2025 NBA Mock Draft 2.0: Bulls pick star, 76ers replace Embiid, Nuggets make big deal

March Madness is in full swing, and NBA fans are getting a chance to see the stars of tomorrow before they get drafted. The 2025 NBA draft is less than 100 days away, and as the draft lottery takes shape, we're starting to get a better idea of where which prospect will go.

Things have changed quite a bit since our first 2025 mock draft, with this mock draft having a surprise team picking first and the Denver Nuggets making a big trade. Next up, here's the latest Hoops Habit mock draft!

Surprise, surprise, in this mock draft, the Chicago Bulls end up with the number one pick despite having just a 3% chance based on their current record. That might seem far-fetched, but it's far from impossible.

Just last year, the Atlanta Hawks picked first despite having 3% odds of their ping pong ball being picked first. In fact, since the revamped lottery rules have taken effect, it is far from uncommon for a team outside of the bottom four in terms of record to end up with a high lottery pick, and in this scenario, the Bulls get lucky.

That would be just what they needed after being aimless for the last few seasons. With Flagg in the fold, the Bulls roster would certainly make a lot more sense with him being the centerpiece in which they can build around. Flagg sports elite two-way potential with him being able to score in a multitude of ways, including back to the basket and attacking the basket off the dribble.

Defensively, he can both block shots, depend on the perimeter, and rebound. The Bulls currently don't have any building blocks, but they do still have several talented young players, such as Colby White and Josh Giddey.

In the short term, they could put Flagg next to them and veteran Nikola Vucevic and put together a competitive team that can continue to rebuild through the draft until Flagg comes into his own as a star. Without a top four pick in this year's draft, it would mean a longer wait for the Bulls to get back on track, but we'll have them picking first for this mock draft.

The Washington Wizards are perhaps the team that is most desperate for a star, and while they won't land the top pick in the scenario, they would still get a potential game changer.

The Wizards, despite being awful, still have potential building blocks, including a resurgent Jordan Poole, who has played surprisingly well this season, in addition to 2023 and 2024 lottery picks Bilal Coulibaly and Alex Sarr.

Adding Rutgers guard Dylan Harper to the mix could be just what the Wizards need to get back on track. Harper possesses elite playmaking ability thanks to his size and athleticism. He is a 6-6 guard who can easily create for himself and teammates in the half court.

He is terrific at getting into the paint by using crossovers and quick bursts to get to the rim and is a nifty finisher at the rim where his height is also an asset. Another intriguing part of his game is his pull-up jumper.

While he is only shooting 33.3% from three on 5.2 3-point attempts, which isn't that impressive, he takes and makes a lot of pull-up threes. If that is a part of his game in the NBA, then he will be difficult to stop with smaller guards unable to challenge that shot or fight around screens to contest. He alone wouldn't get the Wizards back into contention, but he could be a big part of a potential turnaround.

The Utah Jazz are bad enough to land the top pick in the draft, but they may instead have to settle for third. Even so, they could still come away with an elite prospect in Ace Bailey. Bailey, a jumbo wing known for his scoring ability, could serve as a potential building block for them.

His size at 6'10 has helped him get his shot off even when closely guarded, and playing the three could allow him to get easy buckets by posting up smaller wings like he's done at times at Rutgers. As he fills out, he should be able to play power forward and even center at times, but paired with Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler, he may not need to do so as much.

Defensively, he has the physical tools to be a good player on that end of the floor, though he does struggle at times when playing off-ball. He can lose track of his man, and while he can make up ground quickly, he doesn't always close out correctly, putting him at a disadvantage.

Playing with an elite rim protector in Kessler would give him a great backline defender, and with Will Hardy being a terrific coach, he should be able to make the necessary tweaks to make Bailey a plus on that end. That could make Bailey's fit with the Jazz a great one.

With Zion Williamson putting up numbers, the New Orleans Pelicans have seen their record improve. That has taken them out of the bottom three that would have given them a share of the highest draft odds for the number one overall pick.

That limits their chances of landing Cooper Flagg, but they could still end up with a great prospect in VJ Edgecombe. Edgecombe is one of the most athletic players in the draft, and while the Pels have good wing depth with Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones, Edgecombe would be a welcome addition.

