Before we jump into the draft grades, context matters! Each team came into the 2025 NBA Draft with different assets, roster needs, trade flexibility and optionality. An ‘A’ grade for a team with only one second round pick is of course different than an ‘A’ grade for a team with two first round picks. This evaluation takes into account what a team was feasibly able to accomplish with the assets they had and the longterm risk involved in making the moves they did.
Atlanta Hawks
Draft Haul:
Kristaps Porzingis (via trade — sent out Pick 22, Georges Niang and Terance Mann)
Asa Newell — Georgia
2026 Most Favorable of Pelicans’, Bucks’ Picks (sent out pick 13)
The Grade: A+
The Atlanta Hawks are one of the biggest winners of the 2025 NBA Draft. New GM Onsi Saleh did not waste any time leaving his mark on the Atlanta Hawks roster. A team equipped a great young core around Trae Young got bigger, better and more flexible.
Porzingis’ ability to stretch the court as a delay/trail big and anchor a defense with his length is a radical change for the Hawks identity. This alone warrants significant praise as the Hawks move on from Capela and modernize their offense around Trae Young and Jalen Johnson. Asa Newell’s size, touch and ground coverage make him a solid longterm bet as a rotational front court player.
The acquisition of the 2026 Pelicans/Bucks swap is the best bet Saleh could even dream of making this offseason. While Atlanta is situated to improve now ($25+m TPE for free agency), they could be in the running for an AJ Dybantsa, Cam Boozer, Darryn Peterson trio in a LOADED 2026 NBA Draft class depending on how lottery fortune ‘favors the bold’.
Boston Celtics
Draft Haul:
Pick 28 - Hugo Gonzalez — Real Madrid
Pick 46 - Amari Williams — Kentucky
Pick 57 - Max Shulga — VCU
Multiple Future Second Round Picks (Traded Pick 32, Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday)
Georges Niang (via trade)
Anfernee Simons (via trade)
The Grade: B+
Boston’s reality coming into the 2025 NBA Draft was far different than a majority of the other 29 NBA teams. After a devastating torn Achilles for Jayson Tatum in the NBA Playoffs, Boston was forced to shave salary to avoid the 2nd Apron and severe edges of Repeater Tax penalties.
The Celtics miraculously dipped under the 2nd Apron without having to trade a single first round pick. They found a suitor for Jrue Holiday in Portland, dumped Porzingis and allowed Brooklyn to eat Terance Mann’s money in the process. This was an incredible job done by Brad Stevens as the Celtics are now freed from the Iron Apron.
Hugo Gonzalez, Amari Williams and Max Shulga all were drafted within near proximity to where they landed on my Final Big Board. The Celtics added three potential long-term contributors and extra long-term flexibility at the cost of their short-term team while Tatum is out. It hurts to lose talent, especially as much as Boston did, but given the circumstances and reasoning, the Celtics had a good week of the draft.
Brooklyn Nets
Draft Haul:
Pick 8 - Egor Demin — BYU
Pick 19 - Nolan Traore — Saint Quentin
Pick 22 - Drake Powell — UNC
Pick 26 - Ben Saraf — Ulm
Pick 27 - Danny Wolf — Michigan
Two Future Second Round Picks (Traded Pick 36)
Terance Mann (via trade)
The Grade: C+
I love the idea behind Brooklyn’s team building. A ton of playmaking talent with length, positional size and a great offensive system installed this past year by Jordi Fernandez. I just do not love the value or talent, especially at the top of the draft. Brooklyn had a tremendous range of potential outcomes with five first round picks.
The Egor Demin and Nolan Traore selections place significant limitations on the Nets’ longterm upside. While Jordi’s offense can get these two guards into advantage frequently, the shooting concerns for both and ball handling concerns I have for Demin against pressure leads me to feel that the Nets might be trying to maximize the wrong players. Imagine if OKC wanted to maximize Josh Giddey instead of the others on their now championship roster.
I did like the value down the board for Brooklyn though which saves their overall draft grade. Walking away with a great on-ball defensive athlete in Drake Powell at 22, their best guard selection in Ben Saraf at 26 and a dribble-pass-shoot big in Danny Wolf at 27 who should scale down nicely in a refined role gives the Nets, at least, a long-term collection of viable role players while awaiting a future top end talent in subsequent draft classes.
