2025 NBA Mock Draft: Pre-Lottery Edition

The NBA Draft Lottery is only 13 days away, so what better way to get us in the mood for the lottery than a first-round mock draft! This is a pre-lottery mock draft, so I am using the current order as of today. All selections are my own — breakdowns are taken from SLC Dunk’s Big Board! Enjoy!

Utah Jazz’ First-Round Picks: 1 and 21

If you didn’t catch it earlier this month… CLICK HERE FOR SLC DUNK’S LATEST BIG BOARD!!!

IMPORTANT NOTE: This mock has some takes that are far from consensus, but the draft is unpredictable, and busts happen all the time, so please do not take this 100% seriously! It’s all fun at the end of the day, but I do apologize if you don’t like the selections.

#1: Utah Jazz – Cooper Flagg | F | Duke

Measurables: 6’9” 205 lbs
2024-25 stats: 18.7 pts | 7.5 reb | 4.2 ast | 59.5% TS
NBA Comparison: Kawhi Leonard, Scottie Pippen, Andrei Kirilenko, or a modern-day Kevin Garnett

The Utah Jazz get their franchise player in Cooper Flagg! Cooper Flagg is more than just the best prospect in the 2025 draft class. Cooper is the best prospect since Anthony Davis. Cooper blends his size with athleticism, high basketball IQ, shooting, and a relentless motor that gives teams problems.

He would automatically be the Utah Jazz’ most complete player and would give the front office a lot of options. Do we go all in and go “Big Game Hunting”, or do we sit back and tank again while developing our youth? This is the type of flexibility the Utah Jazz have been talking about for the past 3 years of the rebuild!

The Jazz would be a very youthful group with a young core of Flagg, Kessler, Hendricks, Filipowski, George, Hendricks, Cody, Sensabaugh, and whoever else we pick in this draft. —Dray Mottishaw

#2: Washington Wizards – Dylan Harper | G | Rutgers

Measurables: 6’6” 215 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 19.4 pts | 4 ast | 4.6 reb | 58.7% TS
NBA Comparison: Cade Cunningham, Malcolm Brogdon, Jumbo Jaden Ivey, or a strand of James Harden’s beard hair

Dylan Harper arrived on the scene with Rutgers alongside fellow freshman phenom Ace Bailey, but quickly designated himself as the baron of buckets, head of hoops, and obvious standout talent with the Scarlet Knights. With an excellent 6’6” frame for a point guard, Harper enters the playing area much like an adolescent bully enters a playground — like it or not, you’re playing by his rules or you’ll pay dearly.

With his seemingly infinite bandwidth for creativity with his handle, Harper keeps the ball on a string while simultaneously throwing his weight around. His sturdy build allows Harper to utilize his torso as a shield as he penetrates the defense and casually enters the paint at his own leisure. He pursues the rim like it’s giving away free samples at Costco, and is excellent at tracking it down. He’s a gifted finisher at the rim, and a capable three-point shooter with room to grow (and thankfully a strong enough starting point to be a factor from day one in the NBA).

Though he holds the tools to be a good defender, Dylan often dogs it a smidge without the ball. This could simply be attributed to his team’s lack of winning, but could be something to watch out for. Beyond that, Harper has NBA size and strength, and a feel for the game that could make him an MVP candidate if he continues his ascent. — Calvin Barrett

The Washington Wizards would find themselves in a very good position with a very good young core: Bilal, Harper, Sarr, Carrington, Kyshawn, and AJ Johnson.

#3: Charlotte Hornets – Ace Bailey | F | Rutgers

Measurables: 6’10” 200 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 17.6 pts | 7.2 reb | 1.3 ast | 54.0% TS
NBA Comparison: Rashard Lewis, Michael Porter Jr, Jabari Smith Jr, or a taller Harrison Barnes

Not only does Charlotte add another top 5 pick to their roster, but they select a dynamic and versatile wing that can rise and shoot over anybody on one end and then be a defensive presence on the other! — Dray Mottishaw

Ace Bailey might be the most boom-or-bust prospect in the entire draft. With his combination of size (6’10” with a 7’0” wingspan), shot-making, and athleticism, it’s impossible not to have him at the top of the draft.

When you first see Bailey play, you’ll be wowed by some impressive shot-making. Bailey is a pull-up artist who can get his shot up in almost any situation. It’s easy to see him being a great scorer in the NBA, even if he doesn’t hit his ceiling. The other element of Bailey’s game is the defensive potential. He’s shown some real promise as a weak-side shot blocker and has the athleticism and frame to dominate defensive matchups if he wants to.

The two biggest worries for Bailey are a shaky handle and some abysmal passing to start the season at Rutgers. Over time, that passing did improve. If the Jazz are drafting Bailey, they will have to work hard to have him work within the system. If they can develop his passing and handle, they have a real star on their hands. — James Hansen

#4: New Orleans Pelicans – VJ Edgecombe | G | Baylor

Measurables: 6’5” 180 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 15.0 pts | 5.6 reb | 3.2 ast | 34.0% 3pt
NBA Comparison: Victor Oladipo, Josh Okogie++, Bruce Brown, Mario Elie, or a Mini Iguodala

New Orleans is on the brink of a tear down once again, and what better way to start it off by bringing in an athletic 2-way guard! VJ and Zion would be one of the most athletic duos in the league (if the Pelicans decide to keep Zion, who is only 24 years old). — Dray Mottishaw

VJ Edgecombe is the latest Baylor guard to come onto the scene and get Waco bouncing! I say bouncing because Edgecomb has eye-popping athleticism in his 6’5 frame. He uses that athleticism to aggressively defend the perimeter, get to the basket, and posterize innocent defenders. His scoring ability is impressive and has a lot of potential to get even better, but Edgecombe hangs his hat on his defense. He is a player who can guard the opposing team’s best perimeter player, and he will do so aggressively. His aggressive defense and intensity remind me of Russell Westbrook, while his athleticism reminds me of Ja Morant.

