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All indications are that the Mavericks will indeed keep the first pick, select Flagg and take a two-timelines approach. I still wonder: Is there any deal the Mavericks would take to trade Flagg: Giannis Antetokounmpo? A haul of draft picks to move down one spot? Luka Dončić? Just kidding on that last one. Anyway, odds are Flagg is in Dallas next year because he can help in both the short term and long term as a do-it-all forward who hustles, makes his teammates better as a passer and has dialed in a knockdown jumper. He’s both the best offensive and defensive prospect in this draft class, making him the safest No. 1 pick in ages. As long as his jumper falls, he could play as a small forward next to Anthony Davis and another big. It’s his growth as a shot creator that will decide if he reaches his All-Star floor or soars to his Hall of Fame ceiling.
The Sixers could use a backup big man, and Wolf would be a quirky choice that’d give them a different look. Wolf is a 7-footer who ran point for Michigan, playing a slick style with risky passes and step-back jumpers that made him a highlight factory. But he’s also a turnover machine and his shooting numbers are shaky, making him more of a raw bet who needs time to prove he can match his flash with substance.
Toohey is a jack-of-all-trades Australian forward who grinds on defense and loves to dish the ball around. But his scoring comes and goes with his streaky jumper since he’s not someone who generates many of his own shots. The Nets drafted plenty of guys who can do a lot with the ball. Toohey would fit as a role player.
This is Detroit’s lone pick in this draft. How will it build on what was such a promising step forward this season? Sallis would make tons of sense since he could add both creation and shooting. He is a poised, efficient scorer with body control, defensive tenacity and the passing feel to hint at more upside. If the jumper proves real, he could play a much larger offensive role than his current projection.
The Spurs need more shooters, and Brea projects as a shooting specialist who has a clear path to becoming a rotation player because of his highly sought after skill. But in order to avoid being a weak link on defense, he’ll need to make improvements to his athleticism.
Yang is a massive Chinese 7-footer who scores with old-school craft, passes well and cleans the glass. But how much his slow feet and lack of shooting range can be improved will determine whether he can stick in the pros. Jakob Poeltl has only two years remaining on his deal (with a player option on the second year), so by the time Yang is ready to contribute it may come at a perfect time.
Fears, Queen and Watkins would be one hell of a haul for the Wizards to make up for the disappointment of lottery night. Watkins is a versatile player who can run the show, slash to the paint and switch across positions on defense. But the development of his jumper is stuck in quicksand, which raises questions about his ability to excel in a less prominent on-ball role.
The Warriors need more shooting, which explains everything about this pick. Lanier transferred to Tennessee after four years at North Florida and immediately thrived as a knockdown shooter with shot-making creativity. But without great size or playmaking at his age, he’s a second-round prospect.
Jones offers crafty combo-guard skills with advanced shot creation and a blossoming playmaking feel. But his so-so athleticism and streaky shooting paint him as just a cog rather than the rare star upperclassman set to enter the league. Still, the Kings could use more creation, especially if they have some departures this summer, such as DeMar DeRozan or Domantas Sabonis in a trade.
Proctor is a tall combo guard with great passing vision that was expected to go one-and-done, but has taken until his junior year to look ready for the NBA. At this point, he’s sharpened his jumper and become an even better defender. Danny Ainge has a history of fancying top high school prospects that end up falling in the draft, so Proctor would fit that same profile.
Sandfort has a beautiful jumper and, off the catch, he’s capable of knocking down shots from anywhere. And though his numbers slipped last season, he was playing with a broken wrist and torn labrums to both shoulders. The Thunder will someday want some cheap replacements that offer shooting, so he would make perfect sense.
Tonje will enter the NBA at age 24 with some readymade skills as an off-ball movement scorer and shooter. But his athletic ceiling and defense will determine if he’s more than just a backup. It wouldn’t be so bad if that’s all he tops out as for the Bulls, who have Coby White currently leading the backcourt.
So far in this mock the Magic have drafted a guard (Clifford) and a forward (Fleming). Both of them can shoot. Here, they get a wing in James, who after years of laying bricks has worked hard to become a dead-eye, spot-up shooter. And he brings much more than shooting as a crafty playmaker who keeps the ball moving. He’s also a versatile defender who sets a tone with his hustle.
