2025 NBA Mock Draft: Rockets swing for upside with draft order crystallized

The Houston Rockets didn't get lucky in the 2025 NBA draft lottery.

Sure, they're fortunate to have the 10th overall pick. That's a great asset for a team that just won 52 games. Fortune isn't the same as luck. The Rockets earned that pick by making an ingenious trade with the Nets. The pick itself was conveyed as low as it possibly could have.

Such is life. The Rockets won't draft Cooper Flagg. That doesn't mean they won't be able to add a quality young player. With the draft's order crystallized, the team has a clearer idea of which prospects they should be looking at.

Here's our newest mock draft with that order in mind.

1. Dallas Mavericks - Cooper Flagg (Duke)

Predicting what the Mavericks might do feels perilous. Perhaps they'd be open to sending this pick to the Rockets?

Jokes aside, Flagg is the choice. Nico Harrison claims to have traded Luka Doncic because "defense wins championships". Flagg's defense is as much part of his prospect profile as any other aspect of his game.

There isn't much to say here. Everyone knows Flagg will be selected first. The Mavericks narrowly avoided a decade of irrelevance with this tremendous stroke of luck.

2. San Antonio Spurs - Dylan Harper (Rutgers)

By contrast, there's some intrigue here. The Spurs have De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle on their roster. Will they draft another point guard, or will they use this pick as the centerpiece in a Giannis Antetokounmpo deal?

For now, let's assume that they keep the pick. Harper is a better prospect than Castle, and he's got the potential to surpass Fox. Drafting for fit with the second overall pick would be a poor choice for the Spurs.

Harper is a 6'5" combo guard who can make any pick-and-roll read in the book. He's the clear-cut second-best prospect in this class, so the Spurs should select him.

Leave Antetokounmpo for the Texas team that doesn't have a top-2 pick.

3. Philadelphia 76ers - Ace Bailey (Rutgers)

The Sixers aren't your typical high lottery team. Joel Embiid is not far removed from an MVP award. Like the Spurs, they're a candidate to move this pick.

Again, we'll assume the Sixers keep their pick. If they do choose to rebuild, Bailey is the perfect wing to complement Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain. If they plan to contend with Embiid, he's the best player - and therefore, most valuable asset - on the board.

The Sixers shouldn't say no to a 6'10" shot-creating wing like Bailey. There are concerns about his feel for the game and decision making, but that shouldn't deter the Sixers from banking on his upside.

4. Charlotte Hornets - VJ Edgecombe (Baylor)

It sure feels like the Hornets needed a higher pick more than the other teams on this list, doesn't it?

That's the nature of the NBA draft lottery. The Hornets are still lucky to be here. Edgecombe could be a perfect backcourt mate for LaMelo Ball. As a 6'5" guard/wing with outlier athleticism, he could compensate for Ball's defensive limitations. The Hornets could roster one of the biggest, most versatile starting lineups in the NBA.

If Edgecombe's shooting comes around, he could be an invaluable addition to this roster.

5. Utah Jazz - Kon Knueppel (Duke)

The Jazz are another team that wishes they could have picked higher. Now, they'll be left to choose between ceilings and floors. Do they want a safe bet?

If not, there are higher ceiling prospects left than Knueppel here. That said, he feels like one of the surest high-end NBA players in this class. The Jazz should go ahead and grab Knueppel here. They can seek a franchise-altering talent in next year's class:

Provided the lottery balls bounce their way.

6. Washington Wizards - Jeremiah Fears (Oklahoma)

The Wizards have an intriguing cast of young players, but the future of their backcourt is unclear. Jordan Poole isn't the answer, and the jury is still out on Bub Carrington. They should be targeting players who can work alongside Alexandre Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly.

Fears fits. He could be a star lead guard in the NBA. Fears is a hyper athletic guard with a knack for scoring on the interior. He's a plus passer as well. A subpar jumpshot could hold him back, but the Wizards could regret passing on him if he develops in that area.

7. New Orleans Pelicans - Tre Johnson (Texas)

The Pelicans could justify several selections here. If they intend to build around Zion Williamson, they need both backcourt talent and big men. If they intend on moving him, well, they need everything.