There is a lot to love about Edgecomb’s game. An area for improvement is his perimeter shooting. He shot just 34% from three in his freshman season, but he helped ease that concern by improving from the outside as the season progressed. It needs to keep improving, but there is some potential there. Despite his athleticism, he does struggle to finish at times around bigger defenders. That said, adding some strength to his frame at the NBA level could help him improve in that area. — Jeff Thomas

#5: Philadelphia 76ers – Asa Newell | F/C | Georgia

Measurables: 6’11” 220 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 15.4 pts | 6.9 reb | 2.0 stocks | 54.3% FG
NBA Comparison: Al Horford or Toumani Camara

Asa Newell is somebody who can impact a game without the ball in his hands, and to me, that is exactly what Philly needs, ESPECIALLY at the PF position. Playing next to stars Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey, Asa can be impactful by being a cutter, rebounding the ball, keeping possessions alive, and being able to switch onto guards and bigs on the defensive side of the ball. I do believe he has legitimate potential to shoot the ball at the next level. The shooting will require patience and repetition, but the indicators and progression throughout his season at Georgia make me believe in his translatability to the NBA. He is one of MY guys in the draft. — Dray Mottishaw

The Bulldog prospect has the chance to become an NBA hybrid. Though his body is still developing, he’s extremely quick and fluid for someone who’s 6’11”. He was never really a highly productive scorer in high school, finishing his senior year averaging 11.4 points at Montverde. That all changed after committing to Georgia and leaping into a 15.3-point-per-game scorer as a two-way play finisher.

Offensively, his strengths and improvements are pretty straightforward — Newell thrives as a finisher around the rim, using his strength and mobility to attack as a face-up scorer. His frame also makes him one of the best offensive rebounders of his team, averaging 3.1 offensive boards and generating second-chance opportunities. His physical tools make him more of an intriguing defensive prospect. With a 7’0” wingspan, he’s able to switch in space and defend wings, as well as check guards. He’s a pretty comfortable help defender when he gets the chance. — Kato Parina

#6: Brooklyn Nets – Derik Queen | F/C | Maryland

Measurables: 6’10” 245 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 16.2 pts | 9.1 rbs | 2.2 stocks | 59% TS
NBA Comparison: Zach Randolph, Charles Oakley, Kenny Lofton Jr, or Alperen Sengun

The Brooklyn Nets don’t really have much going on for them right now, and having a big-bodied hub with upside at the 4/5 would make sense for them. They need more ball handlers in the frontcourt who are winning to pass and score on iso possessions, and Queen does just that. — Dray Mottishaw

There’s something about Derik Queen’s tool kit that stirs my insides — for good and for bad. Sure, he’s crafty, smart, and boasts a sage understanding of the game’s machinations, but as an undersized center without an outside jumper, just what are the chances he makes a lasting impact in a modern game that scorns any player who is uncomfortable stepping behind the arc?

His inability to stroke it from long range is a raging sore thumb to his repertoire. An absolute outlier and rough exception to a game that is otherwise incredibly smooth. Still, I hold out hope that he can learn to love the long ball, for discovering his range will likely be critical to unlocking Queen’s ultimate form. — Calvin Barrett

#7: Toronto Raptors – Khaman Maluach | C | Duke

Measurables: 7’2” 250 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 8.5 pts | 6.7 reb | 1.3 blk | 70.9% FG
NBA Comparison: Gorgui Dieng, Brook Lopez, or Joel Embiid’s belly button lint

Toronto is in dire need of a youthful big man with upside. Masai has deep connections and is very involved with NBA Africa, which is where Khaman Maluach became a name in the draft world — he also selected Ulrich Chomche last year, who was another product of NBA Africa. Adding Khaman Maluach and his potential next to a young core led by Scottie Barnes could be very scary in the coming years if he develops properly. — Dray Mottishaw

Khaman Maluach didn’t start playing basketball until age 14, but he quickly developed once he touched the hardwood. He studied at the NBA Academy Africa, was the youngest player in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, and played in the 2024 Olympics at just 17 years old.

Maluach is an explosive lob finisher with quick first and second jumps and smooth, fluid athleticism. He’s shown flashes of playmaking chops and has solid court awareness. Solid free-throw shooting (76% as a freshman) and soft touch around the rim are positive indicators of shooting success at the NBA level.

He’s still raw and his game needs some fine-tuning, but his upside is tantalizing. Maluach is currently mocked to be drafted in the 6-14 range. — Jordan Cummings

#8: San Antonio Spurs – Kon Knueppel | G/F | Duke

Measurables: 6’7” 217 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 14.2 pts | 3.9 reb | 2.7 ast | 39.9% 3pt
NBA Comparison: Desmond Bane or late years Eric Gordon

Adding Kon to a Spurs team that is ready to compete is something that I know would work right away. Kon Knueppel has the ability to scale down and scale up when needed because of his shooting, secondary ball handling, hustle, and playmaking. At this point, most rookies come off the bench, but I could totally see a world where Kon slides into the starting lineup and makes winning plays right away. He doesn’t have to be THE guy because the Spurs already have Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, and now the Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle, so if he played off the ball and acted as a floor-spacing connector, then that would be scary! Wemby makes up for Kon’s defensive question marks. — Dray Mottishaw

Kon Knueppel is a barrel-chested scoring guard who can torch a defense from anywhere on the floor and in a variety of defense-melting methods. Sure, his last name is sure to draw a few chuckles from the more infantile among us, but this man strikes certifiable fear into the heart of his adversaries. Pull-up 3-balls, drives that plow through the defender’s chest and finish with a velvety brush through the net, and aerobatics beneath the rim capable of piercing the hearts and claiming souls. Like Larry Bird, Kon bears the countenance of a farmer’s eldest son, but his true passion derives from filling it up on the court.

