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Who Goes No. 1 In 2025 NBA Re-Draft, Cooper Flagg or Kon Knueppel?
NBA front offices should still be running through victory laps for the way they handled the 2025 draft.
Looking back on this talent grab with the benefit of nearly a season's worth of hindsight, it's almost impossible to identify obvious regrets. (Especially since a re-draft doesn't revisit the chortle-inducing trades made during it.)
That's not to say that everyone would handle things the exact same way, but major missteps are found few and far between. The first players picked in the actual draft, for instance, are the first five to go in a redraft, too—albeit in a slightly different order. Most of the lottery picks then remain lottery re-picks now.
All of that said, there is plenty of movement on the draft board, and the direction shifts almost immediately. Let's put the Dallas Mavericks back on the clock and get this re-draft underway.
1. Dallas Mavericks: Cooper Flagg
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Original Pick: Cooper Flagg
Cooper Flagg's Original Draft Position: No. 1
The competition for Rookie of the Year might be ferocious, but Flagg remains the obvious choice here. He pairs glue-guy versatility with elite competitiveness, explosive athleticism and an offensive bag that's bursting at the seams.
Not to even suggest Flagg is headed toward eventual inclusion in G.O.A.T. debates, but the similarities between his first season (as an 18- and 19-year-old) and that of LeBron James (as an 18- and 19-year-old) are easily spotted. Flagg is averaging 21.1 points on 47.3 percent shooting, 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists. LeBron averaged 20.9 points on 41.7 percent shooting, 5.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists. Flagg is also posting these numbers in nearly six fewer minutes a night.
When Flagg recently put a 45-piece on the Lakers (two nights after a 51-point outburst), James told reporters, "He's obviously special." Flagg is also obviously the No. 1 pick.
2. San Antonio Spurs: Kon Knueppel
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Original Pick: Dylan Harper
Kon Knueppel's Original Draft Position: No. 4
The real-life Spurs have zero reasons to second-guess their selection of Harper. They might make the same pick 10 more times if offered 10 more chances. The flashes he's shown of being a high-end, 6'5", satin-smooth shot-creator give him a realistic shot at superstardom.
Yet, there's a reason he's logging fewer than 23 minutes a night. And it's the reason the re-draft Spurs could ultimately opt to go a different direction: Knueppel, who's already an elite shooter (plus a connective secondary playmaker and plucky defender), would be an effortless fit. Harper, meanwhile, is simply stuck behind two other ball-dominant guards with shaky outside shots.
Some will question the logic of valuing instant impact over long-term potential, still, but there are two counters. First, Knueppel has a blindingly bright future in his own right. Second, San Antonio is an inner-circle title contender and therefore could absolutely covet the ability to fill a high-minute role right away over someone who's made two more starts than you and me this season.
3. Philadelphia 76ers: Dylan Harper
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Original Pick: VJ Edgecombe
Dylan Harper's Original Draft Position: No. 2
Like the Spurs, the Sixers should have no regret about this pick, but they can't ignore opportunity's knock. Harper's ceiling might stretch higher than anyone not named Flagg. Since Tyrese Maxey is a legitimate shooter with actual off-ball value, there shouldn't be any obstacles to Harper handling major minutes right away.
He blends one-step-ahead processing skills with a blink-and-you-missed-him burst, forming an off-the-dribble package defenders can't manage. He has true first-option potential. Harper could be that special kind of star who elevates everyone around him.
Edgecombe looks like he can be really good, but ultimately, Philly can't overlook Harper's shot at greatness.
4. Charlotte Hornets: VJ Edgecombe
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Original Pick: Kon Knueppel
VJ Edgecombe's Original Draft Position: No. 3
Edgecombe figured to max-energy his way into early action, and to a certain extent, he absolutely has. Only 11 players overall (and just one rookie, Knueppel) have covered more ground than the 184.6 miles Edgecombe has traversed so far.
