Start, Bench or G League? Predictions for Every 2025 1st-Round NBA Draft Pick
There could be dozens of rookies playing regular roles during the 2025-26 NBA season.
Between the top prospects who wound up in favorable situations and the rebuilding teams that will prioritize their young players, last month's draft class could get off to a fast start.
Still, only a handful will be in position to earn starts right away. The majority will come off the bench and provide specialty skills or traits. Some will spend most of the season in the G League, whether due to their team's rotation or a need to build up their confidence, bodies or skill levels.
No. 1: Cooper Flagg (Dallas Mavericks, PF)
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Role: Starter
Usage type: Primary creator
The Dallas Mavericks will start Cooper Flagg next to Anthony Davis and give the rookie a substantial on-ball workload right away with Kyrie Irving out.
While his size, athleticism, motor and IQ will instantly translate to easy baskets, defensive playmaking and advanced passes, he's also ready to create and initiate offense after logging 129 pick-and-roll ball-handling possessions at Duke.
Coach Jason Kidd has already talked about using the 18-year-old as a point guard.
Positions seem unlikely to matter this year in Dallas. Flagg figures to move around and remain interchangeable as a playmaking 4, jumbo wing with Davis and Dereck Lively or point-of-attack creator while Irving recovers.
Regardless, offense will run through the No. 1 pick right away in Dallas.
No. 2: Dylan Harper (San Antonio Spurs, PG/SG)
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Role: Starter
Usage: Combo scorer/playmaker
The San Antonio Spurs will want to get Dylan Harper used to playing with another ball-handler right away. He'll start alongside De'Aaron Fox, who will remain the team's lead guard.
Harper should still have plenty of opportunities to create and make plays as a combo, though he'll have to get comfortable playing more off the ball than he's used to.
The 19-year-old did shoot 39.0 percent on catch-and-shoot looks at Rutgers, and he was highly efficient finishing off screens and cuts.
Though there may questions about fit with Fox, Harper and Castle, the Spurs' identity will revolve around the pressure they can put on defenses with three players who can handle and attack.
No. 3: VJ Edgecombe (Philadelphia 76ers, SG/SF)
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Role: Bench
Usage: Second unit energizer/scorer
A healthy Jared McCain should start with Tyrese Maxey, and Quentin Grimes returning presumably forces VJ Edgecombe into a bench role.
The rookie would give the starting lineup a spark of explosiveness that it currently lacks. But in all likelihood, Edgecombe will back up Grimes and Paul George and operate as a second-unit scorer who'll provide speed, rim pressure, shotmaking, unselfish ball-moving and defensive activity.
No. 4: Kon Knueppel (Charlotte Hornets, SF)
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Role: Starter
Usage: Spot-up scorer, secondary playmaker
A strong summer league should have solidified Kon Knueppel as the Charlotte Hornets' starting small forward.
With the majority of offense running through LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, Knueppel, who graded in the 98th percentile in spot-up points per possession at Duke (Synergy Sports), should be playing to his strengths off the ball.
Still, while the Hornets will value the rookie's shooting and scoring efficiency, Knueppel is too effective making ball-screen reads not to be used as a secondary pick-and-roll ball-handler.
No. 5: Ace Bailey
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Role: Bench
Usage: Second-unit scorer
Ace Bailey could earn starts if the Utah Jazz play Lauri Markkanen at the 4. But early on, they may be more tempted to use Taylor Hendricks' defense or Kyle Filipowski's size and scoring versatility at power forward.
Bailey would receive more on-ball reps with the second unit. It would be a more familiar role, rather than playing out of spot-ups with Utah's first group. He'll play to his strengths as a scorer who has separated himself over the years with self-creation and three-level shotmaking.
No. 6: Tre Johnson (Washington Wizards, SG)
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Role: Bench
Usage: Sixth man scorer
Tre Johnson will be the long-term starting 2-guard in Washington. He just might not have that title from Day 1 after the team traded for CJ McCollum, who'll bring leadership and stability to one of the league's youngest rotations.
