The buzz about the 2025 NBA Draft is heating up, as the early entry list is out. But hold on tight—this year’s draft pool is not what we’ve seen in the past.

With the emergence of the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) marketplace in college basketball, the number of early entrants has plummeted to just 106—down significantly from last year's 195 and the staggering 353 in 2021. This reality is set to reshape not only the draft itself but the NBA landscape.

You can expect that number to shrink even further as the May 28 deadline approaches, when players with remaining college eligibility decide whether to stay in the draft or return to school for another year. Many players are eyeing lucrative NIL contracts, which can easily reach into the seven figures. If the choice is between guaranteed cash from college or a shaky NBA spot, most will opt for security. However, there's a strategic game unfolding where agents are gauging whether enough players will withdraw to make this year’s draft a worthwhile gamble.

This means that teams picking in the 40s are feeling anxious about the value of their selections. The depth of this class has suffered immensely, and only the top two picks offer any glimmer of excitement. The lottery will determine if franchises like the Utah Jazz can build their future around a generational talent like Cooper Flagg.

Draft Order and Prospects to Watch