The top prospects draft in the first round get most of the press, but laterround picks can be NFL difference makers, as well. These 25 players have a chance to be great finds in the 2025 draft.
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr made headlines after admitting who he considers the greatest center hes ever witnessed in the NBA and surprisingly, its not Kareem AbdulJabbar. Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, nearing his 60th birthday, has had a frontrow seat to some of the greatest basketball talent the game has ever seenboth as a player and a coach. But when asked recently who stands out above the rest at the center position, Kerr didnt go with Kareem AbdulJabbar, Shaquille ONeal, or Bill Russell. Instead, he gave the nod to reigning MVP Nikola Jokic. Kerr, speaking ahead of Fridays game against the Denver Nuggets, didnt mince words. Hes the best center Ive ever seen, Kerr said, via Vic Lombardi. I played against Kareem. Im that old. And Kareem couldnt do all this stuff. Jokic is absolutely one of the smartest players ever. Thats high praise from a man whos played with Michael Jordan, coached Stephen Curry, and seen just about every great big man of the modern era. There has never been a center in NBA history who can do what Jokic does on a nightly basisat such a high level. The Serbian superstar is currently averaging 29.7 points, 12.8 rebounds, 10.2 assists, 1.8 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game in the 202425 season. He continues to defy positional norms with staggering stat lines. Jokic made NBA history on March 7 by recording the firstever 302020 game against the Phoenix Suns. Just days later, he dropped a 61point tripledouble on the Minnesota Timberwolves. For a player listed at 6foot11 and 284 pounds, his combination of touch, vision, and decisionmaking is unlike anything the league has seen from a traditional big. Nikola Jokic 15 of the Denver Nuggets looks on against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at the United Center. Legends left out Of course, Kerrs take comes with plenty of room for debate. When someone with his basketball rsum makes a claim like that, it carries weightbut it also raises eyebrows. After all, Kareem AbdulJabbar has six titles. Bill Russell holds a record 11 championships. Shaquille ONeal dominated his era with four. Wilt Chamberlain shattered statistical barriers that still stand today. So while Kerr is clearly sold on Jokics allaround brilliance, there are still questions when it comes to legacy and championship hardware. Whats next for Jokic For Jokic to cement himself in the greatest center ever conversation in the eyes of the broader NBA community, hell likely need more titles. The sixtime AllStar and former Finals MVP is aiming to secure his second championship, but the path wont be easy. Despite another MVPworthy campaign, the Nuggets have flown slightly under the radar. With a 4730 record, theyre positioned for a playoff run but arent viewed as the clear favorites to win it all. If Jokic continues producing historic numbers while leading Denver deep into the postseason, the debate wont just continueitll get louder.
