2025 NBA Draft mock - How it SHOULD go..

[Upperclass]

Post First Rd trades, this is how the First round of the draft should have gone imo. This is based on player production in the league the next few seasons.
1.      Dallas - Flagg
Obviously. Can’t trade him after the Luka deal but he also really doesn’t fit with AD and Lively at all. He is NOT a SF..he’s a mismatch at PF.

2.      Spurs - Kon
Fits next to Fox, better shooter and Passer than Harper. Bigger as well. Super smart player who I think will be a PG eventually in the Harden mold. 2nd best player in the class and would do well in a trade for Giannis, heading back to his hometown.

**This is a 2-player draft imo (3 once Carter Bryant develops eventually). The rest are role players.

3.      Philly - Cedric Coward
Philly doesn’t need small, athletic guards that cant shoot, or inexperienced players who cant contribute right away. Would take Coward. Will be an asset defensively from Day 1 and should have enough on offense, even if its in transition, to be a starter at 3 with Grimes and PG.

4.      Cha - Dylan Harper
Fits well next to Ball and Miller, could take over at 1 if Cha decides to move Ball eventually. Good enough passing, shooting, overall playmaking etc. I think he’s a better fit next to a bigger guard than smaller ones as he’s somewhat undersized.

5.      Uta - Egor Demin
If the plan is to try and compete immediately, meaning keeping Markannen and Kessler.. Take the tall PG that would work well off of their smaller guards. He has the same archetype of recently successful players like Giddey, or players drafted high like Topic. He does play way too similar to Poku imo but I think he could workout with good offensive coaching, which Uta has in theory.

6.      Was - VJ Edgecombe
Dynamite athlete who cant really player on an NBA floor yet for a good team imo. I don’t think his spot up shooting will translate immediately and cannot handle in the halfcourt. However, his slashing ability next to Bubs shooting ability, creates a good backcourt dynamic. Strong defender with effort, ability to score off backdoor oops, and seems to try to play to his strengths.

7.      Pels - Ace Bailey
With the current direction of the team.. they may need someone who can score in bunches. Plays like a slightly smaller Trey Murphy and MAY mature enough to contribute quickly.

8.      Nets - Derik Queen
Scoring Big who plays somewhat like one of the notable players in their history.. Derrick Coleman. Long and can do everything on a court offensively. If a coach gets him to buy in defensively, which means getting into better shape primarily.. He could be a repeated all-star in the East.

9.      Raps - Khaman Maluach
Raptors could use an alternative at PG but I think Maluach is a better fit overall. Not only for the Visa situation and international city, but because he will be a rim deterrent and better rim runner than Poetl, who can be traded eventually for an asset that may fit their timeline. His hands are solid and he moves well enough to bother drivers on the perimeter.

10. Suns - Collin Murray-Boyles
Not quite sure where he fits in the league with his skillset, but the Suns are one of the spots where he would fit well, playing off shooters in Green and Booker, and learning defensively from Brooks. Big enough to play small ball 4 or 5 in a fast lineup. Very crafty around the hoop, very good passer, and plays with a non-stop motor and toughness.

11. Mem - Tre Johnson
Not a huge fan of his game, but I think he fits well playing off Ja, in an offensively focused scheme. He would get plenty of scoring opportunities on a team that could use a lot more of it. A lights out, reliable shooter who can come in and put up points vs anyone. Has a similar build and in theory, similar skillset to KCP who he would play behind.

12. Chicago - Hansen Yang
Plays like 50% of Jokic, and somewhat like the C they have been trying to move for years in Vucevic. Gives the Bulls size and playmaking out of the post. Will get torched on D, but they will get torched on D regardless. Could and should also develop a consistent jumper. Fun, heady player and will bring in a lot of viewers.

13. Pels - Jeremiah Fears
Regardless of what the plan is with Murray and Poole, The Pels need a young PG and Fears is one of, if not the best in the draft. His quickness and handle would fit well next to the litany of shooters, and his creativity should create easy buckets at the hoop for Zion.

14. Spurs - Carter Bryant (3rd best long-term prospect in the draft).
Would fit well in the lineup next to Wemby at 3, or in a trade with the Bucks who will also need a talent upgrade, along with Kon. Mature for a young kid and seems to play with pride, which is what they need more of. Has the tools to develop into a complete player but will need time and opportunity to play through mistakes in a low-pressure environment, alongside talented starters. A natural SF but seems like he will grow into a combo Forward.

