The first round of the 2025 NBA Draft has concluded, and there were some risers and fallers throughout the night. While the first two picks, Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper, went in order as expected, the same cannot be said for what happened for the rest of the first round.
No big-name trades, but it was full of swapping picks between several teams and giving up future assets in the process.
Here are the final grades for all 30 NBA first-round picks from the 2025 NBA Draft.
Find out the grades for each first-round selection in the 2025 NBA Draft
1. Dallas Mavericks – Cooper Flagg (A+)
Selecting Cooper Flagg as the top overall pick was a no-brainer for the Mavericks. They badly need a replacement for Luka Doncic, and Flagg is expected to become that guy for them. He’s a perfect fit for this team as he could start at the small forward spot from day one. The Duke product is arguably the most polished prospect the NBA has seen for years.
2. San Antonio Spurs – Dylan Harper (A+)
Adding Harper would mean that San Antonio’s backcourt would become crowded, but this was never about fit – this was about getting the best talent available. The Rutgers standout was a beast in college, scoring everywhere on the court. He knows how to use his body well to create separation or draw contact for an and-one.
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3. Philadelphia 76ers – VJ Edgecombe (B)
Some may say this was a surprise, but for Philly, this was their plan all along. After Ace Bailey cancelled his workout for the Sixers, they had no choice but to go with Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe. The Bahamian-born hooper was a freak athlete in college, but he needs to hone his offensive game at the NBA level. The Sixers’ backcourt is crowded, and Edgecombe might have to come off the bench for them next season.
4. Charlotte Hornets – Kon Knueppel (A)
Solid selection from the Hornets as they need a savvy guard/forward who can be trusted with the ball alongside LaMelo Ball. Knueppel was arguably the second-best player on Duke last season and had earned high praise from fellow college teammate Cooper Flagg. The only knock on his game is his athleticism, but as a high-IQ player, expect him to play significant minutes for Charlotte in 2026.
5. Utah Jazz – Ace Bailey (B)
GM Danny Ainge did not care one bit about the reports regarding Bailey not wanting to play in Utah. Whether Bailey’s camp will demand a trade or embrace the city is anybody’s guess right now. The 6-foot-9 forward out of Rutgers was a consensus top-three selection before the draft due to his rare combination of size and shot-making, but an unusual pre-draft approach from his camp scared Philly and Charlotte from taking a chance on him.
6. Washington Wizards – Tre Johnson (B+)
The new look Wizards rightfully settled with Johnson, one of the most dynamic scorers in college last season. With Jordan Poole traded to the Pelicans, expect Johnson to play some point guard duties for Washington in the immediate future. He’s a natural-born scorer who can light it up with ease whenever he gets it going.
7. New Orleans Pelicans – Jeremiah Fears (C)
Stephen A. Smith may be high on Fears, but there are some serious questions about his game, especially his three-point shooting and how it will translate in the NBA. And how a Fears-Poole backcourt will perform for New Orleans next season is a huge question mark. Dejounte Murray is expected to be at full strength in training camp, and either Fears or Poole would be relegated to a bench role.
8. Brooklyn Nets – Egor Demin (B-)
It’s not surprising that the Nets went with BYU’s Egor Demin, a point guard. They do need help in that position due to D’Angelo Russell’s impending departure. At 6-foot-9, Demin is arguably set to become one of the tallest floor generals in the league next season. He’s far from polished as he needs to improve his shot from the perimeter and beyond the three-point line, but his passing game is already elite.
9. Toronto Raptors – Collin Murray-Boyles (C-)
I don’t want to take a swipe at CMB’s talent, as he’s currently one of the best athletes in this class, but the Raptors are now loaded with wings that don’t shoot the three-ball particularly well. At 6-foot-8, Murray-Boyles is an energy bunny who runs the floor well, defends at a high rate, and crashes the boards. The biggest need for the Raptors was either the PG spot or a big guy in the middle. Selecting CMB at the ninth did not address those needs.
