On June 19, Hearts of Oak will reassemble before facing Kotoko in the President's Cup.

Joan Beringer

Thirty clubs are well into their predraft process, identifying top prospects and reducing their draft boards in anticipation of the two-round 2025 NBA draft, which is eight days away.

Despite having a 1.8% chance of winning the draft lottery, the Dallas Mavericks have secured the No. 1 pick and have no intention of working out any other possibilities for the top pick, except for Duke's Cooper Flagg. The national player of the year will pay the Mavericks a private visit on Tuesday.

With half of the top 10 players slotted to different teams, including the projection for Rutgers star Ace Bailey, this most recent mock draft is a bit of a shake-up from previous ones. It reflects a thorough evaluation of the 2025 class and takes into account information from scouts and front office staff.

The Orlando Magic sent the Memphis Grizzlies their No. 16 pick along with other future picks in Sunday's historic transaction, which had an impact on this draft. NBA decision-makers are laying out various possibilities based on how the draft turns out, and trade negotiations are still developing throughout the league.

NBA teams have been expecting a trade for Kevin Durant ever since the Phoenix Suns began negotiating before the February trade deadline, which is one such scenario that might have draft implications.

The Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, and Houston Rockets are Durant's top trade targets, according to sources who spoke to ESPN's Shams Charania on Saturday night.

Here is our most recent mock draft of the 59 picks in light of the leaguewide trade talks and the information we are receiving about how teams are assessing prospects:

Initial round

1. Dallas Mavericks

This season, there is no suspense at No. 1. On Tuesday, Flagg will have a formal visit to the Mavericks as Dallas gets ready to select him on the opening night of the draft (June 25). Because of the Mavs' extraordinary lottery luck, Flagg will join a competitive team right away, with Dallas aiming for the postseason as Kyrie Irving heals from an ACL repair.

Along with having a broad range of skills, Flagg also has the mental toughness to perform well under duress as the Mavericks' de facto successor to Luka Doncic as their team's spokesperson. His offensive development in what may be a key playmaking position right away will make for an exciting preseason subplot in 2025–2026.

2. San Antonio Spurs

Despite whatever worries the Spurs may have about Harper's poor backcourt fit alongside De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle because of his glaring lack of perimeter shooting, most talent evaluators believe he is in a class of his own as the draft's second-best prospect.

It appears that San Antonio is thrilled about the prospect of adding a player of Harper's caliber and is prepared to be patient, resolving roster construction issues later. This means that rival teams trying to negotiate a trade with the Spurs have left with the impression that it is unlikely that they will move down or off the pick at No. 2.

The 19-year-old is the kind of lead guard and offensive engine that the NBA is looking for right now because of his size, ability to create shots, passing creativity, finishing skill, and scoring instincts.

His strong body also seems to be well-suited to playing through the physically taxing vigor required in the playoffs. It is hard to imagine the Spurs passing up the chance to add Harper in the end, given the difficulty of signing players of this caliber.

3. Philadelphia 76ers

After a successful trip to Philadelphia, where he reportedly impressed in talks with the front staff and ownership as well as in a private workout, Edgecombe replaces Ace Bailey in ESPN's mock draft.

He seems to be "the leader in the clubhouse" at the time, with Bailey losing steam after declining to come along, first dissatisfied with his quest for a tested development path. We will see if Bailey can turn the tide in his favor, though, since he has an exercise session in Philadelphia at the end of this week.

During his interviews at the Chicago selection combine, he received mixed reviews from organizations who were worried about his lack of attention and preparation. According to NBA insiders, Bailey's lack of polish and concerns about his feel for the game have caused him to become divisive in internal front office discussions, which has resulted in a larger selection range than first thought.

If the Sixers support the long-term growth of Edgecombe's passing abilities, surrounding him with prolific 3-point shooters like Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, Quentin Grimes, and Paul George might give their offense another dimension.

Edgecombe has also worked out in front of Washington during the predraft process, which suggests there may be some trade scenarios in play with the Wizards moving up, possibly as high as No. 3. If he is not selected here, most teams anticipate Charlotte selecting him one pick later at No. 4.

4. The Charlotte Hornets

Because of his exceptional movement and spot-up shooting, which emphasizes his ability to shoot off movement rather than his actual movement, defensive prowess, and playmaking, and an analytics-friendly profile that is evident in team draft models, Knueppel has some true admirers among NBA teams in this round of the draft.

Knueppel should be simple to play with because of his strength, tenacity, and selfless style of play. He seems to suit players like Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball pretty well.

