Two choices for all 30 first-round NBA draft picks: Will your team fill a need or choose the best value?

Our NBA mock drafts thin heavy connected intel to marque projections for the players and the 30 teams. This mock draft, with Cooper Flagg arsenic the projected No. 1 pick, isn't similar the others.

Instead, ESPN draught analysts Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo explored the archetypal circular of the 2025 NBA draft from 2 differing perspectives: selecting for squad request versus drafting for champion available.

How would teams attack this year's draught if they were selecting with their biggest needs for the upcoming play astatine the forefront? How mightiness that attack alteration if they were looking to extract the astir worth for their prime successful selecting the champion subordinate available, careless of fit?

This mock draught isn't what we task each NBA squad volition do, but it's a utile mode to deliberation astir the draft, its eligible players and however beforehand offices mightiness beryllium reasoning done it arsenic the two-day lawsuit draws person (June 25-26, 8 p.m. ET connected ABC and ESPN).

Givony drafted players for each squad by prioritizing need, portion Woo selected players matched with teams angling for value. Here's however it worked out:

More NBA draught coverage:
Trade offers for No. 1 | Lottery prime comps
Mock draft: Flagg to the Mavs and more
Draft assets | Top 100 rankings | Pelton's apical 30

First round

1. Dallas Mavericks

Givony's prime that fills the biggest need:
Cooper Flagg, SF/PF, Duke, Freshman | TS%: 60.0

With the Mavericks' 3 champion players each successful their 30s and possessing superior wounded history, being capable to adhd an 18-year-old Energizer Bunny specified arsenic Flagg is simply a godsend. He projects arsenic an 82-game subordinate who brings nonstop strength to each signifier and possession helium is progressive in, a unit successful modulation and connected defense, whose accelerated betterment arsenic a shot handler and shooter volition proceed to beryllium tapped into extensively arsenic the Mavs are abbreviated connected changeable instauration astatine the moment.

Perhaps much importantly, Flagg's summation would beryllium a invited page-turner for the Mavs' beforehand bureau aft the exiling of franchise stalwart Luka Doncic, giving the instrumentality basal a existent young prima to gravitate toward, with precisely the benignant of off-court habits and antiaircraft mentality the beforehand bureau said it covets successful its mentation for wherefore it decided to commercialized the aboriginal Hall of Famer.

Woo's prime that gets the champion value: Flagg

No substance which squad won the lottery, Flagg was ever going to beryllium the No. 1 pick. Value astatine the apical of the draught is comparative to who's disposable -- you're simply targeting the champion imaginable -- but it's worthy noting that Flagg profiles arsenic a No. 1-worthy subordinate successful astir immoderate draft.

His exceptional play astatine Duke was backed up by statistic and by the oculus test, pointing to the existent accidental helium could go a franchise-caliber subordinate successful Dallas. His versatile interaction connected some ends of the level coupled with beardown intangibles gives Flagg a terrific baseline arsenic helium develops successful years to come. There's nary amended -- oregon safer -- prima stake successful this draft.

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One large happening to cognize astir Cooper Flagg

Jonathan Givony breaks down the intangible prime Cooper Flagg tin bring to an NBA franchise.

2. San Antonio Spurs

Givony's prime that fills the biggest need:
Kon Knueppel, SG/SF, Duke, Freshman | TS%: 64.8

Surrounding Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and De'Aaron Fox with high-feel, dynamic perimeter shooters is simply a large precedence for the beforehand bureau this offseason, and nary subordinate successful this draught fits that spot amended than Knueppel. He's the draft's champion shooter, susceptible of shooting disconnected question coming disconnected screens, but besides is simply a coagulated defender and playmaker who plays a selfless, highly competitory style.

He was blessed to play 2nd fiddle to Flagg, his teammate and rising superstar this season, making him an perfect acceptable to brace with a aboriginal MVP campaigner specified arsenic Wembanyama.

Woo's prime that gets the champion value:
Dylan Harper, PG/SG, Rutgers, Freshman | TS%: 59.3

Harper settled successful arsenic the statement No. 2 imaginable astir midseason, with his flashes of large playmaking endowment elevating him arsenic the strongest enactment aft Flagg. Due to that perceived upside arsenic a jumbo shot handler who tin make discourtesy for himself and others, Harper separated himself -- to the grade that adjacent the Spurs, who already person Fox and Castle successful their backcourt, are apt to put successful his accomplishment acceptable and could hold to fig retired the question of on-court acceptable later.

There are different prospects who mightiness capable roster needs much neatly, but the biggest worth plaything present is Harper.

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One large happening to cognize astir Dylan Harper

Dylan Harper's non-stop centrifugal is the 1 large happening that stands retired to Jonathan Givony.

3. Philadelphia 76ers

Givony's prime that fills the biggest need:
Airious "Ace" Bailey, SG/SF, Rutgers, Freshman | TS%: 54.0

Bailey looks arsenic if he'd beryllium a seamless acceptable for the 76ers' roster, capable to descent betwixt the shooting defender and powerfulness guardant positions successful a assortment of lineup configurations alongside the likes of Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, Quentin Grimes, Paul George and Kelly Oubre Jr.

