With the 2K26 Summer League in Las Vegas in the rearview and the end of August quickly approaching, it's time to start thinking ahead to fantasy basketball drafts. In today's article, we'll be taking a close look at the top six draft picks in the 2025 rookie class and what to expect, as well as a handful of other prospects who could potentially have an impact during their debut seasons in the NBA.
As someone who's been playing fantasy basketball for almost two decades, rookies can, and often do, provide immense value to managers hoping to claim that elusive title and, perhaps more importantly, bragging rights over the rest of their league. We won't be discussing specific draft slots/ranges for these youngsters. Instead, we'll be examining what their projected roles could be and what they might bring to your fantasy roster as they prepare for an 82-game season.
With that being said, let's get right to it.
Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft certainly displayed the type of all-around versatility and competitive edge that should have him earning minutes early and often in Dallas. As Kyrie Irving recovers from a torn ACL in his left knee, Flagg has the opportunity to operate as a secondary playmaker on a team that features Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson and Dereck Lively II, just to name a few. D'Angelo Russell will fill in for Irving as the lead guard out of the gate, but
With the 2K26 Summer League in Las Vegas in the rearview and the end of August quickly approaching, it's time to start thinking ahead to fantasy basketball drafts. In today's article, we'll be taking a close look at the top six draft picks in the 2025 rookie class and what to expect, as well as a handful of other prospects who could potentially have an impact during their debut seasons in the NBA.
As someone who's been playing fantasy basketball for almost two decades, rookies can, and often do, provide immense value to managers hoping to claim that elusive title and, perhaps more importantly, bragging rights over the rest of their league. We won't be discussing specific draft slots/ranges for these youngsters. Instead, we'll be examining what their projected roles could be and what they might bring to your fantasy roster as they prepare for an 82-game season.
With that being said, let's get right to it.
Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft certainly displayed the type of all-around versatility and competitive edge that should have him earning minutes early and often in Dallas. As Kyrie Irving recovers from a torn ACL in his left knee, Flagg has the opportunity to operate as a secondary playmaker on a team that features Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson and Dereck Lively II, just to name a few. D'Angelo Russell will fill in for Irving as the lead guard out of the gate, but as the season progresses and Flagg gets more comfortable and acclimated to the speed of the game, it wouldn't be surprising to see him earn a significant chunk of playing time at the point.
In fantasy terms, that would likely mean a multi-positional characterization, assuming he gets the majority of his minutes in the frontcourt (SF/PF). Flagg is currently projected to be the starting small forward ahead of Naji Marshall for coach Jason Kidd, and even though the Mavericks have a deep roster of veterans, Flagg will have a major role for a team with championship aspirations in 2025-26, simply because he's that good. Flagg can score at all three levels, rebound, pass and defend, and he'll do it with a relentless motor.
Managers in category leagues will pay a hefty draft price to land the 18-year-old phenom, but the juice is absolutely worth the squeeze. In his two Summer League outings in July, Flagg averaged 20.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks in 31.5 minutes per game, demonstrating his ability to contribute in every statistical category.
Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs
In 22.1 minutes per game during Summer League, the No. 2 overall pick averaged 16.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals on 35.7/12.5/78.6 shooting splits, along with 3.5 turnovers. Harper hadn't played basketball in about four months and missed the California Classic because of a minor groin injury. The efficiency and turnovers should be chalked up to rust, as the former Rutgers star tallied slashes of 48.4/33.3/75.0 with 2.4 turnovers on a 28.9 percent usage rate across 29 games during his lone collegiate campaign.
Regardless of the stats from such a small sample size, Harper absolutely looked like he belonged out there. He was locked in on defense even in limited action and impressed with his speed and burst when attacking and pressuring the rim, which resulted in 7.0 free-throw attempts a night.
However, the only downside for the two-way guard's fantasy outlook was his landing spot. Harper has to contend for playing time in a backcourt consisting of 2024-25 Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle and De'Aaron Fox, who just signed a four-year, $229 million maximum contract extension with the Spurs in August. In the long run, San Antonio could have the makings of one of the best young guard duos in the league, but for now, it's tough to project Harper leapfrogging one of his teammates in the pecking order during his inaugural campaign. Managers should still consider drafting him as a late-round stash due to the surrounding talent, though, as an injury to Castle or Fox could thrust him into more consistent opportunities.
VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers
Among a talented Philly backcourt consisting of Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain and Quentin Grimes, Edgecombe's defensive intensity/versatility and all-around skill set will make it difficult for coach Nick Nurse to keep him off the hardwood. However, the 20-year-old has to continue to improve his three-point stroke and consistency, as he went 2-for-13 (16.7%) across two outings in July. Once he can prove he's at least an average shooter from long range, the Bahamas native will force harder closeouts and tighter coverages from opponents, allowing him access to drives where he can set up buckets for himself and others.