10. Phoenix Suns (from Houston) – Khaman Maluach (B-)
This was a solid selection for the Suns since they are in dire need of a young big man who can help with their playoff aspirations post-Kevin Durant era. However, the Suns also traded for Charlotte’s Mark Williams – another big guy – for the 29th pick and a 2029 first-rounder. You can bet that Maluach wasn’t thrilled with that transaction. He went from potentially starting for the Suns next season to coming off the bench behind Williams.
11. Memphis Grizzlies (from Portland) – Cedric Coward (B+)
The Grizzlies heavily coveted Coward and decided to trade up just to get him. The 6-foot-6 forward had an unusual journey to the NBA, playing Division III basketball and working up to becoming a D1-caliber player. The Washington State standout is projected to become a very good 3-and-D player at the next level. With Desmond Bane gone, Coward will have a chance to start alongside Ja Morant in the Grizzlies’ backcourt next season.
12. Chicago Bulls – Noa Essengue (D-)
This was a baffling pick by Chicago. At Essengue’s height and length, he’ll be projected to play either forward spot at the NBA level, but the team currently has youngster Matas Buzelis occupying that position right now. Plus, Essengue’s game is extremely raw, and he needs time to develop his on-court skills. Chicago needed a young center and could have gone with Maryland’s Derik Queen, who was still available to take at this spot.
13. New Orleans Pelicans (from Atlanta) – Derik Queen (A)
Even with Yves Missi on the roster, the Pelicans rightfully figured that they needed a center who could spread the floor and pass the ball to open teammates. This is where Maryland’s Derik Queen comes in handy. Their star, Zion Williamson, does not have an effective outside game, and selecting Queen will balance things out in their frontcourt.
14. San Antonio Spurs – Carter Bryant (D)
This was a questionable one for the Spurs. While there’s no denying that Carter Bryant does have the potential to become a very good player at the next level, he needs to do a ton of work to get there. Like, A LOT. His offensive game isn’t polished, and there are questions about his ability to create his own offense. He does have the typical size to become a prototypical 3-and-D player in the league.
15. Oklahoma City Thunder – Thomas Sorber (B+)
The 2025 NBA Champions just got stronger. While they do have Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein manning the paint, adding another big like Sorber truly elevates their ceiling as a team. OKC’s most significant need is a backup center, and the Georgetown product could realistically play spot-up minutes for them as soon as next season while continuing to develop his jumper.
16. Portland Trail Blazers (from Memphis) – Hansen Yang (C-)
This is the biggest surprise of the first round. After trading down from 11th to 16th, the Blazers surprisingly selected Hansen Yang from China. The 7-foot-2 center balled out in the NBA Combine a few weeks ago, improving his stock leading into the draft. While Yang is a talented player, his current fit with the Blazers is questionable. They have Deandre Ayton and Donovan Clingan in the middle, and adding another seven-footer would create a logjam at that position. Another deal may be in the works this offseason to make some room for Yang.
17. Minnesota Timberwolves – Joan Beringer (D-)
The Wolves need a backup for Rudy Gobert, and that’s why they elected to go with Beringer. However, that’s not their most immediate need right now. Mike Conley’s not getting younger, and last year’s lottery pick, Rob Dillingham, is more of a two-guard rather than a floor general. They should have gone with Illinois playmaker Kasparas Jakucionis at this spot.
18. Utah Jazz (from Washington) – Walter Clayton Jr. (B-)
This may be too high for Walter Calyton Jr., but the Jazz clearly valued his on-court leadership and championship pedigree. He’s a solid shooter from beyond the arc and knows how to slow the game down and manage his teammates on the floor. The Jazz sent their 21st pick and three future second-rounders just to get their hands on the Florida Gators stud.
19. Brooklyn Nets – Nolan Traore (B-)
Selecting Traore and Demin on the same night is a bold move from Brooklyn. Both are capable floor generals, but expect one of them to play off the ball more next season. Months before the 2025 NBA Draft, there were some serious lottery considerations for Traore. Should he improve his jumpshot at the next level, this would arguably become a genius decision by the Nets a few years from now.