The Sixers request a star-level helping to look and yet surpass George and his gaudy contract, which looks progressively improbable to property good implicit the adjacent 3 years. His size, shotmaking prowess and strength springiness Bailey important upside to turn into astatine 18 years old.

Woo's prime that gets the champion value:
VJ Edgecombe, SG, Baylor, Freshman | TS%: 56.1

Edgecombe has made a beardown lawsuit arsenic the third-best imaginable successful this draft: Teams emotion his operation of wide athleticism and downhill slashing quality and spot large upside arsenic helium grows much comfy making plays with the shot successful his hands. I'd besides marque the statement that helium offers the champion premix of upside and level astatine this spot successful the draft. His proponents astir the league spot prima potential.

While Edgecombe mightiness not beryllium the cleanest acceptable connected insubstantial considering Philadelphia's backcourt situation, there's nary 1 subordinate expected to beryllium disposable astatine No. 3 who importantly alters the Sixers' outlook for adjacent season. I presumption him arsenic the champion stake present done a semipermanent lens.

4. Charlotte Hornets

Givony's prime that fills the biggest need: Harper

Harper slides to No. 4 successful this scenario, arsenic some the Spurs (Fox/Castle) and Sixers (Maxey/McCain) person nary large needs successful the backcourt and would possibly look to different positions if fielding a roster from that lens were the lone concern.

The Hornets would surely emotion to adhd Harper's downhill driving, foul-drawing and beardown interior finishing prowess to a large backcourt with a 6-foot-7 LaMelo Ball, who is highly susceptible of playing alongside different changeable creator.

Woo's prime that gets the champion value: Knueppel

Knueppel has a existent accidental of proceeding his sanction called among the apical 5 connected draught night, with teams considering his contiguous on-court inferior and the semipermanent country to soma retired his violative game. Knueppel's fantabulous perimeter shooting and measured benignant arsenic a playmaker would beryllium a beardown summation for the Hornets, with his beingness apt adjuvant to instrumentality unit disconnected of Ball and Brandon Miller.

While there's a lawsuit for Bailey's upside being hard to walk up here, Knueppel arguably has a amended accidental to scope his afloat imaginable with the Hornets and represents the worth play if some are connected the board. This is simply a bully illustration of however the adaptable of squad acceptable tin -- and should -- origin into the substance of situational value.

5. Utah Jazz

Givony's prime that fills the biggest need: Edgecombe

With Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson some entering the last years of their contracts, there's a request for the Jazz astatine the shooting defender position, and perchance astatine constituent defender depending connected however new pb decision-maker Austin Ainge feels astir Keyonte George and Isaiah Collier successful the agelong term.

Enter Edgecombe, the astir explosive defender imaginable successful this draft, who possesses the benignant of prima upside the Jazz presently deficiency successful their backcourt. Edgecombe showed superior flashes of imaginable arsenic a pb shot handler astatine past summer's FIBA Olympic qualifying tourney with the Bahamas nationalist team, and helium has agelong viewed the constituent defender presumption arsenic his earthy landing spot long-term.

Woo's prime that gets the champion value: Bailey

Here's wherever Bailey becomes a precise beardown worth play: Utah would inactive get to snag a subordinate with fantabulous upside contempt its prime falling to No. 5 connected lottery night. Bailey's shotmaking prowess is dissimilar that of immoderate different subordinate successful the class, giving him important country to turn into a prime scorer.

The drawback is that Bailey is earthy capable successful different areas that selecting him and getting the astir retired of him is going to necessitate the constituent of time, thing not each squad tin afford. Although the Jazz mightiness beryllium losing patience with their existent tank, they inactive request to marque this prime with a semipermanent lens successful mind. Bailey is the benignant of endowment who tin assistance alteration their circumstances if things click for him -- a dive worthy taking astatine No. 5.

6. Washington Wizards

Givony's prime that fills the biggest need:
Khaman Maluach, C, Duke, Freshman | TS%: 74.7

Alex Sarr has agelong fancied himself much of a powerfulness guardant than a center, shooting much than 5 3-pointers per crippled past play portion continuing to station pedestrian antiaircraft rebounding numbers, arsenic helium has for overmuch of his career.

Enter Maluach, a existent halfway astatine 7-2 who projects arsenic a antiaircraft anchor successful the paint, giving the Wizards different long-armed large antheral to play down oregon with Sarr successful the benignant of twin-tower lineups that are becoming progressively en vogue successful the NBA (think the Cleveland Cavaliers).

Woo's prime that gets the champion value: Maluach

As the statement apical antiaircraft large antheral successful the class, Maluach would beryllium a beardown summation astir anywhere, though teams with young centers successful spot mightiness spot much worth successful going a antithetic direction.

The Wizards, moving with the payment of clip arsenic they rebuild, mightiness see the benefits of a super-sized antiaircraft beforehand enactment pairing Maluach with the much agile Sarr astatine the 4.

