2025 NBA Mock Draft
2025 NBA Mock Draft – What I Would Do
Rumors are flying, smokescreens are being sent out, and NBA front offices are scrambling to finalize their draft boards prior to Wednesday nights 2025 NBA Draft. Rather than attempting to project who goes where, who trades up or down, and trying to read the minds of NBA front offices, I'm instead going to offer a "What I Would Do" mock draft where I take over as GM for all teams. I'm not messing with trades, either, as those are tough to project. I'll give the pick & a brief description on why it makes sense. Let's get into it.
1. Dallas Mavericks - Cooper Flagg, F, Duke
Analysis: Flagg is the obvious choice here. Dallas gets a cornerstone to build
around after the Luka trade & immediately becomes contenders for the
foreseeable future. Flagg fits into their defense seamlessly, sliding next to AD &
Lively in the front court to offer up 3 good rim protectors who aren’t slouches in
isolation. Offensively, he’ll likely run some point forward with Kyrie out & offer an
elite off ball option as well. DAL should look to add another ball handler to take
some pressure off Flagg in his rookie year.
2. San Antonio Spurs – Dylan Harper, G, Rutgers
Analysis: Spurs take the obvious #2 player in the draft here, despite a slightly
clunky fit. Harper is best as a lead guard but can share duties with Fox in the
interim. The Castle fit becomes murky as he’ll have to play up as a 3 at times. At
the end of the day, just draft BPA and surround Wemby with playmakers.
3. Philadelphia 76ers – Derik Queen, F/C, Maryland
Analysis: Alright, hear me out. Yes, they have Joel Embiid. Yes, on paper the fit
is clunky. Yes, most people don’t see Queen as the best available at #3. But I do,
and I think they can make it work for two reasons: 1) He can play with Embiid
and 2) Embiid is hurt, a lot. With Embiid & Queen on the court, you have two
guys who are elite with the ball in their hands. Queen is a nimble ball handler for
his size, can penetrate the paint & dump it off to Embiid. He can spot up at the
high post and work the high-low game with him. I believe he’ll add a three ball to
his arsenal which opens the floor. Surround them with shooters like Maxey,
McCain, PG, Oubre, etc. and you have an offensive unit that can shoot,
penetrate, and rebound at a high level. Defensively, you have an anchor in
Embiid & can take the pressure off Queen with long, rangy wings in PG and
Oubre. To the second point, Embiid is hurt, a lot, and Queen can step in to run
point forward next to two great off ball guards in Maxey and McCain. Slide him
next to Drummond or another rim protector and your defense will be just fine. I
know this won’t be their pick, but it’s what I would do if I’m Philly. (Side note: I’d
trade back, recoup some draft capital, and make this pick. 6 and 18 from WAS
would get it done).
4. Charlotte Hornets – VJ Edgecombe, G, Baylor
Analysis: Charlotte has the makings of a core group with LaMelo, Miller, Mark
Williams, and now VJ Edgecombe. He fits into this group nicely, as he can focus
more on his defensive prowess early on in his career while letting LaMelo &
Miller handle the offensive workload. He fits nicely as the POA defender & off ball
offensive weapon on a young CHA team.
5. Utah Jazz – Tre Johnson, G, Texas
Analysis: This is the first selection that strays from my big board, having gone in
order the first 4 picks. The reason: upside. I have Kon ranked higher, & he’s a
very nice player, but Tre has a higher scoring upside than just about anyone in
this draft. Utah doesn’t need another “nice” piece that isn’t a cornerstone, they
need to shoot for the stars and hope Tre becomes a 25ppg guy. He has the talent
to do it, so take the shot, develop him, and hope he’s a franchise guy moving
forward.
6. Washington Wizards – Ace Bailey, F, Rutgers
Analysis: The Wizards are in a similar spot to the Jazz- solid pieces, but no
franchise cornerstone. So, I’d follow the same playbook: take the upside swing.
Bailey has immense shot making ability & projects as a plus defender. There’s a
good chance he never reaches his absolute ceiling as a prospect, but if you’re
Washington you have to take the shot. Build around Ace, Sarr, and Bilal and
hope one of them ascends to the next level.
7. New Orleans Pelicans – Kon Knueppel, G/F, Duke
Analysis: The Pelicans are intent on continuing to build around Zion, it seems,
so they add one of the best shooters to space the floor & offer secondary
playmaking in Knueppel. He fits this team extremely well as he won’t be asked to
do too much defensively, with Zion, Herb Jones, and Trey Murphy taking on the
brunt of responsibility on that end. Offensively, he won’t be asked to initiate the
offense much but is a fantastic secondary playmaking option & spot up shooter.