Charlotte Hornets
Draft Haul:
Pick 4 - Kon Knueppel — Duke
Pick 29 - Liam McNeeley — UCONN
Pick 33 - Sion James — Duke
Pick 34 - Ryan Kalkbrenner — Creighton
Pick 29 and 2029 1st round pick *least favorable of three-team swap* (via trade — sent out Mark Williams)
The Grade: A-
First of all, the Kon Knueppel pick is great. This shows me that the Hornets are finally on a trajectory toward competitive basketball. Knueppel’s functionality as an off-ball weapon for Head Coach Charles Lee gives way to some valuable Ram, Spain, Flex, Floppy, etc., etc., etc. actions for the Hornets. Knueppel’s playstyle versatility stabilizes the Hornets and gives them — finally — another true starting caliber player alongside LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller.
Liam McNeeley is a solid catch and shoot role player, although significantly less functional off movement than Knueppel. Round 2 was a tremendous day for the Hornets as Sion James and Ryan Kalkbrenner bring respectable defensive impact and well-rounded off-the-catch skillsets. Kalkbrenner can be a real rim force, a welcomed sight in comparison to Taj Gibson minutes from this past season. Sion James stands out as the second round guy a ton of NBA fans and media will gravitate toward as a good role player.
I did not love the value Charlotte received for Mark Williams given the lack of upside in the future selection, but a fresh start may have been best for both sides at this point.
Chicago Bulls
Draft Haul:
Pick 12 - Noa Essengue — Ratiopharm Ulm
Pick 55 - Lachlan Olbrich — Illawarra
Cash Considerations (traded down from Pick 45 to 55 with Lakers)
The Grade: A-
The Chicago Bulls had a slow, but successful 2025 NBA Draft. Noa Essengue’s collection of play finishing tools — strong 2-point scoring, high free throw rate, transition talent — and defensive event creation stand out as tremendous fits for the Bulls’ evolving team identity. The increase in pace and playmaking talent after the Josh Giddey acquisition will give Essengue some easy opportunities as he adjusts to the NBA game. Olbrich projects to be a safe, fringe-roster piece for them to look to develop as a front-court player with a little bit of playmaking juice.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Draft Haul:
Pick 49 - Tyrese Proctor — Duke
Pick 58 - Saliou Niang — Trento
The Grade: A
This an example of a low-opportunity high grade in the 2025 NBA Draft. The Cavaliers came into the draft without a first round pick, but made the most of their two picks they had in the home stretch in Round 2. Tyrese Proctor finished 34th on my big board and was a high-value grab at pick 49. His solid size, off-ball tools as a guard — where he found much more consistent success compared to his first two years at Duke — and processing speed all project to give him longterm avenues into carving out an off-the-bench role for the Cavs.
Saliou Niang is a fascinating end of draft grab for the Cavs. At 6’8”, 190 lbs, Niang’s length and raw tools are a draft and stash approach for the expensive Cavs’ team. Niang averaged 8.1 points and 5.0 rebounds per game in Italy’s Serie A.
Dallas Mavericks
Draft Haul:
Pick 1 - Cooper Flagg — Duke
Two-way - Ryan Nembhard — Gonzaga
The Grade: A+
Nico Harrison did not find a way to screw this up. After inexplicably sending the Mavericks’ fanbase into an uproar back in February, luck favored Harrison and his position with the organization has never been safer.
Cooper Flagg is not only an additive piece to Dallas’ new “defense wins championships” mantra, but is a cornerstone pillar to it. His ability to impact the game in all aspects and his significant developmental curve on the basketball over the last three years makes him an easy bet to be a top 10 player in the sport sooner than later. Dallas is ready to win now and later with Flagg at the helm.
Ryan Nembhard is a rare example of an immediate value UDFA signing. With Kyrie Irving out to begin the year as he rehabs from his ACL injury, Nembhard’s college-leading 9.7 assists per game at Gonzaga is a tremendous addition into Dallas’ backcourt both in the short and long-term views of the organization.
Denver Nuggets
Draft Haul:
None.
The Grade: Incomplete
A little like the Nuggets’ current front office, this grade is incomplete. Denver’s inactivity isn’t shocking given their lack of assets coming into the 2025 NBA Draft.