His explosive athleticism has made him an impressive prospect on both ends of the floor. Offensively, he is a capable shooter, knocking down 36% of his threes thus far. He is also effective at attacking the basket and using his athleticism to explode at the rim.

Defensively, he is terrific at playing the passing lane and forcing turnovers while also providing weakside shot blocking. Having a two-way wing with significant potential on both ends of the floor and being only 19 is tantalizing. While he doesn't necessarily fill a need for the Pelicans, getting a player such as him would be a great outcome for such an awful season and give them another potential building block.

Texas guard Tre Johnson is arguably the most talented scorer in this year's draft class, with him averaging 20 points per game as a freshman. His knack for putting the ball in the basket has led to some calling him underrated, with him being seen as a tier below the top four players in this year's draft class.

Nevertheless, he could be a nice fit for the rebuilding Nets, who don't have many building blocks. Johnson has the chance to be a high-level scorer, which, when paired with Cam Thomas, would give the Nets an offensive identity. A big criticism of his game is that, despite being a big-time college scorer, he rarely gets to or finishes at the rim and has a low free throw rate.

Not getting to the rim or drawing free throws may hurt some of his offensive potential in the NBA, but even as a high-volume scorer, he is actually one of the best jump shooters in the draft. He is drilling 39.7% of his nearly seven 3-point attempts per game and also mixes in pull-up jumpers into his shot selection. Ultimately, he might not have as well-rounded of a game as other top prospects, but what he does well has value and should make him a useful player to the Nets.

The Philadelphia 76ers have a chance to have something good come from an awful season that has been plagued with injuries. If their pick ends up being in the top six, then they will be able to keep their selection away from the Oklahoma City Thunder.

That will give them the chance to add a high lottery pick to a talented albeit flawed roster that includes an injury-prone Joel Embiid as well as an aging Paul George. With the top five seemingly set, the sixth pick is more of a question mark, with our previous draft having them take Texas guard Tre Johnson. He would give the Sixers more scoring punch with him being one of the best offensive players in the draft.

However, with Embiid's future in doubt due to a potential major offseason surgery, the Sixers should instead take the opportunity to find his replacement. Duke's Khaman Maluach is generally expected to be a top 10 pick, and while it may be a slight reach to have him at six, with no consensus behind the top five players, they should take fit into account.

At 7-2, his size and length have helped him emerge as a dominant rim protector and offensive rebounder. Taking a center so high is often criticized unless they are clearly a dominant player, and while he isn't that, he could develop into an above-average starting center for years to come.

Perhaps even more than that if he is able to expand his range out to three, which isn't that far-fetched. In the short term, he'd give Philly an Embiid insurance policy and, in the long term, possibly his replacement.

The Charlotte Hornets seem so close yet so far away from building a successful team. There have been rumors that they may look into trading star LaMelo Ball this summer, which seems odd considering that they have a promising young core consisting of Ball, Brandon Miller, and Miles Bridges.

Assuming they keep those players together and they nail their pick in this year's draft, then they could make a big leap next season. As it stands, they may try to play relatively safe by taking Georgia big man Asa Newell. Newell is a tantalizing prospect given his versatility.

Defensively, he can guard multiple positions, including power forwards and centers, and has the mobility needed to defend the perimeter. Having a player of his caliber on that end of the floor is certainly useful and could help the Hornets make waves next season. Especially if they figure out their center situation after nearly trading Mark Williams to the Los Angeles Lakers at the trade deadline.

There are still some questions regarding Newell's fit in the NBA. He is only 6-9 and probably won't be able to play center full time in the NBA. He also doesn't have a post game, even though he is shooting a blistering 62% on shots inside the arc. Nevertheless, he isn't much of a shooter at this point, with him only hitting 29.9% of his threes in college thus far.

On the other hand, he is shooting nearly 75% from the free throw line on a large volume of attempts. That could bode well for his potential as a stretch forward. If he can become a floor-spacing big man, then that would be huge and make his fit in the NBA far more obvious than it is now.

After losing their lottery pick last season, the Toronto Raptors could use a young infusion of talent this year. Unfortunately, their efforts have been hampered by their ridiculously easy schedule to close out the season. As a result, they are projected to finish 8th in this mock draft; in that case, they could take Kasparas Jakučionis.