Given that his floor seems to be no lower than No. 8, the Hornets and Jazz are two teams that seem interested in him. With his plug-and-play skill set and potential to contribute throughout his cost-controlled rookie-scale contract, he is the kind of talent a playoff-caliber team could also pursue in a trade.

5. Utah Jazz

The Jazz, now under the direction of Austin Ainge, must make important choices as they attempt to escape what has turned into a drawn-out rebuild.

The organization's public position has been that the franchise is done tanking, even if opposing teams continue to believe Utah will be interested in a strong top pick in the 2026 lottery, pointing out that its first-round pick has top-eight protection (otherwise transferable to Oklahoma City).

However, none of the perimeter players Utah has at this point will be prepared to change the team's fortunes right away, so the Jazz can just rely on their favored players.

Johnson will be alluring due to his superb shooting from the perimeter and potential to become a versatile scorer. Bailey, who keeps losing in this situation, does not seem to be interested in Utah and is considered a risky pick by most clubs. Expect to get a lot of attention from Jeremiah Fears and, if available, Knueppel.

6. Washington Wizards

Given that he has turned down invites from multiple teams in his selection range and has not yet completed a single workout, Bailey's predraft exercise approach has confused some onlookers. Bailey's camp has reportedly told interested teams that they think he is a top-3 pick in the draft, but that he also wants a clear road to fame, maybe because they are confident that a team will trade up to acquire him at Nos. 3 or 4 if he drops.

Some teams wonder if Bailey has been promised a spot on a club that is not in the top five right now, a position that is thought to be more favorable in terms of playing time and location.

Bailey has a workout with the 76ers later this week, but it is not clear yet if he will be visiting any other clubs.

The 18-year-old's talent is reportedly highly sought after by Washington and New Orleans, two clubs that might select him in the No. 6 or No. 7 picks if the Sixers decide not to select him. Additionally, there seem to be plenty of minutes and shots available in both scenarios.

7. New Orleans Pelicans

Even while he still has some rough edges in his game, front offices are considering his long-term potential after the way he concluded his season at Oklahoma gave Fears a lot of momentum.

At this juncture, his range is somewhat limited: the Jazz at No. 5 seems to be the high end, while opposing teams consider the Pelicans and Nets as landing sites.

If he makes it to this point, there are rumors that New Orleans may be his floor, which makes sense given the Pelicans' long-standing need for a lead guard of starting caliber. With at least one of Fears, Johnson, Knueppel, or Bailey expected to be available to them, the Pelicans occupy a valuable position here.

However, they have shown to be a difficult team to predict thus far, with opposing teams trying to figure out the new leadership's course.

8. Brooklyn Nets

To demonstrate his progress in both technique and physicality, Maluach has been competing against other big guys in workouts for top-10 teams. During his medical examination, NBA doctors gave Maluach a clean bill of health, which is noteworthy given his size and a few minor illnesses he had earlier in Duke's season.

The Nets can afford to be opportunistic and wait to see which player, whether it is Maluach, Fears, Knueppel, or someone else, falls to them because they selected No. 8 in the draft, right at the end of a tier of prospects before what appears to be a distinct drop-off.

Maluach, who turns 19 on September 14, is among the youngest prospects in the draft and has a lot of space to improve both physically and skillfully. Coaches and players adore him for his special off-court intangibles, and he plays with incredible energy.

His ability to sprint the floor aggressively in transition, provide vertical spacing as a roller and cutter, and anchor a defense with his wingspan will appeal to any team searching for a center to build around in the long run, including the Wizards or Pelicans, who select at No. 6 and No. 7, respectively.

9. Toronto Raptors

Essengue's excellent season in Germany is still continuing; therefore, his predraft process has halted. With a possible Game 4 scheduled on June 24 and Game 5 scheduled for June 26, Ulm moved to the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) Finals versus Bayern Munich, a best-of-five series that started Monday and may very well continue into the draft.

Before draft night, Essengue (and colleague and draft prospect Ben Saraf) may not be able to work out privately in the United States. The fact that Essengue, 18, measured well this week at 6-10 barefoot with a wingspan of about 7-1, which highlights his strong physical profile across frontcourt positions, does assist.

Although Maluach is not a lock to be selected, Toronto has been heavily linked to frontcourt candidates with selection No. 9. The Raptors are also among several clubs in this area that are rumored to be engaged in trade negotiations regarding their pick, to perhaps trade back in the draft to bolster their roster next season.

Teams in the 9–15 bracket are becoming more interested in Essengue because of his size, versatility, extreme youth, and rising production. If the Raptors continue in this position, he matches the archetype that the franchise has frequently pursued.