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Duke's Khaman Maluach a subordinate to ticker successful the NBA draft

Duke large antheral Khaman Maluach, who came up done the NBA Academy Africa, is simply a subordinate to ticker successful the NBA draft.

7. New Orleans Pelicans

Givony's prime that fills the biggest need:
Tre Johnson, SG, Texas, Freshman | TS%: 56.1

With CJ McCollum, 34, entering the last twelvemonth of his contract, it makes consciousness to commencement reasoning astir his successor. The Pelicans were 1 of the worst shooting teams successful the NBA past season, and they offloaded 1 of their superior changeable creators successful Brandon Ingram astatine the February commercialized deadline, creating a definite void connected the wing.

Enter erstwhile Longhorn Johnson, an aggressive, dynamic shotmaker who puts nonstop unit connected opposing defenses with his insatiable hunger to score. His serious-minded attack would acceptable successful good connected this Pelicans roster, and determination are capable lengthy defenders to assistance compensate for immoderate of his shortcomings successful that department.

Woo's prime that gets the champion value:
Jeremiah Fears, PG, Oklahoma, Freshman | TS%: 57.0

When swinging for upside aboriginal successful the draft, Fears is the benignant of endowment I'd person a hard clip letting autumn excessively far. His playmaking instincts and quality to get downhill tin enactment large unit connected defenses, and he's truthful aboriginal successful his improvement that there's clip and country for his leap changeable to travel around.

While Fears is improbable to beryllium an contiguous high-impact summation successful a winning context, his accomplishment acceptable is worthy investing successful early, peculiarly for a squad specified arsenic New Orleans that could usage a semipermanent starting constituent guard.

8. Brooklyn Nets

Givony's prime that fills the biggest need: Fears

The Nets don't person a constituent defender connected their roster, cycling done the likes of D'Angelo Russell (free agent), Dennis Schroder (traded), Ben Simmons (waived), Killian Hayes and others arsenic portion of their 26-56 season. Should Fears fall, picking him present astatine No. 8 seems similar a no-brainer, arsenic helium has 1 of the highest ceilings of immoderate imaginable successful this draft, flashing superior prima powerfulness successful his lone play astatine Oklahoma.

Just kicking disconnected their rebuilding process this season, the Nets surely person their eyes connected the sparkling apical of the 2026 NBA draft, truthful surviving done the increasing pains of an 18-year-old rookie constituent defender mightiness not beryllium that daunting with immoderate of the prima players who could beryllium disposable connected the different extremity of different losing season.

Woo's prime that gets the champion value: Johnson

Johnson's knack for bucket-getting makes him good worthy a plaything successful the apical 10. While I person immoderate reservations astir his benignant of play, if a squad tin get Johnson to bargain successful and stock the ball, his shooting quality could wage existent dividends.

The Nets person capable shots to spell astir adjacent play that this concern makes sense, and this is wherever I'd people Johnson, aft the different top-scoring helping prospects are disconnected the board.

9. Toronto Raptors

Givony's prime that fills the biggest need:
Derik Queen, C, Maryland, Freshman | TS%: 60.0

It's hard to spot wherever a rookie guard, helping oregon guardant would acceptable into the Raptors' extent illustration arsenic presently constructed, arsenic the squad has astatine slightest 8 players vying for minutes astatine those positions. The concern connected the interior looks a batch much uncertain, with Jakob Poeltl entering the last guaranteed twelvemonth of his declaration and possessing a subordinate enactment successful 2026-27.

Enter Queen, the astir skilled large antheral successful this draft, susceptible of scoring facing the handbasket oregon with his backmost to it, with awesome passing quality to boot. His shooting volition apt request to amended for him to run efficaciously alongside Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram, but helium brings thing to this roster that the Raptors don't presently possess, with upside to turn into if his conditioning improves.

Woo's prime that gets the champion value: Queen

The No. 9 spot is wherever the draught starts to flatten retired a spot valuewise; this adjacent radical of prospects is simply a spot much eye-of-the-beholder, and they bring precise antithetic accomplishment sets to the table.

For a squad specified arsenic the Raptors, wherever determination isn't needfully a cleanable acceptable connected the committee here, this spot could beryllium 1 to simply plaything connected talent. Queen is the astir offensively talented large antheral successful the class, and though helium has respective areas for improvement, peculiarly arsenic a defender, Toronto has country to make endowment up beforehand and could surely warrant a plaything here.

10. Houston Rockets (via Phoenix)

Givony's prime that fills the biggest need:
Kasparas Jakucionis, PG, Illinois, Freshman | TS%: 59.8

Fresh disconnected an outstanding play finishing with the NBA's fourth-best grounds (52-30) and flush with young endowment passim the roster, it's hard to constituent to circumstantial needs for the Rockets, too possibly Steven Adams' impending escaped bureau oregon Fred VanVleet's squad option.

Jakucionis has the size, framework and magnitude to play immoderate of the backcourt positions alongside the likes of Reed Sheppard and Amen Thompson, with shotmaking prowess and a beardown consciousness for the crippled to boot, and upside to turn into astatine 19 years old.

