The Latest: Who will go in the top 5 of the 2025 NBA draft?
The NBA will begin welcoming its new rookie class with the start of the 2025 draft tonight.
The Dallas Mavericks bucked huge odds to get the first pick, with only a 1.8% chance of winning the draft lottery. They'll get the first chance to take Cooper Flagg, the freshman who led Duke to the Final Four in his lone college season — and the consensus player of the year.
Here's the latest: The 13th pick, not so unlucky
The common superstition that 13 is an unlucky number doesn't seem to ring true in NBA drafts.
Consider the last 15 years: On average, rookies taken No. 1 average 16.9 points per game, while No. 2 picks average 12.9, No. 3 picks average 12.1 and No. 4 picks average 11.0 points.
Next up: No. 13 picks, at 9.8 per game.
Some of those 13th picks over that span: Donovan Mitchell, Devin Booker, Tyler Herro, Zach LaVine, Kelly Olynyk and Gradey Dick. Not unlucky whatsoever. Welcome to Flagg Day
'Cooper Flagg Day,' to be specific, if you live in Maine. That's what Gov. Janet Mills proclaimed June 25, 2025, the day Flagg is expected to be the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft.
'Cooper Flagg's extraordinary talent and dedication to basketball has earned him national acclaim as perhaps the most promising player of his generation. He is a source of tremendous pride for Maine,' Mills said in a statement posted on New Balance's website. The Maine-based apparel company has a partnership with Flagg.
'I have proclaimed today as Cooper Flagg Day, so all the people of Maine can celebrate his achievement, hard work, perseverance, and sportsmanship, which should inspire youth across our state to pursue their dreams with Cooper's signature determination.'
Flagg is a native of Newport, Maine, and as a freshman in 2022 led Nokomis High School to its first state basketball championship, earning state player of the year honors. NBA draft's man of mystery Ace Bailey
Rutgers forward Ace Bailey has been a bit of a man of mystery with the 18-year-old not holding a public workout for any team ahead of the NBA draft.
It's a strategy that has been called out by critics from current NBA players to analysts.
Bailey insists just before the NBA draft that he does not have a preferred destination or favorite team. He plans on bringing high energy and promises whoever selects him will be getting a responsible, mature player with high energy no matter the team's record.
'I just leave it up to God,' Bailey said. 'All I can do is play basketball. Control what I can control.'
That's about what he told reporters Tuesday during some of the pre-draft festivities.
Bailey certainly won't be missed at Barclays Center when his name is called. He is wearing a shirt in his favorite color, red, with a black jacket bedazzled with black jewels to match his shoes. Like many other draft prospects, the inside of his jacket is lined with photos. Oklahoma point guard stylin' and profilin' in Sooners' red
Point guard Jeremiah Fears cannot be missed at the NBA draft, not in an outfit representing the University of Oklahoma with his red pants and vest and a Gucci patterned jacket.
'I wanted to show them love on a stage like this,' Fears said of his look.
He also wore a pair of chains featuring his last name big and easy to read. Fears said someone gave him a '0' jewelry piece, so he added that to his look for draft night.
Fears finished the look with all-black Gucci shoes. Why? 'It just kind of matches my outfit.' Calm before the storm
There was a calm in the arena a few hours before the draft started.
The 24 tables next to the stage had golden basketballs on them waiting for the draftees and their families and friends. Each table has seven chairs, so draftees have to choose carefully who joins them for their big moment.
The league moved the stage to the other side of the court this year which seemed to open up more space on the floor.
In the background, there is a lounge area and a mural listing all the NBA teams with a table holding jars of candy. The Mavs don't have another draft pick beyond the No. 1 overall choice
The Dallas team, which won the lottery despite just a 1.8% chance to do so, is expected to take former Duke star Cooper Flagg.
A dearth of picks is nothing new for Mavs general manager Nico Harrison. He also has a history of waiting around to add picks during the draft.
Harrison's widely panned decision to trade beloved superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles for Anthony Davis has shaken the confidence of his fan base. That's probably putting it mildly.
The Mavs didn't have a pick for Harrison's first draft in 2021. They almost went through the next draft without a selection before Dallas traded into the second round to get Jaden Hardy. He has been in and out of the rotation in three seasons with the Mavs.