All things considered, he'd be a great get for a late top 10 pick. Jakučionis is currently putting up strong numbers for Illinois, averaging 15 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game. After Dylan Harper, he is considered to be the best playmaker in the draft, and while he has struggled with turnovers this season, he projects to be an above-average starting guard in the NBA.

What makes him an exciting prospect is his ability to push the pace and knife his way into the paint. There his creativity as a driver shines, with him being able to use hesitation dribbles to keep his defender off balance or use quick bursts to beat the rim protector.

His craftiness as a driver has resulted in him drawing plenty of free throws, averaging 5.1 attempts per game. Better still, he's shooting 84% from the line, which suggests that his 32.9% three-point shooting percentage will improve in the NBA.

With him taking plenty of threes off the dribble, once he reins in and his shot selection, he could be a far better shooter and thrive playing as a lead playmaker or as a secondary playmaker.

San Antonio has seen their two first-round picks go in opposite directions of late. Their own pick was previously 10th in the last mock draft but is currently 9th in this one.

Meanwhile, their other pick, which is courtesy of the Atlanta Hawks, was previously 11th but will now be 14th in this mock draft. That could make their draft night a bit more challenging, but they should still end up with two talented young players who can help them solve some of their roster needs.

Picking Kon Knueppel ninth makes plenty of sense given their need for more shooting and Knueppel being the best shooter in the draft. In fact, he is currently shooting a blistering 39.2% from three on 5.6 attempts and 91.4% from the free throw line on decent volume. That underscores his shooting potential.

The Spurs don't have anyone nearly as talented from outside on their roster, and that could result in him seeing playing time early on in much the same way Dalton Knecht did for the Los Angeles Lakers this season.

Defensively, he has played with two stellar defensive players, Cooper Flagg and Khaman Maluach, which can make it harder to gauge his individual defense. However, they have been terrific defensively with him on the floor, and he does have a sturdy frame for a wing.

If he can continue to be a solid team defender, then he should have no problem playing alongside Victor Wembanyama and not be a weak link. Add in his offense and overall fit, and he should be the pick here at nine for the Spurs.

Things are looking up for the Portland Trail Blazers. After concerns that 2023 third overall pick Scoot Henderson might be a draft bust, he has played much better since January 1st, averaging 15.3 points and 5.3 assists per game.

He isn't a superstar just yet, but he is the least proven that he is an NBA player. If he can take another big leap forward next season, he could be back to being seen as a top prospect. Having Henderson not turn out to be a bust also helps the Blazers make an informed decision about who they should draft 10th overall.

There’s no doubt that Maryland center Derik Queen is a dominant college player, but he is seen as a fringe lottery pick. In fact, he has one of the highest ceilings in the draft, but there are red flags too. He is averaging 15.8 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 2.1 stocks per game. He also lives at the line, drawing 5.9 free throws per game and shooting 75.7% from the line—a great number that hints at potential shooting touch.

However, I would say that that part of his game is reminiscent of Joel Embiid, but with him being quicker with the ball in his hands. Having a big who can do that, score efficiently, draw plenty of free throws, and rebound is all great.

On the flip side, he has been criticized for his defense, with him struggling to challenge shots at the rim and defending away from the basket. Him also not being a 3-point shooter makes him a questionable fit in the NBA.

He will likely be a five off the bench or playing the four next to a center who can shoot and defend the rim. Those players aren't easy to come by, and it may limit Queen's ceiling, but he could potentially work on the Portland Trail Blazers, who have a dominant defensive player in Donovan Clingan to potentially pair him with. It would depend on Clingan or Queen becoming a 3-point shooter, but it's not impossible.

Oklahoma's Jeremiah Fears is expected to be a lottery pick, and he could be a nice fit on the Miami Heat, who have been in shambles since trading Jimmy Butler. They could use a point guard who can both score and distribute, and Fears would make for a potentially great offensive fit in Miami.

Fears has somewhat flown under the radar despite having better numbers than most guards in this draft, averaging 17.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.4 steals. Fears has impressed with his ability to put pressure on defenses when driving and is effective at drawing free throws and knocking down midrange jumpers and floaters.