For now, Johnson should suit them. He averaged 19.9 points per game on an impressive 39.7% shooting from three-point range last year. His elite shooting will help space the floor for Williamson, and his strong shot creation will ease his offensive burden.

If they're moving Williamson, Johnson has star potential anyway. No matter what the Pelicans have planned for the future, Johnson can be a meaningful part of it.

8. Brooklyn Nets - Derik Queen (Maryland)

The Nets may not opt for Queen. They have his near polar opposite on the roster in Nic Claxton. Queen won't be able to switch everything and anchor unique defensive schemes like he can.

That said, he should be a vastly superior scorer once he finds his NBA footing. Queen has deft footwork and enough size and strength to get to his spots. Coupled with his unique passing ability, that makes him a potential NBA star.

If Claxton is crucial to the Nets' identity, they'll take another direction. That said, if they're open to building their future offense around a post big, Queen is one of the most talented offensive players in this class.

9. Toronto Raptors - Khaman Maluach (Duke)

The Raptors do have a starting-caliber big on their roster, but he's a fair bit older than most of their core. It may be time to find a successor for Jakob Poeltl.

Maluach feels like a strong choice. His mobility is impressive for a 7-footer. Maluach may be able to guard in space, and he's got the potential to be one of the NBA's best rim protectors.

His offensive game is unpolished. Still, with his foot speed and standing reach, Maluach should at least be able to finish pick-and-rolls. If he is an elite defender, that'll make him worth the 9th overall selection.

10. Houston Rockets - Kasparas Jakucionis (Illinois)

Here we are.

With the 10th overall pick, you can't always find a player with star potential. This is an exception. Jakucionis is a 6'6" playmaker with great floor vision. He has star potential.

Granted, he has bust potential as well. As a 31.7% three-point shooter, Jakucionis may struggle to score in the NBA. That percentage also makes him a questionable fit with the Rockets' core.

His potential is too high to ignore. The Rockets don't have a clear-cut franchise player yet, so they should still be taking upside swings. Jakucionis is the epitome of untapped potential, and the Rockets should see if they can tap it.

11. Portland Trail Blazers - Carter Bryant (Arizona)

This is the first truly unconventional choice in this mock. Most pundits would have the Blazers selecting Collin Murray-Boyles here.

He's the wrong pick for Portland. The Blazers would be cramping their long-term spacing by pairing him with Donovan Clingan and Scoot Henderson.

By contrast, Bryant is a wing who can defend and shoot. He also has sneaky ball-handling ability that could help him take on a featured NBA role in time. He's a better fit for the Blazers than Murray-Boyles, and may have nearly as much upside to boot.

12. Chicago Bulls - Collin Murray-Boyles (Georgia)

Chicago feels like a better fit for Murray-Boyles. If they're keeping Nikola Vucevic, they can pair the young wing with a stretch big man from day one. If they aren't, that means they're rebuilding, and can do so with Murray-Boyles' limitations in mind.

That's enough discussion of what Murray-Boyles doesn't do. He does just about everything else. This is a multi-positional defender with ball-handling chops. The 6'8" Murray-Boyles also has an array of moves on the interior that should help him score in the NBA.

The Bulls would be lucky to grab him.

13. Atlanta Hawks (via Sacramento Kings) - Jase Richardson (Michigan State)

The Hawks might trade Trae Young this summer. Then again, we've been saying that for every summer since summer existed. Once the weather gets warmed, the internet begins churning out Young jersey swaps.

If they are moving him, Richardson could be the replacement. If they aren't, he's still a great fit for the team. Young needs shooting around him, and Richardson is arguably the best shooter in his class.

Can he share the floor with Young? I think so. Richardson is just 6'3", but he's got an impressive wingspan. Even if he's a reserve combo guard who plays a sixth man role, the Hawks would be getting solid value with the 13th pick.

14. San Antonio Spurs (via Atlanta Hawks) - Asa Newell (Georgia)

It's an embarrassment of riches in San Antonio. They've got the best prospect of his generation, a number two pick to pair with him, and an extra first-round pick. It could bring a tear to the eye of a Rockets fan.