Detroit Pistons
Draft Haul:
Pick 37 - Chaz Lanier — Tennessee
The Grade: A
Ahead of the unrestricted free agencies for Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr., the Pistons find an insurance plan at pick 37. Tennessee’s Chaz Lanier is a ready-made shooter with great movement skills. His functionality around both Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren opens up the middle-third of the court even more and offers extra playstyle versatility to JB Bickerstaff. Wide pins, curling off-ball screens, and shooting off of DHOs are all specialties Lanier brings to Detroit’s halfcourt offense.
Golden State Warriors
Draft Haul:
Pick 52 - Alex Toohey — Sydney
Pick 56 - Will Richard — Florida
The Grade: B+
Coming into the draft with just pick 41 at their disposal, the Warriors opted to move down in a deal with the Suns. This netted them two late 2nd round picks resulting in Alex Toohey and Will Richard. Clearly, the Warriors were looking for wings with size who fit the prototypical 3&D archetype.
Toohey’s toughness, hustle and basketball IQ make him a ready-made fit into Steve Kerr’s style of play. Will Richard displayed his championship pedigree on the biggest stages this past year with the Florida Gators and will be an additive depth piece for Golden State ahead of Jonathan Kuminga’s restricted free agency. Low opportunity B+ grade here for the Warriors.
Houston Rockets
Draft Haul:
Kevin Durant (via trade — sent out Picks 10 and 59 in addition to Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks)
The Grade: A-
Does Kevin Durant make the Rockets a much better team this upcoming season? Yes, no question. Does that mean the trade for Durant was a no-brainer like so many others have stated. The answer to that is a definitive no. The Rockets’ top nine rotation is stellar and having locked in Fred Van Vleet solidifies that. Houston should be considered a top-4 lock in the Western Conference next season.
However, the long-term downside stems from two factors. The first one is an impending extension for KD. Going into his age 37 season, paying Durant $50+M (maybe $60+M) annually for ages 38 and 39 is a tad concerning. It also complicates their longterm cap spending a bit. My bigger concern though is the outcome of Phoenix landing Khaman Maluach at Pick 10. The Rockets — who still own future Suns’ draft assets — may have dampened their own future draft pick control by delivering Phoenix their starting center of the future, who is a dream fit next to Devin Booker.
Indiana Pacers
Draft Haul:
Pick 38 - Kam Jones — Marquette (via trade — sent out future 2nd round picks)
Pick 54 - Taelon Peter — Liberty
2026 1st Round Pick (via trade — sent out Pick 23)
The Grade: A
Indiana’s ‘A’ draft grade first stems from their creative appraoch to re-acquiring their 2026 1st round pick just days before Tyrese Haliburton tore his Achilles in a devastating Game 7 defeat in the NBA Finals. Not only do they have insurance in the event of a poor season sans Haliburton, but they now have dramatically increased trade flexibility with respect to the Stepien rule.
Landing Kam Jones at Pick 38 is icing on the cake. A cheap, 2nd round rookie scale contract should help Indiana squeeze everyone back into their cap table, including Myles Turner. Jones’ great AST:TOV ratio, impressive AST% and on-ball scoring chops makes him an awesome candidate to show out big time in Haliburton’s absence.
Taelon Peter, like Ben Sheppard, is a small school, analytics darling. Peter shot 57.8% from the floor, 45.3% on threes and was the Conference USA Sixth Player of the Year award winner for Liberty. Within Carlisle’s offensive system, don’t be surprised if Peter ends up being a sneaky smart grab for the Pacers.
Los Angeles Clippers
Draft Haul:
Pick 30 - Yanic Konan Niederhauser — Penn State
Pick 50 - Kobe Sanders — Nevada
The Grade: D+
I come away from the LA Clippers’ 2025 Draft uninspired. The Clippers in recent years have routinely burned draft choices whether it be on Daniel Oturu, Mfiondu Kabengele, Kobe Brown, etc., etc. Yanic Konan Niederhauser at pick 30 — especially before Ryan Kalkbrenner — is something.