Still, the biggest question mark surrounding his game is his poor 3-point shooting, with him hitting just 27.1% from deep. Even so, him averaging nearly 18 points per game without a reliable 3-point shot is impressive nonetheless.

Part of his success is his being able to get to the line, with him averaging an impressive 5.8 free throw attempts, and, to his credit, he is shooting 84% from the line. That is generally a great sign when it comes to his 3-point shooting, with few college guards who make the NBA being great free throw shooters but poor 3-point shooters.

He is also a solid passer with excellent court vision and terrific operating in the pick and roll, albeit with a high assists-to-turnover rate that he'll have to cut down. Fears also racks up plenty of steals, and he himself might be a steal for the Heat.

The Houston Rockets are in a unique position with them having one of the youngest playoff teams in the league but still having a lottery pick to use to bolster their roster. That gives them a big opportunity to add a future rotation player on the cheap as well; they should take Gonzaga's and

Taking McNeely 12th might be a bit of a reach with his stock falling after several rough 3-point shooting games. However, perhaps not as much of a reach as it might appear. The Rockets need more shooting, and while drafting solely for need can be a mistake, McNeely is still one of the best shooters in the draft but can do other things.

Aside from moving well without the ball and being able to shoot running around screens, he has been playing more with the ball in his hands of late. He has been operating more as the ball handler in pick and rolls and has looked effective attacking the paint.

While that may not be his role in the NBA, it suggests that he can do more than just knock down threes as a movement shooter, which is already a valuable skill. Being able to put the ball on the floor gives him more offensive versatility and is an added bonus, making him a nice fit with the Rockets, who need another knockdown shooter with them ranking just 23rd in 3-point percentage. Add that he is 6'8 and is a good team defender, and he could thrive in Houston.

Draft prospect Ben Saraf's draft stock has plummeted due to some disappointing performances. After being projected to go 12th in our last mock draft, I will keep him in the teens, but instead of going to the Houston Rockets, I have him going to the Dallas Mavericks. Given the tire fire that the Mavericks have been since trading Luka Doncic, they can afford to take a chance on a boom or bust prospect.

Part of Saraf's issues is that his shooting numbers are middling at best, with him hitting 51.2% on 2-point field goals, 26.8% on threes, and 70.8% on free throws.

That is good enough for 51% true shooting, well below NBA standards. Despite his excellent size at 6-5, he struggles defensively, and that isn't likely to change playing against much better athletes than he currently does now. To his credit, he is a talented passer, with his size combined with impressive court vision making him even better, but turnovers have begun to become a problem for him.

He will have to rein that in to become an NBA-caliber player. Saraf does do a good job of getting into the paint, where he has reliably been able to knock down pull-ups and floaters.

And while he may not have the explosiveness that other point guards have, he effectively utilizes pump fakes and hesitation dribbles to throw defenders off balance. If he can become an effective 3-point shooter and cut down on turnovers, then there is enough there for him to be a good player, but his play of late reflects his lowered draft stock.

South Carolina's Collin Murray-Bolyes ranks as one of the most intriguing prospects in this draft class for several reasons. For one, he is only 6'7 in shoes but plays power forward, and he isn't much of a floor spacer.

Instead, he excels as a mid-range attacking defender in space to bully his way to the rim or score off face-ups in the post. His offensive game is somewhat similar to Minnesota Timberwolves star Julius Randle, but his game differs in several key ways. His efficiency is better, with him shooting nearly 60% from the field, an outlandish number.

Murray-Bolyes is also a good and versatile defender who can guard away from the basket and is like a tree trunk in the post. Despite his size and lack of rim protection, he is a good rebounder, making it easier for him to play the four in the NBA.

15 years ago, players like Murray-Bolyes probably would have gone in the second round given size concerns, but depending on his exact combine measurements, he probably wouldn't be that much smaller than many fours in the NBA. How his offensive game will translate to the NBA is a question mark without a 3-pointer, but if any team could maximize his unique gifts, it's the Hawks.

The Orlando Magic need shooting, and, if he's available, Jase Richardson could be a nice fit. Richardson is now seen as a potential lottery pick and would be close to being one if selected 15th. Richardson is one of the best shooters in the draft, drilling 39.8% of his threes on 5.2 attempts per game.

