2025 NBA Draft Tiers: Day 1 Guide
Order in the Chaos: A Fan’s Guide to Surviving NBA Draft Day
If there’s one certainty on NBA Draft night, it’s that nothing ever goes exactly to plan. Expect trades—both into and out of the first round—as teams chase their guys or sell off picks. There will be surprise selections that catch fans and insiders off guard, players with first-round buzz who tumble into the second, and that one mystery international name that surges at the last minute. The draft is as much about intel, strategy, and timing as it is about talent—and it’s never as linear as the mocks suggest.
This guide is built to give you a snapshot of what to expect on draft night. Each player is slotted within a projected range based on league chatter, team needs, and archetypal value—along with a brief overview of who they are and why their name might be called. Whether you’re following the lottery, watching for sleepers, or trying to understand why your team just drafted a 19-year-old who averaged 6 points in Europe, this is your companion to the chaos.
Capture the Flagg
As close to a consensus top pick as you’ll get—regardless of which team holds the No. 1 pick, Cooper Flagg is going first. The question isn’t whether he’ll be a great player—it’s just how great he’ll be.
Cooper Flagg (Range: 1)
There’s a strong case to be made that he’s both the best offensive and defensive prospect in this class. That kind of two-way ceiling aligns perfectly with what the Mavericks are trying to build (hey, defense does win championships).
Rutgers Duo Dominated the Top 3—Now There’s Movement
For most of the year, Harper and Ace Bailey were the betting odds to go No. 2 and No. 3 in the draft. But that changed recently, and intentionally.
Dylan Harper (Range: 2)
Dylan Harper is the unanimous No. 2 pick in this draft—just like Cooper at No. 1, Harper would be the second selection no matter who’s making it. A do-it-all combo guard with a polished, NBA-ready skill set, he’s a safe bet for a long, productive career.
If you squint, you can see shades of Cade Cunningham’s rhythm and burst, blended with Jalen Brunson’s shiftiness and footwork. He’s the complete package.
Ace Bailey (Range 3-6)
League reports suggest Ace has deliberately tanked his draft stock—refusing workouts with the 76ers (who hold the No. 3 pick), among other teams. That’s his right, but the gap between him and the prospects behind him isn’t nearly as wide as the gap between him and Harper. As a result, expect him to fall a spot or two (or even three?) on draft night.
If Bailey had gone all-in for that third spot, it likely would’ve been his. If he doesn’t land there, all eyes will be on where he ends up—and whether it’s the team he’s been angling for all along.
White Men Can’t Jump
VJ brings the flair—explosive, confident, and capable of jumping out of the gym. Kon: unassuming at first glance, but steady, skilled, and always in the right spot. And Tre? He’s the guy who pulls up from 30 with the game on the line and talks trash while the ball’s still in the air. Together, they represent the class’s most polished perimeter scorers—and each could be a top-5 pick.
VJ Edgecombe (Range: 3-6)
Edgecombe’s blend of strength, burst, and explosiveness makes him one of the most physically ready wings in the class. He attacks the rim with force, defends at the point of attack, and is improving as a shooter. His floor is high as a transition finisher and slasher, but there’s All-Star upside if the handle and vision level up. A culture-setter with elite physical tools.
Kon Kneuppel (Range: 3-8)
Maybe the best shooter in the class (Tre has something to say about that), Kneuppel pairs size with a jumper that works off movement or spot-ups. What’s made him rise, though, is the playmaking—he’s more than just a shooter. Much like Billy Hoyle, he lacks burst, but he reads the floor, competes defensively, and keeps the ball moving. Teams view him as a plug-and-play wing with elite gravity.
Tre Johnson (Range: 3-8)
One of the smoothest scorers in the class, Johnson has NBA 2K shot creation in his bag and the confidence to match. He’s wiry and fluid, able to generate offense from a standstill or in motion. Some concerns about motor and consistency linger, but the shot diet and scoring talent are undeniable. If he buys in defensively, he’s a future 20 PPG wing.
The Rubio-Flynn Conundrum
Much like the 2009 draft, this year features three point guards clustered in the 5–10–late lottery range. Is there a Stephen Curry in the mix? Or another Johnny Flynn?
Probably not on either end of the spectrum—but this is where the draft really begins. It’s the range where one misread can quietly cap your franchise’s ceiling for the next five years.
