With the NBA draft just days away, now is the perfect time to prepare. We’ve been following this draft class for nearly a year, and finally, we'll see where these players land. We’ll break down our top picks, some of the best betting lines, and a few sleeper prospects rising late in the draft process!
I’ll keep this short and sweet—it's an obvious choice. Flagg has been the top prospect in this class for a couple of years now. After a fantastic year at Duke, where he averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, he’s really set to make a big impact in the league. His size and defensive skills will make him a game-changer for Dallas, especially alongside Anthony Davis. If Flagg isn’t chosen first, it would be one of the biggest surprises in NBA draft history. Honestly, calling Flagg number one is just a certainty.
With the Spurs securing the second pick in the draft, Harper has quickly become a top contender. After a fantastic year at Rutgers, where he averaged 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4 assists per game, he truly stood out among this year’s freshmen class. He would fit perfectly into the Spurs team, though it might make the backcourt a bit more crowded. Still, I believe the Spurs will likely play it safe with this pick, adding some extra talent to an already impressive team.
Baylor's Edgecombe is really gaining lots of positive buzz lately! He's mainly recognized for his defensive skills, but he's also become a dependable scorer, averaging 15 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3 assists per game, which has really boosted his draft stock. Now, he seems to be comfortably settled as the third pick for the 76ers. He would be a great addition alongside the offensive talents of Maxey and McCain.
Knueppel really stands out as a fantastic teammate to have. With off ball skills, hitting 40% from three, and being a tough defender, he's exactly what the Hornets need. He’s a perfect fit to fill the gaps alongside Ball, Miller, and Bridges. On a busy Duke team that might see five players drafted this year, he still managed 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. It’s clear he has a lot to offer! At four, I don’t see anyone else better for Charlotte.
This seems to be the stage where the first trade in the draft might happen. Recently, there’s talk that Brooklyn is considering selecting Ace Bailey; however, with the 8th pick, they might miss out on him. Luckily, with plenty of picks late in this draft, the Nets could consider trading some of their late selections to move up from 8 to 5 and grab Bailey. That wouldn’t be a bad idea at all. Bailey had a mixed year playing alongside Dylan Harper at Rutgers, but he still shows incredible potential. The 6’8 forward averaged 17.6 points, 7 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks, and shot nearly 35% from three. Even if a trade doesn’t happen, Bailey might be too talented for Utah to overlook. With such a high ceiling, Bailey’s upside is truly exciting. As a big man who can protect the rim and possesses all the physical traits needed to succeed in the NBA, I believe the 5th pick might be his floor in this draft.
While it may be a bit of a stretch for Tre Johnson to end up with the Wizards, it’s definitely within the realm of possibility. This 6’5" SG had an impressive year at Texas, shooting nearly 40% from three on about 6.8 attempts per game, showing he could be a real primary scoring threat. The Wizards could really use that kind of energy and scoring ability. Bringing in an elite shooter who can create his own shot should be a top priority for a team that currently ranks in the bottom four for points per game.
Fears is one of the youngest players in this draft at just 18 years old. His year at Oklahoma had its ups and downs, but he made enough of an impression to get us excited. He averaged 17.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and assists, showing he’s got solid talent as a freshman. There were some worries about his shooting, especially from three, and his high turnover-to-assist ratio, which slightly lowered his draft value. Still, being picked at number 7 might be just right for the Pelicans, who are in need of a true point guard. Given his young age and agility to drive down the court, he could be a great addition to a team that's likely planning some rebuilding.
If Brooklyn decides to move this pick to reach the fifth spot, leaving Utah at eighth, Jakucionis looks like a fantastic fit. After a decent year at Illinois, Jakucionis showed some promising moments that suggest he has exciting potential for the NBA. With his impressive 6’6 frame, he’s the perfect size for a PG/SG combo guard—similar to players who have thrived in the league. He finished the season averaging 15 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists, with a solid 31% shooting from three. For Utah, he’s probably the best player available right now.
