All Eyes on Brooklyn: What to Expect from Tonight's NBA Draft
All Eyes on Brooklyn: What to Expect from Tonight's NBA Draft
NEW YORK — The first round of the 2025 NBA Draft begins at 8:00 pm ET on Wednesday, June 25th, with the basketball world converging on Brooklyn for what promises to be one of the most anticipated draft nights in recent memory.
Flagg to Dallas: The Consensus No. 1 Pick
The evening's first selection appears to be a foregone conclusion. Flagg is going No. 1 to the Dallas Mavericks, with the Duke forward widely considered the top prospect after an exceptional freshman season. He was the national player of the year in college basketball this season at just 18 after reclassifying into the 2024 recruiting class.
The Mavericks' lottery victory was particularly stunning, as the Mavs — who had never won the lottery before and never drew a better pick than their odds in the history of the lottery system — won the lottery despite long odds.
Harper Expected to Follow at No. 2
Dylan Harper leads the way for the Spurs at No. 2 with 83.8 percent odds, according to Draft Predictor. The Rutgers guard has been described to HoopsHype as "Cade-lite" by one scout, Harper is praised for his vision, poise, and size at the lead guard spot.
Drama Expected Throughout the Night
People around the league are expecting all kinds of drama on draft night, with significant uncertainty beyond the top two selections. For the first time ever, a team will have two top-10 picks (and probably top-five) after failing to make the NCAA Tournament, referring to Rutgers' Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey potentially both going in the top three.
Key Storylines to Watch
Trade Activity: With two days to go, here are our latest first-round projections from mock drafts suggest significant movement could occur, with teams potentially looking to move their picks.
Ace Bailey's Position: Questions remain about where the former Rutgers standout will land after a season that saw both highlights and concerns about his draft stock.
International Talent: Khaman Maluach is the most popular choice for the Raptors, but the problem is, what if he's not available? The South Sudanese center represents one of several international prospects who could make an impact.
Deep Talent Pool: Asa Newell had a standout year in his lone season in Athens. Because of his play and potential, many see the former Bulldog as a first-round pick, highlighting the depth of talent available throughout the first round.
Format and Structure
The official site of the 2025 NBA Draft to be held on June 25-26 in Brooklyn, NY will host the event across two nights, with 59 selections over two rounds, with the draft being held across two nights for the second time ever.
Tonight's first round promises to set the tone for what could be a transformative evening for multiple franchises, with the potential for surprise picks, blockbuster trades, and the beginning of new eras for teams across the league.
The draft will be broadcast live from Barclays Center, with coverage beginning at 8:00 PM ET on ESPN.
Flagg to Dallas: The Consensus No. 1 Pick
The evening's first selection appears to be a foregone conclusion. Flagg is going No. 1 to the Dallas Mavericks, with the Duke forward widely considered the top prospect after an exceptional freshman season. He was the national player of the year in college basketball this season at just 18 after reclassifying into the 2024 recruiting class.
The Mavericks' lottery victory was particularly stunning, as the Mavs — who had never won the lottery before and never drew a better pick than their odds in the history of the lottery system — won the lottery despite long odds.
Harper Expected to Follow at No. 2
Dylan Harper leads the way for the Spurs at No. 2 with 83.8 percent odds, according to Draft Predictor. The Rutgers guard has been described to HoopsHype as "Cade-lite" by one scout, Harper is praised for his vision, poise, and size at the lead guard spot.
Drama Expected Throughout the Night
People around the league are expecting all kinds of drama on draft night, with significant uncertainty beyond the top two selections. For the first time ever, a team will have two top-10 picks (and probably top-five) after failing to make the NCAA Tournament, referring to Rutgers' Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey potentially both going in the top three.
Key Storylines to Watch
Trade Activity: With two days to go, here are our latest first-round projections from mock drafts suggest significant movement could occur, with teams potentially looking to move their picks.
Ace Bailey's Position: Questions remain about where the former Rutgers standout will land after a season that saw both highlights and concerns about his draft stock.
International Talent: Khaman Maluach is the most popular choice for the Raptors, but the problem is, what if he's not available? The South Sudanese center represents one of several international prospects who could make an impact.
Deep Talent Pool: Asa Newell had a standout year in his lone season in Athens. Because of his play and potential, many see the former Bulldog as a first-round pick, highlighting the depth of talent available throughout the first round.
Format and Structure
The official site of the 2025 NBA Draft to be held on June 25-26 in Brooklyn, NY will host the event across two nights, with 59 selections over two rounds, with the draft being held across two nights for the second time ever.
Tonight's first round promises to set the tone for what could be a transformative evening for multiple franchises, with the potential for surprise picks, blockbuster trades, and the beginning of new eras for teams across the league.
The draft will be broadcast live from Barclays Center, with coverage beginning at 8:00 PM ET on ESPN.