Johnson only played two games in summer league, but he looked like the same high-level self-creator and shotmaker we've seen with Link Academy, USA Basketball and Texas.
While his particular shot diet did lead to a hint of hesitation from NBA scouts, the 19-year-old ultimately looks advanced enough with his pull-up, step-back and off-ball shooting to score in volume with consistency.
Using that creation skill to become more of a playmaker is what can take his game to star-level heights.
No. 7: Jeremiah Fears (New Orleans Pelicans, PG)
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Role: Starter
Usage: Lead ball-handler
With Dejounte Murray out, the New Orleans Pelicans will throw Jeremiah Fears right into the fire with the starters.
He'll turn 19 just before the season, and given his three-point percentages and turnover rates in college and summer league, it's reasonable to expect an inefficient rookie year.
The plan should be for Fears to let the game come to him and focus on setting up Jordan Poole, Tre Murphy, Zion Williamson and Yves Missi.
In the long term, though, New Orleans sounds excited about developing a point guard with Fears' ability to create advantages, put pressure on the defense and hit tough pull-ups.
No. 8: Egor Demin (Brooklyn Nets, PG)
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Role: Starter
Usage: Combo guard
Between the Brooklyn Nets prioritizing Egor Demin at No. 8 and his strong play in summer league, he's looking like a favorite for a starting job entering training camp.
He was actually used more off the ball in Vegas than he was at BYU. The Nets may avoid labeling the 19-year-old with a specific position. Though playmaking represents his signature skill, he'll likely split time handling the ball/facilitating and operating as a 6'8" scoring combo, particularly after looking comfortable stepping into catch-and-shoot threes this past week.
Considering the Nets drafted Nolan Traore in the top 20, it's reasonable to think Brooklyn believes he and Demin can coexist.
No. 9: Collin Murray-Boyles (Toronto Raptors, PF)
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Role: Bench
Usage: Frontcourt scorer/playmaker
Unless the Toronto Raptors make a trade to break up the semi-logjam between Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett and Scottie Barnes, Collin Murray-Boyles will be coming off the bench.
His combination of power and face-up agility should work quickly from the backup power forward spot. He may be able to catch defenses off guard with his out-of-box mix of 6'7", 245-pound size, interior scoring physicality/instincts and evolving ball-handling and playmaking skills.
Between Murray-Boyles and Jonathan Mogbo, the Raptors' second-unit frontcourt offers pretty unique versatility.
No. 10: Khaman Maluach (Duke, C)
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Role: Bench
Usage: Finisher/rim protector
Khaman Maluach's summer league debut explained why the Phoenix Suns traded for Mark Williams.
The Duke product struggled with shotmaking, fouls and turnovers. Still, he should be able to give Phoenix an effective lob target and rim protection. In the short team, he'll rely on his physical tools for converting pick-and-rolls, putting back misses and contesting shots.
But adding Williams suggests Phoenix plans to take it slower and think long-term with Maluach.
No. 11: Cedric Coward (Memphis Grizzlies, SF/PF)
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Role: Bench
Usage: Three-and-D
Cedric Coward has played just six games over the past year, with his last one coming in November. Limited to non-contact workouts during the predraft process, he was just forced to miss summer league while rehabbing a shoulder injury.
Rookie expectations can't be too high for the 21-year-old, who also wasn't exposed to high-level competition between Division III, Eastern Washington and his brief time at Washington State.
When he does get an opportunity with Memphis, he'll likely start off in a three-and-D role off the bench, though the flashes of mid-range scoring and secondary playmaking presumably convinced Memphis there's more longer-term upside to Coward's game.
No. 12: Noa Essengue (Chicago Bulls, PF)
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Role: Starter
Usage: Energizer/Play-finisher
Noa Essengue may not start from Day 1, but he's a good bet to play himself into the starting lineup alongside Matas Buzelis.
