Now that the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery is in the books and the Dallas Mavericks will pick first overall, it's time to start thinking about some of the best fits for the first 14 picks in the draft. This mock draft strictly focuses on the best prospect each team can draft when thinking about how a new player would look in that setting. This isn't what we think will happen on draft night, so there's no intel baked into these selections. It's just fun to think about context when breaking down the draft.
1. Dallas Mavericks: Cooper Flagg (Duke)
Not only did Flagg average 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.4 steals per game last season, but he also was first in college basketball in Bart Torvik's Box Plus Minus. Flagg is an insanely impactful player on both ends of the floor, and he's going to be ready to produce from Day 1.
Flagg definitely has some work to do on his outside shot, and how reliable he becomes as a shooter will ultimately determine how good he'll be at the next level. However, Flagg's elite defense — both on and off the ball — along with his ability to get to the basket, make tough mid-range shots, and set up teammates offensively, gives him an insanely high floor.
The Mavericks absolutely struck gold in landing the No. 1 pick, as they're bringing in a player that can start at small forward and be a Swiss Army knife for a championship contender. He's going to give Dallas a massive frontcourt, and he just might aid the Mavericks in becoming the top team in the league in adjusted defensive rating. Then, as Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis start to really show signs of aging, he can ascend as an offensive player and be the face of the franchise the team lost when Nico Harrison inexplicably traded Luka Doncic.
2. San Antonio Spurs: Dylan Harper (Rutgers)
There's a meaningful probability the Spurs won't be making this pick. A package of #2, #14, a few other future first-round picks, and Jeremy Sochan — along with the contracts of Keldon Johnson and Harrison Barnes — could be enough to get Giannis Antetokounmpo to San Antonio. However, regardless of who ends up picking here, Harper is the right way to go.
People have criticized Harper for failing to lead Rutgers to the NCAA Tournament, but the team was banged up throughout the year and had a weak supporting cast around him. Despite that, Harper flashed elite on-ball ability, looking like a bit of a cross between Jalen Brunson and James Harden.
Harper isn't the most explosive athlete in the world, but he uses good footwork and a big frame to attack the basket. He also looked like a better shooter than expected as a freshman, knocking down 33.3% of his threes for a team with miserable spacing.
If Harper lands with the Spurs, he should be an awesome pick-and-roll playmaker who can grow with Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle. Though the presence of De'Aaron Fox could stall his early-career development.
The fit would be a little cleaner with the Bucks, where they'd simply roll the ball out to him and give him every opportunity to turn into a franchise cornerstone. If Harper does end up with Milwaukee, he'll be likely to take home Rookie of the Year honors with excellent counting stats.
3. Philadelphia 76ers: Ace Bailey (Rutgers)
This is another pick that could be traded. Daryl Morey is the ultimate risk taker, and he might view this as a good opportunity to add another proven piece to his core of Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and Paul George. However, if Philadelphia does make the pick, it's probably going to be Bailey.
Bailey's combine measurables didn't do him any favors. After being listed at 6-foot-10 at Rutgers, his official height is a little closer to 6-foot-7. However, Bailey does have a 7-foot wingspan, and his shot-making is going to make it hard for Philadelphia to pass on him. Bailey wasn't the most efficient scorer in college, but he's long, has a quick, high release, and is fully capable of knocking down shots in catch-and-shoot situations or off the bounce. He even has a terrific turnaround jumper.
With George not giving the Sixers the juice they needed on the wing last year, perhaps Bailey can. Philadelphia is set in the backcourt with Maxey and Jared McCain, so searching for a long-term wing makes sense. And Bailey has a good combination of high floor and high upside.
4. Charlotte Hornets: V.J. Edgecombe (Baylor)
The Hornets needed Flagg as badly as anyone, and seeing him go from Duke to Charlotte would have been a nice story. But the ping pong balls weren't on Charlotte's side that night, and the Hornets are now picking fourth. While that is surely disappointing for this front office and fanbase, don't sleep on what Edgecombe can do in Buzz City.
Edgecombe could be a perfect fit next to LaMelo Ball. Offensively, he's a good spot-up three-point shooter and can attack the rim with his awesome blend of speed and hops. Edgecombe is also a player that can run some offense, and that should be good for Ball. In order to keep the Hornets star healthy, having him play a little more off the ball could be beneficial.
Edgecombe is also a monster defensively. He'd give head coach Charles Lee a trustworthy point-of-attack option, which is something the team has been lacking for years.
5. Utah Jazz: Tre Johnson (Texas)
The Jazz are another team that really could have used the first or second pick in this draft, as there might not be a team in the league that needs star power more than them. With that in mind, it shouldn't surprise anybody if Utah takes a massive swing on upside at No. 5. And that could very well be Johnson, who averaged 19.9 points and shot 39.7% from three in his freshman season at Texas.