Jeremiah Fears (Range 5-14)
Electric with the ball and built for a pick-and-roll heavy NBA offense, Fears blends live-dribble passing with deep-range shooting and an elite first step. He plays with a natural pace and understands how to manipulate defenders at all three levels. The questions are defensive (undersized, can get overpowered), but the offensive engine upside is real. He’s a bet on shot creation and IQ in a scoring guard frame.
Kasparas Jakucionis (Range 7-14)
Jakucionis has emerged as one of the most advanced playmakers in the class—he’s surgical out of ball screens and processes the floor like a veteran. At 6’5 with a strong frame, he keeps defenders on his hip and delivers strikes to shooters and cutters alike. He lacks elite athleticism, but makes up for it with craft and poise. If the shot continues trending up, he’s a long-term starter with lead guard equity.
Egor Demin (Range 9-20)
A jumbo creator with fluidity and feel, Demin is a 6’8 playmaking guard who sees angles most players don’t. His passing in transition and against tilted defenses stands out, and he’s starting to show more confidence as a scorer. He’s not a bursty athlete, and the shooting consistency is still a work in progress, but the upside is tremendous. A modern archetype that teams will be patient in developing.
The 3&D Postseason Wing Archetype
A rare archetype among projected top-10 picks: a physically imposing, defense-first wing built for postseason basketball. In a lottery full of creators and scoring guards, Bryant’s value comes from what he can do on the other end.
Carter Bryant (Range: 6-12)
Bryant fits the mold every playoff team is hunting for: long, fluid, and switchable with shot-making upside. He can defend multiple positions, shoot off the catch, and attack closeouts with just enough burst. His range is climbing as teams project him into valuable wing minutes early in his rookie contract. If the handle tightens, he could be more than just a role player.
Queen’s Gambit or a Queen Sacrifice?
The center position in today’s NBA is a high-stakes proposition. Teams are constantly evaluating whether investing in a traditional 5 is worth the opportunity cost, especially in the top 10. And in the 2025 NBA Draft, the front office dilemma crystallizes with two very different big men—Khaman Maluach and Derik Queen. Both show up consistently in lottery conversations, but they offer opposite blueprints for how to build around the center spot.
This section isn’t just about evaluating talent—it’s about team philosophy. Do you want the vertical athlete who covers ground and erases mistakes? Or the slow-footed savant who can run your offense from the elbows and win chess matches in the halfcourt? It’s a Queen’s Gambit either way—you’re betting on the long-term viability of an archetype that comes with real strengths and clear liabilities.
Khaman Maluach (Range 6-10)
At 7’2 with elite length and impressive mobility, Maluach fits the mold of the modern rim-protecting, rim-running center to a tee. He’s still raw, but his instincts as a shot blocker are ahead of schedule, and he’s fluid enough to survive in space. Offensively, he doesn’t demand touches—he runs the floor, finishes lobs, and keeps possessions alive. There’s untapped upside too: he’s shown flashes of touch and even some face-up shooting potential. In a league that covets vertical spacing and drop coverage anchors, Maluach is a clean fit. He’s the type of center who elevates the floor of a defense just by stepping on it.
Derik Queen (Range 9-18)
Queen is an outlier in today’s NBA ecosystem. He doesn’t offer rim protection, verticality, or scheme versatility—but what he lacks defensively, he makes up for with offensive mastery. His footwork in the post is surgical, his passing reads are elite for his position, and his touch extends well beyond the paint. He’s the hub big teams run offense through when they’re short on shot creation, and he can punish mismatches with precision.
But the question looms: can you build a high-level defense with Queen at the 5? History hasn’t been kind to undersized centers without rim deterrence. That said, if Queen continues to improve his conditioning and agility—and lands in a scheme that can insulate him—his offensive ceiling might be worth the defensive trade-off. Think of him less as a traditional center, and more as a unique offensive engine.
Rising Euros
Every draft has a few international prospects who surge late—and this year, that buzz belongs to Noa Essengue and Joan Beringer. Both bring translatable skills and the kind of upside that teams drafting in the teens are quietly targeting.
Noa Essengue (Range 9-18)
One of the biggest international risers, Essengue is a long, mobile forward with real defensive chops and short-roll playmaking juice. He plays with a mature motor and doesn’t try to do too much, which makes him scalable next to stars. The shot isn’t consistent yet, but he’s shown flashes off the catch. A team with a long view could get a starting-caliber 4 in the mid-first.
