NBA mock draft 2025: AI prediction roundup for first round picks
If the folks who devise mock drafts and the data and algorithms that fuel artificial intelligence are correct, the first two picks of the 2025 NBA draft are a near certainty at this point, despite still being a week away. Cooper Flagg is going to be the No. 1 selection by the Dallas Mavericks and the Rutgers guard Dylan Harper will go No. 2 to the San Antonio Spurs when the NBA convenes in Brooklyn beginning Wednesday, June 25 for the draft. Almost every mock draft, including the most recent one produced by USA TODAY's NBA experts, has them being chosen in that order. But so does almost every major AI platform.
AI Predictions
USA TODAY Sports asked five AI programs ‒ Microsoft Copilot AI, Meta AI, Grok AI, Google Gemini AI, ChatGPT AI ‒ to produce simulations of every pick during the 2025 NBA draft first round. Each one had Flagg as the No. 1 pick and Harper as the No. 2 choice. After that, however, there wasn't much consensus between the humans and AI. Baylor's VJ Edgecombe, Rutgers wing Ace Bailey, Duke's Kon Knueppel and Texas guard Tre Johnson were the only other consensus top-10 picks, according to the AI projections. There were 45 players chosen overall among the various AI projections for the 30 spots in the first round and a wide range of outcomes, particularly outside the lottery selections.
2025 NBA Draft Overview
Here's a breakdown of each AI simulation for the first round of the 2025 NBA draft, as well as how they compare to the latest USA TODAY Sports mock draft:
Note: Microsoft Copilot AI simulation conducted prior to the NBA early entry deadline and includes two prospects (Yaxel Landeborg and Alex Karaban) who later chose to return to college.
Note: AI simulations and USA TODAY Sports mock draft were conducted prior to the Desmond Bane trade on June 15 in which the Memphis Grizzlies acquired this pick from the Orlando Magic.
Note: AI simulations and USA TODAY Sports mock draft were conducted prior to the Pelicans acquiring this pick from the Indiana Pacers in a June 17 trade.
Event Details
The 2025 NBA draft is scheduled to take place over two days, with the first round scheduled for Wednesday, June 25 beginning at 8 p.m. ET, and the second round slated to happen on Thursday, June 26 starting at 8 p.m. ET. Thursday's first round will be televised by ABC and ESPN. Friday's second round will be broadcast nationally by ESPN.
You can also stream both days of the 2025 NBA draft with Fubo.
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