NBA Mock 2.0: Flagg at 1, No Debate but Don’t Sleep on the Rest

Welcome to my 2025 NBA Mock Draft, version 2.0! I’ve once again mocked all 30 first-round picks in this article, with a bit more attention paid to the lottery picks (1-14). For picks that haven’t changed since my last mock, you’ll see what I initially wrote about the pick from my mock 1.0 under any additional thoughts I’ve added.

I’ve also included some of my favorite prop bets at the end of the article. Enjoy!

2025 NBA Mock Draft 2.0

1.1 — Dallas Mavericks

Cooper Flagg, Duke

All indications are that Dallas will select Cooper Flagg.

What I said in Mock 1.0: Much has been made about the Mavericks winning the NBA Draft Lottery earlier this week, so I won’t re-hash it for you here. With their 1.8% chance to bink the first overall pick, Dallas has been given a lifeline. Once healthy, a team with Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, Cooper Flagg and pieces is a competitive (at worst) team in a loaded Western Conference. Flagg can do a bit of everything, and we saw him improve essentially across the board during his single season at Duke. I expect him to fit right in wherever head coach Jason Kidd slots him in the short term with a long term ceiling of top five player in the NBA once he hits his prime. That may be a while, considering Flagg entered college early and won’t turn 19 until December. Given the franchise’s track record over the last few months, there’s a non-zero chance Dallas could surprise us by moving the pick for pieces that could push them further toward title contention in the next season or two, but I think they’re much more likely to do the “right” thing here and take the potentially generational talent at the top of this draft.

1.2 — San Antonio Spurs

Dylan Harper, Rutgers

San Antonio is notoriously tight-lipped about their plans for personnel moves, but as FTN’s resident Spurs guy I’ve been soaking up every last morsel of information posted, no matter how speculative. While the smoke is starting to billow from the rumor that San Antonio will make a pre-draft or draft day trade for Kevin Durant, I’m confident the Spurs will not include this pick in any potential deal, unless Giannis Antetokounmpo becomes available.

What I said in Mock 1.0: Talk about luck! The Spurs have had enough of it in the NBA Draft Lottery over the last 35 years to last multiple lifetimes. San Antonio moving up six spots to nab the second overall pick is one thing, but realize how close they came to being the winners of the Flagg lottery themselves. The Ringer’s Zach Lowe, who was in the room where the lottery process actually plays out, reported on Tuesday that the Spurs had three of the 11 possible combinations before the final ping pong ball was drawn for the first pick. To get that close and then turn around and still win the second pick is incredible luck. San Antonio may not end up actually making this pick if they decide to take another big swing in the trade market this offseason. They already pressed fast forward on their project by acquiring De’Aaron Fox at the trade deadline and we’ve already seen the rumors start to fly about potentially trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo If they do keep the pick, Harper is likely their guy. Like reigning rookie of the year Stephon Castle, Harper would give San Antonio another lengthy guard with ridiculous upside. The Spurs have an embarrassment of assets at their disposal and can choose a litany of paths to proceed with the next steps in the Wembanyama era.

1.3 – Philadelphia 76ers

Ace Bailey, Rutgers

Another pick that has been bandied about in the rumor mill as potentially on the move. There’s also noise around the 76ers going smaller with VJ Edgecombe. I’m standing pat on the order of my top four and I still consider Bailey to be the best option if Philadelphia does make the pick.

What I said last mock: There’s always luck involved when your team lands in the top four of the NBA Draft Lottery, but Philadelphia was on pins and needles as the results were read off on Monday night. If their pick fell outside of the top six, it would convey to Oklahoma City, who had the league’s best record this season and are the current betting favorites to win the NBA title next month. The 76ers had the fifth worst record in the league this past season, leaving little room for “error” in the lottery process. Once Dallas and San Antonio jumped up into the top four, the alarm bells were sounding in Philly. But then New Orleans came up seventh, meaning the Sixers had nailed down a spot in the top four and kept their pick (even confusing ESPN’s Kevin Negandi) as the city of Philadelphia exhaled. Now they’ll be able to add a top prospect to their already promising young front court and hope that the oft-injured Joel Embiid and Paul George can stay healthy going forward. Ace Bailey makes a ton of sense at three. He can shoot off the catch or the bounce and provides upside on the defensive end as well. I didn’t watch a ton of Rutgers this season, but I’ve been diving into all the film I can on these prospects and man is Bailey fun to watch. He reminds me a bit of Michael Porter Jr. on the offensive end, but I think his defensive upside is night and day compared to the Nuggets swingman who really struggles on that end.