Not many will remember this, but when the top prospect, Cooper Flagg, stumbled initially out of the gate with the Blue Devils, it was his teammate, Knueppel, who stole the show in Durham. Outmatched defenses constantly lost track of Kon as he relocated to the soft spots and plunged sure-thing long-balls through the heart of the opposition.

Though not nearly as gifted on the defensive end nor in creating offense for his teammates, Kon has an all-world taste for buckets, and a crippling addiction to competition. He was a valuable addition to one of the best Duke teams we’ve ever seen, and an absolute gift of a player to any late-lottery team that selects him. — Calvin Barrett

#9: Houston Rockets – Tre Johnson | G | Texas

Measurables: 6’6” 190 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 19.9 pts | 3.1 reb | 2.7 ast | 39.7% 3pt
NBA Comparison: Buddy Hield, Allan Houston, Devin Booker, or a Skinny Norman Powell

The slide has gone on long enough, and Tre Johnson lands in Houston. With the possibility that Houston moves on from Jalen Green, Tre Johnson could likely come in and replace his role right away. The defense and rebounding are pretty sketchy with Tre, but Houston has the length and athleticism to mask his flaws.

The SEC’s leading scorer, Tre Johnson, left us with a lot to love as we head into the end of the draft cycle. An electric scorer who can perform in clutch time situations and has a great feel for the game on the offensive side of the ball and will be a hot name to consider for many teams come this June. There is no spot on the floor where Tre can’t shoot it, which will make him a scary weapon with a lot of gravity at the next level. Not only is Tre a bucket, but he is an underrated passer, making quick reads out of the pick and roll, throwing a skip pass, or just making the extra pass to the open man. Tre Johnson will share the rock.

The concerns with Tre stem from the other side of the floor. Tre Johnson is not the best defender by any means, but luckily, he has the size and length to be in the passing lanes and be an extra body on helping from the weak side. The rebounding isn’t the best at his height, but you’re not putting Tre on the court to rebound; he’s out there to be a dynamic scorer. There are questions about his frame and lack of bulk because with what he does, Tre will have to deal with tough defenses night in and night out, and that can get pretty difficult as a scoring option. Even though he is one of the best scorers in the draft, he doesn’t get to the line often, which is another sign of lacking in strength and not playing through physicality.

With that being said, Tre Johnson has a super high motor — like he’s borderline insane. Think of his work ethic like you do Collin Sexton’s and Isaiah Collier’s, a straight-up dawg that doesn’t care who he is going up against or who is guarding him; he’s going in with intentions to kill. — Dray Mottishaw

#10: Portland Trailblazers – Noa Essengue | F | Ratiopharm Ulm

Measurables: 6’9” 194 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 12.4 pts | 5.3 reb | 1.4 stl | 64.6% TS
NBA Comparison: Jerami Grant, Herb Jones, or Bilal Coulibaly

Portland is in a very interesting situation right now, but they are still in a position where they need to swing. They have a core of Scoot, Clingan, Sharpe, Avdija, and Grant, but none of those players have shown much promise of becoming anything more than a starter, with the exception of possibly Sharpe (it’s still early). They are one of the worst defensive teams in the league, so if they can grab a lanky defensive wing with upside, then Noa Essengue is your guy. The shooting indicators are pretty rough, but you’re hoping he can develop that down the line. He is one of the youngest players in the draft. — Dray Mottishaw

The best word I can use to describe Essengue is slippery. And I mean that as a compliment. Using his string cheese build, this Euro-League forward squirts between closing out defenders like a wet bar of soap between a tightly-gripped hand. The more the defense attacks, the further he flies.

Essengue’s movements send him hovering over the court and to the rim almost like a ghost. A surprisingly tight handle, but he doesn’t boast the most diverse dribbling package. The building blocks for a great NBA career are present, specifically with very apparent athleticism and a fearless hunger for the rim. Far from a long-range threat, and still very raw, the key to unlocking Essengue’s potential will be leaning on his strong defense first, and patiently bringing along his still hypothetical jump shot (a hypothetical that is becoming more of a likelihood rapidly with every year).

Many fans hate the word “project” when snagging a player in the first round, as those types so rarely pan out as originally hoped, but you’re working with a great hand if you take a chance on this French prospect. — Calvin Barrett

#11: Dallas Mavericks – Labaron Philon | G | Alabama

Measurements: 6’4” 177 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 10.4 pts | 3.3 reb | 3.8 ast | 1.3 stl
NBA Comparison: Rajon Rondo, Jose Alverado, or Rod Strickland

There is only 1 other guard I would take for Dallas (Jeremiah Fears), but Labaron Philon does all of the little things that you want from a point guard. With Anthony Davis spacing the floor and being the primary scoring option for the Mavs and awaiting Kyrie Irving’s return, Labaron can find a role in Dallas almost instantly. One thing Dallas lacks is a defensive guard who can consistently pass the ball. Labaron has one of the best assist-to-turnover ratios out of the productive freshmen in this class, and I believe he can scale exactly to what Dallas needs. — Dray Mottishaw

Labaron Philon is a 6’4” combo guard out of Alabama. What Labaron lacks in size and strength, he makes up for in effort and passion. Despite his size, Labaron constantly took on the opposing team’s best guard on defense. He also spent the season playing out of position next to Alabama’s ball-dominant point guard Mark Sears.

