WAY TOO EARLY 2025 NBA MOCK DRAFT *FULL FIRST ROUND* I Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey, Nolan Traore

[@sko6677]

As a Nets fan I want Flagg on my team (like fans of other teams lol) but you technically can't go wrong with the top 5 given how loaded this draft class is, and Ace is a great consolation prize if you ask me

[@Wake-up1776]

This isn't even close. Pistons get the 5th pick every year, not 7. Jk jk

[@terryindachat7296]

I think the Pistons might get the 2 or 3 pick this upcoming year because that roster looks like it's going to lose alot of games.

[@Wake-up1776]

@@terryindachat7296 they might get the top odds but they'll get the worst possible outcome in the "lottery"

[@Yahurr]

​@terryindachat7296 Been that way. They've fallen from best odds at #1 down to 5th pick in the last two drafts

[@troychriscarretas2657]

Pistons got the Bad Boys era Twice . Needs a Bad Boys Part 3 . NBA needs to be tough and physical again . Let them brawl . Replace all the Softy Referees Get Draymond Green, Dillion Brooks etc…

[@sosmooth13]

@@troychriscarretas2657I agree with the NBA letting the players play and let the weak calls go, but we really don’t need Draymomd or Brooks

[@thetramaynej9295]

As a Nets fan I been waiting for this

[@pimpnamedslickback7780]

Yes sir. Our time is coming brother

[@josephham5216]

I just want to say thank you as a Rockets fan. Tari Eason, Reed Sheppard, Cam Whitmore (Eric Gordon was used as well to get that pick), estimated 12th pick here, 2 more picks from the Suns, a pick from the Mavs, and a 2027 Nets swap. Not too bad for James Harden lol

[@NathanKane-f9o]

So are the pistons hornets and wizards

[@NelsonMontiel-l7x]

@@josephham5216😂

[@angeloaaz]

Nets fan myself i live in New Jersey middlesex County definitely gonna check out some Rutgers games this year also going to keep my eye on the college game knowing the Nets got four draft picks

[@eagleeclipse9485]

A blazer fan who likes Utility Sports very much. Great work Sheldon!

[@rosecityusa6120]

I too am a die-hard Blazers fan. I completely agree with you. Sheldon is very knowledgeable!

[@gwenweight6916]

Thank god!!! I've been waiting for draft season. I thought it would never start!

[@blazingfire3609]

😂🤣

[@paulwalton7016]

Does he ever sleep

[@icelovefireice]

2-3 lottery picks for the Spurs. Save it for next year.

[@rate]

GSG

[@pimpnamedslickback7780]

Alot of people knocked sean marks for not trading mikal bridges earlier but he waited for the perfect timing. Houston was open to a trade to get the picks back and the nets focused in on getting the 25 and later picks back rather than the 2024 pick in a weak draft. That plus getting the haul back for bridges was smart maneuvering . The nets are in business

[@johncarlosayo830]

Been waiting for this all day

[@donloading6163]

I love this Luka Doncic podcast❤

[@JamalisHim10]

You know I had to get here early , looking forward to this like crazy !

[@JamalisHim10]

Also isn’t Noa essengue this draft ? I really like his potential, played at ULM this season. Lengthy combo 3/4 with greta downhill ability , solid touch around the basket and a good shot.

[@JamalisHim10]

Im not sure youll agree with me but Khaman and Cooper remind me so much of the Wiggins and Embiid situation ,the juxtaposition is clear imo( not talking about playstyle with both necessarily more so everything else). But with Wiggins and Cooper you have the number one recruit thats seen as the lock for the number 1 pick for a few years now a cant miss prospect and someone who everyone is excited to watch at school. And then you have this intriguing big man with clear physical tools and has shown promise in areas but is still EXTREMLEY raw. I think ultimately Cooper will still be the number one pick however it wouldnt Surpise me if Maluach ends up being the best player from this draft. Would love to know what you think and if you see what i am talking about

[@soggybread749]

He thing is Cooper has been penciled in as the #1 player because of his rebounding, man to man defense, able to guard 1-5, his shot blocking, passing, his court vision, game sense, and his physicality and size. Everybody knows his offense needs work, but every other tool he has is translatable to the NBA. Even in the 2023 class he wouldve been top 5 because of these reasons.