New Orleans benefits here from teams in front of them taking upside swings.
8. Brooklyn Nets – Jeremiah Fears, G, Oklahoma
Analysis: BKN needs building blocks at just about every position, so they go
with Fears who has some of the highest lead guard upside in the class. You can
immediately hand him the keys as the starting PG next to Cam’s Thomas &
Johnson, with Claxton and a future pick as your starting five. If it works out, BKN
gets their PG of the future at pick 8.
9. Toronto Raptors – Thomas Sorber, C, Georgetown
Analysis: I initially had Coward here, but Toronto has Wings galore with Barnes,
Ingram, Barrett, Dick, and Agbaji, so he felt a bit redundant barring a trade of one
or two of those guys (which seems likely, but it hasn’t happened, so we’re going
a different direction). Instead, I’d go with Center depth and add Thomas Sorber to
develop behind Poeltl for a year or two. Sorber is a good all-around center who
can protect the rim, give you buckets in the low post, and make the right pass to
keep the offense moving. I like Sorber over Maluach here due to his passing
prowess & movement skills, as he gives you more flexibility than Maluach would.
10. Phoenix Suns – Khaman Maluach, C, Duke
Analysis: Yet another spot where I had Coward penciled in, but the fit next to
Booker, Beal and Green is clunky barring another trade. So, we’ll go with back-
to-back centers and take Maluach here. The Suns seem to have the Wing and
Guard spots filled with the above plus Dillon Brooks, Grayson Allen, Cody Martin,
and Ryan Dunn, but have very little center depth behind Nick Richards. Enter
Khaman Maluach, who can protect the rim at a high level & be a play finisher
offensively. He’s a bit raw if PHX is hoping to compete right now (since they don’t
own their future picks), but the upside is clear and he fits a position of need.
11. Portland Trail Blazers – Carter Bryant, F, Arizona
Analysis: This is one of my favorite fits of the draft. The Blazers just traded for
Jrue Holiday, signaling that they’re leaning into a defense-first identity which
Carter fits like a glove. One of the more promising wing defenders in the class,
Bryant adds athleticism, length, and defensive playmaking to a wing rotation that
features other prominent defenders like Toumani Camara, Deni Avdija, and
Matisse Thybulle. His offense is a work in progress, but he won’t bear much of
the load at that end, starting his career as a catch and shoot guy with room to
grow as he matures. He’s a massive upgrade shooting wise to Kris Murray, who
shot 22.5% from three last year for the Blazers.
12. Chicago Bulls – Cedric Coward, G/F, Washington State
Analysis: Chicago needs to go BPA here and have shown interest in long wings
in past drafts (Matas Buzelis, Patrick Williams). Coward can immediately step in
as a reliable off ball shooter on offense & stingy defender who causes havoc with
his length and instincts. He slides in well next to Matas and Josh Giddey, the
apparent cornerstones of the Bull’s future. CHI is still in need of a replacement
for Vuc long term, but there isn’t a C here that makes sense with Sorber and
Maluach off the board.
13. Atlanta Hawks – Kasparas Jakucionis, G, Illinois
Analysis: Rumors out of ATL are that they’re targeting a Center, but, like the
Bulls, they go in a different direction with the top Cs off the board. Kasparas is a
big combo guard who projects as a plus playmaker offensively- he can play next
to Trae to facilitate open looks for him, while also serving as an outlet when Trae
is double teamed, or he can run the second unit at a high level if they decide to
stagger them. He has one of the higher ceilings of anyone left at this point, which
bodes well if ATL decides to move on from Trae after next season.
14. San Antonio Spurs - Collin Murray-Boyles, F, South Carolina
Analysis: The Spurs are set at guard with Fox, Castle, Harper, and Vassell, so
they go with CMB as a Forward with a very high defensive floor. I love the fit next
to Wemby, as CMB can body stronger opponents due to his strength while
Wemby is lurking as the free safety swatting anything that comes close to the
rim. CMB can hold his own on the perimeter as well, offering the Spurs an
incredibly versatile defensive front. Shooting would be a huge issue with this
team, which they would need to address elsewhere, but the defense would be
incredible.
15. OKC Thunder – Noa Essengue, F, France
Analysis: OKC is returning everybody from their Championship roster, so you
might say they don’t have many holes. Rather than trying to add a piece to help
right now, OKC goes with a project in Noa Essengue. He’s a long, rangy forward
who glides down the court like a gazelle but has an unpolished game. He
projects as a high upside defender with questions about his offensive fit. He’ll
have time in OKC to learn & develop before being asked to do too much, and
projects as a Hartenstein replacement down the line, *if* he adds some weight.
