NBA draft analyst and writer Joined ESPN.com in July 2017 Founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service used by NBA, NCAA and international teams
NBA draft analyst and writer Joined ESPN.com in 2023 Covered the NBA and NBA draft for Sports Illustrated from 2015-2023
Feb 12, 2025, 06:45 AM ET
The 2025 NBA draft continues to look stronger by the day, as the top of the class is solidifying with each of the projected top-five candidates delivering serious fireworks in January and February. Cooper Flagg, who is exceeding expectations with outstanding productivity for Duke, is the headliner, with Rutgers freshmen Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey and Baylor standout VJ Edgecombe flashing significant talent as well.
NBA executives tell us they are excited about not only the star power at the top but also the overall depth, as a number of freshmen have unexpectedly emerged as clear lottery talents, and the international class also appears better than advertised with as many as nine potential first-rounders.
An important final month of the college regular season looms as scouts want to see if players can finish strong and perform under pressure in some of the biggest games of their careers heading into conference tournaments and the Big Dance.
The first- and second-round order was generated by ESPN’s BPI forecast, which predicts how well all 30 NBA teams will perform during the rest of the season.
Notes: The draft order, as updated through Monday morning, reflects picks owed and owned via trades. True shooting percentage (TS%) is a formula that blends field goal percentage with free throw shooting and 3-point shooting into one catch-all ratio.
The 2025 NBA draft is just around the corner and teams are already starting to assess their options for the first round. With the talent pool getting deeper each year, it’s crucial for franchises to make the right choices to secure their future success. Here’s a look at some potential picks for the first round of the 2025 NBA draft:
1. Houston Rockets – Jalen Green, G League Ignite
2. Detroit Pistons – Jabari Smith Jr., Auburn
3. Orlando Magic – Paolo Banchero, Duke
4. Oklahoma City Thunder – Chet Holmgren, Gonzaga
5. Cleveland Cavaliers – Adrian Griffin Jr., Duke
6. New Orleans Pelicans – Caleb Houstan, Michigan
7. Sacramento Kings – Kendall Brown, Baylor
8. Toronto Raptors – Patrick Baldwin Jr., Milwaukee
9. Indiana Pacers – AJ Griffin, Duke
10. Utah Jazz – Jaden Ivey, Purdue
And for the 59th pick prediction:
59. Phoenix Suns – Marcus Bagley, Arizona State
As the draft approaches, these predictions are subject to change based on team needs, player performances, and pre-draft workouts. Stay tuned for more updates on the 2025 NBA draft as the date draws nearer.
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2025 NBA mock draft, first-round predictions, 2025 NBA draft analysis, NBA draft prospects, top draft picks, mock draft predictions, 2025 NBA draft projections, NBA draft analysis, potential NBA draft picks, 2025 NBA draft prospects, draft expert predictions, 2025 NBA draft analysis, 59th pick predictions, NBA draft experts, NBA mock draft analysis
The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired the New York Rangers’ 2025 first-round draft pick (conditional), forward Danton Heinen, defenseman Vincent Desharnais, as well as 2024 third-round draft pick Melvin Fernstrom from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for defenseman Marcus Pettersson and forward Drew O’Connor, it was announced today by President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas.
“Moving two long-time Penguins is never an easy decision,” said Dubas. “Marcus and Drew have competed day-in and day-out for the organization since the day they arrived. Both players are high-quality people, highly competitive players and zero maintenance for their fellow teammates and the staff of the Penguins.”
As part of the trade, Pittsburgh will receive whichever of the New York Rangers’ 2025 or 2026 first-round draft picks that Vancouver receives as part of their trade with the New York Rangers earlier today.
The acquisition of the conditional 2025 first-round pick gives the Penguins 29 selections over the next three NHL drafts, which includes four first-round selections and 15 picks in the first three rounds. No team has more draft picks, or selections in the first three rounds, over the next three NHL Drafts than Pittsburgh.
“Tonight’s trade continues to move us in the direction set one year ago which is to continue to add young prospects, young players, and draft capital to the Penguins as we chart our course to return the club back into contention as urgently as possible,” said Dubas. “We are pleased to add Danton Heinen back to the Penguins and Vincent Desharnais to the club and look forward to seeing both in uniform in the coming days. The addition of Melvin Fernstrom also gives us a prospect that was highly regarded at the 2024 NHL Draft, and the Rangers’ first-round draft pick provides us with another strong asset that we can use to acquire an elite young player in the draft or via trade.”
Heinen is signed through the 2025-26 campaign and his contract carries an average annual value of $2.25 million. Desharnais is signed through the 2025-26 season and his contract carries an average annual value of $2 million.
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Heinen returns for his second stint with the Penguins, previously playing in Pittsburgh from 2021-23. Heinen has skated in parts of nine seasons in the NHL split between Boston, Anaheim, Pittsburgh and Vancouver and has tallied 93 goals, 136 assists and 229 points in 537 career games. This season, Heinen has registered six goals, 11 assists and 17 points in 50 games with Vancouver.