10. Houston Rockets

Bryant has been well-reviewed during the predraft phase. Several clubs are likely to be interested in him because of his frontcourt shooting, defensive versatility, and passing ability. He looks likely to hear his name called somewhere between 9 and 15.

With an average of 6.5 points per game and no ability to create shots, Bryant was not a reliable player for Arizona coming off the bench. He still has a lot of opportunity to improve on both ends of the court.

Given their abundance of youthful players, the Rockets may decide not to make this selection in the end because the prospect of bringing in a seasoned veteran will probably be carefully considered.

It is difficult to identify specific needs for the Rockets after an incredible season that ended with the fourth-best record in the NBA (52-30) and a roster full of young talent, with the possible exception of addressing Fred VanVleet's club option.

The week of the draft, rival teams anticipate that Houston's front office will be busy.

Hugo Gonzalez

11. The Portland Trail Blazers

There is no specific positional need for the Trail Blazers, who have Donovan Clingan at center for the foreseeable future. However, players with a variety of skill sets, such as Jakucionis, Bryant, and Essengue, could be available.

Players like Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, and Anfernee Simons would all be more goal-oriented in Portland's backcourt because of Jakucionis' selfless style and ability to improve ball movement. He might be able to play a stronger connecting role with the other guards in multi-playmaker groups.

Jakucionis seems to be ticketed for this 10- to 15 area because of his playmaking, adaptability, and intangibles, which are highly appealing in several situations.

12. Chicago Bulls

With 35-year-old trade candidate Nikola Vucevic approaching the last year of his deal, the Bulls lack many long-term keepers in the big-man category. With this selection at No. 12, they are reportedly considering Queen, Joan Beringer, and Thomas Sorber as potential candidates.

In this class, Queen is the most talented big man. He can generate his own shot facing the basket with a variety of movements, is an excellent pick-and-roll target, and has intriguing passing abilities.

Based on some of his early workouts, we have heard conflicting opinions regarding Queen's conditioning, lack of shooting range, and defensive disinterest, all of which NBA teams are attempting to further assess in this or an earlier round of the predraft process.

13. Atlanta Hawks

Assuming the Hawks retain both of their first-round selections (Nos. 13 and 22), rival teams have predicted that they will try to pair a big guy with a guard. What transpires in front of them may determine the sequence in which they prioritize those requirements.

With big players like Essengue, Joan Beringer, and Asa Newell among possible candidates at this slot, Demin's playmaking ability becomes an attractive value bet if he makes it to this stage of the draft.

Demin has scheduled a variety of teams in an attempt to show off his skills in competitive environments, casting a wide net on the fitness circuit. Teams in the top 10 are interested in him, but there are other situations where he might not make it out of the lottery.

As long as he improves his jump shooting, which he displayed well during an outstanding pro day exercise, his exceptional size and passing vision should enable him to play all over the perimeter.

14. San Antonio Spurs

With this No. 14 choice, the Spurs will probably look at several possibilities, including the potential addition of a veteran who is more prepared to contribute as the club turns its focus toward postseason competition.

Increasing the depth of the frontcourt may also be a top priority, particularly if the Spurs eventually employ Victor Wembanyama as a power forward in addition to another rim protector, who would be extremely difficult to score against.

After the end of his Slovenian season, Beringer traveled to the United States, first in Chicago and then in Brooklyn, New York, where he finished his required NBA combine participation. He is now over 7 feet in shoes, 235 pounds, with a 7-4½ wingspan and a 9-3 standing reach, which is comparable to Jaren Jackson Jr. and Myles Turner at the same age, according to his official measurements, which also show that he has grown by an inch and a half in the last year.

Since January, Beringer, the greatest shot blocker in the draft, has been considered for the lottery after showing significant promise during the season.

15. Oklahoma City Thunder

Among the executives we have spoken with, Murray-Boyles has been one of the more controversial players. While some are obsessed with his defensive prowess and overall output, and believe he would make a fantastic NBA role player, others constantly bring up his small size and lack of shooting from the perimeter, as well as how those two things limit his projectable ceiling.

With the Rockets, a team that makes sense as a fit but also can trade its choice, his range seems to start around No. 10 and conclude here in the teens.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have a wealth of potential draft money and a deep, skilled roster that gives them the freedom to target whomever they want and move around in the draft. Murray-Boyles might end up here because his basketball IQ and toughness fit the requirements Oklahoma City often looks for.

