The 2025 NBA Draft has concluded, and surprisingly, no big-name trades happened throughout the first and second rounds. However, there were a lot of movements regarding pick swaps for multiple teams, either moving ahead or moving out of their selections.
Not all teams came away as winners, though. Some had baffling selections, especially in the first round. A lot of college and foreign prospects went undrafted, but that doesn’t mean it’s the end of their road to the NBA.
Let’s take a look around and assess the final 2025 NBA Draft grades for all 30 teams.
Which teams had the best and worst grades after the 2025 NBA Draft?
Atlanta Hawks: B+
R1: Asa Newell (23)
R2: None
The Hawks moved back in the first round, ultimately settling on Asa Newell. Atlanta should be happy with Newell’s selection and acquiring an unprotected 2026 first-round pick at the conclusion of the 2025 NBA draft. The Georgia product should see significant minutes for the team next season due to their immediate needs in the middle.
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Boston Celtics: D
R1: Hugo Gonzalez (28)
R2: Amari Williams (46), Max Shulga (57)
The Celtics’ front office is a top-tier organization when it comes to finding gems in the NBA draft, but this year, they were a bit off with their selections. Hugo Gonzalez isn’t a scorer and needs time to develop his game. Amari Williams and Max Shulga were decent college players, but both are already 23, and their ceilings may be capped.
Brooklyn Nets: C-
R1: Egor Demin (8), Nolan Traore (19), Drake Powell (22), Ben Saraf (26), Danny Wolf (27)
R2: None
Prior to the draft, several experts believed that the Nets may try to move one or two of their five first-round selections on draft day. Well, they were all wrong. Surprisingly, the Nets decided to keep all five first-round picks and selected three point guards in the process. How they will all share the ball remains to be seen. Out of the five, Traore and Powell have the highest ceilings.
Charlotte Hornets: B
R1: Kon Knueppel (4), Liam McNeeley (29)
R2: Sion James (33), Ryan Kalkbrenner (34)
Not a bad night for the Hornets, as they clearly aimed to surround LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller with some foundational pieces that could play major roles as soon as next season. Out of the four selections, Knueppel is expected to start at the shooting guard position for the team. The only downside with their four new rookies is that none of them are projected to become superstars at the NBA level.
Chicago Bulls: D
R1: Noa Essengue (12)
R2: Lachlan Olbrich (55)
No doubt that Essengue has the tools to become a star, but he needs to put in a ton of work to get there, as he’s extremely raw. Essengue was an odd choice as the Bulls are openly trying to compete for a playoff spot next season, and the young Frenchman might be unable to help a ton in their goal. And there’s the issue of how he’ll fit alongside Matas Buzelis in the frontcourt. Olbrich might be a draft and stash selection as he still needs time to develop his skills on the court.
Cleveland Cavaliers: D-
R1: None
R2: Tyrese Proctor (49), Saliou Niang (58)
Due to the possibility of losing TY Jerome in the offseason, the Cavs addressed their immediate need for a backup point guard and went on to select Duke’s Tyrese Proctor in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft. Proctor is a good shooter, but his biggest weakness is attacking/finishing around the painted area. Niang is a draft and stash pick who isn’t ready for the NBA game, yet.
Dallas Mavericks: A+
R1: Cooper Flagg (1)
R2: None
It’s understandable that after the Mavs selected Cooper Flagg at number one, they were completely silent for the rest of the two-day affair. They do have a loaded roster and did not need much depth. Flagg is deemed the safest prospect ever to grace the NBA as he’s already elite on both ends of the floor. He’ll be tasked to play either the forward spots for Dallas next season.
Denver Nuggets: N/A
R1: None
R2: None
You’d better get used to the Nuggets not having a draft pick for the next few years unless they try to buy or trade for one. They don’t have access to any draft picks until 2032, and that’s not even a first-round selection.
Detroit Pistons: C+
R1: None
R2: Chaz Lanier (37)
A late bloomer, Chaz Lanier is a deadly three-point shooter with the size to compete actively for minutes at the shooting guard position as soon as next season. This was a need for the Pistons, in case Malik Beasley or Tim Hardaway Jr. decide to walk in the summer.
Golden State Warriors: C-
R1: None
R2: Alex Toohey (52), Will Richard (56)
It’s hard to cast any doubts on the Warriors’ brass regarding their picks in the 2025 NBA Draft, as they are very good at finding gems at these places, especially late in the second round. Toohey needs to improve his three-point shot if he ever wants a chance to compete for minutes for the team. Richard’s value lies in his ability to convert baskets at a high clip within the two-point range.
Houston Rockets: N/A
R1: None
R2: None
The Rockets traded their picks away this year in the Kevin Durant deal. Pretty sure that they had no qualms about staying silent in the draft, considering that they are projected to become a bona fide title contender with Durant on the roster.
