The Portland Trail Blazers have greatly improved over the last two months of the season, but the inconsistency of this young core has continued to haunt this team. The good news is that the Blazers have clearly taken a step forward compared to last year. Heading into the offseason with a projected top-10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Blazers will be tasked with finding the right fit for what the team is building moving forward.
With still much to be settled across the draft landscape, it's not too early to start looking ahead. For the Blazers, they could be in a position to find a truly difference-making prospect in what has been described as a strong class. Portland may not be able to get Cooper Flagg, who is considered the unanimous No. 1 prospect in this draft, but there are some intriguing players that will be in play for the franchise. Let's take a look at how it could all unfold in the latest edition of our 2025 NBA Mock Draft.
1. Washington Wizards - Cooper Flagg, F, Duke
Cooper Flagg continues to dominate college basketball almost as well as the Washington Wizards have managed to lose games this season. The two sides appear destined for one another, but it will ultimately come down to how the lottery balls end up bouncing. If the Wizards get in a position to select Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick, this is the type of moment that could end up significantly changing the trajectory of the franchise.
Flagg has superstar potential and could be the exact first piece of a rebuild that the Wizards need. Flagg can score at a high level and efficiency rate and has promise as a versatile defender with his size and athleticism. There are very few holes in Flagg's game, even at this early stage of his development.
2. Utah Jazz - Dylan Harper, G, Rutgers
Cooper Flagg is the clear prize in this year's NBA Draft class, but there is a big advantage for any team picking No. 2 over No. 3 or 4. Moving up to the second overall pick would be huge for a team like the Utah Jazz. Utah is in desperate need of a supporting star, and the hope would be that the team could find one with a projected top 4 pick in this year's draft. If they can get to No. 2, it would be huge as they would get the luxury of picking between Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey.
With Lauri Markkanen in the frontcourt, I'd imagine the Jazz would much rather prefer to pair him with Harper over Bailey. It's a much more seamless fit. That's what the Jazz would have the ability to do with this selection. Harper could emerge as the star guard that they have been looking for since the departure of Donovan Mitchell.
3. Charlotte Hornets - Ace Bailey, F, Rutgers
The Charlotte Hornets wouldn't have much of a decision to make with this pick at No. 3. I'd imagine any team that falls in this spot is going to take whoever isn't taken at No. 2. With the way the board has fallen in this mock draft, the Hornets will take Ace Bailey, an extremely talented offensive-minded forward who is still growing into a well-rounded prospect with clear star potential.
Bailey can score the basketball, but if he's going to blossom into a superstar player at the next level, he's going to have to make strides on the defensive end while also proving that he can be a more creative offensive player with the ball in his hands. As a pure scorer, though, he sure is electric.
4. New Orleans Pelicans - VJ Edgecombe, G, Baylor
As the New Orleans Pelicans search for a difference-maker to potentially salvage what's left of the Zion Williamson blueprint, the argument could be made that VJ Edgecombe could be the best option here at No. 4. With the big 3 off the board, Edgecombe is in that second tier of draft prospects. Edgecombe has had a handful of breakout moments during his freshman season at Baylor. The hope is that he can translate some of that in the NBA.
Averaging 15 points, five rebounds, and three assists per game on 44 percent shooting from the field and 36 percent shooting from 3-point range for the Bears, Edgecombe has all the tools to be the exact ceiling-altering two-way player the Pelicans will be looking for heading into the offseason.
5. Toronto Raptors - Tre Johnson, G, Texas
The Toronto Raptors made the move for Brandon Ingram ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline, at least in part, to answer some of the team's offensive concerns. With this top-5 projected pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, there's reason to believe that they could do the same with the selection of Tre Johnson. While there are questions about his playmaking and defensive capabilities, it's hard to ignore his pure talent when it comes to putting the basketball in the hoop.
As the Raptors look to take a big step forward in their progression next season, Johnson could emerge as an offensive lightning rod for the team on the offensive end of the floor. If he can contribute in that way immediately, this would be considered a home run selection for the Raptors.
6. Brooklyn Nets - Kasparas Jakucionis, G, Illinois
With the majority of the big names off the board, this is a spot where the Brooklyn Nets could get creative. At No. 6, this is also a range when a player like Kasparas Jakucionis could come off the board. For the Nets, taking a flier on Jakucionis might be the play. During his freshman season at Illinois, Jakucionis has averaged 15 points, six rebounds, and five assists per game on 46 percent shooting from the field.
Jakucionis may have already done enough to cement himself as a lottery pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. With great size and feel for the game at the guard position, the Nets could find themselves a potential steal of the top-10.
7. Oklahoma City Thunder (via PHI) - Kon Knueppel, G, Duke
It's pretty insane to think that the Oklahoma City Thunder could win the NBA Championship this season and still have a lottery pick in a strong NBA Draft class. It'd be the epitome of unfairness. Nevertheless, the Thunder will have another opportunity to improve their roster heading into next season. One player who could fit right in with what the team is building is Kon Knueppel.
Knueppel is considered one of the best pure shooters in this draft class and could play an immediate role for the Thunder on the wing. If OKC is looking for a player who can make a difference right away, Knueppel might be the best option at this point in the top 10.
8. Chicago Bulls - Liam McNeely, F, UCONN
Liam McNeely could be a play for the Chicago Bulls at No. 8. UCONN hasn't been as good as they've been the past two years, but McNeely has been a standout for the Huskies. Averaging 15 points and six assists per game on 35 percent shooting from 3-point range, McNeely could realistically come in and make a difference for a Bulls team that will be looking for a new identity.
