2025 NBA Mock Draft: Flagg at No. 1 and first-round shakeup after 50 withdrawals

The Oklahoma City Thunder have made it to the NBA Finals, whereas the Indiana Pacers lead the New York Knicks 3-2 within the East.

However on June twenty fifth, all 30 groups shall be trying to enhance their roster by means of the 2025 NBA Draft. Whereas Cooper Flagg is sort of a lock to be the primary general decide, there are nonetheless a number of questions as to how the remainder of the primary spherical will play out.

A number of notable prospects have withdrawn their names to return to school, reminiscent of Yaxel Lendeborg, Tahaad Pettiford, Milos Uzan, Otega Oweh, and Alex Condon to call just a few. Count on to see loads of surprises within the first spherical with so many entrants having withdrawn their identify. As of Could thirtieth, a complete 50 of the early entry candidates have withdrawn their identify from the draft.

With that in thoughts, let’s dive into FOX Sports activities Analysis’s first NBA mock draft.

1. Dallas Mavericks: Cooper Flagg, F, Duke
Flagg odds to be first general decide: -100000

The freshman sensation could be essentially the most heralded prospect to enter the draft in over a decade. There’s virtually no probability the Mavericks move on him, as he is a game-changer on each ends of the ground. Flagg is one among 4 freshman within the final 25 years to common 20 factors per sport on 50% taking pictures from the sector and 40% taking pictures from three in convention play— becoming a member of Michael Beasley, CJ McCollum, and Kevin Durant.

2. San Antonio Spurs: Dylan Harper, G, Rutgers
Harper odds to be second general decide: -5000

Harper is a bonafied scorer who shall be an unbelievable version to a San Antonio staff that already has a prolific younger core anchored by Victor Wembanyama. In opposition to Notre Dame, he grew to become the primary Division-I freshman with at the very least 35 factors, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in a sport since Oklahoma’s Trae Younger in 2018. He additionally grew to become the primary Division-I freshman to attain 35+ factors in consecutive video games during the last 15 seasons.

3. Philadelphia 76ers: Ace Bailey, F, Rutgers
Bailey odds to be third general decide: +100

Averaging 17.6 factors per sport together with 7.2 rebounds, Bailey is a high-ceiling participant with the instruments to excel each offensively and defensively. Enjoying with Harper at Rutgers was additionally nice preparation for the NBA. Early within the season, they grew to become he second freshman duo in 15 years to each rating 35+ factors in a sport. The final freshman duo to do this was Malik Monk and De’Aaron Fox.

Ace Bailey, left, and Dylan Harper are figured to be among the many prime lottery picks. (Picture by Ed Mulholland/Getty Pictures)

4. Charlotte Hornets: VJ Edgecombe, G, Baylor

Identical to Ja’Kobe Walter final season, Edgecombe is one other Baylor true freshman that may rating in a number of methods and has elite athleticism. He and LaMelo Ball needs to be an thrilling backcourt for Charlotte to proceed to construct off.

5. Utah Jazz: Jeremiah Fears, G, Oklahoma

Fears is a combo guard that may assist any staff along with his offensive skill-set. The Jazz can go in a number of alternative ways right here, however he’s the most secure choice and may instantly assist them. One factor he’ll want to enhance on is his three-point taking pictures, as he solely shot 28% past the arc.

6. Washington Wizards: Khaman Maluach, C, Duke

With a 7-6 wingspan and excessive degree play at each Duke and the worldwide degree with South Sudan, Maluach has one of many highest ceilings on this draft given his freakish athleticism and the tenacity he is exhibited up to now.

7. New Orleans Pelicans: Kon Knueppel, F, Duke

Knueppel’s inventory actually rose after a formidable NCAA Event, the place he posted two 20-point video games and shot 10-of-18 from three. He is among the two greatest shooters on this draft and in addition is a shocking playmaker.

Cooper Flagg, middle, is flanked by fellow top-10 prospects Khaman Maluach and Kon Knueppel. (Picture by Lance King/Getty Pictures)

8. Brooklyn Nets: Tre Johnson, G, Texas

Tre Johnson is arguably the perfect distance shooter on this draft, and the Texas guard had the numbers to show it. He averaged 19.9 factors per sport and led all freshman in Division-I in scoring– and sure, that features Cooper Flagg. Extra importantly, he shot a whopping 39.7% from three on 6.8 makes an attempt per contest.

