Redrafting the 2025 NBA Draft: Where does playoff star Dylan Harper go? Second-round pick enters the lottery

One of the largest storylines of 2026 NBA Playoffs has been the play of Spurs rookie guard Dylan Harper. The No. 2 general pick of the 2025 NBA Draft grew to become the first Spurs rookie with a number of playoff double-doubles since Tim Duncan in 1998, after ending with 12 factors and 10 assists in San Antonio’s 126-97 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of the collection.

Harper entered final summer time as considered one of the finest guard prospects of this decade and the consensus second-best prospect in the class behind former No. 1 general pick Cooper Flagg. San Antonio made Harper the pick regardless of already having former NBA Rookie of the Year Stephen Castle and De’Aaron Fox on the roster.

The Spurs made the proper resolution by prioritizing expertise over match. San Antonio has had its fair proportion of lottery luck over the final three years. The Spurs have constructed a basis that is one win away from the Western Conference finals due to the core of Victor WembanyamaHarper and Castle. Those three will likely be cornerstone property for years to come back.

The Spurs aren’t the solely workforce proud of the resolution the franchise made. Flagg gained rookie of the yr honors. Kon KnueppelFlagg’s former faculty teammate at Duke, additionally seemed like a star for the Charlotte Hornets and will’ve very nicely gained the award. VJ Edgecombe and Harper grew to become the fifth pair of top-three picks to look in the convention semifinals or later as rookies.

Even the Jazz are proud of how draft evening formed out. Despite Ace Bailey to affect his approach making an attempt to the Washington Wizards with the No. 6 pick, Utah referred to as the bluff from his camp and picked him at No. 5. Bailey was the most polarizing prospect from final yr’s class and has a vibrant future with Utah.

With Harper’s rise, and to provide everybody a break from taking a look at dozens of 2026 mock drafts, it is time to look again on the 2025 class and assess what the lottery would possibly’ve seemed like if it occurred at present.

1. Dallas Mavericks: Cooper Flagg

Original pick: Cooper Flagg

Before final yr’s draft lottery, the outlook of Dallas’ franchise seemed bleak. Luka Dončić was out the door, and Dallas was caught with Anthony Davis on the roster. Then every part modified. Flagg could be the pick 100 out of 100 occasions, it doesn’t matter what workforce was chosen. He is on the trajectory to be an All-NBA participant in the very close to future. With Dallas having the No. 9 pick on this yr’s draft and Davis now not on the roster, the group can construct its franchise round Flagg. The hires of Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz ought to encourage confidence that the Mavericks are on the proper observe to construct the roster round Flagg.

2. San Antonio Spurs: Dylan Harper

Original pick: Dylan Harper

I believe you would’ve made an argument a couple of months in the past for Knueppel on this spot due to how good he was all through the season. Still, if this pick had been being made at present, it might be Harper. If San Antonio had a crystal ball and knew it was getting the No. 2 pick — and the proper to pick Harper — I ponder in the event that they nonetheless commerce for De’Aaron Fox. Maybe they nonetheless do as a result of the Spurs gave Fox an enormous contract a couple of months after drafting Harper. Not positive how scorching a take that is, nevertheless it would not be shocking if by subsequent yr, round this time, Harper was the Spurs’ second-best participant behind Wembanyama. He’s already getting into these conversations as a rookie. He appears to be like like a 10-year veteran when he performs.

3. Philadelphia 76ers: VJ Edgecombe

Original pick: VJ Edgecombe

Edgecombe was considered one of my favourite prospects in final yr’s cycle. I imagine in the long-term match with Tyrese Maxey and Edgecombe in the backcourt. Again, this can be a spot the place you would think about Knueppel right here, however I believe the 76ers they might nonetheless pick Edgecombe if they’d the likelihood to do it once more.

4. Charlotte Hornets: Kon Knueppel

Original pick: Kon Knueppel

The Hornets made the finest pick in the draft attainable at No. 4. Despite struggling in the play-in sport, Knueppel had an unbelievable rookie season. It seemed like he was on observe to win ROTY till Flagg had a late emergence. Knueppel shattered the rookie document for the most 3-pointers made after taking pictures 42.5% on practically eight makes an attempt per sport. He is already considered one of the finest shooters in the league. Knueppel is a foundational pillar for Charlotte shifting ahead.

5. Utah Jazz: Ace Bailey

Original pick: Ace Bailey

Bailey was the most polarizing prospect in final yr’s class. After declining to work out for the 76ers, Bailey “fell” to pick No. 5. He averaged 13.8 factors and 4.2 rebounds in 72 video games. The largest concern for Bailey popping out of Rutgers was his shot weight loss plan. He shot 44.3% from the flooring and 34.4% from past the arc in his rookie marketing campaign. Still, Bailey has considered one of the highest ceilings on this class. Utah would nonetheless make Bailey the pick if they may do it once more.