Indiana Pacers: B+
R1: None
R2: Kam Jones (38), Taelon Peter (54)
Without Haliburton for a good chunk next season, the Pacers decided to draft a couple of guards who can attack the basket and shoot it beyond the three-point line. Of the two, Kam Jones is projected to play 10 to 15 minutes for Indiana once October kicks around. He was a first-round talent who fell to the second round because of his age. Peter needs time to develop in the G-League, but could earn some playing time as well due to his natural scoring instincts.
Los Angeles Clippers: F
R1: Yanic Konan Niederhauser (30)
R2: Kobe Sanders (50)
The Clippers opted for prospects who can contribute now rather than later. However, Niederhauser and Sanders were late bloomers in college, and they still need a lot of fine-tuning before they can consistently contribute at the NBA level. There are some serious red flags with these selections.
Los Angeles Lakers: B+
R1: None
R2: Adou Thiero (36)
GM Rob Pelinka worked his magic a bit by trading for the 36th pick instead of staying put at 55. Needing a versatile forward who can also be a lob threat for Luka Doncic, the Lakers opted to draft Adou Thiero from Arkansas. Thiero was projected to be selected in the first round for most NBA mock drafts but fell in the second round due to his subpar three-point shooting. But he’s a workhorse who can thrive on cuts and lobs on the offensive end.
Memphis Grizzlies: B-
R1: Cedric Coward (11)
R2: Javon Small (48), Jahmai Mashack (59)
The Grizzlies badly wanted Coward and had to be creative to secure his landing spot at 11. With Desmond Bane traded to the Magic before the draft, Memphis wanted to ensure his replacement and saw that probability with Coward. With Small and Mashack, they added guys who can become good defenders at the next level if given the opportunity.
Miami Heat: A-
R1: Kasparas Jakucionis (20)
R2: None
The Heat only had one selection, and to everybody’s surprise, Illinois playmaker Kasaparas Jakucionis was still on the board. Jakucionis was deemed a lottery talent on most NBA mock drafts, but teams were wary about his playmaking and turnover rate. This was a very good landing spot for the 6-foot-6 floor general, as Coach Spo will have a chance to hone his game at the next level.
Milwaukee Bucks: F
R1: None
R2: Bogoljub Markovic (47)
This pick was more about need than anything else. Brook Lopez might walk in the offseason, and the Bucks need a young body to man the paint. Markovic was a stud in the Adriatic League and could score from anywhere on the court, but he was a subpar defender against much less athletic guys over in Europe.
Minnesota Timberwolves: D-
R1: Joan Beringer (17)
R2: Rocco Zickarsky (45)
We all knew that the Wolves would need to address Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley’s backups, but little did we know that they would target two seven-footers with their 2025 NBA Draft selection. Beringer was a good rim protector in France, while Zickarsky was more offensive-minded during his time in Australia. However, both guys are extremely raw and need a ton of time to become NBA-level players.
New Orleans Pelicans: C-
R1: Jeremiah Fears (7), Derik Queen (13)
R2: Micah Peavy (40)
Solid selections, but their minutes are a huge question mark next season. Jeremiah Fears is a score-first guard with a not-so-appealing jumper from behind the arc. How he’ll fit alongside Jordan Poole and Dejounte Murray in the Pels backcourt is anybody’s guess right now. Queen’s selection was necessary as he could spread the floor whenever Zion Williamson operates inside the paint. Peavy is projected to be a 3-and-D player at the pro level, but he needs to improve his free-throw percentages and shot selection.
New York Knicks: F
R1: None
R2: Mohamed Diawara (51)
New York truly wasted Spike Lee’s attendance on day two by selecting a draft and stash player in Mohamed Diawara. An undersized power forward at 6-foot-8, the 20-year-old Frenchman isn’t expected to come over to the team for at least the next few years. He only averaged 5.8 PPG for Cholet last season.
Oklahoma City Thunder: B+
R1: Thomas Sorber (15)
R2: Brooks Barnhizer (44)
Even with Holmgren and Hartenstein manning the paint, OKC addressed its biggest need on draft night – selecting a backup center. Sorber was a beast in the paint at Georgetown. Should he continue to develop his jumper, then he’s slated to become a very good player at the NBA level. Barnhizer will be on a two-way deal, and according to reports, will spend some time in the G-League to improve his game.
Orlando Magic: A
R1: Jase Richardson (25)
R2: Noah Penda (32)
The 2025 NBA Draft concluded reasonably well for Orlando, as they selected Jase Richardson and Noah Penda. Jase, the son of two-time slam dunk champion Jason Richardson, was pegged to be chosen within the top 15 but inexplicably fell to 25. Despite standing only at 6 feet, Richardson was very effective on both sides of the court. Penda was a first-round talent who fell into the second round. At 6-foot-8 with a solid jumpshot, there’s a chance he could be in the rotation for the Magic next season.