1.4 – Charlotte Hornets

VJ Edgecombe, Baylor

I’ve seen multiple pundits calling Edgecombe the third-best prospect in the class and mocking him third. I don’t think we should be shocked if it plays out that way, but like I mentioned above, I haven’t seen enough in the rumor mill or on film to make me shake up my top four two weeks out from draft day.

What I said last mock: Adding the explosive Edgecombe to the young core of LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller may not turn the Hornets into an Eastern Conference contender, but it sure would up the watchability level of this team. This kid is a highlight waiting to happen any time he touches the ball and profiles as a prospect with a significant two-way ceiling. The Big 12 Freshman of the Year, Edgecombe could combine with last year’s lottery pick, Tidjane Salaun, to form a fearsome defensive duo on the wing if Salaun (who was a raw talent entering the league last fall) improves over the next few seasons. If you’ve read my mocks in prior seasons, you’ll remember I’m also a fan of prospects with FIBA experience. Edgecombe was a key member of the Bahamian national team in last year’s Olympic qualifiers, averaging 16.5 points per game on 57/39/81 shooting splits across his four appearances.

1.5 – Utah Jazz

Tre Johnson, Texas

Here’s where Mock 2.0 starts to shake things up. While I initially had Kon Knueppel going fifth, the more I consider the Jazz backcourt situation the more I think the former Longhorn may land in Salt Lake City. Johnson was an elite shooting option at Texas, knocking down 39.7% of his threes on 6.8 attempts per game. His combine performance helped solidify his standing as a top prospect in the class and he would provide a more consistent shooting threat in Utah’s stable of young guards next to the streaky Keyonte George and the underperforming Isaiah Collier.

1.6 – Washington Wizards

Khaman Maluach, Duke

Another player who has been creeping up draft boards after a good combine performance, there’s a strong case for the Wizards adding Maluach to their young core. He’s only played organized basketball for five years and projects to be a defensive force with his 9-foot-6 standing reach that gives him Defensive Player of the Year upside down the road who can also be a significant lob threat right away. Maluach would also give Washington the flexibility to play Alex Sarr more at the four, something that last year’s second overall pick prefers at this point of his career. Those two in the frontcourt could be an elite defensive pairing in the near future.

1.7 – New Orleans Pelicans

Kon Knueppel, Duke

The buzz out of New Orleans is that every single player on the roster is available for trade if teams inquire, so this Pelicans roster may look different come draft night. But if Knueppel is still on the board at seven I think they sprint to get the pick in. He’s an elite shooter, maybe the best in this class, knocking down 40.6% of his attempts at Duke last season on 5.3 attempts per game. He’s also able to fill a role as a secondary ball handler, something New Orleans will likely need in the coming years as their current backcourt of Dejounte Murray and CJ McCollum are unlikely to both remain with the club for the long haul. Some think Knueppel will struggle defensively, but from the film I’ve watched I think he’ll figure it out even if he does stumble on that end of the floor out of the gate.

1.8 – Brooklyn Nets

Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma

After watching more film on Fears over the last month, he’s a player I would not be surprised to see go higher than this, especially if Knueppel isn’t on the board at seven for New Orleans. If the fears (heh) about the former Sooner’s shooting deficiencies and questionable decision making keeps him out of the top seven I expect the Nets to scoop him up here. He’s an explosive athlete with electrifying play making ability and maybe more importantly for a rebuilding team picking in the mid-lottery, is one of the youngest prospects in the class who won’t turn 19 until the preseason in the fall. Brooklyn need their point guard of the future, and they’ve got enough picks in this draft to take a shot on multiple options at the one.

1.9 – Toronto Raptors

Derik Queen, Maryland

I said it in last month’s mock and I’ll say it again: The Raptors are a curious case at nine. They’re not desperate for help at any one position, but they also don’t have any likely All-NBA options in their starting unit. Masai Ujiri has always been quick to draft a big guard or a lengthy switchable wing, but considering the cap sheet going with a frontcourt option may be the most prudent move. Jakob Poeltl has one year left on his deal (though he does control a player option) and Queen, a very skilled big for his size, has shown NBA quality basketball IQ as a roll man. He’s also able to create his own shot from 18 feet and in and has shown passing upside for his size. No matter where Queen ends up, he’s likely to need a year or two to develop behind a more veteran center and Toronto’s timeline lines up seamlessly with that in mind.

