The 2025 NBA Draft is scheduled to begin on Wednesday at Barclays Center in New York. Holding the first overall pick, the Dallas Mavericks are widely anticipated to select Cooper Flagg from Duke, who is considered the consensus top prospect in this year`s class.
The draft will feature 59 selections spread across two evenings for the second time in its history, with the first round on Wednesday and the second on Thursday.
Two significant questions loom heading into the event: What will be the fate of Rutgers star Ace Bailey if the Philadelphia 76ers choose not to draft him with the third pick? And how will teams like the Brooklyn Nets, who possess four first-round selections, utilize their numerous assets to improve their roster around their existing talent?
Drawing on expert analysis, this guide provides a comprehensive overview of everything you need to know about the upcoming draft: times, locations, the draft order, top prospects, rankings, projections, statistics, and more. Read on for insights into the draft`s leading players and expectations for the week.
When and How to Watch the 2025 Draft
Round 1: Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET (live on ABC, ESPN, and the ESPN app)
Round 2: Thursday at 8 p.m. ET (live on ESPN and the ESPN app)
Five additional players have recently accepted invitations to attend the draft in New York and be seated in the green room, joining the initial group of 19 top prospects already invited. The new invitees are Joan Beringer, Nique Clifford, Cedric Coward, Walter Clayton Jr., and Danny Wolf. They will join the previously invited prospects including Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, VJ Edgecombe, Tre Johnson, Khaman Maluach, Jeremiah Fears, Kon Knueppel, Kasparas Jakucionis, Egor Demin, Carter Bryant, Derik Queen, Asa Newell, Noa Essengue, Collin Murray-Boyles, Thomas Sorber, Liam McNeeley, Nolan Traore, and Will Riley.
The green room is a designated waiting area near the NBA draft stage where players, along with their families and agents, await Commissioner Adam Silver`s announcement of their selection. Players are permitted to invite up to six guests to sit at their table.
Receiving an invitation to the green room is generally viewed as a positive indicator of a player`s draft prospects. However, there have been instances where prospects sitting in the green room were not selected until the second round, as seen with Johnny Furphy and Kyle Filipowski in the 2024 draft.
Understanding the Draft Order
There will be 59 picks in total for this year`s draft: picks 1 through 30 will take place on the first night, with the remaining selections on the second night. The Dallas Mavericks, despite having only a 1.8% chance, won the lottery and moved up 10 spots to secure the top pick, reportedly the largest jump by a team in lottery history.
The Brooklyn Nets hold the most selections with five overall, including four in the first round (at picks 8, 19, 26, and 27) and one in the second (pick 36). Eight teams possess multiple first-round picks (Suns, Nets, Spurs, Wizards, Hawks, Thunder, Jazz, and Pelicans). The San Antonio Spurs are the only franchise with two lottery selections (at picks 2 and 14).
The second-round pick belonging to the New York Knicks was rescinded by the NBA following an investigation into Jalen Brunson`s free agency signing in the summer of 2022.
Here are the top 14 lottery picks:
- Dallas Mavericks
- San Antonio Spurs
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Charlotte Hornets
- Utah Jazz
- Washington Wizards
- New Orleans Pelicans
- Brooklyn Nets
- Toronto Raptors
- Phoenix Suns (acquired from HOU)
- Portland Trail Blazers
- Chicago Bulls
- Atlanta Hawks (acquired via SAC)
- San Antonio Spurs (acquired via ATL)
Assessing the Quality of the 2025 Draft Class
This draft class is considered strong, highlighted at the very top by Cooper Flagg, a player widely seen as possessing clear franchise-altering potential, followed by Dylan Harper at No. 2, who is viewed as a prospective All-Star talent.
Beyond the top two, the draft presents more uncertainty, with a group of six players – VJ Edgecombe, Ace Bailey, Kon Knueppel, Tre Johnson, Jeremiah Fears, and Khaman Maluach – expected to be selected thereafter.
The first round is generally considered deep, particularly notable for a strong contingent of wings and forwards, interspersed with various big men and guards.