Woo's prime that gets the champion value:
Collin Murray-Boyles, PF/C, South Carolina, Sophomore | TS%: 64.0

The Rockets are successful a fortunate presumption holding the Suns' prime astatine No. 10, with extent crossed the roster and without large unit needs. If anything, determination could beryllium worth successful trading it to upgrade the squad elsewhere.

But if we're looking astatine this from a best-available lens, Murray-Boyles is simply a beardown candidate, bringing a divers role-player instrumentality kit that makes a batch of consciousness arsenic a worth adhd for Houston, an enactment that volition apt admit his beardown analytic illustration arsenic it projects out.

11. Portland Trail Blazers

Givony's prime that fills the biggest need:
Egor Demin, PG/SG, BYU, Freshman | TS%: 51.3

The Trail Blazers don't look to person immoderate contiguous needs that tin beryllium filled with a subordinate drafted successful this range, but they mightiness beryllium intrigued with the thought of adding a large playmaking defender specified arsenic Demin, who has the size and versatility to play connected oregon disconnected the ball, tin descent crossed antithetic positions and tin turn alongside Portland's young halfway agelong term.

Woo's prime that gets the champion value: Jakucionis

Jakucionis is 1 of the craftiest playmakers successful this draft, and that level of vision, coupled with his quality to play some defender positions and country to turn arsenic a shooter, makes him a bully stake to settee successful arsenic a utile backcourt enactment successful the pros.

He's drafting involvement higher than the No. 11 prime arsenic a result. His versatility and unselfishness marque him a beardown enactment successful this scope of the draft, and he's a subordinate who would heighten the Blazers' defender group.

12. Chicago Bulls

Givony's prime that fills the biggest need: Murray-Boyles

The Bulls don't person overmuch successful the mode of semipermanent keepers successful the large antheral department, with Nikola Vucevic, 35, a campaigner to beryllium traded and entering the last twelvemonth of his contract.

They could surely basal to adhd immoderate antiaircraft versatility successful the frontcourt, thing Murray-Boyles brings successful abundance. His playmaking quality is simply a large portion of his appeal, arsenic is what helium brings disconnected the tribunal with his toughness and unselfishness.

Woo's prime that gets the champion value:
Noa Essengue, PF, Ratiopharm Ulm, Germany | TS%: 61.1

Essengue's beardown caller play has helped solidify him arsenic a lottery campaigner -- his size, mobility and improving centrifugal marque him an intriguing stake successful this scope of the draft. While there's immoderate developmental hazard baked in, his productivity this play has been a beardown affirmative indicator. Adding an 18-year-old subordinate with his benignant of tools and invaluable mold makes for a beardown proposition successful the precocious lottery.

For the Bulls, this would beryllium a valid upside play, with a large plaything connected a versatile imaginable making consciousness arsenic they effort to enactment their mode retired of the mediate of the Eastern Conference pack.

13. Atlanta Hawks (via Sacramento)

Givony's prime that fills the biggest need:
Joan Beringer, C, Cedevita Olimpija, Adriatic | TS%: 61.5

With part-time starter Clint Capela, 31, entering escaped agency, the Hawks volition apt request to adhd different large antheral to the frontcourt to assistance Onyeka Okongwu, who played a whopping 50 minutes successful their last crippled of the season.

Enter Beringer, a highly intriguing semipermanent imaginable who boasts outstanding carnal tools, antiaircraft versatility and shot-blocking prowess. The 18-year-old volition request clip to capable retired his framework and summation experience, but helium has the benignant of length, mobility and timing that isn't casual to travel by.

Woo's prime that gets the champion value: Demin

The anticipation of adding an violative endowment specified arsenic Demin this precocious successful the draught should beryllium appealing to immoderate squad careless of need: Ball handlers with his size and passing imaginativeness are rare, giving him a accidental to perceive his sanction called higher than this.

If Demin's leap changeable comes around, it should unfastened up a pathway for him to gain a large relation arsenic a gangly facilitator connected the perimeter. The Hawks don't needfully request a subordinate successful his mold, but the endowment is surely worthy a agelong look regardless.

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Joan Beringer's NBA draught profile

Check retired immoderate of the highlights that person made Joan Beringer a apical NBA draught prospect.

14. San Antonio Spurs (via Atlanta)

Givony's prime that fills the biggest need:
Carter Bryant, SF/PF, Arizona, Freshman | TS%: 59.9

After adding a helping shooter successful Knueppel with their archetypal pick, the Spurs mightiness people a guardant who besides brings level spacing with their 2nd lottery prime arsenic good successful Bryant.

His 7-foot wingspan, awesome frame, antiaircraft versatility, perimeter shooting and off-court intangibles would complement the different young players the Spurs person assembled.

Woo's prime that gets the champion value: Bryant

Bryant's banal has crested successful this late-lottery range, with NBA teams bullish connected his chances of becoming a reliable 3-and-D wing. Those types of players, peculiarly if they gain NBA minutes connected their rookie contracts, are invaluable connected immoderate squad successful astir immoderate discourse -- and determination aren't each that galore of them successful this draught class.

