Consensus NBA Mock Draft: Raptors take Maluach at No. 9

This NBA season has been stuffed to the brim with “What the hell is going on?!” moments, from the Luka Doncic industry to the sheer selection of comebacks we have observed thru two rounds of the NBA playoffs.

It simplest is sensible that the draft lottery would practice swimsuit.

In a stunning flip of occasions, the 39-win Dallas Mavericks climbed 10 spots to protected the No. 1 decide within the 2025 Draft and the privilege to draft generational skill Cooper Flagg, throwing the NBA global for a loop within the procedure.

While we have simplest had a pair days to procedure the surprise and awe of the lottery, the point of interest now turns to how the newly outlined order if truth be told shakes out come June.

Though the tip two gamers appear set in stone, with Flagg and Dylan Harper as the most efficient gamers, coming to a consensus settlement on the remainder of this can be a tall job. So to best possible get an concept of who is going the place in an intriguing elegance, we put in combination a consensus mock draft, aggregating effects from across the internet.

Players will probably be assigned to specific groups in line with the place mocks maximum frequently put them. Though rumours have swirled surrounding attainable trades into the top-three choices, we received’t come with any presumptive strikes and will probably be sticking with the draft order because it used to be laid out on Wednesday. 

1. Dallas Mavericks — Cooper Flagg, F, Duke
Highest score: 1, Lowest score: 1

Who wanted Luka Doncic in any case? Mavericks fanatics who had been another way looked at after the lovely mid-season industry have a brand new reason why to fasten again in, as they get an opportunity to observe probably the most best possible two-way possibilities in fresh reminiscence become the franchise’s subsequent famous person. Playing along established stars like Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, as soon as he returns from harm, will give Flagg a transparent trail to aggressive playoff basketball from the bounce. The Mavericks’ defence-first id simply were given taken to any other degree.

2. San Antonio Spurs — Dylan Harper, G, Rutgers
Highest score: 2, Lowest score: 2

With De’Aaron Fox and reigning rookie of the 12 months Stephon Castle working their backcourt already, the Spurs might use this decide as a industry asset to procure any other megastar (Giannis, in all probability?). But if now not, they are locking in probably the most best possible combo-guard possibilities lately in Harper, who carried Rutgers with 19.4 issues, 4.6 rebounds and 4 assists in keeping with recreation in his lone collegiate season.

3. Philadelphia 76ers — Ace Bailey, F, Rutgers
Highest score: 3, Lowest score: 4

Like the 2 groups above, the 76ers are already established and primed to contend for the playoffs, barring accidents (large asterisk right here), that means it would not be too stunning to look them transfer this decide. We have them taking Bailey right here, who used to be probably the most best possible shot-makers in school hoops this 12 months, showcasing an affinity for flattening tricky mid-range buckets, but it surely used to be one thing of a double-edged sword as his shot vitamin left so much to be desired. On a workforce with the primary, moment and 3rd choices already established, it could be attention-grabbing to look how the perennial No. 1 Bailey adjusts.

4. Charlotte Hornets — V.J. Edgecombe, G, Baylor
Highest score: 3, Lowest score: 4

Perhaps the most efficient point-of-attack defender on this elegance — or no less than probably the most athletic — Edgecombe may give the Hornets an edge on that finish they have got been sorely missing. On the opposite finish, his skill to run the ground and soar off the display in transition will give LaMelo Ball a wanted outlet. Though he is nonetheless an unfinished product on offence, the uncooked talents are a ways too tantalizing. In the half-court, he must nonetheless paintings neatly as a catch-and-shoot perimeter participant and cutter to offer the Hornets any other measurement as they appear to in any case emerge from their rebuild.

5. Utah Jazz — Jeremiah Fears, G, Oklahoma
Highest score: 5, Lowest score: 8

The Jazz are in a difficult spot after lacking out at the height 4 of this draft, as maximum imagine the above gamers to be in a unique tier than the remainder of this elegance. But Fears is not any slouch, because the Sooners sparkplug guided Oklahoma to the match along with his electrical mix of pace and talent in spite of becoming a member of the NCAA ranks as an early dedicate. Though they already roster a participant in Keyonte George who suits a identical profile, the upside on Fears is difficult to appear previous for a workforce just like the Jazz, who shouldn’t have the luxurious of drafting for are compatible over skill.

