The 2025 NBA Draft is just over 11 months away, but it’s never too early to start looking at future stars. Duke forward Cooper Flagg is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick — no matter who holds the selection — due to his unique blend of shotmaking and defense.
Barring something catastrophic, Flagg will be the No. 1 pick because the 6-foot-9 forward is one of the most hyped-up incoming college freshmen of the 21st century. The 2024 NBA Draft cycle produced an abundance of intrigue at the top but lacked prospects with true superstar potential.
That won’t be the case this upcoming draft cycle.
The 2025 NBA Draft will start at No. 2, and whoever ends up with that selection will have the chance to draft a true blue-chip talent. Rutgers forward Ace Bailey is the current second-ranked player on most way-too-early big boards and was slotted at No. 2 by CBS Sports’ Adam Finkelstein, Travis Branham, and Gary Parrish.
Bailey and his teammate at Rutgers, Dylan Harper, are two top candidates to go off the board early in the 2025 NBA Draft. With that said, here’s the top candidates to be the No. 2 pick in the NBA Draft behind Cooper Flagg next summer.
1. Ace Bailey, F, Rutgers
If the 2025 NBA Draft happened today, Bailey would be the No. 2 pick. There’s a clear top-two at the top of most NBA pundits’ respective big boards. Bailey is 6-8 with ideal size to play wing in the NBA. He’s one of the best athletes in the class and can do a little bit of everything. Bailey might have the highest ceiling of any prospect outside of Flagg and if he improves his decision-making this season, his case to go No. 2 will be rock solid.
It’s way more likely Bailey goes second than No. 1 overall, but anything is possible. Barring a catastrophic drop in production at Rutgers, Bailey will be a top-five pick next summer.
2. Nolan Traore, G, France
The current top international prospect on the board is the latest future star…
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