While Bryant needs immoderate seasoning earlier becoming a high-impact player, helium makes consciousness arsenic a precedence summation for teams with playoff aspirations specified arsenic the Spurs.

15. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Miami)

Givony's prime that fills the biggest need: Essengue

On a squad that legitimately goes 12 deep, not adjacent accounting for 2024 lottery prime Nikola Topic, who redshirted this play portion recovering from genu surgery, it won't beryllium casual for immoderate rookie to spot the level adjacent season.

Essengue's length, mobility and antiaircraft versatility sliding each implicit the tribunal mightiness beryllium a lucifer made successful eden with the mode the Thunder terrorize opponents connected and disconnected the shot and make turnovers successful bunches. Becoming a much reliable perimeter shooter volition beryllium cardinal for him getting connected the tribunal aboriginal successful his NBA career, but Essengue has been uncovering ways to nutrient regardless, playing astatine a beauteous precocious level for an 18-year-old and demonstrating his important semipermanent upside to pat into.

Woo's prime that gets the champion value: Beringer

If there's 1 squad that tin intelligibly prioritize worth supra each else, it's the Thunder, who person not lone the league's deepest roster but are inactive loaded with aboriginal draught superior to support adding to that radical and reloading.

Beringer's beardown upside arsenic a rim-running, defensive-minded halfway has made him a people for teams successful this scope of the draft, and his deficiency of acquisition is little of a interest connected a squad similar Oklahoma City that wouldn't request him to play immediately.

16. Orlando Magic

Givony's prime that fills the biggest need:
Jase Richardson, PG/SG, Michigan State, Freshman | TS%: 63.2

The Magic request shooting successful the worst mode but besides saw their deficiency of backcourt extent exposed with the season-ending wounded to Jalen Suggs, which forced them to commencement journeyman Cory Joseph, 33, successful the playoffs.

Enter Richardson, a 41% 3-point shooter who brings fantabulous antiaircraft strength and a beardown knowing of who helium is arsenic a player, making him precise good suited to run disconnected the prima powerfulness of franchise stalwarts Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero.

Woo's prime that gets the champion value:
Will Riley, SG/SF, Illinois, Freshman | TS%: 53.8

This spot astatine No. 16 is astir wherever the adjacent tier of the draught opens up. I'm personally bullish connected Riley's semipermanent upside and would stake connected him present successful the teens, arsenic wings with his benignant of size, consciousness and shooting imaginable aren't ever casual to find extracurricular the lottery.

This would beryllium a developmental prime for the Magic, and Orlando's request for shooting adds to Riley's lawsuit astatine this spot.

17. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Detroit)

Givony's prime that fills the biggest need:
Danny Wolf, PF, Michigan, Junior | TS%: 56.6

The Timberwolves are facing sizeable uncertainty successful the frontcourt this offseason, with some Julius Randle and Naz Reid, who averaged a combined 60 minutes per game, possessing subordinate options successful their contracts, allowing them to perchance research escaped bureau this summer. With some of those situations apt to travel to a caput aft the draft, adding a large antheral with this prime makes consciousness arsenic an security policy, arsenic retaining some large men mightiness beryllium excessively costly.

Wolf has the size and versatility to play either big-man spot, similar helium did astatine Michigan, and should beryllium much acceptable to lend than astir rookies astatine 21 years old.

Woo's prime that gets the champion value:
Asa Newell, PF/C, Georgia, Freshman | TS%: 62.0

Newell has been a spot divisive for teams and has a somewhat wide range, but his youth, productivity and imaginable to make into a utile stretch-4 are beardown calling cards.

Minnesota should beryllium looking to cultivate roster extent present and perchance reasoning agelong term, owed to its constricted aboriginal draught capital, making Newell an absorbing concern who could lick for immoderate of its frontcourt issues successful time.

18. Washington Wizards (via Memphis)

Givony's prime that fills the biggest need:
Nolan Traore, PG, Saint-Quentin (France) | TS%: 51.0

The Wizards don't person a sure-fire, starting-caliber constituent defender they tin constituent to connected the roster presently and tin spend to instrumentality a plaything connected endowment with Traore, who conscionable turned 19 and is arguably the champion passer successful this draft.

After starting the play projected arsenic a top-10 pick, Traore's draught banal dropped due to the fact that of inconsistent play, but there's inactive plentifulness to similar with his size, ballhandling, playmaking creativity and upside, making him a worthy gamble for a squad successful Washington's concern and astatine this constituent successful the draft.

Woo's prime that gets the champion value:
Liam McNeeley, SG/SF, UConn, Freshman | TS%: 53.6

McNeeley entered the play successful the precocious lottery premix and continues to person looks successful the apical 20 acknowledgment to his shooting potential, perimeter versatility and beardown pre-college pedigree.

The dearth of prime wings successful the mediate of the archetypal circular would marque him a valid play present for the Wizards, who are successful afloat younker question mode and covet positional size and hoops IQ.

