Final NBA Mock Draft: Predictions for all 59 picks, plus the latest trade intel on draft day

Yahoo

25-06-2025

It's draft day! If there's one thing that front office executives are all expecting: Trades. Lots of trades. Teams moving up and down one or two or three spots, looking to leapfrog teams for their preferred player. Here's my first-round mock draft based on all the latest intel. For a full second round plus scouting reports of every player, check out my 2025 NBA Draft Guide .
[2025 NBA Draft: How to watch tonight, start time, top picks and more]
No surprises here. Flagg can help Dallas in both the short term and long term as a do-it-all forward who hustles, makes his teammates better as a passer and has dialed in a knockdown jumper. He's both the best offensive and defensive prospect in this draft class, making him the safest No. 1 pick in ages. As long as his jumper falls, he could play as a small forward next to Anthony Davis and another big. It's his growth as a shot creator that will decide if he reaches his All-Star floor or soars to his Hall of Fame ceiling.
In all likelihood, the Spurs will keep this pick and draft Harper, but league sources say they are listening to trade offers from teams drafting in the handful of spots behind them. 'They want a ridiculous haul,' said a front-office executive. 'Far more than I'd expect anyone to give up.' Harper is a big-bodied lefty combo guard who has a high floor with the skill, poise and playmaking instincts to dictate the game at his pace. If Flagg had never reclassified, Harper would be the consensus top pick with star upside. But he made only 36.8% of his catch-and-shoot 3s and just 28.7% of his dribble jumpers. De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle are more interior-focused guards, too, and so is Jeremy Sochan in the frontcourt. How many shaky shooters can the Spurs really put around Victor Wembanyama? That's the whole reason why San Antonio would even listen to offers. But unless there's a Giannis Antetokounmpo or Jaylen Brown curveball coming, suitors are left thinking the Spurs will just take Harper, bank on his massive upside, and figure out team fit later.
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It appears Edgecombe is the favorite here over Ace Bailey. Some front-office executives wonder if it's all a smokescreen for Philadelphia general manager Daryl Morey to gain leverage. But on paper, Edgecombe makes total sense for the Sixers. He is an explosive, high-motor wing who flies out of nowhere for poster dunks and chase-down blocks. He pairs his elite athleticism with a knockdown spot-up jumper and fearless slashing. Though he needs to improve his shot creation to become more of a primary creator, the Sixers have enough in that department as is, so Edgecombe would get time to develop on his own timeline.
Knueppel has a sharpshooter's stroke, brainy pick-and-roll playmaking and crafty scoring feel. He's the type of player who can come in right away and fit on any team, including perfectly between LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. He's got a slick midrange bag and strength scoring inside, but to become a player who takes over games he'll need to overcome his average athleticism. This would matter a bit less playing in Charlotte, since he could be one of multiple ball-handlers on the team. For my interview with Knueppel, you can check it out on YouTube, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts. You can also read a written version here on Yahoo Sports.
When Austin Ainge left Boston to become the general manager in Utah, one of the first things teams drafting in the lottery wondered was: Does this mean the Jazz will take Fears? Ainge has apparently long had a draft crush on Fears, but it's different when you're not selecting in the lottery to actually having the choice. Nonetheless, Fears gets the nod here because he'd give the Jazz their point guard of the future. Fears is a dynamic guard with a twitchy attacking style and a knack for coming through as a clutch shooter. He was one of college basketball's youngest freshmen, and it showed with his shaky decision-making as a shooter and passer. But he has a feel for shot creation and a handle that lets him get anywhere on the floor, so he may only need time to emerge as a star. All that said, Fears could be available a couple spots down and league sources fully expect the Pelicans and Nets to be among the teams looking to move into this spot.
Maybe there's a method to the madness in Bailey's camp, steering him to a team where he can get more shots and be surrounded by veterans like he could be for the Wizards. There's a chance teams could move above Washington to get Bailey, but most executives around the NBA expect the Rutgers freshman to be the choice if he's still on the board. Bailey is a ridiculous shot-making machine, capable of splashing contested jumpers from every spot on the floor and with the swagger of a throwback bucket-getter. But his raw edges as a shot creator and defender need sanding down to turn him into a full-on star.
League sources have said for weeks the Pelicans are one of the most active teams looking to trade up, with the belief being that Bailey is their target. If he's not on the board, then Maluach could be the pick in this slot. The Duke freshman is a towering rim protector with switchable mobility, erasing shots at the rim and shadowing quick guards on the perimeter. But beyond dunking lobs, he's a work in progress on offense with a lack of seasoning as a screener, shooter, and creator. Such a raw skill-set should come as no surprise since the South Sudan native didn't start playing basketball until he was 13. Maluach's upside has him ranked in the top two or three on some team draft boards, and he's one of the most popular trade-up targets, according to sources.
