With multiple Illinois players projected to be taken in this year’s NBA Draft, there is a lot of buzz about the event in the sports section.
As such, we held a mock draft.
Each writer was assigned a team or two and given time to research their team(s), the prospects and what other teams might do. We also conducted our own lottery. Our draft went as follows:
** These picks were made on the night of April 29 and reflect the state of the league at that time.**
1. Utah Jazz — Cooper Flagg, G/F, Duke
Get The Daily Illini in your inbox!
Duke guard/forward Cooper Flagg is a shoo-in to go first overall. Flagg’s strong, well-rounded stats show why. The freshman averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game this season.
In his rookie season as a Blue Devil, Flagg led the team to the Final Four. The Jazz, coming off a 17-65 season, need a spark to ignite their rebuild. If they’re fortunate enough to win the lottery, Flagg could prove to be just that.
2. New Orleans Pelicans — Ace Bailey, G/F, Rutgers
When healthy, the Pelicans have a solid roster with good pieces like guard Dejounte Murray and forward Zion Williamson. However, they are nowhere near ready to truly compete in the Western Conference. With Rutgers wing Ace Bailey, New Orleans could sneakily rise into the playoff conversation.
Bailey has arguably the highest ceiling in this draft class. His scoring ability is second to none. The freshman is a solid rebounder as well. He has areas that need improvement, but he is a potential superstar in the making. Some see his shot selection as a problem, but it hasn’t seemed to slow him down. Adding a top scorer never hurts, and Bailey is exactly that.
3. Charlotte Hornets — VJ Edgecombe, SG, Baylor
Charlotte needs to add depth to its frontcourt to complement point guard LaMelo Ball and small forward Brandon Miller. If the Hornets end up at No. 3, then Baylor shooting guard VJ Edgecombe should be on the table. Edgecombe is already a strong two-way player with natural backcourt instincts, particularly in forcing clean turnovers.
At 6-foot-5 and 180 pounds, Edgecombe closed his season averaging 15 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.1 steals. He has a high vertical along with explosive athleticism and a high basketball IQ. The Hornets could use Edgecombe to spread the scoring volume across the floor, as he is great at finishing off lobs, which Ball likes to send. Edgecombe is a tenacious player with the right mentality to integrate into the Hornets’ team culture.
4. Brooklyn Nets — Dylan Harper, G, Rutgers
After finishing 29th in points per game this season, the Brooklyn Nets need a go-to scorer. They need a player who will come right in and make an immediate impact on the offensive end. Rutgers guard Dylan Harper fits that bill spot-on. Harper finished the year as the fifth-best scorer in the Big Ten and earned an All-Big Ten Third Team selection.
The guard not only has the size to be a successful guard in the NBA, but the ability to score in many ways as well. Harper, who averaged 19.4 points per game this season, created shots for himself both inside and outside the paint while also distributing to his teammates. An all-around skilled player like Harper is exactly what the Nets need to start their rebuild.
5. Washington Wizards — Tre Johnson, G, Texas
Washington finished the 2024-25 regular season with the worst record in the East and the second-worst in the league. The Wizards are in the process of overhauling their roster. The team traded away center Jonas Valančiūnas and star forward Kyle Kuzma during this season’s trade window. Washington brought in guard and 2022 Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart, along with forward Khris Middleton, at the deadline.
There are a lot of spots the Wizards need to fill. With the top frontcourt prospects already gone, Texas guard Tre Johnson would add a young presence in the backcourt. He averaged 19.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game this year.
The 6-foot-6 guard shot at 39.7% from beyond the arc and brings shotmaking talent to Washington. This is critical for the Wizards, who shot at 33.5% from three. Johnson is a natural scorer and the Wizards will hope he can bring a young presence to their backcourt.
6. Philadelphia 76ers — Kon Knueppel, G, Duke
The Sixers find themselves in an interesting position. Last season, they added star forward Paul George and were expected to be near the top of the Eastern Conference. Due to an extreme number of injuries to their top players, they ended up with the third-worst record in the conference. With that, they landed a top-6 pick.
Duke guard Kon Knueppel is the perfect fit for Philadelphia. He’s an efficient scorer who nearly cracked a 50-40-90 shooting split in his lone collegiate season.
He would likely come off the bench for a talented Sixers roster. However, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Knueppel cracked the starting lineup over someone like Kelly Oubre Jr. Knueppel’s prolific three-point shooting would also pair exceptionally well with former MVP Joel Embiid’s inside dominance.
7. Toronto Raptors — Khaman Maluach, C, Duke
The Toronto Raptors are in need of a center who can defend, score under the basket and spread the floor. In today’s game, it’s vital for a team to have a lengthy big man who can be physical in the post and shoot from anywhere.
Duke center Khaman Maluach is a very young 7-foot-2 center and is just what the Raptors need. He’s 18 years old, so Maluach will need to develop a little in order to be a threat to other big men. For what he lacks in size, he makes up for in his rebounding and interior scoring.
If developed, he could be a huge pick-up for Toronto and set up the next young core of the franchise.
8. San Antonio Spurs — Kasparas Jakučionis, G, Illinois
Kasparas Jakučionis is a true point guard who can handle the ball, make smart passes and be a tough shot maker on all three levels when needed. His unselfish style of play and high-level court vision are both key aspects of his game that make the 18-year-old a high upside pick. In San Antonio, Jakučionis would be introduced to an organization that values unselfishness and hard work, something that he showcased both on the court and through his extremely mature answers to questions posed by the media.
Star center Victor Wembanyama would be an ideal player to pair with Jakučionis. As a lob threat who can also stretch the floor, Wembanyama has the ability to score from anywhere Jakučionis can find him. The Spurs backcourt has talented pieces with 2025 Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle and veterans Chris Paul and De’Aaron Fox, who can help mentor Jakučionis. He would no doubt strengthen San Antonio’s backcourt even more and be an attractive floor general of the future.
9. Houston Rockets — Jeremiah Fears, G, Oklahoma
After three seasons of averaging less than 20 wins per year, the Rockets saw dramatic improvement from 2023 to 2025. Jumping to 41-41 in 2023-24, then 52-30 in 2024-25, Houston is zeroing in on title contention as rumors begin to swirl about possible superstar trades.
However, such a move would likely involve acquiring a forward such as Giannis Antetokounmpo or Kevin Durant at the cost of a guard like Jalen Green. This, coupled with guard Fred VanVleet’s expensive team option (almost $44.9 million), points to Houston going guard in the NBA Draft.
Picking up a talented combo guard like Oklahoma’s Jeremiah Fears is a good way to maintain their forward momentum, even after possibly giving up a haul for a superstar.
10. Portland Trail Blazers — Derik Queen, C, Maryland
Illinois fans are quite familiar with Maryland center Derik Queen. The Terrapins twice beat the Illini this season, including in the Big Ten tournament. Queen was a large part of both victories, scoring 25 points in Maryland’s 91-70 win over Illinois in January.
It wasn’t just Illinois that had trouble with Queen, however. The Big Ten Freshman of the Year averaged nine rebounds per game this season, along with 16.5 points.
The Trail Blazers already boast a pair of highly-touted centers in Deandre Ayton and Donovan Clingan, but it would be tough to pass on Queen here. Portland could explore trading Ayton, and some believe that Queen could complement Clingan’s game.
Portland could also try Queen, a strong rebounder, as a power forward.
