There were no surprises at the top of ESPN’s latest 2025 NBA Mock Draft, with the two names everyone expected leading the way.
Cooper Flagg, widely regarded as the clear-cut No. 1 prospect, went first overall. He was followed closely by Dylan Harper, solidifying the long-standing projections that these two would headline the class.
However, the predictability ended quickly.
At No. 3, the Philadelphia 76ers selected V.J. Edgecombe, a rising star with elite athleticism and defensive upside.
Then came a mild surprise: Kon Knueppel went fourth to the Charlotte Hornets, a pick that raised some eyebrows given the other high-profile talent still available.
The Utah Jazz held firm with the fifth pick, opting to draft Tre Johnson, a polished perimeter scorer with strong offensive instincts.
That series of selections set the stage for one of the biggest early storylines of the mock draft – Ace Bailey’s unexpected slide to the sixth pick, where he was snapped up by the Washington Wizards.
Once seen as a possible No. 2 overall pick – and even considered a legitimate rival to Flagg at one point in early evaluations – Bailey’s drop to sixth is notable.
Whether it reflects legitimate concerns or just positional fit among teams drafting ahead of Washington remains to be seen, but the fall adds a layer of intrigue to draft season speculation.
Still, landing Bailey at No. 6 could prove to be a steal for the Wizards, who need high-upside talent. If he lives up to his early billing, this slide could become one of the more talked-about moments of the 2025 draft cycle.
Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, VJ Edgecombe Top Three In Latest ESPN Mock Draft https://t.co/ENgdF9l9cH
— RealGM (@RealGM) June 17, 2025
