2-Round 2025 NBA Mock Draft: Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper in the Top 3?

The NBA season is coming to an end, which means that the NBA Draft lottery and the draft itself will soon be here.

The 2025 NBA Draft is loaded with talent and should produce some immediate stars like Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey, and Dylan Harper. Read on to find out where some of your favorite college basketball players are projected to land in the Association.

2025 2-Round NBA Mock Draft

1) Utah Jazz: F, Cooper Flagg, Duke

There’s no question that Cooper Flagg will be the number one overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. The 18-year-old wing stands at 6’9″ and has elite ball-handling capabilities and a smooth jumper.

Flagg is a two-way player who is great defensively and should impact whatever team he goes to immediately. He’s the full package and should have a long and successful NBA career

2) Washington Wizards: G, Dylan Harper, Rutgers

Dylan Harper is projected to be a lock for the number two overall pick, much like Cooper Flagg at one. Harper is a 6’6″ guard whose size will give him an advantage at the next level. He’s a fantastic athlete who can play at a fast pace and create his shots, which will translate well to the NBA.

Harper is also a good playmaker. He consistently created opportunities for his teammates at Rutgers, as he averaged fout assists in college. I expect him to be a great pro, and he would fit in well in Washington, a team that desperately needs guard help.

3) Charlotte Hornets: F, Ace Bailey, Rutgers

Ace Bailey is the second half of the elite Rutgers duo that is likely producing two top-five picks in this draft. Bailey is a more raw prospect than his counterpart, Harper, but still should be a good pro.

Bailey is good off the ball and uses his athleticism to create opportunities for himself. He’ll need to develop more consistent ball-handling capabilities and jump-shot, but would fit well alongside LaMelo Ball in Charlotte.

4) New Orleans Pelicans: G, Tre Johnson, Texas

Tre Johnson is only 18 years old but was one of the best shooters in college basketball last season, hitting 40% of his threes. Johnson’s game will translate well to the league as he can create for himself.

The Pelicans need guard play badly, so not only is Tre Johnson great, but he’d fill a major need for New Orleans.

5) Philadelphia 76ers: C, Khaman Maluach, Duke

There’s no question that Joel Embiid could be on his way out of Philadelphia sooner rather than later, and the Sixers should be looking to replace him. While Maluach isn’t Joel Embiid, he’d be a solid replacement.

Maluach is a defensive superstar with a 9’8″ wingspan and standing at 7’2″. He needs to develop his offensive capability, and if he does can become one of the best centers in the league.

6) Brooklyn Nets: G, VJ Edgecombe, Baylor

V.J. Edgecombe stands at 6’5″ and is a sick athlete. Not only does he have great size, but he fills his frame out with muscle, making him a physical player as well. He isn’t as polished as the other two guys above him, but he should develop into a star in the league.

Charlotte would add Edgecombe to an already solid young core in Brooklyn.

7) Toronto Raptors: C, Derrick Queen, Maryland

Derrick Queen just finished his freshman year at Maryland and is already ready for the Association. Queen isn’t the tallest center only standing at 6’10” but has a wide variety of skills and will be a good stretch big in the league.

I think if the Raptors are able to pair Queen alongside Scottie Barnes, Toronto’s front court will be set up for years to come.

8) San Antonio Spurs: G, Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma

Jeremiah Fears is one of the most skilled players in this entire class. The biggest question about Fears’ game is his three point shooting as he only hit 28% from behind the arc last season.

However, Fears looked incredibly mature last season and had a great feel for the game. He would fit well alongside Stephon Castle and add even more young talent to the Spurs.

9) Houston Rockets (via PHO): F, Kon Knueppel, Duke

Knueppel is the third Duke player to be selected in the top ten in this mock, showing the insane depth that the Blue Devils had last season. Knueppel proved himself on the biggest stage in March and should be a good pro.

Knueppel is 6’7″ and is a consistent shooter from anywhere on the court. He’s got a great feel for the game and would be a great fit in Houston along with Jalen Green and Amen Thompson.

10) Portland Trail Blazers: F, Carter Bryant, Arizona

Carter Bryant is a prototypical NBA wing. He’s great from three, hitting nearly 38% last season, and has good defensive ability. At 6’8″, he can guard any position and will bring value to any NBA franchise.

