Mock Draft 2.0: My Personal Lottery Picks for the 2025 NBA Draft
Notable Omissions, Big Swings, and Unexpected Risers
With the start of a new year and the beginning of conference play, it’s the perfect time to revisit the 2025 NBA Draft landscape. Welcome to part one of my Mock Draft 2.0, where I break down my personal lottery picks for the top 14 players in this class. This list reflects my evaluations and projections, including a few notable omissions and some prospects I’m much higher on than the consensus.
Part two, which will cover the remainder of the first round, will drop later this week. With all that being said, here are my top 14 prospects as we kick off 2025.
Cooper Flagg
Duke
Freshman
Combo Forward
6’9” | 205
Age on draft night: 18.5
Cooper Flagg remains firmly atop my 2025 NBA Mock Draft, and the Swiss Army knife has largely lived up to the hype. Leading Duke in scoring, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks per game, Flagg’s all-around impact has been undeniable. He’s coming off back-to-back 24-point outings against SMU and Virginia Tech, showing signs of improved shooting by connecting on four of his last six three-point attempts and hitting his last 12 free throws.
While his jump shot remains a work in progress—he’s currently shooting just 29% on jumpers overall—the recent stretch is an encouraging sign of growth. Flagg’s dominance in ACC play should only continue, especially in a down year for the conference, with the SEC and Big Ten establishing themselves as the top leagues in college basketball.
Still, Flagg’s elite two-way impact solidifies him as the premier prospect in this class. If the Washington Wizards land him, pairing him with Alex Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly would give them a versatile, defensive-minded young frontcourt capable of switching across positions while also providing elite rim protection and athleticism.
A trio of Flagg, Sarr, and Coulibaly would represent a massive step forward for the Wizards’ rebuild, offering immense upside on both ends of the floor.