Edgecombe showcased his elite athleticism on offense and defense throughout Summer League, combining ferocious dunks with dynamic finishes around the rim while totaling four steals and three blocks over the course of his two appearances. He also dished out four assists in each game, signaling his willingness and ability to find teammates and read the floor. If he can continue to build upon that development, Edgecombe could carve out a significant role for the Sixers as they look to rebound from a disappointing 2024-25 season.
When considering the unknown statuses of Joel Embiid (knee) and Paul George (knee) as they recover from offseason surgeries, Edgecombe has the chance to earn heavy minutes in a featured role out of the gate. Don't wait too long on draft day, or else you risk losing out on his multi-category production from the shooting guard and small forward spots.
Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets
Knueppel's Summer League got off to a rough start, but the No. 4 overall pick in 2025 responded with four straight outings of at least 16 points, concluding his MVP-winning run with a team-high 21 points in the title matchup. Through five games, he averaged 15.6 points, 4.8 boards, 3.8 assists and 1.2 steals in 27.7 minutes per game, and his plus-16 net rating ranked third among all players in Vegas.
The overall three-point accuracy (34.3%) might not scream sharpshooter, something Knueppel was known for at Duke when he shot 40.6 percent from deep in 2024-25. But if you take out his debut, where he was 0-for-5 from downtown, the wing hit 12 of his 30 attempts (40.0%) over the next four contests, including four in the 2K26 SL championship. Expect better, cleaner looks when he's sharing the court with LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller in 2025-26.
Knueppel showed he's got a lot more to his game than just catching fire from the three-point line. He demonstrated incredible court awareness, a high basketball IQ and a propensity to make winning plays by positioning himself in the right spots, all of which the Hornets could use in droves. The Wisconsin native will contribute in a myriad of ways as the projected starting small forward on a Charlotte team that's looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2015-16. With no incumbent veterans threatening his role/playing time, fantasy managers can select Knueppel with confidence somewhere in the middle rounds of drafts.
Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz
With all the pre-draft noise behind him, Bailey stood out with his smooth shot-making at his size (6-foot-8), motor and aggressiveness on the glass in his two Summer League outings. Utah saw the talent and potential Bailey possesses, which could make him an alpha scorer in the NBA one day, and they're perfectly content with letting the 19-year-old get as many minutes as possible while he grows and develops with the rest of their young core. The Jazz also made several moves in the offseason, either trading away or buying out most of the veterans on their roster, in preparation for what should be a complete youth movement spearheaded by Bailey.
Bailey's head coach, Will Hardy, had this to say in mid-August: "On the court, offensively, it's going to be a little bit of playing without the ball, moving around. I think Ace showed he was really active in Summer League. He's a good cutter. He can play in off-ball screens." Hardy also commented on Bailey's defense, noting his length and activity should help him make an impact at that end while he adds strength.
Bailey will certainly get enough on-ball reps as well, and he figures to provide major contributions in points and rebounds as one of the top offensive threats in Utah. As the season goes on and he gets acclimated to the NBA, the hope is that he can also make an impact with defensive stats (steals and blocks), but managers should be ready for inconsistencies in terms of his shooting efficiency during his rookie campaign.
Tre Johnson, Washington Wizards
After being taken with the No. 6 overall pick by the Wizards in June, Johnson proved he was too good for Summer League in just two appearances. He scored 39 combined points in 55 total minutes while shooting 58.3 percent from the field and 45.5 percent from beyond the arc. Johnson averaged 19.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 steals, showing off deep range, good scoring instincts and a bevy of crafty off-the-dribble moves on drives to the cup.
Johnson wasn't tasked with running the offense, but there were multiple occasions where he made high-level reads to find an open teammate. Not only was he brilliant from deep, both in rhythm and off catch-and-shoot looks, but the former Texas Longhorn scored in transition, 1-on-1 and in motion off screens and dribble hand-offs.
Washington is in the midst of a rebuild with a plethora of young talent, and while veterans Khris Middleton and CJ McCollum are expected to begin the season in the nation's capital, the organization will surely look to move on from their veterans at some point in 2025-26. It might not happen right away, but Johnson has displayed glimpses of an electric offensive arsenal that has the makings of a featured scorer down the line. Regardless of what his minutes look like out of the gate, Johnson should contribute immediately in points, three-pointers, steals and efficient marks from the field and free-throw line.
Jeremiah Fears, New Orleans Pelicans
Through five outings in Summer League, Fears posted averages of 17.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.4 steals on 40.0 / 18.2 / 71.9 shooting splits. The No. 7 overall pick in 2025 also averaged five turnovers in just 27.0 minutes per game, showcasing the potential volatility that comes with his explosive, downhill play style.
At this current juncture, Fears resembles a young Russell Westbrook, using his burst of speed and fearless attitude to get easy baskets at the rim while generating ample free-throw opportunities. That's not to suggest he'll be Westbrook. It's simply a general comparison of what fantasy managers could be getting if they draft the former Oklahoma standout. In 2008-09, Russ' rookie season, he put up 15.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game on 39.8/27.1/81.5 splits.
