2025 NBA $DRFT Stock Initial Player Offerings
Corey Tulaba-aka the wolf of Ball Street-looks upon mainstream big boards to set opening stock prices for the Top 70 prospects in the 2024 NBA Draft Class.
Welcome to the 2025 NBA $DRFT Stock Initial Player Offerings on the NBA Draftdaq.
The Draftdaq at No Ceilings is your online marketplace to (theoretically) buy and trade NBA Draft Prospect Stock. How this thing works is that I go through the most up-to-date rankings that I can find from a variety of mainstream draft sites including ESPN, Bleacher Report, Tankathon, the Athletic, and of course ya boys at No Ceilings to average out the draft stock for the Top 70 prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft Class.
The NBA $DRFT Stock market is volatile; smart investors will need to know when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em. Does a prospect’s draft case just need to be handled with a little patience, or are you going to have to take the L and sell the bag while you can still extract some value?
These rankings don’t necessarily reflect how I or the gang at No Ceilings personally feel about the 2025 prospects. However, they do give us a more accurate reflection of how the mainstream draft community is collectively viewing the very early returns on the 2025 NBA Draft class.
Now is your chance to get in on the ground floor, find value, and purchase the $DRFT stock of your favorite prospects before they blow up.
As always, remember the number one rule of Ball Street…
“Nobody - and I don't care if you're Jonathan Givony or if you're Jimmy Buffet - nobody knows if a stock is going to go up, down, sideways, or in circles!”
BLUE CHIP STOCKS
1. Cooper Flagg, Duke, Avg. Stock Price - 1
To nobody’s surprise, Cooper Flagg enters Draft SZN sitting atop the board with a consensus #1 ranking on the 2025 NBA $DRFT IPO. Flagg’s elite defense, budding offensive repertoire, fierce competitiveness, and immense feel are all traits that should have NBA evaluators confident in Cooper squeezing out every inch of his sky high potential.
2. Airious “Ace” Bailey, Rutgers, Avg. Stock Price - 2.2
Ace Bailey is bound to be a contentious prospect throughout the 2025 NBA Draft cycle. On one hand, Bailey is a near 6’10” athletic dynamo with flashes of elite perimeter shot-making. On the other hand, Ace’s ball-handling and decision-making are mired in inconsistency. Still, the game is about a bucket, and Ace looks the part of a future number one scoring option. If Bailey can show an upward trajectory within his improvement areas, he is one of the rare prospects in this class who could find himself in the conversation to climb the Flagg pole.
3. Dylan Harper, Rutgers, Avg. Stock Price - 2.8
It isn’t often that a school like Rutgers lands two of the three top-ranked prospects, but here we are. At 6’6” and 215 pounds, Harper fits the enticing jumbo creator mold, with a play style reminiscent of Jalen Brunson, James Harden, and Cade Cunningham. How efficient Harper can prove to be as an outside shooter will determine his $DRFT stock moving forward.
4. VJ Edgecombe, Baylor, Avg. Stock Price - 5
VJ Edgecombe is an elite athlete. Check that…VJ Edgecombe is an ELITE athlete. Edgecombe has been on an upward trajectory over the last two years, resulting in his positioning within the Top 5 of the 2025 class to start the season. Edgecombe is an elite competitor who plays both ends with a ferocity; opposing players are as likely to have their shot volleyball spiked out of the gym as they are to end up on a poster on the other end. Questions regarding Edgecombe’s outside shot and measurements will be the main talking point this year, but the floor remains high for VJ.
5. Nolan Traore, Saint Quentin, Avg. Stock Price - 5.8
Nolan Traore enters the year as a potential Top 5 pick; however, inconsistent play during FIBA play with France this summer as well as his early showing with Saint Quentin have resulted in a slight sell off on his early draft stock. Still, there is a lot to like with Traore. His laser first step burst allows him to generate easy paint touches and advantages to then spray the ball out to his teammates for easy looks. When the shot is on, Traore looks the part of a very high-level guard. How often the shot is “on” remains a question worth monitoring the remainder of the draft cycle.
LARGE CAP STOCKS
6. Kon Knueppel, Duke, Avg. Stock Price - 7.2
The NBA values elite shooting, and Duke’s Kon Knueppel is an all-caps SHOOTER. While he may not be the most physically gifted or athletic prospect in the class, there are few with Kon’s combination of skill and feel on the offensive end, as he always seems to be in the right spot making the right play. Knueppel certainly doesn’t have the same defensive juice of a prospect like Flagg, however he may ultimately be Duke’s most important player on the offensive end.
7. Khaman Maluach, Duke, Avg. Stock Price - 10.4
Standing at a monstrous 7’2” and 250 pounds with a 7’6” wingspan, Khaman Maluach remains one of the more intriguing long-term upside bets in the class. Maluach needs reps, but he continues to show upside as a shot-blocking, rim-running lob threat who can step out and space to the three-point line. There will be ups and downs for Maluach throughout his freshman season, but as the old saying goes: you can’t teach the tools. Those tools are enticing enough to earn a spot within the Top 10 of the $DRFT IPO.