9. Toronto Raptors: Derik Queen, C, Maryland

Nobody can overlook his iconic buzzer-beater towards Colorado State within the second spherical of the NCAA Event, however Queen has been a stud because the bounce. At 6’10, 250 kilos, he has an unbelievable contact for an enormous man and is not afraid to get his palms soiled within the paint.

10. Houston Rockets: Kasparas Jakucionis, G, Illinois

Simply the perfect true level guard within the draft, Jakucionis is an elite playmaker who can shoot it from three as properly. With an growing old Fred VanVleet, he could be the right match for a Rockets staff that was so near taking down the Warriors within the playoffs.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Collin Murray-Boyles, F, South Carolina

At 6’7, 245 kilos, Murray-Boyles is among the extra athletic gamers on this draft, and could be a pleasant praise to DeAndre Ayton and Donovan Clingan. He performs protection at an above-average degree and has a top-notch motor. He’ll want to enhance his taking pictures, as he solely shot 26.5% from three.

12. Chicago Bulls: Egor Demin, G, BYU

One other participant whose inventory actually rose after a Candy 16 run within the NCAA Event, Demin is an intriguing prospect— because the Moscow-born participant is a 6’9 level ahead. He additionally has expertise on the worldwide membership degree, having performed for the Actual Madrid B staff. He is additionally one other participant who wants to enhance his taking pictures, hitting simply 27.3% of his pictures from three.

13. Atlanta Hawks (from Sacramento): Noa Essengue, F, France

France continues to supply top-tier prospects after boasting the likes of Wemby and Zaccharie Risacher to call just a few, and Essengue could possibly be the following one in line. A 6’9 ahead whose simply 18 years previous, he took an enormous bounce for Bundesliga membership Ulm within the 2024-25 marketing campaign— averaging 12.4 factors per sport 5.3 in Euro Cup play.

Noa Essengue is among the many prime worldwide prospects who needs to be chosen within the early a part of the primary spherical. (Picture by Harry Langer/DeFodi Pictures through Getty Pictures)

14. San Antonio Spurs (from Atlanta): Thomas Sorber, F, Georgetown

Sorber solely performed in 24 video games this season as a result of a foot harm, however that was sufficient to ensure him first spherical standing. He averaged 14.5 factors alongside 8.5 rebounds and demonstrated his capability to be a prolific rim protector with 2.0 blocks per sport and 1.5 steals.

15. OKC Thunder (from Miami through LA Clippers): Will Riley, G, Illinois

At 6’8 with a good taking pictures stroke, Riley suits precisely what OKC likes— lengthy and athletic wings who will play laborious protection and run the ground. He has sturdy instincts with the ball in his palms and may proceed to develop at a quick fee within the NBA.

16. Orlando Magic: Jase Richardson, G, Michigan State

Richardson has every thing you need from a combo guard— the abiltiy to penetrate the lane, discover the open man, and knock down jumpers. However measuring at simply over six toes on the mix, he falls simply outdoors of the lottery. If he was 6’3 or 6’4, he’d be a top-10 decide.

17. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Detroit through New York, Oklahoma Metropolis, and Houston): Carter Bryant, F, Arizona

Bryant has moved up draft boards after his mix efficiency, measuring at 6’6 barefoot with a 6’11 wingspan and 39.5 inch vertical. Whereas he performed a supporting function in Tuscon, he has the upside to be a robust two-way participant for any staff. He additionally shot 37.1% from three.

18. Washington Wizards (from Memphis): Liam McNeeley, G, UConn

McNeeley may feasibly go a lot larger than this, as any staff may use his providers. Measuring at slightly below 6’7 on the mix, he was pressured to be a playmaker at UConn this previous season and did a terrific job. He is additionally a knockdown shooter and continues to enhance on the defensive finish of the ground.

19. Brooklyn Nets (type Milwaukee through New York, Detroit, Portland, and New Orleans): Joan Beringer, C, France

One other French product right here, the 18-year previous 6’11 massive man for Cedevita Olimpija (Slovenian league) is a mission participant that might profit drastically from the tutlege of Nic Claxton in Brooklyn.

