Top 2025 NBA Draft Prospects & Their Basketball Card Investment Potential

This article will serve as a introduction into the top 5 prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft as well as which of them will have the best rookie cards to buy based on your goals as a collector.

1. Cooper Flagg

Position: PF

Height/Weight: 6'9", 205 lbs

Team: Duke

Strengths:

• Defensive Versatility: Flagg is renowned for his exceptional defensive skills, capable of guarding multiple positions and protecting the rim effectively.

• Basketball IQ: Displays a profound understanding of the game, making intelligent decisions on both ends of the court.

• Offensive Skill Set: Possesses a well-rounded offensive game, including shooting, passing, and ball-handling abilities rarely seen from a freshman

Weaknesses:

• Physicality: Needs to add muscle mass to compete against stronger opponents in the NBA.

• Consistency in Shooting: While a more than capable shooter already (38% from 3 / 82.8% FT%), there is room for improvement in his shooting consistency.

Professional Comparisons:

• Ceiling: Scottie Pippen with three point shooting

• Floor: Andrei Kirilenko

• Most Likely Comparison: Prime Grant Hill

Card Investment Assessment

• Future Potential: 9/10

• Fair Market Value: 2.5/10

• Brand/Entertainment Value: 7

2. Dylan Harper

Position: SG

Height/Weight: 6'5", 215 lbs

Team: Rutgers

Strengths:

• Scoring Ability: Harper is an adept scorer, capable of creating his own shot and finishing at all three levels.

• Playmaking: Exhibits strong court vision and passing skills, facilitating offense effectively.

• Physicality: Utilizes his strong frame to absorb contact and finish plays.

Weaknesses:

• Athleticism: Lacks elite explosiveness, which may affect his ability to separate from defenders.

• Defensive Consistency: Needs to improve consistency on the defensive end to become a two-way player.

Professional Comparisons:

• Ceiling: James Harden

• Floor: Coby White

• Likely Comparison: A lankier, less crafty Jalen Brunson

Card Investment Assessment

• Future Potential: 8/10

• Fair Market Value: 5.5/10

• Brand/Entertainment Value: 8

3. Ace Bailey

Position: SF

Height/Weight: 6'9", 200 lbs

Team: Rutgers

Strengths:

• Athleticism: Bailey possesses exceptional athleticism, allowing him to excel in transition and above the rim.

• Shooting: Has already displayed above average efficiency on substantial volume ( 35% from three on 4.6 attempts per game)

• Rebounding: Effective rebounder on both ends, utilizing his height and athleticism.

Weaknesses:

• Ball-Handling: Improving his handle would enhance his ability to create off the dribble.

• Playmaking: To become a franchise player, facilitation in all facets of his game will need to improve

Professional Comparisons:

• Ceiling: Paul George

• Floor: Michael Beasley

• Likely Comparison: Michael Porter Jr. with defensive upside

Card Investment Assessment

• Future Potential: 8/10

• Fair Market Value: 5/10

• Brand/Entertainment Value: 6.5

4. VJ Edgecombe

Position: SG

Height/Weight: 6'4", 180 lbs

Team: Baylor University

Strengths:

• Finishing: Edgecombe is a proficient at scoring around the rim and is able finish through contact

• Athleticism: Edgecombe is a generational athlete with elite quickness and agility on both ends of the court

Weaknesses:

• Size and Strength: Lacks ideal size and strength at this time, which could be a disadvantage against bigger guards initially.

• Shot Selection: At times, takes contested or low-percentage shots, needing better decision-making.

Professional Comparisons:

• Ceiling: Donovan Mitchell

• Floor: Gary Trent Jr.

• Likely Comparison: Victor Oladipo

Card Investment Assessment

• Future Potential: 7.5/10

• Fair Market Value: 5/10

• Brand/Entertainment Value: 8.5

5. Khaman Maluach

Position: C

Height/Weight: 7'2", 250 lbs

Team: Duke

Strengths:

• Shot Blocking: Maluach is an elite rim protector, using his height and wingspan to deter interior scoring.

• Rebounding: Dominates the boards on both ends, providing second-chance opportunities and limiting opponents.

• Mobility: Moves well for his size, allowing him to defend pick-and-roll situations effectively.

Weaknesses:

• Offensive Skill Set: Offensive game is still developing, relying heavily on dunks and close-range finishes.

• Free Throw Shooting: Needs improvement (66.7% currently) to avoid being a liability in late-game situations.

Professional Comparisons:

• Ceiling: Rudy Gobert

• Floor: Bismack Biyombo

• Likely Comparison: Mitchell Robinson

Card Investment Assessment

• Future Potential: 6/10

• Fair Market Value: 7/10

• Brand/Entertainment Value: 3.5