Though raw at 18 years old, Essengue has a knack for putting himself in position to make and finish plays from off the ball. He'll generate the majority of his offense by running the floor, cutting, crashing the glass and hitting spot-up threes.
For a team that's slightly stuck in no-man's land, though, the flashes of driving, shotmaking versatility and improvisation should sway Chicago to let the rookie play through mistakes.
He should quickly jump ahead of Patrick Williams on the Bulls' priority list.
No. 13: Derik Queen (New Orleans Pelicans, C)
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Role: Bench
Usage: Half-court scorer
A torn wrist ligament will force Derik Queen to begin his career coming off the bench.
Considering the New Orleans Pelicans traded an unprotected 2026 pick to get him, they clearly see starting center potential tied to his skill level, footwork and feel. But he's going to miss too much important preparation time now he's out for the next three months minimum.
In the meantime, the Pelicans will opt for Yves Missi's defense at the 5. When Queen does return, he should operate as a go-to option for the second unit. He projects as the type of center the Pelicans can run offense through with how advanced he is creating from the post and facing up and using his dribble.
No. 14: Carter Bryant (San Antonio Spurs, SF)
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Role: Bench/G League
Usage: Three-and-D
Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell and Harrison Barnes could make it difficult for Carter Bryant to find consistent rookie playing time.
While the rookie's defensive quickness/athleticism generated buzz in summer league, he struggles offensively to create uncontested shots and isn't a reliable-enough shooter to rely strictly on threes.
Bryant could earn some starts if he gets hot from deep and the starting lineup needs spacing, which could be an issue at times with De'Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper and Castle playing together.
It's more realistic to think Carter will spend most of the season coming off the bench or using the G League to build confidence and more on-ball reps.
No. 15: Thomas Sorber (Oklahoma City Thunder, C)
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Role: Bench/G League
Usage: Post big/Play-finisher
Between Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein and the Oklahoma City Thunder's willingness to play small with Jalen Williams or Luguentz Dort at the 4, Thomas Sorber will have to remain patient.
An injury also kept Sorber out of summer league.
He'll likely spend time in the G League continuing to sharpen his post game and shooting.
Sorber excelled at Georgetown as a play-finisher and defensive playmaker around the basket. And he showed he can be used as a passing weapon from the top of they key and arc, but he could use some work on his one-on-one moves and outside touch.
No. 16: Yang Hansen (Portland Trail Blazers, C)
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Role: Bench
Usage: Inside-out scoring 5
Drafting Yang Hansen at No. 16, one year after taking Donovan Clingan in the lottery, means the Portland Trail Blazers saw a best player available too rare for fit position/fit to matter.
They'll let Clingan and Hansen compete for the long-term starting job over time. But the former will get the nod in 2025-26. He's going to provide far more consistency, defense, rebounding and physicality. But the latter clearly offers more offensive versatility with his footwork, passing skills and shooting range.
Hansen's role will likely mirror Clingan's during his rookie year when he played 19.8 minutes behind Deandre Ayton.
No. 17: Joan Beringer (Minnesota Timberwolves, C)
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Role: Bench
Usage: Finisher/Rim protector
Joan Beringer should have a real opportunity to play backup minutes behind Ruby Gobert, the only other center on the Minnesota Timberwolves roster.
Though still 18 years old, the No. 17 pick had a sizable role with Cedevita last year playing Eurocup, Adriatic League and Slovenian league games.
He will need time to adjust to the NBA's speed and whistle, but at 6'11" with the way he moves, Beringer's play-finishing and defensive activity should carry right over.
No. 18: Walter Clayton Jr. (Utah Jazz, PG/SG)
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Role: Starter
Usage: Scoring ball-handler
The departures of Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson should create an opening for Walter Clayton Jr. in the Utah Jazz rotation.
There's even a good chance he's able to win a starting position if Isaiah Collier struggles to show improvement with his shooting and decision-making.
