With the 2024 class currently in full swing at the NBA Summer League, it’s already time to look towards the 2025 NBA draft class! While this 2024 class is considered weaker (specifically at the top), the 2025 class looks to be filled with high-end talent. In terms of media coverage and expectation, it seems to already be the polar opposite of it’s predecessor.
For example, there’s already a prospect in the 2025 NBA draft class who’s emerged as the favorite. The 2024 class was seen as ‘wide-open’ near the top until just days/hours before the draft. The ‘franchise-changing’ talent teams love near the top should be present in 2025.
Is it possible though that this 2025 class is ‘overhyped?’ Absolutely. This mock NBA draft lottery is way too early and these prospects still have much to prove. They possess very high upside though and look to be a great class. For this lottery, team order was randomly generated using Tankathon, although the teams aren’t the primary focus here.
So without further ado, let’s take a look at what the NBA draft lottery could look like next year!
Way Too Early 2025 NBA Mock Draft
1) Brooklyn Nets: Cooper Flagg, Duke
Cooper Flagg is by far the hottest name in the 2025 NBA draft class. Flagg recently finished playing with the USA Select team in which he competed against the USA’s official Olympic squad. Not only did he compete, but there’s a legitimate argument that he was the best player on the floor for the ‘Select’ team. Flagg will spend his freshman season at Duke and enters college as the number one overall prospect according to ESPN.
As far as his player profile, Flagg is a six-foot-nine wing who comes very polished at just 17 years old. He’s the definition of an all-around player whose fluidity and athleticism help bring his game to another level. Flagg can score at all three levels, excel in transition, be a playmaker for others, and defend with intensity. What makes Flagg a great prospect is that he’s only 17 years old, but he’s already advanced at so many important skills. Flagg will need to make sure the production matches the hype, but he’s the clear number one in this class.
2) Washington Wizards: Airious ‘Ace’ Bailey, Rutgers
Airious (‘Ace’) Bailey is the current favorite to challenge Flagg for the number one overall spot. Bailey has the upside and explosiveness to be number one, he just may not be as close to a finished product as Flagg. He’s a six-foot-eight wing who has great length and athleticism. Because of Bailey’s leaping ability and highlight plays, it often goes unnoticed how effective he actually is in other areas. He’s shown flashes of a great outside shooting stroke and the ability to handle the ball and make plays for others. His physical profile and athletic traits also make him an ideal defender across multiple positions.
Bailey will be taking his talent to Rutgers where he will get a chance to show his extreme potential. He will also be paired up with another great prospect on this list.
3) Detroit Pistons: Nolan Traore, France
Nolan Traore is a six-foot-four point guard who’s known for his excellent speed. He’s the next great French prospect and will be playing in the same league as top picks Zaccharie Risacher and Tidjane Salaun. Traore is coming off really strong performances in both international play and in the French league. First, the Nike Hoop Summit that featured many of the players on this list saw Traore drop 18 points and four assists. He then went on to produce 25 points and seven assists off the bench in the French league playoffs. Lastly, he followed that up by scoring 45 points in the Adidas Next Generation Tournament championship.
Traore uses his lightning first step and elite pick-and-roll prowess to create his own shot opportunities and generate assists. Efficiency and better overall shooting percentages will be what scouts want to see improve for Traore. His physical tools at the point guard position should position him well though in the 2025 NBA draft.
4) Utah Jazz: Drake Powell, UNC
Drake Powell is UNC’s second-highest incoming recruit and comes in as the number 11 overall prospect in the country. Powell projects well at the NBA level given his development and possible archetype. He is a six-foot-five wing with elite athleticism and length. It’s easy to project or see Powell ending up in the conversation for ‘best defender’ in this draft class. Crucially, Powell doesn’t just possess great athleticism and length, but he also has the high motor scouts love.
Whereas Powell may be NBA-ready on the defensive end, his offensive game is still somewhat raw. Given his athletic tools, he most naturally excels in transition and as a slasher playing above the rim. Powell has quickly shown in the high school ranks promising offensive potential, however. He’s flashed higher volume three-point and mid-range shooting ability and has also teased an improved handle and playmaking capacity. With Powell’s bankable defensive skill and athleticism, he’s one of the higher floor prospects that still possesses great upside.
5) Charlotte Hornets: Dylan Harper, Rutgers
Our second Rutgers player on the list, Dylan Harper will be looking to run the show for the Scarlet Knights. Harper is the son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, who played alongside Michael Jordan during his second three-peat. His son hopes to continue the legacy, and he’s ahead of schedule as the fourth overall prospect in the country.
Harper is a traditional, lefty point guard with plus size at six-foot-five and 205 pounds. He isn’t the most explosive athlete similar to others on this mock, but he’s an adept and talented basketball player. He uses his size and craft to score and make plays for others from all three levels of the floor. His pair-up with Bailey at Rutgers will make for a dynamic duo in college basketball.
6) Portland Trailblazers: Tre Johnson, Texas
Tre Johnson is a shooting guard who is very polished on the offensive end of the floor. He’s the number five overall prospect in the 2024 class, and he will play his freshman season at Texas. At six-foot-six with a lean frame, he scores at all three levels and from a variety of platforms. He can handle the ball in the pick-and-roll, make contested fadeaway jumpers, and finish at the rim. From a skill and frame perspective, his offensive ability is already at an advanced level. Defensively, Johnson has the tools to be good on that end, but this portion of his college film will be important.
Scouts will also look to see how Johnson’s game outside of scoring the basketball plays out. If he becomes a playmaker for others and maintains a positive assists-to-turnover ratio, his draft stock should look very good.