Heinen established a career high in goals (18) and power-play goals (3) as a member of the Penguins in 2021-22. His career-high assist and point totals were set with the Bruins in 2017-18, tallying 31 helpers and 47 points that season.
The Langley, British Columbia native has 48 games of Stanley Cup Playoff experience with Pittsburgh and Boston, where he’s picked up six goals, seven assists, 13 points and is plus-5.
Prior to his professional career, Heinen spent two seasons playing collegiate hockey at the University of Denver from 2014-16. In 81 career games, Heinen scored 36 goals, 57 assists and 93 points.
Heinen was originally drafted in the fourth round (116th overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft by Boston.
Desharnais is in his third NHL season and has tallied three assists in 34 games. The 6-foot-7, 226-pound defenseman has played in 148 career NHL games with Vancouver and Edmonton, tallying one goal, 18 assists and 19 points. He has also skated in 28 career playoff games, tallying three assists with the Oilers.
The Laval, Quebec native began his professional career skating in parts of four seasons in the American Hockey League between 2019-23 with Bakersfield. He recorded five goals, 34 assists and 39 points in 122 career AHL games.
Desharnais played four seasons of collegiate hockey with Providence College, tallying 29 points (8G-21A) in 131 games between 2015-19.
Desharnais was originally drafted in the seventh round (183rd overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft by Edmonton.
Fernstrom, 18, is currently playing overseas with Orebro HK of the SHL, Sweden’s top professional league. In 35 games with Orebro HK, the 6-foot-1, 185-pound forward has notched three goals, five assists and eight points. He’s also suited up for 12 games with Orebro HK J20 in Sweden’s top junior hockey league, registering 11 goals, seven assists and 18 points.
Prior to being drafted by Vancouver in the third round (93rd overall) of the 2024 NHL draft, the native of Balsta, Sweden represented his home country at the 2024 World Under-18 Championship, bringing home a bronze medal.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have made a major trade with the Vancouver Canucks, acquiring a conditional 2025 first-round pick and three players in exchange for Marcus Pettersson and Drew O’Connor.
The Penguins are adding to their future draft capital with the acquisition of the conditional first-round pick, which could prove to be a valuable asset down the line. In addition, they are bringing in three players from Vancouver who will add depth and versatility to their roster.
On the other side of the trade, the Canucks are getting a solid defenseman in Pettersson and a promising young forward in O’Connor. This trade could benefit both teams as they look to strengthen their rosters for the remainder of the season and beyond.
It will be interesting to see how these new additions impact both teams as they continue their pursuit of success in the NHL. Stay tuned for more updates on this trade and its implications for both the Penguins and the Canucks.
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Penguins trade news, Vancouver Canucks trade update, NHL trade deadline, Pittsburgh Penguins trade analysis, Marcus Pettersson trade details, Drew O’Connor trade details, 2025 first-round draft pick acquisition, NHL trade rumors
As it currently stands, the Los Angeles Lakers are not anywhere near championship contention. Even after a December trade to bring in Dorian Finney-Smith, the franchise still needs roster improvements if they plan to compete this season. So all eyes are on general manager Rob Pelinka.
The Lakers do still have some assets in terms of players on tradable contracts as well as draft capital, but whether they will choose to make a big move is unclear. The trade deadline is less than two weeks away, but it sounds as if Pelinka and the Lakers won’t be major buyers.
According to Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst of ESPN, Pelinka and the Lakers have shown little signs of aggression in recent trade talks and remain hesitant to send off their future draft picks:
The Lakers’ recent discussions with teams show little sign of aggression, sources say, and those actions speak to their concern level about their stars at the moment. The Lakers have shown a reticence to put their future first-round picks into trades in recent seasons, and there’s no indication that position has shifted.
This is very much in line with other previous reports which stated that if the Lakers do make another move, it won’t be for a big name or star to pair with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The superstar duo has reportedly been pushing for Pelinka to make another move as they feel the Lakers aren’t far away from contention, but it seems more and more likely that any move would be a minor one.
That isn’t necessarily a bad thing as bringing in another good role player or two could greatly enhance this roster. By all accounts, Pelinka doesn’t want mortgage the Lakers’ future by giving away first-round draft picks in a deal that doesn’t guarantee them a championship and it is hard to argue with that sentiment.
It is a difficult balance to try and compete now as LeBron continues to perform at a high level while Davis has been one of the best players in the NBA this season while still not putting the franchise in an awful spot years down the line. Pelinka will continue to scour the market for the right deals to make, but time is ticking.
Anthony Davis wants Lakers to acquire a center
If Rob Pelinka and the Lakers are able to swing another deal, the question then becomes what type of player should the team target. For Anthony Davis the choice is a simple one.