He is also more than capable of putting the ball on the floor and knocking jumpers and floaters in the paint. Those skills would make him an immediate fit on a Magic team that is short of shooting, and it has negatively affected their half-court offense with them ranking 22nd in 3-point percentage and 20th in offensive rating.

Richardson would give them a cheap shooter who could grow into a bigger role, especially with the Magic becoming increasingly more expensive. It is also worth noting that he would be a second-generation NBA player, with Jase Richardson's father being former Golden State Warriors star Jason Richardson. He was known as an elite athlete and a good shooter, and Jase Richardson is a solid athlete and an above-average shooter with NBA pedigree.

With the 16th pick, via the Hawks, the Spurs are projected to take Rasheer Fleming. Fleming's draft stock is in flux right now, with him garnering attention for his projected NBA role but him having a wide range of draft outcomes. Taking him 16 is higher than most mock drafts have him, but once the draft combine and individual workouts start up, Fleming could see his name rise.

After all, he has the size and length needed to be a prototypical three and D power forward in the NBA. His 6-9 frame with a 7-5 wingspan should make him more than capable of defending the power forward and centers, and his mobility should make him switchable in the pick and roll. Offensively, he can operate as a roll man in the pick and roll or pop out to three.

That would give the Spurs a versatile big man that would fit seamlessly in a front court in desperate need of more size. He could eventually start next to Victor Wembanyama without forcing the Spurs to sacrifice spacing to add size and rim protection.

Fleming could also help them solve their backup big man problem with San Antonio hemorrhaging points when Wembanyama sits. Having a two-way big who can knock down threes and play both power forward and center seems also too good to be true given their needs. If he's available at 16, they shouldn't hesitate to pick him.

French forward Noa Essengue has steadily climbed the draft boards with his high-energy play. At 6-9, he has the speed and mobility to play on the wing but the size and length to play power forward. While he doesn't currently project to be a good three-point shooter, he has shown other terrific attributes that could make him a solid fit in Portland.

For one, he is blazing fast for someone his size, with him sprinting out in transition for easy baskets or attacking closeouts long before help defense can arrive. His agility also extends to the defensive end, with him being able to force turnovers by playing the passing lane and even providing weakside shot blocking.

That is a solid for a four, and thus he could eventually be a solid shooter in the NBA. Last but not least, Essengue is the second youngest player in this draft class, with him being just 18 and a half years old by the time of the 2025 NBA draft.

To put that into perspective, he could potentially play 100 games in the NBA while still being a teenager. Having someone with these tools at such a young age is definitely worth taking a flyer on with the 17th pick, and the Wolves could be that much better for it if he pans out.

We have a trade! A hypothetical one at that, with the Denver Nuggets trading the Brooklyn Nets their 2031 unprotected first-round pick in exchange for the Nets' 18th, 24th, and 27th picks. The first pick is in with the Nuggets selecting Georgetown big man Thomas Sorber. The Nuggets may not have an immediate need for a future starting-caliber big man, but Sorber projects to be a terrific player on both sides of the ball.

The Nuggets could use more depth at power forward and center, and their current rotation could use a dose of youth. They will get back 2024 first-round pick DaRon Holmes II next season, giving them a talented prospect at power forward, but they could use a player such as Sorber, who can play behind and even beside Jokic.

His production across the board is impressive to say the least, with him posting 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game.

That underscores an intriguing skill set, with Sorber having excellent touch from the foul line and in the midrange. He might not be a stretch five currently, but players with worse shooting touch have developed that skill in the NBA, so it's not impossible that Sorber could down the road. In the meantime, he has no problem finishing at the paint while showing terrific footwork in the post.

On defense, he boasts a ridiculous 3.5 stocks (steals plus blocks) per game, the highest of any player projected to be taken in this year's draft class. If the Nuggets were able to make a move to land a pick in the teens in this year's draft, then they should have no problem picking him.

BYU guard Egor Demin's draft stock has been in free fall since the start of the season, leading some to question whether he should return for a sophomore season. However, if he decides to stay in the draft, the Utah Jazz might be a perfect landing spot.

