Who Am I?
I’m Can Peker Pekcan. I’m 21 years old and addicted to basketball. I have been a writer on several sites and currently appear in videos about Türkiye’s youth league on the Stop Press Medya YouTube channel. I share articles on my Twitter and Medium accounts. I want to be professional scout.
You can reach me on Twitter (X) or LinkedIn.
Twitter (X): canpekerpekcan
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This is my first-ever NBA Mock Draft. I’ve made my first-round picks for tonight. I’m waiting for your questions/opinions!
You can check out my live scouting notes about some international prospects (Nolan Traore, Hugo Gonzalez, Ben Saraf, Noa Essengue) by clicking here.
1) DALLAS MAVERICKS – COOPER FLAGG
Status: Freshman
Team: Duke
Height: 6’8″
Wingspan: 7’0″
This is the easiest pick of the draft. Cooper Flagg is coming off a successful freshman season and will make an immediate impact in the league with his elite two-way skill set. He’s a versatile player on both ends off the floor.
Offensively, he attacks the rim and can finish through contract. Has a reliable mid-range jumper and his 3PT shooting improving day-by-day. He also creates for his teammates thanks to his court vision and passing ability.
Defensively, he’s relentless on-ball defender with strong instincts. He reads the game well and makes smart plays. Needs to improve his handle. Flagg’s game looks highly translatable to the NBA. Watching his development will be a lot of fun.
I believe Flagg can fit into Dallas’ system from day one. He can run pick&rolls with Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively, and he has the vision to find shooters like Klay Thompson. After the Luka Dončić trade, Nick Harrison said, “I believe that defense wins championships,” and with Cooper Flagg joining Anthony Davis, Dallas will have a potentially elite defensive duo.
2) SAN ANTONIO SPURS – DYLAN HARPER
Status: Freshman
Team: Rutgers
Height: 6’4 ½
Wingspan: 6’10 ½”
Dylan Harper is a lead guard prospect with elite scoring ability, impressive handles, and strong playmaking skills.
He has great positional size thanks to his strong frame and 6’10.5″ wingspan. An exceptional finisher at the rim, Harper shot an insane 70% (119/170 – 17.6% assisted), which is remarkable for a guard. He can manipulate defenders with his ball-handling and change-of-pace ability. He’s also a good playmaker, showing solid decision-making, court vision, and passing ability.
However, he needs to improve his shooting, especially off-the-dribble jumpers. I like his defensive tools physically, but needs to put more consistent effort on the defensive end.
There are already players like De’Aaron Fox, Devin Vassell, and Stephon Castle in San Antonio Spurs’ guard rotation. So, it’s hard to say that Dylan Harper directly fills an urgent need for them. However, we’ve seen time and time again that at the very top of the draft, teams tend to prioritize pure talent over positional need. For that reason, the Spurs make the expected move and select Dylan Harper.
3) PHILADELPHIA 76ERS – VJ EDGECOMBE
Status: Freshman
Team: Baylor
Height (barefoot): 6’4”
Wingspan: 6’7 ½”
VJ Edgecombe is one of the most intriguing prospects in this class with his elite athleticism and two-way potential.
His athleticism makes a difference on both ends of the floor. Offensively, he attacks the rim with strength and can finish through contact. He can be used as a facilitator, crashes the offensive glass, and showed improvement as a shooter, especially in the second half of the season.
On the defensive end, he stands out with his instincts, competitiveness, and relentless effort. He is a true team player. However, he still needs to keep developing as a shooter and add more strength to his frame.
In my opinion, Edgecombe has a versatile profile that could fit almost any team. For Philadelphia, adding a player like Edgecombe — who can make an impact on both ends of the floor — alongside guards like Maxey and McCain makes a lot of sense.
4) CHARLOTTE HORNETS – ACE BAILEY
Status: Freshman
Team: Rutgers
Height (barefoot): 6’7 ½
Wingspan: 7’0 ½”
Ace Bailey is one of the best shot-makers in this draft class with impressive athletic tools.
Watching Bailey’s highlights is simply entertaining. His explosive dunks and ability to make tough shots look easy are special. But when you watch full games, some of his shot selections can drive you crazy.
He can score at all three levels and is an impressive shot-maker. He also provides solid rebounding for a wing. Defensively, his instincts and wingspan help him generate stocks, and there’s plenty of room for him to improve on that end.
The biggest concern with Bailey is his decision-making. He loves to take tough, contested shots, and his playmaking upside doesn’t look particularly promising. He often settles for mid-range jumpers instead of attacking the rim.
