Kevin Durant officially getting traded just before Game 7 of the NBA Finals might’ve been the last thing anyone expected to see this past Sunday, but that’s exactly what happened. News broke on ESPN early Sunday that Durant had been dealt from the Phoenix Suns to the Houston Rockets. Most fans were shocked, not just because Durant is on the move again, but because trades almost never happen during the Finals. What many people don’t realize is that there’s no official rule against it—it’s just an unwritten code of respect.
This time, with ESPN airing the game and their top insider Shams Charania already tipped off over the weekend, the story got out. It was a rare moment where the future of the league interrupted its present. And now, just a few days later, the focus shifts fully to what comes next: the 2025 NBA Draft, where all eyes are on Duke’s Cooper Flagg, the surefire number one pick, and on the Brooklyn Nets, who enter tonight with an unbelievable five first-round selections and the power to reshape the next era of their franchise in one night.
With the spotlight now firmly back on the rookies, there’s no mystery about the top pick. Everyone knows Duke’s Cooper Flagg will go number one overall. The 6-foot-9 forward has been the consensus top prospect all year, and it’s easy to see why. He brings a rare combination of size, athleticism, basketball IQ, and two-way dominance. Flagg averaged close to 19 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4 assists as a freshman, while also anchoring Duke’s defense and emerging as a top-tier transition threat. His shot-blocking instincts are elite, and he’s shown he can guard multiple positions. Offensively, Flagg’s efficiency inside the arc was matched by a surprisingly strong outside shot—he hit almost 39% of his threes in conference play. Scouts see him as a foundational player. He finishes well in traffic, cuts sharply without the ball, and thrives as a playmaker in motion. There’s really no box he doesn’t check. That’s why nobody’s even pretending there’s suspense around the first pick.
The intrigue begins with the second and third picks, where two Rutgers guards—Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey—are expected to go back-to-back. Harper, a 6-foot-5 combo guard, is a polished scorer and facilitator. He averaged about 20 points per game in his lone college season and impressed scouts with his decision-making in pick-and-rolls. Harper reads defenses well, shows touch from midrange, and can create his own shot. His three-point shooting wasn’t elite—roughly 33%—but his form and mechanics suggest he’ll improve at the next level. His length and anticipation give him defensive potential, even if he’s not quite the lockdown defender some top picks project to be. What sets Harper apart is how fluid his game is. He doesn’t force much, and he seems to always be in control, which is why he’s the favorite to be taken second.
Ace Bailey is more of a wild card. At 6-foot-4, he’s slightly undersized for a primary scorer, but he makes up for it with explosive offense. Bailey lit up Rutgers’ schedule, putting up massive performances including a 39-point game against Indiana and 38 against Northwestern. His offensive package includes deep threes, off-the-dribble pull-ups, and a crafty floater game. He’s also extremely young—still just 18—which means his ceiling may be higher than anyone’s in the draft not named Flagg. That said, Bailey is raw. His defensive effort comes and goes, and he had stretches where decision-making and maturity were questioned. But his scoring instincts are undeniable. Teams looking for an elite bucket-getter with growth potential will give Bailey a long look in the top five. If he’s not taken at three, he probably won’t drop far past the eighth pick.
After the consensus top three, the draft gets a little more unpredictable. One name that’s moved steadily up draft boards is V.J. Edgecombe out of Baylor. He’s a 6-foot-5 shooting guard known for his energy, explosiveness, and defensive intensity. Edgecombe averaged around 15 points, six rebounds, and three assists in the Big 12 this past season. He’s a powerful slasher who gets downhill fast and isn’t afraid of contact. He’s also a pesky defender, with quick feet and strong hands that create turnovers. His jump shot is solid but not elite yet, though he hit open threes at a respectable rate. He’s the kind of player who might not have a star’s upside, but he’ll help his team immediately with hustle and intensity on both ends.
Konrad Kneuppel, or “Kon” as he’s often called, is another name you’ll hear early in the draft. A freshman at Duke and originally from Germany, Kneuppel is one of the best pure shooters in this class. At 6-foot-6, he has ideal size for a two-guard and spent the year burying catch-and-shoot threes at a 41% clip. He’s not a strong defender, and his lateral quickness is still a concern, but that shooting stroke is so pure that teams are willing to take the risk. He hit over 90% of his free throws and rarely took bad shots. In today’s NBA, shooting gravity matters more than ever, and Kneuppel’s ability to space the floor makes him a valuable piece from day one.
