The NBA has had quite a few draft classes that have made their mark as a collective but the players selected in their top-three, let alone the top-five don’t always work out. Looking at the prospects with a high probability of being top-five picks in the 2025 NBA Draft class, that may not be a problem.
That isn’t to say that they’ll be able to match the 1984 NBA Draft’s top-five, which featured No. 1 pick Hakeem Olajuwon, No. 3 pick Michael Jordan, and No. 5 pick Charles Barkley. They might not be able to stand up to the 20023 NBA Draft’s top-five, which featured No. 1 pick LeBron James, No. 3 pick Carmelo Anthony, No. 4 pick Dwyane Wade, and No. 5 pick Chris Bosh. However, they could be even better than the 2008 NBA Draft’s top-five, which also featured two future NBA MVPs in No. 1 pick Derrick Rose and No. 4 pick Russell Westbrook.
2025 NBA Draft Class’s Potential Top-5 Prospects
Consensus No. 1 Pick
Cooper Flagg
Throughout most if not all of 2024-25, Duke forward Cooper Flagg has been the consensus No. 1 pick. He got off to somewhat of a slow start. However, throughout his soon-to-be one-and-done season, he’s shown himself to be the most well-rounded freshman. At 6-foot-9, he’s a heads-up playmaker with connective passing, an assertive multi-positional defender, and capable of scoring on or off the ball. He’s currently averaging 19.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 48.7 percent from the field.
Cooper Flagg’s recent increase in offensive efficiency makes him tough to pass on as the 2025 NBA Draft’s #1 pick.
(41.8% FG/24.4% 3-PT/76.3% FT during his first 11 games)
(57.5% FG/42.9% 3-PT/84.9% FT through his last 9 games)
via @Frankie_Vision pic.twitter.com/HWCqLbbOXJ
— TalkBasket (@TalkBasket) January 29, 2025
His three-point stroke is still a bit of a concern. However, like Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero or Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes, he should be able to establish himself as an All-Star-caliber offensive hub early in his career. When considering his defensive upside, he could be a legitimate MVP candidate down the line.
The Rutgers Duo
At various points, Rutgers guard Dylan Harper and forward Ace Bailey have challenged Flagg for the No. 1 spot. At this point, it’s fair to assume that they’re No. 2 and No. 3 on most draft boards. Like Flagg, both have demonstrated their potential as go-to scorers and impact defenders.
Dylan Harper
Harper is pretty savvy at 6-foot-6, consistently using his length to create scoring advantages, even when playing off of others. Yet, he also has the ability to run the offense like a traditional point guard. When factoring in the way he uses his physical tools at the defensive end, he looks quite similar to Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. With that in mind, Gilgeous-Alexander is well on his way towards being an NBA MVP finalist for the second straight season.
Dylan Harper’s shot-creation prowess; footwork, body control, and all-around creativity and skill passing and finishing out of pick-and-roll situations have exceeded all expectations, looking well-suited for a primary engine NBA role that is highly coveted for a big guard. pic.twitter.com/pfd13kXnZC
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) January 20, 2025
So far this season, Harper is averaging 18.6 points, 4.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 48.8 percent from the field.
Ace Bailey
Bailey’s shot diet has often been discussed, usually with a negative connotation. Yet, people that criticize his ability to nail a tough midrange jumper will praise another prospect’s ability to do so. The fact that many of his attempts are drawn up that way also seems to escape his critics. Thus, less potent scorers and defenders have been put in conversations with Bailey or above him.
Ace Bailey vs Northwestern tonight..
37 PTS (13-20 FG, 5-8 3PT, 6-6 FTs)
6 REBS
3 BLKSThe #1 spot is officially back up for grabs… how we feeling??? pic.twitter.com/dT2V76bNsk
— Frankie Vision (@Frankie_Vision) January 30, 2025
However, what he’s capable of at 6-foot-10 has often drawn comparisons to Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant, a two-time NBA Finals MVP. There’s a good reason for that. When Durant entered the league, the fascination was that he was a near 7-footer with a guard’s shooting touch. As a true freshman, Bailey is averaging 20.7 points per game while shooting 47.2 percent from the field and 41.2 percent from three. He’s also averaging 7.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.
