2025 NBA Draft Preview
The 2025 NBA Draft, featuring top prospects like Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper, promises one of the most unpredictable and talent-rich classes in recent memory with major storylines, and rising international stars. We discuss it here!
By: Joshua Martin
As the 2025 NBA Draft approaches tonight in Brooklyn, this year’s class is shaping up to be one of the most talented and unpredictable groups in recent memory. At the center of attention is Cooper Flagg, the 6′9″ versatile forward from Duke and the consensus number one pick to the Mavericks. He’s widely regarded as a “generational talent.” A level of hype not seen since LeBron James. After averaging 19.2 points and 7.5 rebounds during his freshman campaign, James emphasized Flagg’s versatility. Adding his excitement to see Flagg on the veteran led Mavericks squad.
“He has the benefit, unlike myself, he gets to join a team that’s established with Hall of Fame guys… I think he’s going to be amazing.” - LeBron James via Mind the Game podcast
“He has the benefit, unlike myself, he gets to join a team that’s established with Hall of Fame guys… I think he’s going to be amazing.”
Flagg has consistently shown a rare maturity for his age. Scouts rave about his two way game. Some draw comparisons to Jayson Tatum and early Kawhi Leonard, though a few feel he might fall just short of transcendent superstardom. Yet LeBron James and others believe he’s fully ready for NBA impact.
Dylan Harper & Ace Bailey
Photo cred: Dylan Harper & Ace Bailey Instagram
Ranking behind Flagg is Dylan Harper, the Rutgers guard viewed as the consensus No. 2 overall pick. His physical strength and court vision mark him as a future lead guard. Though his shaky perimeter game has some scouts cautious.
Once considered a top three pick, Ace Bailey, has provided the necessary drama before the draft. The former Rutgers star guard has turned down pre draft workouts and has shown a reluctance to play for Philadelphia. Bailey would prefer a rebuilding team like Washington, New Orleans, or Brooklyn according to reports. That uncertainty has created a ripple effect, potentially shifting the top four picks.
Other notable prospects include V.J. Edgecombe, Baylor’s athletic guard forward from the Bahamas. Edgecombe averaged 15.0 points and 5.6 rebounds in his freshman year and is perfect for a team eyeing speed, athleticism and perimeter defense.
Tre Johnson, a 6’6” guard from Texas, is renowned for his 40% 3 point accuracy and 87% free throw percentage. He is locked in between the 4th and 6th picks on many mocks, yet some analysts question his finishing around the rim.
Center Khaman Maluach and forward Kon Knueppel, both from Duke, continue to climb draft boards due to their combination of size and skill from the post. International prospects like Noa Essengue (Ulm, Germany) and Nolan Traoré (France) are considered top 25 talents, though they missed the Combine while competing overseas.
This draft blends generational upside, intrigue and strong depth across wings and bigs. With uncertainty swirling around Bailey and international standouts gaining traction, tonight could feature dramatic trades or surprises. Whether it’s Flagg rising to superstardom or Bailey’s audacious gambit unraveling, 2025 promises to be one of the most compelling and unpredictable drafts in years.
Where you can watch is listed below.
Draft Schedule & Broadcast
• Round 1
Wednesday, June 25
8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT)
ABC and ESPN, live stream on fubo or CBS Sports HQ
• Round 2
Thursday, June 26
8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT)
ESPN, with streaming available
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Michael Jordan Joins NBC Sports as Special Contributor for NBA’s 2025 Return
Michael Jordan returns to the NBA as a special contributor for NBC’s 2025-2026 season coverage, joining Peacock and NBC’s expanded broadcast lineup alongside Jamal Crawford, Reggie Miller, and Carmelo Anthony. We discuss it here!
Team owner, Michael Jordon, watches the Federated Auto Parts 400 in Richmond, VA, USA.
Credit: Grindstone Media Group
By: Joshua Martin
Michael “His Airness” Jordan is making his return to the NBA. In an announcement Monday, the five-time league MVP and six-time champion with the Chicago Bulls in the 90s, revealed he will be the newest addition to NBC’s coverage of the league. The six-time scoring champion will make his debut on the network when the 2025-2026 season begins in late October.
“I am so excited to see the NBA back on NBC. The NBA on NBC was a meaningful part of my career, and I’m excited about being a special contributor to the project. I’m looking forward to seeing you all when the NBA on NBC launches this October.”
The NBA returns to NBC and Peacock
“Michael’s legacy both on and off the court speaks for itself. We’re incredibly proud to have him join our coverage.”
NBCUniversal and the National Basketball Association announced an 11 year deal last summer to present NBA and WNBA regular season and playoff basketball games across a multitude of platforms starting with the 2025-2026 season.
Included in the agreement, Peacock will live stream exclusively on Monday night with nationally televised night games while NBC/Peacock will present national coverage of regional doubleheaders on Tuesday nights. Additionally, NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball in 2026 across NBC and Peacock.
Jordan joins a talented roster of former players and veteran television talent. Jamal Crawford, Reggie Miller, Carmelo Anthony, Mike Tirico and Noah Eagle have all been previously announced as mainstay contributors.
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Derrick Rose Announces Retirement After a 16-Year Rollercoaster NBA Career
Derrick Rose, youngest NBA MVP, announced his retirement today after 16 years of highs and lows with the Chicago Bulls as well as five other teams. We discuss it here!
Derrick Rose's final goodbye to his fans as he poses with roses and Adidas.
Credit: Derrick Rose Instagram
By: Joshua Martin
The former No. 1 overall pick of his hometown team, the Chicago Bulls, is calling it quits after a 16-year career full of highs and lows. Rose, who became the youngest MVP in league history after securing the award at just 22 years old, officially announced his retirement today. In a detailed Instagram post, the 35 year old shared his thoughts on walking away from the game he loves so dearly.
“Thank You, My First Love… You believed in me through the highs and lows, my constant everything else seemed uncertain. You showed me what love truly meant. You turned the court into my sanctuary, a home where I could express myself freely. You made every early morning and late night we spent together worth every drop of sweat.”
Rose took out ads in the local newspapers and added the retirement letter in the six cities he played for during his NBA career, which included New York, Cleveland, Minnesota, Detroit and Memphis. The Memphis Grizzlies was the three time All Star’s last stop before hanging it up.
Just a kid from Chicago.
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) September 26, 2024
Thank you for everything, @drose 🌹 pic.twitter.com/u3CCwhlfRe
D-Rose experienced success quite early in his NBA career, earning the Rookie of the Year award and First Team All Rookie honors in 2009. Just two years later he was leading the 62-20 Chicago Bulls to the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. During that season, Rose won the MVP award and made All NBA First Team. They eventually lost in the Eastern Conference Finals to the Miami Heat juggernaut led by LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh.
Derrick Rose’s career was tragically altered in 2012 when tore his ACL in the first round of the 2012 playoffs. He missed all of the following season due to his injury and never returned to that elite level of play from his first few handful of seasons. He did however prove to be a serviceable veteran guard during the later stages of his career, finishing with career averages of 17.4 points and 5.2 points per game.
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Meet Joshua Martin, Senior Video Editor for 247 Live Culture!
Email: Joshua@247LCTV.com