Johnson was playing with a pretty mediocre supporting cast, yet he still consistently got buckets in the best conference in basketball. The 6-foot-5 guard is dynamic as an off-the-dribble shooter, he can bury catch-and-shoot threes, and he just has a good feel for finding ways to put the ball in the hole — and that includes occasionally finding his teammates some easy opportunities.
Utah does have some talented young guards, with Isaiah Collier and Keyonte George both showing flashes since entering the league. But the Jazz need to take the best player available, and Johnson is one that could give this team a spark. Utah was 24th in the league in adjusted offensive rating last year (110.7), so this front office might have a hard time passing on this type of shot-maker.
6. Washington Wizards: Khaman Maluach (Duke)
Washington did well in last year's draft, grabbing Alexandre Sarr, Kyshawn George, and Bub Carrington. All three of them popped when given opportunities, and Sarr even looked like a Rookie of the Year candidate down the stretch. Now, the Wizards have the potential to add another key piece to their young core, which also includes Bilal Coulibaly.
When looking at the players that might be available here, the one that jumps out is Maluach. The South Sudanese center is just about 7-foot-1, with a 7-foot-7 wingspan, and he has real two-way potential at the next level. Maluach was a good rim protector and interior defender for Duke last year, and he was also a decent finisher around the rim. Maluach definitely has a long way to go before reaching his peak, but he started playing basketball late and arguably has more upside than anybody outside of the top two or three players in this class.
Maluach also flashed some decent three-point shooting at the combine, and it isn't crazy to think he'll be able to space the floor one day. Putting him next to Sarr would give the Wizards a big, versatile frontcourt, and it would be another step towards turning Washington into one of the league's up-and-coming forces.
7. New Orleans Pelicans: Kon Knueppel (Duke)
It's unclear what the Pelicans are going to do with Zion Williamson, so we still don't know if New Orleans is a win-now team or a rebuilding team. But either way, this is a group that can benefit from adding Knueppel. If Williamson is going to be a big part of the team's future, surrounding him with elite floor spacing is crucial. Well, in Knueppel and Trey Murphy III, the Pelicans would definitely have that.
Knueppel is also a little more than just a shooter. He makes good reads when he puts the ball on the floor, and he can make some good passes when he gets the opportunity to run some offense. He's also not an awful defender, despite looking like a player that doesn't have an ounce of athleticism in his body. He's smart when it comes to playing angles, he's physical, and he has a little nasty to him.
Knueppel is also a player that should instantly contribute, as he does a lot of things that should work right away. It doesn't take long for shooters to find minutes in the NBA.
8. Brooklyn Nets: Jeremiah Fears (Oklahoma)
Heading into the season, the Nets looked like they'd be one of the worst teams in basketball. However, Jordi Fernandez ended up emerging as one of the best coaches in the league, so he was able to get his group of misfit toys to play hard on a nightly basis. He also had his team ready to go from an X's and O's standpoint. So, Brooklyn ended up overperforming and playing its way out of a top pick. But the Nets can still add a quality player here.
Keep an eye on Fears in this spot. There are some concerns with the dynamic Oklahoma creator, as he'll likely need to improve his jumper in order to reach his potential at his size. But Fears is a walking paint touch, can make every pass in the book, and simply has unteachable offensive instincts. As an extremely young freshman, he averaged 17.1 points and 4.1 assists per game in a stacked SEC, and he constantly popped on film.
Putting Fears in Brooklyn, where he'll have ample on-ball opportunities, could be one of the best player-team fits in the draft. Fernandez has done great work with guards as both an assistant and a head coach, and he'd probably welcome the idea of developing Fears.
9. Toronto Raptors: Kasparas Jakucionis (Illinois)
Jakucionis had a relatively weird year playing for an Illinois team that stumbled down the stretch, but his on-ball creativity and flair for the game make him an intriguing prospect. He averaged 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game for the Illini, and there might not be a better pick-and-roll operator in this class. Combining that with good size for a lead guard makes Jakucionis one of the more intriguing players that could go in this range.
Jakucionis also feels like the type of player that Masai Ujiri and Darko Rajakovic would value. This is a team that likes having several players on the floor that can handle the rock, make quick reads, and create shots for themselves and their teammates. Well, Jakucionis can do that.
It's also worth noting that the Raptors haven't quite figured out the point guard position. Sure, Toronto traded for Immanuel Quickley and then gave him a generous extension. But Quickley still has to prove himself as the long-term answer at point. Outside of Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram, the Raptors are still evaluating everybody.