Collier may be the more natural setup man, but Clayton's shotmaking and toughness could prove to be more valued. The Jazz may see a superior prospect whose development they'll want to prioritize.
Giving Clayton the starting point guard job and reps to develop his playmaking could be Utah's move at some point of the season.
No. 19: Nolan Traore (Brooklyn Nets, PG)
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Role: Starter
Usage: Facilitator
With the Brooklyn Nets expected to prioritize prospects' development and the 2026 draft, they could elect to start Nolan Traore with Egor Demin.
We're still waiting to hear what happens with free agent Cam Thomas, but drafting both Demin and Traore suggests the Nets aren't so concerned about traditional positions.
With Traore, who just spent the year as a starting point guard at 18 years old in France's top league, we'll likely see the transition play and playmaking translate first. He brings speed and IQ in the half court, where he's at his best manipulating defenses and making passing reads.
Inconsistency with his scoring, due to shooting and athletic limitations around the basket, should be expected.
No. 20: Kasparas Jakucionis (Miami Heat, PG/SG)
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Role: Bench
Usage: Combo guard
Kasparas Jakucionis looked like a potential starting option for Miami Heat until they traded for Norman Powell.
The rookie could work his way into the first unit if Miami chooses to play Andrew Wiggins at the 4 and Bam Adebayo at center. But Jakucionis will have to earn that promotion with strong play off the bench.
He's a skilled shotmaker, smart passer and clever finisher who may need time to adjust against NBA defenders. He fell to No. 20 with teams uncertain about his ability to create separation and get off clean shots.
The optimal outcome for Jakucionis shows a guard who can operate at the point with his IQ and ball-screen play, but also become interchangeable due to his size and shooting ability.
No. 21: Will Riley (Washington Wizards, SF)
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Role: Bench/G League
Usage: Scorer
Will Riley will have to wait for a consistent opportunity behind Khris Middleton, Bilal Coulibaly, Cam Whitmore, Kyshawn George and Corey Kispert.
However, Middleton seems like a midseason trade candidate and Kispert could have some pressure on him in his fifth season.
Riley will likely make appearances here and there until the Wizards are inevitably knocked out of playoff contention. He figures to have more chances over the final few months of the season. Riley remained in the first-round discussion throughout the season with an enticing combination of positional size, three-level shotmaking skills and some untapped playmaking ability.
When called upon, his job will be to score from the wing playing on and off the ball.
No. 22: Drake Powell (Brooklyn Nets, SG/SF)
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Role: Bench/G League
Usage: Three-and-D
It wouldn't be surprising if Drake Powell spent time in both the G League and Brooklyn Nets starting lineup. This is going to be a big experimental year for a rebuilding franchise that's trying to figure out what it has after making four first-round picks.
Though Powell remains limited with his creation, he also has the type of athleticism, defensive tools and shooting to play a simplified three-and-D role early.
On the other hand, it wouldn't hurt for Powell to build more on-ball reps in the G League after playing almost exclusively out of spot-ups in the half court at North Carolina.
No. 23: Asa Newell (Atlanta Hawks, PF/C)
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Role: Bench
Usage: Stretch 4/Play-finisher
The Atlanta Hawks should be able to use Asa Newell right away behind Kristaps Porzingis and Jalen Johnson.
They could even play big with Johnson at the 3 and Porzingis at the 5 if they want Newell to provide some more spacing with three-point range from the power forward spot.
Regardless, the rookie should have a very defined role that calls for rim running, play-finishing and spot-up shooting. He just won't be a threat to put the ball down, and it's unlikely he'll offer enough rim protection to play a lot of minutes at center.
No. 24: Nique Clifford (Sacramento Kings, SF/PF)
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Role: Bench
Usage: Swiss Army knife
Nique Clifford would likely be the first starter replacement option for the Sacramento Kings if Keegan Murray or DeMar DeRozan had to miss time.
He has the body type and versatility to play either forward spot, and at 23 years old coming off 15.2 points, 6.5 boards, 4.2 assists and 45.8 percent shooting from three in summer league, he's looking closer to NBA-ready than most rookies.
