The 2025 NBA draft is now complete. Cooper Flagg went number 1 to the Dallas Mavericks, and Dylan Harper was selected number 2 by the San Antonio Spurs, headlining a first round filled with unexpected turns.
Ace Bailey was picked fifth by the Utah Jazz, a team not originally on his preferred list, but potentially an excellent fit. The New Orleans Pelicans aggressively pursued Jeremiah Fears (number 7) and Derik Queen (number 13), using significant draft assets to acquire them. The Portland Trail Blazers made one of the first round`s most surprising selections by drafting Yang Hansen, who was ranked 35th on our final Top 100 big board. Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets, holding five first-round picks, kept and drafted all of them to initiate a youth movement.
What was the best value pick? Which team had the strongest overall draft class? And who are the top candidates for the first-team All-Rookie selection? Having analyzed the 2025 class prospects for years, we share our views on the successful moves, the surprising decisions, and offer some long-term forecasts.
Let`s delve into the draft outcomes by addressing 15 key questions.
What was your favorite pick of the entire draft?
Jonathan Givony: Kasparas Jakucionis to the Miami Heat at No. 20. The Heat not only gained the player ranked 10th on my big board, but also addressed a roster need with a player who perfectly aligns with their culture and playing style. Jakucionis (6-foot-6, 205 pounds) offers much-needed shot creation in the backcourt with his ballhandling and playmaking. He is also large enough to play off the ball alongside All-Star guard Tyler Herro.
Given Davion Mitchell`s strong playoff performance (as a restricted free agent), these three could potentially share the court at times, thanks to Jakucionis` size, strength, and perimeter shooting skill – offering positional flexibility ideal for today`s NBA.
During their draft process, the Miami Heat`s front office also secured Russian center Vlad Goldin, ranked as the number 2 undrafted free agent prospect on the ESPN Top 100 big board (number 49). This adds to the Heat`s growing list of international players in recent years, including those from Lithuania and Russia. The team also features Sweden`s Pelle Larsson and Serbia`s Nikola Jovic.
Jeremy Woo: Khaman Maluach to the Phoenix Suns at No. 10. I cannot predict the Suns` success next season, but I can say they effectively tackled some issues from the previous season, especially by drafting Maluach. He is exactly the kind of large paint protector Phoenix severely lacked.
It`s not an overstatement to say the Suns had no defensive identity last season, and Maluach (along with new addition Mark Williams) should help establish that. He should be able to thrive complimenting Phoenix`s ball-dominant perimeter players.
Which player landed in the ideal situation to maximize his talent?
Givony: Ace Bailey to the Utah Jazz at No. 5. Despite the rumors surrounding Bailey`s preferred destination (Washington?) and his agent`s reported pre-draft pressure on a top-five team, it was expected that this situation would be resolved amicably. This was likely due in part to Bailey`s limited leverage under the NBA`s collective bargaining agreement and the negative public reaction this move generated.
When Bailey arrives in Utah, he should quickly realize how fortunate he is. He lands in a situation with significant opportunity, a need for star power, an excellent coaching staff, and a passionate fan base. This is the perfect environment for him to potentially reach All-Star status.
Woo: Egor Demin to the Brooklyn Nets at No. 8. I am more optimistic about Demin`s future than some others appear to be. Prospects with his profile as a large playmaker will always be highly valued, and I understand why the Nets felt he was worth selecting at that spot. Going to a team where he will immediately have playing time, numerous opportunities with the ball, play alongside other skilled passers in Brooklyn`s draft class, and develop his shooting is an ideal scenario.
His rookie year might be challenging, but his selfless playing style fits perfectly with the Nets` desired team identity. Landing in a blank-slate situation like this could be hugely beneficial for Demin, as opposed to competing for minutes on a deeper roster that might have limited his ability to showcase his skills.
What was the best value pick?
Givony: Liam McNeeley to the Charlotte Hornets at No. 29. I remain surprised that McNeeley (ranked 17th on our top 100 big board) dropped to the end of the first round. Known throughout his career for his shooting ability, McNeeley only shot 32% from three-point range at UConn this season. He also had several private workouts where his shooting was not as effective as NBA teams had hoped.
I have witnessed McNeeley shoot exceptionally well in various settings and firmly believe he will thrive with NBA spacing in a smaller offensive role than he had at UConn. He also offers more with his size (6-foot-8 with shoes), toughness, court vision, and overall skill set. This type of player is hard to find, so I believe the Hornets secured a steal with this pick.
