There’s never a dull moment in the NBA, and Monday night reminded fans of that once again. With the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery officially setting the order for this year’s event, all eyes immediately turned toward projections and possibilities. ESPN wasted no time in releasing its newly revised full two-round mock draft, which includes all 59 selections. And the headline is already turning heads—the Dallas Mavericks hold the No. 1 overall pick and are projected to take a franchise-altering talent in Duke’s Cooper Flagg. The draft will take place on June 25 at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, and if ESPN’s predictions are any indication, basketball fans are in for a transformative evening.
Flagg has been the consensus No. 1 prospect in the 2025 class for well over a year, and his lone season at Duke only solidified that standing. His ability to take over games on both ends of the court while leading the Blue Devils to the Final Four has NBA executives drooling over his potential. Now, with Dallas having moved on from Luka Dončić via trade in a seismic shift for the franchise, Flagg has a clear path to becoming the new face of the Mavericks. Few rookies carry the burden and expectations of being a generational talent, but Flagg has already proven he embraces the spotlight. For a franchise needing a fresh chapter, this pick feels like the perfect beginning.
Right behind Dallas at No. 2 is San Antonio, another Texas team with young talent and a promising core. The Spurs came up just short in the Flagg sweepstakes but will still walk away with a premium player, according to ESPN’s mock. That player is Rutgers guard Dylan Harper. Harper was one of college basketball’s most electrifying guards this season, shooting over 48% from the field and showcasing an offensive game that translates seamlessly to the pros. For a team with Victor Wembanyama already anchoring the frontcourt, adding Harper on the perimeter gives San Antonio an enviable inside-outside pairing for the future.
The Philadelphia 76ers round out the top three and benefit from a crucial leap up the draft board. If they hadn’t moved up, their pick would have gone to another team due to trade protections. Instead, they land at No. 3 and are projected to take the other half of Rutgers’ dynamic duo: forward Ace Bailey. While Harper may have garnered a bit more national attention, Bailey’s two-way versatility and freak athleticism give him immense upside. The Sixers, still searching for consistency around their core of Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, would welcome Bailey’s skill set and motor into their system.
At No. 4, the Charlotte Hornets are predicted to select Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe. Though falling out of the top three is a disappointment for a team that had a 14% chance at the No. 1 pick, Edgecombe offers elite athleticism and explosive playmaking that few others in this class possess. His vertical pop and ability to thrive in transition should complement the Hornets’ young core, and he’s expected to test well during the draft process, possibly even vaulting higher in future mocks depending on team workouts.
Rounding out the top five is Oklahoma freshman guard Jeremiah Fears, who reclassified from the 2025 cycle and quickly made his mark in the brutal SEC. Now representing the Utah Jazz in this mock, Fears showed poise and maturity beyond his years in Norman, carving out a role as a dynamic scorer and floor general. Utah’s backcourt could use a jolt of creativity, and Fears’ rise into the top five is well-earned after his impressive season under head coach Porter Moser.
Just outside the top five, the Washington Wizards are projected to land Texas guard Tre Johnson at No. 6. A pure scorer who led the SEC with 19.9 points per game, Johnson single-handedly willed Texas into the NCAA Tournament. His shot creation and scoring instincts could give Washington a go-to option on offense as they continue their lengthy rebuild. Another one-and-done standout, Johnson has the potential to rise quickly in the NBA with the right situation and coaching staff.
New Orleans picks next at No. 7 and is expected to select Duke center Khaman Maluach. The Blue Devils’ 7-footer is already battle-tested after competing at the Olympics and brings elite efficiency around the rim. Maluach shot over 70% from the field at Duke, often dominating in the paint with his size, strength, and touch. For the Pelicans, pairing him with Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram could make for a fearsome frontcourt combination and give New Orleans a strong foundation to build upon.