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Liam McNeeley drains a 3 to spark UConn

Liam McNeeley gets UConn connected the committee with a creaseless three-pointer vs. Florida.

19. Brooklyn Nets (via Milwaukee)

Givony's prime that fills the biggest need: McNeeley

The Nets' helping extent isn't peculiarly impressive, starting the likes of Keon Johnson and Ziaire Williams for 101 games this past season. They were 1 of the league's worst shooting teams successful 2024-25, truthful a subordinate specified arsenic McNeeley, a vocation 38% 3-point shooter (136 games) astatine 6-8 who has heavy range, tin sprout moving disconnected screens and brings a small much to the array with his toughness and smarts, could beryllium charismatic astatine this signifier of the draft.

McNeeley didn't person arsenic accordant of a play astatine UConn arsenic immoderate had hoped, but helium has proved himself successful different settings and has the benignant of enactment ethic, competitiveness and consciousness for the crippled to maximize his imaginable agelong term.

Woo's prime that gets the champion value:
Thomas Sorber, C, Georgetown, Freshman | TS%: 58.7

Sorber, who has beardown antiaircraft prowess, makes for an absorbing worth proposition owed to the foot wounded that ended his season, due to the fact that had helium not gotten wounded and had helium been capable to bash much successful the predraft process, it's imaginable helium would person made a lawsuit to spell higher than this projection astatine No. 19.

The Nets person minutes to connection their rookies adjacent play and volition apt beryllium capable to maximize the worth of a younger developmental subordinate astatine this spot.

20. Miami Heat (via Golden State)

Givony's prime that fills the biggest need:
Ben Saraf, PG/SG, Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany) | TS%: 53.9

The Heat don't person a large woody of changeable instauration oregon playmaking they tin constituent to connected their existent roster, making the constituent defender presumption a wide precedence this offseason.

Saraf has fantabulous size, gait and creativity astatine 6-6, playing a large relation for Ratiopharm Ulm successful Germany, with an particularly awesome playoff run to date. His beardown instincts connected some ends of the level (combined with his youth) springiness him intriguing upside helium tin pat into agelong term.

Woo's prime that gets the champion value: Richardson

Richardson's beardown analytical illustration mixed with his subpar positional size has made him divisive for NBA beforehand offices, but successful this portion of the draught helium becomes an absorbing worth bet, with beardown relation subordinate qualities arsenic a bully shooter, decision-maker and consenting defender who tin assistance bolster astir immoderate backcourt.

The Heat request assistance successful that country arsenic they proceed transitioning to a younger roster.

21. Utah Jazz (via Minnesota)

Givony's prime that fills the biggest need:
Nique Clifford, SG, Colorado State, Super Senior | TS%: 60.9

It appears the Jazz volition beryllium trying a antithetic strategy aft finishing with the league's worst grounds (17-65), which resulted successful netting lone the No. 5 pick. "It's spell clip for us," proprietor Ryan Smith told ESPN, aft adding a caller president of hoops operations successful Austin Ainge. Adding much teenagers to the roster mightiness not marque a large woody of consciousness successful that regard, with the Jazz sporting the second-youngest roster successful the NBA (average property of 24.8).

A 23-year-old similar Clifford could marque consciousness arsenic a plug-and-play helping with an fantabulous consciousness for the crippled and beardown antiaircraft versatility who converted 38% of his 3-pointers for the Rams past season.

Woo's prime that gets the champion value: Wolf

The Jazz mightiness not beryllium overly beholden to immoderate subordinate they person connected their existent roster, with Ainge already connected grounds saying the squad plans to vie adjacent season.

That makes Wolf a beauteous absorbing play astatine this spot, arsenic a subordinate who could perchance plug successful arsenic a rookie and connection absorbing mismatch and lineup possibilities. Landing him extracurricular the apical 20 would beryllium a worthwhile stake successful this situation.

22. Atlanta Hawks (via Los Angeles Lakers)

Givony's prime that fills the biggest need:
Cedric Coward, SF, Washington State/Duke, Junior | TS%: 71.0

The Hawks hiring 2 veterans to their beforehand bureau successful Bryson Graham and Peter Dinwiddie offers immoderate clarity to their beforehand office, freeing them up to discern however to proceed regarding Trae Young's aboriginal successful Atlanta.

Assuming they proceed with the presumption quo, adding an older helping imaginable with beardown perimeter shooting prowess successful Coward surely could marque sense, arsenic his 7-2 wingspan should assistance him play a fewer antithetic positions alongside the likes of Jalen Johnson and Zaccharie Risacher. The tiny illustration size of games astatine NBA scouts' disposal owed to his abbreviated play makes him a tricky valuation with a beauteous wide scope connected draught night, but his magnitude and shooting should springiness him a comparatively coagulated level arsenic his consciousness for the game, antiaircraft consciousness and toughness evolve.

Woo's prime that gets the champion value:
Maxime Raynaud, PF/C, Stanford, Senior | TS%: 56.1

After grabbing a defender astatine No. 13, I person the Hawks going with a frontcourt subordinate with their 2nd pick, with Raynaud connected the emergence aft a beardown harvester arsenic a stretch-5 with country to grow.

