Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey's Top Potential Landing Spots in 2025 After 2024 NBA Draft (2024)

The first round of the 2024 NBA draft is now over. This wasn't a highly anticipated draft, with a dearth of top or elite prospects (at least on paper). But we also can't fully judge how a class pans out until a few years down the road.

We'll see how that goes, but looking ahead, the 2025 class has the potential to be an all-timer. It starts with Duke commit Cooper Flagg, who is far and away this class' top choice right now and could end up being the NBA's best two-way player down the road.

But don't forget about Rutgers' Ace Bailey, a potentially explosive scorer who could become a phenomenal talent.

Flagg and Bailey could easily go one-two in the 2025 NBA draft. We won't know who will have the chance to pick them until next May's lottery, but here's a look at two potential top landing spots for each.

This isn't complicated. Flagg would be a tremendous fit anywhere he goes. He's a generational talent who could transform any franchise and be the cornerstone for a championship roster.

Last October, On3's Jamie Shaw relayed remarks from an NBA scout who compared Flagg to the Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum and the Los Angeles Clippers' Paul George.

As far as top landing spots, how about the San Antonio Spurs?

Watching Flagg and Victor Wembanyama team up would be one of the NBA's top storylines for years to come. They would immediately form an unstoppable frontcourt on both ends.

The Spurs should do better than last year's record of 22-60, but it's hard seeing this team compete for the playoffs when the roster still is so young and needs more work around Wemby.

San Antonio could potentially have two lottery picks next year in its own plus the Atlanta Hawks' courtesy of the Dejounte Murray trade, so it's not inconceivable to see the Spurs land the No. 1 pick needed to get Flagg.

Elsewhere, the Toronto Raptors are intriguing. They are in full rebuild mode after trading away (or watching go) pretty much everyone on the team outside Scottie Barnes. The Raps do have some young talent in Barnes, RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley but could use a bona fide superstar to build around.

Enter Flagg, who could be that guy. Toronto is in sore need of some consistency, with 30 players wearing the uniform last year. Flagg could bring some stability to the squad as it hopes for brighter days.

Ace Bailey would be a very good No. 1 draft prospect in some years. The problem is that Flagg sits ahead of him this year.

Still, whomever lands Bailey is getting a prospect who can immediately transform a franchise's fortune. There are plenty of teams out there who need superstars to build around, and Bailey is that guy.

As far as top landing spots, the Utah Jazz come to mind. They are in the midst of a massive rebuild but are fueled by a treasure trove of draft picks, many of which are coming their way via the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Utah ultimately needs a superstar to build around, one who can be the team's top offensive option as well. The Jazz already have a star in 27-year-old Lauri Markkanen, but he's a free agent after this upcoming season and could very well be taking off.

Prospects don't look great for Utah next season, especially after a disappointing 31-51 season. And the Western Conference is simply too loaded for the Jazz to make much headway in the standings.

Chances are the Jazz will be getting a high draft pick. Utah may need to be top two or three to have a chance at Bailey, but the Jazz would be a great landing spot.

So would the Portland Trail Blazers. Portland had the second-worst offensive rating in the NBA last year. Granted, the team has been beset by injuries for multiple years now, so Portland's offense was hindered by key losses, but this team still needs more help.

The Trail Blazers have some players who can drop 20 or more a game somewhat consistently, but no one on the team really projects to have a sky-high ceiling. Scoot Henderson probably comes the closest, but Bailey could be that cornerstone offensive player. Henderson could run the point, and Bailey would be that top scoring option to get the Blazers out of their offensive doldrums.