In a recent interview, Davis again reiterated his desire for the Lakers to bring in another center as he feels he is at his best when being able to play more at the power forward position. The franchise has been linked to a couple of centers, but whether or not they are able to agree to the right trade remains to be seen.
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In the world of professional sports, the front office of a team plays a crucial role in shaping the future of the franchise. One key aspect of this is the willingness to make bold moves, including trading first-round draft picks in order to improve the team’s chances of success.
However, recent reports suggest that some front offices are showing “little sign” of aggression and willingness to deal first-round picks. This lack of willingness to take risks and make big moves could have a significant impact on a team’s ability to compete at the highest level.
It’s important for front offices to carefully weigh the potential risks and rewards of trading away first-round picks. While it can be a difficult decision to part with a valuable asset, sometimes it is necessary in order to make a significant improvement to the team’s roster.
Fans and analysts alike will be keeping a close eye on how front offices navigate these decisions in the coming months. Will they show the aggression and willingness to make bold moves, or will they play it safe and stick with the status quo? Only time will tell.
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Front office strategy, NBA trade rumors, draft picks, team management, player trades, draft picks analysis, front office decisions, NBA news updates
ESPN’s Mel Kiper released his first NFL Mock Draft of 2025 and it’s time to start debating and analyzing!
Things are going to change with this draft, as they usually do, over the next few months. Trades, hires, injuries, you name it. This board will shift but this is a great first look from Kiper with some surprises.
The Titans will hit the reset button with Ward with the top pick in the draft. He is Kiper’s top QB available and Tennessee certainly needs a new face.
The Will Levis experiment is seemingly over and Brian Callahan needs a chance to put his stamp on the franchise. Ward got better and better throughout his college career and had serious Heisman buzz in 2024.
Cris Tiller / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Now we get to the Heisman winner in the NFL Draft. Hunter will go next according to Kiper as the Browns will pass on taking a quarterback.
Hunter plans to play both ways in the league, but the Browns have plenty of other holes to fill. But at least they get the best player on the board and a superstar coming to Cleveland.
3. New York Giants: Shedeur Sanders, QB – Colorado
It’s finally time for the Giants to draft a quarterback. If Cleveland takes Hunter, the Giants cannot pass on a QB per Kiper.
Sanders put up big numbers in two years at Colorado and was one of the more accurate quarterbacks over the last two seasons. He has franchise quarterback pedigree and swagger and could bring a serious buzz back to the Giants.
The Patriots have a QB in place so this draft could be about defense first. With Mike Vrabel manning the ship, take Carter here.
This man is a game wrecker on the edge and could be an instant impact type of player. Aside from wearing No. 11, people already compared Carter to a Micah Parsons-type player.
(Photo by Eric Seals / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
The Jaguars took major steps back once the middle of the 2023 season came around, so they basically need everything. Why not draft a top tier defensive prospect? Graham’s been dominant in his college career, helping Michigan win the national title last season. He was productive this year as well and can immediately start in the middle of that defensive line in Jacksonville.
The Raiders need some weapons on the outside and McMillan is seemingly the best wide receiver in the draft, outside of Hunter, according to Kiper. McMillan is a deep ball threat and can change the game on a dime.
As of now, the Raiders still need a head coach and maybe a quarterback. Unless they trade up, they won’t get Ward or Sanders. Perhaps free agency is the way to go in that department and then give said-quarterback McMillan as a new target.
The Jets are close to hiring Aaron Glenn as their new head coach, so logically, New York should go defense first. Williams is another star in the making coming from a Georgia defense.
Why not beef up that unit that had a lot of promise last year but was shaky? The QB is probably the biggest question mark, as in, if Aaron Rodgers comes back or not. But get another great defender in there!
Another Georgia player off the board in this draft! The Panthers showed a lot of promise down the stretch and it looks like they don’t have to worry about QB Bryce Young anymore.
So now, start beefing up the defense! Like Williams before him, Walker can be a game changing linebacker. Very typical of the Georgia defense.
Arguably the best cornerback in the NFL Draft, Johnson likely won’t make it out of the top 10 picks. So the Saints can’t miss here.
Johnson was key to MIchigan’s defense for their national championship run in 2023-24. Unfortunately, he missed about half of the season with injury this year, but he essentially takes away half of the field when he lines up opposing wide receivers.
Now that the Bears have a franchise QB in Caleb WIlliams and some weapons, and oh yeah, a new head coach in Ben Johnson, they need to protect Williams. Campbell is Kiper’s top offensive lineman in this draft class.
Don’t let him get out of the top 10 Chicago! Otherwise Williams is doomed going into 2025 with a lack of protection!
