Jason McIntyre
Co-Host of THE HERD and FOX Sports Betting Analyst
The confetti is still fresh on the court from Florida winning the 2025 men’s NCAA National Championship, which means it’s time to start thinking about where some of today’s college stars land in the NBA tomorrow.
Cue my first NBA mock draft for 2025.
Yes, it’s still more than two months away, but it’s never too early to predict how a Cooper Flagg or a Walter Clayton might impact the league later on in this calendar year.
While the Duke faithful are eyeing the Blue Devils’ +1000 odds to win it all next year, Wizards fans are just crossing their fingers they land a star that will help them sniff the playoffs next season.
With that in mind, let’s dive into the first version of my NBA mock draft.
1. Washington Wizards: Cooper Flagg, F, Duke
WSH odds to draft Flagg: +500
This moribund franchise hasn’t won a playoff series since 2017, but Flagg will change that. He should have a Kevin Garnett-type impact on the Wizards, playing hard at both ends and, ultimately, becoming an MVP candidate.
2. Utah Jazz: Ace Bailey, F, Rutgers
The Jazz have two first-round picks. The other one is courtesy of the Donovan Mitchell trade in 2022. Using this one on the 6-foot-10 Bailey sets up their front court for the next five years (alongside Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler). Utah has had 12 players start at least 10 games this season. Not a recipe for success.
3. Charlotte Hornets: Dylan Harper, G, Rutgers
It’s nearly time to have a LaMelo Ball discussion. Even though he’s wildly popular, it might be time to move off Ball, who plays with great flair and style but doesn’t always play serious, winning basketball. A Harper-Nick Smith backcourt is young and has potential.
4. New Orleans Pelicans: Tre Johnson, G, Texas
Tre has great length (6-foot-6), he’s excellent at getting to the foul line (where he shoots 85%) and he also led the Longhorns in 3-point makes (89 on 39% shooting).
5. Philadelphia 76ers: Derik Queen, C, Maryland
Too early to grab Joel Embiid insurance? The backcourt is set with Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain. Queen was a bit older than most freshman (20), but his offensive talent is undeniable, and he got to the line at will, shooting 76% from there.
Cooper Flagg: How will he fare in the NBA?
6. Brooklyn Nets: Jeremiah Fears, G, Oklahoma
Fears plays bigger than 6-foot-4 and does so many things well. He appears to be in the Russell Westbrook class. Shot 85% from the line, which could translate to 3-point shooting (only 28% on a low volume).
7. Toronto Raptors: VJ Edgecombe, G, Baylor
VJ is a bouncy, elite defender. He had a terrific freshman year with the Bears, and he’s so well-rounded. I can see him going No. 2.
8. San Antonio Spurs: Kasparas Jakucionis, G, Illinois
The point guard scored 20 points or more 10 times this season. And yes, I’m still doing the thing where I mock international players to the Spurs.
9. Houston Rockets (via Phoenix): Jase Richardson, G, Michigan State
Jase might go in the top five based on upside. But he projects as a combo guard at 6-foot-3, as opposed to a pure point guard. He shot 41% from the 3-point line. This would make for a very crowded backcourt in Houston, but you’ve got to take the best player on the board.
10. Portland Trail Blazers: Kon Knueppel, F, Duke
I’m torn about what Knueppel will be in the NBA. He’s only 19 years old. Does he look like a solid defender because he has two rim protectors behind him? Another note on him is that he shot 40% on 3 and 91% on free throws.
11. Miami Heat: Collin Murray-Boyles, F, South Carolina
The Heat are a sleeper team that could make a move on Kevin Durant or another disgruntled star, so it’s tough to project what the Heat might do here. Murray-Boyles is a work in progress offensively, but his defensive instincts and passing ability might remind some of Draymond Green.
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