For one, Denmin is already playing in Utah for BYU, and they have a second first-round pick that they could use to take a flyer on him. Denim does have potential as a jumbo playmaking wing, but concerns about his shooting ability have hurt his draft stock.

If he can develop that part of his game, then his ceiling as an NBA player goes way up, similar to how it's gone for Chicago Bulls wing Josh Giddey, who Denmin has often been compared to.

After three and a half seasons, Giddey has finally started to shoot threes accurately and at a high volume and looks like a completely different player. The hope is that Denmin can follow suit. As a top-10 pick, he might be too much of a gamble, but for a rebuilding Jazz team that can afford to take more gambles because they have more picks, he makes some sense.

Despite having the best record in the Western Conference and the presumptive MVP in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Oklahoma City Thunder may not have a lot of draft luck this year. It's looking more likely that the Philadelphia 76ers keep their first-round pick, which is top-six protected this year.

That would keep the Thunder from getting a top-10 pick. Also, the Miami Heat have imploded after trading Jimmy Butler and are not likely to keep their playoffs. They are currently 10th in the East and would have the 11th pick in this year's draft, allowing them to keep their top-14 protected first from OKC.

OKC will still likely end up with the Sixers and Heat's picks next year, but, in the meantime, they still have their pick swap with the L.A. Clippers from the Paul George trade. With 13 players under contract, perhaps it's for the best that they didn't get one of those picks, and with them contending, they may opt to use those roster spots on players more ready to contribute. As a result, they could draft and stash Hugo González.

González hasn't played a big role on Real Madrid but has shown enough to make people think that he can be a good defender in the NBA with his size and hustle. His biggest question mark is his 3-point shooting, with him hitting just 26.3% from three, but he is just 19 and has time to develop that part of his game.

Keeping him overseas for a season or two would give him time to improve his game to better fit the Thunder while also giving them time to see which of their young players are essential. That could make González an ideal choice for the Thunder.

The Indiana Pacers are soon set to get a bit more expensive with Myles Turner becoming a free agent. He could command around $25 million a season, and that would really start to add up when paired with Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam, who were both set to make $50 million next season.

Nevertheless, the Pacers need Turner with his rim protection and three-point shooting, but they should keep their options open, including taking in a potential insurance policy in Danny Wolfe.

Wolf is posting solid numbers: 12.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks while shooting nearly 34% from deep, but that is only part of his appeal. His handles are a unique aspect of his game and unusual for a player his size. He often handles the ball on the perimeter and even uses screens to attack opposing big men off the dribble or set himself up for open jumpers.

He is also a talented passer but does struggle at times with loose handles and errant passes. He probably won't be tasked with creating off the dribble on the perimeter in the NBA, but he could potentially thrive as a passer from the high post, finding cutters for easy baskets.

His shooting potential could also allow him to play power forward, giving the Pacers versatility to play him in two big man lineups or simply have him play center. There he can both space the floor, rebound, and challenge shots at the rim.

Despite being in free fall at the moment, the Miami Heat do have a second first-round pick to show from their struggles. This pick comes from the Golden State Warriors as a part of the Jimmy Butler trade and, combined with the 10th pick, should help them bounce back.

With the 22nd pick, the Heat should tap Arizona forward Carter Bryant. He definitely has the potential to be a talented NBA player, despite him only averaging 6.4 points per game. That would be the lowest scoring average of any player drafted in the first round, but teams would be smart to focus more on his impressive skill set.

Bryant has a chance to be a prototypical three-and-D forward, which is an in-demand role in the NBA. His size at 6-8, length, and mobility allows him to defend multiple positions, and unlike most three-and-D prospects, he can already shoot.

He's drilling nearly 35.4% on 2.7 3-point attempts per game, showing that he much closer to being ready to contribute in the NBA than other players who project to fill that role in this draft.

The closest thing the Heat have to a lock perimeter defender is Andrew Wiggins, but his future with Miami is unclear. Having Bryant should give them another player they can rely on to guard away from the basket, with him being impressive at jumping passing lanes and drumming up turnovers. He has also shown off the ability to create for himself by using ball screens, hinting at untapped potential that the Heat seem uniquely qualified to unleash.

After picking Dylan Harper second overall, the Wizards drafting another guard might seem like a bad idea. But with two first-round picks, they should draft the best player available, and that could be French guard Nolan Traore.

