2025 NBA Draft: Pre-lottery mock draft

The 2025 NBA regular season has come to an end and the next important event for the non-playoff teams will be the draft lottery on May 12. The lottery should paint a clearer picture of where the top prospects will end up in this year’s draft.

Since the lottery is still over one week away, now seems like a good time to do a mock draft before the draft order is finalized. This will only include lottery teams and go based off the final regular season standings.

1. Utah Jazz: Cooper Flagg, PF, Duke

Regardless of which team ends up winning the lottery and receiving the first overall pick, the choice will be Flagg. He was the best player in college basketball last season, averaging 19.2 points per game.

He did that on 48 percent shooting as well. He is the clear 1A prospect in this class and potentially a future face of the league.

2. Washington Wizards: Dylan Harper, PG, Rutgers

Harper comes from an NBA bloodline as his father, Ron Harper, was a five-time NBA Champion. He is a ready-made NBA point guard who averaged four assists per game in his one season at Rutgers.

He would slot in nicely alongside the other young pieces on the Wizards like Kyshawn George, Bilal Coulibaly and Alex Sarr. He could step in as a starter with great two-way potential at point guard.

3. Charlotte Hornets: Ace Bailey, SF, Rutgers

Bailey would be one of the finishing pieces to a young and entertaining starting five in Charlotte. He would not need to be the main guy with LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller already in place. This would allow Bailey time to develop into a more consistent player and tap into his potential as a two-way star with the ability to knock down shots.

4. New Orleans Pelicans: VJ Edgecombe, SG, Baylor

Edgecombe will most likely test as one of the best athletes in the draft when the combine rolls around on May 11. His defense is NBA-ready ready but he needs to develop his offense and his shot-making in particular. The Pelicans were ravaged by injuries so any top talent will help the franchise.

5. Philadelphia 76ers: Kon Knueppel, SF, Duke

It is safe to say that the Paul George experiment flopped harder in year one than most modern-day players trying to go to the rim. Knueppel could step in and start immediately in the event that George is moved this summer. Worst case scenario, he comes off the bench to knock down threes and play solid defense on a playoff team next season.

6. Brooklyn Nets: Tre Johnson, SG, Texas

Johnson could go anywhere from fourth overall to tenth overall, but his place among the top ten is solidified. The Nets were expecting to compete for the first overall pick this year, and in this scenario, they get a player who some view as a top-three player in the class.

He can make shots from anywhere on the floor and also has the potential to run the point in the future. The Nets could use a scoring threat next to Cam Thomas.

7. Toronto Raptors: Khaman Maluach, C, Duke

For a team that was bottom ten in defensive rebounding this year, Maluach would be perfect for Toronto. The 7-foot-2 center is only 19 years old and can fill the hole left after Marc Gasol retired. He is a defensive force with the ability to contribute on the offensive end of the floor as well.

8. San Antonio Spurs: Kasparas Jakucionis, PG/SG, Illinois

Jakucionis can score at all three levels and will be able to hit shots all over the court. He, alongside De’Aaron Fox, gives the Spurs a one-two punch offensively and Stephon Castle as the defensive mastermind.

9. Houston Rockets (via Phoenix Suns): Derik Queen, C, Maryland

Queen is a throwback center who does most of his damage in the paint. He still needs to develop on the defensive end of the floor, but he can be a quality backup behind Alperen Sengun.

10. Portland Trail Blazers: Collin Murray-Boyles, PF, South Carolina

The Trail Blazers have their backcourt of the future in Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, so this pick will likely be spent on a forward. Murray-Boyles will be a defensive-first forward who can also playmake as he continues to develop his shot.

11. Dallas Mavericks: Asa Newell, PF, Georgia

Newell is a super athlete with the ability to defend the inside, which will be perfect for the Mavericks, who prioritize defense under Nico Harrison. Considering the injuries the team dealt with in their frontcourt, he could step into a prominent role early in his rookie season.

12. Chicago Bulls: Jeremiah Fears, PG, Oklahoma

Fears might be one of the most entertaining prospects to watch in this class. His burst and athleticism should see him land in the back half of the lottery. He needs to learn to be more selective with his shots, but his offensive upside should fit well on a team looking for a long-term point guard.

13. Atlanta Hawks (via Sacramento Kings): Rasheer Fleming, PF, Saint Joseph’s

Fleming is an under-the-radar prospect from the Atlantic 10, but he should be a first-round pick. He shot 41 percent from the field on spot-up threes last season, and has a 7‘5 wingspan to serve as a three-and-d menace.

14. San Antonio Spurs (via Atlanta Hawks): Jase Richardson, SG, Michigan State

Richardson was one of the lone offensive bright spots on a defensive first Michigan State team. He can work both in the paint and the mid-range while also bringing the intensity on defense.

His size could be problematic on certain matchups, but he could be a fun piece on a remade Spurs backcourt.

Nate Johns is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jzn5275@psu.edu.