I'm not sure if McNeely has the star power that the Bulls would love to see from a selection in the top-10, but I'm not sure they should be put that much pressure on this selection either.
9. San Antonio Spurs - Khaman Maluach, C, Duke
Heading into this offseason, there's a chance the San Antonio Spurs could look to the 2025 NBA Draft with the hopes of landing a big man that could play next to Victor Wembanyama. I'm not sure if that will be their priority at the draft, but with the way the board has fallen, Khaman Maluach could be right there for the taking.
In hopes of recreating a dynamic duo in the frontcourt, the Spurs could find value in pairing Wemby and Maluach heading into the future. Maluach could reach his ceiling next to Wemby, the duo could create one of the most dominant frontcourts in the Western Conference in the next 2-3 seasons.
10. Portland Trail Blazers - Egor Demin, F, BYU
Even though the Portland Trail Blazers have shown some positive strides over the last couple of months of the season, there's no question this team continues to lack a natural playmaker. Heading into the 2025 NBA Draft, the Blazers could look to find an answer to this lingering issue. One unexpected prospect that could emerge as a potential target for the Blazers late in the top 10 is Egor Demin.
Demin got off to a red-hot start to the season and has maintained a pretty strong draft status as the collegiate basketball season quickly comes to an end. Demin has shown the potential to be a point-forward with some promise playing off-ball. On the Blazers, Demin could make a ton of sense alongside offensive-minded wings such as Anfernee Simons, Scoot Henderson, and Shaedon Sharpe.
11. Miami Heat - Carter Bryant, F, Arizona
With the potential with two first-round picks, I would expect the Miami Heat will want to take a big swing with at least one of these selections. At No. 11, that could very well be the case. One player that could fit the Heat's profile late in the lottery is Carter Bryant. As an athletic, versatile prospect with much promise, Bryant could be the exact type of player the Heat could end up rolling the dice on.
If the Heat does trust their developmental system, Bryant could be worth the gamble. In small spurts with the Wildcats this season, Bryant has had his impressive moments. Overall, the production isn't quite there, but he's been efficient when given the opportunity on the floor, averaging 14 points and nine rebounds per 40 minutes.
12. Houston Rockets (via PHO) - Nolan Traore, G, France
The Houston Rockets have to be considered a team that is sitting pretty heading into the offseason. They're playing with house money with their young core and will have the assets needed to make a big move (if they want) for a star player this summer. With another lottery pick, the Rockets could look to attempt to find a potential long-term answer at the point guard position. Nolan Traore could be a worthy developmental project for the team.
Still a relatively raw draft prospect, so it will be interesting to see where Traore's draft stock takes him. However, with his good size and natural ability to get to the basket, the Rockets could be one team willing to take a gamble on him late in the lottery.
13. Dallas Mavericks - Jeremiah Fears, G, Oklahoma
After suffering a torn ACL this late in the season, it will be all but a certainty that Kyrie Irving is going to miss the majority of next year. While it would be unfair to expect a rookie to fill the role of Kyrie next year, I do believe taking a shot on Jeremiah Fears could be a smart move for the team. Fears has had an inconsistent season at Oklahoma but does have some star potential.
If he can cure his offensive inconsistency concerns, there's reason to believe that Fears could develop into a potential starter down the line. He may need some time and pro coaching to hone in his skill set, but the Mavs could be adding a strong developmental project to their roster with this type of selection.
14. Atlanta Hawks (via SAC) - Ben Saraf, G, Germany
Even though Ben Saraf has quickly developed into one of the most polarizing prospects in this draft class, I do believe that he has a natural skill set that will make him an attractive option late in the lottery. For a team like the Atlanta Hawks, who could be on the verge of trading Trae Young in the not-so-distant future, taking a flier on Saraf could end up paying dividends down the line.
A 6-foot-6 point guard with natural playmaking could be what the Hawks are looking for as they continue to build out a young foundational core. Saraf certainly has his work cut out for him to continue to win over teams leading up to the NBA Draft, but the Hawks could be a natural landing spot late in the lottery.
15. Orlando Magic - Derik Queen, C, Maryland
16. San Antonio Spurs (via ATL) - Asa Newell, F, Georgia
17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC) - Noa Essengue, F, France
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via DET) - Collin Murray-Boyles, F, South Carolina
19. Utah Jazz (via MINN) - Will Riley, G, Illinois
20. Miami Heat (via GS) - Jase Richardson, G, Michigan State
21. Indiana Pacers - Rasheer Fleming, F, Saint Joseph's
22. Brooklyn Nets (via MIL) - Joan Beringer, C, France
23. Brooklyn Nets (via HOU) - Drake Powell, G, North Carolina
24. Washington Wizards (via MEM) - Hugo Gonzalez, F, Spain
25. Brooklyn Nets (via NY) - Boogie Fland, G, Arkansas
26. Orlando Magic (via DEN) - Nique Clifford, G, Colorado State
27. Atlanta Hawks (via LAL) - Thomas Sorber, C, Georgetown
28. Boston Celtics - Danny Wolf, C, Michigan
29. LA Clippers (via OKC) - Adou Thiero, F, Arkansas
30. Phoenix Suns (via CLE) - Chaz Lanier, G, Tennessee
While there remains plenty of uncertainty revolving around the 2025 NBA Draft, we are getting some much-needed clarity with every passing day. That will continue to be the case until the NBA Draft Lottery, scheduled for May 12, clarifies what the top of the board will look like.