NBA: Executives Debate 2025 Draft, ¿Flagg ROY? Steals and Future of the 2026 Draft

2025 NBA Draft Analysis: Executives’ Perspectives

The 2025 NBA draft has concluded, with the new prospects proving their worth in the summer leagues. Teams are already focused on the upcoming season and how their new additions will impact the game.

Following the annual event in Las Vegas, where Cooper Flagg, the first pick, and other players stood out, Alofoke Deportes has compiled initial opinions on the draft and the expectations of NBA teams regarding their new talents. 20 anonymous NBA executives and scouts were surveyed to gather their perspectives on the rookie class for the 2025-26 season.

Based on their preliminary preseason evaluations and observations, participants answered five key questions:

• Who could challenge Flagg for the Rookie of the Year award?
• Which players are considered possible draft “steals”?
• Who is the leading candidate to be the first pick in 2026?

Who is the Rookie of the Year?

1. Cooper Flagg (Dallas Mavericks, No. 1): 17 votes
2. Dylan Harper (San Antonio Spurs, No. 2): 2 votes

Also received votes: Tre Johnson (Washington Wizards). It’s no surprise that Flagg is the leading candidate for Rookie of the Year. He was the first pick for good reason and is considered not only the best prospect, but also the most NBA-ready player in the class. He is expected to become a key piece for the Mavericks, especially with Kyrie Irving recovering from an injury. Flagg’s playmaking skills, size, and defensive impact promise to be of great immediate use. An Eastern Conference executive commented: “I assume players like Bailey or Johnson could outscore Cooper as rookies, but Cooper will make more significant contributions that will bring Dallas into the play-in fight.”

Who will be the best selection (besides Flagg)?

1. VJ Edgecombe (Philadelphia 76ers, No. 3): 10 votes
2. Dylan Harper (Spurs, No. 2): 6 votes

Also receiving votes: Carter Bryant (Spurs), Yang Hansen (Portland Trail Blazers), Tre Johnson (Wizards), Nique Clifford (Sacramento Kings) / Asa Newell (Atlanta Hawks). Edgecombe, selected in the third position by the 76ers, stood out with an impressive performance of 28 points in the Utah summer league. He is becoming a dynamic player with a great ability to penetrate, and many executives and scouts believe he has significant potential to exploit.

In his only season at Rutgers, Dylan Harper averaged 19.4 points and 4.0 assists.Despite some doubts about his fit in Philadelphia, where the 76ers also have Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain, Edgecombe’s potential to excel on both sides of the court was decisive. There is a lot of optimism in the league about his future.

“VJ could be the second-best player in Philadelphia by the end of the season, considering Embiid’s uncertain health. He’s that good and will thrive playing in Nick Nurse’s system,” said an Eastern Conference general manager.

An Eastern Conference general manager

Harper, the second selection, obtained six votes, and some see the Spurs as a good destination for him, despite a situation in which there are several players in the same position. His skill in the pick-and-roll and his astute and powerful playing style made him the Spurs’ choice. A Western Conference scout commented: “Harper has some Ginobili in his offensive game. If the three-point shot becomes a real weapon, it makes Fox expendable and gives San Antonio a good asset for a trade.”

Who will be the biggest “steal” of the draft?

1. Carter Bryant (Spurs, No. 14): 5 votes
2. Joan Beringer (Minnesota Timberwolves, No. 17): 4 votes
3. Kasparas Jakucionis (Miami Heat, No. 20): 2 votes

Also receiving votes: Walter Clayton Jr. (Utah Jazz), Tre Johnson (Wizards), Collin Murray-Boyles (Toronto Raptors), Asa Newell (Hawks), Noah Penda (Orlando Magic), Danny Wolf (Brooklyn Nets), Khaman Maluach (Phoenix Suns) / Cedric Coward (Memphis Grizzlies), Liam McNeeley (Charlotte Hornets) / Chaz Lanier (Detroit Pistons), Carter Bryant (Spurs) / Nique Clifford (Kings). Bryant, the Spurs’ rookie, received the most votes, thanks to his excellent defensive play in the Las Vegas summer league. The Arizona forward was expected to be selected earlier, but fell to the Spurs’ position.