Clifford has the skill set to operate as a Swiss Army knife or classic glue guy who'd fit well between more proven creators and scorers. But it's the improvements to his creation, shotmaking versatility and playmaking that propelled him onto first-round boards across the league.
No. 25: Jase Richardson (Orlando Magic, SG)
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Role: Bench
Usage: Second-unit scorer
Even with Jalen Suggs healthy and Desmond Bane joining the lineup, the Orlando Magic could value Jase Richardson's shooting and efficient scoring off the bench.
The 19-year-old proved last year he didn't need consistent on-ball reps to find a rhythm or generate opportunities. Aside from making 45.7 percent of his spot-up threes at Michigan State, he excelled at picking the right spots to attack closeouts and he was an outstanding transition finisher.
The negative for Richardson is that there won't be many opportunities for him to handle the ball (particularly after the Tyus Jones signing) and build on the flashes of creation we started seeing January to March.
However, he was highly effective attacking in ball-screen situations, and Richardson should be capable of having offense run through him if any of Orlando's featured guards have to miss time.
No. 26: Ben Saraf (Brooklyn Nets, PG/SG)
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Role: Bench/G League
Usage: Combo guard
Ben Saraf figures to play behind the first two guards the Brooklyn Nets drafted. He should still have an opportunity to provide some rim pressure and playmaking off the bench.
Limited three-point range and struggles around the basket could make it a challenging immediate transition for Saraf, though. He's likely to find himself in the G League at some point of the year, particularly if Cam Thomas re-signs.
No. 27: Danny Wolf (Brooklyn Nets, PF/C)
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Role: Bench
Usage: Frontcourt playmaker
Unless the Brooklyn Nets want to go big with Michael Porter Jr. at the 3, Danny Wolf likely comes off the bench.
The rookie brings both big-man traits and wing skills with his finishing, rebounding, ball-handling and capable shooting.
His college track record suggests he'll struggle with consistency from behind the arc, and he could look vulnerable defensively against longer 5s and quicker forwards. But at 7'0", he should be able to give Brooklyn a different look up front with his ball-screen play and playmaking.
No. 28: Hugo Gonzalez (Boston Celtics, SF)
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Role: G League
Usage: Energizer
The Boston Celtics will want Hugo Gonzalez to get reps in the G League after he played sparingly all year for Real Madrid.
At this stage, he doesn't have any one bankable skill or strength that Boston will value for their 2025-26 rotation. He is intriguing long-term for his athleticism, motor, defense and shotmaking potential.
Unless Boston really falls off during this gap year with Jayson Tatum out and Krisraps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday gone, though, Gonzalez figures to spend the year building back some confidence with Maine.
No. 29: Liam McNeeley (Charlotte Hornets, SF/PF)
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Role: Bench
Usage: Shotmaker/ball-mover
Liam McNeeley should have a chance to leapfrog Tidjane Salaun, the 2024 No. 6 pick, in the Charlotte Hornets rotation. It will value the rookie's shooting, high skill level and competitiveness.
With an adaptable game and mentality, he'll mostly operate as a floor-spacer and ball-mover. But McNeeley was also a very efficient pick-and-roll ball-handler at Connecticut.
The Hornets may be able to plug-and-play him in different roles and positions, depending on matchups.
No. 30: Yanic Konan Niederhauser (Los Angeles Clippers, C)
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Role: G League
Usage: Finisher/Rim protector
A late-bloomer who many scouts just became familiar with at Elite Camp and the NBA combine, Yanic Konan Niederhauser will be a long-term project for the Los Angeles Clippers.
The addition of Brook Lopez eliminated any chance for Niederhauser to find rookie minutes, particularly since he can only play one position.
His size and athleticism historically translate well to finishing and shot-blocking, but he'll need time to build his IQ at both ends to justify minutes for a team that is looking to win a championship.
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