Draft Dreams: NBA 2025

June 26, 2025 • Sports

Hosted by Big Dill

About This Episode

Generated sports podcast with host Big Dill based on prompt: NBA 2025 draft news.

Transcript

Welcome to "Draft Dreams: NBA 2025," brought to you by Big Dill Sports. I’m your host, Dillon, and today we're diving into the exhilarating whirlwind that was the 2025 NBA Draft—one of surprises, seismic shifts, and dreams realized at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn.

Let’s start at the top, where the Dallas Mavericks defied the odds with their less-than-2% chance at the top pick, landing Duke’s Cooper Flagg. This young forward has everyone buzzing, seen by many as a generational talent. His stats from Duke really say it all: 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and a sharp 38.5% from beyond the arc. Mavs fans, get ready for a season of excitement, as this pick might just be a game-changer.

Now, moving on, the San Antonio Spurs wasted no time snapping up Dylan Harper from Rutgers. Harper, another promising star, showcased his skills as a guard, averaging 19.4 points during his college stint. The pairing of Flagg and Harper right at the top gives both the Mavericks and Spurs the young sparks they were looking for.

Yet, the draft wouldn’t be complete without drama. Ace Bailey was the name on everyone’s lips as he slid to the fifth pick, taken by the Utah Jazz. Bailey’s pre-draft process had its hitches, sparking debate over his drop from a predicted top-three position. With his 7-foot wingspan and solid stats from Rutgers, his journey with the Jazz will certainly be one to watch.

Trade chatter echoed through the evening as big moves shook up the board. Remember the 10th pick swap when the Phoenix Suns snagged Duke’s towering center, Khaman Maluach? A giant presence at 7-foot-1, Maluach is set to make waves down in the desert. Plus, watch for the Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis Grizzlies, who shuffled their picks to potentially craft line-ups that could surprise us.

But it wasn’t just the trades stealing the spotlight. The draft reminded us of the NBA's international flavor. Noa Essengue from France joined the Bulls as the 12th pick, while Russia's Egor Demin found a home with the Brooklyn Nets at the 8th. Over in China, Hansen Yang made his mark, picked by the Trail Blazers at 16. It’s a global game, folks, and this draft proved it.

It's now time for this episode's 'big dill' moment. Our spotlight shines on Kon Knueppel, a versatile guard-forward from Duke, chosen by the Charlotte Hornets with the 4th pick. Knueppel impressed with 14.4 points per game, and his ability to float between guard and forward positions gives the Hornets a flexible weapon. Kon’s name might just be the next big toast in Charlotte.

To bring it all together, the first round of the NBA Draft 2025 was electrifying. Performance stats, shocking drops, strategic swaps, and impressive international talents all played their part beautifully. And we’re only on day one—tomorrow, the second round promises a hunt for gems that could add depth to every roster.

I’d like to thank you all for tuning into Big Dill Sports for “Draft Dreams: NBA 2025.” Catch us next time as we uncover more stories and surprises from the world of sports. Until then, keep bouncing those dreams high!

## NBA Draft 2025: Cooper Flagg Goes No. 1 to Mavericks in a Night of Surprises

New York, NY - The 2025 NBA Draft, held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, delivered a mix of expected outcomes and startling surprises, with Duke University's Cooper Flagg heading to the Dallas Mavericks as the first overall pick. The San Antonio Spurs followed by selecting Rutgers guard Dylan Harper, creating a promising new tandem.

The first round of the draft, which took place on Wednesday, June 26, 2025, saw a flurry of activity, including trades and unexpected selections that will have fans and analysts buzzing for weeks to come.

### Top of the Class: Flagg, Harper, and Edgecombe Lead the Way

As widely anticipated, Cooper Flagg was the first name called by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. The 18-year-old forward from Duke is considered a generational talent, and his selection by the Mavericks, who had less than a 2% chance of winning the draft lottery, is seen as a major coup for the franchise. In his single season at Duke, Flagg showcased his all-around game, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, while shooting 48.1% from the field and 38.5% from three-point range.

The San Antonio Spurs, picking second, chose Dylan Harper, a 19-year-old guard from Rutgers. Harper, a skilled playmaker, averaged 19.4 points and 4.0 assists in college. The Philadelphia 76ers rounded out the top three by selecting V.J. Edgecombe, a 19-year-old guard from Baylor who averaged 15.4 points and 5.6 rebounds.

### Draft Night Drama: Bailey Slips, Trades Shake Up the Board

One of the biggest stories of the night was the slide of Rutgers forward Ace Bailey, who was projected as a top-three pick but fell to the Utah Jazz at number five. Reports surfaced of a "puzzling pre-draft process" and a reluctance to join the team that ultimately drafted him. Bailey, an 18-year-old with a 7-foot wingspan, averaged 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds at Rutgers.

Trade activity also played a significant role in the first round. The Phoenix Suns acquired the 10th pick from the Houston Rockets to select Duke's 7-foot-1 center, Khaman Maluach. The Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis Grizzlies also swapped first-round picks.

### International Flair and Notable Selections

The draft once again highlighted the global reach of basketball, with several international players selected in the first round. These included Noa Essengue from France (Chicago Bulls, pick 12), Egor Demin from Russia who played at BYU (Brooklyn Nets, pick 8), and Hansen Yang from China (Portland Trail Blazers, pick 16).

Other notable first-round selections included:
* Kon Knueppel (Duke) to the Charlotte Hornets at pick 4.
* Tre Johnson (Texas) to the Washington Wizards at pick 6.
* Jeremiah Fears (Oklahoma) to the New Orleans Pelicans at pick 7.
* Collin Murray-Boyles (South Carolina) to the Toronto Raptors at pick 9.

### Player Statistics at a Glance:

Here's a look at the college stats for some of the top prospects:

| Player | Position | College | Points Per Game | Rebounds Per Game | Assists Per Game |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Cooper Flagg | F | Duke | 19.2 | 7.5 | 4.2 |
| Dylan Harper | G | Rutgers | 19.4 | - | 4.0 |
| V.J. Edgecombe | G | Baylor | 15.4 | 5.6 | - |
| Kon Knueppel | G/F | Duke | 14.4 | - | - |
| Ace Bailey | G/F | Rutgers | 17.6 | 7.2 | - |
| Tre Johnson | SG | Texas | 19.9 | 3.2 | 2.7 |
| Jeremiah Fears | G | Oklahoma | 17.1 | 4.1 | 4.1 |
| Collin Murray-Boyles | PF | South Carolina | 16.8 | 8.3 | - |
| Khaman Maluach | C | Duke | 8.6 | 6.6 | - |

The second round of the 2025 NBA Draft is scheduled for Thursday, June 27, 2025, where teams will look to find hidden gems and add depth to their rosters.

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Draft Dreams: NBA 2025