2025 NBA Draft Grades

July 1st, 2025

by Alan Lu

The 2025 NBA Draft was a two-day event, so a lot transpired, with Dallas taking Cooper Flagg first overall, trades were made, and Jahmai Mashack ended up being the last pick of this draft, as he ended up getting acquired by the Memphis Grizzlies.

Some teams fared better than others, and here are my thoughts on how each of them did here.

Atlanta Hawks

23. Asa Newell, F-C, Georgia

The Atlanta Hawks did a great job by making a bang for the buck pick in Asa Newell, who is great value at 23, and his length, athleticism, and strong defensive skills will help fortify the Hawks’ frontcourt. They also were able to get an unprotected first round pick from New Orleans, who is likely to miss the playoffs next year, so the Hawks might have also gotten away with getting a future lottery pick, which bodes really well for them.

The Atlanta Hawks’ 2025 Draft Night Grade: A (1st Overall)

Boston Celtics

28. Hugo Gonzalez, G-F, Real Madrid (Spain)

46. Amari Williams, C, Kentucky

57. Max Shulga, G, VCU

The Celtics gamble on a talented wing prospect in Hugo Gonzalez, who is a young, athletic swingman with a variety of skills but received inconsistent playing time in the Spanish ACB League, and they added two solid additional prospects in Amari Williams and Max Shulga, who should be able to add extra talent and depth to an already very good Boston Celtics’ team.

The Boston Celtics’ 2025 Draft Night Grade: B (14th Overall)

Brooklyn Nets

8. Egor Demin, G-F, BYU

19. Nolan Traore, G, Saint-Quentin Basketball (France)

22. Drake Powell, G-F, North Carolina

26. Ben Saraf, G, Ratiopharm Ulm (Israel)

27. Danny Wolf, C, Michigan

The Nets were able to get a whopping, five first round draft picks, and they used it to get a plethora of players that can distribute and handle the basketball. They got tall ball handlers, as well as a big skilled passing big man in Danny Wolf, and Demin could be a core piece to their franchise. Some may lament that they got too many similar types of players, but the Nets added talent and value, which could help them significantly in the long haul.

The Brooklyn Nets’ 2024 Draft Night Grade: B (10th Overall)

Charlotte Hornets

4. Kon Knueppel, G-F, Duke

29. Liam McNeeley, F, Connecticut

33. Sion James, G-F, Duke

34. Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Creighton

The Hornets had the fourth overall pick, but Ace Bailey had not worked out for any of the teams, and it was uncertain if he would’ve been willing to suit up for them. They selected Kon Knueppel instead, whose strong offensive skills will certainly help Charlotte, and while his defense needs more work, Knueppel will give them a polished player that will help their team.

McNeeley gives them another prospect that could add shooting and scoring skills, and they get two additional solid players in Sion James and Ryan Kalkbrenner that will shore up their defense. The Hornets added value with each of their picks, which will give them more talent and depth to their team.

The Charlotte Hornets’ 2024 Draft Night Grade: B- (15th Overall)

Chicago Bulls

12. Noa Essengue, F, Ratiopharm Ulm (France)

55. Lachlan Olbrich, F-C, Illawarra (Australia)

The Bulls were able to make a very good pick by selecting Noa Essengue at 12, and he’s a very athletic, energetic forward that will offer them scoring skills and rangy defense. Lachlan Olbrich can help shore up their interior, as he is a ball-handling big man that can score in the low post, but he will need to add a reliable outside shot to his arsenal.

The Chicago Bulls’ 2024 Draft Night Grade: B (11th Overall)

Cleveland Cavaliers

49. Tyrese Proctor, G, Duke

58. Saliou Niang, G-F, Trento (Senegal)

The Cavaliers made a very good pick in selecting sharpshooting point guard Tyrese Proctor, who could step in immediately to provide valuable minutes to their team. They also added a talented, but raw swingman in Saliou Niang, whose tremendous athleticism and two-way potential could help them down the line.

