NBA Draft 2025 Preview: Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper Poised to Go Top Two Amid Trade Buzz

Posted : 25 June 2025

With the 2025 NBA Finals in the rearview mirror, attention has now turned to the highly anticipated NBA Draft. Scheduled to begin Wednesday night at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, the draft is already generating excitement with projected top picks Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper set to join the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs, respectively. Flagg, the Duke standout, is widely expected to go No. 1 after impressing the Mavericks during his visit, while Harper has been pegged by insiders as San Antonio’s future cornerstone alongside Victor Wembanyama.

The intrigue deepens beyond the first two selections, with the Philadelphia 76ers holding the third pick and expected to select Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe. Despite some concerns during workouts, Edgecombe made a strong impression in interviews. His selection could be influenced by the reluctance of fellow top prospect Ace Bailey to join teams in the top five. Bailey has refused workout invitations from several teams in the draft’s upper tier and is rumored to favor destinations like Washington, New Orleans, or Brooklyn, which pick between six and eight.

In the midst of this buildup, trade activity has reshaped the landscape. On Tuesday, a three-team deal sent Kristaps Porzingis from the Celtics to the Hawks, while Brooklyn received Terance Mann and Atlanta’s No. 22 pick. The Celtics landed Georges Niang and a future second-rounder. Brooklyn now holds five first-round picks, including No. 8, and is expected to remain highly active on draft night. Meanwhile, Dallas prepares for the arrival of Flagg, who is expected to make an immediate impact as the team navigates Kyrie Irving’s injury recovery.

Rounding out the top 10 picks, players like Jeremiah Fears, Kon Knueppel, Khaman Maluach, and Tre Johnson are all in contention, each bringing unique skills and high ceilings to their potential teams. Toronto and Phoenix close out the top ten with an eye on versatile forwards Noa Essengue and Carter Bryant, both of whom have drawn increasing interest following strong pre-draft evaluations. As draft night approaches, expect more movement, surprises, and strategic decisions that could shape the NBA for years to come.

As the 2025 NBA Draft moves beyond the top 10, attention turns to teams looking to address specific needs or take calculated risks on high-upside talent. At No. 11, the Portland Trail Blazers selected Illinois freshman Kasparas Jakucionis, a promising guard known for his playmaking and floor-spacing potential. With a backcourt already featuring Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, Portland appears interested in developing another young piece to grow alongside them, especially after moving on from Anfernee Simons.

The Chicago Bulls addressed their frontcourt with the 12th pick, opting for South Carolina’s Collin Murray-Boyles. A standout in analytics-driven draft models, Murray-Boyles brings strong defensive instincts, passing ability, and physicality—skills Chicago could leverage as they anticipate changes in their big man rotation. The Atlanta Hawks, selecting at No. 13 via Sacramento, went for BYU’s Egor Demin, a 6’9” guard whose size and potential versatility make him a compelling fit next to their recent acquisition, Kristaps Porzingis.

San Antonio used the 14th pick, acquired from Atlanta, to add size with Joan Beringer from Slovenia’s Cedevita Olimpija. Beringer’s length and rim protection capabilities give the Spurs another big man to complement Victor Wembanyama. At No. 15, the Oklahoma City Thunder took a flier on Derik Queen of Maryland, a highly skilled offensive center whose draft stock was impacted by concerns over conditioning and consistency. Queen’s talent remains undeniable, and OKC could offer him the ideal environment to develop without pressure.

The Memphis Grizzlies traded up to No. 16 and chose Cedric Coward, a late-rising forward from Duke who began his college journey in Division III. Coward impressed scouts with his physical tools and reliable shooting. At No. 17, the Minnesota Timberwolves grabbed Thomas Sorber, a physical center from Georgetown who offers defensive upside despite recovering from a foot injury. Washington followed at No. 18 by selecting Michigan’s Danny Wolf, a unique 7-footer with playmaking skills, who adds an intriguing offensive wrinkle.

Brooklyn, loaded with draft capital, used the No. 19 pick from Milwaukee to select Asa Newell from Georgia. A stretch-four in the making, Newell fits the Nets’ long-term developmental timeline. Miami followed at No. 20 by selecting Liam McNeeley of UConn, a versatile scorer with a solid frame who has rebounded from injury concerns. Utah took Hugo Gonzalez at No. 21, a high-motor wing from Real Madrid with strong defensive instincts and energy.

The Nets struck again at No. 22, picking up Nolan Traore from France. Despite his earlier top-10 projections, Traore’s draft position dropped, but his creativity and upside make him a high-reward option. At No. 23, New Orleans went with Walter Clayton Jr., a dynamic scorer from Florida, after trading for this selection from Indiana. Oklahoma City continued to stockpile young wings with the No. 24 pick, taking Illinois freshman Will Riley—a raw but high-upside scorer.

Orlando closed this stretch at No. 25 by selecting Jase Richardson from Michigan State. Though overlooked for the draft green room, Richardson’s scoring efficiency and defensive tenacity made him a smart choice for a team looking to enhance its backcourt rotation. Each of these selections reflects calculated risks and strategic planning, showcasing the diverse approaches franchises are taking in shaping their futures.

The Brooklyn Nets continued their aggressive draft strategy with the 26th pick, selecting Nique Clifford, a versatile shooting guard from Colorado State. Clifford impressed teams during workouts with his adaptability and strong senior season performance. Brooklyn, already loaded with six picks in the top 40 and ample salary cap space, is clearly positioning itself as a key facilitator in trades, such as their involvement in the Kristaps Porzingis deal. While several franchises, including Oklahoma City and Memphis, showed interest in Clifford earlier, it remains uncertain whether he’ll still be on the board or if Brooklyn keeps the pick.

With the 27th selection, the Nets doubled down by picking Rasheer Fleming from Saint Joseph’s. While Fleming wasn’t invited to the green room, he’s remained a candidate for the late first round thanks to his exceptional wingspan, developing perimeter game, and raw physical traits. Although his skill set isn’t particularly polished, his defensive upside and steady improvement make him a potential sleeper pick. Brooklyn's selections appear to be driven by long-term development rather than immediate roster needs.

At No. 28, the Boston Celtics added Stanford’s Maxime Raynaud to their roster. Standing over seven feet tall and still relatively new to organized basketball, Raynaud has drawn interest as one of the few big men with significant upside late in the first round. His combination of size, offensive promise, and spacing ability make him a solid investment for a Celtics team in transition. Following major trades involving Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis to reduce luxury tax burdens, Boston now seems focused on player development rather than short-term contention, making Raynaud a fitting piece for their evolving roster.

The Phoenix Suns, holding the 29th pick via Cleveland, addressed their depleted frontcourt by selecting Ryan Kalkbrenner from Creighton. Kalkbrenner, known for his defensive prowess and rim protection, brings immediate utility to a team that just traded away Kevin Durant. A seasoned collegiate center, Kalkbrenner’s shot-blocking and interior presence could fill a crucial void for Phoenix as they reshape their roster.

Finally, the LA Clippers concluded the first round by selecting Noah Penda from France. At 6-foot-7 with a sturdy frame and multi-positional capability, Penda presents a promising development project. His feel for the game and defensive versatility provide value, especially for a Clippers team trying to capitalize on its current veteran core.

NBA Draft 2025 Preview: Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper Poised to Go Top Two Amid Trade Buzz

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