16. Memphis Grizzles – Nique Clifford, G, Colorado State
Analysis: Memphis has a hole at G with the trade of Bane, so they add an all-
around player in Nique to help fill that gap. Nique is one of the most underrated
playmakers in the draft, showcasing an incredible passing package to go along
with stout defense, impressive rebounding ability, and a good shot. He can play
next to Ja, too, which is a plus.
17. Minnesota Timberwolves – Egor Demin, G, BYU
Analysis: I could see MIN going Fleming here, with both Randle and Naz on
Player Options that are undecided by the time of the draft. Naz will likely opt out,
but MIN could still retain him. Randle could go either way, but he’s another guy
MIN would look to keep if the does opt out. If they do retain both, then they fill
their next biggest need in PG with Egor Demin. The best passer in the draft &
standing 6’9” in shoes, Demin is a unique skillset to say the least. He should fit in
offensively as a pass-first guy next to scorers like Ant, Randle, and Naz, taking
over for Conley once he’s done. They do have Rob Dillingham, but he projects as
more of a score-first guard and MIN didn’t seem to trust him much last year.
That’s not to say he’s a bust, but Egor’s skillset is much different and fills the
playmaking need.
18. Washington Wizards – Rasheer Fleming, F, St. Joseph’s
Analysis: Having taken Ace Bailey at 6, the Wizards add more length with
Fleming and his 7’5” wingspan. Fleming would give them a lot of defensive
flexibility, with Fleming, Sarr, Bilal, and Ace all having wingspans of 7 feet or
greater, and all being versatile defenders. Throw in KyShawn George, who is 6’8”
in shoes with a near 7-foot wingspan, and the Wizards could run one of the
longest defensive units we’ve seen. That’d be fun. In seriousness, Fleming is a
great off ball defender who disrupts passing lanes, can protect the rim on drives,
and shows some on ball promise. He can shoot from three, despite not offering
much else offensively, and provides a fun wrinkle to a young Washington team
that could have a defensive focused young core.
19. Brooklyn Nets – Asa Newell, F/C, Georgia
Analysis: BKN added their PG of the future in Fears at 8 and add to their front
court rotation with Asa here at 19. Asa is a young, springy athlete who plays
incredibly hard without a true defining skill outside of his leaping ability and
rebounding. He needs to add a consistent three point shot to be a factor
offensively, otherwise he’s best utilized in pick and rolls and as a cutter or
offensive rebounder in the dunker spot. There are rumors that he’s bulked up
ahead of the NBA draft, which could provide hope that he can be a true center at
the next level and defend stronger opponents. His future is unclear, but he has
the tools you’re looking for in a 19-year-old forward / center prospect.
20. Miami Heat – Jase Richardson, G, Michigan State
Analysis: This is a weird spot for the Heat, as they need a Wing / Forward type
more than they need guard, but the options there are thinning. Instead, they go
with Jase who has immense shot making talent, despite his small frame. He’s
best as an off-ball guy offensively, but did show some promise as the lead
initiator at Michigan State down the stretch. Despite his small frame, he plays
hard & fits the “Heat Culture” mantra. He should add a solid shot making option
next to Hero.
21. Utah Jazz – Nolan Traore, G, France
Analysis: The Jazz go with another upside pick here in the young PG out of
France. Utah has a ton of expiring deals with Collins, Sexton, Clarkson, and KJ
Martin, so they’ll look to build out their backcourt of the future by pairing Tre with
Traore as an intriguing long-term duo. Traore is a lighting quick guard who can
penetrate the paint to create for others, but needs to work on decision making,
finishing, and shooting to take his game to the next level. He’ll have plenty of
runway to do so in Utah who would look to add more shooters & defense to pair
with Tre & Nolan long term.
22. Brooklyn Nets – Joan Beringer, C, France
Analysis: Back-to-back Frenchmen go here, with the young, athletic Beringer
stepping in as a long-term Center option in Brooklyn. The Nets are wheeling and dealing
this offseason, with rumors that both Claxton and Cam Johnson are available via trade. If
Claxton is dealt, Beringer steps in as a raw but gifted big man who can protect the rim & serve
as a play finisher on offense. He'll need to improve his touch and decision making to take the next
step as an NBA caliber center, but he has the tools & fits the Nets timeline.
