Best NBA Draft Picks in 2025: Top Rising Stars to Watch

The 2025 NBA Draft is the league’s 79th edition and will once again stretch across two nights, just like in 2024. This time, things get rolling with the first round on June 25, followed by the second round on June 26. Both rounds are set to be held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Unlike most years, teams will make just 59 picks instead of the usual 60. That’s because the New York Knicks had to give up a second-round selection after a free agency violation back in 2022.
One thing staying the same? The time between second-round picks, still locked in at four minutes. So, while the draft format hasn’t changed much, that missing pick is a reminder that front offices are still held accountable. So let's take a look at the NBA draft picks.

Who Is The Best NBA Draft Pick in 2025?

On May 11, the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery took place in Chicago and locked in the top 14 draft slots. Dallas hit the jackpot, landing the No. 1 overall pick. San Antonio wasn’t far behind, sliding into the second spot, while Philly grabbed third. It is a no-brainer that Mavericks would select the best prospect from the draft class. The number 1 NBA draft pick is Cooper Flagg, and also the best NBA draft pick 2025.

Flagg made serious noise at Duke, living up to the hype that followed him out of high school. The 6’8” forward balled out in his freshman year, dropping 19.2 points a night, grabbing 7.5 boards, and filling the stat sheet with assists, steals, and blocks. He didn’t just impress, he dominated, earning the Wooden Award and locking in accolades like ACC Rookie of the Year and All-Defensive Team.
When the Mavericks hit the jackpot with the best draft pick 2025, it was clear who they were grabbing. Taking Flagg at No. 1 wasn’t just smart, it was necessary. The fanbase needed something after Luka Doncic was traded to the Lakers back in February. This marked just the second time Dallas owned the first pick; the last time was all the way back in 1981, when they took Mark Aguirre.

The second NBA draft pick? As predicted by many, it is none other than Dylan Harper. Standing 6-foot-6, Harper put in serious work during his lone season at Rutgers, averaging 19.4 points, 4.6 boards, and four dimes. He led the team in scoring and assists, and was their top thief on defense. From deep, he knocked down 33.3% of his shots.
Ace Bailey, who ended up going No. 5 to the Jazz, wasn’t far behind with 17.6 points per game and led Rutgers in rebounds. The Scarlet Knights wrapped up the season 15-17 before falling to USC in a tough OT loss in the Big Ten tourney. Harper’s biggest night? That 34-point heater in an overtime win against Washington back in February. Oh, and don’t forget, he also recorded a triple-double with 16 points, 12 dimes, and 11 boards in a win over Columbia late last year. The kid brought it every night. Real floor general energy.

Best NBA Draft Picks 2025

All the franchise tried their best to get the best players from the first round of the Draft. We analyzed and found out the best NBA draft picks so far. The first round of the Draft is done. We know who the lottery picks are. So let's take a look at the top 10 picks:

#10: Khaman Maluach

The Rockets used the 10th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft on Duke big man Khaman Maluach but he won’t be suiting up for Houston. That selection is headed to Phoenix as part of the Kevin Durant deal, which becomes official on July 6. Commissioner Adam Silver confirmed the trade during the draft broadcast.
For the Suns, this feels like a move that checks a major box. With size at a premium, landing the 7'2", 253-pound Maluach could be a win. He wasn’t a go-to scorer at Duke, but he did average 8.6 points and 6.6 boards while helping them win the ACC and punch a ticket to the Final Four.
What makes him stand out? He’s a strong rim-runner who moves surprisingly well for his size and finishes efficiently around the basket. He’s raw offensively, sure, but if you need someone to catch lobs, set solid screens, and protect the paint, this might be exactly what Phoenix needed.

