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The NBA Draft lottery shocked everyone last night when the Dallas Mavericks, who entered the night with a 1.8% chance of earning the No. 1 overall pick, did just that. In fact, of the three teams with the highest chance of winning the top pick − the Charlotte Hornets, Utah Jazz, and Washington Wizards − not one earned a top-three pick.
The results were shocking, but it should come as no shock who the first overall pick will be. Duke's two-way wing Cooper Flagg has been the talk of the town for quite some time at this point. Now, the only question is whether or not the pick will be traded. After all, we've seen Mavs GM Nico Harrison make wild decisions before.
But it's not my job to make that sort of prediction. Given how unpredictable the lottery was, it might be a fool's errand to predict anything going forward regarding this year's NBA Draft. It might be best to leave the predictions to the experts, artificial intelligence − no bias, no theories, only facts. Using Microsoft Copilot AI, here are the program's full predictions for the lottery picks of the 2025 NBA Draft.
NBA News: Mavericks, Nico Harrison strike gold in NBA draft lottery. Wizards and Jazz strike out.
1. Dallas Mavericks - Cooper Flagg (Wing, Duke)
Copilot writes, "Flagg is a generational talent with elite defensive instincts and a polished offensive game. Dallas needs a future cornerstone, and Flagg fits perfectly."
2. San Antonio Spurs - Dylan Harper (G, Rutgers)
"Harper is a big, versatile guard who can score at all three levels. The Spurs need a primary ball-handler to pair with Victor Wembanyama, and Harper’s playmaking makes him an ideal fit."
3. Philadelphia 76ers - V.J. Edgecombe (G, Baylor)
"Edgecombe is an explosive athlete with defensive upside. Philly needs perimeter scoring and a two-way presence, making Edgecombe a strong choice."
4. Charlotte Hornets - Ace Bailey (F, Rutgers)
"Bailey is a high-upside wing with elite athleticism. Charlotte needs size and versatility on the wing, and Bailey’s ability to create his own shot is valuable."
5. Utah Jazz - Jeremiah Fears (G, Oklahoma)
"Fears is a crafty playmaker with scoring ability. Utah needs backcourt firepower, and Fears brings a strong offensive skill set."
6. Washington Wizards - Tre Johnson (G, Texas)
"Johnson is a dynamic scorer with deep range. Washington needs backcourt scoring, and Johnson’s ability to create offense makes him a great fit."
7. New Orleans Pelicans - Khaman Maluach (C, Duke)
"Maluach is a dominant rim protector with a developing offensive game. Brooklyn needs size and defense, and Maluach provides both."
8. Brooklyn Nets - Kon Knueppel (Wing, Duke)
"Knueppel is a high-IQ shooter who can space the floor. Brooklyn needs consistent perimeter shooting, and Knueppel fits the bill."
9. Toronto Raptors - Collin Murray-Boyles (F, South Carolina)
"Murray-Boyles is a physical forward who can defend multiple positions. Toronto needs frontcourt toughness, and he provides that."
10. Houston Rockets - Carter Bryant (F, Arizona)
"Bryant is a versatile wing with defensive upside. Houston needs athleticism and length, and Bryant fits their system well."
11. Portland Trail Blazers - Kasparas Jakucionis (G, Illinois)
"Jakucionis is a smooth ball-handler with elite passing. Portland needs playmaking, and he brings that in abundance."
12. Chicago Bulls - Yaxel Lendeborg (F, Michigan)
"Lendeborg is a strong rebounder with defensive versatility. Chicago needs frontcourt depth, and Lendeborg provides that."
13. Atlanta Hawks - Maxime Raynaud (F, Stanford)
"Raynaud is a mobile big man with shot-blocking ability. Atlanta needs rim protection, and Raynaud provides that."
14. San Antonio Spurs - Isaiah Elohim (G, USC)
"Elohim is a scoring guard with playmaking ability. San Antonio needs backcourt depth, and Elohim fits their system."
Round 1 of the NBA Draft is set for Wednesday, June 25 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Coverage will air on both ESPN and ABC, beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
NBA News: NBA fans call lottery rigged after Mavericks get No. 1 pick, win Cooper Flagg sweepstakes
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2025 NBA Draft predictions: AI mock draft for every lottery pick
Continue reading...