8. Tre Johnson, Texas, Avg. Stock Price - 10.6
Tre Johnson has not been shy early on. The Texas shooting guard has lived up to the position, lighting the net on fire throughout his first three college games. His self-creation, playmaking flashes, and ability to play on and off the ball will be sure to entice teams looking for an offensive punch. Evaluators will be keeping tabs on Johnson’s at-rim finishing, an area in which he struggled throughout his prep career. If he shows improvement at the cup, the sky is the limit.
9. Hugo Gonzalez, Real Madrid, Avg. Stock Price - 12.2
Stuck behind on a plethora of ex-NBA veterans on a loaded Real Madrid team, Hugo Gonzalez has been mostly relegated to garbage time minutes this season. Hugo also had an up-and-down FIBA tournament this summer that left evaluators questioning his long-term potential. Still, the 6’5” shooting guard from Spain remains an intriguing option to NBA teams for his tenacious defensive play on the wing and intriguing offensive skill set as a complementary off-ball scorer who has shown flashes of on-ball creation.
10. Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina, Avg. Stock Price - 12.8
South Carolina big man Collin Murray-Boyles is an…um…acquired taste. Some evaluators are worried that the lack of an outside jumper will hinder his ability to carve out a consistent role at the next level, while other evaluators fully buy in to Murray-Boyles’s physicality, offensive feel, and versatile defensive ability. Either way, there is no denying the productivity from the frosh-aged sophomore.
11. Liam McNeeley, UConn, Avg. Stock Price - 13
Hello, NBA teams. Can I interest you in a 6’8” lights-out shooter on the wing? Yes? Terrific; let me tell you about Liam McNeeley.
The freshman sharpshooter out of UConn has stuffed the stat sheet early on, picking up two double-doubles to start his college career while connecting on four of nine attempts from outside. UConn’s offense is designed for a high feel off ball mover like McNeeley to thrive; as the Huskies are likely to play deep into March, expect the former Montverde standout to continue to rise up draft boards.
12. Egor Demin, BYU, Avg. Stock Price - 13.2
If you’ve been wondering where Egor Demin’s name would end up on this list…same. Demin has been perhaps the most intriguing freshman through the first week of the college basketball season. At 6’9”, Demin has shown special passing and ball screen operation with real wiggle and has even sprinkled in some bounce. It is likely that Demin sees a steep rise on the next $DRFT Stock update next month, but if the Russian guard running the point for BYU continues to knock down outside shots along with the juicy playmaking that he’s shown…he may not just rise, but skyrocket up boards.
13. Drake Powell, UNC, Avg. Stock Price - 13.4
It has been a rough go for UNC’s Drake Powell through the first week of the season. Though the sample is small, the speed of the game looks to be giving Powell some issues, as he has struggled to score efficiently off the bench for the Tar Heels. Continuing to monitor how Powell adjusts to his role as well as the speed and physicality of the college level will dictate which direction his stock trends; however, it looks like a potential sell early on.
14. Asa Newell, Georgia, Avg. Stock Price - 13.8
The Montverde graduating class has been cooking early, and Asa Newell has been one of the chefs. The fluid big man has thrived as a play finisher, converting on screen and rolls and gobbling up every offensive board that has flown off the rim. While unafraid, Newell has yet to connect on an outside jumper; however, it’s early, and there is reason to believe those shots will start to go in as Newell connected on over 40% during his senior season at Montverde. Perhaps more intriguing than the offensive flashes, though, has been Newell’s potential on the other end of the floor, where he’s done a tremendous job protecting the rim and demonstrated the ability to switch and slide his feet. If the shots start to drop, watch out.
GROWTH STOCKS
15. Jalil Bethea, Miami, Avg. Stock Price - 17.4
Bethea is a bouncy combo guard with deep shooting range. The efficiency with which he scores, along with his ability to leverage his scoring to make his teammates better while potentially defending multiple positions, will determine Bethea’s stock moving forward.
16. Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois, Avg. Stock Price - 17.4
Kasparas Jakucionis has been everything Illinois expected out of the Lithuanian combo guard, as he has been one of the most lethal playmakers in college basketball in the first week of the season. Jakucionis’s plus size, shooting, and high feel make him a candidate to rise into the Top 10 of the class.
17. Noa Essengue, Ratiopharm Ulm, Avg. Stock Price - 22
There may not be a more intriguing “toolsy” prospect than Noa Essengue. The French forward is suiting up for German prospect powerhouse Ratiopharm Ulm alongside Ben Saraf this season, where he’ll look to continue to try to show shooting consistency and improved offensive efficiency alongside his intriguing defensive and grab-and-go open court ability.
18. Rocco Zikarsky, Brisbane, Avg. Stock Price - 22
Standing a monstrous 7’3” and at just 18 years old, Rocco Zikarsky is manning the middle for Brisbane in his second NBL season. Zikarsky’s role has been limited, like his offensive skills, but his potential impact as a shot-blocking drop big at the next level will be intriguing to teams in need of rim protection.
