Predictions
30 November, 2025
Stephen A. Smith shares his thoughts on what Cooper Flagg must achieve in the NBA to meet expectations. (1:19)
The excitement is building as the 2025 NBA draft is set to kick off Wednesday at the Barclays Center in New York. The Dallas Mavericks are in the spotlight, holding the coveted No. 1 pick, with the opportunity to choose the standout Duke player, Cooper Flagg, who is considered the top prospect.
This year’s draft will feature 59 selections over two rounds, taking place over two nights for the second time in history.
As the draft approaches, two significant questions arise: Where will Rutgers sensation Ace Bailey end up if the Philadelphia 76ers opt not to pick him at No. 3? Additionally, how will the Brooklyn Nets, armed with four first-round picks, strategize to build their team around existing stars?
With insights from ESPN draft analysts Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo, we present a comprehensive resource for all your draft needs: important dates, locations, draft order, top prospects, rankings, mock drafts, statistics, and more. Get ready to discover the best talent available in the draft!
The first round will commence on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET (broadcast on ABC, ESPN, and the ESPN app), followed by the second round on Thursday, also at 8 p.m. ET (available on ESPN and the ESPN app).
This year, five additional players have received invitations to attend the draft in New York, joining the previous 19 top prospects already invited. The latest batch includes Joan Beringer, Nique Clifford, Cedric Coward, Walter Clayton Jr., and Danny Wolf, who will be in attendance with their families.
The “green room” serves as the waiting area for players and their families before their names are called by Commissioner Adam Silver. Each player can invite six guests to support them in this critical moment.
Receiving an invitation to the green room generally indicates a positive outlook on a player’s draft stock. However, history shows that some prospects, including Johnny Furphy and Kyle Filipowski in 2024, have found themselves sliding into the second round despite being present.
This year’s draft consists of 59 picks, with the first round featuring 30 selections. The Mavericks, who had only a 1.8% chance of winning the lottery, made a remarkable leap to secure the top spot—a historic move according to ESPN Research.
The Nets are leading the pack with five picks, including four in the first round (Nos. 8, 19, 26, 27, and 36), and eight teams (Suns, Nets, Spurs, Wizards, Hawks, Thunder, Jazz, and Pelicans) hold multiple first-round selections. Notably, the Spurs possess two lottery picks (No. 2 and No. 14).
This draft class is considered robust, headlined by the undeniable talent of Cooper Flagg, followed closely by potential All-Star Dylan Harper at No. 2.
There’s some uncertainty surrounding the next group of players, with six prospects—VJ Edgecombe, Ace Bailey, Kon Knueppel, Tre Johnson, Jeremiah Fears, and Khaman Maluach—expected to follow suit.
The first round is characterized by depth, especially among wings and forwards, with a few centers and guards sprinkled in. Historically, the order of the best players selected at the top can vary, and NBA executives anticipate this trend will continue, creating opportunities for teams with sharp talent evaluators.
The second round has taken a hit this year, with at least 15 draft-eligible players opting out or withdrawing by the deadline. Consequently, the perceived value of second-round picks has plummeted compared to last year.
Financial implications regarding salary caps and luxury tax regulations are expected to drive numerous trades throughout the draft—an observation noted by Givony.
ESPN’s Baxter Holmes reported that on May 12, Flagg’s family gathered in their hotel room, preparing for the draft lottery. They discussed his future before heading to the event at McCormick Place Convention Center, aware of the teams with the highest chances of securing the top pick.
Flagg, a 6-foot-9 forward and the presumed No. 1 pick, has been viewed as a frontrunner since August 2023 when he decided to graduate early and enroll in college at just 17 years old.
Sportsbooks have placed Flagg among the elite ahead of the draft, while Cedric Coward from Washington State is noted as an intriguing 3-and-D prospect. As the draft approaches, questions linger regarding Bailey’s destination and the decisions facing the 76ers.
Will they select Edgecombe or Bailey, or will they trade down to optimize their assets? Bailey’s predraft strategy has raised eyebrows, as he has yet to visit any NBA teams despite being projected between Nos. 3 and 8.
With the 2026 draft looming and several top talents expected to be available, teams are preparing for significant movements during this year’s draft. The current market for selections outside the top 10 appears softer than anticipated, prompting franchises to explore trading picks and players.
For a detailed breakdown of the top 100 prospects, including strengths and weaknesses, refer to Givony and Woo’s complete rankings. Expect Flagg to rise to the challenge as he aims to solidify his position as the top pick.
With the Mavericks set to make history, Flagg’s journey is only just beginning. He stands poised to make an immediate impact as a defender with potential for growth in his scoring and playmaking abilities.
The upcoming NBA draft holds significant implications for the future of several teams, especially with the expected influx of talent in 2026. The decisions made now could redefine franchises and their trajectories for years to come.
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