The 2025 NBA draft is just a couple of weeks away and the Gator Nation is waiting with bated breath to see where their men’s basketball hero Walter Clayton Jr. will be selected. The unanimous consensus among draft experts expects the former Gators guard to be taken in the first round — but by whom, and why?
With the big day quickly closing in, ESPN’s college basketball experts Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo put together a mock draft that evaluates the best options for all 30 NBA teams, split between what each franchise needs most and the best value they can extract with their pick. While Clayton came in near the end of the list, the duet of pundits came up with two teams that should have interest in him — one for need and the other for value.
The former is the Boston Celtics, while the latter is the Phoenix Suns. Take a look below at the pair’s respective takes.
“The Celtics hit a home run selecting Payton Pritchard at No. 26 in the first round in 2020, and could see value in developing another scoring-oriented reserve guard in Clayton,” Woo begins.
“With Boston likely to roster its draft picks as it considers changes to the team moving forward, Clayton might be useful right away as a bench option who can pinch-hit for its other guards or step in if the Celtics make trades. His shooting, explosiveness and toughness give him a chance to succeed in a role long term.”
Givony: Fills biggest need for Phoenix Suns
“The Suns have a lot to figure out beyond the draft, but finding backcourt help would be a nice start, and selecting a senior in Clayton could go a long way. Clayton is coming off a spectacular NCAA tournament in which he showed off his scoring instincts, shotmaking prowess and aggressiveness in a major way, helping Florida win a national championship,” Givony notes.
“Tyus Jones (who started 58 games, averaging 27 minutes per game) is entering free agency, meaning there are certainly minutes to be had at the Suns’ point guard position.”
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