15. OKC - Joan Beringer
Could eventually be an upgrade to iHart, while filling almost the exact same role. Athletic and seem to know how to play and can play with force. Has good timing on shot contests and solidish hands.

16. Portland - Nique Clifford
The Blazers seem to be trying to compete for the playoffs with the Jrue trade. I think Clifford fits extremely well defensively and as an off-ball shooter next to Holiday. Seems to be a heady player that can do a bit of everything on the floor. Fairly similar to Josh Hart.

17. Minn - Walter Clayton
One of the best fits in the entire draft imo. I don’t think Rob can ever give them what they for some reason, thought they were getting. Too small, not a good enough shooter. Clayton is bigger, just as quick, and much better defensively, while being a knock down shooter and big moment player.

18. Uta - Noa Essengue
Tall, talented F who can play either front court role. Gives their wing lineup size, and should be a decent shooter right away. Doesn’t have a super high ceiling imo but should develop a useful skill quickly and remain consistent.

19. Nets - Hugo Gonzalez
Will bring a defensive identity and toughness to Fernandez’s lineup. Should be able to replace Cam Johnson quickly if he’s moved. Athletic, and a plus defender that can play a utility role off the bench while he gets his Jumpshot together.

20. Heat - Jase Richardson
Has some Brunson traits and the Heat could use more scoring from the PG spot. Crafty and knows how to get his shots off in the paint vs taller defenders. Would quickly be a crowd fav.

21. Was – Thomas Sorber
Sarr seems to want to play the perimeter.. maybe let him. This move lessens their reliance on Sarr in the post. Sorber is a traditional C, who can also playmake from his spot a bit. Game resembles Greg Monroe’s quite a bit but should be a little better defensively.

22. Nets - Asa Newell
Long, athletic player who may be able play next to Claxton, and eventually could replace him at the 5. Fairly similar games, with Newell having a much better shooting development arc.

23. Hawks - Kasparas Jakucionis
Combo guard that would fit next to Trae and Porzingis with his shooting and playmaking. Could also slide over to point if Trae is eventually moved, but would need an athletic, defensive SG to play next to.

24. Sac - Nolan Traore
Sac needs a PG. Could easily go much higher, but guards with his profile don’t usually workout. Fast, Crafty player that would push the tempo and create a different dynamic than their current guards. Could slide into a starting spot next to Lavine or Monk once he’s up to speed.

25. Orl - Danny Wolf
Not sure if he can actually play C, but could space the floor and create off the doubles that Paolo and Franz draw. Has some similarities to Chet but likely closer to a Kelly O.

26. Nets - Liam McNeeley
Provides shooting and scoring in a bench or starting role. Talented wing that may become one of the league’s best 3pt shooters.

27. Nets - Drake Powell
Could become a catch n shoot, 3&D wing that knows how to play his role. Provides size on the perimeter and can hold up on switches.

28. Celts - Rasheer Fleming
Fills a need in the post for the Celts. Big guy, who plays somewhat like Al, and could learn a lot playing behind him for a few years. Can/will learn to put the ball on the floor and has enough athleticism to get by guys. Likely one of the best players from this draft imo.

29. Suns - Noah Penda – Reminds me of Boris Diaw.. should go much higher r1 and will be overall one of the best players from the draft imo, but not a lot of great lineup fits other than the Spurs and Memphis.

30. Clips - Will Riley
With his build I think he’s unlikely to pan out longterm, but he could develop into a tall, athletic shooter off the bench, in an early Trey Murphy mold. Needs work on every aspect of his game but fits as a shooter/scorer off the bench.


Best of the rest:

Yanic Konan Niederhauser
Brings athleticism and length to the C rotation. Doesn’t know how to play, but has some Gafford traits.

Sion James
Not super skilled but plays HARD and knows where to be on a basketball court. A glue guy in the Dort mold that may play alot of minutes on a good team right away, or help turnaround a bad one by chipping in all over the court.

Chaz Lanier
Lanier might be the 2nd best shooter in the draft, after Kon. Mature player who can step in right away and get buckets, while also guarding on the perimeter.

Tyrese Proctor
Dynamic guard that has some Nembhard to him. Can step in and play a scoring or playmaking role from day 1.



edited 6-26 to account for trades