I’m no coach, but I’d assume Labaron is primarily a point guard at the NBA level. His handle, speed, and energy make him a tough cover in space. His quick hands, toughness, and long arms make him a menace on the defensive end.

Labaron reminds me a lot of Tyrese Maxey coming out of college—not current Tyrese Maxey, but Kentucky Maxey. They both played out of position due to being in a rotation with more traditional point guards. They both didn’t shoot great from 3, and they both are first-round draft picks because of their hustle and potential. — Lake Hale

#12: Chicago Bulls – Rasheer Fleming | F | St. Joe’s

Measurements: 6’9” | 240 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 14.7 pts | 8.5 reb | 1.3 ast | 53.1% FG | 39% 3pt
NBA Comparison: Lanky Jae Crowder, Taylor Hendricks

Well, since the Chicago Bulls want to win next year (according to their front office), they should go out and grab one of the most NBA-ready, jaw-dropping, physical specimens in the draft, Rasheer Fleming. Fleming will be able to play off of Josh Giddey, Buzelis, and Vucevic quite easily with his ability to space the floor and then wreak havoc on the defensive side of the basketball. — Dray Mottishaw

Fleming is lesser known to the public eye because he plays for St. Joseph’s, but he has some exciting potential. The 6’9 junior weighs 240 pounds. He has the potential to play center or forward in the league, largely due to his impressive 7’5 wingspan. He is a bouncy athlete who is a monster to deal with in the rebounding department. Despite being slightly undersized for a center, he swats away 1.5 shots per game. One thing that is extremely intriguing about Fleming is his perimeter shooting. As a freshman, he shot just 29.7% from three on 2.4 threes per game. His sophomore year, that improved to 32.4% on 3 threes per game. This year, as a junior, that trend continued in eye-popping fashion as he improved to 39% on 4.5 shots per game. His form and quick release indicate that success can translate to the pro level. Combine that with his ridiculous wingspan, defensive versatility, and athleticism, and you have yourself an enticing prospect.

The biggest concern with Fleming is that he plays for a small school. The talent he is going against night to night isn’t going to be anywhere near the NBA level. So, the question is, how will his game translate when those around him are bigger, more athletic, and on a bigger stage? It’s a question that is impossible to answer right now, but I’m surprised he isn’t talked about more as a prospect. A pro comp for him would be Aaron Gordon. — Jeff Thomas

#13: Atlanta Hawks – Kasparas Jakucionis | G | Illinois

Measurables: 6’6” 205 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 15.0 pts | 5.7 reb | 4.7 ast | 67.4% TS
NBA Comparison: Goran Dragic & Tyler Herro Hybrid

With lurking Trae Young trade rumors in the air right now, I think Kasparas Jakucionis would be a perfect fit with the Hawks, and someone I feel like Quin Snyder would love. You wouldn’t be missing much of the passing after downgrading from Trae, but the hope here is that Kas would be able to shoot it at league average while being able to play off Jalen Johnson. Even if the Hawks don’t move Trae, I feel like the Hawks need a backup guard anyway. — Dray Mottishaw

Kasparas Jakucionis is one of those guys who doesn’t seem to mind the big stage. Though his March Madness run was cut short in a loss against Kentucky, the highlight of his season was turning from a fringe draft pick into a projected top-10 selection. It’s incredibly rare to get a guard prospect who can pass, dribble, and shoot at a high level while having a 6’6” frame.

He uses ball screens to get to all areas with crafty finishes, fluid shots from midrange, and threes off-dribble. A well-rounded guard from Lithuania, he’s one of the better floor generals in college and is exceptional at cutting and dishing. Jakucionis possesses the skills necessary to be a complete guard at the next level, whether he’s directing the offense, distributing the ball, or finishing at the rim.

His athleticism is going to be the biggest area of improvement heading into the draft. He lacks the ideal speed off the dribble for a guard and isn’t very explosive around the rim. Though his jumper has excellent form, he isn’t a consistent enough shooter as of yet — logging in 31.8% from deep in his freshman year. It will be interesting to see how Jakučionis reacts to screens. He never seemed completely lost on defense, which I think is important for guards. But he did get blown by a couple of times. He had a hard time handling the active ball pressure from elite defensive guards when they sent double teams. Jakučionis’ game is fundamentally sound, who gets the game and makes all the non-flashy plays for his team. Tyrese Haliburton has been one of his most popular comparisons — Kato Parina

#14: San Antonio Spurs – Collin Murray-Boyles | F | South Carolina

Measurables: 6’7” 231 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 16.8 pts | 8.3 reb | 1.3 blk | 63% TS
NBA Comparison: Draymond Green, Anthony Mason, Al Jefferson, Paul Reed, or Sochan

I’ll keep this short and sweet for you: if the Spurs get both Kon and CMB in the draft this year, then the league is over with. They would just become insanely good in a matter of seconds. — Dray Mottishaw

The 6’7” forward is a tank at 245 pounds. Don’t let his height fool you; despite being a smaller PF, he gobbles up rebounds for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Coming off his freshman season with 17/8/2 plus nearly a block and a half a game, he is looking to make the NBA leap. His greatest selling point is his absurd versatility on defense. He plays with instinct, foot and hand speed, and uses his thick frame and long wingspan (over 7 feet) to stifle whoever he’s guarding. He can also kick the ball out and is a very effective playmaker out of the block.