6. Washington Wizards: Cedric Coward

Original pick: Tre Johnson

This is the first change from how final yr’s draft truly went. I nonetheless imagine in Johnson, however Coward was a stud throughout his rookie season for Memphis. After committing Duke out of the switch portal final offseason, Coward elected to remain in the draft and was considered one of the largest risers of any prospect. He was chosen at pick No. 11 by the Grizzliesand he would go a lot greater in a redraft after averaging 13.6 factors, 5.9 rebounds and a pair of.8 assists as a rookie.

7. New Orleans Pelicans: Collin Murray-Boyles

Original pick: Jeremiah Fears

I had Murray-Boyles as my No. 8-ranked prospect on my private board final summer time. In a redraft, there’s an opportunity he goes greater than No. 9. Murray-Boyles was terrific in the NBA Playoffs and showcased his versatility on the defensive finish of the flooring. He’s in for a giant Year 2 soar subsequent season.

8. Brooklyn Nets: Jeremiah Fears

Original pick: Egor Dёmin

The most surprising pick of final yr’s lottery was Brooklyn taking Dёmin at No. 8. The Nets made 5 first-round picks final summer time. Dёmin was by far their finest rookie of the bunch. If Brooklyn needed to do it once more, Dёmin would positively be in consideration. However, throughout the pre-draft course of, Brooklyn was linked to Fears, who had a extremely stable rookie yr with the Pelicans. You could make the case that Fears ought to’ve gone as excessive as pick No. 6.

9. Toronto Raptors: Derik Queen

Original pick: Collin Murray-Boyles

With Murray-Boyles not an possibility at this spot, the subsequent smartest thing could be Queen. It’s considerably unfair to Queen that he was a part of considered one of the wildest draft evening trades in current reminiscence that noticed the Pelicans commerce an unprotected 2026 first-round pick to maneuver as much as draft Queen. He is an efficient participant. Luckily for New Orleans, its pick fell to No. 8 on this yr’s draft. Queen had some vibrant moments throughout her rookie season, however the long-term match continues to be considerably regarding.

10. Phoenix Suns: Tre Johnson

Original pick: Khaman Maluach

You can argue that Johnson would go greater than this in a possible redraft. I liked his tape popping out of Texas. Johnson began 42 video games for the Wizards this season and averaged 12.2 factors. Washington can go in a number of totally different instructions with the No. 1 pick this offseason. If Washington takes AJ Dybantsa, Johnson could possibly be a starter subsequent to Trae Young in the backcourt.

11. Memphis Grizzlies: Maxime Raynaud

Original pick: Cedric Coward

The Sacramento Kings They did not have many vibrant spots this season, however considered one of them was definitely Raynaud, who was drafted in the second spherical (No. 42 general). With Domantas Sabonis lacking most of the season as a result of damage, Raynaud was inserted into the beginning lineup, the place he showcased why he was the steal of the second spherical. Raynaud performed in 74 video games and averaged 26.5 minutes per sport, whereas Maluach appeared in solely 46 video games.

12. Chicago Bulls: Khaman Maluach

Original pick: Noa Essengue

Essengue appeared in simply two NBA video games throughout his rookie season after present process season-ending shoulder surgical procedure. Essengue was considered one of the rawest prospects in the 2025 draft and nonetheless wants time to develop. He would not flip 20 till December. If the Bulls can do it over once more, they may keep on with the upside swing in Essengue or take one other upside swing in Maluach, who appeared in simply 46 video games for Phoenix.

13. New Orleans Pelicans: Egor Dёmin

Original pick: Derik Queen

Coming out of BYU, there have been query marks about how Dёmin would shoot the 3 ball at the NBA degree. Ironically, that ended up being the largest vibrant spot of his rookie season. He shot 38.5% from the 3-point line on over six makes an attempt per sport. However, I shot underneath 40% from the subject. I nonetheless like Dёmin’s potential with Brooklyn and assume he could be a lottery pick in a redraft.

14. San Antonio Spurs: Carter Bryant

Original pick: Carter Bryant

Bryant is a piece in progress. He is buried in San Antonio’s rotation due to what number of wings he already has on the roster. Bryant appeared in 71 video games for the Spurs however averaged 11.5 minutes per sport. Bryant’s 3-and-D potential is price ready on. One possibility San Antonio might think about in a redraft is Wizards guard Will Rileywho seemed like considered one of the finest picks in the 20s.