ESPN updates 2025 NBA Mock Draft with latest intel

The latest ESPN NBA Mock Draft is here as Jonathan Givony broke down the projected picks based on the latest intel. The NBA Finals are in the books, the Oklahoma City Thunder are champions and Kevin Durant was traded.

That’s right, the NBA offseason is just getting started! The NBA Draft is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday next week in Brooklyn.

Without further ado, let’s break down the latest mock from ESPN. We start this year’s NBA Draft with some obvious picks.

1. Dallas Mavericks: Cooper Flagg, SF/PF – Duke

Flagg to the Mavericks is pretty much automatic at this point, barring something unforeseen. He’s been mocked No. 1 overall in the NBA Draft since he stepped foot onto Duke’s campus last season.

Flagg should be able to make an immediate impact on Dallas and with more opportunities to make the playoffs, the rookie could lead them back to the postseason. Gone is Luka Doncic, in is Cooper Flagg.

2. San Antonio Spurs: Dylan Harper, PG/SG – Rutgers

If Flagg was assured to go No. 1 in the NBA Draft, Harper was assured to go No. 2. The Spurs won this position in the lottery and can get the elite guard out of Rutgers.

Sure, the Scarlet Knights missed the NCAA Tournament last season, but it wasn’t this man’s fault. He’s viewed as a cornerstone piece in San Antonio with elite shot creation, passing and scoring instincts.

3. Philadelphia 76ers: VJ Edgecombe, SG – Baylor

Over the last couple of weeks, most mocks of the NBA Draft now have Edgecombe to Philadelphia. The guard won’t be a seamless fit alongside Jared McCain and Tyrese Maxey.

Still, Edgecombe has some elite traits that will be hard to pass up on. Philadelphia was largely linked to Ace Bailey, but he’s slipping so we’ll explain that later.

4. Charlotte Hornets: Kon Kneuppel, SG/SF – Duke

The Hornets are going to take Kneuppel in the NBA Draft in this case, should Edgecombe go to Philadelphia. As ESPN pointed out, the former Duke star can utilize his perimeter shooting, playmaking and leadership skills with this team.

Kneuppel seems like a logical fit in Charlotte. But some mock drafts ponder if the Hornets can trade down a few spots and still get him.

5. Utah Jazz: Jeremiah Fears, PG – Oklahoma

The Jazz certainly need some star power and Fears can give it to him. Holding a top five pick in the NBA Draft is certainly great real estate.

He’s just 18 years old so there’s a lot of room to grow. Fears has a great combination of size, speed, pace and shotmaking that Utah could covet.

6. Washington Wizards: Ace Bailey, SG/SF – Rutgers

Now we get to Bailey in this year’s NBA Draft. Originally mocked to the Sixers, Bailey has slipped after pulling out of workouts with teams, including a last second switch with Philadelphia.

Now, he could still go No. 3 overall, but the tantalizing prospect is slipping. His frame, scoring prowess and shot making is unmistakenably awesome. But he can be a very raw prospect at times and you never know what you might get! Like a box of chocolates!

7. New Orleans Pelicans: Tre Johnson, SG – Texas

Johnson was seen as a player who would go between No. 4 and 6 in the NBA Draft, depending upon how things unfolded. With Fears in the top five, ESPN moved Johnson to No. 7 to New Orleans.

On paper, Johnson fits what the Pelicans need. He has great scoring ability and could step up immediately with Dejounte Murray banged up and CJ McCollum getting to the back-nine of his career.

8. Brooklyn Nets: Khaman Maluach, C – Duke

Brooklyn needs a true center in this NBA Draft. And the good news is, Maluach is a true center and fits the mold!

He has a great ability to protect the rim and cover a good amount of ground against pick and roll schemes, per ESPN. The intensity he brings to the game is a great intangible and the Nets should capitalize.

9. Toronto Raptors: Noa Essengue, PF – Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)

The Raptors will go overseas in this NBA Draft to land a solid forward in Essengue. He will not conduct any private workouts for teams though, per ESPN.

Essengue’s length, mobility and defensive ability definitely fits what Toronto wants to go. He’s considered to have a high ceiling as a solid two-way player.

10. Phoenix Suns: Collin Murray-Boyles, PF/C – South Carolina

Murray-Boyles doesn’t have a clear projection, but ESPN has him within the top 10 of the NBA Draft. Phoenix made more headlines with their trade of Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets, rather than what they are going to do in the draft.