#9: Collin Murray-Boyles

The Raptors stuck with their defensive mindset in the 2025 NBA Draft, grabbing Collin Murray-Boyles on Wednesday night. The South Carolina sophomore, standing 6'7" with a 7'1" wingspan, brings serious length and athleticism. He put up 16.8 points, 8.3 boards, and 2.4 dimes last season, stats that show he’s more than just a defender.
Toronto clearly wanted switchable wings, even with Duke big man Khaman Maluach still on the board. Murray-Boyles fits that mold. He can bang inside with forwards, stay in front of guards, and cover ground on help rotations. Basically, he’s the kind of high-motor guy the Raptors love.
He doesn’t need the ball to make an impact, his timing and energy speak for themselves. There’s a good chance we’ll see him slide into small-ball lineups, but his best fit may be locking up the perimeter alongside Scottie Barnes. That duo could form the defensive backbone for Toronto’s next era.

#8: Egor Demin

Brooklyn’s front office swung for upside on draft night—twice. Sean Marks used both of the Nets' first-rounders on international teen point guards, betting on long-term potential. With the No. 8 pick, they went with 6-foot-8 Egor Demin out of BYU, marking the team’s first lottery pick in 15 years. Then at No. 19, they took French guard Nolan Traoré, a raw but explosive prospect. Both of whom; weren't expected to picked that high.
Demin didn’t blow up the stat sheet, he averaged 10.6 points and 5.5 assists but his vision and size, jump off the screen. He set a BYU freshman record with 180 assists and helped them reach the Sweet 16. He wasn’t projected to go that high, but Brooklyn clearly saw something special.
For a team with no clear floor general, Demin’s versatility could give them a new identity. He’s big enough to slide between the one and the two and has serious playmaking chops. The Nets may be years away from contending, but with moves like this, they’re clearly playing the long game.

#7: Jeremiah Fears

With the No. 7 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the New Orleans Pelicans added some juice to their backcourt by picking Jeremiah Fears out of Oklahoma. The 6’3” guard didn’t even start the season but quickly earned his spot, eventually putting up 17.1 points, 4.1 boards, 4.1 dimes, and 1.6 steals a night. His three-ball still needs work (just 28% from deep), but he finishes strong, gets to the line a ton, and hit 85% of his free throws.
He lit it up down the stretch too, averaging over 22 points across his final nine games. That kind of production made him one of the standout names among the 2025 NBA Draft picks.
New front office boss Joe Dumars clearly wanted backcourt depth, especially with Dejounte Murray hurt. After swapping CJ McCollum for Jordan Poole, grabbing Fears gives the team a young playmaker to groom behind Poole and Jose Alvarado.

#6: Tre Johnson

With the sixth pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Wizards snagged Texas guard Tre Johnson and honestly, it’s a solid move. The 6-feet-6 guard’s only 19 but already showing big-time poise. He dropped nearly 20 a night in college, shot 39.7% from three, and led Texas in scoring while barely missing a minute all season.
He’s 6'6", smooth with the ball, and doesn’t shy away from the moment. Even though he skipped out on a deep March Madness run, Tre showed he can carry an offense. Plus, he put up 87% from the line, which tells you his shot mechanics are clean.
Washington’s been in the basement lately, but pairing Johnson with young guns like Bub Carrington, Alex Sarr, and Bilal Coulibaly? That’s a sneaky-good core. It’s still early, but this group might finally be cooking something. And Tre? He’s got next. One of the cleaner fits among this year’s NBA draft picks.

#5: Ace Bailey

The Utah Jazz made one of the boldest NBA draft picks of the night by taking Ace Bailey at No. 5 in the 2025 NBA Draft, even though the 18-year-old guard reportedly didn’t want to play for them and skipped his pre-draft workout. Despite that red flag, Utah saw enough upside to roll the dice.
Bailey, a 6'10" freshman out of Rutgers, put up 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game. He shot 46% overall and 34.6% from deep, showing off a versatile offensive game and strong presence on the glass, no surprise there given his height. Entering college, he was already one of the most hyped players in his class.
Even if the vibes weren’t mutual, Bailey lands in a young, evolving Utah core alongside Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler, and John Collins. His ability to create shots and fill it up offensively gives the Jazz something they badly needed. Drama aside, Bailey’s talent made this one of the more interesting NBA draft picks from the 2025 NBA draft, and Utah’s gamble might just pay off.

