The NBA regular season is almost over, meaning that nearly half the league will begin their offseason. The NBA Draft is the first major player acquisition event, and this year’s particularly deep class features multiple potential franchise-changing talents.
Reviewing the first round, let’s break down all 30 picks and match teams with prospects. 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 games on April 11. The actual order will be determined by the NBA Draft Lottery on May 12.
1) Washington Wizards
Cooper Flagg, Duke
The Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz are currently tied for the worst record in the NBA, though that’s really an academic exercise. The top three worst records will all have a 14% chance to win the lottery, a group that will include the Wizards.
Should Washington earn the No. 1 overall pick, they’ll undoubtedly take Duke superstar Cooper Flagg. Adding Flagg would give this struggling franchise some hope for the future in a star-driven league, as he would be the Wizards’ first foundational piece since John Wall’s career went south due to injuries.
Flagg has been every bit as advertised. Duke’s freshman phenom averaged 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in the regular season. His scoring was elevated in conference play, where he averaged 21.2 points per game against ACC opponents on 53.6% shooting from the field. He’s also been elite defensively, averaging 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks.
2) Utah Jazz
Dylan Harper, Rutgers
The Utah Jazz haven’t had much lottery luck in recent years, but this class would be an excellent time to make up for that. Dylan Harper, the Rutgers combo guard, could represent the long-awaited replacement for what Utah lost when the franchise traded Donovan Mitchell to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Harper proved to be an incredibly effective scorer, averaging 19.4 points per game for the Scarlet Knights as a freshman. His outside shot could use work as he finished 33.3% from 3-point range, but he did show athletic finishing ability around the rim with a 48.4% overall field goal percentage.
The son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, Dylan would be the top overall pick in many draft classes that didn’t include Flagg. His natural strength allows him to get to the rim and absorb contact — two coveted skills that should help the Jazz improve their 24th-ranked offensive efficiency immediately.
3) Charlotte Hornets
Ace Bailey, Rutgers
The other half of Rutgers’ ballyhooed freshman duo, Ace Bailey also had a tremendous season. He averaged 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game while shooting 46% from the floor and 34.6% from three. His willingness to take and make difficult shots led to some rough moments but also illustrated Bailey’s upside if things come together.
The All-Big Ten selection has a wiry 6’10”, 200-pound frame, and he’s a smooth yet explosive athlete. That physical profile should give Bailey a fairly high floor as a defender. Coupled with his wingspan, Bailey projects as a versatile defender who can’t be targeted in the spread pick-and-roll — a must for any big in today’s game. That would be a welcome boon for a Charlotte Hornets team that has ranked 20th or worse in defensive efficiency in four straight seasons.
4) New Orleans Pelicans
V.J. Edgecombe, Baylor
After a slow start against stiff competition, V.J. Edgecombe picked things up for Baylor as his freshman season progressed. He 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.
Edgecombe impressed late in the season, highlighted by his 23-point effort in a narrow loss to eventual national runner-up Houston on March 8. A gritty defender, Edgecombe demonstrated a nose for the ball with 2.1 steals per game, which ranked fourth in the Big 12.
The New Orleans Pelicans had a hole at guard this season after Dejounte Murray’s torn Achilles, but Edgecombe’s defensive ability could replace much of Murray’s impact there right away. As a high-level athlete who flashes explosiveness on both ends of the floor, Edgecombe has room to grow with ball-handling and finishing at the rim.
5) Philadelphia 76ers
Tre Johnson, Texas
While the Philadelphia 76ers were one of the NBA’s most disappointing teams in 2024-25, their reward could be hanging onto their top-six protected pick. Philly has a 64% chance of being rewarded for its tanking efforts, which would enable them to add to a roster that has a lot of health questions but also a ton of talent.
Tre Johnson figures to go in the top five after the freshman guard led the Texas Longhorns in minutes (34.7) and points (19.9) per game. Offense is Johnson’s calling card, as he recorded 15 games with 20+ points. That included a trio of 30-point performances, all against SEC foes, highlighted by a season-high 39 points against Arkansas.
