The 2025 NBA Draft is officially underway! With the first round concluded and the second round taking place on the evening of June 26th, here’s a grade for every lottery pick:
#1: Cooper Flagg
Mavericks: A+
This pick was a no-brainer. Flagg was always the best player in this draft, and everyone knew he was headed to Dallas. The Mavericks did what they were supposed to and got their guy, a future superstar who can lead the franchise after Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis leave.
#2: Dylan Harper
Spurs: A+
Another no-brainer pick. Even though the Spurs are already guard-heavy with De’Aaron Fox and rookie of the year Stephon Castle, they had to take Harper. His talent was simply too much to pass up, and when you’re selecting this high in the draft, you figure out fit later. The Spurs have landed the last two Rookie of the Years, and I’d be surprised if Harper didn’t make a compelling case to be their third in a row after his rookie season.
#3: VJ Edgecombe
76ers: A
With Ace Bailey doing everything in his power not to get drafted by the 76ers, it makes sense that the 76ers turned their heads towards Edgecombe. He can slot in for them at small forward and contribute immediately. Down the line, after he has a chance to develop his game, Edgecombe also seems like a guy who could turn into a serious star. Between him, Tyrese Maxey, and Jared McCain, the 76ers have a bright future even after the days of Paul George and Joel Embiid behind them.
#4: Kon Knueppel
Hornets: B+
The Hornets played it safe with this pick, taking a surefire guy in Knueppel. I’m giving this a B+ because while it’s a solid pick, Knueppel’s ceiling is lower than guys like Ace Bailey or Tre Johnson. But his floor is a lot higher up. I think the Hornets should’ve gone for star potential at this spot, but you can’t be too upset with a player of Knueppel’s caliber.
#5: Ace Bailey
Jazz: A
This was a great pick by the Jazz. After the Hornets took Knueppel, Bailey was the most talented player left on the board, and the Jazz scooped him up. Bailey has incredible upside, and the Jazz can afford to take on a player who may be a longer-term project. While I would’ve liked to see him in Washington, I believe Utah is a place where Bailey will be able to thrive as well.
#6: Tre Johnson
Wizards: A
It was clear the Wizards had their eyes set on Ace Bailey, but the Jazz nabbed him at five. So, the Wizards took the next best player available, and that was Tre Johnson of Texas. After they just traded away Jordan Poole, Johnson makes so much sense for the Wizards. Standing around 6’5″, Johnson is an elite shooter who could easily be this team’s point guard of the future. He’ll be mentored by CJ McCollum and Marcus Smart during his rookie year, and I think he has the potential to form something special alongside Bub Carrington and Bilal Coulibaly.
#7: Jeremiah Fears
Pelicans: C+
I’m not a fan of Fears for the Pelicans. While his raw talent is undeniable, Fears is an undersized, 6’2″ guard who isn’t a particularly good shooter. He’s going to have to play behind Jordan Poole and Dejounte Murray, and I don’t think he’ll get many minutes. Fears may even see some G-League time. In my mind, the Pelicans would’ve been better off taking a wing or a big man.
#8: Egor Demin
Grade: A-
I like this pick for the Nets. Denim is a 6’8″ point guard, and he’ll get to develop his game in Brooklyn with high-quality reps. The only other real point guard on the Nets is D’Angelo Russell, and between Demin’s size and skills, he has all the tools to be a successful NBA player.
#9: Collin Murray-Boyles
Raptors: C
Murray-Boyles has a great wingspan and is deadly from inside the arc, and the Raptors can’t get enough young players. However, I’m wary about the pairing. Murray-Boyles was visibly unhappy with the pick, mouthing an expletive caught on camera after the pick was announced. The 6’7″ wing can’t stretch the floor with his shooting either, so it’ll be interesting to see how he pairs around fellow wings RJ Barrett and Scottie Barnes.
#10: Khaman Maluach
Rockets->Phoenix: A
Maluach is the perfect big for the Suns. Phoenix’s frontcourt has been severely lacking recently, and a young big man like Maluach is the perfect player to turn it around. He’s incredibly athletic, a great rim-protector and shot blocker, and will be even more deadly when he puts on more muscle. Maluach’s game is similar to that of Nic Claxton and Daniel Gafford; a young, athletic big is an asset for any NBA team.
#11: Cedric Coward
Blazers->Grizzlies: A+
This is a great selection by the Grizzlies. While Coward was originally seeded to go much further back in the first round, his stock really began to rise in the days leading up to the draft. Coward is an incredible 3-and-D player and one of the most efficient shooters in all of college basketball. He ties Klay Thompson as the highest drafted player from Washington State (11th), and should be able to contribute for the Grizzlies immediately due to his age.
#12: Noa Essengue
Bulls: B+
Essengue is a 6’9″ forward who could slot into the Bulls’ rotation right next to Matas Buzelis and Patrick Williams. The Bulls have an interesting combination of young guys and vets, and if Essengue develops the way they hope, he could be a key piece for them in the years to come.
#13: Derik Queen
Hawks: B
Queen on the Hawks should be an interesting fit. They already have quite a few big man, with the likes of Clint Capela, Onyeka Okongwu, and the recently acquired Kristaps Porzingis. It’ll be interesting to see if he gets any minutes in the Hawks rotation, as he certainly has the tools to be a serious rotation player in the coming years. However, he may be better off on a different team where he’ll get more opportunities to play and develop his game.
#14: Carter Bryant
Spurs: A-
Bryant is a good fit for the Spurs. He’s a 19-year-old 6’8″ wing who will slot in well with the rest of the Spurs’ young talent. He’ll get plenty of minutes to develop his game this year, and he has the potential to be a serious part of this San Antonio group in the coming years. He’s a good three-point shooter, is incredibly talented, and most importantly for an organization like the Spurs, is described as having “elite character.”
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