Woo: Kasparas Jakucionis to the Heat. Miami benefited from some unexpected decisions ahead of them by selecting a player some (including myself) regarded as a top-10 prospect. He also fills the Heat`s need for a playmaking guard. He ended up being slightly more polarizing than anticipated, but I expect this pick to look better for the Heat over time compared to the teams that passed on him.
Which pick most surprised you?
Givony: Egor Demin to the Nets. Many people struggled to understand why we consistently ranked Demin in our top 10 throughout the year, particularly as he struggled during Big 12 play. Still, I was somewhat surprised to see him chosen ahead of Khaman Maluach and Jakucionis, whom I had ranked higher on our Top 100 big board. We had heard the Nets wanted a starting point guard from this draft, and they now have three potential candidates for that role: Demin, Nolan Traore, and Ben Saraf (and possibly Danny Wolf too).
I appreciate that Demin will be empowered to reach his full potential in a significant role (similar to his time at BYU), where he can learn from mistakes but also have playmakers alongside him. Ideally, there would be more shooting within this group, but that`s something the Nets can develop long term, perhaps with another high pick in next year`s strong draft class, where A.J. Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, or Nate Ament appear to be excellent fits.
Woo: Yang Hansen to the Portland Trail Blazers at No. 16. My reaction was more intrigue than shock. Yang possesses an appealing skill set for a teenage big man, making him a worthwhile gamble for someone. I was impressed by him at the combine, but there was no expectation that he would be selected inside the top 20. It represents a significant gamble on his offensive talent transitioning from a lower level of competition in China.
The only team widely linked to Yang was the Nets, who had four picks after the Trail Blazers in the first round. I understand Portland`s rationale from a general draft strategy standpoint: if you truly like a player, select him and don`t risk him being taken. Trading back was likely challenging, but even with that justification, the idea of Yang being picked that high never crossed my mind in any scenario.
Which team has your favorite class as a whole?
Givony: Charlotte Hornets. I already discussed McNeeley, but I also highly regard the additions of Kon Knueppel (No. 4) and Ryan Kalkbrenner (No. 34). Knueppel`s court vision, selfless approach, strength, and toughness should make him easy to integrate, especially alongside LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, whom he could complement well. I was a big fan of Knueppel throughout the season and was not surprised to see him go in the top five.
With Kalkbrenner, the Hornets acquired a player ready to contribute rotation minutes immediately on an affordable rookie contract. Charlotte needed an NBA-ready big man after trading Mark Williams for the pick that brought them McNeeley and a 2029 first-rounder, which I also thought was a great transaction.
Woo: San Antonio Spurs. Landing Harper was fortunate, and the Spurs were right to resist the temptation to trade him to accelerate their competitive timeline. I acknowledge the fit concerns, and it would be simpler without De`Aaron Fox already present, but the concept of allowing Harper to develop chemistry with Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle makes a lot of sense.
Generally, we tend to assign immediate championship urgency to every team with superstar talent, but it`s crucial to remember that Wembanyama is only 21 years old. In my view, San Antonio had no reason to do anything other than select these players and see how they develop together. Factor in number 14 pick Carter Bryant, who should complement his more ball-dominant teammates over time with shooting and perimeter defense, and the Spurs could be building something excellent.
Which team has your least favorite class as a whole?
Givony: There isn`t one team that particularly stands out, though I would have liked to see the Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets make moves in either round. However, it`s understandable why both teams are currently prioritizing their playoff windows.
Woo: New Orleans Pelicans. This is less about the talent of the players drafted and more about the risk and fit issues the Pelicans introduced with their recent trades. Fears is genuinely talented, but his ability to maximize it could be challenging in a potentially crowded backcourt now including Jordan Poole. And I struggle to see how Queen can effectively share the floor with Zion Williamson in a successful context. Neither player provides high-level perimeter shooting or paint protection, and they might end up hindering each other. I`m concerned about the opportunities either lottery pick will have to fully utilize their talents in this situation.
Of course, I understand a new front office targeting players they like, putting their stamp on the team, and addressing other issues later. It would be slightly more acceptable if the Pelicans hadn`t traded away their own draft pick next year to make this happen – a move that puts pressure on their current roster to make a significant collective leap forward.
What was your favorite in-draft trade?
Givony: The Atlanta Hawks trading down to ultimately draft Asa Newell at No. 23. Woo covered the New Orleans perspective on the Queen deal, but credit is due to the new Hawks front office (led by Onsi Saleh). The Hawks acquired what I project to be the eighth pick in the 2026 NBA draft simply by moving down 10 spots in this draft. I had Queen ranked 23 spots higher than Newell on my personal big board, so there is certainly room to debate the value received.