Niederhauser is one of very few players to hear his name called in the last decade of the NBA Draft while boasting a negative-BPM for his career. Now, this most recent season at Penn State was a huge progression point for him in comparison to his first few seasons in college, but the track record and lacking production does not support the value in the first round. Can James Harden weaponize his athleticism? Yes, Harden can make athletic bigs look better than they are. Kobe Sanders at Pick 50 is an intriguing bet. At 23 years old, the 6’7” guard has some traits that remind me of Dalano Banton as a bigger guard prospect.
Los Angeles Lakers
Draft Haul:
Pick 36 - Adou Thiero — Arkansas (via trade — moved up from Pick 55 with cash)
The Grade: A+++
The Los Angeles Lakers made a big splash on Day 2 of the 2025 NBA Draft. After first moving up from Pick 55 to 45 with the Chicago Bulls, they again found a trade suitor, this time at Pick 36. The Minnesota Timberwolves agreed to move down from 36 in exhange for 45 and cash.
This opportunity delivered Adou Thiero to the Lakers, the number 11 player on 2025 NBA Draft Big Board. Thiero is instantly the best athlete on the Lakers’ roster and becomes a foundational piece longterm to building a good team defense around Luka Doncic. Thiero’s impressive steal and block rates (3.4% STL% and 2.9% BLK%) speak volumes about the functionality of his athletic gifts.
Thiero’s not just an athlete. He’s a basketball athlete. He rebounds the ball well as a wing (3.7 OREB per 100 possessions) and covers a ton of gaps for a team defense. Functionality as a low man tag defender, nail helper and gap and recover guy, Thiero gives JJ Redick a versatile, cover space and sky big wing with shades of OG Anunoby. Thiero’s activity as a cutter led to a productive offensive season, an unreal free throw rate (69.2% FTr) and gawdy 10.6 BPM. This is the biggest steal of the draft.
Memphis Grizzlies
Draft Haul:
Pick 11 - Cedric Coward — Washington State (via trade - sent out Pick 16 and 2028 1st via ORL)
Pick 48 - Javon Small — West Virginia
Pick 59 - Jahmai Mashack — Tennessee
2026 (likely Suns) 1st Round Pick, 2030 1st Round Pick via ORL (via trade — sent out Desmond Bane)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cole Anthony
The Grade: A-
Roping the Desmond Bane trade into Memphis’ draft grades is a must-do as it explains how the Grizzlies secured a first round pick to begin with. Coward is an awesome off-the-catch addition for the Grizz and a player who has a real chance to replace some of, if not most of, Desmond Bane’s production. Memphis paid a price to make sure they landed Coward at 11, but that was a move they could afford to make given their significant haul of draft capital from the Bane deal.
Javon Small was a high value grab at Pick 48. Analytic models are highly impressed by his game and production for the Mountaineers despite his smaller stature. Jahmai Mashack’s defensive value as Mr. Irrelevant gives him a chance to crack Memphis’ rotation down the road.
Miami Heat
Draft Haul:
Pick 20 - Kasparas Jakucionis — Illinois
The Grade: A+
Had you told me a week before the draft that the Miami Heat landed Kasparas Jakucionis at pick 20, I would not have believed you. The Heat had a skilled, high IQ player who fits their existing star talent fall into their laps. Jakucionis’ off-ball value becomes a dream DHO recipient off of Bam Adebayo while Kel’el Ware’s rim presence on both ends gives him an athlete to utilize that just wasn’t available to him at Illinois.
High IQ players tend to work in the league. Jakucionis’ processing becomes a tool for Erik Spoelstra to utilize. Spo has made much worse guards a lot of money in the past. Now, he has a legit lottery talent from this draft at his disposal going forward.
Milwaukee Bucks
Draft Haul:
Pick 47 - Bogoljub Markovic — Mega
Two-Way - Mark Sears — Alabama
The Grade: A-
As is the recent trend for Milwaukee, the Bucks did not have much to work with coming into draft night. With just pick 47, GM Jon Horst stood pat until their selection on Day 2. The offensively-talented Bogoljub Markovic is a good get given the low-opportunity cost. A big, long wing with typical European playmaking flair, selflessness and a perimeter-oriented skillset even at 6’11”. With Brook Lopez heading to unrestricted free agency, the Bucks have holes to fill and not much to fill them with. Markovic can be an additive piece, but will it be too late to convince Giannis to stay?