6. Washington Wizards — Tre Johnson, G, Texas
Highest score: 5, Lowest score: 8

You can not lend a hand however really feel for the Wizards right here. After successful simplest 18 video games this season, success wasn’t in Washington’s favour. They’ll nonetheless get an opportunity to shore up one in all their large holes, alternatively, as Johnson profiles as the tip shooter on this elegance, flattening 39.7 in keeping with cent of three-point appears to be like and scoring 19.9 in keeping with recreation in his lone 12 months at Texas. The Wizards simplest shot 33.5 in keeping with cent from deep ultimate season, the second-worst mark within the league, and Johnson’s talents off the leap and at the transfer must be an enormous spice up to a determined workforce.

7. New Orleans Pelicans — Kon Knueppel, G, Duke
Highest score: 5, Lowest score: 10

Demolished by means of accidents ultimate season, the Pelicans nonetheless seem like a workforce that might do a little injury within the West, in particular if Zion Williamson continues to play on the degree he did in stints this 12 months. New Orleans has completed neatly drafting tricky, 3-and-D gamers like Trey Murphy, Herb Jones and Jordan Hawkins, but when this 12 months used to be any indication, you’ll be able to by no means have too lots of the ones guys. Knueppel used to be nice at Duke, flattening 40.6 in keeping with cent of his appears to be like, and whilst he isn’t probably the most athletic defender, he does neatly in a team-defence surroundings.

8. Brooklyn Nets — Derik Queen, C, Maryland
Highest score: 6, Lowest score: 12

Like the Wizards and Jazz, the Nets shouldn’t have the luxurious of settling on for are compatible — best possible participant to be had must be their simplest plan of action. Though he hasn’t regarded nice on the mix thus far, Queen’s talent set is one that does not essentially translate to the athletic drills you notice at the yearly scouting exhibit. Rather, Queen is a contemporary large within the mold of an Alperen Sengun or Nikola Jokic, showcasing sturdy court docket imaginative and prescient and guard-like talents to arrange his workforce’s offence from the tip of the important thing with playmaking and a cushy contact.

9. Toronto Raptors — Khaman Maluach, C, Duke
Highest score: 6, Lowest score: 14

With their beginning 5 reputedly stuffed out, the Raptors will probably be taking a look to improve their intensity after falling to 9th. Maluach, along with his duration and bodily upside, is the kind of participant this entrance place of work has preferred to wager on, and with Jakob Poeltl nearing loose company, the large South Sudanese large may become the centre of the longer term. If he can increase his offensive recreation previous simply changing into a play-finisher — he is been running on his three-point jumper of overdue — the Raptors, in spite of falling, may nonetheless stroll out of the draft with an enormous win.

10. Houston Rockets (from Suns) — Carter Bryant, F, Arizona
Highest score: 10, Lowest score: 16

The Rockets climbed to the second one seed in a crowded West in large part at the again in their athletic and punishing defence, and Bryant would simplest upload to that playstyle. Though his numbers may now not bounce off the web page after averaging simplest 6.5 issues, 4.1 rebounds and 1.9 steals + blocks in his lone 12 months at Arizona, his just about seven-foot wingspan and three-point upside are objectively interesting to a Rockets workforce that likes to hound offences each off and on the ball.

11. Portland Trail Blazers — Kasparas Jakucionis, G, Illinois
Highest score: 9, Lowest score: 12

Despite the usage of excessive choices on Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson in fresh drafts, the Blazers are nonetheless taking a look to cement their backcourt of the longer term. In Jakucionis, Portland will get a big-bodied guard who appears to be like extra relaxed as a lead ball-handler than the above two, and if he can in finding higher consistency along with his three-ball, the inventive playmaker may around out the Blazers’ intriguing younger core.

12. Chicago Bulls — Jase Richardson, G, Michigan State
Highest score: 12, Lowest score: 21

In Josh Giddey, the Bulls locked within the participant set to run the offence for future years. What they want now are ancillary items that may benefit from his sturdy playmaking. Richardson took off with the Spartans after being inserted into the beginning lineup halfway throughout the 12 months, showcasing an affinity for scoring off and on the ball with forged pick-and-roll IQ and a deadly catch-and-shoot skill.

13. Atlanta Hawks (from Kings) — Collin Murray-Boyles, F, South Carolina
Highest score: 7, Lowest score: 17

Though most commonly lining up as an enormous with the Gamecocks, Murray-Boyles’ six-foot-seven body may not translate to a conventional centre position within the NBA. But just like one in all Atlanta’s present bigs in Onyeka Okongwu, Murray-Boyles’ versatility and intelligence are what make him stand out. The Hawks have completed neatly including defence lately, and it simplest is sensible they proceed down that street. CMB could also be a robust pick-and-roll participant, which must pair neatly with Trae Young.

