after starting the season 25.5% from deep. The Miami Heat have always leaned into defense, having ranked top-10 in defensive efficiency each of the past five seasons. Newell would fit right into the Heat’s system, fortifying a frontcourt that already includes Bam Adebayo and promising rookie Kel’el Ware.
19) Washington Wizards (via MEM)
Noa Essengue, France
With their second first-rounder, the Wizards can afford to take a home run swing. Noa Essengue will be 18 years old until December, making him the second-youngest player in the draft behind Flagg. A bundle of athleticism, Essengue has a slight 6’9” frame, but his energy and versatility fit the mold of a potential rotation piece.
Essengue is still developing his ball-handling, which is in its infancy and hampers his ability to score or create reliably. And yet, his raw athleticism still led to a very respectable 12.4 points per game and 5.3 rebounds per game for Ratiopharm Ulm in the EuroCup league this season. Essengue got to the line 5.6 times per game as well, an impressive total for such a young player.
He’ll need to smooth out his jumper after shooting only 29.4% on threes and taking less than two a game. Regardless, his size and defensive versatility give him a decent floor while he develops the other parts of his game. Essengue wouldn’t have as large a role as fellow Frenchman Alex Sarr did as a rookie, but he could develop into an impactful two-way player in time.
20) Brooklyn Nets (via MIL)
Danny Wolf, Michigan
The Michigan center is one of the more unique players in the draft. At 7’0″, Danny Wolf possesses a high level of ball-handling and passing skill for a center. He nearly averaged a double-double for the Wolverines this season with 13.2 PPG and 9.7 RPG, while adding just under four assists per game as one of the team’s primary playmakers as well.
Wolf isn’t an efficient 3-point shooter (33.6% for his collegiate career), but he is a fluid athlete with excellent footwork. A more traditional role would help him cut down on his 3.2 turnovers per game, as NBA-level defenders will take advantage of that weakness if Wolf is forced into too much primary creation early in his career.
Defense isn’t his strength, as Wolf’s lack of explosive athleticism hurts. Still, the Nets have a void at offensive creation, and Nic Claxton’s presence on the back end could make up for some of Wolf’s deficiencies as a rim protector.
21) Utah Jazz (via MIN)
Egor Demin, BYU
Egor Demin’s positional versatility is his most enticing attribute. At 6’9″ and 190 pounds, the BYU standout is a massive point guard who leverages his size advantage as both a scorer and a passer. He demonstrates strong ball-handling skills and vision for a player of his size, which should enable him to become an offensive initiator.
Unfortunately, Demin’s jumper is likely keeping him out of the lottery. He shot just 27.3% from 3 and 69.5% from the free throw line this season, suggesting there isn’t necessarily much upside for improvement. And as much as his size helps him on defense, he also struggles to generate clean looks against wing-sized players on offense. Demin isn’t a total offensive non-factor due to his ability to cut and finish at the rim, which enabled him to average 10.6 points per game for BYU this season.
Regardless, the Utah Jazz could use Demin’s potential to run the offense. The Jazz ranked 24th in assist-to-turnover ratio last season. Collin Sexton is better off-ball, while Isaiah Collier and Keyonte George were thrust into unfair positions as extremely young players asked to run the offense. Demin could alleviate that pressure and create a more cohesive offense for whoever Utah picks at the top of the draft.
22) Atlanta Hawks (via LAL)
Thomas Sorber, Georgetown
Thomas Sorber missed the last month of the season for Georgetown after a foot injury, which is always a red flag for a big. As such, Sorber’s medicals will determine whether or not he’s a first-round pick.
If those come back clean, though, the 6’10”, 255-pounder offers plenty of upside on both ends of the court. As a freshman for Georgetown, Sorber averaged 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, and 1.5 steals. Sorber’s post-centric game isn’t the cleanest fit in the NBA, but he also demonstrates promising passing skills. His disruptiveness on defense is a huge asset and should also help keep him on the floor.