He is one of the best point guards in this year's draft class. Given the Wizards troubles scoring the ball this season, having yet another ball handler and playmaker who can create for others and himself is a luxury.

Jordan Poole and Harper will like to start together, and Traore will likely find playing time as the Wizards continue to rebuild next season. If he pans out, then he could be a solid guard who is one of the more creative passers in the draft.

He is able to find teammates by throwing dimes at crafty angles while also boasting a nearly 2:1 assists-to-turnover ratio. Traore is also fast, with him being hard to stay in front of in the fast break, and he uses his speed to his advantage in the half-court.

He can stop and start on a dime, keeping defenders guessing and allowing him to get into the paint consistently. His 3-point shot is below 30%, and he's shooting only around 72% from the line, calling into question his ability to shoot, but his jumper actually looks solid. If it is in the NBA, then Traore could be a steal if taken in the 20s.

With the second of Denver's newly acquired picks in this hypothetical scenario, they could take Will Riley. Riley is having a solid season at Illinois, averaging 12.5 points and 4.1 rebounds in 25.5 minutes per game while showing the potential to fill a key NBA role.

Riley's size, at 6-8, and defensive versatility make him the ideal size for a small forward who can scale up and play and guard fours. Of course, for him to survive in the NBA, he will need to knock down threes, and while he is only shooting 32.1% from deep, that has actually improved since our last mock draft when he was shooting just 31.5% from three on around four attempts per game.

His shot looks fine, and he's taking them at a high enough volume to suggest that he has confidence in his jumper. Better still, he's shooting 71.5% on a decent amount of free throw attempts—a good sign that he can develop into a shooter in the NBA.

His role in the NBA may not be strictly as a classic three-and-D wing, however, with him showing off more skill as a passer. If Denver were to acquire him, they would probably use him more in the role of a bigger Christian Braun and could thrive playing alongside Nikola Jokic.

The Nuggets may not need Riley now, but if Wiley can quickly develop into a cheap rotation-caliber wing who can bury open threes and defend several positions, then he'd be a nice long-term piece that could help to offset Denver's bigger contracts.

In keeping with the theme of the Orlando Magic needing more shooting, we project them to select Colorado State's Nique Clifford. Perhaps the only reason why Clifford is often mocked to go in late in the first round is due to his age, with him being nearly 23 and a half years old come draft day.

That is sure to kill interest in Clifford, though his polished game should intrigue a young playoff team such as the Magic. Clifford has a strong line, averaging 19 points, 9.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and an outrageous 61.4 true shooting percentage.

That type of production and efficiency is impressive, even if discounting his age. He should still be able to shoot the leather off the ball, with him currently hitting nearly 40% on almost 5 3-point attempts per game. Clifford is also skilled at attacking closeouts with quick bursts to the rim and is able to contort in midair to avoid being challenged at the rim.

It's not hard to envision him playing consistent minutes in the NBA. Especially on a team that needs shooting. Clifford's well-rounded game, including him being a strong rebounder for a wing, should put him on the Magic's radar.

After selecting Colin Murray-Boyles with their first-round pick, the Atlanta Hawks should look to shore up their weakest position, which is point guard. Although they have all-star point guard Trae Young, they don't have an NBA-caliber backup, which is a must.

Jones boasts one of the best stat lines of any player in his draft class. The 23-year-old senior is averaging a terrific 18.4 points, 6.2 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.4 steals. His stellar play, combined with his experience, should make him a potential rotation player for the Hawks as soon as next season. Considering their need at point guard behind Young, that would be a great use of a late first-round pick.

This season, Jones has been tasked with playing more on-ball and has clearly thrived in his expanded role. This despite beginning his college career at Marquette playing mostly off-ball with him drilling a ridiculous 38.3% of his 6.4 3-point attempts per game.

His 3-point has dipped by about seven percent thus far this season. Even so, his track record as a shooter and his ability to play effectively with and without the ball should make him a great fit for just about any team, especially the Hawks.

With the last of their 3 first-round picks in this scenario, the Denver Nuggets select Noa Penda 27th overall. Penda projects to be able to guard multiple positions, which is a valuable skill in the NBA.

