Entering this season with much hope, the wheels completely fell off for the Toronto Raptors right off the bat after losing 12 of their first 14 games. At that moment, it quickly became apparent that it would probably be in the best interest of the Raptors to not only focus on the development of their younger players but also embrace a tanking mentality. Whether it was intentional or not, the Raptors have done a pretty good job of showing promise through the development of their young core while also tanking. The questions about RJ Barrett’s future aside, it’s pretty safe to say the Raptors have an offseason of opportunity in front of them this summer.
Projected to enter the 2025 NBA Draft with a top-five pick, the Raptors are going to have the opportunity to add another foundational piece. As we inch closer and closer toward the end of the season, we take a closer look at what the Raptors (and the rest of the NBA) can expect during the offseason with a mock draft focusing on the lottery.
1. Washington Wizards - Cooper Flagg, F, Duke
With roughly a quarter of the season remaining, it would be surprising if the Washington Wizards didn’t emerge as a team with one of the three best odds to earn a top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. In essence, the Wizards have done everything to put themselves in the best position to land Cooper Flagg, who will almost certainly be the top choice of any team selecting in this year’s draft.
Cooper may not have the “wow” highlights that other Duke products have had in recent memory, but I’d say that he’s one of the most complete draft prospects (Victor Wembanyama aside) that we’ve seen in a very long time. If the Wizards land the No. 1 pick, Cooper will certainly change the outlook for this franchise.
2. Charlotte Hornets - Dylan Harper, G, Rutgers
If the recent whispers are any indication, there’s at least an outside chance that the Charlotte Hornets will enter the offseason with the possibility of trading LaMelo Ball. If that is a realistic scenario that is on the table, it could make sense for the Hornets to take a big gamble on a prospect like Dylan Harper with the No. 2 overall pick. A player who is going to demand the ball as an offensive-minded guard, Harper could give this team the breath of fresh air they may need if they’re looking to move on from Ball.
Even though Rutgers has left much to be desired as a team so far this season, Harper has been every bit as good as advertised. With the potential to be a franchise-changing prospect, Harper could all of a sudden be back on the table as an option for Charlotte - especially with the uncertainty in Ball’s future.
3. Utah Jazz - Ace Bailey, F, Rutgers
The fact that the Utah Jazz have been rebuilding for three years and still haven’t acquired a blue-chip young prospect is not a good sign for their future. Nevertheless, the Jazz could change that if they manage to land a top-3 pick in this year’s draft. I’m sure how the dynamics of Ace Bailey and Lauri Markkanen would work as a tandem, but if you’re the Jazz, you can’t afford to punt or pass on this level of talent.
There are still questions about his long-term potential as a true No. 1 at the next level, but Bailey does translate as the type of talent that could completely alter a team’s immediate future. There is a scenario that plays out in which Bailey and Markkanen emerge as a lethan duo next season.
4. New Orleans Pelicans - Kasparas Jakucionis, G, Illinois
As the New Orleans Pelicans head into somewhat of an unknown future, landing a top-5 pick in the loaded 2025 NBA Draft could go a long way in helping this team establish a new foundation in the post-Brandon Ingram years. Who knows what the plan is for Zion Williamson moving forward, but one prospect the Pelicans could target at No. 4 who would fit in with the team either way is Kasparas Jakucionis.
As a big guard with a ton of promise as a legitimate lead guard, Jakucionis could be exactly what New Orleans needs to solidify the playmaking ability in the backcourt heading into next season. If Jakucionis does reach his peak as a pro, he could offer the team a long-term answer in the backcourt next to Dejounte Murray (if the team does want to keep him around).
5. Toronto Raptors - Khaman Maluach, C, Duke
After making the move for Brandon Ingram ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline, the argument could be made that the Toronto Raptors will be looking to make the jump to a more win-now approach during the offseason. But with the No. 5 pick in a strong draft, I do believe the Raptors could find some value in taking a risk on a high-ceiling player here. Khaman Maluach emerges both as a team fit and a player who could just be scratching the surface of his long-term potential.
For what the Raptors are looking to build heading into the future, Maluach could be worth the gamble. If Toronto truly believes and trusts in their developmental system, Maluach should be in consideration as a long-term answer at the center position. Maluach fits exactly what teams are going to be looking for at the center position in the modern game. With so much untapped potential, Maluach could be too promising to pass up for the Raptors.
6. Brooklyn Nets - VJ Edgecombe, G, Baylor
Now that the Brooklyn Nets have almost entirely torn down their roster, they will be looking to take a potential foundational piece for the future with their projected top-10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. With the way the board has fallen, VJ Edgecombe would be an excellent addition to the Nets as they start this new build. Even though he’s probably considered a second or third-tiered prospect in this draft class, Edgecombe does have much promise as a secondary offensive player at the next level. In many respects, that could be considered his floor as a prospect.
During his freshman season at Baylor, Edgecombe has been pretty efficient all year long. Averaging 15 points, five rebounds, and three assists per game on good shooting percentages, Edgecombe could be the first big piece of the Nets’ next rebuild.
7. Oklahoma City Thunder (via PHI) - Tre Johnson, G, Texas
With the way the standings sit, the Philadelphia 76ers would lose their No. 7 overall pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder. This draft pick is top-6 protected and would need to finish there to remain with Philadelphia. If the Thunder do get this pick, though, Texas standout guard Tre Johnson could just be sitting right there for them to take full advantage of. It’d be the old adage of the rich getting richer.