The Hawks figure to lose Clint Capela in free agency this year, with Onyeka Okongwu ready to ascend to full-time starting duties. However, Okongwu is relatively small by center standards, and a bigger body like Sorber to battle on the boards and in the post would mitigate some of Okongwu’s issues in that regard.
23) Indiana Pacers
Noah Penda, France
French forward Noah Penda would be a potential draft-and-stash option at just 20 years old. Vision is Penda’s best trait, as he is an excellent passer who was a secondary playmaker for Le Mans in the French League despite being only 20 years old. He was able to score more than most teenagers, averaging 10 points per game.
Penda does need to improve his efficiency after shooting 43% on field goals and 29% on threes. However, he has traits that should translate to being a solid role player, namely his effort as a defender and rebounder. Penda’s 75.3% free throw percentage suggests there’s projectable improvement with his jumper, which could pay off in a couple years as he matures.
Penda’s size at 6’8” and passing would let him fit in on an Indiana Pacers team that prioritizes ball movement and switchable defenders. He wouldn’t be likely to contribute right away, but could grow into a useful wing as the young Pacers continue their maturation into an East contender.
24) Orlando Magic (via DEN)
Hugo Gonzalez, Spain
Hugo Gonzalez is an 18-year-old wing who is already playing for Real Madrid in the Euroleague, the top-ranked club in Europe’s professional basketball team rankings. Granted, “playing” is a strong term for someone who averaged just under eight minutes per game and scored fewer than two points per game.
However, at 6’6″, Gonzalez already looks like an NBA-caliber defender on the wing and is one of the best pure athletes in this class. Gonzalez uses those athletic gifts to create separation on cuts and finish at the rim on offense. He’s nearly an 80% free throw shooter, indicating there’s shooting upside that hasn’t materialized yet (he shot 29% from 3, but on just 24 total attempts).
The Magic need shooting, but can address that with their earlier first-rounder while taking a bigger upside swing near the end of Round 1. Gonzalez fits perfectly into the Magic’s collection of bigger-sized switchable defenders, and could become a vital contributor someday if his jumper comes along.
25) Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC)
Maxime Raynaud, Stanford
A four-year college player, Maxime Raynaud may not have the clearest path into the first round as an older prospect. However, the 7’1” Stanford center got better in each of his four collegiate seasons. Raynaud increased both his points and rebounds per game in all four seasons, topping out at 20.2 PPG and 10.6 RPG this past season (the latter of which led the ACC).
Raynaud has the skill set of a modern big. He was a career 34.7% three-point shooter in college, and did so on 5.5 attempts per game this past season for the Cardinal. He’ll be a great pick-and-pop weapon when paired with a good ball-handler, which the Oklahoma City Thunder possess in spades.
Reynaud is also a solid defender who won’t be moved easily at his size (245 pounds), which fits into the Thunder’s defense-first roster construction. While there wouldn’t be immediate pressure on Raynaud to play, he could serve as important injury insurance given that both Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein missed significant time this season.
26) Brooklyn Nets (via NY)
Walter Clayton Jr., Florida
As mentioned earlier, the Nets could be looking at a scoring void in the backcourt with Cam Thomas hitting free agency. Enter Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr., who can immediately fill that void. The reigning Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament was a consensus First Team All-American for the national champs. Clayton is a ready-made shooter, as he averaged 18.3 points per game on 44.8% shooting (including 38.6% from 3) during his senior season.
What’s unique about Clayton is that his offensive profile suggests he can be more than a catch-and-shoot weapon. His ball-handling is extremely advanced and allows Clayton to create separation and get his shot off against bigger and more athletic defenders. Plenty of bench guards have carved out long careers as shot creators for bench units, and there’s no reason Clayton can’t follow suit.
