A transformative player at the top of the 2025 NBA Draft — Duke sensation Cooper Flagg, the unquestioned No. 1 prospect in this year’s class — fittingly headlines what is shaping up to be a transformative draft for several teams later this summer.
Not only can the winner of the Flagg sweepstakes reshape its future — (Utah, Charlotte and Washington, for what it’s worth, all have a 14% chance of securing the No. 1 pick, and the lottery is set for May in Chicago) — but several other teams have multiple picks with firepower to reconfigure its rosters.
As things stand now before the lottery, Brooklyn is armed with four first-rounders while several other teams, among them including playoff teams Oklahoma City Thunder and Orlando Magic, have at least two first-round picks.
It’s a good year to be armed with picks. There is star power at the top of the class that is superior to last year’s top picks, and there is also incredible depth to be found, presenting value deep into the first round and into this year’s second round.
Several weeks stand between us and the final withdrawal deadline, so that perception has a chance to change, to be sure. But for now teams with numerous picks who bought into this class have to be feeling very good.
Below is how I project the latest first round as things stand with the NBA Draft Lottery and NBA Draft Combine approaching.