[@JamalisHim10]

@@soggybread749 yeah I know , Cooper is most definitely the number 1 guy I’m just noticing a few things and with Khaman you can’t teach size. And even though it never works out this way , with the rise of Wemby teams will be looking for a “wemby stopper” and Khaman with his size and from will be labelled as such

[@jonathanbradley3633]

I agree 💯 his raw tools & frame reminds me of Embiid

[@emeraldking6624]

Very interesting. 2 Rutgers guys and 2 Duke guys in the top 5. Definitely will keep an eye on both teams

[@christopherkinson23]

can’t wait to see Coop get drafted an old classmate/teammate making it is an awesome thing to see!

[@Mrppybthle]

very nice mock draft as always Sheldon. I really enjoy your videos. I hope that you mention Johann Grueneloh next time in your 2025 Nba Mock draft. He is a 19 Year Old 6.10/7 Foot Center from Germany who was the starting center in the first Divison in germany and just won the award for the best player under 22 in the first German Divison as a starting center. Him and his Team also qualifyed for the Playoffs this year. Increadible if you consider that his team Rasta just got promoted from second to first Divison last year. In the year they got promoted johann Grüneloh also won the defensive player of the year award of the second Divison in Germany. Last but not least he is not the tallest center but an increadible shot blocker and a true anker with long arms. He broke Victor wenbanyamas record for most blocks in the Addidas next gen Tournament when he was 17. I don't think he will be lottery Pick but a first rounder for sure. I hope you read this comment and dont sleep on him. best regards from germany

[@keithderosas542]

I can't wait for this draft

[@jb2257]

No tre Johnson in the top 10 is wild

[@grahamchristy3186]

The Spurs likely in a space for the top 2025 pick. 2024 draft the Spurs prioritising harder than Cartman's cat making it clear they have a big hole at the PF position. I was hoping the Spurs would get Boozer, though they just can't stay that bad for that long. Cooper would be fun with Wemby and Castle.

[@JohnnyD99999]

Excellent job Sheldon...none of the other mocks had Stojakovic and Nelson in the mix, and they are clearly 1st Rd talents. Thoughts on Hunter Dickinson- 2nd Rd? Also I know think there's a few other Euros to throw in the 1st Rd mix too...

[@33_milly93]

A Flagg, Sarr, Couilabaly defensive core gives the Wizards a runway to actually being good in the future as opposed to the purgatory they were in for a decade. Need this to happen

[@RMASUPERFLY]

They are the worst team when it comes to developing players. Don't count on it.

[@petedavies7697]

Great mock! The player to watch out for is incoming 5 star Duke recruit Kon Knueppel. He's a 6-6 215 pound combo guard. I have him as a 15 to 25 pick in next year's draft.

[@JonathanVegaa]

After 3 years of the Heat drafting we don’t have a pick in a stacked class feels bad but I like our young core for now

[@MrBoggiejamz]

I agree 💯 percent but that's the consequences of trading away draft picks. Maybe it will be more valuable assets that go undrafted again like this year.

[@chrisgomes609]

Shoutout Rutgers, this upcoming season is the most important in the history of their program.

[@marccotoner869]

Man the draft is pretty good, but i would add that hugo gonzalez is going to be a top 5 prospect, the men already has been MVP of Adidas Next Gen and btw you left Kasparas Jakuccionis who's also pretty good

[@Tain950]

I could see the Spurs trying to go after Cooper Flagg

[@pimpnamedslickback7780]

I’m sure everyone is would want to go after cooper Flagg 😂

[@Justfranktbh]

So would everyone no?

[@jameswashington7948]

I just have a "feeling" that the Cooper Flagg will end up with Wemby and the Spurs. Don't know why. Won't the Spurs have 3 or 4 1st round picks in 2025?

[@rolandmiller5456]

It depends on what 2 other teams do in terms of how many draft picks we get. We have Atlanta's unprotected And ours so that's 2 for sure.

[@couchinandslouchinwithcbiz9935]

I can not get too excited about the 2025 draft class since my Detroit Pistons is going to end up with the 5th pick again.

