2025 NBA Draft Countdown: Who Will Be the Top Picks in Brooklyn?

San Antonio, USA - The 2025 NBA Draft is just around the corner, and excitement is mounting as teams scramble to finalize their strategies. With the NBA Finals nearing completion, clubs are weighing trades, roster adjustments, and draft selections in hopes of enhancing their squads. This year’s draft class holds promise, especially with top prospects like Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper grabbing the spotlight.

On the press front, around 50 early entry candidates and international prospects have withdrawn from consideration, but that hasn’t dampened expectations about the talent still available. As the anticipation builds, teams are preparing their lists for the big event at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, scheduled for June 25-26. Coverage for the first round will kick off at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, ESPN, and the ESPN App, with the second round following on June 26, also at 8 p.m. ET (SI.com).

Top Prospects

Leading the pack in mock drafts, which have varied throughout the season, are notable names. According to SI.com, the projected top three picks include:

While these top-tier players are drawing most of the attention, the draft board also features an array of potential game-changers throughout the first and second rounds.

Key Late Lottery Picks

As we look beyond the initial three selections, here are some intriguing names expected to be highlighted in the late lottery picks:

• 4. Charlotte Hornets: VJ Edgecombe (Baylor)
• 5. Utah Jazz: Tre Johnson (Texas)
• 6. Washington Wizards: Jeremiah Fears (Oklahoma)
• 7. New Orleans Pelicans: Khaman Maluach (Duke)
• 8. Brooklyn Nets: Kon Knueppel (Duke)

Particularly, VJ Edgecombe is a name to watch. This highly athletic guard, 6-5 tall, has averaged 15.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game during the 2024-25 season. He stands a solid 34.6% chance of being picked by the Hornets at No. 4, as stated by Bob Donnan (HoopsHype). Edgecombe’s two-way capabilities could substantially boost the Hornets’ lineup next to LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, especially given their recent struggles.

Scheduled Events and Coverage

Draft fans can look forward to an extensive coverage of all the action. ESPN’s analysts, including Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo, are set to present updates, rankings, and insights leading up to draft night. The buzz surrounding Cooper Flagg has been palpable since last summer, and analysts predict he could potentially reshape a franchise (ESPN).

This year’s draft may well feature a mix of predictability combined with surprising upsets in player selections that could have implications for the teams involved. As we inch closer to June 25, each organization’s preparations will be crucial, with hopes of landing the next superstar.