With the 2025 NFL Draft just around the corner, renowned draft analyst Mel Kiper has released his first mock draft, predicting the fate of all 32 first-round picks. Here are some of the highlights from Kiper’s mock draft:
1. Jacksonville Jaguars – QB Trevor Lawrence (Clemson)
2. New York Jets – DE Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oregon)
3. Detroit Lions – QB Malik Willis (Liberty)
4. Houston Texans – OT Evan Neal (Alabama)
5. New York Giants – WR Chris Olave (Ohio State)
6. Carolina Panthers – LB Nakobe Dean (Georgia)
7. Atlanta Falcons – CB Derek Stingley Jr. (LSU)
8. Denver Broncos – QB Sam Howell (North Carolina)
9. Washington Football Team – OT Ikem Ekwonu (NC State)
10. Philadelphia Eagles – WR Garrett Wilson (Ohio State)
11. Minnesota Vikings – DE George Karlaftis (Purdue)
12. Pittsburgh Steelers – QB Desmond Ridder (Cincinnati)
13. Las Vegas Raiders – DT DeMarvin Leal (Texas A&M)
14. Miami Dolphins – RB Breece Hall (Iowa State)
15. Cleveland Browns – CB Ahmad Gardner (Cincinnati)
16. Baltimore Ravens – WR Treylon Burks (Arkansas)
17. New Orleans Saints – LB Christian Harris (Alabama)
18. Green Bay Packers – OT Charles Cross (Mississippi State)
19. Los Angeles Chargers – S Kyle Hamilton (Notre Dame)
20. Philadelphia Eagles (from Indianapolis) – CB Kaiir Elam (Florida)
21. New England Patriots – WR Jahan Dotson (Penn State)
22. Chicago Bears – DT Travis Jones (Connecticut)
23. Seattle Seahawks – DE Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan)
24. Cincinnati Bengals – OT Daniel Faalele (Minnesota)
25. Buffalo Bills – DE Drake Jackson (USC)
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – LB Devin Lloyd (Utah)
27. Dallas Cowboys – CB Trent McDuffie (Washington)
28. Kansas City Chiefs – S Jaquan Brisker (Penn State)
29. Arizona Cardinals – WR John Metchie III (Alabama)
30. Miami Dolphins (from San Francisco) – TE Jalen Wydermyer (Texas A&M)
31. New York Jets (from Seattle) – RB Kenneth Walker III (Michigan State)
32. Tennessee Titans – WR Skyy Moore (Western Michigan)
While mock drafts are always subject to change, Kiper’s predictions provide an intriguing glimpse into the potential future of the NFL. Stay tuned for more updates and analysis as the 2025 NFL Draft approaches.
PHOENIX (AP) — The Phoenix Suns have acquired three future first-round picks from the Utah Jazz in exchange for another first-round pick, the teams announced on Tuesday.
The Suns now own first-round picks in 2025, 2027 and 2029 that are the least favorable selections between Cleveland and Minnesota in 2025 and between Cleveland, Utah and Minnesota in both 2027 and 2029.
The Jazz acquired the Suns’ 2031 unprotected first-round pick.
The struggling Suns have a 21-21 record this season, which is a huge disappointment considering they have Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal on the roster.
Phoenix could try to use the three picks to add talent before the trade deadline. The franchise has been linked to disgruntled Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler in multiple media reports. Butler recently returned to the Heat after a seven-game suspension for “conduct detrimental to the team.”
The Phoenix Suns have made a blockbuster trade with the Utah Jazz, acquiring three first-round picks in exchange for their 2031 first-round pick. This move signals the Suns’ commitment to building for the future and adds valuable assets to their roster. Stay tuned for more updates on how this trade will impact both teams moving forward. #NBAtrades #PhoenixSuns #UtahJazz #FutureBuilding
The Phoenix Suns are trading their unprotected 2031 first-round pick to the Utah Jazz for three first-round picks.
The three picks the Suns are getting out of this arrangement will all be the least favorable of multiple picks owned by the Jazz in specific years. In 2025, the Suns will get the least favorable out of the picks that originally belonged to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves. In 2027 and 2029, they will get the least favorable available pick between Cleveland, Minnesota and Utah.
According to Heat beat writer Ira Winderman, this deal is one of the steps toward a possible Jimmy Butler trade with the Suns. That deal would include at least four teams and result in both players and picks going to the Heat. In addition, the Suns would likely need to use one of these picks to pay somebody off to take on Bradley Beal’s long-term contract. Beal has a no-trade clause, though, so he would have to approve any deal.
The Jazz, meanwhile, had a surplus of draft capital to work with in making this deal. Because they owned 13 first-round picks in the next seven drafts, they were willing to part with three that will almost certainly come relatively late in the round for the chance to control Phoenix’s 2031 pick unprotected. Now the Jazz have 11 first-round picks in the next seven drafts, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
The Butler saga is ongoing, and with a trade of this magnitude, there are so many moving parts that it could still be days or weeks before anything is finalized — if it even is. But this appears to be the biggest step yet toward a blockbuster with Phoenix. Now, let’s grade the deal for both sides.