Atlanta's concern points to the mode worth and acceptable tin intersect -- portion determination are prime perimeter players near connected the committee here, immoderate with arguably much upside, determination are often diminishing returns successful doubling down connected overlapping accomplishment sets and limiting rookies' opportunities. Raynaud would plug successful nicely arsenic developmental depth.

23. Indiana Pacers

Givony's prime that fills the biggest need: Sorber

Injuries depleted immoderate of the Pacers' frontcourt depth, forcing them to get originative connected the commercialized and escaped cause market. Myles Turner is simply a escaped cause this summertime but has proved indispensable to their NBA Finals run.

Drafting a young halfway specified arsenic Sorber to groom and make agelong word alongside their young halfway makes sense, allowing them to absorption resources connected different positions portion their rubric contention model remains open. Sorber's length, consciousness for the crippled and budding accomplishment level springiness him a accidental to look arsenic a contributor successful the coming years, adjacent if it volition instrumentality him immoderate clip to get there.

Woo's prime that gets the champion value: Clifford

The dearth of plug-and-play wings successful this people makes Clifford a coagulated summation successful astir places successful this scope of the draft. You tin ne'er person excessively galore big, versatile perimeter players, and with the Pacers successful the mediate of a contending run, adding Clifford astatine this spot versus going younger could wage contiguous dividends.

24. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LA Clippers)

Givony's prime that fills the biggest need:
Hugo Gonzalez, SG/SF, Real Madrid, EuroLeague | TS%: 50.9

The Thunder mightiness not adjacent person a roster spot astatine their disposal for some of their first-round picks, truthful it's unclear precisely which absorption they volition spell connected draught night.

Gonzalez could acceptable Oklahoma City's benignant of play with the awesome carnal tools and frenetic vigor helium brings defensively, which has allowed him to carve retired a beardown relation for Real Madrid successful the ACB playoffs of late. There's besides the anticipation a squad could person him to beryllium stashed for different twelvemonth successful Europe -- thing that surely wouldn't beryllium appealing to his campy astatine this signifier -- but mightiness beryllium a necessity if the important buyout successful his declaration doesn't get paid this offseason (it's an enactment Real Madrid would surely beryllium unfastened to considering his impactful play). The last withdrawal deadline for the draught is June 15.

Woo's prime that gets the champion value: Traore

Traore finished the play connected a amended enactment aft starting it arsenic a imaginable top-10 pick, and though helium tin beryllium inconsistent, this is the scope of the draught wherever helium becomes an evident worthwhile bet.

He inactive brings charismatic playmaking endowment to the table, and should helium marque it each the mode down the committee into the 20s, a squad specified arsenic the Thunder, who tin fto him make without unit to nutrient anytime soon, could upwind up with a bargain successful this range.

25. Orlando Magic (via Denver)

Givony's prime that fills the biggest need: Raynaud

It's not wide what the Magic's appetite volition beryllium for adding 2 rookie teenagers to an already young roster, possibly causing them to research much mature upperclassmen specified arsenic Raynaud, who would bring immoderate much-needed frontcourt spacing that the roster presently lacks.

Raynaud, astatine 7-1, deed 67 3-pointers this play successful 35 games and had a beardown showing astatine the NBA draught combine, suggesting there's upside inactive near to pat into owed to his late-blooming trajectory, having focused full-time connected hoops lone arsenic a precocious schoolhouse senior.

Woo's prime that gets the champion value: Gonzalez

Gonzalez is different absorbing enactment if he's connected the committee successful the precocious archetypal round, arsenic a subordinate erstwhile viewed arsenic a lottery-level enactment who has had inconsistent opportunities to showcase himself until precocious astatine Real Madrid.

There's crushed to beryllium bullish astir his potential, and though helium wouldn't code a request for the Magic (who mightiness not extremity up selecting present anyway), it's a bully value-based accidental connected a imaginable with a existent pathway to contributing with his vigor and antiaircraft mentality.

26. Brooklyn Nets (via New York)

Givony's prime that fills the biggest need: Riley

With 4 first-rounders astatine their disposal, it wouldn't beryllium astonishing to spot the Nets instrumentality respective endowment swings, hoping to uncover gems with immoderate of their aboriginal picks.

At 6-9 and with the quality to marque shots from each implicit the level and showcase his creativity arsenic a passer, there's a batch to similar astir Riley's semipermanent upside. Even astatine 19 years old, Riley is intelligibly astatine a precise aboriginal signifier of improvement physically and skillwise -- a affirmative for the Nets.

Woo's prime that gets the champion value: Coward

Coward has benefited from a dearth of bankable helping talent, rising up draught boards contempt hardly playing this season.

His deficiency of high-level acquisition is simply a drawback, but his awesome framework and 3-and-D imaginable marque for a bully stake precocious successful the archetypal round. Whether the Nets marque either of these picks successful the 20s remains to beryllium seen, but drafting Coward is the benignant of gamble that makes consciousness for a rebuilding squad successful their position.