Another wing with serious upside is Tre Johnson from Texas. He led the Big 12 in scoring and shot nearly 40% from three on high volume. Johnson is smooth and efficient with the ball in his hands and can play off-ball just as well. At 6-foot-6, he has good size for a shooting guard, and he shows flashes of creation and passing that hint at more playmaking potential. What holds him back slightly is his physicality—he needs to add strength and become more aggressive on defense. Still, his offensive polish is among the best in this class.
Jeremiah Fears is the third Rutgers guard entering this draft, which is remarkable in itself. Fears isn’t as hyped as Harper or Bailey, but he had a strong year. A 6-foot-3 combo guard, he’s a steady presence who can run the offense or play off the ball. He’s a smart player who rarely makes mistakes and shoots the ball well from deep. While not flashy, Fears is the kind of guy who might sneak into the late first round or early second and stick around in the league for a long time thanks to his versatility and basketball IQ.
Carter Bryant, a guard who transferred from Washington to Arizona, has also gotten attention. He’s 6-foot-4 with a scorer’s mentality and solid mechanics on his jumper. Bryant may not do any one thing exceptionally well, but he’s a consistent shooter who can defend wings and provide spacing. He profiles as a 3-and-D wing who could carve out a useful role in the NBA, especially for teams needing depth on the perimeter.
Derik Queen is one of the older prospects in this class, having played at both Maryland and Wake Forest. At 6-foot-6, he’s a strong guard with experience and polish. He may not have the upside of some of the one-and-dones, but he’s reliable, a good rebounder for his size, and has NBA-ready strength. He’ll likely go in the late first round or early second.
International players are always a factor in the NBA Draft, and this year is no different. The biggest name is Khaman Maluach, a 7-foot-2 center originally from South Sudan who played for Duke. Maluach didn’t even start playing basketball until he was 13, but his development has been incredible. He’s already a dominant shot blocker and rebounder, with switchable mobility that makes him dangerous on pick-and-roll defense. His offensive game is still developing—he doesn’t have a reliable jumper or advanced post moves yet—but his size and defensive instincts make him one of the most intriguing long-term projects in the class. He’s likely to be picked in the top 10.
There are several other international names worth watching. Kasparas Jakucionis, a 6-foot-9 Lithuanian forward who played at Miami, brings length and shooting ability. Noa Essengue, a forward from Cameroon who played at Wake Forest, is known for his athleticism and ability to guard multiple positions. Nolan Traore, a Canadian big man who spent the year at Texas-El Paso, is another name who could rise into the first round depending on team workouts. All of them bring valuable international experience and traits that NBA teams love—whether it’s length, mobility, or basketball fundamentals developed overseas.
A few European prospects are also getting late first or early second-round looks. Walter Clayton Jr., a German-born shooter now at Louisville, has a reputation for lights-out shooting. Cedric Coward, a big forward from Sweden, played college ball in the U.S. and is another intriguing size-shooting combo. Egor Demin, from Russia, has also been mentioned on draft boards.
With Cooper Flagg already locked in at number one, and the top three almost certain to be Flagg, Harper, and Bailey in some order, attention will turn quickly to who rises or falls based on team preferences, trades, and fit. And this is where things get especially interesting: the Brooklyn Nets own five first-round picks. That’s practically unheard of in a single draft, and it gives Brooklyn an enormous opportunity to either trade up, move veterans, or take a swing on multiple high-upside players. Whether they package picks to chase a star or just load up on young talent, the Nets are in a position to completely alter their direction in one night.
Here’s the thing, folks: While the Durant trade likely would have waited until after Game 7 to make headlines had ESPN the logistics of ESPN airing the NBA Finals and the fact that we are two weeks from Summer League starting the trade baskcailly had to happen this past weekend to give Oklahoma City their moment in the sun leading up to the 2025 NBA Draft tonight.
With that… The Kevin Durant trade being announced before game 7 of the Finals has now transitioned into a night of dreams and future stars. Some names will be called early, some may have to wait longer than expected, but for all 58 players selected tonight, the next chapter begins now. And with so many teams holding multiple picks—Brooklyn most of all—don’t be surprised if the story of draft night turns out to be just as dramatic as Sunday night’s Finals broadcast.