Philadelphia 76ers: A-
R1: VJ Edgecombe (3)
R2: Johni Broome (35)
Underrated night for Philly. If Edgecombe can be developed in the right way, there’s all-star potential there. Think of his ceiling like Victor Oladipo. However, due to the Sixers’ crowded backcourt, he may need to show that he deserves minutes. As with Broome’s selection in the second round, this was a steal by Philadelphia. Broome’s stock went down at the NBA Combine due to his poor measurements, but by no means is he terrible athletically. The Aubrun star was a stud in college and often goes for the winning plays.
Phoenix Suns: A
R1: Khaman Maluach (10)
R2: Rasheer Fleming (31), Koby Brea (41)
The Suns needed a big, and they selected two frontcourt players in the 2025 NBA Draft. Maluach is a bit of a project, but he has all-star potential if developed right. Round two was deemed the “Rasheer Fleming Sweepstakes,” and Phoenix had to make a trade to select the talented forward out of Saint Joseph’s. Koby Brea was one of the best three-point shooters in college and should earn minutes for the team next season, especially if they trade away Grayson Allen in the summer.
Portland Trail Blazers: B
R1: Yang Hansen
R2: None
Portland moved out of the lottery and secured a future first-round pick from Memphis. At 16, the Blazers surprised everybody when they selected Yang Hansen from China. Dubbed as the “Chinese Jokic,” Hansen is a towering 7-foot-2 prospect who finishes well around the rim and is a solid passer and defender. He definitely has all-star potential, and apparently, the Blazers had scouted him intensely for the past two years. The only real problem right now is the logjam in their frontcourt. Expect more trades in the summer to open up their center rotation.
Sacramento Kings: F
R1: Nique Clifford (24)
R2: Maxime Raynaud (42)
Sacramento did not have any selections in the first round but opted to trade for one to select Nique Clifford. The Colorado State product is one of the oldest prospects in this class, and his upside is somewhat murky as he’ll turn 24 before the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend. Maxime Raynaud is a stud and is deemed a safe pick due to the uncertainty around Domantas Sabonis’s future. However, this team gets an F grade for not addressing their most immediate need – a floor general.
San Antonio Spurs: B
R1: Dylan Harper (2), Carter Bryant (14)
R2: None
While it was a no-brainer to go with Harper at two despite the logjam in their backcourt, Carter Bryant’s selection at 14 was truly a questionable one due to the fact that this team already has a plethora of wings on their roster. Their biggest need was a backup big man for Wemby, and they failed to address that one with their 14th pick. Thomas Sorber was still on the board, but they passed over him. There are questions about Bryant’s capability of creating his own offense at the next level, as he was mostly a spot-up shooter in college.
Toronto Raptors: F
R1: Collin Murray-Boyles (9)
R2: Alijah Martin (39)
This grade is not a dig at CMB, as he’s one of the most athletic guys in this draft class, but with Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram playing both forward positions, the South Carolina stud will not see many minutes for the Raptors next season. Toronto should have gone for a heady playmaker or a big man at nine, not another prototypical forward-tweener who struggles with the three-point shot. Martin is a deadeye shooter from the three, but at 6-foot-2, he’ll have a hard time creating opportunities for himself against bigger defenders at the NBA level.
Utah Jazz: A-
R1: Ace Bailey (5), Walter Clayton Jr. (18)
R2: John Tonje (53)
Kudos to Jazz GM Danny Ainge for showing who the real boss is on draft day. Ace Bailey never wanted to go to Utah, but the team did not hesitate to select him at five. They are getting a player with a ton of upside at the NBA level. Should they develop him right, Bailey could be a force to be reckoned with at Utah. If not, then he’ll end up as a bust. There’s no in-between when we talk about the Rutgers star. With Clayton, the Jazz are getting a championship-caliber floor general who is basically an extension of an NBA coach on the court. He’s a superb shooter, too. Tonje is the oldest prospect in the draft at 24, but was a good shooter in six years in college.
Washington Wizards: A-
R1: Tre Johnson (6), Will Riley (20)
R2: Jamir Watkins (43)
Good haul from the Wizards as they opted to go with two very young prospects in the first round in Johnson and Riley. Tre Johnson at six was a good scoop, and the kid reportedly doesn’t have any hobbies outside basketball. He lives and breathes the game. He was one of the best pure scorers in college last season. Riley needs some time to develop, but the size and skills are already there. At 6-foot-8, he may need to slide at the small forward spot at the NBA level. Watkins, on the other hand, will turn 24 in July. How well he’ll perform in the Summer League will determine his fate with the Wizards next season.
