The NBA draft lottery is less than a month away, and we will soon see how the draft order will shake out. We already have a much better idea of who the select are now that the regular season is over.
The league's worst teams are no doubt eagerly waiting to see where their pick will end up. After all, the prize at the top of the draft is being a generational prospect, but who will pick first? Next, we will take a look at the latest version of Hoops Habits mock draft.
1) New Orleans Pelicans—Cooper Flagg
Despite a 12% chance of winning the draft lottery, in this scenario, the New Orleans Pelicans would end up with the number one overall pick. That would allow them to draft Duke superstar Cooper Flagg. That would be a huge gift for the Pelicans, who had an awful season due to injuries and could get a fresh start by drafting Flagg. While they still have Zion Williamson, they could have options they don't currently have.
Zion has played impressively well since coming back from a calf injury. However, if he can't stay healthy, then the Pelicans could easily pivot to Flagg, who has NBA superstar written all over him. Even if Zion is able to stay healthy, he will have to share the stage with Flagg.
That should be fairly easy with them being solid fits in the frontcourt. While Zion is essentially a center in terms of spacing, he often plays next to a big man, and while Flagg could play center and small-ball lineups, he is a combo forward who could play the three if needed.
Whatever fit issues that would arise between Flagg and Zion would be a good problem to have, and the Pelicans could find workarounds. Assuming Zion is still a part of the long-term plans.
2) Utah Jazz—Dylan Harper
The Utah Jazz fail to secure the top pick in this mock draft, but they get a great consolation prize in Dylan Harper. The Rutgers point guard averaged an impressive 19.4 points and 4 assists despite playing on a wildly disappointing team. Harper and a fellow top-five projected pick failed to lead Rutgers to the NCAA tournament, but that likely won't affect either of their draft stocks.
Harper's size at 6-6 is a big selling point, with him drawing comparisons to Cade Cunningham as a big point guard. That's relatively accurate, though Harper is noticeably quicker attacking off the dribble and is a better finisher.
There are flashes of Jalen Brunson in Harper too. Specifically how he uses terrific footwork to get his shot off in the paint, utilizing his pivot foot to spin in the opposite direction to create separation.
He also shows flashes of being able to shoot off the dribble, though he shot just 33% from deep on 5.2 attempts per game. If he can improve as a shooter, including being able to create shots for himself from beyond the arc, then that would make him all the more appealing.
Betting on his talent at just 19, his pedigree with him being the son of former NBA player Ron Harper, and positional size makes sense for the Jazz. They won't be a contender overnight, but adding Harper and giving him time to hone his game could really pay off.
3) Charlotte Hornets—V.J. Edgecombe
The Charlotte Hornets are in serious need of good news, with them failing to make the playoffs for the eighth straight season. Rumors of the Hornets considering trading LaMelo Ball suggest they aren't confident in their rebuild.
They do have a spotty draft record, including them selecting Tidjane Salaun ninth in last year's draft and seeing him struggle mightily this season. Nevertheless, they could make a relatively safe pick by selecting Baylor wing V.J. Edgecombe.
There would be some overlap with Edgecombe and Miles Bridge, with both being big and burly wings, and Edgecombe would likely play behind him initially. Even so, he could be a terrific fit in Charlotte long-term, given his athleticism and defensive impact as a ball hawk and solid shooting.
He has drawn comparisons to Andrew Wiggins, which may give Hornets fans pause, but at his peak, Wiggins was an all-star and key to a championship team. Edgecombe, being a two-way prospect that is only 19, would be a smart choice for Charlotte.
4) Washington Wizards--Ace Bailey
Even though they have the worst record in the NBA, the Washington Wizards end up with the fourth pick in this year's draft based on these projections. In that scenario, they should select forward Ace Bailey.
He was initially seen as a top three prospect in this year's draft but has seen his stock fall due to concerns about his shooting ability. While he has plenty of perimeter skill and shot-making chops for a 6'10 forward, his shot selection has resulted in some iffy percentages at the rim and from various parts of the floor.
