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Jeremy Woo
The 2025 NBA draft has wrapped up, with the rookie class debuting at summer season leagues and groups looking forward to subsequent season.
Within the wake of the annual Las Vegas showcase, the place No. 1 decide Cooper Flagg and others turned in standout performances, we polled early opinions on the draft and what NBA groups expect from their new faces.
ESPN’s Jeremy Woo surveyed 20 nameless NBA executives and scouts, asking for his or her ideas on the incoming rookie class for the 2025-26 NBA season. Primarily based on their evaluations and preliminary observations from this offseason, individuals forged their votes on 5 questions.
Can anybody problem Flagg for Rookie of the 12 months? Which gamers had been considered as potential draft steals? And who do groups view because the front-runner for the No. 1 decide in 2026? Our panelists weighed in.
Soar to:
Rookie of the Year | Best pick | Best steal
Biggest reach | No. 1 pick in 2026
Who’s your NBA Rookie of the 12 months decide?
1. Cooper Flagg (Dallas Mavericks, No. 1): 17 votes
2. Dylan Harper (San Antonio Spurs, No. 2): 2 votes
Additionally receiving votes: Tre Johnson (Washington Wizards)
The early Rookie of the 12 months front-runner is not precisely a shock: Flagg was the No. 1 decide for good cause and is taken into account not solely the highest prospect however maybe probably the most NBA-ready participant within the class. He joins a Mavericks workforce anticipated to lean on him, with Kyrie Irving recovering from tearing an ACL in March. Flagg’s playmaking abilities, positional measurement and defensive affect mission to be instantly helpful.
The caveat, as talked about by just a few of our voters, is that Flagg might not wind up main the rookie class in scoring. He is nonetheless creating as a shot creator, and the Mavericks should not want him to hold an outsized load in that respect. His 31-point summer season league exhibiting (before Dallas shut him down) helped to underscore Flagg’s potential, however on a workforce with loads of veterans, he will not be wanted to take over video games. Different rookies, together with Ace Bailey and Johnson, landed on rebuilding groups the place they will possible have extra freedom to function, however aren’t anticipated to win as many video games. Ultimately, voters extensively predict Flagg’s star energy and successful affect will drive the award voting.
“I assume somebody like Bailey or Johnson might outscore Cooper as a rookie,” one Jap Convention government stated, “however Cooper will make extra significant contributions that push Dallas into play-in vary.”
Which rookie — apart from Flagg — will show to be the draft’s greatest decide?
1. VJ Edgecombe (Philadelphia 76ers, No. 3): 10 votes
2. Dylan Harper (Spurs, No. 2): 6 votes
Additionally receiving votes: Carter Bryant (Spurs), Yang Hansen (Portland Trail Blazers), Tre Johnson (Wizards), Nique Clifford (Sacramento Kings)/Asa Newell (Atlanta Hawks)
With Flagg the overwhelming headliner of the 2025 draft class, we geared this query towards the remainder of the group. “Greatest decide” was left open for interpretation deliberately: The aim was merely to search out out which choice(s) rival groups appreciated most.
The massive winner right here was Edgecombe, who got here off the board third to the 76ers and underscored his expertise earlier this month with an impressive 28-point efficiency in his lone sport on the Utah summer season league. The Baylor product is popping right into a dynamic downhill slasher within the backcourt, and lots of execs and scouts consider he has vital untapped upside working with the ball in his arms after taking part in largely away from it in school.
Whereas there have been some affordable questions on slot in Philadelphia, the place the 76ers even have Tyrese Maxey and 2024 draft decide Jared McCain at guard, Edgecombe’s potential to be a standout on each side of the ball in the end overrode these considerations. There’s loads of optimism across the league surrounding his future.
“VJ is perhaps Philly’s second-best participant by the top of the season, factoring in [Joel] Embiid‘s unsure well being,” an Jap Convention GM stated. “He is that good and can thrive taking part in in Nick Nurse’s system. “
San Antonio’s Harper, the No. 2 select of Rutgers, garnered six votes, with some viewing the Spurs as a powerful touchdown spot regardless of a crowded backcourt scenario, with Harper becoming a member of 2024-25 Rookie of the 12 months Stephon Castle and not too long ago acquired De’Aaron Fox within the combine. Harper’s pick-and-roll prowess and artful, highly effective type of play made him the selection for the Spurs, who’ve been optimizing for added playmaking round Victor Wembanyama shifting ahead. Even when he winds up coming off the bench as a rookie, Harper tasks as a foundational long-term participant.