This is just a team that should still be in the talent acquisition phase, and Jakucionis seems like a player that can help quite a bit.
10. Houston Rockets: Derik Queen (Maryland)
The Rockets could look to move this pick in a deal for a proven offensive stud, but making assumptions can be trouble in an exercise like this. So, with Houston on the clock at 10, let's keep an eye on Queen.
The Rockets already have Alperen Sengun, so bringing in a center that doesn't space the floor might not be the best idea. But Sengun played really well with Steven Adams in the loss to the Warriors in the opening round of the playoffs, so we know he can play with a big man that plays primarily around the basket. And while the offensive firepower that Houston needs definitely comes on the perimeter, this front office might have a hard time passing on Queen.
Queen has remarkable touch around the basket, he has a nice mid-range jumper, and he's a very good playmaking hub for a center. He's the type of big man that can catch the ball at the elbow and make some beautiful passes to Sengun, or a cutting Amen Thompson.
It's also not crazy to think that Queen will extend his range pretty early in his career. Having a feathery touch like his is usually an indicator of future success as a three-point shooter.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Noa Essengue (Ratiopharm Ulm)
With rumors swirling about Portland potentially moving Anfernee Simons this summer, it wouldn't be shocking if the team looks to add a wing that can shoot the three. But the Blazers really aren't good enough to be thinking about fit, and they should look to draft the best player available. At 11, that might just be Essengue.
The 6-foot-9 Frenchman is a good athlete that uses his mobility and leaping ability to thrive in transition. He's also getting better and better as a three-point shooter, and he is a menace as an off-ball defender.
Essengue is definitely a little green right now, and some seasoning would be good for him. But he has the type of raw tools that every front office is targeting, and his size, athleticism, and overall intangibles would make him a nice fit on a Portland team that is building something on the defensive end of the floor.
12. Chicago Bulls: Carter Bryant (Arizona)
The Bulls are another team that should be in talent acquisition mode, but Bryant actually toes the line between best player available and fit. With Chicago looking to invest in its backcourt of Coby White and Josh Giddey, the team should be targeting a wing or a center to put next to Matas Buzelis. Bryant can be that guy.
Bryant only averaged 6.5 points per game as a freshman for Arizona, but he showed everybody that he has the size, length, and athleticism to be an elite defensive wing — and a versatile one.
Bryant also looks like a player that should be great in transition, and his three-point shooting is far from a lost cause. He shot 37.1% from deep in his lone year in Tucson, and his form isn't half bad.
Putting Bryant next to Buzelis on the wing would give the Bulls a really nice duo for the future. And it's never a bad thing giving Billy Donovan a moldable ball of clay. He has proven to be a great coach throughout his time in the NBA, and he can definitely get the best out of Bryant.
13. Atlanta Hawks: Egor Demin (BYU)
This is a spot in which Georgetown big man Thomas Sorber makes some sense, as Atlanta can use a little more at the center position. However, given the way the front office has been drafting, this feels like it could be the Demin destination.
The Hawks have been prioritizing jumbo-sized ball handlers and wings, as they have added Jalen Johnson, Zaccharie Risacher, and Dyson Daniels over the last two years. Why not add Demin to the list?
Demin has all sorts of question marks as a defender, but Atlanta can use a trustworthy secondary playmaker to take some pressure off Trae Young — or a replacement as an on-ball engine in the event the team looks to trade the All-Star. Well, Demin is a player with elite court vision and the ability to make outrageous passes. He's also good at pushing the tempo and attacking downhill, even if he isn't the greatest athlete in the world.
Demin just needs to improve his jumper, as he hasn't been a trustworthy shooter early in his career. But if he can do that, he's going to outperform his draft slot and potentially turn into an All-Star.
14. San Antonio Spurs: Collin Murray-Boyles (South Carolina)
It's almost a shame that Harper seemingly has to go second, as it would be awesome to see San Antonio draft Nolan Traore. The French point guard has come on strong over the last couple of weeks, and it would be fun to see him play with Wembanyama. But the Spurs should be set at guard after adding Harper to Fox and Castle. So, Murray-Boyles is a player to watch for San Antonio.
The Spurs can use a good power forward to stick next to Wembanyama when the Frenchman is at the five, and Murray-Boyles could be perfect in that role. The South Carolina product is a feisty defender, so he'd continue to improve the defense along the San Antonio frontline. He's also a nice complement for Wembanyama offensively, as he's a guy that likes to face up, attack downhill, and barrel his way to the rim. He's also a decent ball handler for a four, and he's a sneaky-good passer.
If the Spurs do add Murray-Boyles and he ends up developing a consistent jumper, he could end up looking like an absolute stud next to Wemby.