A large part of his appeal is him being an oversized wing who can shoot from outside, but him struggling to do so in college makes it more theoretical at this point. Even so, he should still project to be a talented player in the NBA, but comparisons to the likes of Kevin Durant seem far-fetched. Instead, he appears much closer to Brandon Ingram, who was an All-Star.
Drafting an all-star caliber player fourth overall would be a win for the Wizards, who are starved for talent but have built a solid young core, including Jordan Poole, Bilal Coulibaly, and Alex Sarr. Bailey could slot in between Coulibaly and Sarr and give them a promising front court.
Each player will need time to grow into their own, but that would be for the best for the Wizards, considering they likely would be a bottom-feeding team next season as well, giving them a chance to add to their up-and-coming roster. In the meantime, they should pick Bailey and hope that he develops into an all-star caliber player.
5) Philadelphia 76ers—Khaman Maluach
The Sixers have a fantastic chance of keeping their pick out of the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder. That selection is top-six protected this year, and the Sixers have the fifth-worst record in the league. Assuming that they keep the pick, they are projected to select 7'2 Duke center Khaman Maluach.
His size, mobility, and length make him a nightmare to score against in the paint, and he is agile enough to hold his own defending on the perimeter. There's offensive potential too with him being a big target in the pick and roll and showing solid touch from outside, though he hasn't taken many threes at Duke.
Center is a tricky position for the 76ers, with them having Joel Embiid but him being in and out of the lineup. Having Maluach at least gives them a terrific backup plan. Embiid is expected to have surgery this summer and may miss time at the start of next season.
With him unlikely to ever play both games of a back-to-back again, he will likely max out at 65 games a season until he retires. Maluach should give them an excellent replacement who can start games when Embiid sits and back him up when he plays. Long-term, he should be the answer at center, allowing them to pivot to building around Tyrese Maxey.
6) Brooklyn Nets—Derik Queen
Maryland's Derik Queen might be the most polarizing player in the draft. Some see him as a terrific offensive weapon who can attack opposing big men one-on-one and bully his way to the rim. Others question his motor, defensive ability, and whether he can actually develop into a good 3-point shooter.
The downside is definitely there, with some comparing him to Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun. Sengun would probably be the most favorable outcome for Queen, who will need to land in the right spot for him to thrive. Brooklyn already has a young starting center in Nic Claxton, but he's not relevant enough to keep the Nets from picking Queen.
In fact, they could pair them together, with Claxton being a versatile defender who can handle the dirty work defensively, allowing Queen to cook offensively. Cook he can, with his final college game seeing him drop 27 points on just 17 shots against Florida, who won the NCAA Men's Basketball championship this season.
The Nets don't have much of an identity, so they can afford to gamble on Queen in the hopes that he can emerge as a star. His rebounding and ability to draw free throws at a high rate should translate. Queen's defense is a work in progress, but his offensive skill attacking in space is tantalizing.
His biggest swing skill is his 3-point shooting, but he did show signs of improvement late during his run at Maryland. In his last 14 regular-season games, he attempted and clanked all four of his 3-point attempts. However, he was much better in the conference and NCAA Tournament, going 5-11 in five games and averaging 21.2 points against better competition. That should make a clear top-10 pick.
7) Toronto Raptors--Kasparas Jakucionis
It's a bit of a mystery who the Toronto Raptors will select with their top 10 pick in this year's draft. They don't have any glaring holes as far as positions, with them having a young player in every spot as well as a recently acquired All-Star in Brandon Ingram.
Nevertheless, they don't appear close to being a playoff team, so they should look to take the best player available here at seven. That could be Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis. There were some question marks regarding his game prior to the NCAA Tournament, but he played well, helping to solidify his stock as a top 10 player in this year's draft class.
Jakucionis is a big and shifty point guard who makes up for his lack of athleticism by keeping his defenders off balance. He is effective using changes of pace and pick-and-rolls to get into the paint and has the ability to knock down pull-ups or craftily finish at the rim. He is also a terrific passer and would give any team a potentially talented, offensive-minded point guard who can make plays for himself and others in the pick and roll.
There are still questions about his defense and his 3-point shot, with him hitting only 33.3% of those shots. However, he may fare better in the NBA playing alongside a talented young team that includes star Scottie Barnes.
