We just finished the NBA All-Star break, which means the NBA season is now about to ramp up. With teams looking to get out of the dreaded play-in tournament, you have to imagine we will see stars start to play more and give more effort. Not only is the NBA moving through its season, but college hoops are too. Many players, like Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey and Ian Jackson, have used the regular season to improve their stock for the 2025 NBA Mock Draft.
Obviously, there is basketball yet to be played in both college and professional leagues, so things will change from now and my final 2025 NBA Mock Draft.
With that being said, let’s take a look at who may hear their name called and where they could end up in this NBA Mock Draft.
NBA Mock Draft and Projected Order
1. Washington Wizards – Cooper Flagg – Duke (Freshman)
There is an obvious tell that the Washington Wizards have committed to a full-on rebuild after trading away Kyle Kuzma. With the uptick in minutes and production from Bilal Coulibaly and Jordan Poole, the obvious choice is to cut your losses this season and go with the surefire number-one pick Cooper Flagg. If the Wizards decide to keep Khris Middleton, he seems like a great mentor for Flagg in his rookie season.
2. New Orleans Pelicans – Ace Bailey – Rutgers (Freshman)
The New Orleans Pelicans moved on from Brandon Ingram at the NBA Trade Deadline and I am assuming C.J. McCollum is on his way out soon. That means that they need an immediate go-to scorer to partner with Zion Williamson. When Williamson inevitably misses games, someone with a high motor and an ability to score all over the court like Ace Bailey should help keep fans in the stands and keep the rebuild moving in the right direction.
3. Utah Jazz – Dylan Harper – Rutgers (Freshman)
Our second Rutgers player goes off of the board in the NBA Mock Draft as the Utah Jazz are looking for help at almost any position moving forward. Harper is a capable ball handler who can work well inside due to his physicality. He should partner well with Lauri Markkanen in creating a big duo who can both play inside and shoot the rock.
4. Charlotte Hornets – Tre Johnson – Texas (Freshman)
Maybe I am too high on Tre Johnson, but I love how his game can potentially translate to the NBA. The Charlotte Hornets probably have defensive needs to fill, Johnson is the best scorer in the year’s class. Adding Johnson, who can score from anywhere on the court in a hurry, should help to alleviate some of the stress off of LaMelo Ball’s back. We have seen Ball and Brandon Miller go down with injuries this season, so drafting Johnson will keep the Hornets competitive as they continue to rebuild.
5. Toronto Raptors – V.J. Edgecombe – Baylor (Freshman)
The Toronto Raptors are in a really interesting spot moving forward, as they just traded for Brandon Ingram and extended him. With Scottie Barnes, the Raptors have opportunities to run small lineups with Ingram at the four and Barnes at the five. Having Grady Dick and Immanuel Quickly in the backcourt, bringing in some depth with Edgecombe seems like a smart idea. His explosive athleticism is too hard to pass up though, as he will leap out of the gym. Edgecombe’s motor will excite Raptor fans.
6. Philadelphia 76ers – Khaman Maluach – Duke (Freshman)
I think that this is a spot that the 76ers could trade out of because, with Joel Embiid, there is no reason to rebuild. But, if they were to stay here, I think taking the best center center in this 2025 NBA Mock Draft is probably the way to go. Maluch has some developing to do, but getting to learn behind Embiid should help expedite that process. Given Embiid’s injury history, this pick also gives Philly some flexibility at the center spot.
7. Brooklyn Nets – Kasparas Jakucionis – Illinois (Freshman)
Kasparas Jakucionis has been the best player in the Big Ten this season, and I can see him bringing immediate help to a Brooklyn Nets that does not seem to have a plan right now. The Illinois phenom can bring instant scoring to a team that really can only rely on Cam Thomas for that right now. With Thomas hurt where does the scoring come from? Jakucionis has the potential to step in and make an instant impact as a go-to scoring option.
8. Chicago Bulls – Collin Murray-Boyles – South Carolina (Sophomore)
As the Chicago Bulls are in the midst of a major rebuild, getting production in the NBA Draft is the way to go. I have them taking Collin Murray-Boyles here, as he has shown the ability to kind of switch between the 3 and 4 positions. Murray-Boyles excels at getting to the rim and working off of screens to find the paint. With Josh Giddey, there should be plenty of scoring opportunities for Murray-Boyles.
9. Portland Trail Blazers – Egor Demin – BYU (Freshman)
I am not sure how much longer the Portland Trail Blazers stick with Jerami Grant. As they are still in the midst of rebuilding, I think moving on from Grant and trying to replace the production in the draft might be the way to go. I think that the best player available is BYU guard Egor Demin. Demin’s 6-8 size allows him to score everywhere around the court, as well as defend at a decent level. Denim is also an able passer. He feels like a solid do-it-all player that Portland can instantly install in their lineup and build around for years to come.
10. San Antonio Spurs (via Atlanta Hawks) – Kon Knueppel – Duke (Freshman)
With the Spurs’ recent acquisition of De’Aaron Fox, I think a key is to get as many shooters around him and Victor Wembanyama as possible. Getting teams to move their defenses up should give Wembanyama and Fox the space that they need to work in the paint. Knueppel can light up teams from anywhere in the half-court and will get in a hurry. His ability to hit deep threes alone should make teams second guess about packing the paint.
11. Miami Heat – Will Riley – Illinois (Freshman)
12. Houston Rockets (via Phoenix Suns) – Liam McNeeley – UConn (Freshman)
13. Atlanta Hawks (via Sacramento Kings) – Asa Newell – Georgia (Freshman)
14. Miami Heat (via Golden State Warriors) – Nolan Traore – France
15. San Antonio Spurs (via Atlanta Hawks) – Derik Queen – Maryland (Freshman)
16. Orlando Magic – Ben Saraf – Israel
17. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Detroit Pistons) – Noa Essengue – France
18. Dallas Mavericks – Hugo Gonzalez – Spain
19. Brooklyn Nets (via Milwaukee Bucks) – Rocco Zikarsky – Australia
20. Utah Jazz (via Minnesota Timberwolves) – Thomas Sorber (Freshman)
21. Indiana Pacers – Ian Jackson – North Carolina (Freshman)
22. Oklahoma City Thunder (via. Los Angeles Clippers) – Jase Richardson – Michigan State (Freshman)
23. Atlanta Hawks (via Los Angeles Lakers) – Jeremiah Fears – Oklahoma (Freshman)
24. Brooklyn Nets (via Houston Rockets) – Drake Powell – North Carolina (Freshman)
25. Orlando Magic (via Denver Nuggets) – Kanon Catchings – BYU (Freshman)
26. Washington Wizards (via Memphis Grizzlies) – Carter Bryant – Arizona (Freshman)
27. Brooklyn Nets (via New York Knicks) – JT Toppin – Texas Tech (Sophomore)
28. Boston Celtics – Ryan Kalkbrenner – Creighton (Senior)
29. Los Angeles Clippers (via Oklahoma City Thunder) – Derrion Reid – Alabama (Freshman)
30. Phoenix Suns (via Cleveland Cavaliers) – Adou Thiero – Arkansas (Junior)
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