(I'm not crying, you're crying).

Regardless, Newell is a smart choice for the Spurs here. He's a 6'11" combo big who can play next to Victor Wembanyama and behind him. Newell has room for improvement as a shooter, but he has flashed some floor spacing potential. If he can realize that potential, he'll be a great rotation piece for this Spurs team.

15. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Miami Heat) - Noa Essengue (Ratiopharm Ulm)

Few players could feel as destined for a team as Essengue does for the Thunder.

He's a long, rangy wing who can guard across positions. Essengue can put the ball on the floor and drive if need be as well. He's exactly the type of player the Thunder have targeted in past drafts.

Who knows? The Thunder may deviate from their playbook and draft for fit. That said, if they opt to maintain philosophical cohesion, Essengue is a no-brainer here.

16. Orlando Magic - Will Riley (Illinois)

The Magic may be the only competitive team in the NBA with a more dire need for shooting than the Rockets. They get it by selecting Riley.

Still, he's not strictly a shooting specialist. This is a 6'8" wing / off guard who can create for himself as well. There are questions about Riley's defensive effort, but the Magic could work that out of him. If they can, he'll make a meaningful addition to the roster.

17. Minnesota Timberwolves - Nolan Traore (Saint-Quentin)

At one time, Traore was seen as a potential high lottery pick. Poor shooting and a limited path to high-end offensive production seemed to hurt his stock.

Don't look now, but Traore's shooting improved as his season wore on. Traore is also a good free-throw shooter, which is typically an indication of shooting potential.

He has wrinkles to iron out. Traore can be erratic - sometimes, his athleticism gets ahead of his brain. Still, he's also a capable playmaker and a relentless defender. The Wolves could be getting a steal by taking Traore with this pick.

18. Washington Wizards (via Memphis Grizzlies) - Danny Wolf (Michigan)

Wolf is a polarizing prospect. He's a 7-footer who can handle the ball and make plays for his teammates. That's an impressive profile, but Wolf isn't without his warts.

If his shot is falling, he looks like a potential star. When it isn't, he's questionable as an NBA prospect. Wolf's defense is also suspect.

The Wizards should take a risk on him. They slipped in this draft, and taking another shot at stardom - even if it's from a boom-or-bust prospect - should be on the menu for this organization.

19. Brooklyn Nets (via Milwaukee Bucks) - Rasheer Fleming (Saint Joseph's)

Some Nets fans will prefer more upside here. That's fair, but they took a swing on a potential star by selecting Queen. If there's a ready-made pro at 19, the Nets should look at him.

That's Fleming. His poor handle may keep him from reaching stardom, but he's a relentless defender who consistently hits open threes. He could be the perfect complement to Queen, and a starting-caliber role player in the NBA in a short time.

20. Miami Heat (via Golden State Warriors) - Nique Clifford (Colorado State)

Fleming is a safer bet than Clifford as a much more consistent shooter. That said, if Clifford makes good on his upside, the Nets might regret choosing Fleming.

He's got more ball-handling chops. Clifford was able to put them on full display in a featured role for Colorado State. He's also an impressive rebounder.

His shot could use some work, but if it starts to land more reliably, he'll be an excellent player in the NBA.

21. Utah Jazz (via Minnesota Timberwolves) - Egor Demin (BYU)

Demin could go much higher than this. We're talking about a 6'9" point guard. Shouldn't that make Demin a de facto lottery pick?

Well, his half-court limitations were on full display at BYU. Demin looked incapable of creating advantages for himself. Like Jakucionis, Demin is a poor shooter, but he even lacks the craftiness or shiftiness to get to the rim.

None of which means Demin lacks star potential. He just has arguably the widest variance of possible outcomes in this class. Still, a Jazz team that took a safe player with the fifth pick can justify this wild swing easily.

22. Atlanta Hawks (via Los Angeles Lakers) - Maxime Raynaud (Stanford)

The Hawks aren't settled at the 5. Clint Capela is beginning to age, and it doesn't seem like they trust the undersized Onyeka Okongwu.