But the bouncy off-guard brings way too much to the hardwood to label him as a hustler. Doing so would underrate his dogged defense, fiery scoring, ahead-of-schedule shooting and secondary playmaking.
While the Hornets would miss Kneuppel's shotmaking, they'd welcome Edgecombe's downhill pressure, in-your-airspace defense and two-way playmaking. And, yes, his hustle, too.
5. Utah Jazz: Ace Bailey
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Original Pick: Ace Bailey
Ace Bailey's Original Draft Position: No. 5
While Bailey was perhaps initially less than Jazzed about the idea of landing in Utah (sorry), he may not have found a better home for his talents.
The Jazz have been careful about throwing too much at him too quickly, but they've also ignited the green light often enough to allow for at-his-pace exploration. They don't need him to be their savior, but they're open to the possibility if he forces the issue.
"We've been very intentional about Ace's year in trying to help him grow and take things on in a way that makes sense for him and for us," Jazz coach Will Hardy told reporters. "... I feel like he's approached this year with a ton of humility, because he has allowed us to be intentional and to slowly fold these things in."
6. Washington Wizards: Derik Queen
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Original Pick: Tre Johnson
Derik Queen's Original Draft Position: No. 13
The Wizards sought out knockdown shooting with this pick. Johnson has mostly delivered it. If given a redo, though, maybe they'd seek out a deeper skill tree as opposed to going with a 6'5" shooter posting solid-not-spectacular shooting numbers.
Queen's numbers have stalled over the course of this season, but he has still produced one of the most well-rounded stat lines in this rookie class. He is incredibly comfortable with the ball in his hands for a 6'9", 250-pounder. He'll have stretches where you feel like you're seeing the NBA's next jumbo-sized offensive hub.
Questions remain about his defensive niche and shooting range, but Washington could stomach them to collect what's still a rare combination of size, skill and upside.
7. New Orleans Pelicans: Tre Johnson
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Original Pick: Jeremiah Fears
Tre Johnson's Original Draft Position: No. 6
Johnson doesn't have to wait too long to hear his name called. Because if the Pelicans are going to make it work with this core—and that's surely the aim after holding it together past the trade deadline, right?—they'll need the kind of breathing room his shooting touch would provide.
He may not have lasted this long had his net-shredding from earlier this season held up. Through the end of January, he was splashing 2.2 triples per night at a 39.3 percent clip. Things have grown pretty frigid since (1.5 on 29), although that could reflect anything from the proverbial rookie wall to the many changes made to Washington's offense.
Either way, it seems safe to bet on Johnson to be at least a good, reliable shooter. Once you throw in some of the more high-end possibilities that could be ahead of him, this feels like the right re-draft spot.
8. Brooklyn Nets: Cedric Coward
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Original Pick: Egor Dёmin
Cedric Coward's Original Draft Position: No. 11
While Coward has been among the most productive rookies in this class, he's also on the older side (22) and could be dinged by other teams for a perceived lack of upside.
If you're wondering why the tanking Nets wouldn't be among them, that's because Brooklyn has designs on becoming competitive as soon as next season. It might covet his reliability, scoring punch, physicality and overall activity over some of the more risk-reward dart throws it threw during the actual draft.
9. Toronto Raptors: Collin Murray-Boyles
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Original Pick: Collin Murray-Boyles
Collin Murray-Boyles' Original Draft Position: No. 9
Murray-Boyles looked like the most Raptors-y prospect in this class. All he has done in his rookie season has further entrenched him in Toronto's plans.
He is long, athletic and energetic on both ends. Defensive versatility is his strongest selling point, but he has also proved his worth as a reliable close-range finisher and a quick-thinking passer. He'd be even more interesting if he shot the three-ball with more volume and efficiency, but that's true of a lot of players on this Toronto team.
10. Phoenix Suns: Egor Dёmin
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Original Pick: Khaman Maluach
Egor Dёmin's Original Draft Position: No. 8
The Suns could be tempted to take another center here, but they could see more value in finding a long-term backcourt partner for Devin Booker.