The biggest thing keeping Murray-Boyles from becoming an NBA star is his lack of a jumper, with no signs that it is going to improve. He didn’t shoot well in high school or college, but he does shoot 70% from the free-throw line, so that could be worse. Despite using his strong frame and long wingspan, you also can’t discount that he is a 6’7 player who will primarily be in the paint. A player comp would be Draymond Green. His defensive potential is special. — Jeff Thomas

#15: Oklahoma City – Carter Bryant | F | Arizona

Measurements: 6’8” 225 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 6.5 pts | 4.1 reb | 1.9 stocks | 55.2% TS
NBA Comparison: Rui Hachimura, Mikal Bridges, Dorian Finney-Smith, Prince, Tyler Lydon

Oklahoma seems to target toolsy defensive wings, and Carter Bryant fits right in. He has the size and wingspan that allows him to be a great defender, and with how good OKC’s developmental team is, Carter Bryant would be a phenomenal addition to their roster. — Dray Mottishaw

As a true freshman at Arizona, Carter Bryant struggled at the line (54%) and from 3 (34%) through 19 games. Despite his early shooting struggles, Bryant’s hounding defense and tenacious rebounding earned him more playing time. After his relatively slow start, Bryant finished the season strong, increasing his scoring, rebounding, and defensive impact, while shooting an impressive percentage at the line (81%) and from 3 (39%) on increased volume.

Bryant has great court awareness, frequently repositioning into open space as a shooter or cutting backdoor when his defender loses sight of him. He’s shown promising flashes of shooting and scoring off the dribble, both from mid-range and beyond the arc. These are promising markers that he could develop his game well beyond the 3-and-D role player archetype.

Despite playing just 20 minutes per game, Bryant ranks 2nd on the team in blocks, 4th in defensive rebounding, and 4th in steals. At 6’8” and 220 pounds, Carter Bryant has prototypical size for a modern NBA wing.

He’s currently projected as a mid to late first-round pick. — Jordan Cummings

#16: Orlando Magic – Jeremiah Fears | G | Oklahoma

Measurables: 6’4” 182 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 17.1 pts | 4.1 ast | 4.1 reb | 28.1% 3pt
NBA Comparison: Kemba Walker, Devonte Graham, Spencer Dinwiddie, or CJ McCollum

The slide has stopped. Orlando needs a point guard who can space the floor and be a threat from distance. They really have not had a guard like Jeremiah Fears for a very long time, and I believe that he could be special if put in the right situation, and I think Orlando is the right situation. Hopefully, he wouldn’t become Cole Anthony 2.0, lol. — Dray Mottishaw

The 6’4” guard just wrapped up his freshman season with the Sooners, posting 17/4/4 averages. He would have been a senior in high school this year had he not reclassified. Fears is an electric 3-level scorer with great handles while making a quick adjustment to the collegiate level.

The concern with Fears is efficiency. It’s not unexpected for a freshman scorer to struggle in that department; that said, he shot only 43% from the field and a measly 28% from three. His shot selection needs to improve, but he has the potential to be an effective scorer with NBA spacing. A player comp would be Jamal Murray or Keyonte George (with more potential on the defensive side of the ball). — Jeff Thomas

#17: Minnesota Timberwolves – Ryan Kalkbrenner | C | Creighton

Measurables: 7’1” 270 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 19.2 ppg | 8.7 rpg | 2.7 bpg | 65.3% FG | 34.4% 3FG
NBA Comparison: Brook Lopez or Zach Edey

Minnesota is likely to lose Naz Reid this coming offseason, which depletes the Wolves’ depth at the Center position. Ryan Kalkbrenner would provide spacing and rim protection off the bench, which would still allow Anthony Edwards to do his thing without the paint being clogged. His ability to be both a lob threat and a shot-roll big gives Minnesota a lot to work with.

Ryan Kalkbrenner is a highly decorated big man who has won 4 straight DPOYs AND POYs in his conference. He is somebody who I would love the Utah Jazz to draft at 21, but in this mock, he will not be there for us (obviously). — Dray Mottishaw

#18: Washington Wizards – Thomas Sorber | C | Georgetown

Measureables: 6’10” 255 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 14.5 pts | 8.5 reb | 2.4 ast | 58.0% TS
NBA Comparisons: Bam Adebayo or Onyeka Okongwu

The Wizards need a big man other than Sarr. — Dray Mottishaw

The Hoyas’ big man is a 6’10” F/C who filled the stat sheet as a freshman with 15/8/3 plus a steal and two blocks per game. As his stats indicate, Sorber is a well-rounded player. He is light on his feet, which enables him to be an instinctive defender who can stay between his man and the basket and contest shots without fouling. He is a great passer, particularly from the high-post, and he dominates in the post, consistently scoring in the paint.

