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May 12, 2025
NBA Draft 2025: You can thank name, image, and likeness rules. Curious what that means? Allow me to explain.
There are still the same one-and-done stars at the top of the draft. That part is the same. The seniors are still present. They have completed their college years.
What about the middle group? You know, the sophomores and juniors who typically take a shot early? They’re nearly all gone now.
These days, hardly anyone is testing the draft waters. In fact, it looks like South Carolina’s Collin Murray-Boyles might be the only sophomore to get picked in Round 1.
And what about Rasheer Fleming from St. Joseph’s? He could end up being the only junior to make it into the top 40.
There’s a clear reason behind this shift.
NIL money is growing fast. It played a role in the last couple of drafts. But this year, it’s on a whole new level.
The payout is now so big, it’s changing everything. Unless you’re a top 15 or 20 pick, the decision is tough.
What’s the point of the uncertainty of the second round? When being in college could very likely mean a multi-million dollar NIL deal? For the majority of the players, the choice is simple.
The 2025 NBA Draft looks average at first glance. The top half of the first round looks decent. But once we hit the second round, it disappears quickly.
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This might be the status quo for a little while. More likely until around 2028.
At that time we will begin to see more skilled fifth-year seniors enter the league and that may help to replace those sophomores and juniors.
In the meantime, NBA teams are already adjusting. Scouts and front offices have observed changes.
Don’t be surprised if late first-round and early second-round picks have diminished trade value. They simply don’t mean the same thing.
This really doesn’t apply at the very top. Why? Because there’s one clear standout before the lottery even kicks off.
That’s Cooper Flagg from Duke—a true game-changer. After Flagg, you’ll come across a few talented teenage wings, each with plenty of raw skill and a lot of potential.
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Yet when you get past that group, things become unpredictable. That's when the real mystery begins.
I am putting out my early top 20 draft board. Well... about 20. This is based on the assumption these players are remaining in the draft. Nothing is set in stone yet.
I’m holding off on ranking the rest for now. Why? Well, some of the prospects in that 20–40 range might decide to return to college.
With those enticing NIL offers, staying in school is definitely appealing. We’ll have a clearer picture once the early withdrawal deadline rolls around.
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