If Harrison's history is any indication, don't be surprised if the Mavs make a move to add picks beyond the No. 1 selection. Flagg has a chance to be the next generational talent after Dallas jettisoned Doncic
Dallas Mavericks CEO Rick Welts likes to say he has lived three lifetimes in the six months since he took the job. It's time for the next big step in that third life.
The Mavs are set to make Cooper Flagg the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft after overcoming a 1.8% chance to win the lottery.
The first life for Rick Welts was learning a new city after the longtime NBA executive came out of retirement in December following stints with the NBA and in the front offices in Phoenix and Golden State.
The second life was the fallout from the reviled Luka Doncic trade in February. The Mavs were still reeling from that deal when the lottery shocker hit.
The prospect of the 18-year-old former Duke star joining Anthony Davis and, eventually, fellow Duke-ex Kyrie Irving has the Mavs feeling almost giddy. Draft night fashion meets blistering heat
NBA draft night is all about getting dressed up, with players donning their finest suits for the walk on stage after their name is called.
The weather in New York is better suited for shorts and flip-flops.
Temperatures soared to 100 degrees (38 Celsius) in the city Tuesday, and little relief is expected Wednesday, making players glad that most of their time would be spent indoors.
But even just a few minutes felt like too much.
'First day I got here, I was like 'goddamn.' I was burning up,' said South Carolina forward Collin Murray-Boyles, who wore a jacket and slacks Tuesday.
Still, there was no chance he would slip into something more comfortable Wednesday.
'I have no choice but to stick with what I got,' he said. 'It's too late to switch up now. Way too late.' The Atlantic Coast Conference is positioned to have the No. 1 pick in both the NFL and NBA draft
Miami quarterback Cam Ward went No. 1 to the Tennessee Titans in April. Now, with Duke's Cooper Flagg set to be the top NBA pick, it could mark only the sixth time a league had both top picks in the same year — and only the second time in two decades.
The last time came in 2020, with LSU quarterback Joe Burrow followed by Georgia guard Anthony Edwards giving that distinction to the Southeastern Conference. Before that, it came in 2005 with the Mountain West and a pair of Utah players, quarterback Alex Smith followed by center Andrew Bogut.
The other times: the Big Ten in 1994 (Ohio State defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson, Purdue forward Glenn Robinson); the Big Ten in 1979 (Ohio State linebacker Tom Cousineau and Michigan State point guard Magic Johnson); and the Pac-8 in 1969 (USC running back O.J. Simpson and UCLA big man Lew Alcindor, who later changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar). Edgecombe's decked out in black
VJ Edgecombe from Baylor is dressed for business at the NBA draft decked out in all black waiting to hear his name called.
The 6-foot-4, 193-pound Edgecombe is wearing a black suit with a subtle pattern with a black shirt and tie. The native of Bimini, Bahamas, has a nod to the islands with colors of the flag featured on each of his suit sleeves.
Edgecombe says his brother designed the suit, which features photos of family on the lining to bring them to the big stage at the Barclays Center. The big men are set to take a backseat
They fall behind the forwards, led by projected No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, and a deep set of guards.
Freshmen Khaman Maluach of Duke and Derik Queen of Maryland are the top two bigs in the draft, positioned to be lottery prospects. There's also intriguing size and skillsets with two other freshmen in Georgetown's Thomas Sorber and Georgia's Asa Newell.
The list includes St. Joseph's Rasheer Fleming, Michigan's Danny Wolf, Stanford's Maxime Raynaud and French prospect Joan Beringer as first-round candidates. There's a deep well of high-end backcourt talent
Rutgers point guard Dylan Harper is the top prospect among the guards, but Baylor's VJ Edgecombe, Texas' Tre Johnson, Oklahoma's Jeremiah Fears and Illinois' Kasparas Jakucionis are all set to be lottery picks.
The list includes BYU freshman playmaker Egor Demin, Michigan State combo guard Jase Richardson, and international prospects in Nolan Traoré and Ben Saraf. How the careers of No. 1 NBA draft picks have fared
The No. 1 overall pick faces hopes of long-term stardom. Over the past 40 years, some have lived up to those expectations, while others have fallen short.