Historically, the top players in a draft class rarely fall in a perfectly predictable order. NBA executives anticipate this variability to continue, creating an opportunity for teams with superior talent evaluation and information gathering to distinguish themselves from those less prepared or easily swayed by external factors during the predraft process.
The depth of the second round took a notable hit this year, as at least 15 players who were considered draftable either chose not to declare or withdrew their names by the deadlines. While some talent remains available in the early portion of the second round (especially picks in the 30s), many teams believe the value of their second-round selections has diminished, even compared to the 2024 draft, which was not seen as particularly robust.
Financial considerations tied to the salary cap and luxury tax rules, which will significantly impact the summer period, are likely drivers behind the expectation of numerous trades occurring over both days of the draft.
Focus on Projected No. 1 Pick Cooper Flagg
On the afternoon of May 12, Cooper Flagg`s immediate family gathered in their hotel room in downtown Chicago, preparing for the NBA draft lottery event later that evening. Before heading out, the family of the Duke freshman, who is widely expected to be the No. 1 overall pick, spent about half an hour discussing his future.
The family had been aware for months that the Washington Wizards, Utah Jazz, and Charlotte Hornets held the highest probabilities for the top selection, and they reviewed the positive aspects associated with each potential destination while in the room.
Flagg, a 6-foot-9 forward, has been considered the front-runner for the top pick since August 2023, when he announced his decision to graduate high school a year early and enroll in college as a 17-year-old. His position at the top of draft projections has remained largely uncontested, and he continues to develop his game impressively. He is expected to immediately provide impactful defense and versatile contributions for Dallas, with significant room to grow and enhance his skills as a scorer and playmaker over time. The primary question now centers on the ultimate height of his potential, given his highly promising future.
Analyst Highlights Eight Prospects
Certain players always stand out in every draft class. While guarantees are rare – although this year`s draft arguably has as close to a sure thing at No. 1 as we`ve seen in some time – some prospects demonstrate qualities that make evaluators confident in their potential. Here are eight players in this draft that one analyst particularly favors.
Key Questions Surrounding This Draft
Which team will select Ace Bailey?
With Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper seemingly positioned as the top two selections, the real intrigue begins at pick No. 3, held by the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers are coming off a challenging season and face crucial decisions in a pivotal offseason period.
Will the 76ers choose VJ Edgecombe or Ace Bailey, or will they opt to trade down a few spots to potentially improve their financial standing and acquire additional assets?
Sources reported that Bailey cancelled a planned visit with the 76ers, which was scheduled to include dinner with the team`s front office and a private workout. His approach during the predraft evaluation period over the past month has reportedly perplexed some NBA teams, as he is currently the only prominent U.S.-based prospect who has not visited any interested clubs. He has reportedly declined invitations from multiple teams within his projected draft range, which is considered to be anywhere from No. 3 to No. 8. Sources indicate Bailey`s representatives have informed teams that they believe he is a top-three talent but are also seeking a clear path to significant opportunity, potentially banking on a team trading up to secure him at pick 3 or 4 if he remains available.
Despite the cancelled visit, the Sixers have not definitively ruled out selecting Bailey, according to reports. Teams picking later in the top 10, such as Washington, New Orleans, and Brooklyn (selecting at 6, 7, and 8 respectively), are reportedly closely monitoring the situation, as they could offer ample playing time and developmental roles that might be attractive to Bailey`s representatives.
How might the highly-touted 2026 draft class affect this year`s draft?
With 30 of the top 40 picks in this draft concentrated among just 12 teams, significant trade activity is expected over both draft nights as franchises look to manage their rosters, comply with salary cap and luxury tax regulations, and maintain future flexibility.
Early indications suggest the market for selections outside the top 10 has been softer than anticipated, with more franchises open to trading picks and players than actively seeking to acquire them. For example, the Indiana Pacers are reportedly trading their No. 23 selection to reacquire a first-round pick in next year`s draft, providing them with additional flexibility to potentially combine assets for larger trades in the future without violating league rules regarding trading consecutive first-round picks.
However, this dynamic can, and likely will, change significantly on draft night once teams are making decisions in real-time based on which players are still available at different pick slots.