I can’t blame this draft specifically for that potential outcome, but the big picture problem stems from an over-the-top trade for Damian Lillard and failure to capitalize on previous opportunities in the draft. Mark Sears, as a two-way contract, is one of the best values from the 2025 NBA Draft. A priority UDFA who can score and handle the ball. He should see a real opportunity in Dame’s absence this upcoming season.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Draft Haul:
Pick 17 - Joan Beringer — Cedevita Olimpija
Pick 45 - Rocco Zikarsky — Brisbane
Multiple Future Second Round Picks (via trade — sent out pick 31)
The Grade: B
Joan Beringer is the headliner for the Wolves’ draft class in 2025. Beringer’s defensive upside stands to only improve by playing behind fellow Frenchman Rudy Gobert, the four-time Defensive Player of the Year. Beringer ranked 2nd in the Adriatic League in blocks per game. His newness to the sport, began playing organized basketball in the summer of 2021, and physical gifts (6’11” without shoes on) paint a picture on his upside.
Rocco Zikarsky is a fascinating basketball player. As tall as the day is long. 7’4” behemoth with some acceptable mobility skills. However, Zikarsky just never produced at a high-level in the NBL averaging just 4.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in low minutes for Brisbane. Zikarsky’s conditioning, functional strength and aggression all need significant fine-tuning for him to warrant play-time in the future.
New Orleans Pelicans
Draft Haul:
Pick 7 - Jeremiah Fears — Oklahoma
Pick 13 - Derik Queen — Maryland (via trade — sent out Pick 23, 2026 1st Round Pick *most favorable of OWN/Bucks*)
Pick 40 - Micah Peavy — Georgetown
Jordan Poole and Saddiq Bey (via trade — sent out future 2nd Round Pick, CJ McCollum and Kelly Olynyk expiring contracts)
The Grade: A+ with the risk of a D-
From a closeup viewpoint, this draft haul in the 2025 class is an absolute banger. The Pels walk out with Derik Queen — who ranked third on my final big board — and Jeremiah Fears — who ranked eighth. These two are massive offensive talents who have legitimate chances to become foundational core pieces of the Pelicans’ franchise.
Queen’s skillset makes him one of the most playstyle versatile big men in recent NBA Draft history while Fears is a long-term project pick as the reclassified true freshman lit up college basketball with big moments albeit on poor rim and 3pt efficiencies.
The wider view is a terrifying one. Sending an unprotected Swap Best first round pick in 2026 to the Hawks for the rights to Derik Queen should give paranoia to Pelicans fans. All hell breaks loose in the event that Pelicans’ pick becomes a top three selection in a class boasting Cameron Boozer, AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson. As much as I like Queen as a prospect, Boozer, Dybantsa and Peterson are all superior players at younger ages.
New York Knicks
Draft Haul:
Pick 51 - Mohamed Diawara — Cholet
The Grade: B
The Paris native carved out a respectable role for Cholet as he averaged 6.1 points and 3.2 rebounds. At 6’8”, 200 pounds, Diawara is a wiry long-term developmental bet for a Knicks team looking to compete now. His impressive 7’4” wingspan and 9’2” standing reach — better than some centers in this draft — give him some tools that could land him minutes down the road. Low opportunity cost here for NYK who came in with only the one draft pick this year.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Draft Haul:
Pick 15 - Thomas Sorber — Georgetown
Pick 44 - Brooks Barnhizer — Northwestern
2027 1st Round Pick *Top 16 Protected* via SAC (via trade — sent out 24th Pick)
The Grade: A
The OKC Thunder, on the heels of an NBA Championship, came into the 2025 NBA Draft with three picks and just one standard roster spot. So, as usual, Sam Presti made it all work. At pick 15, Sorber provides elite value as another big bodied rim protector and regular season insurance in the event Holmgren or Hartenstein miss time again.
Brooks Barnhizer at pick 44 is a reasonable outcome and is a player that was undoubtedly going to sign on as a two-way. After the Sorber pick, OKC needed to avoid wasting a pick on a player demanding or desiring a standard NBA deal. By trading Pick 24 to Sacramento for future draft pick control, Sam Presti extended his window of draft pick control and trade flexibility. Masterful stuff from the champion Thunder.