See the career scoring, accolades and accomplishments for top picks since 1985 -- with six league MVPs among them. Draft order for first and second rounds
FIRST ROUND:
1. Dallas Mavericks
2. San Antonio Spurs
3. Philadelphia 76ers
4. Charlotte Hornets
5. Utah Jazz
6. Washington Wizards
7. New Orleans Pelicans
8. Brooklyn Nets
9. Toronto Raptors
10. Houston Rockets (from Phoenix via Brooklyn; reported traded to Phoenix)
11. Portland Trail Blazers
12. Chicago Bulls
13. Atlanta Hawks (from Sacramento)
14. San Antonio Spurs (from Atlanta)
15. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Miami via the LA Clippers)
16. Memphis Grizzlies (from Orlando)
17. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Detroit via New York, Oklahoma City and Houston)
18. Washington Wizards (from Memphis)
19. Brooklyn Nets (from Milwaukee via New York, Detroit, Portland and New Orleans)
20. Miami Heat (from Golden State)
21. Utah Jazz (from Minnesota)
22. Atlanta Hawks (from the L.A. Lakers via New Orleans)
23. New Orleans Pelicans (from Indiana)
24. Oklahoma City Thunder (from the L.A. Clippers)
25. Orlando Magic (from Denver)
26. Brooklyn Nets (from New York)
27. Brooklyn Nets (from Houston)
28. Boston Celtics
29. Phoenix Suns (from Cleveland via Utah)
30. L.A. Clippers (from Oklahoma City)
SECOND ROUND:
31. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah)
32. Boston Celtics (via Washington)
33. Charlotte Hornets
34. Charlotte Hornets (via New Orleans)
35. Philadelphia 76ers
36. Brooklyn Nets
37. Detroit Pistons (via Toronto)
38. San Antonio Spurs
39. Toronto Raptors (via Portland)
40. Washington Wizards (via Phoenix)
41. Golden State Warriors (via Miami)
42. Sacramento Kings (via Chicago)
43. Utah Jazz (via Dallas)
44. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Atlanta)
45. Chicago Bulls (via Sacramento)
46. Orlando Magic
47. Milwaukee Bucks (via Detroit)
48. Memphis Grizzlies (via Golden State)
49. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Milwaukee)
50. New York Knicks (via Memphis)
51. Los Angeles Clippers (via Minnesota)
52. Phoenix Suns (via Denver)
53. Utah Jazz (via Los Angeles Clippers)
54. Indiana Pacers
55. Los Angeles Lakers
56. Memphis Grizzlies (via Houston)
57. Orlando Magic (via Boston)
58. Cleveland Cavaliers
59. Houston Rockets (via Oklahoma City) Harper and Bailey are headliners despite Rutgers' losing record
Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey are two of the headlining prospects in the NBA draft. It comes despite the fact that they couldn't elevate Rutgers to a winning record even while teaming up as top one-and-done talents.
Harper is the top guard in the draft and a potential No. 2 overall pick for Wednesday's first round. Bailey arrived in college ranked 1-2 behind Duke's Cooper Flagg among top freshmen and is one of the top forwards.
Despite featuring an edge in high-end pro talent in almost every game, Rutgers finished just 15-17 and didn't make the NCAA Tournament.
Bailey said the underwhelming season had come up 'a couple times' in some pre-draft meetings with teams. Harper said 'life ain't gonna be perfect' but that he 'would do it all over again' during the combine. Cooper Flagg was the nation's No. 1 recruit at 17, now he's expected to be the No. 1 draft pick
Cooper Flagg arrived at Duke as the nation's No. 1 recruit at 17 years old. Less than a year later, the Maine native is set to be the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft in a big week for the Blue Devils program.
The first round of the draft starts Wednesday, with the second round coming Thursday.
Flagg led the Blue Devils to their first Final Four under Jon Scheyer, the successor to retired Hall of Famer Mike Krzyzewski. He also became only the fourth freshman named Associated Press men's national player of the year.
