NBA SIMS LEAGUE
NSL Insider - NSL Mock - Lotteryby Dylan, updated on Tuesday, July 08 2025, 02:57 am EST One of the most anticipated draft classes of this decade, the 2025 draft class hosts an assortment of wings at the top headed by the highest touted rookie since LeBron James, Dukes’ Cooper Flagg. This draft class is set to be a deep one with prospects thought one day to become useful rotational role players all throughout the 1st and early 2nd round. There has been a lot of trading of picks for the NSL and due to a lot of silence surrounding these deals we are unsure exactly which team holds which pick so this article will be written based on current draft positions. Portland in their 1st year of their rebuild are in a dominant position in the 1st round with 6 1st round selections including 5 lottery picks and the #1 overall pick. Miami is right there with them holding 3 1st round selections including 2 lottery picks and Brooklyn are also in a strong position holding 2 lottery selections to add to an already loaded roster.
Pick 1 – Portland Trail Blazers: Cooper Flagg The obvious selection for a team that is on the lookout for a franchise cornerstone. With great fortune and smart trading tactics they allowed themselves 5 chances to win this selection in the lottery and it paid off. Portland gets their future cornerstone in Cooper Flagg a dominant wing that with his hype should be an immediate productive player.
Pick 2 – New York Knicks: Dylan Harper New York is back at the top of the lottery only 1 year into a rebuild are also looking for a franchise cornerstone to lead their charge into the future select Dylan Harper. Harper has been as highly touted as Cooper Flagg with some pundits often swapping Harper and Flagg at 1 and 2. Unfortunately for Smokey, Harper has been listed as a SG/SF for his 1st season but landing at the Spurs in the NBA should see him get the PG position back by year 2. Pick 3 – Brooklyn Nets: VJ Edgecombe Brooklyn has a lot of talent on the roster but through injury and the team just unable to find chemistry find themselves in a position to add to that talent and immediately jump into the playoff picture with VJ Edgecombe, a high-flying forward that has an act for burying tough contested jumpers and has superstar written all over him. Pick 4 – LA Clippers: Tre Johnson Things are getting scary in LA, with Paolo Banchero, Jalen Williams already in town they somehow still managed to land themselves at the top of the lottery again to add to their young talented roster. With rumblings they’ve also found themselves a Center through trade they’ll be a team to reckoned with and a great spot to add a self-creating high-volume shooter in Johnson to that core.
Pick 5 – Portland Trail Blazers: Ace Bailey Get used to seeing Portland as this is only the 2nd of their 5 lottery selections in a “loaded” draft. Portland select Ace Bailey another high-flying shot creating wing to partner with Cooper Flagg. A youthful dynamic duo now in Cooper and Ace, Portland have the picks to draft a full starting 5. Pick 6 – Dallas Mavericks: Jeremiah Fears Dallas in need of a starting PG and landing the top prospect at that position in this draft it’s an obvious selection in terms of fit and team need. Fears is a fast and crafty point guard that draws comparisons to Fox with his speed and shows no fear with how he attacks the rim and should be a handy 2k piece because of it. Pick 7 – Portland Trail Blazers: Khaman Maluach Portland currently don’t have a starting Center and select a dynamic 7-foot 2 rim protecting lob threat that also loves to crash the offensive glass. Maluach is a high floor archetype big likely to thrive off the per 36 and advanced numbers 2k use for their big men and should hold down a starting job in the NSL for a decade plus.
Pick 8 – Atlanta Hawks: Kon Knueppel Atlanta, I had a hard time judging who they would potentially select but given they’re a run and gun team that already has their front court locked down and since they’ve been shopping Desmond Bane all season, they’d opt for an outside shooter replacement on a cheaper contract. Knueppel would be a great option for Atlanta at 8 and I expect he should be here. Pick 9 – Memphis Grizzlies: Cedric Coward The connection to the NBA Grizzlies will be too much to pass up here for Memphis, given that they're also in need of a SF/PF as Memphis like to shuffle Brown between SG and SF this selection could allow them to keep him at SG. Coward is a prototypical 3&D archetype that should fit in any team that drafts him and should find immediate starting minutes in Memphis. Pick 10 – Miami Heat: Egor Demin A 6’9 PG eligible pass first guy? The Miami Heat affectionately coined as the Miami long bois will be ecstatic that Demin has fallen to them at 10. This should be a clear pick in the minds of many NSL analysts a team that opts for length at every position and being able to hopefully one day replace the skillset that Ben Simmons gave them for a long time (When healthy). In the immediate though he will provide length at the PG position which is good enough to defend with in 2k and everything else will be a bonus while he develops. Pick 11 – Portland Trail Blazers: Collin Murray-Boyles CMB has been said to fall by most NSL analysts however I don’t buy that narrative given the number of picks held by Portland they’d be more inclined to swing on his skillset at this point of the lottery. CMB draws comparisons to Draymond Green, with quick hands and elite defensive instincts. A team that already has 2 of the top 5 selections this would be a great swing option. Pick 12 – Brooklyn Nets: Derek Queen Brooklyn are so loaded at every position already and after drafting another wing at pick 3 they opt for Derek Queen who may get PF minutes in the NBA to hopefully play alongside Dereck Lively. Queen has a guard's skillset, and elite on the short roll whether he dishes or looks for his own shot. Pick 13 – Portland Trail Blazers: Carter Bryant With their last lottery selection, the Blazers take another swing at a defensive minded player with untapped offensive upside. Carter Bryant was one of the most impactful defensive playmakers in the NCAA last season with great length and defensive instincts. There will be plenty of time to let Bryant develop in Portland behind Flagg. Pick 14 – Miami Heat: Thomas Sorber Miami opts for the safe draft choice and draft Sorber as big men often develop into useful pieces in the NSL due to the per 36 factor. Sorber was one of the best offensive rebounders in college and his ability year 1 to slide to the PF should be enough for Miami to draft him over other options available. Pick 15 – Orlando Magic: Noa Essengue Orlando needs a wing and Noa at 6 foot 10 is a perfect option in terms of fit and BPA a dynamic defender and high-level finisher you couldn’t ask for a more perfect fit for this team. Playing in Orlando with their 3-point shooting front court would be a dream come true with lanes to attack and a superstar in Kyrie Irving who will help draw defensive attention away from him.
|
Archive· Round 1 Recap: 76ers V Hornets · Round 2 Preview: Wolves V Pels · Round 1 Recap: Thunder V Pels · Round 2 Preview: Bucks V Wizards · Round 2 Preview: Cavs V 76ers |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