That would allow him to play more off-ball and could help him improve his 3-point shot selection, with him often taking many threes off the dribble. Spotting up more should allow his 3-point percentage to improve and dramatically increase his value, possibly making him a great pick at seventh for the Raptors.
8) San Antonio Spurs—Tre Johnson
Texas guard Tre Johnson has been increasingly mocked to fall in the second half of the top 10, and the San Antonio Spurs would make for an interesting fit. Johnson is arguably the best shooter in his draft class, considering that he shot nearly 40% on 6.8 3-point attempts per game and his ability to nail difficult shots.
Johnson used his deadly jumper to average nearly 20 points per game, though he isn't particularly well-rounded. He isn't a great defender, rebounder, or passer. That limits his ceiling, but he could fill a role as a microwave scorer off the bench or a bucket-getting starter who may not close games depending on how he performs.
The Spurs sort of already have that player with Devin Vassell, who is a terrific shooter—ignoring his struggles this season —but doesn't provide much in other areas aside from his defense, which comes and goes.
Still, Johnson could eventually replace Vassell if he is deemed too costly. In the meantime, he could slot in beside Keldon Johnson in the second unit and give the Spurs some offensive pop. They desperately need shooting, and Tre Johnson can immediately provide that in several ways. He can shoot off the dribble and should be able to shoot moving off screens and spotting up, making a solid fit for the Spurs.
9) Portland Trail Blazers—Asa Newell
Despite going under the radar, the Portland Trail Blazers had an encouraging season. They increased their record by 15 games from the 2023-24 season and saw several young players make big strides.
Scoot Henderson turned the corner and looks like he can be at least a good player in the NBA after some concerns that he might be a bust. Meanwhile, Deni Avdija played incredibly well to close the season, leading to hope that he could develop into a star after being acquired from the Washington Wizards last summer.
With several impressive prospects already off the board, the Blazers should look to make a safe bet by selecting Georgia big man Asa Newell. Finding the right fit for Newell will be key for him to thrive. At 6-9, he is a bit of a tweener, given that he doesn't have enough shooting to play the four and enough size to consistently play center.
Given the two options, he is more likely to develop a power forward with him having a decent-looking jumper, although he's only shooting 29.9% from three. To his credit, he did shoot 75% from the free throw line on a good amount of attempts, which hints at his potential to expand his range to three.
If an NBA team believes that he can, then they would likely take him in the hopes that he can be a versatile big man who can defend multiple positions. He is also an elite-level finisher in the paint, making him a threat as a roll man and in transition.
Pairing him with Donovan Clingan could make for a talented defensive pairing and a solid offensive pairing, assuming that one can develop into a shooter. With no stars left on the board, Newell would be a solid choice for the Blazers.
10) Houston Rockets—Kon Knueppel
The second-seed Houston Rockets are fortunate to have a lottery pick, which they can use to address one of their biggest issues: shooting. If the draft breaks like how it's mocked to go down here, then they could end up with one of the best shooters in this class.
Duke wing Kon Knueppel shot a blistering 40.6% from three on high volume and 91.4% from the free throw line. That would help the Rockets, who rank 20th in 3-point shooting and 21st in 3-point percentage. Knueppel has more to his offensive game than just being a spot-up shooter, however.
He can attack the basket, either in closeouts or by using ball screens to attack the paint. That may not be a big part of his game in the NBA, with him projecting to be more of a movement shooter, but he definitely isn't reliant solely on threes to score.
Defensively, he is big enough to hold his own on the wing and proved that he could be a capable player on that end when surrounded by other good defenders. With Houston needing more shooting, Knueppel would be the smart choice for the Rockets.
11) Dallas Mavericks—Jerimiah Fears
No one knows what the Dallas Mavericks will do this summer after trading Luka Dončić and being without Kyrie Irving to start next season after he tore his ACL. What we do know is that they will need playmakers without them, and they should use the NBA Draft to help fill that need.
Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears could be the pick here for the Mavericks. Fears is a fascinating guard, given that he lives in the paint, relentlessly carving his way into the lane.
This is despite being only 6-4 and finishing with jumpers, floaters, or athletic finishes at the basket. His elite ball-handling and skill utilizing ball screens should allow him to be able to attack the paint in the NBA. The Mavericks don't have too many players like that at the moment, and he could help solve their guard rotation post-Doncic.
