2025 NBA Draft: ESPN shakes up new mock as college basketball turns to conference play

With both the NBA and college basketball seasons in full swing, ESPN draft insiders Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo took the opportunity to evaluate how the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft could play out.

With Duke freshman superstar Cooper Flagg widely expected to be the prize at the top of the draft, the ESPN experts revealed how the rest of the first 30 picks could look in their latest NBA mock draft with the draft order based on ESPN’s BPI forecast.

Check out how the opening round of the 2025 NBA Draft could shape out below:

1. Washington Wizards: Cooper Flagg, SF/PF, Duke

While the draft lottery will ultimately determine which team gets the first crack at Flagg, the Wizards currently the worst record in the NBA and shouldn’t hesitate to submit the Duke superstar’s name if they end up at No. 1 overall.

Givony: “Sporting a 30-plus% usage rate, the second highest among projected first-rounders, Flagg has taken on an outsized role as a shot-creator. That has taken a toll on his efficiency (51% on 2-pointers, 31% on 3s) at times but it should be beneficial for him and Duke long term … with Flagg leading the way on both ends of the floor.”

2. New Orleans Pelicans: Dylan Harper, SG/PG, Rutgers

The Pelicans currently have the NBA’s second-worst record but is only one game up on the Wizards and would in this mock lands Harper, the talented 6-foot-6 Rutgers guard at No. 2 overall. Harper is averaging 21.1 points on a 52-percent clip to go along with and 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game so far this season as a proven playmaker in the backcourt.

Woo: “Harper has even done enough to be a candidate for the No. 1 pick: His shot-creation prowess, pick-and-roll instincts and positional size should earn him the keys to some team’s offense in the long run. He’s making 3-pointers at a respectable clip (36% on nearly five attempts per game) and manages turnovers effectively in a huge role.”

3. Utah Jazz: Airious “Ace” Bailey, SG/SF, Rutgers

ESPN also has the Jazz going into New Jersey for its Top 3 selection and taking the talented 6-foot-10 Rutgers wing that is averaging 19.1 points on 46.3-percent field goal percentage to go along with 7.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.

Givony: “A big, explosive wing such as Bailey would be a grand addition for the Jazz after a difficult season, offering All-Star potential with his exceptional shot-making prowess and overall scoring instincts. … He brings insatiable aggressiveness and a strong motor defensively.”

4. Toronto Raptors: VJ Edgecombe, SG, Baylor

The ESPN tandem project the Raptors could have their eyes on a combo-guard out of Big 12 country for its Top-5 pick, and select Edgecombe. Woo cited Edgecombe’s “explosiveness, improving feel, and impressive defensive playmaking”as reasons NBA teams are intrigued by the Baylor guard.

Woo: “He might need to perform better offensively to secure a spot this high in the draft — his shooting has been subpar — but front offices will work to understand the on-court context of his season, as he has been playing away from the ball quite a bit on a guard-driven team.”

5. Charlotte Hornets: Kasparas Jakucionis, PG, Illinois

The Hornets will likely be in the market for a combo-guard to pair with LaMelo Ball, and Jakucionis provides both elite size, feel for the game and the ability to play on and off the ball that could work nicely in Charlotte.

Givony: “The 6-foot-6 Lithuanian is playing fantastic basketball, controlling games with outstanding pace as a scorer and passer, getting to spots on the floor and playing through contact or finishing skillfully around the basket while making high-level pick-and-roll reads and hitting 3-pointers off the dribble.”

6. Brooklyn Nets: Nolan Traore, PG, Saint Quentin (France)

The Nets could look overseas for their Top-10 pick and target a player with both youth and plenty of upside in France’s Traore, who is averaging 10.4 points in limited action this season.

Woo: “He has a strong mix of playmaking talent, speed and shot-creation ability for a lead guard. The exciting flashes have remained amid his struggles, but Traore will need to make a better case for himself to secure early-lottery positioning as a developmental talent.”

7. Portland Trail Blazers: Kon Knueppel, SG/SF, Duke

A second Duke product could come off the board in the Top 10 in versatile 6-foot-7 wing Knueppel, who is averaging 12.7 points on 43.3-percent shooting so far this season for the Blue Devils.

Givony: “Scouts will want to see him improve his 36% 3-point percentage but will note his 93% accuracy from the free throw line, as well as the myriad ways he impacts winning.”

8. Sacramento Kings: Egor Demin, PG/SG, BYU

The draft’s Top 10 run on versatile backcourt standouts continues at No. 8 where the Kings nab the BYU combo guard from Russia that is averaging 11.4 points on 43.6-percent shooting despite some inconsistent moments this season.

Woo: “Demin has a case as the best pure passer in the draft, which coupled with his size makes him quite intriguing because teams are attracted to big, unselfish playmakers.”

9. Houston Rockets (via Phoenix): Jeremiah Fears, PG, Oklahoma

If this mock is on point, the Rockets shouldn’t have to look too far for their lottery pick, and snag the 18-year-old Fears, who is averaging 17.9 points and 4.4 assists per game for the Sooners this season.

Givony: “Fears has been one of college basketball’s best freshmen and has firmly entrenched himself in top-10 conversations thanks to his impressive combination of speed, pace, playmaking creativity, pull-up shooting, confidence and scoring instincts.”

10. San Antonio Spurs: Tre Johnson, SG, Texas

ESPN projects the Spurs won’t even have to leave the state to secure their lottery pick, rounding out the Top 10 with the talented Longhorns guard who is averaging 18.4 on 46-percent shooting this season.

Woo: “The offensively gifted Johnson has continued to look like a lottery talent, shouldering a big role at Texas and making 40% of his 3s. He’s a sweet shooter who can make tough shots and projects to be a threat away from the ball, as well.”

NBA Draft picks No. 11-30, per ESPN

11. Detroit Pistons: Khaman Maluach, C, Duke
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Philadelphia): Ben Saraf, PG/SG, Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)
13. Golden State Warriors: Hugo Gonzalez, SG/SF, Real Madrid (Spain)
14. San Antonio Spurs (via Chicago): Liam McNeeley, SG/SF, UConn
15. San Antonio Spurs (via Atlanta): Drake Powell, SG/SF, North Carolina
16. Indiana Pacers: Derik Queen, C, Maryland
17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Miami): Will Riley, SG/SF, Illinois
18. Utah Jazz (via Minnesota): Noa Essengue, PF, Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)
19. Brooklyn Nets (via Milwaukee): Collin Murray-Boyles, PF/C, South Carolina
20. Atlanta Hawks (via LA Lakers): Labaron Philon, PG/SG, Alabama
21. Dallas Mavericks: Danny Wolf, C, Michigan
22. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LA Clippers): Asa Newell, PF, Georgia
23. Orlando Magic: Adou Thiero, SF/PF, Arkansas
24. Orlando Magic (via Denver): Ian Jackson, SG, North Carolina
25. Brooklyn Nets (via New York): Alex Karaban, PF, UConn
26. Memphis Grizzlies: Boogie Fland, PG, Arkansas
27. Brooklyn Nets (via Houston): Carter Bryant, SF/PF, Arizona
28. Boston Celtics: Joan Beringer, C, Cedevita Olimpija (Slovenia)
29. Utah Jazz (via Cleveland): Michael Ruzic, PF, Joventut (Spain)
30. LA Clipperrs (via OKC): Dink Pate, SG/SF, Mexico City Capitanes (G League)