His jump shot needs work, but he has shown the confidence to step out and take threes. The consistency isn’t there yet, but flashes of shooting potential are there. If he can add that to his game, he could have a long career in the league. The big concern is a season-ending foot injury he suffered. It has left his participation in the combine and pre-draft workouts up in the air. A pro comp if he reaches his full potential is Bam Adebayo. — Jeff Thomas

#19: Brooklyn Nets -Jase Richardson | G | Michigan State

Measurables: 6’3” 185 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 11.9 pts | 3.2 reb | 2.0 ast | 40% 3pt | 84% FT
NBA Comparison: Emmanuel Mudiay, but an actual NBA player

The Nets need some high-IQ guard play and someone who will be a connective team player, and Jase Richardson fits that bill. Brooklyn has drafted Jase & Queen in this mock so far, and they still have 2 picks to go! — Dray Mottishaw

Jase Richardson, son of Jason Richardson, is one of the more offensively gifted players in the draft. He’s an exceptional shooter from all over the court, hitting over 40% from three, scoring creatively in the mid-range, and finishing efficiently at the rim. His footwork and touch around the basket are impressive, and even though he’s not the most explosive athlete, he finds ways to finish through contact. He’s an excellent pick-and-roll guard, which should let him make an impact in the NBA right away.

Richardson is a tough on-ball defender who’s always active with his hands and never takes a play off. He’s a high basketball IQ player who rarely makes mistakes. His size and lack of individual playmaking may limit his ceiling, but his off-ball skills and intangibles raise his floor. — Calvin Chappell

#20: Miami Heat – Nique Clifford | F | Colorado State

Measurables: 6’6” | 200 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 18.9 pts | 9.6 reb | 4.4 ast | 46.9% FG
NBA Comparisons: Dorian Finney-Smith or “Pushoff” P (Great Value Paul George)

Nique has “Heat Culture” written all over him. Because Nique has operated as a point-forward at Colorado State, he could potentially be a Jimmy Butler replacement. Now, he will not have the same impact as Jimmy Butler, but he offers more playmaking ability than Andrew Wiggins, who is currently their starting SF/PF. Nique would find himself in no time because of how hard he plays, Coach Spo loves these types of guys.

After breaking out last season, Nique Clifford decided to return to Colorado State for his 5th season of college basketball in an attempt to make a deep tournament run — they ended up getting sent home by Maryland in the Sweet 16 off of a walk-off game winner from projected top 10 pick Derik Queen. Nique Clifford has been referred to as the Paul George of mid-major basketball with his ability to do everything on the basketball court. A wiry wing with defensive versatility, the coordination and IQ to handle and pass the rock, and the scoring prowess where he can attack the basket and create his own shot off the dribble. He possesses everything teams look for in a wing and has drawn the attention of multiple scouts across the association.

Unfortunately, Nique will be an older prospect, entering the draft at the age of 23 years old, but teams can still find value in what he can bring. It’s unlikely that he will become a star due to his age, but there is no doubt in my mind that Nique can contribute in every facet of the game. He does everything well, including shooting the ball (37% from 3 this season), and any team that drafts Nique will be/should be happy with that selection. — Dray Mottishaw

#21: Utah Jazz – Drake Powell | G/F | UNC

Measurables: 6’6” | 195 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 7.4 pts | 3.4 reb | 1.4 stocks/g | 48.3 FG | 37.9% 3FG
NBA Comparisons: Corey Brewer, Ochai Agbaji, KCP, Will Barton, Terrence Ross

Drake Powell is a wing out of North Carolina who didn’t get the ball much, so this pick would be considered a stretch to some. At UNC, Drake was caught in a tough situation, playing alongside ball-dominant guards that confined him to an off-ball 3-and-D role, limiting his opportunity to display his full offensive arsenal. When he did get the ball (13% usage rate), he showed some good things, such as being a great connector (1.5 A:TO), a really good 3PT shooter, filled the lanes in transition well, and hustled in all areas — Drake used his athleticism to crash the class, defend, operate as a slasher off of the ball and play above the rim, and dove for loose balls.

Before the college season began, Drake was a projected lottery pick — some even had him as high as 7! Drake is still very young (18 years old on draft night), and his athleticism and scalability give him untapped potential that the Jazz desperately need. The Jazz love defensive-oriented athletic wings that can space the floor, and Drake Powell can do just that for us. Pairing him alongside Cooper Flagg, Hendricks, and Kessler could be the start of a freakishly scary foundation in the long run.

#22: Atlanta Hawks – Johni Broome | C | Auburn

Measurements: 6’10” 240 lbs
2024-25 Season Stats: 18.6 pts | 10.8 reb | 3.0 stocks | 60.7% TS
NBA Comparison: Taj Gibson’s long-lost son

Since the Hawks have no big man depth, and since they have already selected Kasparas Jakucionis earlier, they might as well take one of the best big men in college basketball. A switchable defender that can handle the rock and get his hands dirty.

Leading his team to a Final Four appearance in the NCAA Tournament, Johni Broome (22) — a 5th-year senior out of Auburn and also the runner-up for Player of the Year— has finished up his collegiate career after being one of the top 3 players in college basketball this past year. He is a versatile center-forward at 6’10 who can be a great rebounder, post scorer, passer, and defender out on the perimeter when needed. He plays physically and isn’t afraid of big moments; he embraces those moments. He can be a solid rim protector at his size, though probably not someone you would want to be your primary rim protector in the NBA, but he contests shots well enough to disrupt the opposing team’s offense. Coming into the league as an older player, teams are looking to draft Johni hoping he will become a solid contributor off the bench and maybe, one day, sneak his way into the starting lineup. — Dray Mottishaw

#23: Indiana Pacers – Danny Wolf | F/C | Michigan

Measurables: 7’0” | 250 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 13.2 pts | 9.7 reb | 3.6 ast | 1.4 blk | 49.7% FG
NBA Comparison: Kelly Olynyk

The Pacers have no center on the roster next year (as of right now). That’s really it.