Someone's gonna slip here. In this mock, it's Johnson, a clutch shot-maker who can catch fire from all over the floor, drilling step-backs and off-screen jumpers with ease. But he needs to continue developing his point guard skills while also honing his shot selection and dramatically improving his defense. The Nets have five first-round picks, one-sixth of the entire first round. And though they're a potential trade-up team, league sources say they're comfortable using all five firsts and going with a young roster heading into next season.
Essengue's first visit in North America after leaving his German team Ulm in the middle of the Finals was to Toronto. Some league sources say he's the most likely pick here. Other sources think the Raptors are more likely to trade down, with teams like the Thunder and Grizzlies eager to move up. If Toronto stays put, the team would be getting a high-upside project with a fluid handle, dynamic finishing package, and highly versatile defense. But his long-term upside hinges on the jumper clicking. And if it doesn't, his defense must reach a level that prevents coaches from keeping him off the floor.
The return Phoenix got from Houston for Kevin Durant isn't so bad, considering Durant is 37 years old and has only one year remaining on his deal. It sure would've been nice to get back its first in 2027 or 2029, but a 23-year-old guard in Jalen Green, a valuable starter in Dillon Brooks, five second-round picks and this year's 10th pick is a solid return nonetheless. With this pick, it would make sense for the Suns to target more defense and it'd only make more sense to turn to a product of Arizona. Bryant is a rangy, athletic forward who projects as a highly versatile defender. And though he's raw as a ball-handler, he's a skilled spot-up shooter and a hyper-aware cutter. At a minimum, he has the baseline skills to be a great role player with the upside to someday be much more.
(Stefan Milic/Yahoo Sports Illustration)
The Trail Blazers made amazing progress this season across the board, and following the All-Star Break they had a top-five defensive rating. And now they acquired Jrue Holiday for Anfernee Simons, a dramatic upgrade defensively. Holiday is reportedly unhappy about landing in Portland. But continuing the defensive theme with Murray-Boyles, who operates like a defensive savant the way he locks down every position, uses his ninja-quick hands to swipe at the ball, and inhales rebounds. He's a special defensive presence, and offensively he's a bulldozer finisher with a playmaking feel. Improving his jumper would move him out of tweener territory and into All-Star status.
Beringer is raw and began playing basketball only three years ago, but that makes his natural talents all the more impressive. He is a center, but has the quickness of a guard, giving him immense defensive versatility to build on for years to come. And he's already a massive lob threat who's making rapid progress refining the rough edges of his game, like screening and free throw shooting. Even if it's not Beringer, most executives leaguewide expect the Bulls to target the frontcourt here.
League sources had said the Hawks were looking to move up from this pick and had called teams even drafting in the top five. This was prior to the acquisition of Kristaps Porziņģis. Plans may have changed now. Demin has a rare ability at his size to make dazzling passes, which would give Atlanta another jumbo-sized ball-handler to surround Trae Young. But he's also struggled to shoot and create his own shot against lengthy defenders, making him more of a love-him or hate-him prospect than a sure thing.
The Spurs should find a center who can play next to and behind Wembanyama. Newell has springs in his legs, regularly slamming lobs and swatting shots. Even though his discipline reflects his youth, his energetic style suggests he'll someday become a highly versatile defender. He could both back up and play alongside Wemby, giving the Spurs immense lineup flexibility.
Congratulations to Oklahoma City for winning the NBA Finals! The broadcast showed general manager Sam Presti texting on his phone with less than 90 seconds left in the game. Was he communicating with a loved one or negotiating a trade? It'd be comical but unsurprising if it were the latter situation, because the champs have every player under contract next season, will have last year's lottery pick, Nikola Topić, healthy again, have three top-44 picks this year and could have up to four firsts next year. Consolidating could be a priority for Presti. If they stay put with this pick, though, Coward would make perfect sense. Coward has gone from a Division III player to a potential first-round pick in just a few years behind his rapid development into a prospect with a valued 3-and-D skill-set. But he brings even higher upside, thanks to his passing vision. For more on Coward, watch or listen to my one-on-one interview with him.
Following the Desmond Bane trade, the Grizzlies could use another backcourt partner for Ja Morant. Jakučionis is a slick shot-creator with a creative passing gene and a fearless scoring ability, carving up defenses with crafty finishes, step-back jumpers, and jaw-dropping passes. But as a freshman he'd follow up those highlights with turnover brain-farts that derail the hype train.
Clifford is a tough-as-nails wing who does it all and could fill a number of different roles for the Timberwolves. He defends multiple positions, crashes the boards, and scores from everywhere. But as a super senior with only Mountain West pedigree, he lacks experience against high level competition despite his age. The Timberwolves could look to move this pick, but Clifford would be a nice plug-and-play option across different lineups.