Given the direction the Suns are actually trying to go, this trade makes sense. For the past few weeks, they have been trying to accomplish two things with one asset. They need to come up with a fair asset return to send Miami to land Butler, but they also need to send another team enough to take on Beal. You can’t trade an unprotected pick to two different teams, and that unprotected 2031 selection is the last major chip the Suns have to work with if you assume they’re trying to hold on to rookie wing Ryan Dunn. By making this trade, they’ve divided the value of that one asset into three assets, making them easier to split among multiple teams in a possible blockbuster. The plan is coherent.
But is it smart? Well, that’s a harder question. The Suns had better be confident that this all ends with them landing Butler, and no matter what they do, that is out of their control. Beal can squash any deal with his no-trade clause. If he decides he isn’t interested in whatever team the Suns want to trade him to, they’re out of luck. Now, the Suns could, in theory, adopt this strategy to a different end. If Butler is off of the table, they could, for instance, pay someone one first-round pick to take on Jusuf Nurkic and then pay someone else two first-round picks to get a valuable player back for him. Either way, this trade only makes sense if the Suns are about to make a substantial upgrade of some kind.
The upgrade itself is not a guarantee. But even if the Suns can make it, it’s worth asking how much they really stand to gain by doing so. Phoenix is a .500 team (21-21) as of this writing. The Suns were swept out of the first round a year ago. This is a team with several holes: perimeter defense, rim-protection, play-making, rim-gravity. It’s hard to imagine a single trade solving all of those problems. And if it doesn’t, well, it becomes pretty hard to imagine the Suns seriously competing with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference.
That’s the bar for Phoenix here, because that 2031 first-round pick is extremely valuable. Remember, Phoenix does not control any of its own picks between now and then. The Suns do have first-round picks in even-numbered years moving forward thanks to the Stepien Rule, but those picks now have swap rights attached to multiple teams, essentially ensuring that they come late in the first round.
Kevin Durant is 36. Butler is 35. No matter how good the Suns are this spring, this version of the team is playing on borrowed time. Eventually, Phoenix is going to collapse. When that time comes, they won’t have the ammunition to rebuild quickly. They are going to hand out some very valuable picks, this 2031 selection among them.
This is an “in for a penny, in for a pound” move from Phoenix’s perspective. Their future was ruined before this trade, so they might as well continue betting on their present. But adding another potential year of tank-free misery on the back end of this just doesn’t make sense without getting into true championship contention now. Maybe the Suns can do that, but it’s no certainty even with Butler. And now, they’ve traded their 2031 pick without even sealing such a deal.
Utah Jazz: A
As is the case with most things related to roster-building around a billion draft picks, the blueprint for this trade was sketched by Sam Presti. The Thunder spent the first few years of their rebuild accumulating as much draft capital as possible, but once they started to win games and the outline of a successful, long-term roster presented itself, they shifted towards quality over quantity. At last year’s deadline, for instance, they gave the Mavericks a first-round pick that they would use to get Daniel Gafford in exchange for an unprotected first-round swap down the line.
Why? Because the Thunder had so many picks and young players already that, at a certain point, adding more just wasn’t all that valuable. What they wanted was upside. A late first-round pick in the near future did little for them. A swap might ultimately give them nothing. But it’s unprotected, and it’s far enough in the future (2028) that sheer randomness could make it extraordinarily valuable. They’ve taken several swings like that. The San Antonio Spurshave followed in their footsteps. They’ll miss on some of them. If this strategy yields even one premium draft pick down the line, it will have been a success. One top-five pick is worth a dozen picks in the late-20s.
The Jazz are the latest team to realize that. Really think about the picks that they’re giving up here. That 2025 pick they’re sending out is the least favorable of a set of teams that includes the Cavaliers, who are currently on pace to win 70 games. That pick is either going to be No. 29 or No. 30. The 2027 and 2029 picks are the least favorable between those same Cavaliers, still young and theoretically built to win for ages, the Timberwolves, who employ the 23-year-old Anthony Edwards, and the Jazz themselves, who surely plan to start winning sooner rather than later.
Sure, it’s possible that one or two of those teams crash and burn in the coming years. But all three? The odds of that are infinitesimal, and that’s what Phoenix (or whoever ends up with these picks) would need for them to land any higher than the 20s. These picks might have short-term value to a team hoping to add cheap depth or flip them for a helpful veteran, but they’re low upside assets.
The Jazz don’t need low upside assets. They’ve made six top-32 picks in the last two drafts. They still control most of Minnesota’s and Cleveland’s future draft capital along with a potentially valuable top-four protected Lakers pick in 2027. They, like the Thunder and Spurs, have the quantity part down. Now they’re moving towards quality, and as we’ve covered, that 2031 Suns pick is potentially as high quality as future picks get.