Fears' biggest question mark is his 3-point shooting, with him shooting below 30% from deep, but if he can knock down threes off the bounce, then he could have star potential.
The Mavs getting a potential future starter at 11 would be a win, with Fears having the potential to do so if he develops well. That alone won't get them back into title contention, but it's a start.
12) Chicago Bulls—Jase Richardson
The Chicago Bulls' late-season surge hurt their draft pick in this year's draft. That was due to the strong play of Josh Giddey and Coby White. Add in Matas Buzelis' encouraging play, and the Bulls may actually be much closer to competing than first thought.
With them having potential long-term fits at point guard in White, small forward in Giddey, and power forward in Buzelis, they could fill a role at shooting guard by taking Michigan guard Jase Richardson. Richardson is among the top guards in this year's draft class.
He saw his stock rise thanks to strong performances in the NCAA tournament, including his scoring 20 points on just eight shots against Ole Miss. He is a terrific shooter, having drilled 41.2% of his threes and being one of the best mid-range shooters in college basketball.
Richardson knocked down an impressive 49.1% of his pull-up mid-range jumpers. His ability to score on and off the ball would make him an ideal fit on the Bulls.
That should allow him to seamlessly fit playing next to two playmakers while being able to score efficiently, even as a low-usage player. Defensively, despite being 6'3, he is surprisingly active, ranking favorably in Defensive Box Plus/Minus, with him racking up a solid number of steals and blocks.
Better still, he is one of the youngest players in the draft, with him not turning 19 years old until after the start of the 2025-26 season. His skill set at this point and his age are impressive, and the Bulls should select Richardson as a result.
13) Atlanta Hawks—Colin Murray-Boyles
Finding the right fit for forward Colin Murray-Boyles will be key, and the Atlanta Hawks may be the perfect fit. They were a play-in team, and with two first-round picks, they have two chances to improve their roster. Murray-Boyles, despite being 6'7", is projected to play power forward in the NBA due to his versatility.
Although he is undersized at the four, he can guard away from the basket, defend in the post, and rebound. Offensively, he is an outstanding finisher and is known for taking opposing fours off the dribble while facing up. It's a good way to negate the difference in size, though he will have to develop into a shooter for him to emerge as a starting-caliber player.
At the moment, that might not be in the cards, but playing with shooters such as Trae Young and Zacharrie Rischasher. That could allow him to fit on the Hawks, especially when paired with Onyeka Okongwu, who is developing into a stretch-five.
Murray-Boyles has the talent to carve out a role in the NBA, with many comparing him to Julius Randle but better defensively. That is at least worth taking a flyer on with the thirteenth pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
14) San Antonio Spurs—Noa Essengue
With the pick they received from the Atlanta Hawks in the Dejounte Murray trade, the San Antonio Spurs should address their other big issue. With their first pick, they took Tre Johnson to add shooting to their roster, but they should take big man Noa Essengue 14th overall.
He is an intriguing talent, especially since he is the youngest player in this draft class. He will only be 18 and a half by draft night, and he may still be growing both physically and as a player.
The French forward is 6-9 and boasts a standing reach in line with a center and the speed of a guard. He could conceivably play both small forward and power forward in the NBA, with his biggest swing skill being his shooting. He is currently shooting below 30% from three, but has good form and is shooting nearly 75% from the line on a large sample size of attempts.
If he can emerge as a good shooter and bulk up, then he could be a useful piece for the Spurs. The best-case scenario would be that he can guard multiple positions, like Jeremy Sochan, but be a more reliable shooter with the speed to attack closeouts or get out in transition. That would make him a worthwhile prospect at 14 for the Spurs.
15) Oklahoma City Thunder—Ben Saraf
The Oklahoma City Thunder lucked out by having the Miami Heat make the playoffs via the play-in tournament. That secured them the 15th pick in the draft, allowing them to add to their stacked young team. Ben Saraf has enough boom-or-bust potential to make an impact as a late-lottery pick. Saraf has impressed with his size at 6-6 and passing talent.