However, it`s fair to question New Orleans` approach. They clearly signaled their strong interest in Queen leading up to the draft, which hurt their negotiating leverage. This resulted in them giving up a potentially high 2026 draft pick for less value than they should have received.
Woo: The Jazz trading up to draft Walter Clayton Jr. at No. 18. I admit I wasn`t a major supporter of Clayton during the season, but as I evaluated him further, I started to appreciate his shotmaking talent as an intriguing option in a draft class that was quite weak in point guards. The Jazz didn`t have to pay much to make the move, and while he might need to compete for playing time, there`s a good chance Clayton becomes a valuable contributor.
What was your least favorite in-draft trade?
Givony: Memphis trading up five spots with Portland from number 16 to number 11. They gave up an unprotected first-round pick from the Orlando Magic in 2028 and two second-round picks (2027 via Atlanta and 2028 from Orlando). This seems like an excessive package to move up just five spots, even with significant rumors that the Oklahoma City Thunder (picking number 15) were also attempting to trade up for Cedric Coward. I wasn`t particularly convinced Coward should have been selected that high, so we`ll see how this unfolds.
I would have preferred to see Portland move down another five to ten picks for Yang, potentially acquiring more assets in the process. However, it appears the trade market softened considerably outside the top 15, with minimal movement in the latter half of the first round.
Woo: New Orleans mortgaging the future for Queen. Considering all the circumstances, regardless of how strongly you believe in the Maryland center (or who you think should have been the 13th pick instead), trading away a 2026 first-round pick to move up 10 spots in this draft was difficult for me to justify. It`s less about the player and more about the decision-making process.
In five years, we`re all going to wonder why ____ fell in the draft?
Givony: Hugo Gonzalez to the Boston Celtics at No. 28. I had him ranked as the 15th player on my personal big board, 13 spots higher than where he was drafted. He initially projected as a top-10 pick, but it`s understandable why his stock dropped as he struggled to find playing time on a deep Real Madrid team. Had Gonzalez played for Ratiopharm Ulm, attended BYU (which heavily recruited him before signing Demin), or spent a season in the NBL Next Stars program in Australia, I believe he would have clearly been a lottery pick.
Before this season, he built an exceptional reputation as one of the top international prospects in FIBA youth competitions and junior club play.
I also like his fit in Boston, where he is likely to become a fan favorite due to the intense energy he brings defensively. I was told Boston informed agents they planned to sign their pick at 80% of the rookie scale, but due to Gonzalez`s significant buyout with Real Madrid ($1.4 million), this won`t be feasible, as Gonzalez will need to cover a substantial portion of that himself.
Woo: Will Riley to the Washington Wizards at No. 21. I probably observed him more closely than most, as I saw Illinois play live many times last season. I am a strong believer in Riley`s talent and think there is a chance he could excel on a Wizards team that will provide significant opportunities to their young players. He will need to dedicate himself to physical development – Riley is 6-foot-8, 180 pounds – but how many wings with genuine size and offensive talent have ever been too thin to succeed in the NBA?
Riley is not lacking in actual game skills, and I believe he will surprise some people over time.
Call it now: Who will win NBA Rookie of the Year?
Givony: Cooper Flagg. He is the best player in this draft class and will be expected to play a significant role for the Mavericks immediately. They currently have very limited shot creation on their roster and will need him to be a star from day one. They will essentially need him to help keep them competitive in the tough Western Conference while they await Kyrie Irving`s return from a knee injury.
Woo: Anyone other than Flagg? Um, no. This is not meant to diminish any other player in this draft, but I do not think this is a particularly bold prediction. He is entering an excellent situation to stand out immediately, and I anticipate we will see him adapt to the NBA quickly.
Call it now: Which five players will be named to the NBA All-Rookie first team?
Givony: Flagg, Harper, Bailey, Knueppel, Tre Johnson (Wizards).
Woo: Flagg, Harper, Johnson, Knueppel – and primarily to avoid picking the exact same players, I will choose the other Jazz rookie, Clayton Jr.
Which player is most likely to light up the G League in 2025-26?
Givony: Javon Small, No. 48 pick by Memphis. As a first-team all-conference player in the challenging Big 12, Small guided an undermaned West Virginia team close to an NCAA tournament bid with consistent shot creation and shotmaking, while also demonstrating significant toughness on both ends. These traits typically translate well to the G League.
He will be difficult to handle in transition and should thrive in the fast-paced nature of that league, likely scoring in high volumes while making winning plays on both ends. I would not be surprised to see him emerge as another valuable find for Memphis in the coming years, similar to Scotty Pippen Jr.