14. San Antonio Spurs (from Hawks) — Noa Essengue, F, Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)
Highest score: 9, Lowest score: 30

Though nonetheless extraordinarily uncooked, Essengue has began to seek out his shape, mixing his elite athleticism with an intriguing deal with for somebody his dimension. The Spurs have this kind of runway with Victor Wembanyama that lets them take dangers like those, and with a necessity for dimension coming off the bench, making a bet on any other Frenchman like Essengue may make sense.

15. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Heat) — Danny Wolf, C, Michigan
Highest score: 14, Lowest score: 28

The first upperclassman on this draft, Wolf had a standout junior 12 months for the Wolverines, faring extremely neatly of their touted two-big lineups along Vlad Goldin. The Thunder would line him up similarly beside Chet Holmgren or Isaiah Hartenstein, and he has the creativity and flexibility with the ball in his fingers that the Thunder have prioritized lately.

16. Orlando Magic — Nolan Traoré, G, Saint-Quentin (France)
Highest score: 11, Lowest score: N/A

After a shaky begin to the 12 months, Traore has taken off with Saint-Quentin and turns out to have discovered consistency along with his three-ball, hitting above 40 in keeping with cent in six of his ultimate seven outings. The Magic had been the worst three-point taking pictures workforce within the league ultimate 12 months, and whilst Traore is not a knockdown taking pictures prospect, he fills a dire want at guard with the workforce’s lack of ability to even arrange a right kind offence robotically.

17. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Pistons) — Nique Clifford, G, Colorado State
Highest score: 13, Lowest score: 23

Clifford is a hound, and an skilled one at that, having simply completed his 5th collegiate season. The wing provides somewhat little bit of the entirety to a Timberwolves workforce with out many holes. With Nickeil Alexander-Walker set to hit unrestricted loose company, Minnesota may use any other participant of that archetype to position in some tricky, decided mins off the bench, offering sturdy contributions on all sides of the ball.

18. Washington Wizards (from Grizzlies) — Egor Demin, G, BYU
Highest score: 10, Lowest score: 18

At occasions taking a look like a top-five participant on this elegance, Demin’s draft inventory has been slightly far and wide after his freshman season in Provo. However, status at six-foot-nine on the guard spot with an plain skill to set the desk and create photographs for himself and others, he suits the developmental timeline for a workforce just like the Wizards.

19. Brooklyn Nets (from Bucks) — Asa Newell, C, Georgia
Highest score: 12, Lowest score: 25

With their moment of 4 first-round choices this 12 months, the Nets may glance to double up on bigs, pairing the offensive creativity of Queen with the extra brute drive strengths and forceful rim-running of Newell. Though neither participant is a real seven-footer and so they each wish to paintings on their shot, their complementary strengths may give the Nets a ton of versatility within the frontcourt.

20. Miami Heat (from Warriors) — Ben Saraf, G, Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)
Highest score: 18, Lowest score: 29

Though he nonetheless has a large number of paintings to do on defence and along with his taking pictures, Saraf has been a gradual presence as Ulm’s lead guard, surroundings teammate and fellow draftee Noa Essengue up with some nice appears to be like within the pick-and-roll. The Heat are nonetheless searching for some degree guard to pair with Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, as Davion Mitchell profiles extra as a bench guard and the Terry Rozier experiment hasn’t labored.

21. Utah Jazz (from Timberwolves) — Liam McNeeley, F, UConn
Highest score: 14, Lowest score: 21

As UConn’s height recruit this season, McNeeley fell beneath expectancies, scoring 14.5 issues in keeping with recreation however doing so on deficient .529 true taking pictures. However, entrance workplaces are most probably keen to wager at the shooter’s upside from fluctuate on account of how natural his shape is and his sturdy 86.6 free-throw share. The Jazz shouldn’t have a participant in his mold who excels in catch-and-shoot appears to be like and strikes neatly off-ball, so it can be a sturdy are compatible as they appear to flesh out a depleted roster.

22. Atlanta Hawks (from Lakers) — Thomas Sorber, F, Georgetown
Highest score: 17, Lowest score: 28

Sticking with the Hawks’ plan for defensive versatility throughout their frontcourt, Sorber provides them any other large frame and keen rim protector with an absurd seven-foot-six wingspan. As the Hoyas’ major choice, Sorber advanced some sturdy court docket processing on each ends and may give them a flexible pick-and-roll spouse along Young.