20. Miami Heat (from Golden State): Asa Newell, F/C, Georgia

A five-star prospect who was ranked the fourth-best energy ahead in his highschool class and sixteenth greatest participant general (247Sports), Newell flew below the radar this 12 months as a result of enjoying for a Georgia staff that went 8-10 in SEC play. Nonetheless, he measured at 6’9 barefoot on the mix and averaged 15.4 factors per sport with 6.9 rebounds in his lone season in Athens.

21. Utah Jazz (from Minnesota): Danny Wolf, F/C, Michigan

Wolf is perhaps the perfect passing massive man on this draft class, however typically it will get him in bother— as he averaged 3.2 turnovers per sport this 12 months. Nonetheless, he is among the most fun gamers within the draft— with the power to put up up, shoot the lengthy ball, move, and rebound. He’ll want to enhance on the defensive finish of the ground.

22. Atlanta Hawks (from LA Lakers through New Orleans): Nolan Traore, G, France

Yup, one other French participant. Traore simply turned 19 just a few days in the past and was one of many higher younger guards within the French league this previous 12 months. He posted 11.6 factors per sport together with 5.1 assists.

23. Indiana Pacers: Nique Clifford, G, Colorado State

Nique Clifford was only a machine for Colorado State, being one among simply two gamers in all of Division-I to common 18 factors, 9 rebounds and 4 assists per sport (Physician Bradley— Arkansas Pine Bluff). He performs like an influence ahead regardless of being a 6’6 guard. He has potential to be the steal of the draft.

24. OKC Thunder (from LA Clippers): Cedric Coward, F, Washington State

Coward performed at Jap Washington for 2 seasons earlier than transferring to Washington State, the place he solely performed six video games as a result of a shoulder harm. Nonetheless, he is a 6’6 guard with a stunning 7’2 wingspan. And in these six video games, he averaged 17.7 factors, 7.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per sport.

25. Orlando Magic (from Denver): Maxime Raynaud, C, Stanford

The 7’1 Frenchman out of Stanford was the one participant in Division-I to common 20 factors and 10 rebounds per sport this 12 months. He additionally shot 34.7% from three on 5.5 makes an attempt per contest, making his measurement and skill to stretch the ground extemely beneficial to any staff.

26. Brooklyn Nets (from New York): Drake Powell, G, North Carolina

Powell’s numbers weren’t gaudy in his lone season at North Carolina, however he has the scale to be a productive wing and in addition shot 37.4% from the three-point line. His upside is unquestionably there, as he was the eleventh ranked participant in his highschool class and second-ranked small ahead (247Sports).

Drake Powell determined to maintain his identify within the draft and can purpose to be a first-round choice. (Picture by Patrick McDermott/Getty Pictures)

27. Brooklyn Nets (from Houston): Noah Penda, G/F, France

Penda is available in at 6’8, 225 kilos and has practically a seven-foot wingspan. He is solely 20 years previous and has nice instincts on the defensive finish of the ground. One other French product, he has the prospect to be an unbelievable function participant.

28. Boston Celtics: Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Creighton

Kalkbrenner may simply go within the prime 20 given he is over seven-feet tall and shoots 34.4% from three. He received Large East Defensive Participant of the 12 months 4 instances and has the makings of a Boston Celtic written throughout him.

29. Phoenix Suns (from Cleveland through Utah): Walter Clayton, PG, Florida

The star of the NCAA Event this 12 months, Clayton gives Phoenix with each playmaking and scoring capability. He grew to become the primary participant with a 30-point sport within the Elite 8 and Nationwide Semifinals of the identical NCAA Event since Indiana State’s Larry Chicken in 1979.

30. LA Clippers (from OKC): Johni Broome, F/C, Auburn

The SEC Participant of the 12 months and winner of the Karl Malone Award (given to the nation’s prime energy ahead), Broome exhibits up when it issues. In opposition to Michigan State within the Elite 8, he grew to become the primary participant with 25 factors and 10 rebounds on 75% taking pictures to ship his staff to the Closing 4 since Houston’s Hakeem Olajuwon in 1984.

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