The hometown kid! Queen is from Baltimore, went to college at Maryland, and in this mock he lands with the Wizards. Queen is a burly big with guard-like handles who dazzles with spin moves, and crafty finishes like his game-winning leaning jumper to send Maryland to the Sweet 16. If he translates his velvet touch to the perimeter he has offensive star upside, though his interior scoring, playmaking chops, and magnetic rebounding alone give him tantalizing potential.
This is Brooklyn's second of five firsts this year, and Sorber would be considered a possible steal at this point after rising throughout the pre-draft process despite a foot injury limiting his ability to workout. Sorber has a brick-house frame and the throwback skill-set to match with strong screens, soft-touch finishes, and gritty drop-coverage instincts. But to be more than a role player, he needs to tap into the flashes he shows as a shooter while also improving his perimeter defense.
Clayton didn't stop rising after leading Florida to the NCAA title — he's continued excelling in workouts and is getting looks from teams in the top 20. Clayton is a fearless shooter with the versatility to take any shot at any moment, and his defense made strides in the tournament too. Tyler Herro and Clayton could share creation responsibilities in the Miami backcourt, and Bam Adebayo would have another two-man game partner to work with.
McNeeley is a sharpshooting wing with superb instincts moving without the ball, and the touch to splash from deep ranges. Though he doesn't project as a primary shot creator, his feel as a connective passer gives him the skill to fit into any type of offense. He'd fit right into Utah's system that emphasizes movement with and without the ball.
Riley has dynamic driving ability and playmaking instincts that scream upside as a jumbo-sized, shot-creating wing. He's worked out with teams in the 10-20 range, and there's a strong chance he doesn't make it to this point. But his jumper is streaky, and his defense is unreliable since he's so lean physically and lacks fundamentals. The team that drafts him will need to be patient, just like the Nets could be.
Traoré oozes upside with his size, blazing speed, and shiftiness off the bounce. But he's an inefficient scorer all over the floor who needs to improve his erratic decision-making to prove he's worth the big swing. Maluach, Traoré, and Zion Williamson would undoubtedly be one of the most exciting teams to watch. Whether it'd become good is a whole different question.
Though the Thunder already have Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren, it wouldn't hurt to have another big in the rotation to use, aside from Jaylin Williams. Raynaud has leveled up every year at Stanford, turning into a player who pops 3s, slashes to the rim with a smooth handle and makes eye-popping passes. As a talented passer who also offers solid defense, there's little reason to think the Frenchman won't carve out an NBA role.
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Richardson is a skilled combo guard with a lethal midrange game and a poised pick-and-roll feel, looking like he downloaded the experience of his NBA veteran father, Jason Richardson. Jase didn't inherit his father's height or dunk contest athleticism though, so his smaller stature could cap his upside. Richardson could be the perfect backup to Jalen Suggs and Desmond Bane early in his career, or even share the floor in some lineup configurations.
Wolf is 6-foot-11 but ran point for Michigan, playing a slick style with risky passes and step-back jumpers that made him a highlight factory. But he's also a turnover machine and his shooting numbers are shaky, making him more of a raw bet who needs time to prove he can match his flash with substance. Why not take a big swing if you're Brooklyn?
Powell has a chiseled frame that he uses to barrel into defenders at the rim and to contain opponents when he's on defense. He's a switch-everything defender who plays with a high motor, and if his spot-up jumper translates he checks all the boxes to be a 3-and-D role player at a minimum. As a former projected lottery pick, maybe the Nets could tap into a higher level of upside in him.
Kalkbrenner is a throwback 7-footer who owns the paint, swatting shots with his giant wingspan and dunking everything in sight. It's a bit strange he isn't a better rebounder. But as a super senior, he's also developed some sneaky passing and shooting skills that hint at higher upside. After trading Kristaps Porziņģis, the Celtics have Luka Kornet entering free agency and Al Horford weighing retirement. A center is a major need.
Thiero is a slasher with a jacked frame and an explosive first step, but he has severe limitations on offense as a shooter. If he's able to figure out the shot then his length and versatility would make him a classic 3-and-D role player. After selecting Bryant with the 10th choice, the Suns would suddenly feel a lot deeper at the wing and forward spots.
Fleming is a hustler who drains spot-up jumpers and brings energy on defense, swatting shots and snagging boards. But he has some real warts as a ball-handler with a lack of experience against high-level competition, so teams will have to feel real confident his role-player skill set will translate. With Kawhi Leonard and James Harden handling the rock in Los Angeles, Fleming's positive qualities could allow him to slot in right away.
For a full second round, plus scouting reports of every player, check out my 2025 NBA Draft Guide.