Maluach highlighted his impressive size at Duke next to Flagg and Knueppel, showcasing his skills. Standing at 7’2, he was a force in the paint on both offense and defense. His defensive abilities, especially his shot-blocking instincts, really caught the eye and boosted his draft stock. For Toronto, Maluach could be a great addition to strengthen their interior defense without demanding many offensive touches. Placing him behind Poeltl would give the Raptors much-needed center depth they’ve been looking for. If Maluach drops to the 9th pick, Toronto wouldn’t hesitate to take this talented big man.
With the Suns acquiring the 10th pick from the Houston Rockets in a deal for Kevin Durant, they now have some exciting options to consider in this draft. Derick Queen stands out as the best pick for them right now. The Maryland freshman had a solid season, and even though his measurements at the NBA combine weren’t very impressive — which has slightly lowered his draft prospects — he’s truly an elite player, even without extraordinary physical traits. He averaged 16.5 points, 9 rebounds, and nearly 2 assists per game, making him a great fit for a team like the Suns that could really use a starting-caliber center. Given the limited options available at this stage of the draft, I really think he’s the best choice for them!
Portland is positioned intriguingly at pick 11. They don’t have to target a specific position in this draft, so they might want to consider taking a chance on a promising talent. Carter Bryant, available at 11, has lots of exciting potential. He's a tall, athletic forward who didn’t see a lot of court time at Arizona this year but showed some promising moments. His impressive combine measurements, along with his 6’8” height and 7’ wingspan, make him an appealing choice. For Portland, a team eager to strengthen its defense from the ground up, selecting a player like Bryant could really help elevate the team.
Sorber might be one of the most challenging players to draft this time around. After a solid freshman year at Georgetown, he surprised many with his strong defensive presence. Averaging 2 blocks and 1.5 steals a game, he was everywhere on defense. Pair that with his nearly 6’11” height and 7’6” wingspan, and he starts to look like a real fit for the Bulls. With Vučević entering his last year and the Bulls seeking more options at the position, Sorber could be a smart pick at 12.
If Murray-Boyles drops to their pick at 13, it would make this pick simple. The young player from South Carolina has shown impressive defensive skills and playmaking talent. His ability to rebound and score from outside adds to his versatility. While he might have some limitations outside the paint, teaming up with Jalen Johnson and Trae Young could help address that. He would be a wonderful addition, adding even more depth to Atlanta's already strong wing rotation.
With their second pick in the NBA lottery, the Spurs have a fantastic chance to try something exciting. Their roster already features some impressive young talent, especially among the guards, making a wing like Essengue particularly appealing. The French player had an intriguing season playing in Germany for Ratiopharm Ulm, averaging 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. While his stats aren’t flashy, his size and natural talent make him a promising prospect. Standing at 6’10” with a 6’11” wingspan, he would fit well next to Wemby at either the SF or PF position.
Broome had an amazing year in Auburn, where he was named SEC Player of the Year in basketball. He’s a talented big man, standing 6’10" with a 7’ wing span. While he might not jump out of the gym, his size alone makes him a significant presence on the court. The Phoenix Suns at pick 29 could be a great team to watch, as they don’t have many high second-round choices and are in need of a strong inside player. If they decide to pick a wing at the 10th spot, Broome could be one of the most ready-to-contribute options late in the first round. I believe he has good chances of being selected in the first round.
Powell has been making some nice progress after a decent first year at North Carolina. The NBA combine really worked in his favor, with his measurements turning out fantastic. At 6’6.5" with a 7’ wingspan and a max vert of 43”, Powell has incredible leaping ability. He’s only 19 entering the draft, which makes him a great candidate to be drafted and then developed quietly on the bench for a few years. Overall, I don’t think he’ll fall to the second round, as teams like Brooklyn, Boston, or OKC are likely to grab him late in the first round.
The 7’2" center from Creighton, coming out as a senior, may face some challenges in the draft, but he definitely has a chance to make it into the late first round. His scoring ability and knack for finishing inside were truly impressive throughout his college season. With a shooting percentage of 65% and nearly 20 points per game, he's a consistent offensive threat. His strength in the paint and ability to find the basket could help him rise late into the first round. Teams like Phoenix or Boston might really value a big presence down low who is also a reliable scorer—especially considering he averaged nearly three blocks per game all season.