Clayton’s lack of above-the-rim athleticism limits his ceiling, and could also make him a defensive liability. But he’s also the rare late-first round prospect who should also contribute to a rotation right away. While that could make him a popular target for contenders, a team like the Nets in need of a boost to their 28th-ranked offense should also strongly consider Clayton.
27) Brooklyn Nets (via HOU)
Joan Beringer, France
The Brooklyn Nets have a league-high four first-round picks, but are highly unlikely to take that many rookies who can make their roster right away. As such, the Nets are a prime candidate to use one of their non-lottery firsts on a draft-and-stash prospect.
Joan Beringer fits that bill to a tee as arguably the rawest prospect in the whole draft. The 6’11” French center just started playing basketball three years ago after growing too large to play soccer. However, he’s already made the senior team for Cedevita Olimpija, a team in Slovenia’s top league. The development plan for Beringer would see him develop into a versatile defender who protects the rim while also gobbling up double-digit rebounds per game.
Beringer is only 18 years old until November and comes with many of the concerns that ultra-raw bigs have. He needs to add significant weight, and has virtually zero ball-handling or shooting range. However, there aren’t many centers in the world with the skillset of a guard, meaning that Beringer will likely find his way into the first round.
28) Boston Celtics
Bogoljub Markovic, Serbia
The Boston Celtics front office may not have the appetite to add another salary to the books this offseason. The Celtics are staring at a luxury tax bill of roughly $500 million to keep their core together, leading to an expectation that they’ll move on from at least one of their highly-paid players. Boston could duck the second apron by trading away only Jrue Holiday or Kristaps Porzingis, but then wouldn’t have much room to add more salary.
As such, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the defending champs take a draft-and-stash player who wouldn’t join the team just yet. Bogoljub Markovic would represent a big upside swing. At 6’11” and 195 pounds, the 19-year-old badly needs to add mass to his frame, but possesses incredible shooting and ball-handling skills for a young center.
Playing for KK Mega Basket in Serbia, Markovic averaged 13.8 points per game and 6.7 rebounds per game on 53.4% shooting, including 39.7% from three (albeit on fewer than three attempts per game). He’ll need to work on building an NBA-ready body, which could take multiple years. However, the Celtics are one of the teams in position to wait and see if Markovic can develop into the future frontcourt piece they currently lack.
29) Phoenix Suns (via CLE)
Johni Broome, Auburn
One of the best college players in the country, Johni Broome may not be one of the first names off the board as a five-year collegian who will be 23 by the time next season starts. However, there’s no denying his star-level production at Auburn, and the 6’10” power forward has enough size and skill to contribute immediately.
Broome averaged 18.6 points per game and led the SEC with 10.8 rebounds per game while leading the Tigers to the Final Four. His rebounding should translate immediately, and his 2.1 blocks per game are indicative of how his defensive instincts should make him a solid rim protector.
The Phoenix Suns are sorely in need of frontcourt contributors after leaning too heavily on Nick Richards at center this past season. The Suns’ roster is in a transition state, but it’s likely there will be available minutes regardless of whether or not Kevin Durant and Devin Booker return. Broome is one of the few rookies potentially available with the penultimate pick in the first round who could capably fill those minutes.
30) Los Angeles Clippers (via OKC)
Rasheer Fleming, St. Joseph’s
The Los Angeles Clippers are picking at the end of the first round because of a pick swap with the 68-win Thunder. That trade didn’t turn into the disaster many expected in the preseason, but the Clippers need to hit on an immediate contributor to keep contending with an aging core.
Rasheer Fleming showed promise as a scoring big for St. Joseph’s. He averaged 14.7 points per game on an impressive 39% from deep during his junior season, a meaningful jump from his 32.4% 3-point shooting percentage last season.
Defensively, his motor allows him to win on the glass, as he averaged 8.5 rebounds per game this season and 1.5 blocks per game each of the past two seasons. He won’t create much for his teammates (just 1.0 assist per game for his career), so a role as an energy big who can score for bench units might be his best utilization.