His lack of explosiveness has forced him to make use of pump fakes and hesitation dribbles to get into the paint. There, his size is an asset, allowing him to deliver passes to teammates on the perimeter or hit floaters and pull-ups.
That is clearly his biggest selling point, though the rest of his offense is a bigger question mark. He has a poor true shooting percentage, and his 3-point and free throw percentages suggest that he might not become a good 3-point shooter in the NBA.
Fortunately, the Thunder has a famous shot doctor, Chip Engelland, who has helped plenty of NBA players learn how to shoot, namely Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard. If he can develop into a good shooter, then it could unlock the rest of his game and make him a terrific pick for the Thunder.
16) Orlando Magic—Liam McNeely
Although the University of Connecticut's Liam McNeely hit just 31.7% of his 5.1 3-point attempts per game this season, he is still seen as one of the better shooters in this draft class. Some of his struggles were due to his being thrust into a more playmaking role as the season progressed instead of a more advantageous off-ball role.
He was still able to make enough plays to prove that he is capable and worthy of being a lottery pick, and teams will be wise to look past his shooting percentage when evaluating him.
McNeely's combination of size at 6-7 and shooting gives him a floor in the teens, and the Orlando Magic could be the team that selects him 16th overall. Despite being one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference when healthy, the Magic are a poor 3-point shooting team and could use what McNeely brings to the table.
He can knock down shots in a plethora of ways, including spot-ups, pull-ups, and shooting off screens. He even showed the ability to create using ball screens in the pick and roll. That may not be his role in the NBA, with him likely being pegged as more of a 3-point specialist, which is still a valuable role.
17) Minnesota Timberwolves—Rasheer Fleming
Despite having a clear skill set that would fit today's NBA, St. Joseph's Rasheer Fleming has not seen his draft stock increase much. That could benefit the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Wolves will select 17th thanks to the pick received from the New York Knicks in the Karl-Anthony Towns deal via the Detroit Pistons. They could use that unexpected asset to select a long-term fit at power forward. With questions surrounding Julius Randle and whether he will return next season, they could use the opportunity to draft a potential replacement.
They could start Naz Reid next to Rudy Gobert and utilize Fleming at both backup power forward and center. After all, he boasts terrific length with a 7-5 wingspan, helping him rack up an eye-popping 2.9 stocks (steals and blocks) per game this past college season.
That will help him defend on the perimeter and at the rim in the NBA, and he is both a solid rebounder and a good shooter, hitting 39% of his 4.5 3-point attempts per game. That should make him the ideal fit playing at the four and even at the five, and the Timberwolves should take the opportunity to add him, given the uncertainty surrounding Randle and an aging Gobert.
18) Miami Heat—Carter Bryant
Thanks to the Jimmy Butler trade, the Miami Heat will have the 18th pick, and they should select Arizona forward Carter Bryant. Nabbing him at 18 could be a steal for a team that is known for getting draft steals. Bryant is a big wing at 6'8 with a 6'11 wingspan.
That makes him a prototypical three-and-D forward prospect, with his size, length, and agility allowing him to guard multiple positions. However, what is exciting about Bryant is that he can already shoot.
Generally speaking, players who fit the bill as a three-and-D forward prospect have to be taught how to shoot, and maybe only half of them actually ever become 3-point shooters.
Bryant shot an impressive 37.1% from deep outside on 2.8 3-point attempts per game. That is a big enough sample size to prove that he can be a knockdown shooter in the NBA, especially with him having good shooting form.
Add in that Bryant shows promise in being able to create for himself by using ball screens to attack the paint off the dribble, and he has enough there to be worth being selected 18th. For the Heat, adding Bryant would be an A+ draft, with them adding a three-and-D forward, which would potentially give them a plug-and-play option.
19) Washington Wizards—Thomas Sorber
Georgetown big man Thomas Sorber projects as a starting-caliber big man thanks to his play on both sides of the ball. The Washington Wizards could use more depth at power forward and center, with only Alexandre Sarr and potentially Ace Bailey as long-term pieces.
Sorber could potentially give the Wizards their frontcourt of the future. Sorber has a chance to be a productive center in the NBA, averaging 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game for Georgetown.
