The best players in the NBA Draft 2025 excluding the Top 3

The Washington Wizards have the second best chance of securing the top pick in the next NBA Draft. This puts them in a privileged position to choose a franchise-changing player: Cooper Flagg or Dylan Harper. With Flagg projected at number one and the Wizards being "big fans" of Harper, according to ESPN's Jonathan Givony, it's clear whom they would pick at positions one and two. With them off the board, V.J. Edgecombe would be next in line at the third pick. However, luck has never been on Washington's side. If the Wizards miss out on the top three, there are some other draft options they can consider.

Ace Bailey

Offensively, Bailey's ability to finish at the rim and his strong mid-range game have led to an impressive shooting percentage of 51.1% from inside the arc. Bailey can also shoot the three, hitting 34.6% from beyond the arc. He ended the season averaging 17.6 points. While Rutgers didn't make the tournament, they would have been a tough opponent.

Ace Bailey would be the next best player in the draft, and the third pick is a toss-up between him and Edgecombe. Possessing guard-like abilities, Bailey is a positionless player who could fit in perfectly as both a shooting guard and a small forward.

Defensively, Bailey averaged a steal, enough to rank him as the third most steals in the conference. He also averaged 1.3 blocks, tying for 11th in the Big Ten. Additionally, he snagged 7.2 rebounds, 5.1 of them on the defensive end.

Bailey would not only be able to contribute offensively at a decent clip in Washington but would also anchor the NBA's 28th defensive team. He would pair well at the shooting guard position with Jordan Poole, while also being able to play both small forward positions.

Derik Queen

Derik Queen should be regarded as the top big man in this season's draft. Although Queen stands at 6'3", he lacks the guard skills that Bailey possesses. Nevertheless, he has a very potent offensive game that is still growing. Additionally, his defensive skills could quickly develop alongside Alex Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly.

Queen averaged 16.5 points and 9.0 rebounds with seven double-doubles. His offensive prowess complements Sarr's game well. Queen's low three-point attempts would allow Sarr to stretch the floor as Queen operates in the paint. Queen shot 55.8% on two-point field goals, showcasing his ability to finish at the rim and shoot mid-range shots at a decent rate.

While scouts suggest his defensive game holds him back, a closer look is warranted. Averaging 1.1 steals is solid for a big man primarily operating in the paint. He also tied for 15th in blocks in the Big Ten, with 1.1 per game. Furthermore, he finished with the highest defensive win shares in the conference. Therefore, despite some questions around his defensive capabilities, his stats indicate growth in that aspect of his game.

Does Queen have the potential to franchise-alter like some think Bailey could? No. However, he can be a complementary piece alongside Sarr and a solid third potential option for when they find that transcendent star.

Tre Johnson

Tre Johnson brings a strong offensive repertoire, something the Wizards could use more of on the court. Standing at 6'7", Johnson would fit perfectly at the shooting guard position. With Poole enhancing his playmaking ability last season, Johnson would have ample opportunities.

Averaging 19.9 points, Johnson led the SEC in scoring. Playing up to 34.7 minutes per game, he shot 42.7% from the field and 39.7% from three-point range. Although not the most efficient, Johnson was the lone player averaging over 13 points for the Texas Longhorns. Should the Wizards acquire Johnson, his playmaking ability would need a slight upgrade, but it's manageable. With 2.7 assists per game, the team would rely on Poole and Bub Carrington to create more plays.

Defensively, Johnson averaged just under a steal per game (0.9) and 0.3 blocks. These numbers would be expected to be slightly higher with over 34 minutes of play. However, he had to carry the scoring load. With all the energy focused on the offensive end, his lack of defense could be seen as a trade-off.

For Washington, they gain everything on offense, with the opportunity to instill good defensive habits and mindset in Johnson. The hope would be for him to become more efficient while developing better defensive intangibles over time. With the potential to be an elite scorer, Washington may take the risk if they feel it's worthwhile.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Los mejores jugadores del NBA Draft 2025 quitando el Top 3