16. Memphis Grizzlies

With Desmond Bane going to Orlando in exchange for a package that included this draft's No. 16 pick, the Magic and Grizzlies executed a blockbuster trade on Sunday.

An extremely productive and efficient young player like Richardson, who scores highly in draft models that analytics-savvy teams like Memphis frequently consider, might be of interest to the Grizzlies.

Richardson has a great sense of the game, has made 41% of his 3-point attempts this season, is a fierce defender, and appears to be able to capitalize on the star power of a teammate like Ja Morant, whose future in Memphis is still up in the air.

If the Grizzlies choose to shift their focus to a youth movement, Richardson may eventually assume more important ball-handling responsibilities as his offensive aggression and shot-creation diversity develop.

17. Minnesota Timberwolves

Teams are using film and the interview process to evaluate Sorber because he has not been allowed to participate in basketball-related activities on the exercise circuit since he underwent foot surgery in February.

Although he emerged this season as a surprise one-and-done player, teams are interested in him because of his defensive effect and long-term outlook, which has led to his having a strong interest inside the top 20.

With Julius Randle and Naz Reid expected to test free agency and the Timberwolves tied for Kevin Durant's services, Minnesota may see roster changes the following season. With many big men ranked in the top 20 and the Wolves owning the No. 31 pick, there is a strong argument for adding depth to the frontcourt.

18. Washington Wizards

Two years into a thorough roster overhaul, the Wizards have three picks in the top 40 and are not under any real pressure to win, so they have a lot of options in this section of the draft. It may make sense to add depth to the frontcourt after selecting a perimeter player with their first pick at No. 6.

Newell had a very successful and effective rookie season at Georgia thanks to his mobility, aggression, and intensity level. He made 26 3-pointers in 33 games and converted 75% of his free throws, suggesting that he can spread the floor.

19. Brooklyn Nets

This is the second of the Nets' four first-round selections; Brooklyn is aggressively considering several possibilities because it is unlikely that they will roster all four of these picks.

If they remain, the Nets will have ample time in the timeline to try their hand at younger players like Riley, who may need a season or two to establish themselves.

Another player whose range is currently on the wider side is Riley. Teams are as interested in him as they were in their early teens, but there are also situations where he might enter his 20s.

Although his great stature, offensive instinct, and shooting ability make him a big asset to the NBA, his supporters recognize that it will take some time for him to gain physical strength and, ideally, defensive improvement.

20. Miami Heat

The Heat will probably prioritize adding backcourt talent this offseason, but it is difficult to identify any reliable guard contributors in this area. At the wing position, NBA teams admire McNeeley's size, shot-making ability, feel for the game, and toughness.

After an ineffective season in which he made 32% of his 3-point attempts and 44% of his 2-pointers, he needs to remind them of his winning abilities during the predraft process.

The NBA will probably expect him to play a different role, relying more on his skill as a dynamic perimeter shooter, which was more noticeable in other contexts before college. After a few productive sessions, McNeeley has gained some momentum and is reminding clubs of what made him so well-liked before the season.

21. Utah Jazz

Recently, there has been a lot of discussion around the league about how high Coward will hear his name called. Although his lack of elite pedigree and performance history appears to be a significant disadvantage, NBA teams have been captivated by his interviews and are interested in his physical toolkit and wing shooting abilities.

Given that some teams believe the class flattens out around No. 20 and that there are not many 3-and-D wings deserving of first-round grades, an archetype that many are willing to take a chance on, Coward's quick ascent in the process is also a referendum on the format of this draft. All of that seems to work in Coward's favor on draft night.

With several picks at their disposal, Utah might find use for a player like Coward.

22. Atlanta Hawks

During the predraft process, teams have given Wolf varying opinions because he is a relatively unconventional talent who some believe is better suited for a given situation. He stands out among the other bigs in this class thanks to his passing ability and inside-out versatility.

He also needs to address his erratic shooting and foul line issues (34% on 3-pointers, 59% on free throws), as well as whether he will play strong defense.

With Wolf proving an intriguing fit in large, diverse lineups with Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu up top, it makes sense to add a big later in the draft at No. 22 if the Hawks decide to select a perimeter player with their pick at No. 13.

23. New Orleans Pelicans

In exchange for the Pelicans' 2026 first-round pick, which the Pelicans had already obtained, the Indiana Pacers are giving the Pelicans the No. 23 pick and the rights to Mojave King, as ESPN's Shams Charania revealed Tuesday afternoon.