That won't be an issue with Raynaud. He's 7'1". Raynaud is also a great floor spacing big who brings some extra passing to the table and solid defense.

His ability to space the floor will make the Hawks hard to guard. It will also offset Dyson Daniels' poor shooting. Meanwhile, his playmaking will add a nice wrinkle to an offense that already features Daniels, Jalen Johnson and Trae Young.

23. Indiana Pacers - Ben Saraf (Ratiopharm Ulm)

Forget the Pacers' roster. Saraf doesn't fit with it.

This is a full-blown upside swing.

As of this writing, the Pacers are headed to the Eastern Conference finals. This is a fantastic team that can afford to bring a prospect like Saraf along gradually. As a 6'6" playmaker, he's got a lot of upside - and if he can't reach it, the Pacers won't be expecting (or needing) a game-changer with the 23rd pick anyway.

24. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Los Angeles Clippers) - Yaxel Lendeborg (UAB)

Can the Thunder possibly roster too many versatile defensive wings with shooting limitations? We're about to find out.

That said, Lendeborg isn't a particularly poor shooter. He hit a passable 35.3% of his 1.9 threes per game for UAB. That's a low volume and a mediocre percentage, but Lendeborg isn't a non-shooter.

At least. not at the mid-major level. Scouts have concerns about the competition level Lendeborg faced with UAB, but he's got all the tools to shine at the NBA level.

25. Orlando Magic (via Denver Nuggets) - Walter Clayton Jr. (Florida)

The Magic bring a pair of vastly different guards in this draft. Riley is a 6'8" shot creator. Clayton is just 6'3", but he's an absolute sharpshooter with solid playmaking instincts.

That's exactly the type of player Orlando needs. This team has its starting wings of the future in Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. They need to put shooting around them, and they accomplish that in this mock draft.

26. Brooklyn Nets (via New York Knicks) - Drake Powell (North Carolina)

The NBA draft cycle is a funny thing. When I suggested the Rockets could look at Powell with a high pick, it didn't feel insane at the time. Now, he's a reach at 26.

He's someone the Nets should look at. Powell is raw offensively, but he remains arguably the best perimeter defender in this class. They have so many picks in this draft that they can afford to bring a raw prospect like Powell on board.

27. Brooklyn Nets (via Houston Rockets) - Hugo Gonzalez (Real Madrid)

See Powell, Drake.

OK, not exactly. Gonzalez has a little more offensive polish in his game, and may not have Powell's defensive potential. Still, the case here is similar. The Nets are stocking up in this draft, so they can afford to swing on upside. Gonzalez is raw, but as a 6'8" wing with great athleticism, his ceiling is high.

28. Boston Celtics - Joan Beringer (Cedevita Olimpija)

The Celtics may be looking at a gap year in 2025-26. With Jayson Tatum set to miss the season, the Celtics may be shopping veterans this summer - including Kristaps Porzingis. Meanwhile, Al Horford continues to defy Father Time, but he must be nearing retirement.

So, Boston will need a young big. Beringer could be a great choice. He's a prototypical modern defensive big who can switch and protect the rim. Beringer's offensive role in the NBA is to be determined, but the Celtics have time to let him develop.

29. Phoenix Suns (via Cleveland Cavaliers) - Dink Pate (Mexico City Capitanes)

I just can't quit on Pate.

Most mock drafts won't have him landing in the first round. I think he's worth a flyer. How often do you find a 6'8" hyper-athletic playmaker in the late first round?

Sure, Pate is raw. We don't know whether he's a viable NBA player. That holds true for most players at this stage in the draft, so swinging on his upside makes sense for a Suns team in flux.

30. Los Angeles Clippers - Thomas Sorber (Georgetown)

This isn't a fit pick. The Clippers figure to start Ivica Zubac for the foreseeable future. They're picking Sorber because he's slipped in this mock, and is by far the best prospect left on the board.

If the team is eventually forced to rebuild, they'll have Zubac's successor in waiting. Sorber is a classic rim-running, rim-protecting big. If the team finds itself with two starting-caliber bigs on the roster, they can trade one for good value down the road.