The top two overall picks in the 2025 NBA Draft, Dylan Harper and Cooper Flagg are primed for their NBA debuts.
From the pundits to the oddsmakers to the actual NBA talent scouts, the consensus is unwavering: Dallas’ Cooper Flagg is the heavy favorite to be the league’s top rookie.
Flagg, a 6-foot-9 forward from Newport, Maine, by way of Duke, was the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and has done nothing since June to elicit any second guesses. His ability and his opportunities with the Mavericks strongly suggest Flagg will carry off the Wilt Chamberlain Trophy, presented annually to the Kia Rookie of the Year.
History favors Flagg, too, because 23 No. 1 picks have snagged ROY honors, a rate higher than those claimed by any other draft position. But there’s a caveat to this: With 82 historical winners (including ties) – that’s only a 28% success rate; there exists a 72% chance of someone else at least claiming a share of the award.
We’ll devote plenty of words and stats to Flagg this season. For now, here is a look at the other lottery picks in order. They’ll be tracked with Flagg all season on NBA.com’s weekly Rookie Ladder.
No. 2 pick | Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs
Spurs guard Stephon Castle was last season’s Kia Rookie of the Year. But he had more opportunities than Harper might see playing behind De’Aaron Fox in a crowded backcourt. Just don’t try to tell that to teammate Victor Wembanyama, who said of Harper: “He is a player that can have an impact on Day One, and there aren’t a lot of guys you can say that with this much certainty about. But he’s poised, and his ability to control the game has been remarkable.”
No. 3 pick | VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers
Edgecombe led all rookies in preseason scoring and gives the Sixers a trio of exciting guards, joining Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain in the backcourt rotation. The 6-foot-5 native of the Bahamas and former Baylor star is working on his two-way game, citing role models such as Derrick White and Jrue Holiday. Said Sixers coach Nick Nurse: “To me, his exceptional thing is he’s really good at getting into his man and guarding, and getting over screens.”
No. 4 pick | Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets envision Knueppel as a puzzle piece that fleshes out their picture when plugged in alongside other starters, including LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. He’s a versatile player who got up nearly 11 shots a night in his preseason appearances.
No. 5 pick | Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz
Bailey was iffy heading into Utah’s opener against the Clippers with a case of the flu (he also missed the preseason finale with knee soreness). But he was a focal point of coach Will Hardy’s attack when he played this month, breaking 20 points in games against Houston and San Antonio. He showed great cutting ability and a knack for hitting jumpers behind screens.
No. 6 pick | Tre Johnson, SG, Washington Wizards
Johnson’s preseason shooting drew kudos from a teammate who knows a thing or two about the craft, CJ McCollum: “He’s got the goods.” Johnson hit almost 40% from the arc last season at Texas but dipped to 25% in his three Wizards performances this fall. His work ethic also had Washington enthused about the latest addition to their exceedingly young core.
No. 7 pick | Jeremiah Fears, New Orleans Pelicans
No fear is what the Pelicans want to see from Fears. “We want him to continue to be in attack mode every time he steps on the floor on both ends,” said coach Willie Green, after a loss to Houston. The Oklahoma product has already pushed up the depth chart as Jordan Poole’s likely understudy.
No. 8 pick | Egor Dëmin, Brooklyn Nets
The Nets are counting on Dëmin getting stronger, with the 6-foot-8 playmaker targeting 205 pounds by his official debut. Adding strength will enable his talents to flourish. Dëmin is one of the Nets’ five first-round picks and has work to do on his outside shot.
No. 9 pick | Collin Murray-Boyles, Toronto Raptors
A forearm injury cut short Murray-Boyles’ preseason appearances and is expected to delay his season debut at least beyond Wednesday. The Raptors are counting on Murray-Boyles lending his 6-foot-7 frame and mobility to good effect defensively.
No. 10 pick | Khaman Maluach, Phoenix Suns
Maluach’s accelerated learning curve in camp has the Suns considering their depth at center and some moves it might facilitate. The 7-foot-1 native of South Sudan shot 68.2% in the preseason, including an 8-for-10 showing against the Lakers, when he had 17 points and eight rebounds. “He may have a bad moment,” coach Jordan Ott said of Maluach, “but he is not going to have a bad day.”
No. 11 pick | Cedric Coward, SG, Memphis Grizzlies
The short version of Coward’s trek to the NBA, from Division III Williamette to Eastern Washington to Washington State, means he’s ultimately the second Grizzlies rookie in as many years from that school (joining All-Rookie first-teamer Jaylen Wells). He did not participate in NBA Summer League, but projects as a wing defender and sports a reported 7-foot-2 wingspan while standing 6-foot-6.
No. 12 pick | Noa Essengue, Chicago Bulls
Like several other Bulls frontcourt players, Essengue has lots of height but not much breadth. He tends to get overpowered when he ventures inside, so much of Year One will be spent on building up his body. Chicago has a logjam up front around Nikola Vucevic, so on-the-job training for Essengue could come in the NBA G League.
No. 13 pick | Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans
Queen suffered a torn wrist ligament in Las Vegas summer play and missed the Pelicans’ tuneup games. But he was cleared to face Memphis on Wednesday. Conditioning aside, New Orleans likes Queen’s nose for the bucket and ability to play forward and center, a Plan B to Zion Williamson.
No. 14 pick | Carter Bryant, San Antonio Spurs
As if having probably the favorite for Defensive Player of the Year in Victor Wembanyama isn’t enough, the Spurs project Bryant as a strong frontcourt defensive force. He has a way to go offensively, but getting buckets of opportunity while helping San Antonio stay stingy should get him on the floor.
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Steve Aschburner has written about the NBA since 1980. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.