While the very top of the 2026 draft is seen as exceptionally strong, featuring several potential franchise-level talents such as Darryn Peterson, A.J. Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, and Nate Ament, teams still have considerable evaluation to do regarding the overall depth of that class. The incoming high school senior class is not universally considered particularly deep, nor is the cohort of international players born in 2007, who will become draft-eligible for the first time, seen as the most exciting group.
Importantly, a significant number of players eligible for this year`s draft either chose not to declare or withdrew by the deadline, contributing a notable amount of experienced, `older` depth within the college ranks that isn`t typically available. Teams will need to factor this into their valuation of future draft picks, a process that requires collaboration between traditional scouting, strategy analysts, and analytics departments.
The Brooklyn Nets` Approach with Multiple Picks
Brooklyn has been one of the most active teams in the lead-up to the draft, driven by their significant collection of assets. Holding picks No. 8, 19, 22, 26, 27, and 36, the Nets have both the means and the motivation to maximize their returns on draft night, especially given that it`s improbable they will roster six rookies next season. They also stand out as one of the few teams with substantial salary cap space, affording them optimal flexibility not just for their own moves but also to potentially facilitate transactions for other teams.
The exact strategy for the Nets is still unfolding behind the scenes. Will they package picks to move up from their No. 8 spot? Will they make a selection at No. 8 and then try to trade pick 19 into the late lottery range? Or perhaps they will use both those picks and look to trade some of their later selections? Their accumulation of picks across different parts of the draft has allowed them to broadly evaluate and bring in a large number of prospects for meetings and workouts.
Regardless of their final decisions, Brooklyn is perceived by player agents as a desirable landing spot due to the significant developmental minutes and opportunities available, which many other teams cannot concretely offer. The Nets are operating with a long-term perspective, prioritizing promising talent over immediate readiness, with their sights set on the strong 2026 lottery class before actively aiming to become a playoff contender.
Understanding the Prospect Rankings
For a detailed breakdown of the top 100 prospects, including their strengths and weaknesses, refer to the comprehensive rankings compiled by experts.
Any uncertainty regarding Cooper Flagg`s position at No. 1 was resolved on lottery night, when the Dallas Mavericks surprisingly won the right to select him.
Flagg is expected to rise to the challenge. He has consistently held the top spot in projections and continues to show impressive improvement. He is projected to provide immediate defensive impact and versatile contributions for Dallas, with significant potential to further develop his skills as a scorer and playmaker over time. The key question surrounding him is simply the ultimate height of his potential, as his future looks very promising.
Here are the top 10 prospects according to recent evaluations:
- Cooper Flagg, SF/PF, Duke
- Dylan Harper, PG/SG, Rutgers
- Ace Bailey, SG/SF, Rutgers
- VJ Edgecombe, SG, Baylor
- Tre Johnson, SG, Texas
- Kon Knueppel, SG/SF, Duke
- Khaman Maluach, C, Duke
- Jeremiah Fears, PG, Oklahoma
- Noa Essengue, PF, Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)
- Kasparas Jakucionis, PG, Illinois
Latest Projections and Intelligence
Experts are continuously tracking news and information from teams and players leading up to the draft. Projections and intelligence reports are subject to updates until the Mavericks make their selection on Wednesday, based on the latest available information.
Khaman Maluach`s Potential Destination: Rival teams are reportedly curious whether the Pelicans might look to trade up to secure Ace Bailey. However, if both Bailey and Jeremiah Fears are unavailable, Maluach appears to be a strong candidate for consideration by New Orleans.
Thunder`s Pick at No. 15: Selecting Derik Queen at this position, should he fall, would represent a bet purely on his talent. The Thunder`s established elite defense could provide significant cover for his defensive development, and Oklahoma City is arguably better positioned than most teams to absorb potential risks with a draft pick.
Top Prospects by Skill Set
An analyst has compiled a list of leading prospects categorized by their standout skills and traits across 20 different areas. Here are a few notable players who excel in specific categories:
Best pull-up shooter: Ace Bailey, F, Rutgers
No player in this draft class is more dangerous when creating shots in limited space than Bailey. His ability to elevate and shoot over defenders from challenging angles and consistently make tough shots off the dribble makes him a highly intriguing offensive prospect.