At No. 8, the Brooklyn Nets are projected to take another Duke standout—forward/guard Kon Knueppel. Perhaps the most underrated of the three Blue Devils expected to go in the lottery, Knueppel quietly built a strong resume with Jon Scheyer’s squad. His shooting slash line of 47.9/40.6/91.4 speaks for itself, and scouts love his ability to play off the ball, stretch the floor, and handle pressure situations. Despite some off-court headlines—including a perceived slight at a teammate—Knueppel’s professionalism and maturity remain unquestioned.
Toronto is slotted at No. 9 and takes South Carolina’s Collin Murray-Boyles, the first multi-year college player in the mock. Murray-Boyles, who played two seasons with the Gamecocks, offers positional versatility at 6-foot-7 and brings a level of maturity and polish that could fit well in the Raptors’ system. While he may not be a traditional NBA power forward, his motor and defensive instincts could make him an immediate contributor.
Completing the top 10 is Houston via a trade with the Phoenix Suns. The Rockets are projected to select Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis, who previously starred for Barcelona. His international experience and ability to run an offense have NBA teams intrigued. With Houston already boasting one of the league’s best young cores, Jakucionis would be a valuable addition to a team trending upward.
As the first round continues, notable names continue to pop up. Maryland’s Derrick Queen heads to Portland at No. 11, while BYU’s Egor Demin is projected to go to Chicago at No. 12. Michigan State’s Jase Richardson, the son of former NBA guard Jason Richardson, lands at No. 13 with the Hawks via Sacramento. San Antonio picks again at No. 14 and is expected to select Arizona forward Carter Bryant. The Thunder follow at No. 15 with French point guard Nolan Traore.
Arizona’s Will Riley goes to the Orlando Magic at No. 16, while Minnesota takes Michigan forward Danny Wolf at No. 17 via Detroit. Washington continues building with international talent, selecting Noa Essengue from Ratiopharm Ulm at No. 18. Brooklyn grabs yet another international player at No. 19 with Joan Beringer from Cedevita Olimpija. At No. 20, the Miami Heat select Liam McNeeley from UConn.
Asa Newell from Georgia lands with Utah at No. 21, Georgetown’s Thomas Sorber heads to Atlanta at No. 22, and Colorado State’s Nique Clifford is projected to go to Indiana at No. 23. Real Madrid’s Hugo Gonzalez joins the Thunder at No. 24, and Florida’s Walter Clayton goes to the Magic at No. 25. Ben Saraf (No. 26) and Rasheer Fleming (No. 27) round out a strong showing for Brooklyn, while the Celtics take Noah Penda at No. 28. Phoenix selects UAB’s Yaxel Lendeborg at No. 29, and the Clippers grab Arkansas forward Adou Thiero at No. 30.
The second round opens with Minnesota selecting Florida big man Alex Condon at No. 31, followed by Boston grabbing North Carolina’s Drake Powell. Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner and Stanford’s Maxime Raynaud go back-to-back to Charlotte at Nos. 33 and 34, while the Sixers take Cedric Coward from Washington State at No. 35. Alabama’s Labaron Philon joins Brooklyn at No. 36, and Auburn’s Johni Broome lands in Detroit via Toronto at No. 37.
International names like Bogoljub Markovic (No. 38, San Antonio), Alex Toohey (No. 40, Washington), and Rocco Zikarsky (No. 48, Memphis) fill out the middle of the round, along with college players like Chaz Lanier (No. 42, Sacramento) and Kam Jones (No. 46, Orlando). Duke guards Tyrese Proctor and Sion James go at Nos. 52 and 53, giving the program five total selections in the mock. Kentucky’s Koby Brea, Villanova’s Eric Dixon, and Mexico City G League prospect Dink Pate also hear their names called late.
Rounding out the draft are names like Vladislav Goldin (No. 57, Orlando), Mouhamed Faye (No. 58, Cleveland), and Hansen Yang (No. 59, Houston via OKC), a towering prospect from Qingdao, China. In all, the 2025 NBA Draft is shaping up to be one of the most globally diverse and talent-rich classes in recent memory. From one-and-done stars and college veterans to international standouts, this year’s mock proves once again that the NBA’s future is in great hands.