Johnson’s 3-point shooting would be a huge boon to a Sixers team that was the fourth-worst 3-point shooting team this season. The Longhorns freshman shot 39.7% from 3-point range on the year, helping offset some of his overall inefficiency (42.7% overall field goal percentage).
6) Brooklyn Nets
Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma
Jeremiah Fears doesn’t turn 19 until October, which is part of the reason he rose up draft boards after an impressive freshman season. The Sooners point guard averaged 17.1 points, 4.1 assists, and 4.1 rebounds on his way to making the All-SEC Freshman Team.
Fears excels as a crafty ball-handler who uses his quickness and sneaky strength to get downhill, make tough shots, and absorb contact. The 6’4″ guard is capable of lighting up the scoreboard on any given night, highlighted by 30-point performances against Michigan and Missouri.
His ability to get anywhere on the floor isn’t just useful as a scorer. Fears showed precocious playmaking instincts despite his youth, driving to create opportunities for his teammates. With Cam Thomas hitting restricted free agency and largely serving as a score-first player who doesn’t create much for his teammates, the Nets could have a void at point guard.
7) Toronto Raptors
Kon Knueppel, Duke
Kon Knueppel won’t turn 20 years old until August, but he already looks like a fairly polished prospect. The Duke wing profiles as a lethal weapon from the outside, which will be his calling card in the NBA.
During his lone season at Duke, Knueppel hit 40.6% of his 3s, while also sinking 91.4% of his free throws. Knueppel is a player who could threaten the 50/40/90 club in his NBA prime, something that the Toronto Raptors desperately need after finishing 26th in offensive efficiency this season.
Knueppel also owns a 6’7″ frame, which allowed him to exceed expectations on the defensive end with the Blue Devils. The Raptors are already a fairly large team on the wings and in the backcourt, and Knueppel wouldn’t compromise that roster construction.
8) San Antonio Spurs
Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina
Though listed as a power forward and center, Collin Murray-Boyles is a little undersized for the position at 6’8″. However, if there’s any team that can cover up for a smaller frontcourt player, it’s the San Antonio Spurs with future Defensive Player of the Year Victor Wembanyama.
Murray-Boyles would fit in well as a supporting big next to Wemby, given his offensive feel and tenacity to do the dirty work on both ends of the floor. In his sophomore season at South Carolina, Murray-Boyles averaged 16.8 points per game on 58.6% shooting, while also pulling down 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 doesn’t have much range at the moment, as he shot 26.5% from 3 this past season after attempting only five total 3s as a freshman. Even so, Murray-Boyles profiles as a strong complementary role player who can take some of the rebounding and defensive stress off of Wembanyama.
9) Portland Trail Blazers
Kasparas Jakučionis, Illinois
The Portland Trail Blazers already have three young pieces in their backcourt in the form of Scoot Henderson, Anfernee Simons, and Shaedon Sharpe. However, Kasparas Jakucionis complements that trio in a different way, with a higher 3-point ceiling and better size and versatility.
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 an extremely large role for the Illini, which led to spates of 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 (especially in a lower usage role).
The Trail Blazers could play Jakučionis either on- or off-ball, giving them different lineup possibilities with their three other young guards. His unselfishness as a playmaker would also benefit a Portland team that ranked 28th in assist rate this past season.
10) Houston Rockets (via PHX)
Jase Richardson, Michigan State
The son of 13-year NBA veteran Jason Richardson, Jase Richardson isn’t the same type of player as his father but was very effective for Michigan State. The younger Richardson came on in the second half of the season and finished the year averaging 12.1 points per game on 49.3% shooting, including 41.2% from deep.
While Richardson is not as explosive as his father, that shot profile makes him a more natural scorer entering the pros. He shouldered more scoring responsibility as the season went on, leading the Spartans in scoring in six of the team’s final eight games of the regular season as well as during the Sweet 16 win over Ole Miss.
His feel for the game is fairly advanced, which would help fill the long-term void in the Houston Rockets’ backcourt. Fred VanVleet will turn 32 next season and has an expensive $44.8 million team option, so it remains to be seen if Houston will bring him back.