#4: Kon Knueppel

With the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Charlotte Hornets scooped up Duke freshman Kon Knueppel, a sharpshooter they badly needed. The 6'7" wing averaged 14.4 points on an efficient 47.9% shooting clip, including 40.6% from deep. He also added 4 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.
Charlotte entered this year’s NBA Draft knowing they needed wing help next to LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Miles Bridges. Their 33.9% shooting from beyond the arc last season ranked among the league’s worst, and Knueppel’s ability to stretch the floor gives their offense a needed jolt. With Mark Williams locked in at center, the Hornets now have a more balanced core.
Knueppel’s scoring fits perfectly alongside Charlotte’s existing talent. He’s not just a spot-up guy, he moves well off-ball and can hit tough shots. The Hornets passed on several high-upside prospects to take a player who’s more plug-and-play, and that says a lot about their current mindset. This NBA Draft pick could shift their offense into a higher gear.

#3: VJ Edgecombe

The Sixers didn’t exactly have the year they wanted—Joel Embiid went down early and barely saw the floor. But out of that rough stretch came a glimmer of hope: the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Philly went with Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe, an explosive, above-the-rim guard who was Big 12 Freshman of the Year. He averaged 15 points, grabbed 5.6 boards, and snagged 2.1 steals a game. Edgecombe was actually the only prospect to both work out and sit down with the Sixers before the draft, so yeah, this pick wasn’t exactly a shocker.
With Tyrese Maxey holding it down and Jared McCain now on board, Edgecombe gives the backcourt even more juice. He brings that defensive hustle and athletic pop Philly could use. After last season’s chaos, this move feels like a step toward balance. Not a splashy surprise, just a smart play that fits where the Sixers are trying to go.

#2: Dylan Harper

Dylan Harper’s name came off the board quick at the 2025 NBA Draft. The San Antonio Spurs made the Rutgers guard their No. 2 pick on Wednesday night, adding another young weapon to their rebuild.
At 6-foot-6, Harper balled out in his lone college season, dropping 19.4 points a night along with 4.6 rebounds and 4 assists. He was the top scorer and playmaker for Rutgers, also leading the team in steals. His shooting? Solid. 33.3% from beyond the arc.
Before college, Harper turned heads as the MVP of the 2024 McDonald’s All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic. Only four other five-star prospects have ever suited up for Rutgers, and Harper was the biggest name of them all.
Now, he joins a retooled Spurs roster that’s no longer coached by Gregg Popovich, something which hasn't happened in the past 29 years. With Mitch Johnson in charge, Harper will run with Victor Wembanyama, Jeremy Sochan, and Stephon Castle. For fans tracking the top NBA draft picks, San Antonio’s choice of Harper signals they’re loading up for the future, and he’s got the juice to deliver.

#1: Cooper Flagg

The Dallas Mavericks made waves in the NBA Draft 2025 by selecting Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick. After a rollercoaster season packed with injuries, inconsistency, and the shocking trade of Luka Doncic to the Lakers, the Mavs hit the reset button. Flagg, a freshman phenom from Duke, became the second-youngest top pick in league history, only LeBron James went No. 1 at a younger age.

Flagg’s numbers were insane for a rookie: 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. He also led Duke in blocks, steals, and shot 38.5% from deep. With Kyrie Irving still recovering, Dallas will rely on the teenager to step in and handle scoring duties early while also making noise defensively—one of the key reasons GM Nico Harrison pulled the trigger on the Doncic trade.

Among this year’s NBA Draft picks, Flagg isn’t just a building block, he’s the franchise centerpiece. The Mavs are betting big that the Maine native can lead a new era in Dallas.