The first round of the 2025 NBA draft is finally happening on Wednesday, and there are some bets that are pretty safe, while others may be at risk of getting picked much much later in the draft.
There are 14 lottery picks in total, so which player will be safest come draft night?
Top 14 NBA Draft Lottery Picks and If They Are Safe or Not
#1 – Dallas Mavericks, Cooper Flagg
Cooper Flagg is here at Fanatics Fest 🏀👀
📽️ @Fanatics pic.twitter.com/U8vLMBeEOh
— Sports Card Investor (@SportsCardInv) June 22, 2025
Flagg is a very safe pick, as head coach Jason Kidd has reportedly been high on Flagg, especially with the Mavericks rebuilding after the Luka trade.
#2 – San Antonio Spurs, Dylan Harper
While the Spurs have been looking at others, the son of Michael Jordan teammate Ron Harper is very much safe as the No. 2 pick. There is still a minuscule chance that the Spurs might go for somebody else, but this one is a relatively safe bet for Coach Pop.
#3 – Philadelphia 76ers, Ace Bailey
This one is complicated. While Ace Bailey has been projected as a No. 3 pick, with him being a talented guard and all, his actions ahead of the draft have soured him with not just the Sixers but all other teams participating in the draft. That being said, Philly could choose somebody like VJ Edgecombe over Bailey just because of all the drama the Rutgers star has been generating so far.
#4 – Charlotte Hornets, VJ Edgecombe
In the total opposite of Ace Bailey, VJ Edgecombe might be picked higher than expected weeks ago. Should the Sixers go with Bailey amid the drama, then the Hornets have a solid pick with the Baylor star.
#5 -Utah Jazz, Tre Johnson
Tre Johnson’s stock has been rising ahead of the draft, and because of all the Ace Bailey drama, he may even get picked by Philly at No. 3. However, should the Sixers stick with Bailey, Johnson would be a solid pick for the Jazz.
#6 – Washington Wizards, Kon Knueppel
Knueppel may be living in Duke teammate Cooper Flagg’s shadow, but he would be a solid boost to the Wizards, which need a solid offensive sparkplug, which the Blue Devil can provide.
#7 – New Orleans Pelicans, Derik Queen
While he may be undersized for a center at 6’9, Queen has proven to be a solid player for Maryland last season, and would be a safe bet with the Pelicans.
#8 – Brooklyn Nets, Jeremiah Fears
The Nets find themselves in need of a point guard, and the draft will give them one of the best in the class in this Oklahoma Sooner, which makes him a pretty safe pick for the Nets.
#9 -Toronto Raptors, Khaman Maluach
Toronto has a good history with international stars, and the seven-foot man from South Sudan will find himself at home up north.
#10 – Phoenix Suns (via Houston Rockets), Collin Murray-Boyles
The Kevin Durant trade has plenty of implications, and this is one of them, with Phoenix possibly getting Collin Murray-Boyles as part of a multiple-man trade for Durant. With Durant gone, the Suns need an offensive forward, and Murray-Boyles can provide that.
#11 – Portland Trailblazers, Carter Bryant
In Bryant, the Trailblazers are getting an effective wing whose defensive skills could provide a boost for the team, so this one may be a safe pick for Portland.
#12 – Chicago Bulls, Kasparas Jakucionis
In Jakucionis, the Bulls are getting a point guard with excellent passing skills who can dish out some dimes. He has a high potential to be a starter, too.
#13 – Atlanta Hawks (via Sacramento Kings), Noa Essengue
The Frenchman is expected to add to the growing list of supporting cast members for Trae Young, and at small forward, he is a tall one for his position, at 6’10, which would give the Hawks some good options.
#14 – San Antonio Spurs (via Atlanta Hawks), Egor Demin
The Russian point guard has been impressive in his sole year at BYU, and he will be a good complement for Victor Wembanyama.
Related: Cooper Flagg Turns Heads at Duke Camp With Bold New Look Ahead of 2025 NBA Draft
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