1.10 – Houston Rockets (from Phoenix)

Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois

As the Giannis Antetokounmpo rumors start to cool, the likelihood the Rockets make this pick increases. They’re still squarely in the race for Kevin Durant and have the assets to get into a bidding war with San Antonio if they so choose, but the current scuttlebutt is that the Spurs are Durant’s preferred destination to play out the final season of his current contract. Jakucionis is a bigger guard who can contribute across the box score. Prior to his season at Illinois, Jakucionis came up with Barcelona and has 21 appearances for the Lithuanian youth national team. As I mentioned in last month’s mock, I think he’s going to end up a better shooter than his 31.8% last season indicates. He won’t be forced into big minutes right away with the Rockets but could grow into their eventual replacement for Fred VanVleet, who would be playing on a team option this season if an extension doesn’t materialize.

1.11 – Portland Trail Blazers       

Danny Wolf, Michigan

One of the biggest jumps in Mock 2.0 from where I was last month, Wolf would make sense in Portland’s frontcourt. Deandre Ayton’s days in PDX are numbered, and Wolf would be an exciting option to pair next to last year’s lottery pick Donovan Clingan. Wolf has great passing ability for his size, can shoot it from deep and can even handle the rock passably at his position. The Blazers are still multiple seasons away from making noise in the Western Conference, but I’d project Wolf to help the offensive efficiency that the young core of this team struggles with and make Portland more dynamic overall over the course of his rookie contract.

1.12 – Chicago Bulls

Thomas Sorber, Georgetown

I have not wavered in my stance that the Bulls will take a big at 12, but with Maluach, Queen and Wolf all off the board (all of whom I think the Bulls would prioritize here), Sorber makes the leap into the lottery. The physical big who spent last season with the Hoyas has a wingspan that measures a massive 7-foot-6. He still needs to work on his efficiency as a roll man on the offensive end, but he’s got time to sit and learn behind Nikola Vucevic and Zach Collins (who are both expiring contracts) this season. Sorber showed promising flashes of NBA caliber offensive awareness at Georgetown and could be a really fun pairing with Josh Giddey.

1.13 – Atlanta Hawks (from Sacramento)

Egor Demin, BYU

Trae Young remains around the fringes of the rumor mill this offseason, but no matter if the Hawks franchise guard remains with the team or not I still think Atlanta adds a backcourt option at 13. With his 6-foot-9 frame and high basketball IQ from growing up in the Real Madrid academy, Demin could even theoretically work alongside Young at times. It’s fair to be a skeptic about Demin being able to stick on the floor defensively, but he was able to make up for what he lacks in lateral movement and overall athleticism at the NCAA level with his elite anticipation and stellar positioning. The size-skill combo fits with the run and gun, switchable style that Quinn Snyder has employed with this group, especially as their frontcourt runs a bit small with Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu.

1.14 – San Antonio Spurs (from Atlanta)

Carter Bryant, Arizona

While I’m confident in the Spurs taking Harper with the second overall pick, the 14^th is nearly guaranteed to be moved to Phoenix in any potential Durant trade. If San Antonio does make the pick I have not wavered in my stance that Bryant would be the selection if he’s still available.

What I said last mock: With their second lottery pick in this year’s draft, look for the Spurs to fill needs either on the wing or a true backup center for Wembanyama. With Maluach and Queen off the board, I’d expect them to take the Arizona Wildcat swingman. Bryant didn’t have eye popping stats in his one collegiate season, averaging just 6.5 points and 4.1 rebounds while playing just 19.3 minutes per game, mostly in a reserve role. But the Spurs need floor spacers around the Fox/Wembanyama pick and roll who can also stay on the court defensively in a playoff scenario. While Bryant wouldn’t likely be that in his rookie season, the Spurs aren’t going to be title contenders this year anyway if they keep their picks. He shot 37.1% from three on nearly three attempts per game and from my point of view is NBA ready on the defensive end. If Bryant pans out in San Antonio, he could make Jeremy Sochan a lot more expendable than he is at present.

1.15 – Oklahoma City Thunder (from Miami)

Noa Essengue, Ratiopharm Ulm

While the player I think ends up with OKC has changed, my overall thinking has not. This is a team that doesn’t need help at any one position and can take a swing on a high-risk, high-reward type of prospect at 15. Enter Essengue, who has done nothing but help his draft stock with his fantastic performances in the German League playoffs with Ulm. Essengue is a smooth, switchable forward who still needs to work on the consistency of his three-point shot, but if it’s anything like what he’s done over the last seven playoff games he could end up a steal. It’s a small sample size of course, but Essengue has averaged 14 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists per game across Ulm’s seven playoff games in the last month, sporting 57/35/79 shooting splits. He won’t turn 19 years old until mid-December, making Essengue fit in nicely with the Thunder’s multi-timeline strategy.