Duke will also have two other one-and-done lottery prospects in forward Kon Knueppel and big man Khaman Maluach. Throw in second-round prospects Tyrese Proctor and Sion James, and Duke could have all five starters drafted this week.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
recommended
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Upturn
23 minutes ago
- Business Upturn
Magnetic Resonance Training: Revolutionary Athletic Development Through Advanced Imaging
I've been following developments in sports medicine for years, and frankly, the transformation we're seeing with MRI technology in athletic training is remarkable. What started as a tool for diagnosing torn ACLs and herniated discs has morphed into something far more sophisticated — a window into the very mechanics of how athletes build strength and power. The shift happened gradually. Sports scientists realized they weren't just looking at injuries anymore; they were seeing muscle development in real-time. And with that realization came a flood of possibilities that's still unfolding. Interestingly, this wealth of performance data has even influenced how platforms like one x bet approach their sports betting markets, though they stick to traditional performance metrics rather than the complex physiological data we're discussing here. Muscle Development Tracking and Performance Metrics Here's where things get fascinating. Modern MRI technology doesn't just show us what a muscle looks like — it reveals how it's changing, adapting, and responding to training stimuli. MRI muscle fiber analysis techniques have opened doors that were previously locked to sports science. The applications are genuinely impressive: Precise measurement of muscle cross-sectional area changes over training cycles Detection of muscle fiber type distribution and recruitment efficiency Assessment of recovery rates following high-intensity training sessions Early identification of overuse patterns before they become injuries Real-time monitoring of training load adaptation at the cellular level I've spoken with strength coaches who describe this technology as 'having X-ray vision for training.' They can now see exactly which muscles are responding to specific exercises and adjust programs accordingly. It's not guesswork anymore — it's precision engineering. The data collection process itself is quite elegant. Athletes undergo scanning sessions every few weeks, creating a detailed timeline of their physical development. Some professional teams have integrated this so thoroughly into their programs that MRI sessions are as routine as weight room workouts. Training Optimization Through Advanced Imaging Data But here's where the real magic happens. The technology doesn't just collect data — it creates actionable intelligence. Sports scientists can now correlate specific training interventions with measurable muscle adaptations, creating feedback loops that weren't possible before. Sports performance imaging applications demonstrate how this integration is reshaping training methodologies. Professional athletes are benefiting in ways that extend well beyond injury prevention. The data reveals optimal training loads, recovery periods, and even the most effective exercise variations for individual muscle groups. Teams can adjust protocols based on real-time muscle adaptation data, leading to more efficient strength gains. The financial impact? Substantial. Teams investing in MRI-based training optimization report 20-30% improvements in athlete availability and performance metrics. That's a competitive advantage you can measure in wins and losses. What strikes me most is how this technology has democratized elite training methods. Smaller programs that couldn't afford extensive sports science staffs can now access objective data about their athletes' development. It's leveling the playing field in unexpected ways. New Frontiers in Athletic Assessment The technology keeps advancing, and honestly, some of the recent developments are almost science fiction. Real-time muscle activation mapping during exercise provides insights into movement efficiency that coaches never had access to before. We're talking about identifying subtle biomechanical issues that might not surface as injuries for months or even years. The integration of artificial intelligence with MRI data analysis has opened new possibilities for predictive modeling. Sports medicine professionals can now forecast potential performance improvements based on current muscle development trends — creating more accurate timelines for athlete development programs. Research institutions are using this technology to study long-term effects of different training methodologies. Longitudinal studies tracking muscle adaptations over entire athletic careers provide insights into optimal training periodization and career longevity strategies that we're only beginning to understand. The precision of modern MRI technology has created interesting secondary applications in sports analytics. Detailed muscle development data influences performance predictions, which affects everything from contract negotiations to strategic planning. Looking ahead, portable MRI units are becoming more accessible to smaller training facilities. This democratization means that high-level athletic development tools are no longer limited to elite professional teams — though the cost barrier remains significant. The combination of MRI technology with other assessment tools creates a comprehensive picture of athletic development that was previously impossible to achieve. Teams can now make data-driven decisions about training loads, recovery protocols, and performance expectations with unprecedented accuracy. Ahmedabad Plane Crash
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Nuggets rumors: 1 ‘obvious' reason Denver wants to block Jonas Valanciunas' Greece move