No matter what happens with Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks will need some shot creation next season with Damian Lillard sidelined for most, if not all, of next season. Nembhard, the brother of Pacers guard Andrew, is an excellent floor general who excels in pick-and-roll situations and made great progress as a scorer during his senior year.
48. Grizzlies: Javon Small, G, West Virginia
With Ja Morant being as injury-prone as he’s been, it wouldn’t hurt the Grizzlies to add another guard. Small is an undersized guard who plays bigger than his body, thanks to his excellent athleticism and gritty nature. He’s a knockdown shooter off the catch and a solid lead guard, though his lack of size puts a natural cap on his upside.
Martin is a hyper-athletic, high-energy guard who plays bigger than his size and impacts the game with his toughness, rebounding and defensive grit. His positional tweener status, streaky shooting and limited creation ability complicate his path to a specialized role. But his positive traits are exactly what the Cavaliers were missing in their series loss against the Pacers.
Mitchell Robinson is a great interior defender, but his limitations as a free-throw shooter can put a strain on the Knicks offense. New York needs another option to play at center. Broome is a super senior who brings a ready-made game as an interior finisher with a passing feel and tone-setting defense. Though his shaky jumper hasn’t progressed as much as NBA teams had hoped, playing next to Karl-Anthony Towns would allow Broome to take the interior role.
Williams is a big wing who thrives on making tough midrange jumpers and movement 3s off the catch. He’s an older prospect at 24, but still belongs on the draft radar because of his spark-plug scoring skill set.
Dixon is a burly forward who brings a toughness and physicality to the game. As Villanova’s all-time leading scorer, he showed versatile skills, but in the NBA his lack of athleticism will put a limit on his usage. The pros outweigh the cons for a team in need of a tone-setter like the Suns though.
53. Jazz: Vladislav Goldin, C, Michigan
Goldin is a large Russian center who excels at scoring at the rim with soft touch, and as a senior he began to shoot jumpers. Concerns about his defense and athleticism put him in the second round, but he has the overall skills to be a rotation big, giving the Jazz more flexibility with how they build their frontcourt.
54. Pacers: Rocco Zikarsky, C, Brisbane
Here’s another big for the Pacers, possibly to stash overseas or let develop in the G League. Zikarsky is a big Australian center who plays a traditional role as an interior finisher and rim protector. He doesn’t offer much else at this stage of his career, though, and hasn’t shown many signs that he will.
As the Lakers build their roster around Luka Dončić, they’re going to need rugged wings like Luis who can set a tone on defense with his versatility and intensity. At this point of the draft, every player has their flaws. Luis got benched in St. John’s final game because his shaky shooting and decision-making on offense became such an issue. If he can improve those concerns, his downhill attacking style could become an asset.
Ružić projects as a knockdown shooter with passing feel, though at only 18 until October, he is incredibly raw physically. With so many young players already on the roster, the Grizzlies could stash him and let him continue to develop overseas.
57. Magic: Neoklis Avdalas, F, Panathinaikos
The Magic can’t go a whole draft without drafting one guy with a questionable jumper, can they? Avdalas is a 6-foot-8 Greek forward with playmaking skill and versatility. His combination of size and court vision makes him an intriguing prospect, though questions about his defense and shooting remain. See, Orlando?
If the Cavaliers make a big change this offseason by trading Jarrett Allen, they could use another big on the roster for two-big lineups. Almansa is an accomplished international big who projects as a versatile offensive hub and prolific rebounder, though sooner than later his production will need to start matching his flashes of upside.
59. Rockets: Dink Pate, G/F, Mexico City
Pate looks the part of an athletic wing who can handle the ball, but he hasn’t produced effectively in two G League seasons. Any team that takes him is rolling the dice that he someday develops. Considering how deep the Rockets are, maybe they’d decide to take a patient swing with the final pick of this draft.
Check out my 2025 NBA Draft Guide with a full two-round mock and scouting reports for every prospect.