“Bryant will become an impact defender who can hit threes and be part of their core. We’ll look back in several years, while the Spurs are winning big, and people will mention that they selected Castle at No. 4 [in 2024] and Bryant at 14 to defensively pair with Victor as “draft steals,”” said an Eastern Conference scout.

An Eastern Conference scout

There was also enthusiasm for Beringer, another defensive prospect who played well in Las Vegas. The 18-year-old French pivot has played competitive basketball for only four years, but has shown strong instincts as a shot-blocker and alley-oop receiver, and earned a spot in the first round of the draft.

“Beringer could become a top five player in this draft. The potential is enormous, and he doesn’t even know how to play yet. He is also in a perfect situation where he can learn and grow from all his pivots,” said the general manager of the Eastern Conference.

A general manager of the Eastern Conference

What was the riskiest draft pick?

1. Egor Demin (Nets, No. 8): 7 votes
2. Yang Hansen (Trail Blazers, No. 16): 4 votes
3. Cedric Coward (Grizzlies, No. 11): 3 votes

Also receiving votes: Thomas Sorber (Oklahoma City Thunder), Drake Powell (Nets), Collin Murray-Boyles (Raptors), Derik Queen (New Orleans Pelicans), Noa Essengue (Chicago Bulls) and one voter preferred not to answer. Demin, the Nets’ point guard, received the most criticism. Brooklyn had five first-round picks and ultimately selected all five players, allowing for a strategy that led to several bets on playmaking prospects, including Demin. At 6 feet 9 inches, Demin has excellent passing skills, but was divisive for teams throughout the season.

“Even if you believe in [Demin] as an NBA starting base, and I don’t, it seems he could have been eligible at the end of the lottery, or even later,” said an Eastern Conference executive.

An Eastern Conference executive

Egor Demin played one season at BYU and was selected by the Brooklyn Nets with the number 8 pick in the 2025 NBA draft.Yang was the most surprising pick of the draft. The 20-year-old center had a good performance in the summer league. However, there was a feeling that he was selected a bit earlier than expected, with concerns about his foot speed and defensive projection.

“I like [Yang], I just didn’t see it coming, with him going right outside the lottery,” said another Eastern Conference executive.

Another Eastern Conference executive

Coward, selected 11th by Memphis, was a player who rose a lot in the pre-draft process. However, after playing only six games at Washington State due to an injury, some in the league considered him more inexperienced than would be considered optimal for a typical late lottery pick. “He’s a raw talent who needs to learn the game. But if he can shoot and defend [and that translates], there’s an opportunity with his physical intangibles,” said a Western Conference scout.

Who will be the first pick in the 2026 NBA draft?

1. Darryn Peterson (Kansas): 12 votes
2. A.J. Dybantsa (BYU): 8 votes

Looking ahead to 2026, the next season could bring a close competition for first place, with Peterson and Dybantsa as the two main candidates. Peterson got more votes, with his unusual combination of size, skill, and explosiveness. He has the physical talent and competitive mindset to excel as an offensive creator and outstanding defender.

“Peterson stands out as the most complete and reliable option. Every time I see him, he’s sharper, more refined, and continues to show growth, constantly raising his level of play. That hunger, consistency, and drive to improve translate directly into a winning impact,” said an Eastern Conference executive who voted for Peterson.

An Eastern Conference executive

Contrary to 2025, Dybantsa is still in the conversation. He has the typical skills of a star player, like an elite athlete capable of physically dominating matchups on both ends. His development as a 3-point shooter will be fundamental.

“They are a similar level of prospect. … A.J. is 6-foot-9, and in this league, size still matters. I think [BYU coach] Kevin Young will put him in great positions to showcase and grow his game this year. Peterson will have to fight the lack of spacing that Kansas seems to have,” said an East Coast Conference scout who voted for Dybantsa.

An East Coast Conference scout

While only Peterson and Dybantsa received votes, a solid trio of first-year prospects completes our initial top five: Cameron Boozer (Duke), Nate Ament (Tennessee), and Mikel Brown (Louisville). As the 2026 draft cycle begins, Alofoke Deportes will closely follow how NBA teams evaluate the top names.