20. Miami Heat – Kasparas Jakucionis (A-)
Jakucionis inexplicably fell to this spot after being pegged as a possible lottery selection leading up to the draft, but Miami should be ecstatic that the Illinois product fell into their laps. The 6-foot-6 floor general had an excellent year in college and rightfully displayed his improved jumpshot from the mid-range and the three-point line. The biggest knock on him right now is his passing ability. No doubt he’s a good passer, but he sometimes tends to be flashy with the ball, which inevitably results in turnovers.
21. Washington Wizards (from Utah) – Will Riley (B-)
As part of an earlier deal with Utah, the Wizards moved back a few slots and got their hands on Will Riley. A five-star recruit from high school, Riley was impressive during his lone season at Illinois. He mostly came off the bench but provided additional scoring for the team. At 6-foot-8, he loves playing the shooting guard position but may have to move to the small forward spot due to the Wizards’ selecting Tre Johnson at 6th in the 2025 NBA Draft.
22. Brooklyn Nets – Drake Powell (C-)
With Brooklyn’s third selection in the first round, they took a flier on North Carolina’s Drake Powell. A high leaper, Powell is a raw athlete with tons of potential. He may not see many minutes for the team next season, but he has the physical tools to develop into a very good 3-and-D guy a few years from now.
23. Atlanta Hawks (from New Orleans) – Asa Newell (B+)
As part of an earlier trade with the Pelicans, the Hawks settled with Asa Newell at this spot. Newell had lottery potential but fell into the back half of the first round due to his unrefined jumpshot. But at 6-foot-11, it seems like Atlanta has found their long-term solution in the middle should the Georgia product improve on his flaws in the very near future.
24. Sacramento Kings (from Oklahoma City) – Nique Clifford (C+)
The Kings liked Clifford so much that they made a deal with OKC to secure his services. Clifford is one of the oldest prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft, and he’ll turn 24 before the All-Star break in 2026. Sacramento wants to compete in the West, and it makes sense that they went for an NBA-ready prospect instead of selecting a project player. Expect Clifford to become a rotation piece for them next season.
25. Orlando Magic – Jase Richardson (B+)
This is a steal for Orlando. Jase, the son of two-time slam dunk champion Jason Richardson, did not inherit his father’s athleticism and height but is projected to become a better shooter than his old man. The only hindrance to his game in the pros is that he only stands 6 feet and is more comfortable playing the shooting guard rather than a point guard. Should Orlando develop him right, he could become an Andrew Nembhard-type player down the road.
26. Brooklyn Nets – Ben Saraf (C)
With Brooklyn’s fourth selection in the first round, they inexplicably took another point guard, Ben Saraf. The 6-foot-6 playmaker from Israel knows how to run an offense and is sneakily explosive off the bounce. His biggest problem right now is shooting the ball from beyond the arc. Think of him as a Goran Dragic-type player, with a much pronounced jumping ability.
27. Brooklyn Nets – Danny Wolf (A-)
Another pick for the Nets. What a busy night for their front office. Of all their selections, this one might be the most underrated. Michigan’s Danny Wolf may play in the middle, but his overall skills as a basketball player resemble a floor general rather than a center. He can put the ball on the floor to create his own shots or pass the ball to an open shooter. This was a solid selection for Brooklyn this late in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft.
28. Boston Celtics – Hugo Gonzalez (C-)
Not the flashiest selection, but after Boston traded away championship cogs Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis before draft night, they needed to gather as much young talent as possible at a cheaper cost. Gonzalez was often overlooked in Spain, but he has the potential to become a very good pro at the NBA level. He can shoot, take the ball to the basket, and finish above the rim when needed.
29. Charlotte Hornets (from Phoenix) – Liam McNeeley (A)
As part of the Mark Williams trade, the Hornets add another guard/forward combo with the selection of McNeely. The UConn product was impressive during his lone season in college and looked like the best player on the team on some nights. He isn’t super athletic, but knows how to get to his spots and create off the dribble.
30. Los Angeles Clippers – Yanic Konan Niederhauser (C+)
The Clippers settled on Niederhauser due to the fact that they needed somebody to back up Ivica Zubac in the middle. The Swedish-born big man improved his numbers at Penn State during his sophomore campaign. At 22 years old, the Clippers expect him to play outright next season.