1.16 – Orlando Magic

Jase Richardson, Michigan State

It feels like we’ve been running back the same type of mock draft blurbs for the Magic over the better part of a decade now. This team needs shooting that can hold their own on the defensive end, something they appear to have whiffed on with picks like Jett Howard and surprisingly, signings like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (who shot 39% or better from deep four consecutive seasons before signing in Orlando and dipping to 34.2%). Richardson drops a few spots in Mock 2.0, but the fit here could end up being the perfect landing spot for the son of former player Jason Richardson, who shot 41.2% from deep at Michigan State last season. He measured just a tough over six foot at the combine, but his off-ball movement offensively combined with his 6-foot-6 wingspan should help him compete at the NBA level.

1.17 – Minnesota Timberwolves (from Detroit)

Cedric Coward, Washington State

It appears that Minnesota is considering shaking things up with their roster this offseason after bowing out of the postseason in the Western Conference Finals each of the last two seasons. Coward’s measurables, standing 6-foot-5 with a 7-2 wingspan, have some pundits thinking he could sneak into the back end of the lottery. Coward isn’t just a first round prospect because of his physical attributes, he also shot 40% from three on five attempts per game last season with Washington State. If he is still around at 17, he’d likely fit right into the Wolves culture of switchable hard-nosed defenders who can knock down open threes surrounding the still-ascending Anthony Edwards.

1.18 – Washington Wizards (from Memphis)

Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina

After grabbing Maluach at six, I could totally see the Wizards fortifying their backcourt with this pick. But I’m going the other diection and adding another promising body to their young frontcourt. Murray-Boyles is an undersized big who was a force in the paint for South Carolina, averaging 16.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game while standing at just 6-foot-7. He struggles to space the floor, which is why it wouldn’t be surprising to see him slip out of the top 20, but adding his versatility would also allow the Wizards another bullet in their chamber to deal with various frontcourt obstacles they’ll encounter as they continue their slow build back to relevance.

1.19 – Brooklyn Nets (from Milwaukee)

Asa Newell, Georgia

With the Nets adding Fears at eight, I’m sticking with Newell for Brooklyn. This is their second of four first-round selections they currently own in the 2025 draft.

What I said in Mock 1.0: A former high school teammate of Cooper Flagg and Derik Queen, Newell struggled a bit at Georgia in his freshman season. He’s got star type upside, with a versatile skillset developed from his years playing “second fiddle” to his talented teammates. He’s active on the glass and if Newell can develop into a player that can defend on the perimeter consistently, he could be a steal for whichever team takes the shot on him in the second half of the first round.

1.20 – Miami Heat (from Golden State)

Nolan Traore, Saint-Quentin

The young Frenchman was a preseason top-10 guy in the majority of mock drafts before his stock dipped after an inefficient and streaky season with Saint-Quentin. But when the 6-foot-4 Traore on his game, he’s a very exciting player to watch. Most importantly, Miami is overloaded with guards who aren’t starting quality at the one. Traore in the 20s is a high-upside swing for the Heat who can hope to strike gold with the 19-year-old point guard.

1.21 – Utah Jazz (from Minnesota)

Nique Clifford, Colorado State

Clifford is a darling of many draft pundits and you can see him mocked in the mid-teens in some places. I’m not quite convinced he’ll go that high, but I also don’t have many negative things to say about his film. Clifford shot 38% from deep with Colorado State last season as a super senior, which is where my doubt about him being a late lottery pick arises. He’s one of the oldest prospects in this draft and will be 24 years old before the All-Star break of his rookie season.

1.22 – Atlanta Hawks (from Los Angeles Lakers)

Rasheer Fleming, St. Joseph’s

The physical profile for Fleming is eye-popping, measuring 6-foot-8 barefoot with a 7-5 wingspan at the combine. He could be a stat-stuffing fantasy option, especially in Summer League DFS contests next month, after averaging 15 points and 8.5 rebounds (with three stocks) in 31 minutes per game last season for St. Joseph’s. He also shot 39% from three on 4.5 attempts per game. I’ll be more surprised if Fleming drops below the early 20s than a team taking a shot on him in the mid-teens.