Bryant is exactly what the Blazers need and would become an instant starter in Portland.

KEEP READING: Top 5 Point Guards Entering the 2025 NBA Draft Ft. Dylan Harper

11) Dallas Mavericks: G, Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois

Kasparas Jakucionis isn’t enough of an athlete to be selected inside the top 10, but is a crafty guard who can make things happen for his teammates. He shot above 30% from three and was ultra-efficient all year long.

I think his play-making ability would fit well in Dallas, and if he can become a more consistent shooter, he has a bright future in the NBA.

12) Chicago Bulls: F, Noa Essengue, Germany

Noa Essengue is the first international player to be selected in this mock. The 6’10” forward has great scoring ability and is an excellent defender with his elite length. He is slim, only weighing 198 pounds, but if he can fill out his frame, he can become a problem.

The Bulls need athletic bigs, and Essengue is exactly that, making this a fit for both sides.

13) Atlanta Hawks: G, Jase Richardson, Michigan State

Jase Richardson is one of the best defensive guards in this draft, and that is something Atlanta desperately needs. While he isn’t the biggest, he has great lateral quickness and a high IQ, which allows him to always be in the right spot.

Offensively, Richardson was one of the most efficient scorers in all of college basketball last season and if he continues to develop, he’ll be a very good pro.

14) San Antonio Spurs (via ATL): F, Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina

Collin Murray-Boyles is built like a brick house, standing at 6’7″ and weighing 247 pounds. He dominated the paint at South Carolina and was great defensively as well. The biggest question about Murray-Boyles is his shooting ability, as he has next to no jump shot.

The Spurs already have talented bigs, but Murray-Boyles would complement their playing styles well.

15) Oklahoma City Thunder (via MIA): F, Liam McNeely, UConn

Liam McNeely projects to be a really solid third or second option on an NBA team. He stands at  6’7″, can score from anywhere on the court, and is an above-average athlete. I don’t think he’ll ever be THE guy on an NBA roster, but he will be a solid starter for any team.

The Thunder are strong pretty much anywhere, but could use a wing, especially a shooter like McNeely.

16) Orlando Magic: G, Nique Clifford, Colorado State

Nique Clifford carried Colorado State to the second round of March Madness and showed the world what he was capable of. Clifford is older, as he’s already 23, but showed improvement from 2024-2025 and should continue to develop in the league.

The Magic already have a solid young core, so adding someone with as much experience as Clifford would be a good move for Orlando.

17) Minnesota Timberwolves (via DET): G, Egor Demin, BYU

Egor Demin is an interesting prospect. He’s got great size, standing at 6’9″, is a great athlete, player-maker, averaging 5.5 assists per game last season at BYU, and in the tournament, showed off his ability to shoot the three-ball. However, throughout the year, he was an inconsistent shooter, and that could be worrisome in the NBA.

Worst case scenario, he’ll be an awesome backup playmaking guard, but if he can develop the jumper, the sky’s the limit for him.

18) Washington Wizards (via MEM): F, Asa Newell, Georgia

Asa Newell stands at 6’11” and is a good stretch four as he is an elite finisher who can score from the outside as well. Newell has a very high floor, I just question whether his ceiling warrants him being a lottery pick or not.

Regardless, someone who can come in and start right away is what Washington needs, and pairing Newell with Dylan Harper would be a fantastic draft for the Wizards.

19) Brooklyn Nets (via MIL): G, Nolan Traoré, France

Nolan Traoré’s range in this draft is interesting. He was able to raise his three point percentage up to over 30% this season with Saint-Quentin in France, which put scouts on notice and could make him a lottery pick. Regardless of his shooting ability, he’s an elite playmaker and skilled passer.

The Nets already have elite scoring guard play, so I think a player like Traoré would make sense for them to draft.

KEEP READING: Who Are the Tallest Prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft? Everything You Need To Know

20) Miami Heat (via GSW): G, Walter Clayton, Florida

No player raised their stock more in March Madness than Walter Clayton. Clayton was electric and proved that he’s the best pure three-point shooter in this class as he hit nearly seven threes a game for the Gators in the tournament. His size and defense are why he’s not a lottery pick, but he will certainly be a first-rounder.