“[Harper] has some [Manu] Ginobili to his offensive sport,” one Western Convention scout stated. “If the 3-point shot ever turns into a real weapon [for him], he makes Fox expendable and provides San Antonio a pleasant commerce asset.”
Which rookie would be the largest draft steal?
1. Carter Bryant (Spurs, No. 14): 5 votes
2. Joan Beringer (Minnesota Timberwolves, No. 17): 4 votes
3. Kasparas Jakucionis (Miami Heat, No. 20): 2 votes
Additionally receiving votes: Walter Clayton Jr. (Utah Jazz), Tre Johnson (Wizards), Collin Murray-Boyles (Toronto Raptors), Asa Newell (Hawks), Noah Penda (Orlando Magic), Danny Wolf (Brooklyn Nets), Khaman Maluach (Phoenix Suns)/Cedric Coward (Memphis Grizzlies), Liam McNeeley (Charlotte Hornets)/Chaz Lanier (Detroit Pistons), Carter Bryant (Spurs)/Nique Clifford (Kings)
This query turned up the widest vary of responses, with a number of voters providing twin solutions. Spurs rookie Bryant garnered probably the most votes on the heels of his wonderful defensive play on the Las Vegas summer season league. The Arizona ahead was extensively anticipated to return off the board earlier, with potential suitors in Portland and Atlanta buying and selling out of their slots within the late lottery and dropping him to San Antonio’s spot.
“[Bryant] will flip into an affect wing defender that may make 3’s and be part of their core,” one Jap Convention scout stated. “We’ll look again in a number of years whereas the Spurs are successful huge, and folks will point out them drafting Fort at 4 [in 2024] and Bryant at 14 to pair defensively with Victor as [draft] steals.”
There was additionally pleasure round Beringer, one other defensive-oriented prospect who performed effectively in Las Vegas. The 18-year-old French heart has solely been taking part in basketball competitively for 4 years, however has demonstrated robust instincts as a shot blocker, lob catcher and performed his approach into the primary spherical of the draft after getting into final season as a lesser-known expertise. Beringer drew late lottery curiosity however ended up falling to the Timberwolves after three facilities — Derik Queen, Thomas Sorber and Yang Hansen — had been chosen within the 4 picks previous him at No. 17. He’ll be an understudy to countryman and three-time Defensive Participant of the 12 months Rudy Gobert subsequent season.
“[Beringer] might change into a top-five participant on this draft,” the Jap Convention GM stated. “Upside is thru the roof, and he does not even know learn how to play but. He’s additionally in an ideal scenario the place he can be taught and develop from all of their bigs.”
Which decide was the draft’s largest attain?
1. Egor Demin (Nets, No. 8): 7 votes
2. Yang Hansen (Path Blazers, No. 16): 4 votes
3. Cedric Coward (Grizzlies, No. 11): 3 votes
Additionally receiving votes: Thomas Sorber (Oklahoma City Thunder), Drake Powell (Nets), Collin Murray-Boyles (Raptors), Derik Queen (New Orleans Pelicans), Noa Essengue (Chicago Bulls) and one voter most well-liked to not reply
Three gamers drew a number of votes from the panel: Demin, Yang and Coward, with the Nets guard drawing probably the most scrutiny. Brooklyn held 5 first-round picks and in the end made and rostered all 5 of them, enabling a technique that led to a number of swings on playmaking prospects, together with Demin. At 6-foot-9, Demin has wonderful passing abilities however was divisive for groups all season as he handled ups and downs adjusting to varsity basketball at BYU.
“Even in the event you consider in [Demin] as a beginning NBA level guard — and I do not — it looks as if he would’ve been gettable on the finish of the lottery, and even later,” one Jap Convention government stated.
Yang was actually probably the most stunning decide of the draft, with most groups anticipating him to return off the board within the early second spherical earlier than the Path Blazers traded again with the Grizzlies from No. 11 to No. 16 and chosen him a lot sooner. The 20-year-old heart turned out to be a precedence for the Blazers, who quietly coveted him after monitoring him over the previous couple of years. Yang had a pleasant exhibiting at summer season league, persevering with to flash wonderful playmaking instincts and promising offensive talent (10.8 factors, 5 rebounds and three.8 assists in 4 video games). Nonetheless, there was some feeling that he was chosen a bit too early relative to how some evaluated the board, with considerations about his foot pace and defensive projection, key questions as his profession progresses.