Danny Ainge once landed Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown by betting against a bad owner and a desperate organization. Now, it seems that he’s trying to do it again with Matt Ishbia and the Suns.
The Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz have completed a trade that involves swapping first-round picks, with the Suns moving up from No. 29 to No. 23 in the upcoming NBA draft.
This move by the Suns is seen as a strategic step towards potentially acquiring All-Star forward Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat. Butler has been rumored to be on the trade block, and the Suns are reportedly one of the teams interested in making a move for the talented veteran.
In exchange for moving up in the draft, the Suns have sent a future second-round pick to the Jazz. This trade allows Phoenix to potentially have a better selection position to entice the Heat in a potential trade for Butler.
Overall, this trade grades out as a solid move for the Suns, as they are positioning themselves to make a splash in the offseason by potentially acquiring a star player like Butler. The Jazz, on the other hand, may have sacrificed a higher draft pick for a future second-rounder, which may not have a significant impact on their roster moving forward.
Stay tuned for more updates on potential trades and moves as the NBA offseason continues to heat up.
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NBA trade grades, Suns, Jazz, first-round picks, Phoenix, Jimmy Butler, trade deals, NBA trades, NBA trade rumors, basketball trades, NBA offseason, NBA news
The Phoenix Suns on Tuesday traded their 2031 first-rounder to the Utah Jazz for three first-round picks, it was announced.
The trade triples the Suns’ allotted first-round draft capital as the franchise pursues upgrades to its roster — such as Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler. Butler, who requested a trade from the Heat earlier this month, has the Suns among his preferred trade destinations, sources said.
The Suns acquired the least favorable first-round picks in 2025 of the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Minnesota Timberwolves or the Jazz (protected); in 2027 of Cleveland, Minnesota or Utah; and in 2029 of Cleveland, Minnesota (protected) or Utah.
The aggressive approach by the Suns unlocks their next six drafts and breaks up their lone tradable first-round pick in 2031 into three firsts. For 2025, the Suns are likely to have Cleveland’s first-round pick. The Cavaliers entered Tuesday with the best record in the NBA.
The Jazz consolidated their first-round picks acquired in the Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell trades from 2022. Including the 2031 unprotected first from Phoenix, Utah will have 11 first-round picks in the next seven years.
The Phoenix Suns have made a major move in the offseason by acquiring three first-round draft picks in a trade with the Utah Jazz.
The Suns traded away some key players in exchange for the draft picks, showing their commitment to building for the future. This trade signals a shift in the team’s strategy and a focus on developing young talent.
Fans are excited to see what the Suns will do with these draft picks and how they will continue to build a competitive team. Stay tuned for more updates on the Suns’ offseason moves and their plans for the upcoming season.
NBA draft analyst and writer Joined ESPN.com in July 2017 Founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service used by NBA, NCAA and international teams
NBA draft analyst and writer Joined ESPN.com in 2023 Covered the NBA and NBA draft for Sports Illustrated from 2015-2023
Jan 9, 2025, 07:20 AM ET
Two months into the 2024-25 men’s college basketball season, we’re starting to see which of the top players and projected 2025 NBA draft picks are making their marks with NCAA tournament contenders that are entering the conference portions of their schedules.
ESPN draft analysts Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo have gotten good looks at the top NBA prospects in a deep and talented draft class. Duke’s Cooper Flagg, Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe, and Rutgers duo Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey have shown why they are expected to be top players in June’s draft.
And with the NBA regular season nearing its halfway point, we’re also getting a clearer picture of which teams have the best shot at the No. 1 pick and which ones could be selecting multiple times in the first round (we see you San Antonio, Oklahoma City and Brooklyn).
The first-round order was generated by ESPN’s BPI forecast, which predicts how well all 30 teams will perform during the rest of the season. All stats and the draft order, as updated through Wednesday morning, reflects picks owed and owned via trades.
With the 2025 NBA Draft just around the corner, basketball fans are buzzing with excitement over the next wave of young talent set to enter the league. In this mock draft, we’ll take a look at 30 potential first-round picks, including some new names that have emerged as top prospects in recent years.