27. Brooklyn Nets (via Houston)

Givony's prime that fills the biggest need: Newell

With their last first-rounder, the Nets could surely look to bolster their frontcourt depth, adding different one-and-done freshman with upside successful Newell.

At 6-10, his mobility, aggressiveness and strength level are important assets that allowed him to person a highly productive, businesslike freshman run astatine Georgia, making 26 3-pointers successful 33 games and converting 75% of his escaped throws, pointing to floor-stretching potential.

Woo's prime that gets the champion value: Saraf

Saraf's playmaking ability, size and beardown play successful Germany marque him a valid stake the further helium falls successful the archetypal round, with country to look arsenic a coagulated NBA enactment if helium tin amended arsenic a shooter and clasp his ain defensively.

As an oversized perimeter creator who could go a invaluable multipositional extent option, Saraf is the close benignant of stake for the Nets if they upwind up utilizing these precocious first-round picks.

28. Boston Celtics

Givony's prime that fills the biggest need:
Noah Penda, SF/PF, Le Mans, (France)| TS%:55.5

The Celtics person immoderate large needs to code successful the aftermath of Jayson Tatum's season-ending Achilles injury, but they can't person immoderate existent anticipation to code them successful the draft, surely not this precocious successful the archetypal round.

Finding a combo guardant specified arsenic Penda, who's susceptible of soaking up minutes, hopefully gaining immoderate acquisition and possibly emerging arsenic susceptible of adding worth successful a twelvemonth from now, would beryllium a large win. Penda's versatility and beardown consciousness for the crippled played an important relation successful carving retired a beardown relation successful the French archetypal division. He is an intelligent passer who slides each implicit the tribunal connected defence and plays a mature benignant of hoops for a 20-year-old.

Woo's prime that gets the champion value:
Walter Clayton Jr., PG, Florida, Senior | TS%: 61.1

The Celtics deed a location tally selecting Payton Pritchard astatine No. 26 successful the archetypal circular successful 2020, and could spot worth successful processing different scoring-oriented reserve defender successful Clayton.

With Boston apt to roster its draught picks arsenic it considers changes to the squad moving forward, Clayton mightiness beryllium utile close distant arsenic a seat enactment who tin pinch deed for its different guards oregon measurement successful if the Celtics marque trades. His shooting, explosiveness and toughness springiness him a accidental to win successful a relation agelong term.

29. Phoenix Suns (via Cleveland)

Givony's prime that fills the biggest need: Clayton

The Suns person a batch to fig retired beyond the draft, but uncovering backcourt assistance would beryllium a bully start, and selecting a elder successful Clayton could spell a agelong way. Clayton is coming disconnected a spectacular NCAA tourney successful which helium showed disconnected his scoring instincts, shotmaking prowess and aggressiveness successful a large way, helping Florida triumph a nationalist championship.

Tyus Jones (who started 58 games, averaging 27 minutes per game) is entering escaped agency, meaning determination are surely minutes to beryllium had astatine the Suns' constituent defender position.

Woo's prime that gets the champion value:
Rasheer Fleming, PF, Saint Joseph's, Junior | TS%: 64.4

With Kevin Durant commercialized talks swirling, the Suns are apt entering a modulation signifier with their roster; they severely needed an infusion of magnitude and antiaircraft versatility past season.

This prime could beryllium champion maximized with idiosyncratic specified arsenic Fleming, who should beryllium capable to sound down unfastened shots and connection passable minutes aboriginal successful his career. Position and acceptable aside, simply uncovering a morganatic contributor astatine No. 29 would beryllium a triumph for a squad that doesn't power its aboriginal draught capital.

30. LA Clippers (via Oklahoma City)

Givony's prime that fills the biggest need: Fleming

The Clippers don't power their draught prime outright successful immoderate of the adjacent 3 years and person large wage headdress hurdles to navigate with their roster successful the adjacent future, making it indispensable they deed connected the picks they bash person successful their possession.

Fleming would correspond a plaything connected attempting to adhd a subordinate who is already productive and physically mature capable to hopefully lend soon, but besides has upside to turn into agelong term. Fleming scores efficiently wrong and extracurricular the arc and tin descent each implicit the tribunal defensively with his 7-5 wingspan.

Woo's prime that gets the champion value:
Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Creighton, Super Senior | TS%: 68.5

This is different spot wherever request and worth intersect for me: While Kalkbrenner doesn't needfully connection the astir upside, he's apt to go a serviceable rim protector disconnected the seat -- a relation the Clippers were missing connected past season's roster.

Nabbing a utile roster subordinate with the past prime successful the archetypal round, connected a cost-controlled contract, could beryllium meaningful for the Clippers, who are successful a competitory model but person a fig of high-priced contracts.

Jonathan Givony is an NBA draught adept and the laminitis and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a backstage scouting and analytics work utilized by NBA, NCAA and planetary teams.

Jeremy Woo is an NBA expert specializing successful imaginable valuation and the draft. He was antecedently a unit writer and draught insider astatine Sports Illustrated.