“I like [Yang] — simply did not see it coming, with him going proper outdoors of the lottery,” one other Jap Convention government stated.
Coward, the participant in the end chosen No. 11 by Memphis in that commerce deal, was a significant riser within the predraft course of. However after taking part in simply six video games at Washington State as a consequence of damage, some across the league considered him as extra unproven than what can be thought-about optimum for a typical late lottery choice. The Grizzlies focused him as a part of their substitute plan for Desmond Bane, who they traded final month to the Magic.
“He is a uncooked expertise who must be taught the sport,” one Western Convention scout stated. “But when he can shoot and defend [and it translates], there’s an opportunity along with his bodily intangibles.”
One scout most well-liked to not reply, feeling that it is arduous to critique picks with no full understanding of different groups’ analysis processes. “If [your] workforce believed within the man,” he stated, “then take your man.”
Who would be the No. 1 decide within the 2026 NBA draft?
1. Darryn Peterson (Kansas): 12 votes
2. A.J. Dybantsa (BYU): 8 votes
Waiting for 2026, subsequent season may carry a decent race for the No. 1 spot on boards, with Kansas guard Peterson (ESPN’s present No. 1 prospect in 2026) and BYU wing Dybantsa (No. 2 on our High 100) as the 2 main candidates.
Peterson commanded extra votes, along with his uncommon mixture of positional measurement, talent and explosiveness profiling as top-of-the-line lead guard prospects in current reminiscence. He has the bodily expertise and aggressive make-up to excel as an offensive creator and standout defender. He will probably be closely featured for the Jayhawks after a powerful senior season at Prolific Prep put him on the forefront of the No. 1 dialog.
“Peterson stands out because the extra full and reliable choice,” stated one Jap Convention government, who voted for Peterson, viewing him because the extra NBA-ready of the 2 gamers and harping on the maturity of his strategy. “Every time I see him, he is sharper, extra refined and continues to point out development, always elevating his degree of play. That starvation, consistency and drive to get higher interprets instantly into successful affect.”
Opposite to 2025, when Flagg held the mantle of No. 1 from begin to end, there ought to be fairly a bit to play out on the courtroom beginning within the fall, with Dybantsa nonetheless very a lot within the image. For a time, he was thought-about the robust favourite for the primary choice, with NBA groups closely keyed in on him since his freshman yr of highschool.
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“It is a whole toss-up proper now — under no circumstances is [there a] consensus but,” stated one Western Convention government, who additionally forged a vote for Peterson. “Peterson feels slightly extra well-rounded offensively and may operate on and off the ball, which drives just a few extra profitable ‘off-ramps’ for him. I do assume A.J. has extra star high quality as a result of he is a greater athlete. I like that Peterson’s talent and maturity on the courtroom already appear larger — he is been compelled to develop different components of his sport [already].”
Whereas Dybantsa hasn’t displayed the identical degree of polish, the long-term argument for his upside as greatest in his class stays: He has the everyday abilities for a star wing participant, as an elite athlete able to bodily dominating matchups on each ends. After main Staff USA to a FIBA U19 World Cup title in Switzerland earlier this month, Dybantsa would be the most touted prospect ever to play for BYU, the place he’ll have a big runway to make his case. His improvement as a 3-point shooter will probably be pivotal.
“They seem to be a comparable tier of prospect … A.J. is 6-foot-9 and on this league, measurement nonetheless does matter,” stated an Jap Convention scout, who forged a vote for Dybantsa. “I believe [BYU coach] Kevin Younger will put him in wonderful positions to showcase and develop his sport this yr. Peterson must battle in opposition to the dearth of spacing Kansas seems to have.”
Whereas solely Peterson and Dybantsa drew votes and are driving the early dialogue, a powerful trio of freshman prospects rounds out our early high 5: Duke huge Cameron Boozer, Tennessee ahead Nate Ament and Louisville guard Mikel Brown. Because the 2026 draft cycle will get underway, we’ll be carefully monitoring how NBA groups view the highest names.