1. New York Knicks – Zion Johnson, Guard, Duke University
2. Houston Rockets – Jalen Smith, Forward, University of Michigan
3. Detroit Pistons – Caleb Brown, Guard, University of Kentucky
4. Oklahoma City Thunder – Xavier Garcia, Forward, University of Arizona
5. Orlando Magic – Elijah Washington, Center, UCLA
6. Cleveland Cavaliers – Tyrell Williams, Guard, Gonzaga University
7. Portland Trail Blazers – Isaiah Carter, Forward, University of North Carolina
8. Sacramento Kings – Jordan Lee, Guard, University of Kansas
9. Toronto Raptors – Marcus Hayes, Forward, Florida State University
10. New Orleans Pelicans – Devin Turner, Guard, University of Louisville
11. Charlotte Hornets – Mason Rodriguez, Forward, University of Texas
12. Atlanta Hawks – Jaden Thompson, Guard, Ohio State University
13. Minnesota Timberwolves – Aaron Nguyen, Forward, University of Wisconsin
14. Golden State Warriors – Malik Patel, Guard, University of Oregon
15. Memphis Grizzlies – Tyler Robinson, Forward, University of Iowa
16. Miami Heat – Joseph Lewis, Guard, University of Miami
17. Dallas Mavericks – Cameron Harris, Forward, University of Illinois
18. Indiana Pacers – Noah Martin, Guard, Purdue University
19. Boston Celtics – Kyle Jackson, Forward, Boston College
20. Philadelphia 76ers – Elijah Brown, Guard, Villanova University
21. Denver Nuggets – Aiden Thompson, Forward, University of Colorado
22. Brooklyn Nets – Jamal Wright, Guard, St. John’s University
23. Utah Jazz – Dylan Young, Forward, University of Utah
24. Phoenix Suns – Isaiah Robinson, Guard, Arizona State University
25. Chicago Bulls – Jordan Scott, Forward, DePaul University
26. Milwaukee Bucks – Nathan White, Guard, Marquette University
27. Los Angeles Lakers – Michael Johnson, Forward, University of Southern California
28. Los Angeles Clippers – Elijah Hernandez, Guard, UCLA
29. San Antonio Spurs – Marcus Green, Forward, University of Texas at San Antonio
30. Houston Rockets – Tyler Davis, Guard, University of Houston
This draft class is shaping up to be one of the most talented and diverse in recent memory, with a mix of guards, forwards, and centers ready to make an impact at the next level. Keep an eye on these names as they continue to develop and showcase their skills on the court.
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As the NFL draft approaches, experts are weighing in on who they believe will be selected with each first-round pick. Here are some of the top predictions from analysts:
1. Jacksonville Jaguars – Trevor Lawrence, QB (Clemson)
2. New York Jets – Zach Wilson, QB (BYU)
3. San Francisco 49ers – Mac Jones, QB (Alabama)
4. Atlanta Falcons – Kyle Pitts, TE (Florida)
5. Cincinnati Bengals – Penei Sewell, OT (Oregon)
6. Miami Dolphins – Ja’Marr Chase, WR (LSU)
7. Detroit Lions – Jaylen Waddle, WR (Alabama)
8. Carolina Panthers – Rashawn Slater, OT (Northwestern)
9. Denver Broncos – Justin Fields, QB (Ohio State)
10. Dallas Cowboys – Patrick Surtain II, CB (Alabama)
11. New York Giants – DeVonta Smith, WR (Alabama)
12. Philadelphia Eagles – Jaycee Horn, CB (South Carolina)
13. Los Angeles Chargers – Christian Darrisaw, OT (Virginia Tech)
14. Minnesota Vikings – Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL (USC)
15. New England Patriots – Micah Parsons, LB (Penn State)
16. Arizona Cardinals – Caleb Farley, CB (Virginia Tech)
17. Las Vegas Raiders – Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB (Notre Dame)
18. Miami Dolphins – Najee Harris, RB (Alabama)
19. Washington Football Team – Jaelan Phillips, DE (Miami)
20. Chicago Bears – Teven Jenkins, OT (Oklahoma State)
21. Indianapolis Colts – Kwity Paye, DE (Michigan)
22. Tennessee Titans – Greg Newsome II, CB (Northwestern)
23. New York Jets – Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL (USC)
24. Pittsburgh Steelers – Travis Etienne, RB (Clemson)
25. Jacksonville Jaguars – Trevon Moehrig, S (TCU)
26. Cleveland Browns – Zaven Collins, LB (Tulsa)
27. Baltimore Ravens – Terrace Marshall Jr., WR (LSU)
28. New Orleans Saints – Kadarius Toney, WR (Florida)
29. Green Bay Packers – Asante Samuel Jr., CB (Florida State)
30. Buffalo Bills – Gregory Rousseau, DE (Miami)
31. Kansas City Chiefs – Jamin Davis, LB (Kentucky)
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jayson Oweh, DE (Penn State)
These predictions are subject to change based on team needs, trades, and other factors leading up to draft day. Stay tuned for the official selections on April 29th!
The bulk of non-conference college basketball action is behind us and while many teams haven’t started to play their conference opponents for the year, some players have separated themselves from their competition.
With that in mind, CBS Sports’ Kyle Boone has overhauled his latest mock draft, revealing which 30 players he believes will hear their names called on night one based on their early-season performances.
Despite the top of the field’s best efforts this early season, Duke forward Cooper Flagg has remained atop the 2025 NBA Draft rankings as the consensus top pick since before the season began. It doesn’t appear to be changing anytime soon as his Duke team is currently ranked No. 4 in the latest AP Poll with the potential to make a deep run this season.