Orlando Magic
Draft Haul:
Pick 25 - Jase Richardson — Michigan State
Pick 32 - Noah Penda — Le Mans (via trade — sent out Picks 46, 57 and two additional future second round picks)
The Grade: A
Jase Richardson was arguably the steal of the draft in Round 1. A dribble-pass-shoot prospect who found high-levels of success in college both on and off the basketball. After adding Desmond Bane, the Magic get another talented guard who can do a little bit of everything on the offensive end. Orlando’s putrid offense — partially fueled by injury luck — from a year ago is now a thing of the past.
Noah Penda is a solid grab at Pick 32. I’m not a fan of trading four second round picks in total to land Penda, but his isolation defensive numbers in the LNB Pro A give fans and Orlando reasons to believe he can be a perfect fit into one of the best defensive units in the entire league. Orlando projects to be a 50-plus win team easily next year and this draft helped solidify that goal for them.
Philadelphia 76ers
Draft Haul:
Pick 3 - VJ Edgecombe — Baylor
Pick 35 - Johni Broome — Auburn
The Grade: B+
After days and days of drama regarding Ace Bailey and the Sixers, Philadelphia successfully avoids ‘upside’ for one of the best athletes in the draft. Edgecombe’s explosive physical tools give him clear value into Philly’s team identity around both Embiid and Maxey in the short and long views. If Edgecombe’s pull-up jump shooting takes a meaningful step forward, the Sixers could have a real star backcourt tandem moving forward.
Johni Broome is an underrated player. Elite rebounding numbers, productive all throughout college and his tools as a playmaking hub big are valuable, especially when Embiid inevitably misses time.
Phoenix Suns
Draft Haul:
Pick 10 - Khaman Maluach — Duke
Pick 31 - Rasheer Fleming — St. Joseph’s (via trade — sent out a multitude of 2nd round picks)
Pick 41 - Koby Brea — Kentucky (via trade — sent out picks 52 and 59)
Mark Williams (via trade — sent out Pick 29 and a swap worst FRP among three teams in 2029)
Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks (via trade — part of the Kevin Durant deal along with picks 10 and 59)
The Grade: A+++
The Phoenix Suns are the big winners of the 2025 NBA Draft. A team that looked dead in the water, and finished outside the play-in, this past season replenished the youth and depth of their roster in one week. The Suns shaped their roster from a small, old and slow team into a big, long, strong and young roster. The Kevin Durant trade helped begin that transformation by landing two starting-caliber players who are both in their twenties. While Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks both come with their flaws, they will be core pieces for the Suns moving into next year.
Pick 10 was the real crown jewel of the KD trade for Phoenix and boy did it deliver. Khaman Maluach fell, as great centers tend to do in the NBA draft, to the Suns. His fit, as the best screener in the draft, alongside Devin Booker is a sight for sore eyes.
https://x.com/_utilitysports/status/1932924554546196963/video/1
The low-cost trade to acquire Mark Williams from Charlotte gives Phoenix 48 minutes of good center play, something I could not have imagined being true for them a week ago.
The Suns found elite value down the board as Fleming’s play-finishing tools and size as a big forward is complementary to Ryan Dunn and the Maluach-Williams tandem. The Suns also netted an elite 3-point shooter in Koby Brea who boasted an outlier 3PAr and 3P% on a high degree of difficulty at Kentucky this past season.
Phoenix pivots from one of the oldest rosters (weighted toward minutes played) to one of the younger ones going into next season.
Portland Trail Blazers
Draft Haul:
Pick 16 - Hansen Yang — Qingdao
2028 1st Round Pick via Orlando (via trade — moved down from Pick 11 to Pick 16)
The Grade: B
The Blazers did a tremendous job finding value for the 11th overall pick. Their trade down from 11 to 16 does wonders to their longterm flexibility as Portland is primed to go big star hunting down the road and the 2028 1st via Orlando could be a beneficial asset in that future endeavor.