11) Miami Heat
Egor Demin, BYU
Egor Demin’s positional versatility may be his most enticing attribute. At 6’9″ and 190 pounds, the BYU standout is a massive guard who leverages his size advantage for playmaking purposes. He demonstrates terrific ball-handling skills and vision for a player of his size, as well.
The main reason Demin isn’t ranked higher is due to concerns about his jump shot. He shot just 27.3% from 3 and 69.5% from the free throw line this season, suggesting there isn’t necessarily much upside to his jumper. And as much as his size helps him on defense, he struggles equally to create and get his shot off against length on offense.
Regardless, the Heat have prized versatile defenders in the past and have some shoot-first options in Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson who can cover up for Demin’s deficiencies on that end. And Demin isn’t a total zero on offense, as his cutting ability and athleticism to finish around the rim allowed him to at least average 10.6 points per game for BYU.
12) Chicago Bulls
Derik Queen, Maryland
The March Madness hero has seen his stock rise throughout the pre-draft process. Derik Queen is already well-developed at 6’10” and 246 pounds, and he possesses advanced handles and a soft touch around the rim.
There are concerns about Queen’s interior defense, but his offense is ready to go. The freshman averaged 16.5 points and 9.0 rebounds per game, shooting 56% on 2-point field goal attempts. His jumper is in the early stages but showing signs of development, and he can at least move defensively so that he’s not a total mismatch on the perimeter against ball-handlers.
Queen is only 20 years old, so his combination of interior scoring and nose for rebounding should help him go in the lottery. With Nikola Vucevic entering the final year of his contract in 2025-26 and potentially being used as a trade chip due to his expiring contract, Queen could find significant minutes sooner than later.
13) Atlanta Hawks (via SAC)
Liam McNeeley, Connecticut
The Atlanta Hawks will get this pick from the Sacramento Kings barring a huge jump into the top four for the Kings, as it’s only top-12 protected. That will give Atlanta a pair of first-rounders after also getting the Los Angeles Lakers’ pick — a huge boon after the Hawks emptied their draft pick arsenal in the ill-fated Dejounte Murray trade.
Liam McNeeley will need to develop after shooting 38.1% from the field and 31.7% from 3 as a freshman at UConn. However, he actually profiles as a sniper 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 did struggle to end the year, shooting 14-of-49 (28.6%) over the Huskies’ final three games of the postseason. In the meantime, he does have strong instincts as a passer, which should allow him to serve as a cog in a cohesive offense even though he’s not a primary ball-handler or creator.
The Hawks dipped to 19th in 3-point percentage this season and already have Trae Young as a ball-dominant guard. At 6’7″, McNeeley could add to the cadre of bigger wings Atlanta has sought to acquire over the years to shield Young’s lack of size.
14) Dallas Mavericks
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 a strong playmaker, which gives him the type of upside that could make for a worthy successor to Kyrie Irving in a few years.
Traore is 6’4″ with incredible speed and quickness off the dribble to match. Where he can’t quite match Irving yet is with his jumper, 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. Traore would almost certainly need some G League time to season and further develop his passing instincts. However, anyone with his combination of size and explosive athleticism at such a young age has a strong chance to go in the lottery.
15) San Antonio Spurs (via ATL)
Nique Clifford, Colorado State
Nique Clifford is a 6’6” wing who can defend multiple positions, making him an easy fit into the San Antonio Spurs’ frontcourt. Clifford’s defensive optionality is his biggest strength. He’s also a strong rebounder (9.6 per game last season at Colorado State) despite being a smaller wing.
His most obvious calling card is his ability to score from everywhere, though. Clifford averaged 18.9 points per game on 49.6% shooting this season, including 37.7% from 3 on nearly five attempts per game. He’s also made drastic improvements at the free throw line, skyrocketing from 53.2% two years ago to 77.7% this past season.
Clifford has checked every box you could ask for at the collegiate level. He’s an older prospect at 23 years old, which could keep him out of the lottery, but the Spurs will be happy to add a player who could be part of their wing rotation right away.