With Jordan Poole the presumed starter at point guard for the Pelicans while Dejounte Murray recovers from a torn right Achilles tendon, Fears should get more than enough run as the lead guard in the second unit to give fantasy managers a solid return on investment. It will come with growing pains, mainly in terms of turnovers and poor shooting numbers, but it wouldn't be too far-fetched to see him finish the year with counting stats similar to Westbrook's debut campaign, especially if New Orleans gets hit with the injury bug like they did in 2024-25.
Asa Newell, Atlanta Hawks
The University of Georgia product shot 29.2 percent from deep in his lone season on campus in 2024-25, but he lit it up from three-point range during his time in Sin City over the summer. He drained six of his 14 attempts over four appearances, with an 18-point, 11-rebound statement game where he went a scorching 4-for-5 on three-pointers. It's a very limited sample, but the early signs should definitely give fantasy managers hope that he can earn more playing time as a rookie if he can carry that shooting over to the regular season.
Newell's athleticism, length and elite offensive rebounding will translate to solid contributions in category leagues, mainly in boards, steals, and efficiency from the field. Now that he'll be suiting up alongside one of the NBA's best passers in Trae Young, Newell won't have to worry about forcing shots and should see a steady dose of lobs and high-percentage looks in the paint. Newell is a strong driver who uses his frame and length to bully his way to the basket, and that same effort and hustle will help him guard multiple positions as a depth piece in the frontcourt for the new-look Hawks.
Atlanta traded for Kristaps Porzingis over the summer and will shift Onyeka Okongwu into the starting center spot, but Newell figures to be in the mix for a steady backup role. Porzingis and Jalen Johnson are both coming off injury-riddled seasons in 2024-25, so the 19-year-old Newell would stand to benefit if one or more of his teammates miss time in the frontcourt.
Khaman Maluach, Phoenix Suns
On the first night of the 2025 NBA Draft, it looked like Maluach was headed for a starting role after the Suns took him with the No. 10 overall pick. However, shortly after his selection, it was reported that Phoenix acquired center Mark Williams from the Hornets, instantly clouding Maluach's path out of the gate.
Now that Williams is in the fold, fantasy managers who are keen on the tantalizing talent of Maluach won't have to reach or overspend to get the former Duke standout on their roster. Despite his status as the presumed backup on a revamped Suns squad, Maluach should benefit from seeing a majority of his minutes against fellow reserves, allowing him to gain confidence while he gets accustomed to his new environment. Without needing plays to be drawn up for him, the South Sudan native will thrive around the basket and on second-chance opportunities, contributing in rebounds, high-percentage buckets, blocks and steals.
Across three Summer League outings, Maluach averaged 10.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.0 three-pointers and 1.3 blocks in 23.3 minutes per game, showing what he has to offer even in limited court time. He should receive similar playing time at the NBA level, with the added possibility of earning additional opportunities due to Williams' inability to stay healthy, as the former Hornet has never appeared in more than 44 contests in any of his three seasons as a pro.
Egor Demin, Brooklyn Nets
Demin's Summer League went a little under the radar, as the former BYU Cougar recorded 11.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.3 dimes and 1.0 steals on 40.7/43.5/100.0 shooting splits in 25.1 minutes across three games. The three-point accuracy was a nice surprise after he shot just 27.3 percent on 4.7 attempts during his one year in college, but the assist numbers were a little concerning. However, we can chalk that up to it being the summer and the Nets organization spreading out the usage amongst their bevy of rookies and second-year players.
At 6-foot-8 and top-ten draft capital, Demin looks poised to handle the starting point guard role for a Brooklyn team that is still searching for an identity on offense. With the shoot-first Cam Thomas (assuming he returns) and Michael Porter Jr. in town, the No. 8 overall pick in 2025 will have two top options that he'll be tasked with setting up open looks for. That should help Demin get closer to the 5.5 assists per game he dished out at BYU in 2024-25, all while chipping in a steady supply of points, rebounds and steals.
Nique Clifford, Sacramento Kings
Clifford, whom the Kings traded into the first round to select at No. 24 overall, made a great first impression for his new club over the summer. He averaged 15.2 points, 6.5 boards, 4.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.5 blocks on 49.3/45.8/62.5 splits in 28.1 minutes through six contests.
Clifford looks NBA-ready as a 23-year-old, showcasing poise and an all-around arsenal that allows him to get to his spots at will. He flirted with a triple-double in a win over Cleveland in Summer League, compiling 19 points, nine assists and seven boards, proving that he can contribute value in every statistical category when given the opportunity. The guard-forward is a tremendous rebounder for his size (6-foot-5), and his tight handle and court vision could help provide additional playmaking in Sacramento's second unit.
Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should consider Clifford as a late-round flier/stash who could pay dividends towards the final months of the 2025-26 campaign. The only thing standing in his way is a crowded rotation of Malik Monk, Zach LaVine, Keon Ellis, Devin Carter and DeMar DeRozan, but in Sacramento, anything is possible given the roster turnover in recent years.