1.23 – Indiana Pacers

Noah Penda, Le Mans Sarthe Basket

With the Pacers in the NBA Finals and reports of an impending contract extension for Myles Turner, there probably won’t be a ton of turnover with Indiana’s roster. Penda is a defense-first forward, who played a significant role for Le Mans in the French first division this season. He’s got an NBA level IQ on the offensive end, we’ll likely need to see his scoring efficiency improve before he cracks the rotation after shooting just 32.2% from three and 66.7% from the FT line this season.

1.24 – Oklahoma City Thunder (from LA Clippers)

Joan Beringer, Cedevita Olumpija

More of the same for the Thunder, who have no true needs on their roster as they sit three wins from their first NBA Championship.

What I said in Mock 1.0: Again, the Thunder really don’t have needs that can be filled in this draft that won’t go in the top three, so taking another high upside swing on Beringer fits the Sam Presti profile. He’d likely spend his rookie season across town with the G-League affiliate, or maybe even stay an additional year stashed overseas, but Beringer has the rim protection and mobility of an NBA backup big. Considering the options behind Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein is just Jaylin Williams, who is on an expiring contract this coming season, a “project” big makes sense, especially if Traore is already in the fold at 15.

1.25 – Orlando Magic (from Denver)

Liam McNeeley, Connecticut

As I mentioned in my first mock of the offseason, McNeeley is more impressive on film than he is on paper from his one season with UConn. But Orlando needs shooting and taking another swing on a high-upside prospect with his profile makes sense. McNeeley was a much better shooter in his prep days, and he reminds me of Matas Buzelis in the sense that the upside is more visible when you watch the kid play instead of just checking his season-long stats.

1.26 – Brooklyn Nets (from New York)

Walter Clayton Jr., Florida

No reason for the Nets to not snag a second point guard prospect with one of their back-to-back late firsts in 2025 to compete with Fears.

What I said in Mock 1.0: Brooklyn gets their big earlier in the round and now they address the backcourt. Clayton certainly raised some eyebrows in this year’s NCAA tournament, hitting multiple tough clutch shots on Florida’s run to a national championship. He was 36.9% from deep on very heavy volume this season. Concerns about his age (will be 23 in his rookie season) and size (just 6’3”) are what cause Clayton’s lates season rise up draft boards from being meteoric enough to crack the top 20.

1.27 – Brooklyn Nets (from Houston)

Maxime Raynaud, Stanford

There have been whispers, mostly in San Antonio circles, that the Spurs have interest at 14. I don’t buy it. Raynaud is best buds with Victor Wembanyama, but he’s not a lottery pick. Getting him in the late first though? I’d be excited about that no matter which team I’m a fan of. He was a 20 and 10 guy for the Cardinal last season while shooting 34.7% from three on 5.5 attempts per game.

1.28 – Boston Celtics

Ben Seraf, Ratiopharm Ulm

I could see Seraf and Raynaud swapping spots here, but I would expect Boston to snap up one of them if they’re available at 28. Seraf likely won’t light the world on fire offensively, especially to begin his career, but his playmaking ability he’s showcased in the FIBA ranks make him a worthy swing in the late first.

1.29 – Phoenix Suns (from Cleveland)

Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton

I’ve seen comparisons to Colin Castleton being made, and despite trying to stay away from the simple “white guy who looks and plays like other white guy” comps, I have to say I agree with those who have suggested it! Like Castleton, Kalkbrenner can contribute across the box score on both ends of the floor. He offers rim protection that could actually allow him to squeeze out a small rotation role in his rookie year for a team that needs frontcourt minutes. Kalkbrenner can knock down open threes as well and that could give him a leg up to stick around in the league a bit longer than Castleton has, who spent the end of last season with the tanking Raptors.

1.30 – Los Angeles Clippers (from Oklahoma City)

Will Riley, Illinois

The long and lanky wing has been inching up draft boards over the last month. Riley, standing at 6-foot-8 and just 185 pounds, is not likely to contribute to the Clippers rotation in his rookie season, which could cause him to slip past the first round. But if I’m the Clips, I’m not passing on the upside Riley showed in his one season at Illinois. He may be a bit of a project, but the shot making ability he flashed along with some creative passing in both the halfcourt and transition has me intrigued enough to pull the trigger here.

Favorite Props

Unfortunately, the books haven’t posted as much in the draft market as we’ll see in the coming days. I do have one prop I’m eyeing at the moment but make sure to check back in with Mock 3.0 prior to draft night here at FTN Fantasy for my full card.

Kon Knueppel – 7^th overall pick (+220, FanDuel Sportsbook)