CHICAGO – The 2025 NBA Draft didn’t shock anyone with trades except the now infamous trade between the Atlanta Hawks and New Orleans Pelicans for the 13th pick. But hidden in the routine were potential gems. Jermy Woo of ESPN polled top league minds. He asked two critical questions. Who takes Rookie of the Year? And who will become the best player, excluding Cooper Flagg?
NBA Execs Crown Two-Way Rookie Future Best Player
No surprise, Flagg dominated the Rookie of the Year chatter. The 18-year-old does everything at 6’9″. He defends. He reads the game like a veteran. And he lands in Dallas at the right time. Kyrie Irving’s ACL injury opens minutes and touches. Jason Kidd will slot Flagg in to make plays immediately.
Flagg got 17 out of 20 votes. Dylan Harper snagged two votes. Tre Johnson earned one lonely nod for the Wizards. Rookie of the Year is Flagg’s to lose.
VJ Edgecombe Steals Second Question
The next question showed how NBA minds think long term. Who besides Flagg might outshine the class? VJ Edgecombe was seen by many as the best player.
The Philadelphia 76ers landed Edgecombe out of Baylor. The 6’5″ guard exploded in Utah’s summer league with 28 points. Scouts loved on-ball playmaking and downhill slashing potential. College forced him off the ball. But NBA execs think he’ll bloom with it.
Woo notes, “The Baylor product is turning into a dynamic downhill slasher… many execs and scouts believe he has significant untapped upside operating with the ball in his hands.” That upside is why top NBA minds view VJ Edgecombe as the best player outside of Flagg.
One GM dropped a bombshell prediction. “VJ might be Philly’s second-best player by the end of the season, factoring in Embiid’s uncertain health,” an East GM told Woo. Imagine that. Joel Embiid’s shaky knees could give Edgecombe more opportunities than expected. Paul George is there too. Big statement.
Dylan Harper Draws Ginobili Comparisons
Edgecombe isn’t alone in future star talk. Harper still draws love. He’s San Antonio’s next guard. Woo reveals Harper finished second in the exec poll. His crowded backcourt won’t hold him back for long.
One scout told Woo, “[Harper] has some [Manu] Ginobili to his offensive game.” Some execs predict if Harper unlocks his jumper, he could push De’Aaron Fox out. That’s real belief.
The Spurs will run Harper in pick-and-rolls, Ginobili-style. He’ll attack with craft and strength. If San Antonio flips Fox, it’s because Harper popped fast.
Predictably, the second question garnered more responses. Also receiving votes: Johnson, Carter Bryant (Spurs), Yang Hansen (Trail Blazers), Nique Clifford (Kings), and Asa Newell (Hawks).
The Future Shines Bright
The 2025 class could go down as elite. Flagg looks set to grab hardware early. If VJ Edgecombe proves those execs right as the best player, it changes everything for Philly. If he breaks out next to Embiid, Nick Nurse will have two-way dynamite.
One thing is clear. This rookie class has a few future All-Stars hiding behind Flagg’s bright light. Edgecombe, Harper, Johnson—they’re all ready to blow up. The league’s next wave is here.
Credit: © Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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