Joan Beringer (Range 12-24)
One of the youngest players in the class, Beringer is a toolsy, high-motor big man with elite athleticism and shot-blocking instincts. He plays above the rim on both ends, changes shots without fouling, and has real potential to anchor a defense down the line. The offensive game is raw—mostly rim runs and dunks—but the energy and physical tools pop. He’s a long-term investment in the Mitchell Robinson mold, with more vertical juice than polish right now.
Prospects in Progress
This tier is full of flashes—players who might frustrate you on film, then have a possession that reminds you just how good they can be. They’re raw, inconsistent, and in some cases, years away—but the tools are there. For teams with strong developmental infrastructure, these picks are about ceiling, not certainty.
Colin Murray-Boyles (Range 9-20)
Raw but explosive, Murray-Boyles has shown glimpses of star potential with his blend of vertical pop, body control, and face-up scoring. The swing skill is the jumper—if it develops, he’s a mismatch forward with serious creation upside. Right now, he’s mostly flashes, but the tools are too intriguing to ignore in the lottery range.
Asa Newell (Range 13-30)
One of the more polarizing forwards in the class—he looks like a lottery pick physically, but the production rarely follows. He has defensive potential and flashes stretch shooting, but he’s still learning how to impact games consistently. Newell is a long-term bet with a high developmental curve.
Liam McNeeley (Range 14-25)
An elite catch-and-shoot threat with feel and ball movement instincts, McNeeley thrives as a connective wing. But the lack of top-end athleticism and questions about his self-creation cap his upside. Teams banking on high-level role players in the playoffs will still value his plug-and-play skill set.
Will Riley (Range 15-30)
Riley is one of the youngest players available. He’s a creative scorer with a smooth handle and shot-making upside, but he lacks physicality and defensive polish. The team that drafts him is projecting forward three years, not drafting for next June.
Drake Powell (Range 15-30)
Powell brings tenacious on-ball defense and verticality at the wing spot, but the offensive limitations are very real. His swing skill is shooting—without it, he’s a situational defender. With it, he profiles as a playoff-caliber role player with defensive versatility.
Thomas Sorber (Range 15-30)
A physical interior big who sets bruising screens and rebounds at a high level, Sorber has the strength to carve out a role. But he’s ground-bound and has limited mobility in space, making his fit tricky in modern schemes. Still, his motor and touch give him backup big appeal.
Jase Richardson (Range 20-36)
NBA bloodlines and perimeter shot creation keep Richardson on radars despite a streaky resume. He’s a combo guard with burst and a developing jumper, but he needs to improve his decision-making. It could be a steal if the reads and consistency come around.
Upperclassmen Projected to Be NBA Rotation Players
These aren’t “upside swings”—they’re polished, productive, and profile as guys who stick. Most of them will never lead your offense, but they don’t need to: they defend, make shots, and play within team structure. Come playoff time, these are the players you trust to (hopefully) not get schemed off the floor.
Cedric Coward (Range 11-25)
Hyper-efficient with elite finishing numbers and a versatile defensive profile, Coward checks a lot of winning boxes. He’s not a high-usage guy, but his low-maintenance game and IQ appeal to playoff teams. Think of him as a glue guy with more pop than expected.
Rasheer Fleming (Range 12-25)
Fleming brings toughness, rebounding, and defensive versatility as a modern combo forward. He’s not a go-to scorer, but he does the dirty work and makes timely plays. An easy fit in most systems that value toughness and team defense.
Nique Clifford (Range 13-24)
Big, switchable, and smart, Clifford thrives in connective roles and doesn’t need touches to impact the game. The shooting has quietly improved, and he defends across 2-4 with real intensity. Coaches will love him; fans might underrate him.
Danny Wolf (Range 14-30)
A skilled passing big with legitimate stretch-5 upside, Wolf is an analytics darling. He’s not fleet of foot, but he processes the game quickly and spaces the floor. There’s a niche for him in second units with ball movement-heavy offenses.
Adou Thiero (Range 15-35)
Thiero is a rangy athlete who covers ground defensively and finishes through contact. The offensive game is still raw, especially the handle and shot, but his defensive ceiling is real. Projects as a role-playing wing that earns minutes with effort.
Walter Clayton Jr. (Range 19-37)
A bucket-getting guard with deep range and a lightning-quick release, Clayton can score at all three levels. He’s undersized for a 2 and still developing as a lead guard, but the shot is real. Off the bench, he could bring immediate scoring pop.
Maxime Raynaud (Range 20-40)
The Stanford big is mobile, smart, and reliable with both touch and timing. He won’t wow anyone with athleticism, but he plays within himself and doesn’t make mistakes. A high-floor option for teams needing backup center depth.
