30 Predictions for the 2025 NBA Draft
The 2025 NBA draft is less than two weeks away, with plenty of star power and storylines to go around.
Would the Dallas Mavericks actually consider trading the No. 1 overall pick for a third star? Is a San Antonio Spurs backcourt already featuring De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle too full to draft Dylan Harper at No. 2? Will any teams that suffered poor luck on lottery day try to move back up?
It's time to make some draft predictions for all 30 NBA teams.
Atlanta Hawks: Select a Center in 1st Round
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The Atlanta Hawks' own first-round selection (No. 14 overall) is headed to the San Antonio Spurs from the Dejounte Murray trade, although the Hawks will still pick at Nos. 13 and 22 after previously sending Kevin Huerter to the Sacramento Kings and Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans (for the rights to the Los Angeles Lakers' first-rounder).
Assuming Trae Young is retained, this team's strengths lie in its backcourt and forward positions. But veteran big men Clint Capela and Larry Nance Jr. will both become unrestricted free agents, leading to a weakened frontcourt behind Onyeka Okongwu.
Expect Atlanta to draft at least one center with its first-round picks, possibly Maryland's Derik Queen at 13 or Georgetown's Thomas Sorber at 22, who Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman compares to Okongwu.
Boston Celtics: Use No. 28 Overall Pick to Help Move Salary
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The Boston Celtics are in a weird spot as they attempt to navigate the 2025-26 season without Jayson Tatum.
Whether this team still tries to attempt a playoff run or pulls off a mini-reset, it should want to duck the second apron, a line it's currently $22.7 million above.
Assuming Boston wants to keep Jaylen Brown, it will likely look to move Jrue Holiday ($32.4 million) or Kristaps Porziņģis ($30.7 million) as a way to cut salary. Doing so may involve some draft equity.
Don't be surprised to see the Celtics dangle the No. 28 overall pick in a potential trade to move off of Holiday or Porziņģis, possibly to the cap-happy Brooklyn Nets, who could then attempt to flip the veteran for additional pieces.
Brooklyn Nets: Try to Package 1st-Round Picks to Move Up
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No NBA team has more first-round picks than the Brooklyn Nets, owners of the Nos. 8, 19, 26 and 27 overall selections. They also have their own second-round pick at No. 36.
This franchise is just beginning its rebuild, so expect it to keep most of these selections. Bringing five rookies to training camp is a lot even for a team in this position, though, meaning general manager Sean Marks should be exploring consolidation opportunities.
Brooklyn could explore some package deals as well, attaching picks to veterans like Cam Johnson or Nic Claxton to a team ahead of it that is looking to contend immediately.
Expect to see the Nets end up combining at least two of their draft selections to climb up the draft board.
Charlotte Hornets: Take Best Available Between Ace Bailey and VJ Edgecombe
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Sitting at No. 4 overall, the Charlotte Hornets will almost certainly miss out on Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper, yet they will still get a really good prospect to pair with LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller.
There's likely going to be a temptation to select Duke center Khaman Maluach, especially since the Hornets traded Mark Williams to the Los Angeles Lakers last season before a failed physical sent him back to Charlotte.
Whether the Hornets believe in Williams as their franchise center or not, Charlotte shouldn't pass on either Ace Bailey or VJ Edgecombe to select yet another big man in the first round. The potential of both wings far exceeds that of Maluach, who could be a defensive anchor but is limited offensively.
The Hornets are still in a position where they need to be drafting the best player available, aside from possibly point guard if they plan to keep Ball.
Chicago Bulls: Find a Nikola Vučević Replacement
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The Chicago Bulls have done a nice job of assembling young talent at the guard and forward positions the past few years and should now be searching for their center of the future.
Current starter Nikola Vučević will turn 35 at the beginning of the season and is entering the final year of his contract at a reasonable $21.4 million. He'd be a good fit on a center-needy contender in need of floor-spacing, rebounding and passing.
If the Bulls trade Vučević (or even hold on to him one more year), they will need a young center to replace him.
Picking at No. 12 overall, Chicago could hope Duke's Khaman Maluach will fall to them or may eye Maryland's Derik Queen.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Select High-Floor, Older Prospects in 2nd Round
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The Cleveland Cavaliers are just beginning their five-year draft pick commitment to the Utah Jazz stemming from the Donovan Mitchell trade.