19. Alex Karaban, UConn, Avg. Stock Price - 23.6
Alex Karaban tested the draft waters last season but decided to come back to Storrs to lead the charge for a potential three-peat. That decision has looked smart early on, as Karaban has not only shot the cover off of the ball, but has totaled eleven blocks and eleven assists in two games. Karaban may never be a star at the next level, but his all-around game and size will allow him to star in his role wherever he ends up.
20. Boogie Fland, Arkansas, Avg. Stock Price - 24.2
If you are looking for off-the-bounce shot creation at the guard spot, Arkansas freshman Boogie Fland might be your guy. Fland has real wiggle and creativity with the rock and has displayed the ability to take and make tough shots from the perimeter. Being a smallish guard is an uphill battle, so Fland will have to prove he can score efficiently to maintain his position in the Top 20.
21. Ben Saraf, Ratiopharm Ulm, Avg. Stock Price - 24.4
No prospect helped themselves more during FIBA play this summer than Israel’s Ben Saraf. Saraf’s skills were on full display, using his craft as a downhill diver to create consistent paint touches to pressure the rim, resulting in a number of buckets and high-level passes. He also was an absolute stock machine, using his length and anticipation to create defensive events. Saraf is suiting up alongside Noa Essengue for Ratiopharm Ulm this season, where he’ll look to prove he can be a consistent outside shooter to go along with his downhill burst.
22. Ian Jackson, UNC, Avg. Stock Price - 24.4
UNC’s Ian Jackson is an aggressive shot-creator who is constantly looking to create space with his handle to get downhill or create a look from the perimeter. He is currently playing behind a plethora of veteran UNC guards, so he’ll look to show evaluators that he can provide a spark off the bench as an efficient scoring guard.
23. Kwame Evans Jr., Oregon, Avg. Stock Price - 26.8
Kwame Evans is one of the more intriguing returning prospects in the 2025 class. At a listed 6’9”, Evans has almost all of the tools on both sides of the ball that you’d want out of a modern-day forward. Showing a consistent motor and improved outside shooting will be key points for scouts.
24. Michael Ruzic, Joventut, Avg. Stock Price - 27.4
6’10” fluid movers with a strap don’t grow on trees, so it’s no wonder why Michael Ruzic is on NBA radars. Ruzic is injured at the moment and wasn’t particularly efficient in the few games he’s played this season, but at just 18 years old on draft night with Euroleague experience, Ruzic is sure to remain intriguing to evaluators.
25. Dink Pate, Mexico City, Avg. Stock Price - 28.2
Playing for the Mexico City Capitanes by way of the last Ignite team, Dink Pate is entering his second season in the G League. Pate remains one of the higher upside swings in this range of the $DRFT rankings due to his 6’8” height in concert with flashes of point guard skills. Pate’s ancillary off-ball skills and night-to-night consistency will be the focus of scouts this season.
26. KJ Lewis, Arizona, Avg. Stock Price - 29.6
A powerful downhill driver and ferocious point-of-attack defender, KJ Lewis could be in store for a breakout sophomore season. Lewis tested the draft waters last season and will bring that momentum into year two to become a more consistent threat from the outside.
27. Donnie Freeman, Syracuse, Avg. Stock Price - 29.8
Donnie Freeman is a lean toolsy forward out of IMG Academy. Freeman made a living on tough pull-ups and off-ball cuts at the high school level. If Freeman can prove that the flashes of shot-making can transfer up, as well as show consistent defensive versatility, he’ll become an interesting upside bet.
28. Motiejus Krivas, Arizona, Avg. Stock Price - 31.6
Motiejus Krivas is a 7’2” center out of Lithuania returning to Arizona for his sophomore season. Krivas was in a limited role last season backing up Oumar Ballo, but he is stepping into the starting role this season for the Wildcats, where he’ll look to build off of his strong U20 FIBA showing this summer. If Krivas can expand his game and lock down the paint, he could see his draft stock rise.
29. Derrion Reid, Alabama, Avg. Stock Price - 33.4
Alabama’s Derrion Reid is bound to have fans among scouts during his freshman campaign. The 6’7” forward has an intriguing skillset on both sides of the ball but will be playing behind a loaded Bama frontcourt. Still, even if the minutes are limited, Reid’s flashes may be enough to convince an NBA team to swing early.
30. Hunter Sallis, Wake Forest, Avg. Stock Price - 35
After a breakout junior campaign, Wake Forest’s Hunter Sallis built a case to have heard his name called in the first round had he decided to keep his name in the draft last season. Instead, Sallis decided to return to Wake to develop his game even further and build on his junior season. If Sallis can show some of the defensive flashes he displayed during his time at Gonzaga while continuing to score the ball at a high level, and show further playmaking development, he could make a strong case to not only get selected in the first round, but to potentially go lotto.