If the Heat can have Clayton come in and give them some immediate offense off the bench or even start, it’d be a big boost offensively for a team that needs it.

21) Utah Jazz (via MIN): C, Danny Wolf, Michigan

Danny Wolf can do it all at center. He’s good defensively, he can dominate the paint offensively with his good footwork and finishing ability, and he can even score threes.

He’s not the greatest athlete and was inconsistent at times for Michigan, but overall, I expect him to be a solid pro, and I like the fit in Utah alongside Cooper Flagg.

22) Atlanta Hawks (via LAL): F, Thomas Sorber, Georgetown

Thomas Sorber would probably have been a lottery pick if he hadn’t suffered a foot injury last season. He’s an elite defender, averaging two blocks and 1.5 steals last season for the Hoyas.

I expect Sorber’s game to translate well, and while he wasn’t an efficient shooter, I think he has the ability to develop into one. I think Atlanta could use a wing with Sorber’s defensive ability and that this is a good fit for both sides.

23) Indiana Pacers: G, Ben Saraf, Israel

I’m not as high on Ben Saraf as others are due to his lack of shooting prowess and overall defensive ablity, but it seems like he’s going to be a first rounder. He is a good play making guard and has a good frame standing at 6’5″.

The Pacers need guard depth, and if they think Saraf can develop into something, I think they’d take him here.

24) Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC): F, Will Riley, Illinois

Will Riley showed off his great shooting ability during his freshman year at Illinois, hitting 46% of his shots and shooting 31% from three. I do worry that his lack of explosiveness will make it so he struggles to create separation in the league, but there’s no doubt that he’s a talented scorer.

As I mentioned earlier, the Thunder have an embarrassment of riches depth-wise, but could use wings that can shoot. Riley fits that description well and would be a good bench piece for OKC.

25) Orlando Magic (via Denver): F, Noah Penda, France

Noah Penda is a big question mark in this draft class. He has little production overseas, and yet the NBA seems to love him. I think it stems from his size and two-way ability. He’s not a bad shooter and often hits his open looks, and has great footwork on the defensive side of the ball.

I don’t think he’ll ever develop into anything special, but he could turn out to be a solid role player in the league.

26) Brooklyn Nets (via NYK): C, Joan Beringer, France

Joan Beringer is the third French player to be selected in the first round of this mock, which seems to be a growing theme as the years go on. Beringer has little to no offensive ability, but is an elite rim defender and shot blocker.

The Nets need that kind of defense at center, and I think would covet someone like Beringer.

27) Brooklyn Nets (via HOU): F, Rasheer Fleming, Saint Joseph’s

Rasheer Fleming stands at 6’9″ and projects to be a stretch-four at the next level. He nailed over 60 three-pointers last season at St. Joseph’s and was great at getting to the basket and finishing at the rim as well.

Fleming also has solid defensive ability with smooth footwork, and I think he could grow into a starter shortly after being selected.

28) Boston Celtics: C, Maxime Raynaud, Stanford

Maxime Raynaud isn’t the most athletic player, but was uber productive at Stanford last season. The France native scored over 20 points a night for the Cardinal and shot over 34% from three. He has great length making him a solid shot blocker, and I expect him to have a pretty big role in the Association.

The Celtics don’t necessarily need a big, but Raynaud is the best player available, so they opt for him over a better fit here.

KEEP READING: Top 5 Forwards Entering the 2025 NBA Draft Ft. Collin Murray-Boyles

29) Phoenix Suns (via CLE): F, Hugo González, Spain

Hugo Gonazález is a very weird prospect as he only played 10 minutes a game averaging three points for Real Madrid this year. He was a fantastic player in FIBA, but it’s going to be interesting to see how much stock scouts put into that.

Regardless, the Suns could use a wing with Gonzalez’s athleticism, and if they believe enough in his potential, I could see him being selected here.

30) Los Angeles Clippers (via OKC): G, Labaron Philon, Alabama

Labaron Philon was the leader of Alabama’s team last season and is the most pro-ready. While he doesn’t have a consistent jumper and there are some defensive concerns, I think his leadership and play-making will have him selected in the first round.

The Clippers need some guard depth, and if Philon can develop in the league, there’s no reason for him not to grow into a bigger role as time goes on.

Round 2