Ryan Kalbranker (Range 25-45)
Kalbranker is a true interior big with elite rim protection instincts and soft touch around the basket. He can stretch the floor on short pick-and-pops and punish mismatches inside, giving him value as a secondary scorer. The big concern is mobility—he’s slow-footed in space and struggles in switch-heavy schemes. Think of him as a poor man’s Donovan Clingan: effective in drop coverage, but matchup-dependent.
International Players With Wide Ranges
Every year, international prospects rise late on boards as NBA teams dig deeper into context, upside, and projection. This group spans rim protectors, jumbo creators, and floor-spacing bigs—some could sneak into the late lottery, others might slip into the 40s. What connects them is intrigue: unique archetypes and high-variance outcomes that front offices are willing to bet on.
Ben Sarf (Range 18-37)
Sarf is a skilled 6’6” lefty guard who stands out with his craft, feel, and developing playmaking instincts. He operates with pace in the pick-and-roll and has shown touch as both a scorer and facilitator. Not a great athlete or defender at this stage, but the offensive versatility gives him real upside. A sneaky value pick for teams looking to develop secondary creators.
Nolan Traore (Range 18-37)
Lightning-quick with a downhill scoring package, Traore’s speed and aggression stand out in transition. He’s raw as a playmaker and streaky from deep, but the tools suggest a microwave guard if the handle tightens. High variance prospect with clear NBA traits.
Noah Pende (Range 24-47)
At 6’8 with guard skills, Pende’s intrigue lies in his movement and flashes of playmaking. The shooting needs work, and he often floats through games, but his size and versatility keep him draftable. A swing-for-upside play who could thrive in a developmental system.
Hugo Gonzalez (Range 24-50)
Gonzalez is a raw, toolsy guard with a great frame and flashes of offensive potential. His jumper has real upside, and he competes enough on defense to project as a net-neutral or even slight positive down the line. He’s still a project—limited feel, streaky decisions—but the physical profile is easy to bet on. He’s a long-term swing who could develop into a two-way wing.
Bogoljub Marković (Range 26-50)
Marković is one of the most efficient scorers in the international class, with a soft touch around the rim and growing confidence from the perimeter. He flashes real passing chops for a big and can function as a short-roll playmaker or high-post hub. Defensively, he’ll drift and miss rotations, but if the motor and awareness click, there’s legitimate upside. Could be a late-round steal if the shot and defense come together.
Hansen Yang (Range 26-50)
At 7’1 with real rim protection chops and flashes of shooting, Yang’s physical profile jumps off the screen. He’s raw and turnover-prone, but the tools are impossible to miss. High-risk, high-reward big who could thrive in the right developmental program.
Rocco Zikarsky (Range 26-50)
One of the tallest players in the class, Zikarsky blocks shots with ease and has shown pick-and-pop flashes. He’s still a project—slow feet, mechanical shot—but the outline of a modern 5 is there. Long-term investment for teams with patience.
Fringe First, More Likely Early Second-Round
This group lives in the 25–45 range—guys who’ve done enough to get drafted, but need the right situation to carve out real NBA minutes. Some offer elite niche skills (shooting, size, feel), while others bring versatile utility but lack a standout trait. Expect many of these names to surface on two-way contracts or Exhibit 10 deals, with a few carving out rotation spots by midseason.
Chaz Lanier (Range 25-40)
One of the best pure shooters in the class, Lanier has the gravity to warp defenses off the bench. He’s strong, decisive, and plays with confidence, though the defense is still a question. Projects as a bench scorer who can close some games if the shot stays elite.
Yanic Konan Niederhauser (Range 25-40)
An analytics sleeper with feel and rim protection upside, Yanic is a sneaky value play. He’s not flashy, but he moves well, contests shots, and passes out of short rolls. Likely starts as a two-way, but has a path to rotation minutes down the line.
Tyrese Proctor (Range 25-45)
A year ago he was a projected lottery pick—now he’s trying to rebuild value. Proctor still has a smooth handle, good vision, and defensive tools, but the shooting and consistency haven’t come along. A change of scenery could reignite the upside.
Grant Nelson (Range 30-60)
The tools are there—athleticism, length, flashes of shooting—but Nelson has struggled to translate them against better competition at Alabama. He’ll get looks late based on his motor and physical tools. A likely two-way contract candidate with potential to carve out a niche.
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