A Junior who stands 7 feet tall, Danny Wolf moves like a wing and passes like a guard. Wolf is one of the most intriguing prospects in the draft because of his gifted abilities at his size: his handle and passing, being able to run a pick and roll as a ball handler, protecting the rim, and spacing the floor from time to time, Danny Wolf has given teams problems this whole year. His translatability should come with ease as he can do many things on the court, but there are a few things that draft evaluators have become skeptical about.

Though he is a savvy passer, Danny Wolf turns the ball over a lot more than you would like as he is averaging 3.2 turnovers a game — that’s quite a bit for a big man. He forces passes way too often and sometimes gets a little too fancy with the ball, but he makes it work most of the time. His floor spacing is streaky and a little questionable, and with his FT% being so low, averaging a career worst 59.4%, I begin to wonder how much touch he really has. Throughout his 3-year career, he has less than 15 total dunks as a 7-footer, which raises a huge red flag to me. While these flaws can be considered major, Danny Wolf remains a highly regarded upperclassman who can help teams in a variety of ways. — Dray Mottishaw

#24: Oklahoma City – Miles Byrd | G/F | San Diego State

Measurables: 6’7” | 190 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 12.3 pts | 4.4 reb | 2.7 ast | 1.1 blk | 2..1 stl | 38.1% FG
NBA Comparison: Troy Brown Jr or Danny Green

Oklahoma City continues to add another plug-and-play defensive playmaker. Typically, OKC likes to swing for the fences, so they could have drafted the likes of Egor Demin or Liam McNeeley, who remain on the board in this mock, but Miles Byrd fits what OKC does and how they play.

A wing with size and length, Miles has established himself as a phenomenal defender in the passing lanes and is also a willing passer. Though his FG% is low as a Jr (which is a red flag), Byrd has some great intangibles that OKC could fall in love with. I also considered a few other players here. OKC has a great development team.

#25: Orlando Magic – Liam McNeeley | G/F | UConn

Measurements: 6’7” 210 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 14.5 pts | 6.0 reb | 2.3 ast | 54.6% TS
NBA Comparison: Corey Kispert or Bojan Bogdanovic

McNeeley would give Orlando the chance to add a shooter to their core. Utilized as a connective engine for UConn, McNeeley has the potential to be a solid rotation piece and borderline starter if he develops properly. If his defense and finishing at the rim gets better, then you’re looking at a fantastic player, but that is an if. — Dray Mottishaw

Liam McNeeley went to UConn with the expectation that he’d be a sharpshooter who could take UConn far, much like Jordan Hawkins did. It didn’t happen like people expected with McNeeley’s shooting not being where it had been at Montverde Academy next to Cooper Flagg.

That said, there were enough flashes from McNeeley to still make him a potential late lottery pick. McNeeley looks the part of an off-ball shooter with a 6’7” frame and a sweet-looking stroke. The question for teams picking McNeeley will be, do they get the player from Montverde who lit up the scoreboard, or the one who fizzled at the end of the UConn season? — James Hansen

#26: Brooklyn Nets – Egor Demin | G/F | BYU

Measureables: 6’9” 190 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 10.5 pts | 5.5 ast | 3.9 reb | 28.1% 3pt
NBA Comparison: 7-Eleven Magic Johnson, Great Value Scottie Barnes, Post-Philly Ben Simmons, Franz Wagner

Now, I am lower on Egor Demin (if you couldn’t tell by the comparisons — sorry, BYU fans), but Brooklyn is in no position to not take as many swings as you can get. I doubt Egor falls this far in the draft, but I do not think he is a guard by any means. He is the flashiest passer in the draft; he can be a slasher off the dribble, but his creation, lack of handle, shooting, and defense (yes, defense) leave a lot to be desired. I believe he will crumble come playoff time and become a massive liability in multiple areas. — Dray Mottishaw

Egor Demin is one of the more truly gifted passing prospects we’ve ever seen at his age — it’s no wonder his assist totals were second-most among freshmen this season, despite playing in the challenging Big 12 Conference. A spindly, 6’9” point guard from Moscow entered his freshman season shrouded in mystery, and finished his year at BYU as one of the most divisive prospects in his class.

Egor’s story followed a similar narrative to that of his team, where a slow start was gradually and carefully built moment by moment. His feel for the game is extraordinary, and his size gives him periscopic vision to see over defensive coverage with an eye in the sky. On regular occasions, he proved capable of launching cross-court rockets through the flailing arms of the opposition that somehow hit their targets in the shooting pocket with a gentle touch.

His scoring troubles have turned many away, however, and his inability to find a consistent 3-point shot for the majority of the year was a concern. His lack of upper-body strength would force him to take awkward fallaways at the rim and ill-advised bombs from 3-point land when he couldn’t get to the paint off the dribble. His confidence matured with the season, though, and he displayed moments of inspiration in attacking the rim with confidence, knocking down the occasional long-range release, and (of course) helping after helping of stunning dimes.

