2025 NBA Mock Draft — Draft Thread

[durantbird]

Welcome to the NBA Mock Draft.

This is a structured and interactive project where each user takes control of one or more NBA teams and makes draft picks as if they were the GM. The goal isn’t to predict what teams will do — it’s to make your own call: based on your evaluations, your vision, and your philosophy. We value thoughtful analysis, creative choices, prospect discussion, and most importantly — fun.

Start Time:
Saturday, June 21 at 9:00 AM EDT

How It Works:

• Each participant is assigned one or more NBA teams, and is responsible to make all its picks.
• When it's your turn, you post your pick and an explanation of why you made it and how the player fits.
• This is not a mock for prediction. Make the pick you believe the team should make.
• No trades between participants.
• Make sure to quote the next participant after your pick.
• Real-life trades that happen during the mock will apply moving forward but won’t affect past picks.
• You can leave a pick list if you're unavailable, or post your selection quickly and add the write-up later. (Notice that I'm on a different timezone, so might be a better idea to leave lists to someone else)

Timing Rules:

• Each pick has a 2-hour clock between 9:00 AM and 12:00 AM EDT.
• The clock pauses overnight and resumes from where it left off.
• If your time runs out, the next manager can pick. In case too much time passed without a pick, the commissioners might regretfully complete the pick for you.

Draft Order:

1. Dallas Mavericks - Mavrelous - Cooper Flagg
2. San Antonio Spurs - ecuhus1981 - Dylan Harper
3. Philadelphia 76ers - PhillyNj - Ace Bailey
4. Charlotte Hornets - Donkedave - VJ Edgecombe
5. Utah Jazz - babyjax13 - Tre Johnson
6. Washington Wizards - durantbird - Kon Knueppel
7. New Orleans Pelicans - hoopsfan777 - Noa Essengue
8. Brooklyn Nets - vincecarter4pres - Jeremiah Fears
9. Toronto Raptors - dohboy_24 - Khaman Maluach
10. Houston Rockets - Mavrelous - Cedric Coward
11. Portland Trail Blazers - Case2012 - Kasparas Jakucionis
12. Chicago Bulls - Donkedave - Collin Murray-Boyles
13. Atlanta Hawks - Omartin - Carter Bryant
14. San Antonio Spurs - ecuhus1981 - Derik Queen
15. Oklahoma City Thunder - sterncohen - Noa Penda
16. Memphis Grizzlies - dohboy_24 - Asa Newell
17. Minnesota Timberwolves - KGdaBom - Egor Demin
18. Washington Wizards - durantbird - Jase Richardson
19. Brooklyn Nets - vincecarter4pres - Joan Beringer
20. Miami Heat - brackdan70 - Nique Clifford
21. Utah Jazz - babyjax13 - Nolan Traore
22. Atlanta Hawks - Omartin - Thomas Sorber
23. New Orleans Pelicans - hoopsfan777 - Maxime Raynaud
24. Oklahoma City Thunder - sterncohen - Danny Wolf
25. Orlando Magic - Magic_Johnny12 - Rasheer Fleming
26. Brooklyn Nets - vincecarter4pres - Will Riley
27. Brooklyn Nets - vincecarter4pres - Walter Clayton
28. Boston Celtics - brackdan70 - Ben Saraf
29. Phoenix Suns - tester551 - Hugo Gonzalez
30. Los Angeles Clippers - ecuhus1981

Please post your picks in this thread and also in the following sheets https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1k55QJ7UIOF0pWouz3-HM-EPK30LfJFNiK-dkl6Com3c/edit?usp=drivesdk

Commissioners
durantbird
Texas Chuck

Questions?
Feel free to ask in the discussion thread.

Looking forward to a great mock. Let’s get started.

In case of any unclarities during the draft, the commissioner will help mediate.

[Mavrelous]

With the 1st pick of the 2025 NBA draft, the Dallas Mavericks select Cooper Flagg from Duke University
Topped every mock draft since he burst to the scene as a high schoolers, already high impact player despite being 18 y/o, projects to be a great 2-way player in this league, a Dirk/Mavs fan account that does cool video stuff, made this cool video of him doing similar stuff to his draft comps, Pippen, Kawhi, Tatum and AK47.

[durantbird]

I didn't want to steal Mavrelous' thunder but I'll assume he's going to choose Cooper Flagg.

.

With the 2nd pick the 2025 NBA draft, the San Antonio Spurs select...