16) Orlando Magic
Khaman Maluach, Duke
A potential lottery pick, Khaman Maluach would add to an already fearsome Orlando Magic defense. The Duke freshman is 7’2″ and could serve as a terrific rim protector for years to come while also possessing the mobility to switch and defend in space against ball-handlers.
Offensively, Maluach has a long way to go, as he’s essentially a lob threat and nothing else at this point. The South Sudan native only began playing basketball when he was 13, so he’ll need lots of patience on his development timeline, but all of the physical pieces are in place and he’s picking up the intricate details at an impressive rate.
This might not be Orlando’s biggest need, but the Magic have multiple first-rounders and can pick a more seasoned prospect who can help the offense right away later in the first. If Maluach falls out of the lottery, this would be a tough value to pass up.
17) Minnesota Timberwolves (via DET)
Noa Essengue, France
Noa Essengue has a slight 6’9” frame, but his energy and versatility fit the mold of a potential rotation piece. He’s still only 18 years old until December, a toolsy bundle of athleticism with advanced passing vision already.
Essengue doesn’t have much of a jumper right now. Most of his 12.4 points per game for Ratiopharm Ulm in the EuroCup league this season came around the rim. He shot just 29.4% on 3-pointers on fewer than two attempts per game. And while he got to the line 5.6 times per game, an impressive total for a player that young, he hit a mediocre 73% of his free throws.
Regardless, his size and defensive versatility give him a decent floor while he smooths out the rough edges in his game. The Minnesota Timberwolves have made a habit of collecting long athletic 3-and-D wings in recent years, from Jaden McDaniels to Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Essengue would be a long-term project who could pay dividends down the road.
18) Washington Wizards (via MEM)
Asa Newell, Georgia
Asa Newell averaged 15.4 points and 6.9 rebounds per game for Georgia this season, earning All-SEC Freshman honors in the process. His 6’11” frame is even more enticing when realizing that his springy athleticism is his biggest strength, giving him the ability to play above the rim on both sides of the court.
That translates to rebounding and defensive versatility 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 and smooth-looking form hints at untapped potential there.
19) Brooklyn Nets (via MIL)
Rasheer Fleming, St. Joseph’s
Rasheer Fleming was a strong scoring big for St. Joseph’s this season. He averaged 14.7 points per game on an impressive 39% from deep, a massive jump from his 32.4% 3-point shooting percentage last season.
Defensively, his motor allows him to thrive on the boards, as he averaged 8.5 rebounds per game for the Hawks this year 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 provide scoring for bench units might be his best utilization.
At 6’9″ and 220 pounds, Fleming isn’t a pure center, but he can play in the frontcourt next to a bigger, defense-first big. The Nets fit that profile with Nic Claxton serving as one of the best rim protectors in the NBA, and Fleming can compensate for Claxton’s lack of scoring range on the other end of the court.
20) Miami Heat (via GS)
Danny Wolf, Michigan
One of the stranger skill sets in the draft belongs to Danny Wolf. The Michigan center is 7’0″, but he possesses an unusually high level of ball-handling and passing skill for the position. He averaged just under four assists per game for the Wolverines this season while also nearing a double-double with 13.2 PPG and 9.7 RPG.
Wolf isn’t a particularly efficient 3-point shooter (33.6% for his collegiate career), but he is an extremely fluid athlete for his size. That’s allowed him to take stepback jumpers and beat defenders off the dribble, albeit while averaging 3.2 turnovers per game due to his lack of polish.
Wolf also doesn’t provide a ton of defensive value as a non-explosive athlete, though that’s less of a concern in Miami with Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware on the back line. The Heat have a void at offensive creation with Jimmy Butler gone, and Wolf is the rare non-lottery pick with enough upside to potentially fill that need.