He is a terrific finisher in the paint, hitting nearly 60% of his 8.9 2-point attempts per game. Sorber has a soft touch around the rim and isn't reliant on dunks to finish effectively at the basket either. He also has good footwork in the post, especially when able to face up.
He could thrive in the NBA if paired with a skilled pick-and-roll playmaker, and Sorber has enough touch to be able to knock down mid-range jumpers. However, he only shot 16.2% from three this season.
His not projecting to become a 3-point shooter may limit him to playing center in the NBA. Still, if paired with Sarr, who projects to be a high-volume 3-point shooter, then Sorber might be a nice fit in Washington on both ends of the floor.
Defensively, he has good verticality, allowing him to make the most of his 7-4 arm span. He also displays good footwork when defending on the perimeter, with him often able to keep up with players on drives and contest at the rim.
Defensively, Sorber boasts impressive defensive metrics, including 3.5 stocks per game, which, paired with Sarr, could make for a strong pairing. If he's available at 19, the Wizards should jump at the chance to draft him.
20) Brooklyn Nets—Nolan Traore
The Brooklyn Nets have four first-round picks, and while they are likely to trade at least one of them, we'll have them make all four selections, starting with Nolan Traore. The French guard Traore is an intriguing prospect for a team in need of a point guard.
The 6-5 point guard has terrific passing vision, finding teammates by tossing passes at unorthodox angles. He is also fast for his size, allowing him to put pressure on defenses with his ability to push in transition or use quick bursts to get to the rim.
Taking a big and quick point guard who is just 18 and still growing into their own is a worthwhile gamble for the Nets. Given that they don't have a long-term point guard, taking Traore with one of their four firsts seems like a smart move as a result.
With Derik Queen and Traore, they could begin to put together the pieces of their roster. While neither is likely to be their next franchise player, they could both emerge as starters. Traore may take longer to develop, but the Nets essentially have four lottery tickets, and they should use one on a player such as him in the hopes he lives up to his potential.
21) Utah Jazz—Egor Denmin
BYU guard Egor Demin was seen as a top-10 pick before his stock slid this season. Instead, I project him to be selected 18th overall by the Utah Jazz.
Denmin helped himself during the NCAA tournament, showing that his jump shot is not as broken as one thought. He hit five jumpers against VCU, including three threes. That gave teams a glimpse of his potential as a big guard who can create mismatches with his size and court vision and is hopefully capable of hitting from outside.
While being a 6-9 lead guard would normally ensure being picked in the lottery, questions regarding his shooting ability and defensive ability, given his thin frame, will likely place him in the late 20s. The Jazz will scoop them up there.
Never mind that he played for BYU, which is in Utah, but they have two first-round picks and are still early enough in their rebuild that they can afford to take chances on players such as Denim.
Landing him and Dylan Harper would be a great draft by the Jazz, and after picking three players in the top 32 last year, they would have plenty of prospects that could hopefully pan out. Harper is the safest choice, while Denmin is a wild card due to his unique skill set for his size.
22) Atlanta Hawks—Kam Jones
For the third straight mock draft, the Atlanta Hawks are projected to select Providence guard Kam Jones. Jones would give the Hawks a much-needed backup point guard, with him being able to create with the ball in his hands while also being a terrific off-ball option. His size at 6-5 would allow him to play some with Trae Young and do damage.
Jones averaged a terrific 18.4 points, 6.2 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.4 steals at Providence this past season and thrived in a new role. He previously played primarily off-ball during his first three seasons and shot the leather off the ball, hitting 38.3% of his 6.4 3-point attempts per game.
His track record as a shooter and his improved playmaking would be a solid addition for the Hawks. Especially with the 25th pick often being hit or miss. Taking a player with a lot of college experience with the hope that they will be ready to contribute would be smart for the Hawks.
After all, they won't have control of their pick in 2026 and 2027, so Atlanta needs to make the most of the 14th and 25th picks in this draft. Therefore, Murray-Boyles and Jones should be the picks.