That means no first-round selection for the Cavs this year (as well as 2027 and 2029), although Cleveland has its own second-round pick (No. 58 overall) and one from the Milwaukee Bucks (No. 49 overall).
This team projects to be in the second apron for next season, so it will be extremely limited in free-agent spending.
The Cavs should be eyeing older, play-now college prospects who can fill out the end of the bench and eat up minutes when called upon. Players like Kentucky center Amari Williams or West Virginia point guard Javon Small could be options.
Dallas Mavericks: No Drama with Cooper Flagg Pick
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The Dallas Mavericks making the unexpected jump to the No. 1 overall pick has put them in a very unusual (although fortunate) position.
Does a franchise led by 30-somethings in Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson still try to win a championship with a rookie? Do the Mavs flip the script, trade the vets and build around Cooper Flagg or do they entertain the idea of trading the No. 1 overall pick for a player such as Giannis Antetokounmpo?
Given some of the recent decision-making in Dallas' front office, it would behoove teams to at least make phone calls about getting Flagg.
To the surprise of some, expect Dallas general manager Nico Harrison to refuse all trade inquiries and select Flagg first overall with little drama attached.
Denver Nuggets: Remain Outside of Draft, Treat DaRon Holmes as Their Rookie
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The Denver Nuggets don't own a single pick in the 2025 draft, and that's actually OK.
The franchise acquired DaRon Holmes (the No. 22 overall pick) in a draft-night trade with the Phoenix Suns last year. Then 21, he averaged 20.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists on 38.6 percent shooting from three in his junior season at Dayton and looked primed to be the frontcourt insurance the Nuggets desperately needed behind Nikola Jokić and Aaron Gordon.
Unfortunately, Holmes tore his Achilles during summer league play, putting an end to his rookie season before it even began.
Now, Holmes says he's "pretty sure" he'll play in the Las Vegas summer league, a great sign that he'll be 100 percent for the start of the regular season.
The Nuggets may not own a draft pick this year, but they'll still have a rookie to plug into the rotation.
Detroit Pistons: Take Best Shooter Available at No. 37
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After picking in the top-seven spots in each of the past five drafts, the Detroit Pistons played well enough this season to see their first-round pick actually convey from an Isaiah Stewart trade in 2020.
With no pick until No. 37 overall, they should feel free to target a skill set rather than a position.
Shooting remains an issue for Detroit, a team that finished 20th overall in made threes per game (12.8) and 17th in accuracy (36.2 percent). Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr., the Pistons top-two leaders in made threes, are both unrestricted free agents.
They will take a premier shooter with their second-round pick, someone like Tennessee senior guard Chaz Lanier.
Golden State Warriors: Target a Backup Point Guard
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The Golden State Warriors have a few needs on what's become an elderly team. They sent their first-round pick to the Miami Heat in the Jimmy Butler deal and will only have the No. 41 overall pick at their disposal.
Finding a new starting center to help preserve Draymond Green should be a priority this summer, although the Warriors won't find one this late in the draft.
This team lacks a backup point guard behind Stephen Curry and should be eyeing older college players who can step in immediately to the back end of the rotation.
West Virginia senior point guard Javon Small could be an option as he averaged 18.6 points and 5.6 assists this past season.
Houston Rockets: Trade No. 10 Overall Pick as Part of Package for Star
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If any NBA team is looking to move into the top-10 spots in the draft, the Houston Rockets seem the most likely trade partner.
After finishing second in the West standings last season, they don't need another rookie to develop. Last year's No. 3 overall pick, Reed Sheppard, was barely utilized as Houston shifted into contender mode.
This pick should very much be on the table and should be an attractive piece in a Kevin Durant deal, considering the selection was originally owned by the Phoenix Suns.
The Rockets desperately need a No. 1 scoring option. Whether it be Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo or another star, expect Houston to move this pick as part of a bigger package.
Indiana Pacers: Draft Myles Turner Insurance at No. 23
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Myles Turner will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, although it's expected that both he and the Indiana Pacers will agree on a new deal.
"There is a strong sentiment among various league executives that Turner will re-sign with Indiana," Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported. "Cap strategists are projecting his salary to land in the $30 million range in terms of average annual value."
Giving Turner $30 million a year or more would push the Pacers past the first tax apron, though, and backup center Thomas Bryant would be without a new deal as well.
Whether Turner returns or not, the Pacers will need another big to fill his spot or the backup position. Indiana will draft a center at No. 23 for insurance purposes.
