With the 2025 NBA Draft less than a month away, there are still many questions to answer and many possibilities remain unrevealed. We address five burning questions about this year’s draft.
The 2025 NBA Draft is set for June 25.
1. Is Cooper Flagg the Real No. 1 prospect in this Draft?
In a nut shell, yes. Flagg has established himself as a top prospect, particularly after his outstanding senior year at Montverde (Fla.), where his team won the FAB 50 national title and he was named Mr. Basketball USA. While at Duke, he guided the Blue Devils to the Final Four and received numerous accolades as well. Flagg averaged 19.2 ppg with shooting splits of 48 percent overall and 38.5 percent from 3-point range, demonstrating consistent efficiency. On the defensive side is where he is a difference-maker, he led Duke in blocks and steals, averaging 1.4 per game. Similar to Anthony Davis, Flagg is a special two-way prospect, as is ability, confident approach and big play ability position him as this draft’s most NBA-ready prospect.
2. Who is the Second Best Prospect?
Dylan Harper has emerged as the projected No. 2 overall pick in the draft. His playing style has drawn comparisons to Cade Cunningham, due to his scoring mindset and size, and James Harden, for his ability to impact games through playmaking and scoring. This season Harper excelled alongside fellow projected top five pick Ace Bailey, as Harper led the team in scoring, averaging 19.4 ppg, and recorded a team-high four assists per game, showcasing his playmaking ability. Harper is an NBA-ready combo guard capable of stepping into a significant role, whether on or off the ball. A significant concern surrounding the second pick is whether the San Antonio Spurs will trade it as an asset or incorporate the pick into their plans. Nevertheless, Harper holds the most value at No. 2 regardless of which teams holds the rights to that selection on draft night.
3. Is This the Deepest Draft in Recent Memory?
A few months ago, the 2025 draft was anticipated to be one of the deepest drafts in history, but that speculation has diminished recently. This draft is strong at the top, as the top four to five projected picks of 2025 all would have been picked No. 1 in 2024. Over the last few weeks, a handful of projected first-round picks and high-level second round picks have pulled out, making this draft a bit of a wild card outside of the lottery. Despite some of the depth being depleted, I see a handful of future NBA all-stars in this crop.
4. Can Upperclassmen Impact This Draft Down the Line?
Yes, seniors and other upperclassmen can impact this draft. Older players have more experience and usually a more NBA-ready body than one-and-done players. They also have a clearer understanding of their strengths and weaknesses as they enter the league, thanks to the challenges they faced in college basketball and nowadays from various coaching staffs. As coaches and scouts like to say, “they have gotten over themselves.” Two players I like and would keep an eye on that fall into the category of potential impact players are Washington State’s Eric Coward and Tennessee’s Chaz Lanier. The 21-year old Coward started out college as a D3 player, starred at Eastern Washington and looked to have a monster year for the Cougars before tearing his labrum. NBA scouts love his size and length (7-foot-2 wingspan) and looks like he can defend his position in the league. Lanier is 23 and a half years old, so you know he can take coaching, and has a work ethic that teams might want to take a chance on. Lanier shot 39.5 percent from 3-point range and knows how to utilize his shooting in both pull up and catch and shoot situations.
5. Who is the Most Underrated Projected First Rounder?
Walter Clayton Jr. of Florida, and I feel he would be a lottery pick if he was younger (turned 22 in March). Clayton is a winner and one of the best shooters in this draft. Clayton shot over 40 percent from long range this season for the Gartors and 39 percent for his collegiate career. With good measurements at the combine and solid numbers this past year, Clayton will instantly benefit any team that selects him because of his shot making ability in various on ball situations and clutch tendencies. His versatility enhances his value, as he can play on and off the ball as a playmaker or scorer. Clayton can function as a secondary guard alongside the starters or provide a spark off the bench as the leader of the second unit because he can light it up in a hurry.