At Pick 16, the Blazers took the surprise of the Draft in Qingdao’s Hansen Yang. The talented seven-foot Chinese big man has drawn comparisons from some as the Chinese Jokic. While I wouldn't go that far myself, I do find Yang’s playmaking feel, footwork and touch to be something worth betting on longterm. He’s a solid developmental bet moving forward as the Blazers take a wider view in the 2025 draft by prioritizing future flexibility and development over wins this immediate season despite trading for Jrue Holiday earlier in the week
Sacramento Kings
Draft Haul:
Pick 24 - Nique Clifford — Colorado State (via trade — sent out 2027 1st Round Pick T16 Protected)
Pick 42 - Maxime Raynaud — Stanford
The Grade: A-
I like these two prospects a lot for Sacramento. The Kings find two productive college stars in Nique Clifford and Maxime Raynaud. Clifford’s ability to handle, pass and score makes him a good bet as a finisher and connector off of Domantas Sabonis. Raynaud’s development as a shooter in the last 12 months breathed life into his NBA career as a possible delay action big man. If the shot holds true, the Kings may have found a legit backup big man for years to come.
San Antonio Spurs
Draft Haul:
Pick 2 - Dylan Harper — Rutgers
Pick 14 - Carter Bryant — Arizona
Future 2nd Round Picks (via trade — sent out pick 38)
The Grade: A+
The San Antonio Spurs nailed the 2025 NBA Draft. Dylan Harper, the number two overall player on my draft board, offers the Spurs another elite downhill ball handler with a fantastic on-ball skillset. His ability to split in the PnR, reject ball screens, win with tempo and direction makes him the best ball handler in this year’s draft. San Antonio now has one of the best young guard rooms in recent NBA history.
Carter Bryant is a tremendous fit piece. A low-usage, two-way impact wing is exactly what the Spurs needed around this talented core. Bryant’s physical gifts, broad shoulders and play-finishing skill set makes him a home run fit next to Wemby, Harper, Castle, Fox and company.
Toronto Raptors
Draft Haul:
Pick 9 - Collin Murray-Boyles — South Carolina
Pick 39 - Alijah Martin — Florida
The Grade: A-
Masai Ujiri out, Collin Murray-Boyles and Alijah Martin in. In a shocker, the Raptors’ longtime President of Basketball Ops Masai Ujiri is no longer with the organization and the move comes the morning after the 2025 NBA Draft. The last stretch of Raptors’ moves led by Ujiri are two good defensive impact players in CMB and Martin. CMB’s connective qualities, playmaking juice, and mismatch scoring expertise make him a fun fit for this young Raptors squad.
Alijah Martin comes in as a high-energy guard who can do a bit of everything thanks to his athletic tools and determination. He was instrumental in Florida’s path to a college title and can factor into a great team defense coming soon in the Six.
Utah Jazz
Draft Haul:
Pick 5 - Ace Bailey — Rutgers
Pick 18 - Walter Clayton Jr. — Florida (via trade — moved up from 21 to 18)
Pick 53 - John Tonje — Wisconsin
The Grade: B
Austin Ainge’s first ever draft as the President of Basketball Operations for the Jazz was a big one. Ainge pulled the trigger on Ace Bailey despite the former 5-star wing’s desire to land in Washington or Brooklyn. However, the Jazz viewed Bailey as a high-impact, two-way player with applicabale physical tools when it comes to rebounding and guarding on the perimeter.
If Ace’s offensive talent takes off and Walter Clayton Jr.’s shooting stands pat, it’s likely the Jazz added two future starters to their young roster with their eyes now on the 2026 NBA Draft class.
Washington Wizards
Draft Haul:
Pick 6 - Tre Johnson — Texas
Pick 21 - Will Riley — Illinois
Pick 43 - Jamir Watkins — Florida State
The Grade: A
The Washington Wizards did tremendously well in the 2025 draft. The Ace Bailey selection at five by Utah freed up arguably the best shooter in the draft to fall to six for D.C.
Johnson’s shooting talent, open floor athleticism and emerging playmaking skillset makes him an easy bet to return top 10 value in this year’s draft. Will Riley is a super upside swing for the Wizards as his dribble-pass-shoot tools give him functional ways to impact the game on the basketball at 6’8”. Jamir Watkins is a sensible selection for the Wizards as a defensive-minded wing who can create turnovers.
The 2025 NBA Draft was a good one! A lot of awesome young players, talented teams getting even better, young teams finding future stars. Thank you all for your support throughout the 2025 NBA Draft Cycle! Be sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel and the Substack.