[@kevinscott9242]

To answer your question about 27th pick. As far as the Hou-OKC/OKC-LAC/Hou-Nets trade swaps. If OKC had 4th best record & Clippers 8th best record..& if OKC got Rockets 13th overall pick; than Hou would get OKC pick 27. The Clippers would stay at pick 23 because Thunder would choose not to swap w/ LAC in favor of swap w/ Hou..( Im a Thunder fan & Nets fan, so I looked it up before).. Previously Hou-Nets & Thunder were swapping. In that scenario the Nets wouldve ended up w the Thunder pick..The Thunder wouldve gotten Hou pick & Hou wouldve gotten Nets pick..But since Nets got their pick back from Hou- Now its a Thunder choice to flip flop w Hou or flip flop w LAC. Whichever they dont flip flip with, keeps their pick. In this case LAC keeps their pick 23. In the end Thunder would get pick 13(via Hou), 16th (via Mia), 21st (via Phi)...Hou would get 12th (via Phx) & 27th (via OKC) Nets would stay at #2, get 24 (via Mi)l & 29th (via NYK). LAC would luck out & keep their 23rd pick...(ofcourse if Utah had a better record, the Thunder couldve had their protected pick too).

[@spursdynasty7378]

Draft pick wizard 😂

[@Zobster-nb7je]

Some guys I like that you didn't mention are Xavier Booker, Guillermo Diaz Graham, and Hansen Yang

[@UtilitySports]

All good options! Considered Yang for a few different spots and think he especially has a good chance to be a quick riser

[@giovanni-ed7zq]

@@UtilitySports i think your ranking for toronto is too high. i believe they did say they were in a rebuild on media day. did you look at the raptors 1st half schedule? they could be 2 wins 12 losses in first 14 games and their games till dec 31 are not easy either. if they start out badly i can see them trading jakob poeltl, kelly olynyk, bruce brown and other vets early to bottom out. just look at the teams the raptors play till dec 31. cleveland, minny, 76ers, denver, charlotte, lakers, sacramento, denver, sacramento, clippers, lakers, bucks, detroit, boston, indiana, minny, cleveland, detroit, new orleans, miami, miami, indiana, okc, dallas, new york, brooklyn, houston, new york, brooklyn, memphis, atlanta, boston. thats their 1st half of season to dec 31st i can see 6 games in that they could likely win against hornets, pistons twice, nets twice, and maybe houston and atlanta.

[@giovanni-ed7zq]

@@UtilitySports i can see raptors in the 4-5 range. if any of their starting 3 in barnes, barret or quickly injured, they could be as low as bottom 2-3. the problem for raptors is no one on that team can take a guy off the dribble to create their own shot so half court will be a problem again. we saw blazers beat the raptors last year putting them in the half court. also the 3 pt shooting and defence is also an issue. as well the raptors are now a small team. as well darko is not a tactician coach so he wont be squeezing out unexpected wins either.

[@grahamchristy3186]

No sleep 'till the last Brooklyn pick for Sheldon 🎉

[@bigjay52]

🤯Yo! Flagg!! Yessir, I'll take it 👍

[@jo-vf4lo]

Yes it’s early but fun. Great video man. Let them rip! Go Spurs Go!!!!

[@kirkgholson5545]

Couldn't disagree more on the Spurs. Trading away Dillingham who is I think 3-4 years away from being what we need in the next 2 years was the win now move for the Spurs. Get 2 more picks (unprotected?!) to add to any package for win now upside young players or proven vets on a team needing experience. Keeping Dillingham and having him grow when we don't have the perimeter defenders MIN does to surround him with and hoping is rookie guard offense would be better than a Scoot? That would be the slow build option

[@sancho404]

awesome sheldon . thank you !

[@blocboi407]

“Watching these kids for a long time already” dude wtf?…. U not like us….😂😂

[@UtilitySports]

play basketball lol

[@barrymaieritsch7114]

No love for Ian Jackson or Drake Powell??? Might want to update this fast to avoid missing out on looking like you know what your talking about my man

[@norrinradd542]

I think there will be more freshmen drafted in the first round for the 2025 draft. There's some guys missing that have some game too that I suspect will enter. My favorite pick you have in there is Collin Murray-Boyles. I think if he declared this year he could have been in the top 10 this year. Imo though Liam McNeely isn't a one and done. That's me though. Not sure if or when he'll ever enter the draft being from China, but HanSen Yang looks the part. Anyways, thanks for entertaining us with a way way way too early 2025 mock... appreciate the work you put into these.