Best intangibles: Khaman Maluach, C, Duke
Maluach is projected to be the first center selected primarily due to his significant impact as a premier paint defender for Duke in college basketball. However, his appeal as an NBA prospect is also strongly tied to his character and the positive presence he is expected to bring to a team`s locker room.
Best rim protector: Joan Beringer, C, Cedevita Olimpija (Adriatic League)
Beringer`s draft stock experienced a rapid surge this season as scouts gradually traveled to observe him playing in Europe. His impressive defensive abilities and shot-blocking skills at just 18 years old were widely noted and on full display.
Player Comparisons: Edgecombe, Johnson, and More
The purpose of drawing player comparisons is not to provide perfect matches for each of the projected lottery picks, which would be speculative. Instead, this exercise serves as a framework for thinking about a prospect`s potential future role, evaluating their range of possible outcomes, and identifying the areas of development most critical for their long-term success.
Here are a couple of notable comparisons offered by an analyst:
VJ Edgecombe, SG, Baylor
High end: Victor Oladipo
Low end: Jaden Ivey
The primary selling point for Edgecombe largely revolves around the possibility that he develops into a capable creator with the ball. His combination of speed, strength, and elite explosiveness could pose significant problems for opposing defenses. Cultivating this aspect of his game will be a crucial first step for him in the NBA. His profile as a downhill, highly athletic slasher makes the comparison to Victor Oladipo relevant.
Tre Johnson, SG, Texas
High end: Michael Redd
Low end: Cam Thomas, but taller
Tre Johnson is a relatively straightforward prospect to understand. He is expected to be a good shooter, likely taking a high volume of shots. Any other contributions he provides will likely be considered a bonus, rather than a core expectation. If Johnson can achieve a career trajectory somewhat similar to Michael Redd`s (acknowledging that Redd`s peak was eventually impacted by injuries), that would be an excellent outcome, and there are clear similarities in their offensive games.
Five Key Facts About This Draft
Here are five notable points regarding the 2025 NBA Draft:
- Assuming they retain the pick, the Dallas Mavericks would become the fourth team in the modern draft era (since 1966) to make the No. 1 overall selection within a year of reaching the NBA Finals. The previous teams were the 1998 Bulls (selected Elton Brand 1st in 1999), the 1982 Lakers (selected James Worthy 1st in 1982), and the 1977 Trail Blazers (selected Mychal Thompson 1st in 1978).
- Cooper Flagg, who reclassified to the 2025 class, will be 18 years and 186 days old on draft night, making him the second-youngest No. 1 pick in draft history, behind only LeBron James (18 years, 178 days old) in 2003. Additionally, Flagg will become the fifth player from Duke selected first overall, giving the Blue Devils the most top selections of any university. Duke previously held the record with four: Elton Brand (1999), Kyrie Irving (2011), Zion Williamson (2019), and Paolo Banchero (2022).
- Projections suggest the first eight selections in this draft are expected to be freshmen. If this occurs, it would set a new record for the most consecutive freshmen selected at any point in a single draft. The previous record was seven consecutive freshmen in 2017. In total, 12 out of the 14 lottery picks are projected to be freshmen, which would also set a record for the lottery era. This would mark the third time double-digit freshmen have been chosen in the lottery (11 in 2017 and 10 in 2018).
- Kentucky is not projected to have a player selected in the first round, which would end their streak of 15 consecutive drafts with a first-round pick, the longest in the modern draft era (since 1966). The last time a Kentucky player was not selected in the first round was in 2009, John Calipari`s final season coaching at Memphis before taking over at Kentucky. Cooper Flagg had not yet reached his third birthday at that time.
- According to recent projections, five French players are anticipated to be chosen in the first round (Joan Beringer, Noa Essengue, Nolan Traoré, Noah Penda, and Stanford`s Maxime Raynaud). This follows the 2024 draft, where four players representing France were selected, matching Canada`s 2019 record for the most players from a non-U.S. country taken in a single first round. France has had at least one player selected in the first round in each of the past three NBA drafts, including producing the top overall pick in the previous two years.