The post Nuggets rumors: 1 'obvious' reason Denver wants to block Jonas Valanciunas' Greece move appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Denver Nuggets find themselves embroiled in one of the most intriguing stories of the NBA offseason with their pursuit of Jonas Valanciunas. While the Lithuanian veteran is eyeing a contract with EuroLeague giant Panathinaikos, he is still under an NBA contract and cannot sign unless released by the Nuggets. Advertisement Valanciunas met with Panathinaikos officials this weekend and is reportedly eyeing a $12 million deal with the Greek side. This comes after Denver was poised to land him as Nikola Jokic's backup after agreeing to a swap with the Sacramento Kings for Dario Saric. While the Nuggets view Valanciunas as the ideal Jokic backup, the Kings need Saric's reduced salary in order to see through the Dennis Schroder acquisition they have already agreed upon. In addition to him being seen as the ideal fit, the Nuggets also seem hard-pressed due to the lack of alternatives, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line. Valanciunas potentially forfeiting even all of his $10.4 million salary would unlock Denver's $14.1 million mid-level exception, but the pickings are slim. The Nuggets could potentially offer Al Horford a one-year deal. However, Horford is expected to join the Golden State Warriors despite Dub Nation only having the $5.7 million taxpayer mid-level left to offer him, with no other attractive pivots available to Denver. This has led to the Nuggets officials being currently determined to enforce Valanciunas' contract and see him join the roster for next season, per Stein. This is despite the player seemingly wanting to sign this three-year deal with Panathinaikos, who have already promised a celebratory reception at Athens' Eleftherios Venizelos Airport in around 10 days. A similar situation had played out before Sasha Vezenkov's transfer to Olympiacos last July. Advertisement The player had acquired the requisite letter of clearance after forfeiting his entire salary for the 2024-25 season, an option which remains available to Valanciunas as well. However, it is up to the Nuggets to accept, as things stand, they look poised to enforce the contract. Related: Nuggets pushing forward with Jonas Valanciunas trade with Kings Related: The move Denver Nuggets still must make in 2025 NBA free agency
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Spurs' Carter Bryant drops truth bomb about Summer League debut
The post Spurs' Carter Bryant drops truth bomb about Summer League debut appeared first on ClutchPoints. Following his pro debut, the San Antonio Spurs held out first-round pick Carter Bryant in the team's second Summer League game in as many days. The former Arizona Wildcat scored 7 points on three-for-eight shooting, including one-of-six from beyond the arc, vs. the Miami Heat. He also grabbed five rebounds in 21 and a half minutes of action. Advertisement 'I mean, this one game isn't gonna define my whole career,' Bryant said following the 82-69 loss. 'It's got to be a smart aggressive,' the 19-year-old rookie added about his play. 'A lot of them were dumb, dumb aggressive mistakes to be completely honest with you. So I think the biggest thing for me is just making that adjustment moving forward.' Bryant committed seven fouls in the contest. Players are allowed 10 in Summer League. Carter Bryant embraces first taste of pro ball With Dylan Harper, the second overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft, out for the team's first three games because of precautionary measures related to injury, San Antonio's first glances of the summer are focused on Bryant. Advertisement 'I was just excited to go out and play basketball. I haven't played since we lost to Duke at Arizona, so for me to have Spurs across my chest and be able to represent one of the most storied franchises in NBA history, I was ready to go out and compete,' the 14th pick of last month's draft said. 'It was fun. I mean, it's gonna be tough the first time out playing against grown men, guys that are gonna be smarter, faster, stronger than you, all those things. So, I think everything was a learning experience,' Carter continued. 'I think for me moving forward, I just gotta look back at this film and make adjustments.' Following a 90-88 win vs. the Golden State Warriors in their second game of the California Classic in San Francisco, expect to see Bryant back in the lineup when the team closes out the West Coast portion of their summer schedule vs. the Los Angeles Lakers on July 8. The Spurs sat him vs. the Warriors so that he wouldn't play in back-to-back games right off the bat. Advertisement 'There's always room for improvement. I think that's the thing: I could've had 40, I could've scored 0 points,' Bryant continued. 'I could've made better decisions on the ball, could've made better decisions defensively. I've got to be smarter with my fouls, got to stay more mentally aware of certain things. I've got understand the scout a little bit better.' Following their three games in California, the Spurs will travel to Utah to resume Summer League play as Carter gets an opportunity to show the organization that he can contribute at the highest level as a rookie. A spot on the team's rotation from the get go is what both the Spurs and Bryant are hoping for. 'I feel like I did a good job of that at college, but it's a different level of basketball,' the 6-foot-8 forward admitted. 'The game's getting played at a lot faster pace. So, obviously, just making that adjustment and getting better game by game.' Related: Ranking 4 best Bradley Beal destinations once he completes Suns buyout Advertisement Related: Spurs fans are buzzing after thrilling finish to Summer League game vs. Warriors