Bailey was once projected to go as high as No. 3 overall, but his draft stock has taken a hit after he skipped workouts and interviews with teams. On top of that, his combine measurements weren’t very encouraging. That said, I believe he shouldn’t fall much further. Charlotte has one of the worst winning percentages in the league and simply needs to select the best talent available — which is Ace Bailey in this scenario.
5) UTAH JAZZ – KON KNUEPPEL
Status: Freshman
Team: Duke
Height (barefoot): 6’5”
Wingspan: 6’6 ¼”
Kon Knueppel is one of the best shooters in this draft class and stands out with his high BBIQ.
He had a strong season at Duke and played great in the postseason. His game isn’t flashy, but it’s efficient and translatable to the NBA. Knueppel has a quick and smooth shooting stroke, consistently knocking down catch-and-shoot threes and shots coming off screens. He attacks the rim well and is effective around the basket. As a playmaker, he makes the right reads within the flow of the offense and operates the pick-and-roll effectively. His feel for the game is noticeable on both ends of the floor.
Defensively, there are areas he needs to improve, particularly his lateral quickness. His athletic testing results at the combine were solid, but he hasn’t consistently translated that to on-court performance yet. He also needs to develop more self-creation as a scorer.
Knueppel is unlikely to be a “Batman” at the NBA level, but with his scoring and playmaking, he has all the tools to be a reliable “Robin.” I think he fits well with Utah’s roster and should have plenty of opportunities to prove himself.
6) WASHINGTON WIZARDS – KHAMAN MALUACH
Status: Freshman
Team: Duke
Height (barefoot): 7’0 ¾
Wingspan: 7’6 ¾”
Khaman Maluach is one of the most promising big men in the draft with his elite physical tools and outstanding finishing ability at the rim. He has a massive 7’7″ wingspan and a 9’6″ standing reach.
He’s a raw prospect who has only been playing basketball for about four years. At Duke, his offensive role was limited — primarily used as a lob threat, with the majority of his points coming from dunks. He’s an effective roller and stays active on the offensive glass. However, I believe he can offer more than that at the NBA level. His 77% FT percentage and the pick&pop threes he showed during his time in the BAL suggest he could develop into a real shooting threat.
Defensively, Maluach has the potential to become a strong rim protector. While his current block numbers aren’t eye-popping, he does a great job deterring opponents from attacking the basket. His mobility is solid for his size — he’s not a slow-footed big.
Maluach needs to improve his defensive awareness, be more aggressive on the defensive boards, and prove how much offensive versatility he can bring beyond being a lob finisher at the NBA level. Many of these aspects remain question marks for now. It’s a risky pick — but the upside is definitely there if it clicks.
In Washington’s case, pairing Alex Sarr and Khaman Maluach together is a fascinating idea for me. Sarr mostly plays at the four and likes to operate in a more perimeter-oriented role. Maluach, meanwhile, will likely start his NBA career as an elite finisher around the basket. Defensively, the Sarr-Maluach combo looks very promising, and with Bilal Coulibaly on the wing, the Wizards could form a really intriguing defensive trio.
7) NEW ORLEANS PELICANS – TRE JOHNSON
Status: Freshman
Team: Texas
Height (barefoot): 6’4 ¾
Wingspan: 6’10 ¼”
Tre Johnson is a natural-born scorer with a strong and versatile offensive arsenal.
He can impact the game in many different ways on offense. Johnson attacks the rim, knocks down threes both off the catch and coming off screens, hits movement shots, and creates his own shot. With his scoring package, he has the potential to make an immediate impact on many teams in this draft. As a playmaker, he reads the game well, but he likely won’t take on a primary playmaking role at the next level.
Defensively, his lack of physical strength makes him a target for opposing offenses. His rebounding contribution is also limited. He needs to improve on the defensive end to become a more complete player.
New Orleans added Jordan Poole to their roster yesterday. By selecting Tre Johnson, they could further boost the team’s scoring potential through the draft.
8) BROOKLYN NETS – KASPARAS JAKUCIONIS
Status: Freshman
Team: Illinois
Height (barefoot): 6’4 ¾
Wingspan: 6’7 ¾”
Kasparas Jakucionis is one of the most intriguing combo guards in the draft with his playmaking and scoring abilities.
