NBA Draft 2025: Top Picks & Shock Risers Set to Shake Up the Lottery
by Joseph King | by Joseph King
The 2025 NBA Draft is an exciting one, particularly because it’s considered to have a strong talent pool this year. The top two picks are essentially locked in with there being little debate as to who the two best players are in this draft. There are also a few interesting storylines to follow as to who will wind up being a lottery pick (considered to be the top 14 selections).
Let’s learn more about the top talent in this year's NBA Draft along with a few players who could see their stock rise.
Below you’ll find the current draft order for the lottery picks:
- Dallas Mavericks
- San Antonio Spurs
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Charlotte Hornets
- Utah Jazz
- Washington Wizards
- New Orleans Pelicans
- Brooklyn Nets
- Toronto Raptors
- Phoenix Suns (from Houston)
- Portland Trail Blazers
- Milwaukee Bulls
- Atlanta Hawks (from Sacramento)
- San Antonio Spurs (from Atlanta)
Projected top three picks
No. 1 - Cooper Flagg
Duke (SF/SG), Freshman
The consensus top-rated prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft is without a doubt Cooper Flagg. The Duke product had a stellar season in his ‘one-and-done’ year with the Blue Devils. While Duke ultimately came up short in the NCAA Tournament (eliminated in the Final Four), Flagg has proven throughout the year why he is so highly regarded.
He’s drawn comparisons to some NBA greats such as Scottie Pippen, Kawhi Leonard and Jayson Tatum and it’s easy to see why.
Standing at 6’9” with a 7-foot wingspan, Flagg possesses that rare blend of size and skill that makes him a true multi-way threat. While his stat-stuffing offensive numbers draw the attention, it’s Flagg’s ability to add exceptional defensive work that had NBA executives salivating at the mouth.
After Dallas committed what many believe will turn out to be one of the biggest trade blunders in NBA history, landing Flagg is a heck of a consolation and is sure to bring back some disgruntled Mavs fans.
College stats
| MIN | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3PT% | STL | BLK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30.8 | 19.2 | 7.5 | 4.2 | 48.1% | 38.5% | 1.4 | 1.4 |
No. 2 - Dylan Harper
Rutgers (SG/PG), Freshman
Widely considered to be the second-best player in the 2025 draft class is Rutgers’ Dylan Harper. He’s the son of Ron Harper, who many will recognize from his time with the championship winning Bulls in the mid to late 90s.
Harper is an all-action guard and draws comparisons with fellow lefty James Harden with the way he’s able to get to the rim, his tricky dribbling and his strong finishing in contact. This makes him have one of the highest offensive ceilings in the draft while he’s also projected to be a solid defender. The Spurs already have a crowded backcourt with De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle, but teams often look to draft the best possible player on the board and Harper fits the bill in that regard at No. 2.
College stats
| MIN | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3PT% | STL | BLK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32.6 | 19.4 | 4.6 | 4.0 | 48.4% | 33.3% | 1.4 | 0.6 |
No. 3 - VJ Edgecombe
Baylor (SG), Freshman
Philadelphia is the likely landing spot for Edgecombe, although there have been rumblings that the Sixers are considering trading down. Should they decide to take the Baylor product with the third pick, they would be getting a freakishly-athletic combo guard. This athleticism makes him one of the best two-way players in the draft with many scouts thinking he’ll be an elite defender at the pro level.
Edgecombe's combine measurements and his explosiveness has seen him draw comparisons with the Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards, who has made the leap into being a superstar in recent seasons.
College stats
| MIN | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3PT% | STL | BLK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32.7 | 15.0 | 5.6 | 3.2 | 43.6% | 34.0% | 2.1 | 0.6 |
Risers and players to keep an eye on
Ace Bailey
Rutgers (SG/SF), Freshman
Bailey is sure to shake up this draft class as he can go anywhere from the third pick to potentially as low as eighth. Where the lenghty Rutgers’ swingman lands will be among the top storylines to watch out for on Wednesday night.
Many consider Bailey to be the third-best player in this draft class but his bizarre refusal to meet with teams in the top 5 has created the risk of a potential fall. If he does fall, he’s almost certain to be scooped up in the 5th-8th range.
Walter Clayton Jr
Florida (PG) - Senior
Before the start of the NCAA tournament, Clayton’s name was not being discussed as a first-round pick. However, his unbelievable run (which included back-to-back 30-point games in the Elite Eight and Final Four) has propelled him into a definite first-rounder and a potential lottery pick to boot. He delivered on the biggest stage in college ball, leading the Gators to NCAA tournament glory and their first championship since 2007.
This has seen him draw comparisons with another clutch, undersized, high-performing college player in the Knicks’ Jalen Brunson, who has seen his skillset translate nicely at the pro level. Will Clayton Jr. be able to follow in his footsteps?
Kon Knueppel
Duke (SG/SF) - Freshman
Knueppel was initially projected to go anywhere from late to mid first-round before the start of the NBA Draft combine. He’s since seen his stock skyrocket and is now almost guaranteed to be a lottery selection, with there even talk that he might go to the Hornets at No. 4 or the Jazz at No. 5. Such is the impression that he has made on teams.
After an excellent one-and-done year with the Blue Devils, Knueppel’s name will certainly be one to watch in this year’s draft.