Los Angeles Clippers: Ignore Trade Temptation and Keep Picks
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Even though we consider the Los Angeles Clippers to be low on draft picks following the trades for Paul George and James Harden, they can actually move three first-rounders when the new league year begins.
The Clippers could package the No. 30 overall pick along with firsts in 2030 and 2032 to try and bring in another star alongside Kawhi Leonard and Harden, although this shouldn't be their priority.
This roster needs young talent, especially with Leonard turning 34 this June and Harden celebrating birthday No. 36 in August. By the time the 2030 and 2032 picks go out, both players will most likely have retired.
Similar to letting Paul George walk instead of signing a new max deal, the Clippers will do the responsible thing here and keep their picks.
Los Angeles Lakers: Enjoy Drama-Free Draft
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Remember the Los Angeles Lakers' 2024 draft?
Yeah, this one won't be like that.
Bronny James dominated the Lakers' draft chatter a year ago, even though Dalton Knecht ended up being the more impactful rookie after being selected No. 17 overall. This year, Los Angeles' first-rounder is headed to the Atlanta Hawks via Anthony Davis and Dejounte Murray trades, leaving the Lakers with just the No. 55 overall pick in the draft.
L.A. obviously needs a center, a spot it won't fill picking this late in the second round, though. This could be an insurance pick, like Kentucky's Amari Williams who could play minutes behind whoever the Lakers end up trading for this summer.
L.A. fans should enjoy a drama-free draft, at least until next offseason when Bryce James can declare.
Memphis Grizzlies: Try to Trade Back Into 1st Round
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The Memphis Grizzlies traded their 2025 first-round pick to the Washington Wizards to clear Marcus Smart's salary off the books for next season and will now pick at Nos. 48 and 56 instead.
Even if they can't package these and a player to get back into the first round, the Grizzlies should try to climb as high as possible given their history of success picking in the 30s.
Memphis grabbed Jaylen Wells at No. 39 in 2024. He started 74 games for the Grizzlies and was named to the NBA All-Rookie first team. Memphis previously acquired Desmond Bane, the 30th overall pick, on draft night in 2020 from the Boston Celtics.
Expect this front office to try to move up as much as possible after previously parting with its first-round pick.
Miami Heat: Draft Best Wing Available at No. 20
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The Miami Heat have had a good amount of draft success the past decade even when regularly selecting outside of the top 10.
The magic will need to carry over, as they only own the No. 20 overall pick from the Golden State Warriors via the Jimmy Butler trade.
The Heat have selected Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez and Nikola Jović all at No. 13 or later since 2017 and should be looking for their next value pick, ideally a two-way wing who can play between the stars on this roster.
If Davion Mitchell is re-signed, he and Tyler Herro make for a passable backcourt. Adebayo and Ware should be locked in as the frontcourt starters as well. Outside of Andrew Wiggins, Miami doesn't have a lot of depth on the wing still under contract for multiple seasons.
Whether it be Colorado State's Nique Clifford, Illinois' Will Riley, UConn's Liam McNeeley or another prospect they deem worthy, the Heat will lean wing in this draft.
Milwaukee Bucks: Have Serious Talks About a Giannis-No. 2 Overall Pick Swap
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As of right now, the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade talks are non-existent.
"Right now, there is no Giannis Antetokounmpo trade market, there is no Giannis Antetokounmpo trade discussions. He has not asked for it. The Bucks are not looking to trade him," ESPN's Brian Windhorst said.
This may be true for now, but the Bucks should at least be taking phone calls in the days leading up to the draft. If the Dallas Mavericks don't want to part with the No. 1 overall pick and Cooper Flagg, the San Antonio Spurs sitting just a spot behind them should be thrilled with the potential idea of pairing Antetokounmpo with Victor Wembanyama, De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle.
Even if the Bucks don't end up trading Antetokounmpo, expect trade talks with the Spurs to at least take place.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Shop No. 17 Pick for Point Guard Upgrade
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Mike Conley Jr. and Rob Dillingham are on opposite ends of the timeline for these Minnesota Timberwolves, who are in desperate need of a starting point guard actually in his prime.
Armed with the No. 17 overall pick via the Karl-Anthony Towns-Julius Randle swap, the Wolves could package the pick along with Jaden McDaniels, Donte DiVincenzo or another good rotation player to go shopping for an upgrade.