And that's exactly what Dёmin has the potential to become. Before Plantas Fasciitis ended his run, he impressed from beyond the arc (38.5 three-point percentage), rarely ventured into the paint and flashed great vision for a 6'8" lead guard. If he finds better ways to separate moving forward, he could be an asset both on and off the ball.
11. Memphis Grizzlies: Jeremiah Fears
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Original Pick: Cedric Coward
Jeremiah Fears' Original Draft Position: No. 7
If Fears' late flashes are for real, the Grizzlies got a steal here—and an obvious way out of the Ja Morant era.
The ride has been a bit stop-and-go to get here, but as a 19-year-old rookie on a team with no direction (can't contend or tank), that was to be expected. He can get a little shot-happy and ambitious with his attempts, but the creativity and confidence are super encouraging. So, too, are the results of his three latest trips inside the lines, which yielded averages of 22.7 points (on 48.8/45.5/84.2 shooting) and 4.7 assists (against 2.0 turnovers).
12. Chicago Bulls: Carter Bryant
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Original Pick: Noa Essengue
Carter Bryant's Original Draft Position: No. 14
After an overdue overhaul of their front office, the Bulls are facing a long enough rebuilding road that they could just throw a dart at Essengue again. If they want more proof of concept, though, they could shift their wager to Bryant's wholly disruptive combination of length and explosion.
His offensive game is entirely underdeveloped, but he has all of the limbs, fight and fire you'd want in a defensive stopper. Since Chicago has nothing but time in front of it, it should welcome the opportunity to develop his enviable tools.
13. New Orleans Pelicans: Maxime Raynaud
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Original Pick: Derik Queen
Maxime Raynaud's Original Draft Position: No. 42
With Queen long gone, the Pels could shift their focus to another offense-first center who can fill up a box score.
Raynaud is the only rookie averaging at least 12 points and seven rebounds. He's also one of two freshmen (along with Dylan Harper) averaging double-digit points while shooting 50-plus percent from the field (minimum 10 games played). He probably doesn't have Queen's ball skills and unfortunately shares the same shooting and defensive concerns, but Raynaud is still highly skilled for a 7-footer.
14. San Antonio Spurs: Will Riley
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Original Pick: Carter Bryant
Will Riley's Original Draft Position: No. 21
Riley is playing at such a high level lately that he might make this re-draft slot look entirely too low. But he also has a neon-green light on a team that's trying to lose and sitting a lot of regulars as a result, so it feels irresponsible to just digest his recent numbers at face value.
That said, holy smokes, they look sweet: 19.3 points on 51.6/36.5/81.4 shooting, 3.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists over his last dozen outings. He plays with jazz-like improvisation that keeps defenders guessing and generally gets where he wants to go. If the 6'9" swingman is really this level of a shooter, then he's an absolute steal in this spot.
"There's one guy I cannot guard. It's Will Riley," Wizards designated stopper Bilal Coulibaly told The Athletic's Josh Robbins. "... He's just different. Like the way he moves, you don't see it really often. So that makes him really, really tough to guard."
15. Oklahoma City Thunder: Joan Beringer
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Original Pick: Thomas Sorber
Joan Beringer's Original Draft Position: No. 17
With rotation spots at a premium, the Thunder wouldn't need much of anything from the player they grabbed in this spot. So, maybe they'd just stick with Sorber, even though a torn ACL turned his rookie season into a medical redshirt.
But they've been pestered by the injury bug often enough to perhaps want some behind-emergency-glass insurance instead. That or they've just been impressed by what Beringer has shown in limited opportunities. Because while they could get just as much upside with this pick (if not more) as their original one, he's also big and bouncy enough to fill a rim-running role right now.
16. Portland Trail Blazers: Khaman Maluach
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Original Pick: Yang Hansen
Khaman Maluach's Original Draft Position: No. 10
If the Blazers sought out an upside-rich center prospect again, would they still take that huge hack at Hansen? Probably not, especially if they could get arguably as much upside without taking on so much risk—like they do here.
