2025 NBA Draft Results: Cooper Flagg Selected by Mavericks as No. 1 Pick

The 2025 NBA Draft, held on June 25, 2025, culminated with the Dallas Mavericks selecting Duke University standout Cooper Flagg as the first overall pick. This year's draft was characterized by a series of surprising selections, strategic trades, and the emergence of new talent that could reshape the future of several franchises.

In a move that many analysts anticipated, the Mavericks opted for Flagg, a versatile forward known for his scoring ability and defensive prowess. His selection was praised by Mavericks' General Manager, Mark Cuban, who stated, "Cooper embodies the skill set and competitive spirit we are looking for to lead our team into the future" (Cobb, David. CBS Sports, June 26, 2025).

Following Flagg, the San Antonio Spurs selected Dylan Harper, a guard from Rutgers, with the second pick. Harper, who averaged 19.4 points per game during his freshman season, is viewed as a key addition to the Spurs' young core alongside Victor Wembanyama (Cobb, David. CBS Sports, June 26, 2025).

The Philadelphia 76ers were the next team to make headlines by choosing Baylor's VJ Edgecombe at No. 3, despite speculation that they might opt for another prospect, Ace Bailey from Rutgers. Edgecombe's athleticism and two-way capabilities made him an attractive choice for the Sixers (Cobb, David. CBS Sports, June 26, 2025).

Bailey, who was considered a polarizing prospect, eventually landed with the Utah Jazz at No. 5. His unusual pre-draft process, which included no public workouts, raised eyebrows, but the Jazz are banking on his potential to be a scoring asset (Cobb, David. CBS Sports, June 26, 2025).

The draft also saw significant trades, including the New Orleans Pelicans moving up to the seventh position to select Jeremiah Fears from Oklahoma, a player known for his electrifying style of play and ball-handling skills. "We believe Jeremiah has the potential to be a franchise player for us," Pelicans' Executive Vice President David Griffin commented (Cobb, David. CBS Sports, June 26, 2025).

The Brooklyn Nets made history by selecting five players in the first round, highlighting their strategy to rebuild and develop a competitive roster. Their first selection was Egor Demin from BYU at No. 8, who is expected to bring significant playmaking abilities to the team (Cobb, David. CBS Sports, June 26, 2025).

In total, the draft featured a record tying 11 freshmen selected in the lottery, echoing the trend of teams favoring young talent with substantial upside. This year's draft class also included several international players, with the Brooklyn Nets selecting French guard Nolan Traoré at No. 19 and the Chicago Bulls taking Noa Essengue from Germany at No. 12, showcasing the NBA's increasing global reach (Cobb, David. CBS Sports, June 26, 2025).

The first round concluded with a mix of expected and unexpected outcomes, setting the stage for an intriguing second round, scheduled for June 26, 2025. As teams assess their selections and strategies moving forward, the implications of this draft will be felt across the league for years to come.