Murray-Boyles has a high floor due to his defensive versatility and playmaking. He’s someone who can upgrade the frontcourt immediately, even as a rookie.

NBA Mock Draft 2025, via ESPN

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Carter Bryant, SF/PF – Arizona
12. Chicago Bears: Kasparas Jakucionis, PG – Illinois
13. Atlanta Hawks: Egor Demin, PG/SG – BYU
14. San Antonio Spurs: Joan Beringer, C – Cedevita Olumpija
15. Oklahoma City Thunder: Derik Queen, C – Maryland
16. Memphis Grizzlies: Cedric Coward, SF – Washington State/Duke
17. Minnesota Timberwolves: Thomas Sorber, C – Georgetown
18. Washington Wizards: Liam McNeeley, SG/SF – UConn
19. Brooklyn Nets: Asa Newell, PF/C – Georgia
20. Miami Heat: Walter Clayton Jr., PG – Florida
21. Utah Jazz: Hugo Gonzalez, SG/SF – Real Madrid
22. Atlanta Hawks: Danny Wolf, PF – Michigan
23. New Orleans Pelicans: Nique Clifford, SG – Colorado State
24. Oklahoma City Thunder: Will Riley, SG/SF – Illinois
25. Orlando Magic: Jase Richardson, PG/SG – Michigan State
26. Brooklyn Nets: Nolan Traore, PG – Saint-Quentin
27. Brooklyn Nets: Rasheer Fleming, PF – St. Joseph’s
28. Boston Celtics: Maxime Raynaud, PF/C – Stanford
29. Phoenix Suns: Ryan Kalkbrenner, C – Creighton
30. Los Angeles Clippers: Noah Penda, SF/PF – Le Mans

NBA Mock Draft 2025 2nd round, via ESPN

31. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah): Ben Saraf, PG/SG, Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)
32. Boston Celtics (via Washington): Drake Powell, SG/SF, North Carolina
33. Charlotte Hornets: Hansen Yang, C, Qingdao (China)
34. Charlotte Hornets (via New Orleans): Adou Thiero, PF, Arkansas
35. Philadelphia 76ers: Yanic Yanic Niederhauser, C, Penn State
36. Brooklyn Nets: Tyrese Proctor, PG, Duke
37. Detroit Pistons (via Toronto): Jamir Watkins, SG/SF, Florida State
38. San Antonio Spurs: Chaz Lanier, SG, Tennessee
39. Toronto Raptors (via Portland): John Tonje, SF, Wisconsin
40. Washington Wizards (via Phoenix): Bogoljub Markovic, PF/C, Mega Superbet (Adriatic)
41. Golden State Warriors (via Miami): Rocco Zikarsky, C, Brisbane (Australia)
42. Sacramento Kings (via Chicago): Koby Brea, SG/SF, Kentucky
43. Utah Jazz (via Dallas): Sion James, SF, Duke
44. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Atlanta): Johni Broome, C, Auburn
45. Chicago Bulls (via Sacramento): Alex Toohey, SF/PF, Sydney (Australia)
46. Orlando Magic: Kam Jones, PG/SG, Marquette
47. Milwaukee Bucks (via Detroit): Micah Peavy, SG/SF, Georgetown
48. Memphis Grizzlies (via Golden State): Javon Small, PG, West Virginia
49. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Milwaukee): Vladislav Goldin, C, Michigan
50. New York Knicks (via Memphis): Lachlan Olbrich, PF/C, Illawarra
51. LA Clippers (via Minnesota): Eric Dixon, PF, Villanova
52. Phoenix Suns (via Denver): Alijah Martin, SG, Florida
53. Utah Jazz (via LA Clippers): Amari Williams, C, Kentucky
54. Indiana Pacers: Dink Pate, SG/SF, Mexico City (G League)
55. Los Angeles Lakers: Viktor Lakhin, C, Clemson
56. Memphis Grizzlies (via Houston): Hunter Sallis, SG, Wake Forest
57. Orlando Magic (via Boston): Kobe Sanders, SG/SF, Nevada
58. Cleveland Cavaliers: Ryan Nembhard, PG, Gonzaga
59. Houston Rockets (via Oklahoma City): Saliou Niang, SG/SF, Trento (Italy)