Who to Collect Ahead of Wednesday’s 2025 NBA Draft
Pictured: 2024-25 Bowman University Chrome 1st #16 Cooper Flag Purple Lava
“Christmas” is seemingly never ending in the card hobby with special events taking place from the playoffs, championship games, and respective drafts year-round to go along with the endless releases of various sets in all sports. The calculated got out in front of the 2025 NBA Draft during the NCAA Men’s College Basketball season, but there is still time to land some good deals before prospects become lottery picks, raising their value, in the next BIG event for collectors.
What to Expect During the Draft
After Duke’s Cooper Flag is taken No. 1 overall by the Dallas Mavericks, anything can truly happen thereafter. The San Antonio Spurs have picks No. 2 and No. 14 and talent on their roster which could leave an opening for trades. If a team wants to move up and has the capital to give, players like C Khaman Maluach (Duke) could move higher up the board.
Texas’ Tre Johnson or Rutgers’ Ace Bailey – that is the dilemma for teams in need of a guard who can shoot and create offense. Both are still raw with upside; any changes in draft order can push one up or down the board in a hurry.
Fresh off an NBA Championship, Oklahoma City is in a great spot at No. 15. General manager Sam Presti has the Thunder roster locked in for 2025-26 with three picks in this year’s draft going into the second round. OKC could also have a big draft in ’26 with the possibility of as many as four first-round picks.
Loaded and Ready to Go
Adding to the potential of a draft order mix up, several teams have multiple first-round picks: San Antonio (2), Utah Jazz (2), Washington Wizards (2), New Orleans Pelicans (2), Brooklyn Nets (4), Phoenix Suns (2), Oklahoma City Thunder (2), and Atlanta Hawks (2).
Which Cards Do I Buy?
Depending on the player, there can be a lot of options out there. For example, collectors wanting Dylan Harper cards can choose from 2024 Topps Chrome McDonald’s All-American, 2024-25 Bowman University Chrome, 2025 Topps Now MLB, 2024-25 Bowman’s Best, and 2023 Leaf Prized Rookie, among others. Going in the direction of Bowman, there are parallels galore that include Purple Lava Refractors, Refractors, Green Shimmer, Saphire, and down the line.
Looking for an autographed card? Bowman University Chrome, Bowman’s Best, Panini Prizm Sensational Signatures, Panini Instant NIL, and 2024 Topps Chrome McDonald’s All-American are among the best on the secondary markets.
The 2025 NBA Draft begins at 8:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 25, with coverage on ABC and ESPN.
Potential Lottery Picks
F Cooper Flag – Duke
G Dylan Harper – Rutgers
G VJ Edgecombe – Baylor
G Kon Knueppel – Duke
G Tre Johnson – Texas
C Khaman Maluach – Duke
F Ace Bailey – Rutgers
G Jeremiah Fears – Oklahoma
F Asa Newell – Georgia
F Carter Bryant – Arizona
F Collin Murray-Boyles – South Carolina
C Derik Queen – Maryland
C Joan Beringer – Cedevita Olimpija
Additional Picks to Watch
G Kasparas Jakučionis – Illinois
F Will Riley – Illinois
F Adou Thiero – Arkansas
C Danny Wolf – Michigan
F Liam McNeeley – Connecticut
G Walter Clayton Jr. – Florida
First Round Draft Order
- Dallas Mavericks
- San Antonio Spurs
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Charlotte Hornets
- Utah Jazz
- Washington Wizards
- New Orleans Pelicans
- Brooklyn Nets
- Toronto Raptors
- Phoenix Suns
- Portland Trail Blazers
- Chicago Bulls
- Atlanta Hawks
- San Antonio Spurs
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Washington Wizards
- Brooklyn Nets
- Miami Heat
- Utah Jazz
- Atlanta Hawks
- New Orleans Pelicans
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Orlando Magic
- Brooklyn Nets
- Brooklyn Nets
- Boston Celtics
- Phoenix Suns
- Los Angeles Clippers
Pictured: 2024-25 Bowman University Chrome 1st #22 Dylan Harper Green Shimmer
Pictured: 2024-25 Panini Prizm Draft #17 VJ Edgecombe Rated Prospect Blue Shimmer /19
Pictured: 2024-25 Bowman University Chrome 1st #48 Kon Knueppel Auto Red Wave /45
Pictured: 2024-25 Panini Prizm Draft Picks Sensational Signatures #SS-TRE Tre Johnson