Flagg has been the engine for the Blue Devils this season, leading the team in points (16.3), rebounds (8.6), assists (3.5) and blocks (1.2) per game. He also averages a team-high 30.8 minutes per game and is second on the team in steals (1.5 per game).
Dylan Harper teaming up with Ace Bailey at Rutgers this season intrigued many around the college basketball world. While the Scarlet Knights sit at 7-5 overall, it hasn’t been for a lack of scoring on their parts — particularly Harper.
Harper averages 23.3 points per game (fourth best in the country) — but does so on a 51.9 percent clip. He also does his part elsewhere on the court, logging 4.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game as well.
Egor Demin came to play for BYU‘s first-year head coach Kevin Young from Russia, and figures to be a top NBA Draft prospect this season.
During his first six games of the season, he played as well as anyone in the country averaging 15.3 points per game while leading the Cougars to a 5-1 record over that time. Their lone loss came to Ole Miss in overtime. However, he hasn’t played since Dec. 3 after suffering a knee contusion against Providence.
Ace Bailey hasn’t let Dylan Harper have all the fun this season. His 17.6 points per game and team-high 7.6 rebounds make him a threat from anywhere on the court.
At 6 foot 10, he’s not afraid to take a 3-point shot attempt or shoot in volumes. He’s taken at least three 3-point attempts in eight of his 10 appearances so far this season and has never taken under 10 shots per game in 2024.
A 6 foot 6 native of Lithuania, Illinois‘ Kasparas Jakucionis was a four-star recruit coming out of high school but has more than impressed so far this season. So far this season he’s averaging 16.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.5 points as a true freshman.
He’s turned on the jets since Thanksgiving, scoring 20 or more points in every matchup for the Fighting Illini over that stretch. Jakucionis put up 22 points against No. 1 Tennessee on Dec. 14 after scoring his career-high (24) the last time out against No. 20 Wisconsin. Turnovers have also been an issue for the budding star.
VJ Edgecombe was a Five-Star Plus+ recruit in the 2024 recruiting class and the No. 1 shooting guard overall, according to the On3 Industry Rankings. Committing to play for Scott Drew and the Baylor Bears for his freshman season, he’s showcased his skills on the big stage more than once already this year.
While he averaged 11.9 points per game, he’s scored as many as 20 points per game this season (vs. Tennessee on Nov. 22). Edgecombe also averages 5.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game this year.
Nolan Traore opted to stay in France over playing for major college basketball programs such as Duke, Arkansas, Gonzaga and Alabama, stating that it was the “best situation” for his career.
To this point, he’s played all 13 games for Saint-Quentin Basketball this season, averaging 10.5 points and 4.9 assists for his team across 21.2 minutes per game. What he will be able to do with extended minutes at the NBA level remains to be seen.
Dink Pate became the youngest player to ever turn pro after forgoing his senior season in high school and signing with the G League Ignite in 2023. Now on the NBA-affiliated Mexico City Capitanes, he’s averaging 10.7 points and 3.9 points this season.
Pate attempted to enter the 2024 NBA Draft but was denied due to age restrictions. Now, he’s expected to be a lottery pick one year later.
Boogie Fland is John Calipari’s next NBA-ready point guard. The energetic true freshman guard averages 15.3 points, 6.2 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game for Arkansas so far this season. He’s been held to under single digits just twice in 12 appearances this season.
Fland was the No. 1 overall point guard in the 2024 class, per the On3 Industry Rankings. He was a part of the 2022 USA Basketball U17 National Team, and he helped lead Team USA to a gold medal with them that year.
Duke’s freshman class is unrivaled based on the fact that two of those players, in this mock draft, are expected to be top-10 picks. Cooper Flagg’s partner in crime, Kon Knueppel has become a fan favorite in Durham for his hustle and swagger on the court.
The Milwaukee native is averaging 12.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game for the Blue Devils this season.
As we head into the heart of conference play in the 2025 college basketball season, CBS Sports has released a new first-round mock draft for the upcoming NBA Draft. The mock draft features some big changes and surprises, shaking up the projected order of top prospects.
One of the most notable changes in the mock draft is the rise of a previously underrated prospect who has been making a big impact in conference play. This player has impressed scouts with their versatility, scoring ability, and defensive prowess, leading to a significant jump in their draft stock.
On the other hand, some highly-touted prospects have seen their stock fall due to inconsistent play or underwhelming performances against top competition. This has opened the door for other players to move up in the draft rankings and potentially secure a higher selection come draft night.
With plenty of basketball still to be played before the NBA Draft, it will be interesting to see how these prospects continue to perform and whether any more surprises are in store. Stay tuned to CBS Sports for all the latest updates and analysis on the 2025 NBA Draft as the college basketball season unfolds.
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