[@Judah_da_shoota]

“I’ve been watching these kids for a long time” is crazy

[@ekrayy]

I'm surprised you have Hugo González so low, considering he was better than Traore and Demin in the last tournament they played. We'll see how he does this year if he gets enough minutes for Real Madrid.

[@cnatal70]

Yes,I knew I could count on you to do a '25 mock draft. Dink Pate at 9 for the Spurs. That's perfect!

[@SwaggySimon20]

Wait don’t spurs have charlottes 1st round pick?

[@UtilitySports]

Top 14 protected

[@SwaggySimon20]

@@UtilitySports that’s Atlanta hawks pick no?

[@anthonytrevino3191]

@@SwaggySimon20yeah they got it in the DJ trade

[@Nox5556-FCB]

Charlotte's pick in protected 1-14 and hawks pick goes to Sacramento if they get 15-30 or else it goes to San Antonio

[@gabrielcarrasco9078]

​@siddheshbagul1590 Wait how do the Kings have dibs?

[@bread636]

Was hyped for this draft but this next one is just to eye catching to not jump straight into. Nolan to New York🙏

[@LightTheBeam2024]

Y’all sleeping on how bad the Kings are, never underestimate the Kings ability to Kangz it up and keep our 2025 pick 😭

[@scotttimious]

Haven’t been on the channel in a while, why do you look like luka all of a sudden 😂😂. I just hope the piston can finally get lucky after all this losing

[@bdog-479]

As a BYU fan, I'm interested in Kanon Catchings. He was a former Purdue commit, but is now going to BYU. I've seen him mentioned as projected 1st round pick. Any insights would be appreciated.

[@samuelhagos8274]

What about Ian Jackson

[@kohsiudai8196]

Liam McNeeley (UConn) picked ahead of VJ Edgecombe (Baylor)? I do not think so. Alex Karaban (first round), little outstretch. Let's see.

[@thelatterdayteacher]

It will be interesting to see who in the West makes the lottery with only 2 or 3 teams sure to miss the playoffs. I love your choice you felt forced to settle on, that you have the Suns not making the playoffs with their traded pick slotted #12. I wonder what Suns fans might think.

[@Eee-I-Eee-I-Oh]

Pick 6? We are way worse than these. Other teams! We want Cooper!

[@Now_To_Infinity]

I could see you on television in the future

[@cawinn78]

Simmons isn't part of the long term plans inPortland, and unless they get rid of Sharpe...they shouldn't be drafting a guard, unless they are trading the pick. They will need size. They aren't keeping Grant either.

[@masoncurtiss277]

I’m just imagining what a Flagg, Sarr and Coulibaly defense will look like. Don’t bring nothing in the paint lol

[@smookpapa]

what about R J Davis and Caleb Love.

[@jonathanbradley3633]

I don’t like what I see from Bidunga against the top bigs in his class. He looks shorter than listed and I don’t see the skill that would make him a successful small ball big. Is he gonna get real minutes behind Dickinson?

[@b4tp3n9uin4]

Khaman Maluach gonna be a Toronto Raptor, Masai is gonna make it happen.

[@jaynsane2]

Drake Powell and Ian Jackson?

[@jonathanbradley3633]

I think Ian could be a lottery pick if everything goes right

[@jaynsane2]

@@jonathanbradley3633 agreed

[@adamvincik3657]

Need to look at jaland lowe at pitt

[@GunninRebel55]

Zvonimir Ivisic? I think he's gonna be a factor.

[@GlennHowey-lq2sf]

Brooklyn has 4 first round picks next year

[@bigballer2645]

Isn’t Will Riley class of 25 out of high school

[@roody716]

As a Spurs fan, I want Traore! He would be the perfect person to pair with Wemby for the next decade!

[@gvlgw]

If the Spurs had to move up in the draft I’d definitely trade both picks and some players not named Wembanyama to do it.

[@gabrielcarrasco9078]

​@gvlgw Considering both Spurs picks will be in the lottery, I don't feel we'd have to give up much more. Hopefully a combo of Trarorie and Maluach or Trarorie and Hugo.

[@gvlgw]

@@gabrielcarrasco9078 my dream scenario would be somehow either the Spurs or Hawks pick end up in the top 4 and the other be between 7-10 and Chicago’s pick lands at 11. We’d draft Traore and Hugo, and trade away a pick to get either a veteran point guard to mentor Castle and Traore or wing to mentor Hugo and Sochan.

