2025 NBA Draft: Cooper Flagg leads the pack as Mavericks shock the lottery
The 2025 NBA Draft is right around the corner — and it’s shaping up to be one of the most intense in years. A new wave of talent is coming in hot, ready to raise the level of the league.
At the top of the board? Cooper Flagg, locked in as the projected No. 1 pick. In this article, we break down the top 10 selections, the boldest moves, and what to expect from the next stars set to take over the game.
1. Cooper Flagg takes the spotlight as the Mavericks hit the jackpot
With just 1.8% odds, the Dallas Mavericks fought their way to the top. Landed the No. 1 pick. And the name’s already on the board: Cooper Flagg.
The 6’9” forward out of Duke is the kind of talent that shifts a franchise’s future. 7’0″ wingspan, 8’10” standing reach — the physical tools are there. But that’s just the surface. Flagg made history as a freshman, took home the Wooden Award, and proved he can do it all — defend, shoot, create, lead.
The Mavericks front office isn’t taking calls. No trades. No second thoughts. Cooper Flagg is the new face of the franchise. Period.
He’s the next chapter after Luka Dončić — and the story is just getting started.
Behind the scenes? Full excitement. Flagg’s ready to step into a battle-tested roster with a playoff mindset. The only question left is this:
Is he going to be “just” an All-Star — or the guy who takes over both ends of the league?
2. San Antonio Spurs – Dylan Harper (SG, Rutgers)
The San Antonio Spurs jumped six spots in the lottery — and now they’re holding a premium ticket: Dylan Harper.
At 6’6″ with a 6’10” wingspan, the Rutgers shooting guard is widely seen as the second-best prospect in the draft. He scores, creates, sees the floor, and moves like an NBA-ready guard. Harper plays with feel and force. He doesn’t wait — he takes over.
The fit? Simple. San Antonio isn’t drafting for fit. They’re stacking talent. This is about building around the name that already runs the city: Victor Wembanyama.
With Harper (19), Castle (20) and Wemby (21) all on rookie deals, the Spurs are locking in a young core with insane upside and cap flexibility to make noise for years.Trade rumors? Sure, they’re out there. But right now, it’s just smoke. Harper fits what the Spurs are building — on ball or off.
The talent’s too real to pass up. If he’s on the board, he’s theirs.
3. Philadelphia 76ers – Ace Bailey (SG/SF, Rutgers)
At pick No. 3, the Philadelphia 76ers have options on the table — but all signs point to one name: Ace Bailey.
The Rutgers freshman stands at 6’10” with a 7’0″ wingspan. He’s raw talent, real instincts, and a body built for the league. SG, SF, PF — plug him in wherever. He’ll deliver. And the best part? He fits next to any star.
Bailey doesn’t show up with polish. He shows up with edge. Attitude, personality, game. He’s aggressive, he’s versatile, and even without the polish of others in the class, he earned respect fast at the Combine. He’s not shiny. He’s real.
The Sixers have flirted with names like Durant and Markkanen, but deep down they know: this team’s future hangs on youth and upside.
With Embiid’s health always a question mark and Paul George’s contract weighing heavy, Bailey feels like a reset — a high-stakes one.
Philly needs fresh blood with something to prove. Bailey’s that. Raw, unpredictable, and ready to blow the lid off.
4. Charlotte Hornets – VJ Edgecombe (SG, Baylor)
The Hornets dropped one spot in the lottery. But they didn’t miss their shot. The name locked in? VJ Edgecombe.
The Baylor shooting guard stands at 6’5″ with a 6’8″ wingspan. Explosive downhill, aggressive to the rim, and wired to defend. He fits seamlessly between LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller — complements them, elevates them.
Edgecombe may not be the flashiest pick, but he’s the one that makes the most sense. There’s talk around guys like Tre Johnson, but VJ brings a rare combo: athleticism, feel, and a high ceiling. And there’s still plenty of room for him to grow as a creator.
Charlotte has missed the playoffs for nine straight seasons. The clock ran out. This project needs impact — and Edgecombe has the game to deliver now, with the upside to lead long term.
He’s that type of pick. Quiet in the headlines. Loud on the court.
5. Utah Jazz – Jeremiah Fears (PG, Oklahoma)
The Utah Jazz fell from the projected No. 1 pick to No. 5. A tough break. But there’s still a name that can put the plan back on track: Jeremiah Fears.
The Oklahoma point guard stands at 6’4″ with a 6’5″ wingspan. One of the youngest players in the draft — and one of the most intriguing. Quick, creative, and a step ahead in how he sees the floor. He controls pace, finishes with finesse, and finds teammates like a pro.
Even with Keyonte George and Isaiah Collier already in the mix, the Jazz can — and should — bet again on a true floor general. Fears has that rare profile: the kind of guard who can run a team. Not someday — soon.
The fit might not be obvious. But talent like this doesn’t wait around. And with Lauri Markkanen’s future still up in the air, Fears might just be the one to anchor a rebuild with identity, guts, and tempo.
Utah needs direction. And Jeremiah Fears plays like he’s ready to give it.
6. Washington Wizards – Tre Johnson (SG, Texas)
The Washington Wizards dropped four spots in the lottery. But even in the fall, they found value. The name? Tre Johnson.