Darius Garland, 25, would be a strong fit as a two-time All-Star. Jrue Holiday would be a more affordable (although older) option. Players such as LaMelo Ball and Trae Young are worth keeping an eye on as well but would be far more expensive.
Minnesota is probably a piece away from winning an NBA title and could use its newly-acquired first-round pick as a means of getting it.
New Orleans Pelicans: Draft Tre Johnson at No. 7 (If Available)
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CJ McCollum will turn 34 this fall and is entering the final year of his contract. Dejounte Murray will miss the first few months of the season recovering from a torn Achilles. With a frontcourt featuring Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones and Yves Missi, this roster needs a dynamic guard.
Tre Johnson is the ideal fit for the New Orleans Pelicans if he makes it to pick No. 7.
With a perfect mentor in McCollum to learn from, the Texas product can begin his NBA career off the bench or in the starting backcourt next to the guy who's averaged 20-plus points per game for the past decade.
New Orleans should resist the urge to take another big man or point guard with Murray under contract until 2028. Johnson is the pick here for New Orleans.
New York Knicks: Select a Plug-and-Play Wing
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The New York Knicks' first-round pick is owed to the Brooklyn Nets (along with many others) stemming from the Mikal Bridges trade.
After having to forfeit their own second-rounder, the Knicks are left with a second from the Memphis Grizzlies (No. 50 overall).
It's tough to see a player selected this late in the draft contributing in a meaningful way next year, although New York should have its sights set on a wing given the team's lack of depth at the position.
This isn't a developmental situation, not for a team that just reached the Eastern Conference Finals and is going into next year knowing Jayson Tatum will miss the majority of the season for the Boston Celtics while recovering from a torn Achilles.
The Knicks will target older wings who can play some minutes immediately, a la Jamir Watkins from Florida State or Georgetown's Micah Peavy.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Trade Out of Picks Nos. 15, 24, or Both
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The Oklahoma City Thunder aren't just prepared to run it back next season because this team has been so successful, but rather because every player on the roster is under contract for next year.
Obviously, something is going to have to give considering they have three picks in the 2025 draft, at Nos. 15, 24 and 44 overall.
It's hard to imagine OKC wanting to bring three rookies to a team that's going to be competing for championships for the next 5-10 years. Doing so would mean trading multiple players off a current roster that has been so successful.
For teams wanting to get back into the first round, this is your trade partner. The Thunder should be happy to trade their current picks for future ones, kicking the can down the road for a day when they may actually need them.
Orlando Magic: Trade for an All-Star Point Guard
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No offense to Cory Joseph who's had a fine NBA career, but the 33-year-old should not be starting on a playoff team in 2025.
Given the Orlando Magic's need for a playmaking point guard, however, Joseph started all five of the team's postseason games after only registering two total starts in his first 13 years in the NBA combined.
Jalen Suggs best projects as a starting two guard who gets after it defensively and contributes mildly in all other areas. This roster needs an All-Star level point guard who can pass and shoot, even if the defense is lacking. This roster is good enough to cover for them on that end.
Orlando can build a package around its four draft picks (Nos. 16, 25, 46 and 57 overall) and roster full of young players. Paolo Banchero and Suggs should be off limits, but even Franz Wagner needs to be on the table if the Magic can get a legitimate All-Star back at point guard.
After failing to address the position at the trade deadline, the Magic will use the draft to finally land the floor general they sorely need.
Philadelphia 76ers: No Paul George and No. 3 Overall Pick Trade Packages
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The Philadelphia 76ers are a bit of a wild card sitting at No. 3 overall in the draft. If Joel Embiid is healthy, this is still a team with championship aspirations, which could affect the team's draft plans.
"Some teams expect the Sixers to be active in trade conversations, with names such as Kevin Durant (Phoenix) and Lauri Markkanen (Utah) as potential targets in packages that could include Paul George and the No. 3 pick," ESPN's Jonathan Givony wrote.
As tempting as it would be to get off of George's $160 million-plus over the next three years and bring on Durant in his place, this is an extremely short-sighted move for Philly.
The 76ers will do the smart thing here and not use the No. 3 overall pick as a get-out-of-jail-free card for the George contract.
Phoenix Suns: Use Kevin Durant to Get a Lottery Pick
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A Kevin Durant trade feels inevitable at this point.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst says the 36-year-old will be moved "in the coming weeks." which just so happens to line up nicely with the draft on June 25.