Woo: Ryan Nembhard, undrafted. Nembhard will sign a two-way contract with the Mavericks. The caveat here is that I could see him rapidly moving into a roster spot and gaining NBA utility purely due to the Mavs` lack of point guard depth. I am a strong believer in Nembhard`s ability to make plays and involve teammates, and I think he can overcome his size limitations (6-foot, 180 pounds). He will be among the top guards in the G League whenever he is assigned there.
Which undrafted player are you most interested to follow?
Givony: Eric Dixon with the Los Angeles Lakers. The former Villanova guard was the leading scorer in college basketball this season, averaging 23 points and shooting 41% from three. He is not just a spot-up shooter; he can make tough side-step and isolation pull-up shots, and he effectively attacks closeouts to draw fouls frequently. He stands 6-foot-8 with a strong 260-pound build, making him a true inside-out mismatch in the mold of Guerschon Yabusele. Dixon, 24, will need to prove he can hold his own defensively, but he possesses real toughness and physicality in addition to his ability to stretch the floor. I really like this acquisition for the Lakers.
I heard Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka spent time with Dixon after his pre-draft workout with the team. Apparently, Pelinka shared the story of Kobe Bryant`s visit to the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, which was cleared for them. Pelinka said the first thing Bryant noticed was the limited lighting and how Michelangelo had to do much of his work by candlelight. Bryant related this to his own work on the basketball court, reflecting on what Michelangelo`s mindset might have been regarding perfecting his craft and creating a world-renowned masterpiece despite difficult conditions.
Woo: John Poulakidas with the LA Clippers. The former Yale guard was one of the deep sleepers I began to appreciate over the season. Poulakidas (6-foot-6, 205 pounds) has good proportions for a wing, is already a very good shooter, and if he can enhance his defensive contributions, there is a path for him to make a roster through alternative means (he is reportedly signing an Exhibit-10 contract with the Clippers). High-quality three-point shooters with NBA size often bypass the traditional development path more easily than other player types.
Make one prediction about this class for five years from now:
Givony: Joan Beringer (No. 17 to the Minnesota Timberwolves) will be an All-Defensive team candidate in five years. He has a rare opportunity to learn daily from four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and fellow Frenchman Rudy Gobert in practice. Beringer, who grew an inch and a half over the past year, had never touched a basketball until summer 2021, focusing on soccer until a late growth spurt made him too large for the sport.
He proved to be the top shot blocker in the Adriatic League during his first professional season, showing exceptional instincts and agility as a drop defender and rim protector. This gives him enormous long-term potential on the defensive end.
Woo: The Nets` draft ages better than expected. There is a clear strategy behind Brooklyn`s approach: They bought low on Nolan Traore (No. 19) and Drake Powell (No. 22) after less impressive seasons, and they loaded up on intelligent passers with above-average size in Demin, Ben Saraf (No. 26), and Wolf (No. 27). The Nets clearly intend to build a selfless team that shares the ball. I am not as worried about these players hindering each other`s development as some people seem to be.
All these players need to improve their perimeter shooting – which is a valid criticism and a major uncertainty. Still, I am less concerned about skill set overlap when you bring together players who enjoy passing. Allowing them to start their careers together, build chemistry, and play a distinct style should create easier scoring opportunities for everyone. The Nets appear to have minutes available for everyone as they prepare to potentially secure another high draft pick next season – and I believe at least some of these players will exceed expectations.
What is your top overarching takeaway from this draft?
Givony: College basketball is back and here to stay for a while. After last year`s top two picks came from France (Zaccharie Risacher) and Australia (Alex Sarr), zero non-collegiate international players were selected in this year`s top 10, and only six were chosen in the first round. These numbers are historically low, and they could decrease even further next year, as we currently project only four non-collegiate international players to be selected in the first and second rounds, which would likely be the lowest figure we`ve seen in some time.
The appeal of large NIL payments in college has led many players to stay in school and has attracted more international players to the U.S., similar to what we observed with Demin and Jakucionis. Time will tell if revenue-sharing limits from the House settlement reduce the high NIL salaries currently seen, which might encourage some international players to remain home and develop through the traditional European basketball system.
Woo: Consensus is merely a concept. Almost all the first-round surprises we witnessed were the result of teams simply relying on their own draft boards and evaluation processes above all else. Whether it was Memphis ensuring they got Coward, New Orleans making a significant move for Queen, Portland selecting Yang higher than anyone anticipated, or the Nets seeing value in using all five of their first-round picks, the draft is always viewed differently by different teams. That`s why mock drafts often diverge from reality at a certain point.
This draft served as an entertaining reminder of how many teams are willing to draft based on their convictions, disregarding public opinion about player value.