Now, Maluach doesn't have the same offensive-hub potential, but he also isn't facing the same level of physical challenge. He can handle NBA minutes. He's already a stingy paint protector who hits the glass hard and finishes above the rim. The hope is he'll have at least a serviceable outside shot at some point.
17. Minnesota Timberwolves: Ryan Kalkbrenner
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Original Pick: Joan Beringer
Ryan Kalkbrenner's Original Draft Position: No. 34
The Wolves can't get the same upside they initially snagged in this spot, so they'll instead "settle" for one of the most productive players in this class.
Kalkbrenner leads all rookie regulars in field-goal percentage (74.6) and blocks (1.5), and with a few more minutes than his nightly allotment of 21.5, he'd be a double-double machine.
18. Utah Jazz: Kasparas Jakučionis
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Original Pick: Walter Clayton Jr.
Kasparas Jakučionis' Original Draft Position: No. 20
Clayton helped the Jazz acquire Jaren Jackson Jr., so that alone should make the initial pick regret-free. But Jakučionis is having the more encouraging season, filling an efficient role for a team that's actually trying to win.
The Heat don't always find a ton of floor time for him, but when they do, he tends to seize it. During his three games with 30-plus minutes, he's putting up 18.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.3 three-pointers along with a 48.6/55.2/100 shooting slash.
19. Brooklyn Nets: Drake Powell
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Original Pick: Nolan Traoré
Drake Powell's Original Draft Position: No. 22
The Nets made five first-round picks last summer. It's honestly too early to tell if they found more than one keeper. (And even that's working under the assumption we're all giving Dёmin that status.)
Still, you'd think they might want to hang on to Powell here. He is the most athletic and best defender of the bunch, meaning he can help set a competitive edge even as his raw offense (hopefully) takes shape.
20. Miami Heat: Javon Small
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Original Pick: Kasparas Jakučionis
Javon Small's Original Draft Position: No. 48
Small is poised for a sizable leap in this re-draft. Few players in this entire rookie class can match his combination of volume and efficiency.
He is one of only five rookies averaging at least 9.0 points and 3.5 assists. Within that group, which also features Flagg, Harper, Edgecombe and Queen, he has the best three-point percentage (43.9), the fewest turnovers (1.4, tied with Harper) and the third-highest field-goal percentage (47.2, trailing only Flagg and Harper).
21. Washington Wizards: Hugo González
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Original Pick: Will Riley
Hugo González's Original Draft Position: No. 28
If the Wizards actually turn the corner next season—don't let the trade costs distort how much of an impact Trae Young and Anthony Davis might make—they'll want reliable role players who can make winning plays at both ends.
That's basically González's job description in Boston. He's a full-throttle defender and a powerful finisher in transition. He also has ample room to grow, as his shooting and ball-handling could both use more seasoning.
22. Brooklyn Nets: Jase Richardson
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Original Pick: Drake Powell
Noa Essengue's Original Draft Position: No. 25
To be honest, this is doing Richardson a bit of a favor, giving him a small bump up the board. The Magic haven't given him a ton of chances, as he hasn't exactly forced the issue.
He has perhaps shown just enough as a scorer and secondary playmaker, though, for Brooklyn to want a closer look. His shooting rates look rock-solid from the field (46.7) and from three (35.9), while he's averaging better than two assists for every turnover.
23. Atlanta Hawks: Asa Newell
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Original Pick: Asa Newell
Asa Newell's Original Draft Position: No. 23
After rostering Newell for nearly a year now, the Hawks should know the Atlanta native better than the rest. And what they probably know is that he's capable of providing more than they've needed from him.
He isn't sitting on fewer than 500 career minutes due to a lack of ability. It's just that sharing a natural position with breakout star Jalen Johnson isn't exactly an ideal setup for finding the floor. When Newell has played, though, he's looked good: 53.9 percent from the field, 39.4 percent from three and 2.2 combined steals and blocks per 36 minutes.