At 6’6″ with a 6’10” wingspan, the Texas shooting guard is one of the best perimeter scorers in this class. Right size. Hot hand. And a fearless, attack-first mindset.
At Texas, he carried the offense. Scored every which way. Versatile, instinctive — that pure scorer’s gene you just can’t teach.
Sure, some scouts raise flags — say he plays too solo, question his decision-making. But offensive talent like Tre’s doesn’t show up every draft. He might make mistakes — but he’ll make them going at your throat.
For a team like the Wizards, still building the foundation, Johnson is both need and upside. And best of all? He’ll get minutes. He’ll get freedom. He’ll get the ball.
Washington needs a bucket-getter. Tre Johnson gets buckets. Always.
7. New Orleans Pelicans – Khaman Maluach (C, Duke)
The Pelicans slipped in the lottery. Rough season. Heavy pressure. But with pick No. 7, the picture starts to clear: Khaman Maluach.
The Duke big man stands at 7’2″ with an absurd 7’7″ wingspan. He’s the kind of presence that changes the tone in the paint — imposing, mobile, and ready to protect the rim with authority.
He runs the floor like few at his size, finishes with power as a roller, and owns the lane like it’s his territory. And that’s just the beginning.
This is a team that still leans too hard on Zion Williamson and lacks a true defensive anchor. Maluach could be the turning point. The backbone. The center of a system that needs to stop bleeding points and start setting the tone.
More than just physical tools, he brings composure, work ethic, and humility to grow. Rare combo. He doesn’t ask for a spot — he earns it.
New Orleans needs structure. Maluach is foundation.
8. Brooklyn Nets – Kon Knueppel (SG/SF, Duke)
The Brooklyn Nets dropped two spots. But they didn’t fumble the opportunity. With the 8th pick, they’re betting on IQ: Kon Knueppel.
The Duke wing stands at 6’7″ with a 64.8% TS% — a number that speaks for itself. Knueppel might not be the most athletic guy in the draft, but he’s probably the smartest. He shoots with precision, makes quick reads, and plays with the poise of a vet.
He doesn’t need the spotlight to leave a mark. He makes the team flow. Elevates everyone around him. And in a roster that’s still evolving like Brooklyn’s, that’s gold.
The Nets have assets. They’ve got flexibility. And with Knueppel, they get a player who can contribute from day one — or become a high-value piece in a big-time move.
Versatile. Reliable. No ego. He fits wherever you put him — and always adds value.
9. Toronto Raptors – Collin Murray-Boyles (PF/C, South Carolina)
The top 8 is filled with the usual suspects. But at pick 9, the Toronto Raptors might’ve found the name no one saw coming: Collin Murray-Boyles.
The South Carolina sophomore stands at 6’7″, with a 7’1″ wingspan. He’s physical. He’s versatile. He gets gritty when it counts — in the best way. Brings defensive instinct, court feel, and serious presence in the paint.
He’s not showing up with three-point hype. But he brings something way more valuable: energy, impact, and a team-first edge.
On a squad that already has hybrid pieces like Scottie Barnes, Murray-Boyles fits as the enforcer. Raises the defensive floor. Soaks contact. Brings intensity on every single possession.
He’s the kind of pick that won’t trend on draft night — but shows up when the season tightens and it’s time to find out who’s built for it.
10. Houston Rockets – Kasparas Jakucionis (PG, Illinois)
The Houston Rockets are on the move. They landed the No. 10 pick in a deal with the Phoenix Suns — and might’ve found the missing brain in their backcourt: Kasparas Jakucionis.
The Lithuanian point guard, a freshman out of Illinois, stands at 6’6″ with a 6’8″ wingspan. What does he bring? Sharp vision, precise passing, and a clean shooting stroke. He’s not here for the hype — he’s here to make the offense click.
Mistakes? Sure. He’s 18. But he already shows the poise and control that plenty of vets are still chasing.
On a young roster full of raw talent, Jakucionis could be the connector — or a high-value trade piece if the Rockets go that route.
Immediate impact? Maybe not. But changing the way this team plays long-term? No doubt.
Brooklyn Nets hold four first-round picks
Pick 8 is just part of the story. The Brooklyn Nets hold three more first-rounders — and that changes everything.
It’s ammo. It’s flexibility. It’s leverage at the table.
They can stack young talent, swing on upside picks, or flip those assets for players who can produce now. Move up in the draft? On the table. Land a proven name? Absolutely.
With that much capital, Brooklyn’s at the center of every conversation. It’s the kind of setup that doesn’t just shape a franchise — it can shake the entire draft.
If there’s one team that can flip the script before even stepping on the floor — it’s the Nets.
Conclusion: The future of the NBA runs through the 2025 Draft
The 2025 NBA Draft isn’t just another event. It’s a turning point.
This class is stacked. Cooper Flagg leads a group that blends size, skill, feel, and fire. Raw talent. Polished game. And names ready to shift the league’s balance.
For teams, it’s decision time. For fans, it’s the moment to meet the next stars of the game.
New faces. New styles. And a whole lot of hunger.The clock’s ticking.
The future of the NBA starts with the Draft.