Due in large part to financial considerations, the Pacers were willing to move this pick, as we first reported Wednesday morning. It made sense to move the choice to save money and preserve their Finals-caliber squad because Myles Turner's next contract would force the Pacers to pay the luxury tax, something they have long avoided.

Indiana buys time and recovers the asset's value by using it to reclaim the rights to their own 2026 first-round pick, thereby kicking the salary hit and roster position down the road a year.

Under NBA rules, the Pacers can acquire four first-round picks in a trade this summer if they decide to get aggressive following this Finals run.

The Pelicans' decision about this pick largely depends on who they select at number seven, but returning Indiana's pick indicates that New Orleans sees value in this draft bracket.

With a range that reaches into his 20s, Clifford has drawn curiosity from teenagers and earned great praise on the training circuit. Clifford just finished a stellar season at Colorado State, and NBA teams looking for wing support can consider him because of his experience and plug-and-play, two-way skill set.

24. Oklahoma City Thunder

It is unknown exactly which way the Thunder will go on draft night because they may not even have a roster slot available for both of their first-round selections.

Gonzalez's remarkable physical tools and defensive energy, which have allowed him to carve out a key position for Real Madrid in the Spanish Liga ACB playoffs recently, should match Oklahoma City's style of play.

Additionally, a team might persuade Gonzalez to spend another season in Europe, which would undoubtedly not be desirable to his camp at this point but might be required if the substantial buyout in his contract is not paid this offseason.

25. Orlando Magic

The Magic's willingness to add rookie teens to their already youthful squad is unclear, which would lead them to look into more experienced upperclassmen like Raynaud, who might provide the frontcourt spacing the team sorely needs.

Due to his late-blooming trajectory, he only focused on basketball full-time as a high school senior. Raynaud made 67 3-pointers in 35 games this season and had a great showing at the NBA combine, indicating that there is still potential.

In today's NBA, Raynaud's ability to stretch the floor as a center is valuable, and the Magic may find this appealing from a spacing standpoint.

26. Brooklyn Nets

It would not be shocking if the Nets made many talent swings in an attempt to find treasures with some of their later selections, given that they have four first-round picks at their disposal.

Depending on what they do with their first few picks, the Nets will have a vacuum in the backcourt, which will be very appealing to any guard who is scheduled to be selected in this bracket.

Although Traore's inconsistent play caused his draft stock to drop after he began the season projected as a top-10 pick, his size, ballhandling, playmaking creativity, and upside still make him a worthwhile gamble for a team in Brooklyn's position and at this stage of the draft.

Fleming is one of the players who will not be on the board in the second part of the first round. He can carve out a rotation place with his physical tools and increasing 3-point shooting, and some teams see him as a guy who can contribute right away.

Despite not being a particularly talented or showy player, Fleming's length, growth trajectory, and late-blooming style suggest that he has unrealized potential.

28. Boston Celtics

After Jayson Tatum's season-ending Achilles injury, the Celtics have several serious needs to fill, but they can not really hope to do so in the draft, especially at this late point in the first round.

It would be a huge victory to find a wing like Powell who can absorb minutes, hopefully gain some experience, and maybe even emerge as someone who can contribute in a year.

In particular, Powell's ability to guard everyone from point guards to power forwards while flying around to protect the rim, crash the boards, and close out on the perimeter with purpose is something that NBA teams enjoy about him.

It is unclear if he is a skilled shooter or an aggressive enough scorer to compete on that end of the court, but he plays incredibly hard and has amazing movement, covering ground and rotating all over the floor.

Jamir Watkins

29. Phoenix Suns

With the possibility of a Durant deal opening up scenarios where Phoenix may acquire more lottery picks earlier in the first round, the Suns seem interested in getting younger and revamping their squad.

The Suns should be interested in a player like Clayton, who could be valuable right away on a rookie-scale contract, as they work through a challenging salary sheet and attempt to improve their long-term positioning.

Considered a sparkplug scorer who may improve a team's bench unit, Clayton appears to have pushed himself into the first round with his heroics in the NCAA tournament. He will need to make up for his small stature and dubious defense with his self-assurance and shooting ability.

30. The Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers should find value in adding a rookie who can contribute with this pick because of their large payroll. It would be advantageous to find someone who can complement their stars at a reasonable price.

Penda's multipositional versatility, which allows him to play all over the floor both offensively and defensively, has made him an intriguing sleeper name for teams. His feel, skill, and stature are all good selling factors, but teams are concerned about his limited run-jump athleticism and perimeter shooting.

Teams are still unsure about Penda's willingness to stay hidden abroad for another season, which might improve his chances of securing a comfortable draft spot.