The NBA season is in full swing, and some teams are struggling at an intense rate. There are some future stars in the 2025 NBA Draft, and here’s a mock of where they will potentially go in the first round.
The First Round
30. Alex Karaban – Utah Jazz (via Cleveland)
The junior forward at UConn is averaging 16.6 points and 5.3 rebounds a game and will be a great addition to a rebuilding Jazz team.
29. Johni Broome – LA Clippers (via OKC)
The senior big out of Auburn is posting a dominant 18.2 points a game along with 11.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks. The Clippers are in need of big man depth and Broome works out.
28. Ian Jackson – Boston Celtics
The shifty freshman guard out of UNC is averaging 14.0 points per game on a great 49.6% clip from the field. The reigning champs know how to develop guards.
27. JT Toppin – Brooklyn Nets (via Knicks)
The sophomore forward from Texas Tech is a problem. He’s 6’9” and averages a double-double with 19.5 points and 10.9 rebounds. Brooklyn is looking to rebuild from scratch.
26. Drake Powell – Memphis Grizzlies
Powell is an athletic freshman guard from UNC who’s 6’6” and has all the potential in the world. He is only averaging 6.6 points per game, but he’s shooting 51.5% from the field, which means the potential is still yet to be unlocked.
25. Rocco Zikarsky – Brooklyn Nets (via Houston)
Zikarsky is an international prospect out of Australia. He is 7’3” and just 18 years old. If developed correctly, he could be a unit in the league.
24. Jase Richardson – Orlando Magic (via Denver)
Richardson is a guard from Michigan State who shoots an absurd 63.6% from the field. Orlando may be looking to move some guards in the offseason, and Richardson is a good young replacement.
23. Kam Jones – Dallas Mavericks
Senior Kam Jones is averaging 20.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 6.6 assists for Marquette this year. Dallas could use another all around talent such as him.
22. Adou Thiero – Atlanta Hawks (via Lakers)
The Arkansas junior is a scoring threat, posting 17.8 points a game. The Hawks are known for slashing wing players, and he would be another.
21. Will Riley – Orlando Magic
Illinois freshman Will Riley is 6’8” and can score from anywhere. If he can improve his shooting splits, he will be a piece for the Magic.
20. Hugo Gonzalez – Oklahoma City Thunder (via Clippers)
The 6’6” 18 year-old out of Real Madrid has so much untapped potential that only an organization like the Thunder can unlock.
19. Labaron Philon – Brooklyn Nets (via Bucks)
The freshman from Alabama is averaging 12.5 points on a 53.8% clip. Brooklyn will feast in this draft by developing young pieces like Philon.
18. Noa Essengue – Miami Heat (via OKC)
The 6’8” 18 year-old from France is turning heads overseas. The latest talents from France have been hits, and OKC will test that water as well.
17. Collin Murray-Boyles – San Antonio Spurs (via Hawks)
South Carolina found a gem in Murray-Boyles, where he is averaging 16.6 points and 9.3 rebounds on 64.6% (!) shooting. The Spurs would absolutely love him on the budding team.
16. Boogie Fland – Utah Jazz (via Minnesota)
The freshman out of Arkansas is posting 15.9 points a contest along with 6.2 assists. Utah needs some youth, and Fland will assist.
15. Liam McNeeley – Indiana Pacers
The UConn standout freshman forward is putting up 13.6 points and 5.8 rebounds a night. Indiana needs forward depth, and he’s a perfect fit.
14. Jeremiah Fears – San Antonio Spurs
Oklahoma freshman Jeremiah Fears is already averaging 18.1 point a game, which is jumping off of the page. If San Antonio can land him, they will be even scarier than usual.
13. Ben Saraf – Golden State Warriors
The 6’6” 18 year-old prospect out of Israel would love to join the likes of Golden State. He shoots at a 46.8% clip and will be placed in a system that fits him.
12. Nolan Traore – Houston Rockets (via Phoenix)
The 18 year-old point guard out of France is looking to transition to the NBA. Houston has a young team looking to contend in the next few years, Traore could develop quickly there.
11. Asa Newell – Detroit Pistons
The 6’11” freshman forward out of Georgia would immediately make an impact on Detroit. He is averaging 15.5 points and 6.4 rebounds, which Detroit could use for big man depth.
10. Derik Queen – Sacramento Kings
A queen for a King. The Maryland freshman center is averaging 16.0 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, which the Sacramento Kings desperately need.
9. Khaman Maluach – Chicago Bulls
The 7’2” 250 pound freshman center out of Duke has vast potential, and a young Bulls team will need a new big man.
8. Kon Knueppel – Oklahoma City Thunder (via Philadelphia)
Duke will make its presence known once again in the draft. The 6’7” freshman guard is averaging 12.2 points a game and shooting 43% from the field. He is just what OKC needs and they can easily plug him in.
7. Tre Johnson – Brooklyn Nets
Freshman Tre Johnson is averaging 19.7 points for the Texas Longhorns, and the Nets will need someone of his caliber.
6. Kasparas Jakucionis – Portland Trail Blazers
The 6’6” freshman guard out of Illinois is averaging an all around stat line of 16.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists. Portland desperately needs talent to develop, and he’s a clear choice.
5. V.J. Edgecombe – Toronto Raptors
The 6’5” Baylor freshman is a freak athlete and will be an amazing addition to a growing Raptors team. He was the third ranked national recruit in the 2024 high school class.
4. Egor Demin – Utah Jazz
The 6’9 combo guard out of BYU is an all around threat. He’s averaging 12.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.9 assists. The Jazz would love to land Demin.
3. Dylan Harper – Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets desperately need a spark to the franchise, and Dylan Harper can be the guy. The superstar freshman is averaging 22.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists on 52.5% shooting.
2. Ace Bailey – Washington Wizards
The Wizards are another team in desperate need of a winning culture. Ace Bailey is averaging 19.9 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. Adding Bailey to a young Washington team will be the positive spark they need.
1. Cooper Flagg – New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans aren’t supposed to be here, but due to bad luck, they can capture the Flagg. Cooper Flagg is averaging 17.0 points and 8.2 rebounds a game. Pairing him with some of the talents New Orleans already has will be a sight to see.
