2025 NBA Draft 101

Understanding the NBA Draft

The NBA Draft is an annual event where teams across the league select eligible players, primarily from the collegiate ranks and international leagues. The draft includes two rounds and follows a set order influenced by regular season standings and the NBA Draft Lottery for non-playoff teams. The draft is a critical piece of roster building and a key part of each franchise’s long-term planning strategy.

What Is the NBA Draft Lottery?

Implemented to discourage tanking, the NBA Draft Lottery determines the first four selections for teams that missed the playoffs. As of the current system, the three worst teams each have a 14% chance to land the No. 1 pick. The remaining picks are determined in inverse order of regular-season record. This mechanism ensures parity while maintaining suspense for fans and teams alike.

Key 2025 NBA Draft Dates

June 15: Early Entry Withdrawal Deadline (5 p.m. ET)

June 25: 2025 NBA Draft – Round 1 (8 p.m. ET, Barclays Center)

June 26: 2025 NBA Draft – Round 2 (8 p.m. ET, ESPN Seaport Studios)

NBA Draft Rounds Explained

Round 1 will take place at Barclays Center, home of the Brooklyn Nets. Round 2 will shift to ESPN’s studios in New York. This two-night structure allows for expanded coverage, more in-depth analysis, and increased exposure for draftees and teams alike.

How NBA Draft Picks Work

Each NBA franchise is allocated picks based on the finalized draft order. These picks are either retained or traded to acquire assets. Round 1 selections are guaranteed contracts, while Round 2 players often fight for roster spots or negotiate two-way deals. Tracking the draft order is essential for fans and bettors assessing team-building strategies.

2025 NBA Draft: First Round Order

 

1 Dallas Mavericks

2 San Antonio Spurs

3 Philadelphia 76ers

4 Charlotte Hornets

5 Utah Jazz

6 Washington Wizards

7 New Orleans Pelicans

8 Brooklyn Nets

9 Toronto Raptors

10 Houston Rockets (from Phoenix via Brooklyn)

11 Portland Trail Blazers

12 Chicago Bulls

13 Atlanta Hawks (from Sacramento)

14 San Antonio Spurs (from Atlanta)

15 Oklahoma City Thunder (from Miami via LA Clippers)

16 Orlando Magic

17 Minnesota Timberwolves (from Detroit via New York, OKC, Houston)

18 Washington Wizards (from Memphis)

19 Brooklyn Nets (from Milwaukee via New York, Detroit, Portland, NOLA)

20 Miami Heat (from Golden State)

21 Utah Jazz (from Minnesota)

22 Atlanta Hawks (from Lakers via New Orleans)

23 Indiana Pacers

24 Oklahoma City Thunder (from LA Clippers)

25 Orlando Magic (from Denver)

26 Brooklyn Nets (from New York)

27 Brooklyn Nets (from Houston)

28 Boston Celtics

29 Phoenix Suns (from Cleveland via Utah)

30 LA Clippers (from Oklahoma City)

2025 NBA Draft Prospects Overview

The 2025 NBA Draft features a highly competitive pool of elite talent, including international stars and collegiate standouts. These prospects have dominated at the college and international levels and are projected to shape the league’s future. SportsGrid’s draft analysis highlights the top names you need to know ahead of June 25.

Cooper Flagg, Duke, F
Flagg enters the draft as the consensus top prospect. The Duke forward is known for his two-way dominance, elite athleticism, and advanced feel for the game.

Dylan Harper, Rutgers, G
Harper is a polished combo guard with elite court vision, shot-making ability, and defensive instincts. A dynamic playmaker with a strong basketball pedigree.

Ace Bailey, Rutgers, G
One of the most explosive guards in the class, Bailey combines high-end scoring potential with length and speed in transition.

VJ Edgecombe, Baylor, G
Edgecombe is a high-energy slasher and perimeter defender. He offers upside as a shot creator and two-way guard in the modern NBA.

Tre Johnson, Texas, G
Johnson boasts one of the best offensive arsenals in the draft. The Texas guard is a smooth shooter with pro-ready mechanics and excellent body control.

Khaman Maluach, Duke, C
A true rim protector, Maluach is an elite shot-blocker with mobility and raw tools that NBA teams covet in young big men.

Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma, G
Fears is a highly skilled floor general with strong decision-making and shooting touch. He excels in pick-and-roll play and situational control.

Kon Knueppel, Duke, G
Knueppel is a sharpshooting guard with a high basketball IQ and excellent spacing value. His off-ball game makes him a plug-and-play rotation piece.

Noa Essengue, France, F
Essengue brings international polish with a modern stretch-four profile. His versatility and length make him a key riser in this draft cycle.

Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois, G
A European-born guard playing for Illinois, Jakucionis is a strong distributor with a feel for tempo and an efficient offensive profile.

2025 NBA Draft No. 1 Pick – Cooper Flagg Watch

All signs point to Cooper Flagg as the undisputed No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. His odds at -100000 reflect near-universal consensus among scouts, bookmakers, and front offices. SportsGrid offers comprehensive coverage of Flagg's pre-draft journey, including film analysis, draft interviews, and betting market insights. From his dominant freshman season at Duke to his workouts with NBA teams, our experts break down what makes Flagg the crown jewel of this year's class. Stay with SportsGrid for real-time updates and expert predictions on NBA Draft night.

NBA Mock Drafts and What They Offer

Mock drafts simulate the actual selection process and serve as a valuable tool for fans and bettors. Analysts factor in team needs, player metrics, insider reports, and draft trends to project each pick. SportsGrid experts update mock drafts throughout the season with betting implications tied to draft positions.

NBA Draft Betting

Legal sportsbooks offer NBA Draft betting markets, including:

First overall pick

Over/under draft position for top players

Team-specific player props

Head-to-head draft matchups

SportsGrid’s NBA Draft Betting Coverage

SportsGrid delivers real-time betting insights throughout the NBA Draft cycle. From early-entry decisions to draft night props, our analysts provide sharp breakdowns, expert picks, and data-backed projections across SportsGrid.com, our TV network, and the SportsGrid app. Whether you're targeting the top of the board or hidden value in the second round, SportsGrid helps bettors navigate the draft with confidence.

SportsGrid’s NBA Draft Betting Expertise

At SportsGrid, our NBA Draft betting coverage is powered by a team of former oddsmakers, NBA analysts, and betting market experts. We break down player performance metrics, combine insights, and draft trends to help bettors capitalize on key markets—from top-pick odds to team-specific draft prop bets. With 24/7 coverage and updated market analysis, SportsGrid is your trusted source for smarter NBA Draft wagering.

Where to Find the Best NBA Draft Bets

Whether you’re looking to bet on the No. 1 overall pick, a player’s draft position, or which team will select a specific prospect, SportsGrid delivers the sharpest NBA Draft betting content. Our platforms—SportsGrid TV, SportsGrid.com, and our daily newsletter—feature expert picks, line movement alerts, and draft-specific value plays you won’t find anywhere else.

Smart Betting Starts with SportsGrid’s Draft Analysis

SportsGrid’s NBA Draft coverage is built on deep statistical scouting, historical trends, and predictive modeling. Our analysts publish detailed player profiles, mock draft analysis, and prop bet breakdowns leading up to draft night. We aim to equip bettors with the context and confidence needed to wager responsibly and successfully on NBA Draft markets.

NBA Draft Wagering Opportunities

Betting on the NBA Draft opens a unique set of markets, including:

Over/Under draft positions

Team-to-draft-player matchups

Player-vs-player head-to-head props

Position of the first player taken by a team

SportsGrid breaks down each of these options using up-to-date mock drafts, insider buzz, and betting market movement—helping you spot value before lines shift.

Live Coverage on SportsGrid TV

Follow the NBA Draft live with expert commentary and betting reaction on SportsGrid TV. Our coverage includes real-time insights into every pick, plus how each selection impacts futures markets and rookie performance projections. From the first pick to the last, we keep bettors informed with edge-driven analysis.

Expert-Backed 2025 NBA Draft Coverage
This NBA Draft 2025 content is curated and reviewed by SportsGrid’s basketball betting team—featuring analysts with scouting backgrounds, draft modelers, and industry insiders. Every pick, prop, and prediction is backed by real-time data, historical draft trends, and sportsbook movement to help bettors stay sharp and informed ahead of one of the most wagered-on nights of the offseason.