21) Utah Jazz (via MIN)
Carter Bryant, Arizona
An oversized guard at 6’8″ and 225 pounds, Carter Bryant represents the type of rangy athlete that Danny Ainge has valued throughout the years. He won’t necessarily turn into Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown just because he possesses a similar frame, but Bryant should turn into 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 an unimpressive stat line, as he averaged just 6.5 points per game for the season. However, he also garnered 4.1 rebounds per game while also averaging about one steal and one block, suggesting strong defensive upside with more playing time.
22) Indiana Pacers
Chaz Lanier, Tennessee
The fifth-year senior guard was a starter for Tennessee this season after transferring from North Florida. Chaz Lanier 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 hasn’t demonstrated great facilitation skills as a passer, topping out at 1.8 assists per game in 2023-24, but that could be explained by his team wanting to fully leverage his shooting as opposed to working on developing his NBA profile.
The Indiana Pacers’ pace and ball movement lead to many open shots. The Pacers attempted more than 22 wide-open 3-point attempts per game this season (defined as no defender being within six feet of the shooter) — third-most behind only the Oklahoma City Thunder and Bulls. Plugging a sharpshooter like Lanier into that ecosystem should deliver immediate results as the Pacers push to challenge the elite teams in the East.
23) Orlando Magic (via DEN)
Tahaad Pettiford, Auburn
The freshman combo guard was an effective scorer off the bench for Auburn and could provide a sorely needed dose of offense for the Magic. Tahaad Pettiford averaged 11.6 points per game and shot 36.6% from 3 as the sixth man for the Tigers. His 3-point shooting should translate immediately, as he demonstrated efficiency both off the dribble and on catch-and-shoot opportunities.
Pettiford possesses more upside than a pure scorer, though, as he showed flashes of playmaking as a pick-and-roll ballhandler. He also plays with a high motor on defense, which has helped him overcome size limitations (6’1″) at the college level.
That lack of size does limit his ceiling, and Pettiford won’t immediately have the same green light to shoot in the NBA that he has had at Auburn. However, it’s easy to imagine him serving as an important change-of-pace guard for a Magic team that ranked 27th in offensive efficiency this season, easily the worst of any playoff or play-in team.
24) Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC)
Hugo Gonzalez, Spain
With the deepest roster in the NBA, the Thunder are probably the likeliest team to take some draft-and-stash players. Oklahoma City is contending for championships today, meaning that high-upside swings that could potentially replace core players that price themselves out of OKC tomorrow are more valuable to them.
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 uses his athleticism to cut and finish at the rim on offense. He’s nearly an 80% free throw shooter, suggesting there’s shooting upside that hasn’t materialized yet (he shot 29% from 3, but on just 24 total attempts). Oklahoma City can afford to let Gonzalez develop further for Real Madrid before he potentially makes the jump to the NBA in a couple of years.
25) Brooklyn Nets (via NY)
Will Riley, Illinois
Possessing an unorthodox skill set for a wing, Will Riley profiles as an excellent slash-and-kick player who can finish at the rim and pass on the move. He averaged 12.6 points per game for Illinois this season, with a strong assist-to-turnover ratio for a wing.
Riley is a streaky shooter whose overall numbers don’t appear particularly impressive (43.2% from the field, 32.6% from 3, 72.4% from the free throw line). He does get hot though, as demonstrated by his 22-point outburst vs. Xavier in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
To develop into a more stable rotation player, Riley will need to iron out the inconsistencies in his jumper and pack on more weight. His lanky frame (6’8″, 195 pounds) shows up on defense, where he can get overpowered while still not reliably staying in front of guards in space.
26) Atlanta Hawks (via LAL)
Joan Beringer, France
With a second first-round pick, the Hawks can afford to take more of a luxury swing. Joan Beringer might be the rawest prospect in the whole draft, as 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. If he actualizes his potential, Beringer will become a versatile defender who can play in space and finish lobs at the rim. That would allow him to eventually replace what Clint Capela has brought to Atlanta, with the impending free agent turning 31 soon.
Beringer is only 18 years old until November and comes with many of the concerns that ultra-raw bigs have. He badly needs to add weight, and he has very little feel for ball-handling or shooting. However, at this area of the draft, taking a draft-and-stash center who has the physical profile of a guard isn’t the worst idea.