[@CLIMACTIX]

No Krivas or Jakucionis?

[@apex8373]

Nolan traore future spur

[@PinkSalmon]

What ever happened to Aday Mara?

[@1mcalways]

I’m pretty sure the Nets have 4 picks in the first round not 3.

[@soggybread749]

No Rocco Zikarsky? At 7'3 and a shot blocker that moves better than Zach Edey (i know hes raw, but hell be 18 at draft)

[@UtilitySports]

Considered Zikarsky quite a bit for a few spots. I think I need to see how the start of the year goes for him before I commit to including him in a mock. Could be a huge riser like you're saying

[@JhoanRijo]

Watch neoklis avdalas he’s going top 10 in this class, believe that.

[@sami...b-s3h]

Ben Saraf is the Real Deal !

[@D-Rock_in_BKLYN]

5:33 - That's ME! I hear Ace will be a better player when contract time comes along. I want TWO Lottery Picks

[@LedesmaBasket]

Hugo Gonzalez number 24 is not realistic

[@dylanjanda2214]

Sleeping on Jaland Lowe, his backcourt teammate just went #14

[@zaywoppo9427]

what are these players measurables

[@Mike-z7l2q]

I think POR is gonna be bad and pick high. If CHA picks Flagg, imagine? Brandon Miller, Melo & Flagg?

[@adam711s]

Ace Bailey is a beast!

[@io8190]

Hope my Bulls play young and draft in the top five

[@myronkronz4483]

The real sleeper is Myles Rice and a great point guard. He rivals Isiah in abilities to change directions and speed while dribbling the ball. Thomas was the 2th pick. Myles will show himself as better than Braydon Smith, better at taking the ball to the rim to score the ball.

[@Justfranktbh]

Nah I need maluach in Toronto buddy

[@coachtimmeh6826]

Sheldon, please stop using the spurs banner from 3 years ago.

[@spursdynasty7378]

I still like it 😊

[@joeblow7464]

You don't have to guess where the Pistons are picking, it's #5...

[@alanshaw6933]

As a Bulls fan the only thing I can say is Yes

[@jeremystoots5970]

So as a Rockets fan we give nets the second pick for the suns 12 not a win in my opinion not unless they get a all star soon

[@honerabletate6334]

Nolan might go one

[@laynesmancave]

Maluach will be a top 3 pick, possibly top 2

[@JASONWILLIAMS-de5tg]

Pick 27 I thought belonged to the clippers

[@smitsta]

Rocco zikarsky is a monster.

[@KenLai-t6u]

Hugo gonzalez will not drop to pick 24. Spur will get him

[@goodhair420]

Noa essengue is a first round prospect

[@AmplifiedEnergy]

nolan traore with lamelo ?? idk. hes a real pg with scoring abilties, not a sg

[@wargasam4703]

Why no Boozer Twins?

[@Papabradyy]

there not this draft class but the one after this so 2026

[@CrackaSlapYa]

ZERO 1st round Razorbacks when the ENTIRE top 8 might be drafted is fucking CRAZY

[@UtilitySports]

Clearly you didn’t watch the video lol

[@salaplaylistfast5369]

LETS GET READY 4 Cooper Flagg FIRST OVERALL IN THE 2025 NBA Draft!

[@mda990]

Aday Mara?

[@iLivein3D]

Kanon Catchings

[@icelovefireice]

Hugo Gonzalez at 24?

[@anthonytrevino3191]

That’s what I said !

[@eazhann9217]

I like these and I get wat u doin but someone a fasure top 10 is crazy especially wen the consensus last year was collier, Wagner, Edwards was sure top picks but reed Shepard a mf ranked in the 30’s and 40’s was the top non international pick🤷🏾‍♂️

[@CLT_JUJU]

Karter Knox Ian Jackson Somto Cyril ???????????

[@terryindachat7296]

The Wizards will land in the top 3 cuz the League plans on putting the Flagg in the Nation's capital.

[@aidansennn]

I think it’s pronounced Mal-ah-k not mal-u-ah-k

[@Rannhh]

Thank you Luka Doncic

[@Mike-z7l2q]

I think this Draft has the best ever #1&2 picks. Ace Bailey is an amazing consolation prize for whoever doesn't get #1 (Flagg)

[@goodhair420]

Spurs will get that bulls pick