2025 NBA Draft Analysis: Key Perspectives
The 2025 NBA Draft, which will mark my twenty-third consecutive year at the main table, promises to be an event full of expectations. Over the years, I have witnessed successes and failures, but each season generates in me a greater respect for the selection process. At first, after long hours of evaluation, I thought I knew which prospects would succeed. I quickly learned that no one knows for sure. Everything is based on “belief”.Who predicted that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would become a future MVP when he was selected at number 11? How many anticipated that Jalen Brunson would be All-NBA and Clutch Player of the Year when he left Villanova? The reality is that, almost always, when reviewing past drafts, the ranking of players changes drastically. This is especially true in basketball, where decisions are made based on the short history of 18 and 19-year-olds.
This year, some players stand out. Although there are no guarantees, this year’s draft (Wednesday and Thursday at 8 PM ET on ABC and ESPN) presents a “certainty” like few times we have seen. Here are some players that I like a lot.The Undisputed: Cooper Flagg
This is Cooper Flagg’s Draft. If any of the 30 NBA teams had the first pick, they would choose Flagg without hesitation. He is the best freshman Duke has had and the most complete player in the draft. Although Flagg has room for improvement, no other player meets so many expectations. He is 6-8 with a 7-0 wingspan. He is athletic, has length, moves laterally and is fast. Defensively, he has great awareness, steals the ball, blocks shots and is excellent at rebounding. Flagg is an elite finisher and playmaker in transition, an excellent ball handler and finisher, and an exceptional cutter. The initial criticism was his outside shot. In the ACC conference, Flagg shot 44% from the three-point line and almost 39% last season. Can he improve ball-handling? Yes, but his shot isn’t a problem; it’s simply not the main story. Flagg has the potential to be All-NBA and I think he will achieve it. As long as he stays healthy, he won’t fail in the NBA. He is different. Aside from his skills and measurable attributes, Flagg is one of the most competitive players I have seen at this age. At 18 years old, he is mature beyond his years, surpassing most 22-year-old prospects in this draft. Flagg doesn’t seek numbers; he strives to make the right play, and by accumulating correct plays, he produces impressive numbers in all aspects.Featured Shooters
This draft has excellent shooters, led by first-year players Tre Johnson from Texas and Kon Knueppel from Duke. Johnson is a better shooter and athlete. With a wingspan of 6-10, he led the SEC in scoring with 19.9 points per game and shot 39.7% from three-point range, making 89 three-pointers last season. Despite his length and physical attributes, Johnson did not have the expected defensive impact, but his speed and agility will be useful in the NBA. Knueppel is the best catch-and-shoot shooter in the draft. He shot nearly 41% from long range as a freshman in Durham, North Carolina, hitting 84 three-pointers. Last season, Knueppel shot 48% on corner shots and 91.4% from the free-throw line. The question marks are his defense and physical tools. But while Knueppel is unlikely to be named to the NBA All-Defensive Team, he is not a weak player and always fights for loose balls.The 3-and-D Specialists
The length seems to translate well in the NBA, and its importance cannot be underestimated. A player who can defend multiple positions, switch, disrupt, and get deflections, steals, and blocks can find playing time on any NBA team. If we add a reliable outside shot to that, their value increases. This year, three 3-and-D players are a bit under the radar, but they will be coveted on draft night. Carter Bryant from Arizona, Rasheer Fleming from Saint Joseph’s, and Cedric Coward from Washington State are the most attractive prospects in this valuable category. Bryant is expected to be the first to be selected among the three. Bryant, 19, is an outstanding athlete who finished in the top 5 in vertical jump and sprint time at the combine. He has size and impressive length and can score a static three-pointer. Almost half of his points last season came from three-pointers scored, and 82% of his shot attempts were catch-and-shoot three-pointers or finishes in the zone. Fleming, 20, has great versatility and a 7-5 wingspan. He is a multi-positional defender and a floor spacer who scored 62 three-pointers with 39% accuracy. His shooting preparation is good, he can really switch sides and is an excellent rebounder. Coward is the mysterious man. After beginning his career as a Division III player, he moved to Eastern Washington and then to Washington State. Coward only played six games in Pullman, but scored 20 or more in three, including 30 points against Northern Colorado. Coward is not as tall as Fleming, but has a 7-2 wingspan, speed, strength, and great instincts on both sides of the court. Coward was fantastic at the combine, finishing in the top 6 in the sprint, vertical jump, and standing vertical jump.
The Wildcards
Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey would be selected in positions 2 and 3, respectively, if talent and potential were the only variables. However, the two top prospects after Flagg played together at Rutgers and had a losing record. The Scarlet Knights finished with a 15-17 record and 8-12 in the Big Ten. Although it is valid to question why neither contributed more to winning, especially with a talented point guard like Harper, I doubt the team’s record will influence the draft position of either prospect.
Harper is the second-best prospect in this draft: a three-level scorer with long arms, a polished offensive player with great footwork, and a shot creator. Harper is very good in pick-and-roll situations and makes great reads. He is not a consistent long-distance shooter, only making 33% from the 3-point line, but he has good mechanics. He is hardworking, but he is not yet an impactful defender, despite his length and physique. Bailey is one of the high-risk, high-reward players in the draft. Few have a higher ceiling and few can match his shooting ability, especially difficult jump shots under pressure. Bailey scored 39 points against Indiana and 38 against Northwestern. Bailey has faced questions about his maturity, but he is only 18 years old and his talent is undeniable. With Harper’s talent and skill profile, no one will let him pass at number 2, not even San Antonio, which needs shooting, something Harper doesn’t provide. Bailey should follow him shortly, going from position 3 to 8.