The results were shocking, but it should come as no shock who the first overall pick will be. Duke's two-way wing Cooper Flagg has been the talk of the town for quite some time at this point. Now, the only question is whether or not the pick will be traded. After all, we've seen Mavs GM Nico Harrison make wild decisions before.
But it's not my job to make that sort of prediction. Given how unpredictable the lottery was, it might be a fool's errand to predict anything going forward regarding this year's NBA Draft. It might be best to leave the predictions to the experts, artificial intelligence − no bias, no theories, only facts. Using Microsoft Copilot AI, here are the program's full predictions for the lottery picks of the 2025 NBA Draft.
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NBA News: Mavericks, Nico Harrison strike gold in NBA draft lottery. Wizards and Jazz strike out.
AI predictions for 2025 NBA Draft
1. Dallas Mavericks - Cooper Flagg (Wing, Duke)
Copilot writes, "Flagg is a generational talent with elite defensive instincts and a polished offensive game. Dallas needs a future cornerstone, and Flagg fits perfectly."
2. San Antonio Spurs - Dylan Harper (G, Rutgers)
"Harper is a big, versatile guard who can score at all three levels. The Spurs need a primary ball-handler to pair with Victor Wembanyama, and Harper’s playmaking makes him an ideal fit."
3. Philadelphia 76ers - V.J. Edgecombe (G, Baylor)
"Edgecombe is an explosive athlete with defensive upside. Philly needs perimeter scoring and a two-way presence, making Edgecombe a strong choice."
4. Charlotte Hornets - Ace Bailey (F, Rutgers)
"Bailey is a high-upside wing with elite athleticism. Charlotte needs size and versatility on the wing, and Bailey’s ability to create his own shot is valuable."
5. Utah Jazz - Jeremiah Fears (G, Oklahoma)
"Fears is a crafty playmaker with scoring ability. Utah needs backcourt firepower, and Fears brings a strong offensive skill set."
6. Washington Wizards - Tre Johnson (G, Texas)
"Johnson is a dynamic scorer with deep range. Washington needs backcourt scoring, and Johnson’s ability to create offense makes him a great fit."
7. New Orleans Pelicans - Khaman Maluach (C, Duke)
"Maluach is a dominant rim protector with a developing offensive game. Brooklyn needs size and defense, and Maluach provides both."
8. Brooklyn Nets - Kon Knueppel (Wing, Duke)
"Knueppel is a high-IQ shooter who can space the floor. Brooklyn needs consistent perimeter shooting, and Knueppel fits the bill."
9. Toronto Raptors - Collin Murray-Boyles (F, South Carolina)
"Murray-Boyles is a physical forward who can defend multiple positions. Toronto needs frontcourt toughness, and he provides that."
10. Houston Rockets - Carter Bryant (F, Arizona)
"Bryant is a versatile wing with defensive upside. Houston needs athleticism and length, and Bryant fits their system well."
11. Portland Trail Blazers - Kasparas Jakucionis (G, Illinois)
"Jakucionis is a smooth ball-handler with elite passing. Portland needs playmaking, and he brings that in abundance."
12. Chicago Bulls - Yaxel Lendeborg (F, Michigan)
"Lendeborg is a strong rebounder with defensive versatility. Chicago needs frontcourt depth, and Lendeborg provides that."
13. Atlanta Hawks - Maxime Raynaud (F, Stanford)
"Raynaud is a mobile big man with shot-blocking ability. Atlanta needs rim protection, and Raynaud provides that."
14. San Antonio Spurs - Isaiah Elohim (G, USC)
"Elohim is a scoring guard with playmaking ability. San Antonio needs backcourt depth, and Elohim fits their system."
When is the NBA Draft?
Round 1 of the NBA Draft is set for Wednesday, June 25 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Coverage will air on both ESPN and ABC, beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
NBA News: NBA fans call lottery rigged after Mavericks get No. 1 pick, win Cooper Flagg sweepstakes
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2025 NBA Draft predictions: AI mock draft for every lottery pick
Continue reading...