The Nuggets could use another Swiss Army knife defender with Penda boasting an impressive 6-8 frame with a 7'1 wingspan, who can pester guards and body up wings. He is also terrific at jumping passing lanes and forcing turnovers.

Better still, he can challenge shots at the rim as a weak side shot blocker. He also fits the mold as a knockdown shooter who can fit into multiple lineups, including with Denver. The goal of the Nuggets trading their 2031 first to the Brooklyn Nets for three first-round picks in this year's draft is to inject some young talent into a veteran roster. Especially a roster that is becoming increasingly expensive.

However, adding Thomas Sorber, Will Riley, and lastly Noa Penda would give them three cheap prospects that can play and guard multiple positions. If two of the three pan out and emerge as rotation players or even starting-caliber players, then it could extend the Nuggets title window.

It might come back to haunt them in 2031, but they should do everything they can to maximize the time they have with Nikola Jokic now, and this move might do so.

The reigning champion Boston Celtics will have a pick in this year's draft, and that gives them an opportunity to add a cheap young prospect to a stacked roster. With the Celtics frontcourt questionable going forward with Al Horford potentially retiring and Luke Kornet being an unrestricted free agent, not to mention Kristaps Porzingis' constant injury question mark, Boston could use their 28th pick on a center.

Currently, Florida big man Alex Condon is seen as a fringe first-round pick, despite him having some terrific attributes that could make him an NBA player. Despite being listed at 6'11, he is one of the fastest big men in college basketball, with him effortlessly sprinting up the court and beating his defender to the other end of the floor. That has led to him getting easy buckets in transitions, including alley-oops.

Thus far, in a sophomore season, he's averaging a more than respectable 11.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks and 25 minutes a game. He is also shooting 34% from 3 on 1.6 attempts per game, suggesting that he can knock down threes at the NBA level. That would be a big development for Condon, with him likely being more of a power forward than a center at the next level.

Him shooting just 63.9% from the free throw line over his two seasons at Florida makes that far from a certainty, but if he can play the four, then he'd give the Celtics a versatile big man who can both rebound, block shots, get out and transition, and also knock down open threes.

That sounds like a nice move for a Celtics team that could use more size with one of their big men possibly retiring, the other one possibly leaving for free agency, and a third unlikely to play large chunks of seasons. Therefore, Condon would be a good choice.

The disastrous Phoenix Suns are headed for an inevitable offseason teardown with Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal likely to be traded this summer. That means that they will probably have a lot of turnover, but they should make the most out of their late first-round pick by taking an NBA-ready prospect in Johni Broome.

His being a late first-rounder likely has a lot to do with his age, with older prospects tending to get dinged in the draft process. Broomi will turn 23 years old over the summer, and some may question if his impressive line of 18.7 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.2 blocks is partially due to him dominating younger players.

That is a reasonable concern given the spotty record of older first-round picks, even though recent draft trends have begun to change that. Broome could continue to change that with him being a terrific finisher in the paint, shooting 56.7% on 10.8 2-pointers per game over 164 career games in four seasons.

Better still, he is a good passer, a gifted offensive rebounder, and a reliable rim protector, though he tends to struggle defending away from the rim. Broome checks a lot of boxes, and he'd be a relatively safe choice for the potentially retooling Suns.

Had it not been for the awful Paul George trade, the L.A. Clippers would be picking in the teens instead of having the last pick in the first round. That is due to the pick swap the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder own. Nevertheless, the Clippers can make hay by making the most of their late first-round pick.

The Clippers have impressed this year by hanging their hats on defense and relying on James Harden and Kawhi Leonard to carry their offense. However, they could continue to add more offensive weapons by taking Arkansas guard Boogie Fland, who is having a strong season.

With averages of 14.6 points and 5.6 assists. Fland projects to be more of a high-end, microwave second-unit player in the NBA, with him known to get hot in a hurry. He can both attack the basket and collapse defenses while throwing lobs to big men hanging near the rim or teammates on the perimeter.

He is also a solid high-volume shooter, drilling 35% on 5.3 3-point attempts per game. Put him on any team and he could thrive, but he could sizzle on the Clippers, playing both on- and off-ball with Harden and Leonard.