The 2025 NBA Draft is just under a month away, and with the combine wrapped up, Yahoo Sports NBA Senior Analyst Kevin O’Connor dropped his latest mock draft last week. The 2025 draft class is deeper and more talented than last year’s rookies, so I want to highlight the prospects whose projected landing spots in KOC’s mock could become interesting for fantasy basketball leagues next season.
I can’t say enough how much I like Flagg’s opportunity to contribute immediately. With his defense, athleticism and scoring efficiency, he projects as a multi-category fantasy asset. The 3s are the question mark, but there’s a sneaky playmaking upside, too.
I’m warming up to targeting him around the sixth or seventh rounds of drafts next season.
Landing with the Hornets is a gift and a curse. It’s a losing franchise with exciting players who can’t stay healthy. That said, they need a two-guard, and Edgecombe is a bucket and a disruptive defender. He also flies, so sharing a backcourt with LaMelo Ball has its perks.
Edgecombe reminds me of Victor Oladipo. He could be one of the top scorers of his class with the bonus of some steals. If he ends up in Charlotte, he may become a fantasy option outside the top 100 picks.
If Knueppel falls to the Jazz, feel good about it. There’s more to his game than being an elite motion shooter. He is the modern Mr. Fundamental — a smart hooper who can facilitate, cut and make the right basketball play more often than not.
The Jazz need that after being in the bottom 10 in offensive rating and having the highest turnover rate in the league. He’d already be their best shooter as a rookie, but it will come down to his defense to get consistent minutes. I like the Chris Mullin comps.
The freshman out of Texas fills a couple of needs for the Wizards: shooting and playmaking.
I’m not sold on the defense yet, but I like the guards Washington’s assembled, with Johnson slotting in as arguably one of their best 3-point shooters. There’s a path for minutes, but he’s more of a dynasty option than a target in redraft leagues in this scenario.
Queen’s outlook would take a massive leap in Chicago if the Bulls finally move Nikola Vučević. I understand the knocks on his poor combine, defense, lack of explosiveness and questionable outside shooting. However, he’s one of only a few offensive hubs available at his size (6-foot-10 and 246 pounds).
He’s got nice touch and is a willing playmaker who could put up numbers in limited minutes if he cracks the rotation.
Late-Lottery and Sleeper Watch
Should Clint Capela bounce, Newell’s rim-running and relentless motor would be worthy additions to a thin Atlanta frontcourt. Jalen Johnson’s been banged up the past two seasons, so getting another talented big man with the quickness to defend on the perimeter is a strong fit with their growing, scrappy identity.
Being the recipient of Trae Young’s lobs with shot-blocking and rebounding upside, Newell could be one of those late-round bigs that make an impact in fantasy on a per-minute basis.
If the Wolves can’t afford to keep Nickeil Alexander-Walker, selecting Coward would be one of my favorite draft night moves.
He’s a late bloomer with a damn-near-perfect shot and a large wingspan who prides himself on the defensive end. It may sound like gas, but he gives me Kawhi Leonard vibes.
The backcourt in Los Angeles is aging, and injuries are known saboteurs. Pettiford is the ideal match as a Brandon Jennings-lite with the speed, scoring, hops and creation that would ignite the team’s bench. Most rookies with his profile tend to be inefficient, but he can still light it up in a reserve role. It’s too early for consideration in redraft leagues, but dynasty managers should take notice.
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