Anticipation is building for the 2025 NBA Draft, a marquee event expected to reshape rosters and spotlight rising stars. The Dallas Mavericks secured the top selection after winning the NBA Draft lottery and are widely projected to take Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick.
Unlike last year’s uncertainty at the top, when the Atlanta Hawks ultimately chose French standout Zaccharie Risacher, this year’s decision appears more clear-cut. With key dates and TV details soon to be announced, fans and franchises alike are zeroing in on a class loaded with franchise-changing talent and narrative-shaping potential.
Everything To Know About the 2025 NBA Draft: Schedule, Picks, and Prospects
The 2025 NBA Draft will unfold across two nights, starting with the first round on Wednesday, June 25, followed by the second round on Thursday, June 26. Both events begin at 8 p.m.
Eastern and will be held at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. ABC and ESPN will televise the opening round, while ESPN will exclusively broadcast the second. Fans can stream coverage via the ESPN app or services like FuboTV, which may offer free trial options.
The draft order was finalized on May 12 during the live lottery in Chicago, where the Dallas Mavericks unexpectedly claimed the top pick despite holding just a 1.8 percent chance. They are now positioned to select Duke’s Cooper Flagg, the consensus No. 1 overall prospect.
Get to know NBA Draft prospect Cooper Flagg, the do-it-all, two-way forward from Duke!
The 2025 #NBADraft presented by State Farm begins Wednesday, June 25th at 8pm/et on ABC + ESPN 🍿 pic.twitter.com/kTNu7QlEsQ
— NBA (@NBA) June 14, 2025
The remainder of the top five includes the San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, Charlotte Hornets and Utah Jazz. Houston holds the No. 10 pick, acquired from Phoenix via Brooklyn. The Spurs will also pick at No. 14, having obtained that selection from Atlanta.
Other notable positions include Brooklyn with multiple picks and Oklahoma City making several first-round appearances through prior trades.
Notable prospects expected to follow Flagg include Rutgers standouts Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe, Texas guard Tre Johnson, Oklahoma’s Jeremiah Fears, and Kon Knueppel of Duke. Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis is also gaining attention in recent projections.
Draft history shows the No. 1 pick in 2024 was Risacher to Atlanta, preceded by Victor Wembanyama (Spurs, 2023), Paolo Banchero (Magic, 2022), Cade Cunningham (Pistons, 2021), and Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves, 2020).
KEEP READING: 2-Round 2025 NBA Mock Draft Features Groundbreaking Trade, Surprising Fall for Certain Blue Devil
This year’s first round draft order starts with Dallas and continues through San Antonio, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Utah, Washington, New Orleans, Brooklyn, Toronto, and Houston. Other selections in the top 20 include Chicago at No. 12, Atlanta at No. 13, and Orlando at No. 16.
Brooklyn, Miami, and Oklahoma City are among the teams holding multiple picks in the back half of the round.
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