He still has plenty of questions remaining unanswered, but he proved to be capable and willing to develop his weaknesses. One of the more fascinating wild cards in this year’s draft. — Calvin Barrett

#27: Brooklyn Nets – Isaiah Evans | F | Duke

Measurements: 6’7” | 175 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 7 pts | 1.2 reb | 0.5 ast | 43.2% FG | 41.6% 3pt
NBA Comparison: Siddiq Bey

Now that Brooklyn has drafted a handful of guys who operate on the ball, Isaiah Evans would be a fantastic floor spacer and off-ball threat who generates a lot of gravity, allowing his teammates to thrive in the space given. — Dray Mottishaw

Isaiah Evans is not talked about as much because his teammates Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Khaman Maluach steal a lot of the attention, but he is an important part of Duke’s success because of his flamethrower-style shooting. The 6’7 SG/SF is the definition of a sharpshooter. During his freshman season, he has shot 41.6% from three on 4.3 threes per game. He has seemingly unlimited range, and Duke loves to run his off screens to get him open, so he is comfortable shooting from different ranges, angles, and off balance.

The biggest concern is his size. 6’7 is a respectable height; however, he weighs just 175 pounds. His frame is extremely lean, and at the collegiate level, he only takes about 14% of his shots in the paint. He will need to add a lot of strength to be more than a one-trick pony at the NBA level. He plays hard on defense, but again, his lean frame will make defense at an NBA level difficult. A fair NBA comparison is Malik Beasley. — Jeff Thomas

#28: Boston Celtics – Adou Thiero | F | Arkansas

Measurements: 6’8” 220 lbs
2024-25 Season Stats: 15.1 pts | 5.8 reb | 2.3 stocks | 68.1% TS
NBA Comparison: Belly button lint of Amen Thompson (but a forward)

I feel like Boston could use some defensive help at the wing position off the bench. Adou is one of the most athletic players in the draft. At 6’8” he comes in with a winning mentality and skillset that could help Boston win some games if Tatum and Brown need a break. It was between him, Maxime Raynaud, or Noah Penda for me. — Dray Mottishaw

Electing to bum a one-way ticket and hop on the bus with John Calipari from Kentucky to Arkansas, Adou Thiero placed himself on the NBA Draft bulletin board by posting career highs in an elevated roll with the Razorbacks. Adou suffered a hyperextended knee that kept him out of the rotation down the stretch of the season, but boasted a strong enough product to that point in the year to keep him in the draft conversation.

His insatiable appetite for h’ors douevres at the rim fed him a healthy helping of tries at the free throw line, where he has a vacation home. Despite his end of season absence, Thiero still shot 78 more foul shots than any of his teammates, which is bonkers.

Two-way upside is worth a gamble at this point in the draft, and though he struggles with his outside shot, the junior prospect is a worthy plug-and-play option for a competitor at this late stage of the first round. — Calvin Barrett

#29: Phoenix Suns – Walter Clayton Jr | G | Florida

Measurements: 6’3” 195 lbs
2024-25 Season Stats: 18.3 pts | 3.7 reb | 4.2 ast | 38.6% 3pt
NBA Comparison: Jamal Murray or Fred VanVleet

Phoenix gets an all-around guard who has a winning mentality and plays the right way. — Dray Mottishaw

NCAA Champion and 1st team All-American, Walter Clayton Jr just wrapped up his Senior year of college basketball. Walter Clayton Jr. is a strong, confident combo guard who thrives as a shot-maker and tough-nosed competitor. He plays with a scorer’s mentality — comfortable pulling up from deep, attacking off the bounce, and creating offense in isolation or pick-and-roll.

While not a true point guard, he is a guard who knows how to run an offense through his shot-creation, which draws attention from the defense and ultimately opens up the floor for his teammates. He defends with effort, uses his frame well, and is definitely not afraid of big moments — evidenced by his clutch play during Florida’s championship run. He is not the flashiest athlete, but highly productive, battle-tested, and knows how to impact winning. — James Hansen

#30: Los Angeles Clippers – Ben Saraf | G | Ratiopharm Ulm

Measurements: 6’6” 220 lbs
2024-25 Stats: 12.8 pts | 2.2 reb | 4.6 ast | 1.3 stl
NBA Comparison: Sarunas Marciulionis, Tomas Satoransky, or Roko Leni Ukic

The Clippers need to begin their search for the young core for the post-Kawhi and Harden era. Nobody knows what Steve Balmer will do if the Clippers get eliminated by the Nuggets in the playoffs — I don’t even think Steve Balmer knows what Steve Balmer is going to do. Ben Saraf is a good starting point.

Ben Saraf has been an offensive leader of Ratiopharm Ulm, a Euroleague basketball club in Germany. Saraf plays alongside projected first-rounder Noa Essengue. He’s the type of prospect whose efficiency metrics deserve a more optimistic view than what the eye test gives you.

At 18 years old, Saraf has been an offensive hub who can create for himself and make sure his teammates are involved too at the size of a wing. He can finish well with both hands around the rim as well as the mid-range. That’s to go along with his exceptional ability to handle traps and aggressive defenses, leveraging a tight handle and poise. It’s not far-fetched that Saraf could one day average 18 points and 8 assists a game in the NBA.

Where I’d raise my eyebrows is his efficiency from the floor, which makes him more of a meshed-out Egor Demin. Emerging as an offensive threat off-ball will be key to his development to play more of a complementary role. Despite his height, his wiry frame limits him against physically dominant defenders. His lapses give us a solid outlook on what his floor looks like defensively. More than likely, he’ll be middle-of-the-pack at the NBA level. Being able to play the 1 or 2 will only benefit him in the NBA and boost his appeal to NBA teams. — Kato Parina

That’s a wrap for my first mock draft of the year! Again, this is what I would do, it is not a consensus mock draft. We still do not even know what the lottery holds for us. May the odds be ever in our favor!

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