24. Sacramento Kings: Nique Clifford
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Original Pick: Nique Clifford
Nique Clifford's Original Draft Position: No. 24
Before the Kings knew they'd be unintentionally tanking harder than any of this season's by-design bottom-feeders, they didn't always know how many minutes to throw at Clifford. So, his stats really didn't start to spark until it was obvious this was a lost season, making it difficult to gauge their value.
That said, his post-All-Star production aligns with the across-the-board versatility he was said to have in predraft scouting reports. Again, maybe this is all a 20-game, stakes-free mirage, but here's the line: 12.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists with a 44.5/37/61.9 slash.
25. Orlando Magic: Sion James
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Original Pick: Jase Richardson
Sion James' Original Draft Position: No. 33
The Hornets got a lot of things right during last year's draft, and James played a not insignificant part in that success. The third pick of the second round now ranks eighth in the draft class in total win shares.
He's on the older side for a rookie (23), but he plays with the kind of maturity teams are hoping to find when they select an upperclassman. He has a vet-like feel for playing both hard and smart at the same time, with a vet-like willingness to fill his role. He's also arguably exceeding expectations as a ball-handler and an outside shooter.
26. Brooklyn Nets: Nolan Traoré
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Original Pick: Ben Saraf
Nolan Traoré's Original Draft Position: No. 19
Catch Traoré on the right night, and he'll look like a lock for the re-draft lottery. Catch him on the wrong one, and you'll wonder how he stayed in the first round.
You'd still think the Nets would want to see where this is all going, especially if they could pay a lower price than they did initially. If he can fine-tune his touch on long-range shots and close-range finishes, he could be awfully interesting given what he already brings with his speed and vision.
27. Brooklyn Nets: Rasheer Fleming
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Original Pick: Danny Wolf
Rasheer Fleming's Original Draft Position: No. 31
It's possible the Nets would just go with Wolf again, but if they want a multi-skilled frontcourt contributor, Fleming has the tools and talent that arguably have a better chance of impacting winning.
The Suns haven't extended a long enough leash to even gauge how close he'll get to his full potential, but glass-overflowing optimists can run wild imagining what he might become. If everything breaks right, he can become an all-purpose stopper and dream screen-setter who can pop out to the perimeter or power through opponents around (and above) the rim.
28. Boston Celtics: Kobe Sanders
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Original Pick: Hugo González
Kobe Sanders' Original Draft Position: No. 50
Sanders will turn 24 soon. He isn't a standout athlete. You can understand, in other words, why front offices weren't exactly racing toward his direction at the actual draft.
But now that the hoops world knows he's an NBA-quality rotation player, he isn't dropping out of the first round. There's just plenty to like about a 6'8" scorer, particularly one possessing a pristine 46.3/40.8/80.3 shooting slash.
29. Charlotte Hornets: Yanic Konan Niederhäuser
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Original Pick: Liam McNeeley
Yanic Konan Niederhäuser's Original Draft Position: No. 30
The Clippers' win-right-now timeline limited Niederhäuser's early exposure. The end of his rookie season was cut short by a foot injury that forced him under the knife. There just isn't a lot on his NBA odometer yet.
What's there is intriguing, though. Reliable finishing, shot-blocking, rebounding—exactly what you'd want from a big, bouncy rim-runner.
30. Los Angeles Clippers: Mohamed Diawara
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Original Pick: Yanic Konan Niederhäuser
Mohamed Diawara's Original Draft Position: No. 51
It's tempting to finish out with a wild upside swing on someone like Noa Essengue or Yang Hansen, but the Clippers would probably prefer someone who can play right now. And Diawara is doing exactly that for a Knicks team jostling for the East's No. 3 seed.
He's a long, energetic defender with enough quickness to keep up on the perimeter and the length and strength needed to bang in the post. Throw in a near-40 percent success rate from distance, and his three-and-D appeal is easily apparent.
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