A number of teams make sense for KD even given his age (37 in September), with the Houston Rockets at the top of the list. A potential deal would likely start with the Phoenix Suns getting their first-round pick back (No. 10 overall) and enough salary filler and young players to complete the trade.
We could also see the San Antonio Spurs (No. 14, not No. 2), Toronto Raptors (No. 9) or even New Orleans Pelicans (No. 7) make a run at Durant with their lottery pick as the foundation of a deal.
Portland Trail Blazers: Become a Prime Trade Back Candidate
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The Portland Trail Blazers are knocking on the door of becoming a real problem in the West and should entertain the idea of trading down from No. 11 overall or moving the pick entirely for a win-now piece.
This roster has assembled enough young talent with Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara, Donovan Clingan and others that it doesn't need another lottery pick at any position.
Portland can be aggressive in upgrading the roster this summer, even if it means packaging the No. 11 pick, one of its young pieces and salary filler for an All-Star.
Don't be surprised to see the Blazers be aggressive with their lottery pick in a trade to make the roster more playoff-ready.
Sacramento Kings: Find a Defensive-Minded Wing
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A 22nd-ranked defense held the Sacramento Kings back last season. With no first-rounder in this draft, they will instead use the 42nd overall selection to try to add some defensive help.
Finding a wing who can guard multiple positions should be the goal here. Assuming Sacramento keeps a core of Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis and Keegan Murray, this team could use another guard/forward if DeMar DeRozan is shopped.
This is around the range where Drake Powell is supposed to go. He had the combine's best vertical (43 inches) and possesses a 7-foot wingspan to challenge shots with.
It's easy to envision the UNC product making plays like this while the Kings' offensive stars take over on the other end.
Whether it be Powell or another wing in this range, Sacramento will take someone who can defend.
San Antonio Spurs: Stay at No. 2 and Select Dylan Harper
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Dylan Harper would have been a no-brainer No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft and a strong candidate to be the first overall selection in a number of others.
He's a future All-Star who looks like a combination of James Harden and Cade Cunningham, using his size and athleticism to get around defenders and to the rim with ease.
The problem for the San Antonio Spurs is how he fits with Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle and newly acquired point guard De'Aaron Fox. This doesn't even factor in a possible return from free agent Chris Paul.
There could be real discussions here about sending the No. 2 overall pick and pieces to the Milwaukee Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Teams just outside the top two should have strong interest in moving up for Harper as well.
At the end of the day, the Spurs aren't going to find a deal they feel is right, choosing instead to draft the best player available in Harper and figure out the rest of the roster later.
Toronto Raptors: Draft Khaman Maluach at No. 9 (If Available)
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A core of Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes have given the Toronto Raptors four key pieces all age 27 or younger to build around. This draft should be about finding a defensive-minded center at No. 9 overall who can grow with them.
The perfect candidate is out there, if he lasts this long.
Duke center Khaman Maluach is exactly what this roster needs. Standing at 7'1" with a 7'7" wingspan, he looks like a Rudy Gobert-Mitchell Robinson hybrid who can protect the rim and grab rebounds at an All-Star level.
Depending on how the Charlotte Hornets feel about Mark Williams, there may not be a team ahead of Toronto that feels it needs to take a center this high.
The Raptors take Maluach if he's still available and don't think twice.
Utah Jazz: Draft Best Potential Star Available
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Despite making a handful of first-round picks over the past few seasons, the Utah Jazz are still without a sure-fire future star the rest of this young roster can revolve around.
Due to this, Utah should be aggressive with this pick, taking the player with the highest ceiling, even if it means a bit of a lower floor.
This would mean passing a player like Kon Knueppel who could fit into any system and targeting a flashier guard like Jeremiah Fears or Tre Johnson, even on a guard-heavy roster.
This team needs upside. It needs star power. Using the No. 5 overall pick on such a player, regardless of fit, is the right choice.
Washington Wizards: Draft Best Player Available
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Much like the Utah Jazz, the Washington Wizards need some star power.
They aren't yet in a position to draft for fit over talent, not after winning 18 games and looking like the worst team in the NBA for most of the season.
The good news about not picking until No. 6 overall is that Washington can see how the board shakes out ahead of them and simply take the best remaining player.
Whether this is a guard like Jeremiah Fears or Tre Johnson, a center in Khaman Maluach or (fingers crossed) a dynamic wing if VJ Edgecombe falls this far, the Wizards simply need talent, no matter the position.