23) Indiana Pacers—Danny Wolf
With the 23rd pick in the NBA draft, the Indiana Pacers should look to go big to solidify their front court. Myles Turner has held down the center spot in Indiana for 10 seasons, and he will be a free agent this summer. While he could very well be re-signed, if another team makes a big offer, then the increasingly expensive Pacers may be forced to walk away from the negotiating table.
That increases the need for them to look at their options in the draft when it comes to big men. Based on that, they should strongly consider drafting Danny Wolf of Michigan.
Wolf has turned heads this season with his size at 7 ft, his terrific rebounding, impressive court vision, and ability to score both inside and out. Having both size and skill is still valuable for big men, and while there are some flaws in his game, namely his turnovers, perimeter defense, and questions surrounding his shooting, there is still enough to like about Wolf.
He displays strong footwork in the post and shows
enough shooting touch to suggest that he can be a stretch five. If he can, then he'd be a solid choice for the Pacers.
24) Orlando Magic (via Grizzlies)—Will Riley
Illinois forward Will Riley flashes significant potential given his ability to fit a potential role in the NBA. At 6-8, his size, length, and defensive versatility give him 3-and-D potential.
His 3-point shot tends to come and go with him being aggressive taking threes, but the results are not always consistent. He got off to a blistering start in his first nine college games, shooting 50% from deep on 5.1 attempts per game, but shot just 32.6% from three on the year on 4.1 attempts.
Riley also showed off more of his playmaking skill as the season wore on. That adds an interesting facet to his game combined with his height at 6-8. It's unclear how much he will play with the ball in the NBA, with him projected to play more off-ball given his ability as a cutter and hopefully more consistent 3-point shooting.
However, it hints at more untapped potential for Riley. The Brooklyn Nets should certainly hope so, with them projected to select him in this scenario. They probably won't use all four of their first-round picks in this year's draft, but if they do, then don't be surprised if Riley ends up becoming a Net.
25) Oklahoma City Thunder—Nique Clifford
The team with the best record in the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder, appears unlikely to pick up the top-six protected firsts via the Philadelphia 76ers.
Fortunately, they still have their own, including the right to swap picks with the L.A. Clippers and a first via the Miami Heat. That will give them the 15th and 23rd picks, and they should use them to select one of the most NBA-ready prospects, Nique Clifford.
Clifford will be 23 and a half years old by the time he is drafted, and that has likely tamped down interest in him. However, for a playoff team in need of more shooting, he would make sense, given that he would be ready to play NBA minutes next season for the Thunder.
Clifford posted strong numbers during his senior season, averaging 19 points, 9.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and an impressive 61.4 true shooting percentage.
Clifford drilling nearly 40% on 4.8 3-point attempts per game is tantalizing, giving them another weapon from outside, but he is more than a floor spacer. He can also put pressure on defenses by using his quickness to penetrate the paint and attack the rim. He is also a crafty finisher, helping him maintain his terrific efficiency. Add in his passing and rebounding, and Clifford would be a safe selection for the Thunder.
26) Brooklyn Nets—Noa Penda
Noa Penda has been compared to fellow Frenchman Nic Batum, though not just because of his nationality. Penda is a versatile player who fits the mold as a three-and-D wing, to say the least, at 6'8" with a 7'1 wingspan.
That is the perfect size and length to be an effective wing in the NBA, particularly on the defensive end. Penda looks like he can be an impact player on that end of the floor. He is quick enough to guard guards and big enough to go up against larger wings.
Not just that, but he is an active defender, forcing turnovers by jumping passing lanes and contesting shots at the rim as a weak-side shot blocker. Penda already has the defensive part down, but his biggest swing skill will be his ability to knock down threes. He shot just 30.3% from deep this season, but his shooting stroke actually looks good, and he did shoot nearly 75% on a decent amount of free throws.
Those things suggest that he could at least develop into a decent to good 3-point shooter. If that is the case, then he could emerge as a rotation player in the NBA, which would be a win considering how few players selected in the twenties have that career outcome.
27) Brooklyn Nets—Hugo Gonzalez
With the last of their four first-round picks, the Brooklyn Nets should select Hugo Gonzalez. Taking Gonzalez in the first round would allow the Nets to potentially go the draft-and-stash route, allowing them to preserve a roster spot in this scenario.