23. Indiana Pacers — Joan Beringer, C, Cedevita Olimpjia (Slovenia)
Highest score: 19, Lowest score: N/A

Though they have got fared neatly within the playoffs thus far, the Pacers have a gaping hollow at backup centre, the place they have got needed to deploy forwards like Pascal Siakam and Obi Toppin in small-ball lineups to get by means of with out Myles Turner. Beringer each fills that want and inserts neatly right into a lineup that likes to push the tempo in transition with Tyrese Haliburton.

24. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Clippers) — Noah Penda, F, Le Mans (France)
Highest score: 19, Lowest score: N/A

Having targeted extra on guards of their ultimate two drafts with Nikola Topic and Cason Wallace, the Thunder may double up on frontcourt gamers right here after taking Wolf. Penda would give OKC a bodily edge that the majority in their intensity forwards do not lean into whilst nonetheless becoming into the flexible, switchy and inventive two-way participant they have got beloved lately.

25. Orlando Magic (from Nuggets) — Walter Clayton Jr., G, Florida
Highest score: 18, Lowest score: N/A

Sometimes you simply gotta take a winner. Clayton Jr. noticed his inventory skyrocket at the Gators’ name run, flattening tricky, grasp baskets time and time once more as the focus of Florida’s offence. After grabbing Traore with their first decide on this mock, the Magic may choose to take a larger, shoot-first wing like Will Riley, however the workforce’s want on the guard spot is simply too large to fail to remember, despite the fact that it method a slight redundancy.

26. Brooklyn Nets (from Knicks) — Will Riley, F, Illinois
Highest score: 16, Lowest score: N/A

Past Cam Thomas — who has his personal query marks — the Nets shouldn’t have gamers able to developing their very own shot, in particular at the wing. Despite having an up-and-down 12 months as an early dedicate, the Kitchener, Ont., local proved himself in the previous couple of video games of the season, netting 17 issues in keeping with recreation on 51.7 in keeping with cent from the sphere and 40 in keeping with cent from three-point fluctuate over the Fighting Illini’s ultimate 5 video games. He’s uncooked, however the scoring skill is there and the Nets don’t have anything however time.

27. Brooklyn Nets (from Rockets) — Rasheer Fleming, F, Saint Joseph’s
Highest score: 22, Lowest score: 30

With their moment decide right here, the Nets may take a look at a extra completed product at the wing in Fleming, whose large six-foot-nine body, sturdy taking pictures skill and big-play defensive flair venture neatly within the league. He’ll nonetheless wish to increase the extra psychological portions of the sport and iron out a few of his basics at the defensive aspect of the ball to keep away from being stuck dishonest for steals and blocks.

28. Boston Celtics — Labaron Philon, G, Alabama
Highest score: 26, Lowest score: N/A

Though now not precisely starved for skill, the Celtics may use a spice up to their intensity within the backcourt. He is probably not a microwave scorer, however Philon did somewhat little bit of the entirety for the Crimson Tide, running as a forged complementary combo guard to Mark Sears, and that kind of on-and-off-ball versatility must be one thing the Celtics covet after falling sufferer to three-point variance within the playoffs.

29. Phoenix Suns (from Cavaliers) — Yaxel Lendeborg, F, UAB
Highest score: 22, Lowest score: N/A

With their cash already working skinny, the Suns shouldn’t have too many choices to fill the multitude of holes on their roster. They want so much, however greater than the rest, they want dimension, as a rotation of Nick Richards and Mason Plumlee merely may not reduce it. Lendeborg had a really perfect sophomore season with the Blazers, averaging 17.7 issues and a conference-leading 11.4 forums. He’s a really perfect innings-eater on the very least.

30. Los Angeles Clippers (from Thunder) — Adou Thiero, F, Arkansas
Highest score: 30, Lowest score: N/A

Thiero broke out in his 3rd collegiate season beneath John Calipari. The former Kentucky Wildcat averaged 15.1 issues, 5.8 rebounds and 2.3 shares as a high-effort, high-athleticism wing. The uncooked skill is there, it is only a subject of honing it in and discovering some consistency on his jumper. But uncooked, leap-off-the-page skill is what the Clippers might be searching for, because the established contender hopes to increase their championship window.