DYLAN HARPER!!!

[durantbird]

With the third pick in the NBA draft the Philadelphia Seventy Sixers select……Ace Bailey.
It’s really a choice between Edgecombe and Bailey. Edgecombe reminds me of Melton good defender challenged score. Bailey though rough has a much higher ceiling. I am going with the player I believe will be a star in three or four years.
Bailey’s upside is too big to pass on.
That said it’s likely the Sixers trade Baily for another pick in the top 8 and a good player.

[babyjax13]

Utah selects Tre Johnson. Out of what has been the near consensus 3-5 of Ace/VJ/Tre, I think Tre is our preferred outcome. We need scoring and upside swings pretty desperately and Tre has a chance to be really good as an on and off-ball scorer. He also has some secondary playmaking that will make him a bit better than some other score first guards.

[durantbird]

Donkedave seems unavailable, so on behalf of Charlotte I'm picking V. J. Edgecombe

Edgecombe fits Charlotte as an explosive athlete with elite defensive instincts and emerging shooting ability. His motor, upside, and willingness to play off-ball complement LaMelo Ball and the Hornets' young core perfectly.

[durantbird]

Washington is still looking for its star. Sarr has shown potential mainly as a defensive cornerstone, Coulibaly has made strides this year on both sides of the court especially earlier in the season, Carrington had a promising rookie season on the offensive end. Poole is a talented scorer even though he may or may not be part of their future plans.

With Avdija and Kuzma out, Coulibaly is now their leading wing, and as a defensive minded wing with slashing ability, his perfect wing partner would be an elite shooter with some added playmaking and self creation. Who else fits the bill better than Kon Knueppel!

Big wing who can space the floor at the highest levels, great offensive versatility and creation, still limited defensive ability but has the right frame to fit a switchable defensive identity.

[hoopsfan777]

Noa Essengue

[KGdaBom]

Bump.

[zimpy27]

Surprised Pelicans don't take a big

[DaVoiceMaster]

Any chance you can add the selections to the OP?

[tester551]

Why are there 2 separate threads going? Wouldn't it be easier if they were combined?

[durantbird]

Why are there 2 separate threads going? Wouldn't it be easier if they were combined?

The idea was it will be easier to follow the picks when one thread is only for picks and the other is for discussion. Unfortunately guys don't keep it separated and mix them up. Given this is the situation, might be better to close this one.

[Mavrelous]

I'm goimg to assume 8th pick is Fears and 9th is Maluach.
For the 10th pick I'll pick Cedric Coward

....

[durantbird]

I'm goimg to assume 8th pick is Fears and 9th is Maluach.
For the 10th pick I'll pick Cedric Coward

....

Given no one quoted dohboy in time, I'll give him more time

[dohboy_24]

I am in EST time zone so I was asleep during my 4 hour window.

With the 9th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Toronto Raptors select Khaman Maluach, center from Duke.

Considering the acquisition of Brandon Ingram, the abundance of wings and guards on the roster (IQ, RJ, Gradey Dick, Ochai Agbaji, Ja'Kobe Walter, Jamal Shead), and the lack of bigman depth (Scottie, Yak, Jonathan Mogbo), the Raptors front office is excited to add the former NBA Academy Africa alumni to the roster and reunite him with last year's second round pick - Ulrich Chomche.

[durantbird]

Okay, Brooklyn has been on the clock for too long time. Let's make the pick for them official.

Brooklyn fetch with the 8th pick Jeramiah Fears!

Jeremiah Fears offers Brooklyn explosive rim pressure and dazzling handle—an ideal gamble for a team lacking identity. If he matures, he could anchor their offense; if not, chaos continues.

[tester551]

If allowed, Portland SHOULD look to trade down here. Something like 11 -> to OKC for 15 + 24 + Dieng.

Given thats not allowed here, Im assuming @Case2012 will select Kasparas Jakucionis.

[sterncohen]

And too bad it's not allowed, because that's pretty much exactly the trade OKC would have offered Portland...

[durantbird]

Ok, seems Case is also not available. let's move on and pick for him. Like tester suggested, Portland pick Kasparas Jakucionis!

Jakucionis brings high-level feel and rapid decision-making to a Portland team still forming its offensive identity. His creativity and court mapping complement Scoot Henderson’s developing playmaking, offering dual-initiation potential. While not a defensive stopper, Jakucionis adds rhythm, shooting upside, and structure to a young roster on the rise.