Johnson is far from a complete prospect, especially on the defensive end of the floor, but he’s an absolute menace offensively. The Thunder could draft Johnson to be an offensive microwave off the bench and unfairly add another huge piece to their bench during the offseason. This is one of those selections that could end up being a real steal late in the top 10.
8. Chicago Bulls - Asa Newell, F, Georgia
The more I ponder on what to expect from the Chicago Bulls heading into the 2025 NBA Draft, the more I feel that this is the spot where we can see the first big reach of the first round. While there may be some that disagree, I do believe that Asa Newell would be a pretty big risk as a selection in the top 10. Newell is a great talent, but he is going to take a year or two (at the very least) to blossom into a player who could potentially reach his ceiling.
I do believe the draw of Newell’s high-end potential, especially for a franchise that is desperately looking for a talent infusion, may be too much to resist. The Bulls do need to inject excitement back into the franchise. I’m not sure how smart this move would end up being in the long run, but I could see the fan base’s interest being piqued by this bold of a move.
9. San Antonio Spurs - Egor Demin, G/F, BYU
The San Antonio Spurs are likely going to have two lottery picks in this year's NBA Draft. You'd have to imagine that finding two potential cornerstone rotation pieces to add to De'Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama will be the priority for the team in this first round. One versatile playmaker who could pique the interest of the Spurs is BYU product Egor Demin. While there are questions about what position he'll end up playing at the next level, that's something the Spurs can worry about after he's in the building.
Demin offers a unique mix of size, playmaking, and a natural offensive ability to find all the right spots. If he can prove to be a much more consistent 3-point shooter, the hype train surrounding Demin is only going to rise between now and the NBA Draft. He could be an intriguing addition to an emerging Spurs team.
10. Portland Trail Blazers - Noa Essengue, F, France
For the past six weeks, the Portland Trail Blazers have shown much overall progress and some real, tangible signs of promise. However, that's still not going to cover up what will likely end up being a pretty underwhelming season. With another lottery pick, the Blazers will look to continue to add to a young core that has made some strides but still may not have a certified star who has separated himself as the player to build around.
While the argument could be made about whether he possesses true star power, I believe Noa Essengue could be an intriguing option for Portland at No. 10. As a potential long-term replacement for Jerami Grant, Essengue could bring some added versatility on the wing and in the frontcourt for a Blazers team that is looking for additional foundational pieces.
11. Houston Rockets (via PHO) - Jeremiah Fears, G, Oklahoma
The upstart Houston Rockets have regressed to the mean over the last month of the season, but no matter what happens between now and the end of the year, it's going to be difficult for this fan base not to be encouraged about the future. Adding another quality prospect with the No. 11 overall pick in this NBA Draft could go a long way in helping this team take another step forward heading into next season.
One prospect that could make sense as a backcourt target is Jeremiah Fears. Even though his assist-to-turnover ratio is a bit concerning, the hope is that Fears can continue to develop as a better decision-maker with more experience. The flashes he's shown on the offensive end of the floor as a scorer could be worth the gamble for Houston.
12. San Antonio Spurs (via ATL) - Derik Queen, C, Maryland
If the San Antonio Spurs are serious about finding a fellow big to help create a truly overwhelming frontcourt duo alongside Victor Wembanyama, Derik Queen could be one prospect to target late in the lottery. Queen has been a big name in the draft world since high school, and with what he's showcased during his freshman season at Maryland, there's reason to believe a team like San Antonio could take a gamble on him in the lottery.
There are questions about Queen's overall defensive ability heading to the next level, but his natural instincts and versatile offensive game make him an intriguing big man prospect. Averaging 16 points and nine rebounds per game, Queen could make for a strong developmental prospect for the Spurs.
13. Dallas Mavericks - Kon Knueppel, G, Duke
It's been a season to forget for the Dallas Mavericks, and that's putting it lightly. Overall, there may not be a team in the league that has had it worse than the Mavs this year. Between the huge injuries to a couple of their star players and the front office going absolutely rogue by trading Luka Doncic, the future has never been more unstable than it is now for the franchise. That's why it may seem incredibly impossible to predict what the Mavs may end up doing with this pick.
One safe play Dallas could make with this selection is Kon Knueppel. While there are not many who believe Knueppel has much star potential as he prepares to make the leap to the NBA, he has been a big part of Duke's success this season. He manages to be in the right spots offensively and could make the argument for being one of the best 3-point shooters in this year's draft class.
14. Utah Jazz (via MINN) - Liam McNeely, F, UCONN
After selecting a high-ceiling prospect with their first selection in the first round, there could be another utility wing that could spark interest from the Utah Jazz here with the final pick in the lottery. Liam McNeely has been a strong standout freshman for UCONN this season, and despite some on-ball concerns, the hope is that he can emerge as a strong, versatile supporting wing player at the next level.
If the Jazz can emerge from this year's draft with a potential foundational piece in Ace Bailey and a cornerstone role player with McNeely, that will prove to be a huge win for this franchise. McNeely may never be the star player that some of the other names have the potential to be in this year's draft class, but in some ways, it wouldn't be surprising if he ended up being one of the more impactful players down the line.