Get ready, basketball fans! The 2025 NBA Draft is here, promising two nights of excitement as teams reshape their futures and welcome the next generation of talent into the league. All eyes are on Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, where 59 prospects will hear their names called.
Here’s your essential guide to following all the action, including key details on start times, how to watch, and the latest insights on who might land where in a draft class highlighted by a potential generational talent at the top.
NBA Draft 2025: Key Details
What: 2025 NBA Draft (Rounds 1 & 2)
When:
Round 1: Wednesday, June 25, 2025 | 8:00 PM ET
Round 2: Thursday, June 26, 2025 | 8:00 PM ET
Where: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York
How to Watch (TV): ESPN (Both Rounds), ABC (Round 1)
How to Stream: ESPN+, Sling, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream, YouTube TV
How to Listen (Radio): SiriusXM
The draft spans two nights, a format introduced last year. Teams will have five minutes between picks during the first round (Picks 1-30) tonight, while the second round tomorrow will feature a slightly quicker pace with four minutes between selections (Picks 31-59). Note that this year’s draft will feature 59 total picks due to a forfeited second-round selection by the New York Knicks.
The Consensus No. 1 Pick: Cooper Flagg
Headlining the 2025 class is Duke phenom Cooper Flagg. The 18-year-old forward is the near-unanimous favorite to be selected first overall, a pick currently held by the Dallas Mavericks. Experts and insiders widely regard Flagg as a generational prospect, with some giving him the second-highest pre-draft grade of the past decade, trailing only Victor Wembanyama.
Despite being one of the youngest players in college basketball last season – he reclassified to be eligible for the 2025 draft and would have been ineligible had he been born just 11 days later – Flagg dominated, earning major accolades and leading the NCAA in advanced metrics like BPM among non-centers. Scouts point to his extraordinary blend of high floor and immense ceiling. He possesses a skill level, basketball IQ, and competitiveness that make him an exceptionally safe pick, someone expected to be an impactful starter from Day 1.
Beyond his reliable game, Flagg shows flashes of superstar potential. His defense is elite, capable of guarding multiple positions. His shooting, once viewed as an area for improvement, saw significant progress, hitting 38.5% from three and 84.0% from the line last season. While some minor critiques exist regarding his finishing at the rim or in-between game, the overwhelming consensus is that Flagg is a transformative talent ready for the NBA stage. For the Mavericks, who are navigating the offseason following Kyrie Irving’s re-signing and injury (he’s expected out until 2026), adding a talent like Flagg is seen as an “all-time lottery break” that provides a foundational piece for their competitive future.
The Likely No. 2 Pick: Dylan Harper
Following Flagg, the consensus No. 2 prospect is Rutgers guard Dylan Harper. The San Antonio Spurs, holding the second pick, are widely expected to select the son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper. Evaluators view Harper as an “All-Star caliber” prospect and a coveted “big creator” at nearly 6-foot-5.
Harper’s strengths lie in his ability to consistently attack the paint, his polish and craftiness as a shot creator, and his high free-throw rate. While he isn’t considered a top-tier athlete or speed demon, he compensates with plus size, strength, and strong defensive instincts, demonstrated by a high steal rate. Though his shooting percentages could improve, his value as a high-usage guard who can initiate offense and get into the lane is highly prized in today’s NBA. For the Spurs, Harper represents a cornerstone piece to potentially build around alongside Victor Wembanyama, fitting their patient, developmental approach.
The “Mystery Man”: Ace Bailey
While Flagg and Harper appear locked into the top two spots, the draft picture becomes less clear immediately after. Rutgers wing Ace Bailey has emerged as one of the draft’s biggest question marks. Once seen as a potential top-5 lock, reports indicate Bailey has strategically declined workouts for teams in the top five (like Philadelphia, Charlotte, and Utah), reportedly preferring to land in the 6-8 range (Washington, New Orleans, Brooklyn).
This unusual strategy has drawn scrutiny, with speculation ranging from an agent attempt to secure a better long-term fit and role to concerns about his pre-draft interviews and process. While his talent as a potentially All-Star-caliber shotmaking wing is undeniable, questions persist regarding his maturity and focus. Teams are wrestling with the potential upside versus the perceived risks and complexity surrounding his draft positioning.
Other Lottery Prospects & Class Depth
Beyond the projected top three, the 2025 draft class is assessed by some experts as less star-laden than previous years, but it offers solid depth. Expect to see players like Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe (a unique talent potentially landing at #3 for Philadelphia), Wisconsin’s Kon Knueppel (shooting, playmaking, seen as a safer option), Arizona State’s Jeremiah Fears (young guard with size, speed, and creation skills), and Montverde’s Tre Johnson (part of a consensus group in the 3-8 range) compete for top-10 spots.
Duke’s Khaman Maluach stands out as the clear headliner among center prospects. The 7-foot-1 teenager is lauded for his size, length, athleticism, and natural defensive instincts, with one insider believing he possesses the “biggest upside of anybody in the draft.” Teams like New Orleans, needing a defensive anchor, could target him in the lottery.
Recent NBA offseason trades and injuries have also influenced team needs and pick values. The Atlanta Hawks, following their trade acquiring Kristaps Porzingis, may shift their draft focus, potentially impacting their selection at No. 13. The Brooklyn Nets, having amassed significant draft capital through trades, now hold five first-round picks, positioning them for potential trades or stockpiling cost-effective rookie deals. Phoenix, after trading Kevin Durant, holds the No. 10 pick and is expected to target a defense-minded frontcourt player.
2025 NBA Draft Round 1 Order
Here is the current projected order for the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft:
- Dallas Mavericks
- San Antonio Spurs
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Charlotte Hornets
- Utah Jazz
- Washington Wizards
- New Orleans Pelicans
- Brooklyn Nets
- Toronto Raptors
- Phoenix Suns (from Houston)
- Portland Trail Blazers
- Chicago Bulls
- Atlanta Hawks (from Sacramento)
- San Antonio Spurs (from Atlanta)
- Oklahoma City Thunder (from Miami via LA Clippers)
- Memphis Grizzlies (from Orlando)
- Minnesota Timberwolves (from Detroit via New York, Oklahoma City, and Houston)
- Washington Wizards (from Memphis)
- Brooklyn Nets (from Milwaukee via New York, Detroit, Portland, and New Orleans)
- Miami Heat (from Golden State)
- Utah Jazz (from Minnesota)
- Brooklyn Nets (from Atlanta via LA Lakers and New Orleans)
- New Orleans Pelicans (from Indiana)
- Oklahoma City Thunder (from LA Clippers)
- Orlando Magic (from Denver)
- Brooklyn Nets (from New York)
- Brooklyn Nets (from Houston)
- Boston Celtics
- Phoenix Suns (from Cleveland via Utah)
- LA Clippers (from Oklahoma City)
Stay tuned as we provide live updates, analysis, and breakdown every selection as the 2025 NBA Draft unfolds over the next two nights!