He has good positional size and plays with the maturity of a veteran guard. He controls the pace well, operates the pick-and-roll effectively, and has excellent passing instincts. He can create his own shot with moves like step-backs and is also a reliable finisher around the basket. Defensively, he stays in front of his man, knows how to navigate screens, and showed solid physical development this season.
Jakucionis still needs to improve his decision-making and cut down on turnovers. He also needs to become a more consistent outside shooter — once he finds that consistency, he should be able to comfortably contribute as a two-guard as well.
The Brooklyn Nets hold five first-round picks and are easily one of the most fascinating teams to watch on draft night. I believe Jakucionis, with his combination of playmaking and scoring, would be a great way to start their draft haul.
9) TORONTO RAPTORS – NOA ESSENGUE
Status: 2006 DOB
Team: ratiopharm Ulm
Height (barefoot): 6’10”
Wingspan: 7’0 ¾”
Noa Essengue is one of the youngest prospects in this draft class, yet he had an impactful season in both the German League and the EuroCup.
His open-court ability, athleticism, smart off-ball cuts in the half-court, and finishing around the rim make him a highly intriguing prospect. He’s a versatile defender with the potential to guard multiple positions and also contributes on the glass. His aggressive drives to the basket help him get to the free-throw line frequently.
Essengue has solid physical measurements for his position, but he will need to add strength and bulk to his frame at the NBA level. Improving his outside shooting and ball-handling will be key for his long-term development.
I believe Essengue could fit well with the Toronto Raptors alongside players like Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, and RJ Barrett. His versatility and upside could complement that core nicely.
10) PHOENIX SUNS – COLLIN MURRAY-BOYLES
Status: Sophomore
Team: South Carolina
Height (barefoot): 6’6 ½
Wingspan: 7’0 ¾”
Collin Murray-Boyles is one of the more intriguing big men in this draft with his defensive versatility and passing ability.
Despite being considered undersized for his position, he managed to cover that gap at the college level with his physicality. Offensively, he can be used as a facilitator, is an effective post-up player, finishes well around the basket, and makes good decisions for his position. On the defensive end, his mobility and strength allow him to guard multiple positions.
The biggest question mark with CMB is his shooting. So far, he hasn’t shown much promise in that area. Considering his lack of size for a big, a limited shooting threat could present positional challenges at the NBA level. However, his feel for the game, defensive upside, and the potential two-way impact he could bring if he develops a reliable jumper make him an interesting prospect.
Following the Kevin Durant trade, the Suns need to add depth to their power forward rotation. Collin Murray-Boyles could be a great addition in that sense — his defensive versatility would help immediately, and offensively, his passing ability could complement both the scorers and Nick Richards inside.
LATE LOTTERY
11. Portland Trail Blazers – Carter Bryant (Freshman / Forward / 6’6”)
12. Chicago Bulls – Jeremiah Fears (Freshman / Guard / 6’4”)
13. Atlanta Hawks – Egor Demin (Freshman / Wing / 6’9”)
14. San Antonio Spurs – Danny Wolf (Junior / Big / 7’0”)
15th – 30th PICKS
15. Oklahoma City Thunder – Derik Queen (Freshman / Big / 6’10”)
16. Memphis Grizzlies – Nique Clifford (Senior / Wing / 6’6”)
17. Minnesota Timberwolves – Cedric Coward (Senior / Wing / 6’6”)
18. Washington Wizards – Ben Saraf (2006 DOB / Guard / 6’6”)
19. Brooklyn Nets – Thomas Sorber (Freshman / Big / 6’10”)
20. Miami Heat – Walter Clayton Jr. (Senior / Guard / 6’3”)
21. Utah Jazz – Asa Newell (Freshman / Big / 6’11”)
22. Brooklyn Nets – Rasheer Fleming (Junior / Forward / 6’9”)
23. New Orleans Pelicans – Nolan Traore (2006 DOB / Guard / 6’4”)
24. Oklahoma City Thunder – Noah Penda (2005 DOB / Forward / 6’8”)
25. Orlando Magic – Jase Richardson (Freshman / Guard / 6’3”)
26. Brooklyn Nets – Hugo Gonzalez (2006 DOB / Wing / 6’6”)
27. Brooklyn Nets – Adou Thiero (Junior / Forward / 6’8”)
28. Boston Celtics – Maxime Raynaud (Senior / Big / 7’1”)
29. Phoenix Suns – Ryan Kalkbrenner (Senior / Big / 7’1”)
30. Los Angeles Clippers – Joan Beringer (2006 DOB – Big – 6’10”)
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