The 2025 NBA draft is just five days away (June 25). With Wednesday night closing in, there’s one question on the mind of Gator fans around the nation: Where will the Gator boy himself end up at the end of next week?
As mock drafts begin to take shape, there’s three teams that appear to be front runners to select Clayton Jr. that could unlock his full potential as a rookie and beyond, including the Orlando Magic, Golden State Warriors, and Phoenix Suns. As it stands now, in their latest ESPN mock draft, Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo have the Suns selecting Clayton Jr. in the first round Wednesday night when the draft opens.
Clayton Jr. is known for his scoring prowess and his ability to come in clutch and perform very well, and possibly even better in pressure situations. In 2024-25, he set a single-season record for points scored at the University of Florida with 713 points scored. In the NCAA tournament, he impressed with back-to-back 30-point games and scored an average of 22.3 points per game. He also had 117 3-point field goals made last season and recorded 163 assists. He is known for his leadership skills and for playing a key role in the Gators’ tournament successes.
Clayton Jr. has great playmaking skills and ability to get movement in and around the paint to create shot opportunities for his offense. In order to unlock his full potential at the next level, a team will need to give him opportunities to have the ball in his hands, to make shots, and to take leadership and ownership of the offensive. He is a great playmaker who can create scenarios on the court for his team to have success, as was seen in the 2025 NCAA March Madness tournament. The Gator boys stayed hot because of him. And he can have the same impact in the NBA as well.
Three teams who would get the most out of Florida star Walter Clayton Jr.
The Orlando Magic is one of the three teams currently eyeing Clayton Jr. due to their need for three-point shooters, which as just mentioned, Clayton Jr. scored 117 of in 2024-25.
The Magic could also help Clayton Jr. unlock his ability for shot creation at the next level and bring a level of ‘youth,’ or being younger, to the team. He could help the Magic complement Paolo Banchero and the Magic offense, increase their playmaking ability, and create opportunities for others as well.
The Golden State Warriors also appear to have a shot at Clayton Jr. because of their coaching staff and Clayton Jr. having the ability to learn and develop under future hall-of-famers and like the Magic, the Warriors are looking for a young scoring weapon, of which Clayton Jr. fits the bill.
The Phoenix Suns are a third team and according to the latest Mock Draft by Givony and Woo, the Suns are the favorite to select Clayton Jr. in the first round. The Suns are in a season of rebuilding and could potentially be in the market to trade Durant and move up in the draft. Clayton could help the Suns’ salary sheet with a value-additive, rookie-scale deal while also being a player who could have an immediate impact on the court with his scoring ability. He has a bold confidence in his ability to make shots, and the Suns are looking for a player with that characteristic to bolster their bench and make an impact.
Round 1 of the 2025 NBA Draft opens Wednesday, June 25th at 8:00 PM EST. By Wednesday or Thursday night, Clayton Jr. and the Gator nation could know where their captain and guard from Lake Wales, FL. will end up.