27) Brooklyn Nets (via HOU)
Ben Saraf, Germany
With four expected first-round picks, the Nets can certainly afford to take a home run swing on a draft-and-stash prospect. After hosting D’Angelo Russell for multiple stints in Brooklyn, the Nets could draft a similar player stylistically in Ben Saraf, an 18-year-old Israeli guard who currently plays for Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany.
Saraf has a great chance to develop into an above-average offensive playmaker. He already looks smooth as a pick-and-roll ball-handler, and he compensates for a lack of freakish athleticism with crafty finishing and footwork. Saraf wears No. 77 for Luka Dončić and certainly models some of his game after Dončić’s uncanny instincts for getting shots off in tight spaces.
At 6’6″, Saraf could eventually develop into a combo guard if he can improve his shooting off the dribble. He differs a little from many young draft-and-stash prospects in that he’s not overwhelming athletically, but he already has an advanced feel for the game. Improving his shooting splits could determine whether Saraf can eventually make the leap to NBA contributor.
28) Boston Celtics
Walter Clayton Jr., Florida
The engine of the NCAA champion Florida Gators could join the defending NBA champs in the draft. The Boston Celtics are firmly in their championship window and have been willing to spend first-rounders on more developed prospects, from Baylor Scheierman to Payton Pritchard.
Walter Clayton Jr. doesn’t need much introduction. The senior point guard was a consensus First Team All-American and the Most Outstanding Player during the Gators’ title run. Clayton is a skilled offensive creator, averaging 18.3 points per game on 44.8% shooting (including 38.6% from 3) while also dishing out 4.2 assists per game.
If the Celtics have to trade Jrue Holiday for second apron considerations this summer, that could elevate Pritchard to the starting lineup and require a spark plug replacement on the bench. Clayton could emulate Pritchard’s development into a microwave scorer off the bench and would join a strong defensive culture that could help sharpen up some sloppiness on that end of the floor.
29) Phoenix Suns (via CLE)
Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton
The Phoenix Suns badly need to rebuild their frontcourt after starting Nick Richards at center for most of the second half of the season. Ryan Kalkbrenner is an older prospect who may not have the highest ceiling, but he should be able to play rotation minutes right away.
The four-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year will immediately be a plus rim protector in the NBA. At 7’1″, Kalkbrenner blocked 399 shots during his five-year collegiate career, an average of 2.4 per game. More impressively, he never fouled out in 169 college games, demonstrating remarkable timing, basketball IQ, and body control.
The Creighton center also improved offensively, increasing his scoring average in all five seasons and topping out at 19.2 PPG in 2024-25. That may not translate directly to the NBA since he feasts on a heavy diet of post-ups. However, he did improve his 3-point percentage from 29.6% last year to 34.4% this season (albeit still on a low volume of attempts at 1.7 per game).
The big issue is whether Kalkbrenner possesses the mobility to stay on the floor against the litany of spread pick-and-roll teams. His mobility isn’t ideal, which could lead to problems getting switched onto quicker ball handlers on the perimeter. However, until the Suns rebuild a core that can consistently contend for the playoffs, that’s a problem for a later date.
30) Los Angeles Clippers (via OKC)
Noah Penda, France
The Los Angeles Clippers’ pick swap with the Thunder didn’t turn into the disaster many thought it would in the preseason, with L.A. emerging as a clear playoff-level team. But with an aging core, the Clippers need to start thinking about developing ball-handlers who can take the pressure off of 35-year-old James Harden.
French forward Noah Penda is one potential solution. Vision is easily his 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. However, he also averaged 10 points per game, albeit on inefficient shooting splits (43% on field goals and 29% on 3).
Otherwise, Penda has a mature skill set that profiles as a nice role player. Beyond passing, he plays with consistent effort on defense and as a rebounder while also operating well within the flow of the offense by setting screens and cutting off-ball. His 75.3% free throw percentage suggests there’s projectable improvement with the jump shot, and the Clippers can afford to wait a couple years while their vets steer the ship in the short term.