Passport Playmakers
Kasparas Jakucionis & Egor Demin
Just behind the Rutgers duo might be Illinois’ Kasparas Jakucionis, a Lithuanian point guard who could be the next high-level player to come out of Europe. Jakucionis shares that distinction with BYU guard Egor Demin, another long-limbed floor general. Yet, Jakucionis has better shooting touch than his Russian counterpart and a knack for getting to the free-throw line. Demin has stingier defense.
Generating self created paint touches are always a good indicator for elite guard prospects. With Kasparas Jakucionis, there was no shortage of that today.
Great at creating driving/passing angles, absorbing contact + finishing with both hands. 62.8% FG at the rim (29.6% ast’d). pic.twitter.com/aebLtlL1tS
— mohamed (@mcfxz) January 5, 2025
In 2024-25, Jakucionis is averaging 15.9 points and 5.4 assists per game while shooting 37.5 percent from three. His 79 free-throw conversions rank eighth in the Big Ten. For comparison, Demin is averaging 11.2 points and 5.9 assists per game while shooting 28.9 percent from three. His 1.5 steals per game ranks 16th in the Big 12.
Egor Demin continues his surge with a 15 point, 6 assist outing in an overtime win over Baylor. BYU has won 4 of their last 5 with Demin playing some of his best basketball of the season. pic.twitter.com/k6SVD5C20D
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) January 29, 2025
In terms of player comparisons, neither prospect looks like the next Luka Doncic, who’s a perennial NBA MVP candidate. However, they could make impacts similar to former San Antonio Spurs standout Manu Ginobli, a 6-foot-6 playmaker. Ginobli was a two-time All-Star, one-time Sixth Man of the Year, and won four NBA championships.
Not To Be Forgotten
VJ Edgecombe
Demin has been overshadowed by Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe as of late though. Perhaps even Jakucionis. A rare athlete, Edgecombe has been turning heads since he was teamed up with Deandre Ayton, Buddy Hield, and Eric Gordon in the 2024 Olympic Qualifying Tournaments. Despite his youth and relative inexperience, he was arguably the Bahama’s men’s national basketball team’s best player.
With regard to his offense, he didn’t hit his stride right out the gates in 2024-25. Nonetheless, he’s stood out as a physical and aggressive defender. Frankly, he’s an absolute game-changer at that end, which is somewhat of a rarity for today’s backcourt players.
VJ Edgecombe’s monster month of January continued with a 28 point, 5 assist outing shooting 6/8 for 3 vs BYU. The most explosive athlete in college basketball is also now shooting 38% for 3. Hasn’t moved off the No. 4 spot on our board all season. pic.twitter.com/nNAC556LQh
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) January 29, 2025
All of that being said, Edgecombe has been on fire recently, easing concerns about his touch from beyond the arc. The true freshman is averaging 14.9 points, 3.3 assists, and 2.3 steals per game in 2024-25, shooting 38.9 percent from three. His steal average ranks second in the Big 12.
Derik Queen
Maryland’s Derik Queen is on the outside looking in but he has to be mentioned. A smooth and skilled 6-foot-10 center, he’s likely already in the lottery range on a number of draft boards. Another true freshman, he’s averaging 15.2 points per game on 55.5 percent shooting from the field in 2024-25.
Derik Queen vs Minnesota…
27 PTS (10-15 FG, 7-8 FTs)
7 REBS
2 AST
1 BLK
1 STLBest big in the draft??!!!! pic.twitter.com/grml0dwjvM
— Frankie Vision (@Frankie_Vision) January 14, 2025
If Queen was born 25 years ago, he might even be a consensus top-three pick. That said, true centers look like they’re making a comeback in the NBA. However, the league isn’t too far removed from emphasizing small-ball. Furthermore, as most teams have a perimeter-based offense, Queen’s skillset could be devalued.
Nonetheless, several players –namely Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, Los Angeles Lakers forward-center Anthony Davis, Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis, and Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun –have shown that offense can still be run through big men.