7) Chicago Bulls: V.J. Edgecombe, Baylor
V.J. Edgecombe was somewhat of a late riser to becoming a national recruit. He will enter Baylor now for his freshman season as the number three overall prospect in the 2024 class. Edgecombe is a six-foot-five wing with a sturdy frame and explosive athleticism. He is a lot to handle in transition and when he’s going downhill. He’s someone who can rise for poster dunks at any time. What’s really encouraging about his game though is his jump shot. He has a smooth release and consistent form when shooting from the perimeter or in the mid-range.
Edgecombe also combines his offensive abilities with a high motor and good competitiveness on defense. Baylor is getting a great all-around wing, and Edgecombe will just need to go produce now. One thing to watch for Edgecombe this season is how his guard skills develop and grow. Is he someone who can take on a primary playmaking role or initiate offense?
8) Toronto Raptors: Hugo Gonzalez, Spain
Along with Traore, Hugo Gonzalez will be another international prospect that receives a lot of attention. He plays for the famous Real Madrid as a part of the Euroleague in Spain. Gonzalez is a six-foot-six combo guard who plays the game the right way. Similar to Nikola Topic of this year’s draft, he loves the pick-and-roll and can act as a maestro at times. What separates Gonzalez from Topic though is his shooting ability and knack for self-creation. He’s flashed an advanced handle and craft on the offensive end creating his own shots from multiple levels.
Scout’s main evaluation points will be assessing his athletic tools and how effective he is defensively. Gonzalez has the archetype that NBA teams love though as a plus-sized playmaker.
9) San Antonio Spurs: Jalil Bethea, Miami
Jalil Bethea can best be described as a shot-maker who also possesses great athleticism. He’s the number ten overall recruit in the 2024 class and will play at Miami. Already at the high school level, Bethea has shown the ability to run off screens and shoot on the move. He’s a finesse-style player who could be used as an offensive weapon in almost any system. Bethea’s main hold on draft positioning will be his strength and overall effectiveness on defense.
If he proves early on that he belongs in a league like the ACC from a physical perspective, the sky is the limit.
10) San Antonio Spurs (Via Hawks): Ian Jackson, UNC
From a talent perspective, Ian Jackson may warrant higher on this mock. The only concern is his overall fit and level of opportunity on the upcoming UNC roster. Not only is he the second Tar Heel on this list, but UNC is also returning Elliot Cadeau. Whereas Powell projects better as a complimentary high-upside wing, Jackson is better suited with the ball in his hands to show his highest potential.
For Jackson, he’s a six-foot-four dynamic guard who can make plays. He can play above the rim, shoot threes, and be a playmaker with his speed. If Jackson can post efficient scoring numbers and answer positional questions, he will hear his name in the 2025 NBA draft.
11) Oklahoma City Thunder (Via Rockets): Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina
The only collegiate sophomore on this list, Collin Murray-Boyles hopes to have another great campaign. Murray-Boyles was the number 64 overall prospect in the class of 2023 but had a breakout freshman campaign for the Gamecocks. He’s a strong body at six-foot-seven and 230 pounds. He garnered draft buzz in this year’s draft but chose to stay another year to improve his stock.
Scouts love Murray-Boyles’ defensive versatility as he showed he could guard multiple positions in the SEC. He’s the type of player who could play small-ball center and switch onto teams’ small forwards. He will want to show an improved and more versatile offensive game this season in order to be considered a top-10 prospect. Attempting more perimeter jumpers would be a great start.
12) Sacramento Kings: Khaman Maluach, Duke
Khaman Maluach will be attending Duke this season alongside Flagg but comes by way of NBA Academy Africa. From a raw tools and physical gifts perspective, Maluach could play himself all the way to the top of the list. He’s a seven-foot-two center with a reported nine-foot-eight standing reach. Of course, he’s also very mobile, shoots threes, blocks shots, and handles the basketball. Does this sound familiar? No, he isn’t the prospect that Victor Wembanyama was coming out of France, but he’s of that mold.
Mostly all scouts and fans alike will be waiting on is to see Maluach in meaningful action. Can he handle the college game with ease and produce in his freshman season? If he does, expect to hear his name very early in the 2025 NBA draft.
13) Los Angeles Clippers: Egor Demin, BYU
Egor Demin played alongside Gonzalez at Real Madrid in Spain this past season. Unlike his teammate though, he chose to join the NCAA and play with the BYU Cougars. Demin is a six-foot-eight guard who does a lot of things well, specifically on offense. Demin shines best as a pick-and-roll creator and shooting that ball from the perimeter. He and Gonzalez have very similar player profiles, and Demin also has some of the same concerns.
He’s not an explosive athlete and there is room to tighten up his handle on offense. A six-foot-eight wing who can impact the game in multiple ways is always valuable though.
14) New Orleans Pelicans: Liam McNeeley, UConn
Liam McNeeley takes the last spot on our list, and he may have the best college fit out of anyone. McNeeley was teammates alongside Flagg at Montverde Academy and is essentially already used to playing a role on a college-level team. McNeeley is a six-foot-eight sharpshooter and the number nine overall player in this class. He should thrive in Dan Hurley’s free-flowing offense and will be surrounded by other floor spacers as well.
For concerns, he will have to answer athletic questions and teams will want to see what positions defensively suit him best. He isn’t going to create his own shots either at the next level, but his stock will be projected on being a high-end role player regardless. Plus-sized shooters who are willing to play a role usually work themselves into the back of the lottery.