They previously selected Derek Queen, Nolan Traore, and Will Riley in this mock draft. While they can afford to use three roster spots on three promising prospects, using four could have diminishing returns. Gonzalez is already playing professionally overseas and can continue to develop there for a couple of seasons before being brought over.
Gonzalez projects to be a three-and-D wing, with his defense and activity level being a big selling point in his game. Those players are at a premium in the NBA, and if he can provide perimeter defense and knock down shooting, then he could be at least a rotation player for the Nets.
Still, he will need to improve on the shooting aspect. He is also currently averaging just 10 minutes a game, which hasn't given him much of an opportunity to show what he can really do on the offensive end. That being said, the potential is definitely there, and at 20 years old, he is still young enough to grow into that role.
With the Nets nowhere near contending for a spot in the playoffs, they can afford to take a few chances. If they believe Gonzalez can develop into an NBA player, then they can afford to be patient with him by drafting and stashing him.
28) Boston Celtics—Johni Broome
The defending champion Boston Celtics have not one but two chances to draft young talent in the 2025 NBA draft. They will select 28th and 32nd, but we will focus on who they will select with the 28th pick. With the Celtics in need of frontcourt depth with Al Horford potentially retiring after this season and Kristaps Porzingis always an injury risk, they should consider taking Auburn center Johni Broome.
The Auburn big man had a strong season, averaging 16.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists while showing off strong interior scoring and a solid mid-range game. If he were a couple of years younger, he would likely be much more favorably ranked than a fringe first-round pick.
Instead, he will likely be dinged during the draft process, with him being nearly 23 years old. That fact could actually work out in the Celtics' favor, with them needing young players who can step in and be ready to play for them.
Broome fits the bill, with him having enough offensive versatility to easily carve out a role in the NBA. If the Celtics were to select him 28th, he would likely be a safe selection considering his track record in production while playing for a team that made the Final Four this year.
29) Phoenix Suns (via Cavaliers): Walter Clayton Jr.
Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr. had a monster season, averaging 22.3 points and shooting a blistering 43.5% from deep on 7.7 3-point attempts per game. Clayton Jr.'s stock has skyrocketed after his six-game NCAA Tournament heater, putting far more attention on him.
Prior to that run, he probably would have been a fringe second-round pick. But a team in need of players who can come in and contribute immediately should take a flyer on Clayton Jr.
Even taking out his meteoric rise in the NCAA Tournament, Clayton Jr. had a strong record this season that showed off his elite shooting ability. He shot 43% on 7.8 threes per game en route to averaging 18.6 points. His sharpshooting combined with his playmaking should allow him to carve out a role in the NBA, though how big of a role remains to be seen.
He has a strong comparison to the Houston Rockets starting point guard and former All-Star, Fred VanVleet. Getting a player in the mold of him with the 29th pick would be a worthwhile gamble for the Nets. Even if he doesn't have a lot of room for improvement, he could still find his way in the NBA, with few players being able to shoot quite like he can.
That's not to mention that he got better as the season progressed and when his team needed him the most. Generally, putting too much stock in an NCAA Tournament performance can be misleading, but in this case, it could be eye-opening. Scouts are probably paying attention to a player who was previously underrated.
30) LA Clippers—Yaxel Lendenborg
All things considered, the LA Clippers have had a successful season. They managed to make the playoffs outright despite losing Paul George last summer and having two aging stars on the roster.
Even so, the trade that netted them Paul George in the first place is the reason why they are picking late in the first round instead of in the teens. The Oklahoma City Thunder own swap rights and will use what would have been the Clippers' 17th pick, giving LA the last pick in the first round.
Still, they can make the best of the situation by selecting Yaxel Lendenborg. His play during the Conference Tournament and NIT Tournament has brought him more attention. In six games, he averaged a stellar 20.5 points and 13.3 rebounds.
His impressive play and monster numbers, averaging 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks, 1.7 steals, and shooting 35.7% from three, should be worth taking a flyer on. Even though he will turn 23 before the start of next season.
That is a knock on him, but his advanced stats are off the charts, with him posting nearly a 30 P.E.R. and +11.2 Box Plus Minus. If he's still around at 30, then the Clippers could get a steal.