23. New Orleans Pelicans – Walter Clayton Jr, G, Florida
Analysis: The Pelicans just made a trade at the time of this writing to add Jordan
Poole and Saddiq Bey for CJ McCollum and Kelly Olynyk. In that deal, that sent
out two expiring contracts for two guys under contract for the next two seasons,
signaling that they want to make a push around Zion. Adding Clayton is a bit of a
clunky fit, with Poole, Dejounte, and Kon also in their guard room. However,
Clayton’s off-ball shot making ability adds a nice wrinkle to their offense, and
Dejounte is also out next year, so Clayton has a clear path to playing time his
rookie year. They have defenders to surround their undersized / defensive
lacking guards with Murphy, Jones, Zion, Alvarado, and Missi.
24. OKC Thunder – Danny Wolf, C, Michigan
Analysis: The Thunder realistically don’t have the roster space to make this
selection, so it’s likely to be traded- possibly packaged with 15 for a trade up or
out of this draft. If they do stick and pick, Wolf fits what they like to do as a big
that can dribble, pass, and shoot. He projects as a solid connective piece on
offense that can also hit an open three, while adding a playmaking wrinkle rarely
seen for guys his size. Defensively, he’s not the best and won’t project as a rim
protector, but he’s agile enough to play the 4 spot and adds to an already solid
OKC frontcourt.
25. Orlando Magic – Liam McNeeley, F, Connecticut
Analysis: The Magic improved upon their awful shooting last year by adding
Bane already this offseason and add another off-ball shooter with McNeeley
here. His college three-point numbers were poor, but he was miscast as a pick
and roll ball handler when his best role is an off-ball shooter. He fits well next to
the Orlando playmakers, mainly Franz and Paolo with some Suggs and Bane
mixed in. He doesn’t add a ton defensively but will have some good defenders
around him & should be fine as a team defense guy.
26. Brooklyn Nets – Ben Saraf, G, Israel
Analysis: The Nets are taking upside swings all over this draft, adding Fears,
Newell, and now Saraf. With Saraf they’re getting a big combo guard who can be
the lead initiator or project as an off-ball guy who can get downhill off the swing &
create shots for others. I like the idea of a Fears / Saraf backcourt offensively,
though defense may be an issue with those lineups. Either way, he’s a high
upside guy for them to develop next to their young core & adds insurance if
Fears doesn’t pan out as a lead guard.
27. Brooklyn Nets – Will Riley, G/F, Illinois
Analysis: Notice a theme here? The Nets pass again on higher floor players to
take an upside swing on a raw, athletically gifted wing in Will Riley. He has good
size & athleticism to play either the off-ball guard or wing spots, and has
intriguing skills as a downhill scorer, shooter, and potential secondary playmaker.
He plays with a high motor defensively & has good size on that end of the court.
He’s not a sure bet to develop and work out, but again, the Nets are in rebuild
mode & have now taken 4 shots at guys with high upside, hoping at least one or
two pan out.
28. Boston Celtics – Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Creighton
Analysis: I have Raynaud ranked higher due to his offensive skillset, but the
Celtics brand of basketball values rim-protection out of their Center position
above all else. Kalkbrenner is an immediate Luke Kornet replacement as the
Celtics look to shed some payroll this offseason and will immediately step in as a
defensive anchor with solid rebounding, play finishing, and shooting ability. This
is one of the most obvious fits in the first round & is the move I’d make here for
the Celts.
29. Phoenix Suns – Adou Thiero, F, Arkansas
Analysis: It’s tough to pick for the Suns without knowing what other moves
they’re making this offseason- do they get off Beal somehow? Are they rerouting
Green? Either way, I’ve already given them Maluach as a C of the future, so they
add a tough nosed, defensive minded Forward with Thiero here. Thiero is a
swiss army knife defensively & fits any team trying to improve their defense,
which fits the Suns well as they’re loaded with score-first guards. He’s a good
rebounder, can guard multiple positions, and will provide value offensively by
attacking closeouts, getting to the rim, and crashing the glass. PHX has enough
shooting that his lack of a jump shot doesn’t hurt as much as it would with a team
lacking shooters.
30. LA Clippers – Maxime Raynaud, C, Stanford
Analysis: The Clippers add depth to their frontcourt here, with Raynaud offering
a potential backup option to Zubac. He’s a gifted offensive player who can shoot,
get downhill, and make connective passes. He’s not the most gifted defensively
but is a very good rebounder & has enough length to at least disrupt shots at the
next level. His offensive skillset adds a nice wrinkle to the Clips bench unit & is
an upgrade to Eubanks on that end of the floor.
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