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ 2024 Draft Night Grade: B (12th Overall)

Dallas Mavericks

1. Cooper Flagg, F, Duke

The Dallas Mavericks lucked into getting the first overall pick, and they made the no-brainer pick of selecting Cooper Flagg, who was pretty much considered the consensus best player on the draft board. They were able to get an extremely talented player that could end up being a superstar in the NBA. Though they didn’t have to do a deep dive to make a great pick, the Mavericks still did very well in this draft.

The Dallas Mavericks’ 2024 Draft Night Grade: A- (4th Overall)

Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets did not have a draft pick, so they do not get a grade here.

The Denver Nuggets’ 2024 Draft Night Grade: Incomplete (N/A)

Detroit Pistons

37. Chaz Lanier, G, Tennessee

The Pistons added a sharpshooting guard in Chaz Lanier, who will add his shooting prowess and depth to his new team.

The Detroit Pistons’ 2024 Draft Night Grade: B- (19th Overall)

Golden State Warriors

52. Alex Toohey, F, Sydney Kings (Australia)

56. Will Richard, G, Florida

The Warriors added a pair of skilled shooters in Toohey and Richard, and both will provide toughness and a winning attitude to help strengthen the Warriors next season.

The Golden State Warriors’ 2024 Draft Night Grade: B (13th Overall)

Houston Rockets

The Rockets did not have a draft pick, so they do not get a grade here.

The Houston Rockets’ 2024 Draft Night Grade: Incomplete (N/A)

Indiana Pacers

38. Kam Jones, G, Marquette

54. Taelon Peter, G, Liberty

The Pacers added a skilled, tall guard in Kam Jones, whose offensive skills and improved playmaking prowess will help their team instantly. They also added an unproven commodity in the 6-4 sharpshooting combo guard, Taelon Peter from Liberty, who is a very efficient sniper that can make threes and score in transition, and rebounds fairly well for his size, but offers little else.

The Indiana Pacers’ 2024 Draft Night Grade: C (24th Overall)

Los Angeles Clippers

30. Yanic Konan Niederhauser, C, Penn State

50. Kobe Sanders, G-F, Nevada

The Clippers made a reach to get athletic, seven foot center, Yanic Konan Niederhauser, who rapidly rose up after playing well in combine scrimmage games, and he is a shot blocking, rim runner that has some handles, but doesn’t have much of an outside shot or playmaking skills, and is a subpar rebounder for his size. They also added a tall, 6-9 point forward in Kobe Sanders, who brings intriguing playmaking skills and could potentially be a dynamic bench player for them, but will need to be a more consistent shooter in games.

The Los Angeles Clippers’ 2024 Draft Night Grade: C- (26th Overall)

Los Angeles Lakers

36. Adou Thiero, G-F, Arkansas

The Lakers get a very athletic, energetic swingman in Adou Thiero, who will add slashing and scoring skills with the promise of defense, but he will have to improve his jump shot and playmaking skills.

The Los Angeles Lakers’ 2024 Draft Night Grade: C+ (22nd Overall)

Memphis Grizzlies

11. Cedric Coward, Washington State

48. Javon Small, West Virginia

59. Jahmai Mashack, Tennessee

The Grizzlies made a swing for the fences pick in selecting the very athletic Cedric Coward, who projects well into a 3 and D role, but had only played six games for Washington State due to a shoulder injury, and actually hasn’t faced a whole lot of quality opponents. They drafted a solid point guard prospect in Javon Small, who will offer them sharpshooting and scoring skills. However, they double upped and made a duplicate sort of selection by acquiring Jahmai Mashack, a similarly sized combo guard that rarely shoots the basketball and aside from an intangibles standpoint, doesn’t offer anything significant to the table.

The Memphis Grizzlies’ 2024 Draft Night Grade: B- (17th Overall)

Miami Heat

20. Kasparas Jakucionis, G, Illinois

The Heat made a great value pick by selecting Jakucionis, a tall, very skilled big point guard that can be a dynamic scorer and playmaker with the ball in his hands, and he could be a terrific player for them if he shoots like how he did in the first half of the season.

The Miami Heat’s 2024 Draft Night Grade: A (3rd Overall)

Milwaukee Bucks

47. Bogoljub Markovic, F-C, Mega Bemax (Serbia)

The Bucks selected a tall, very skilled big man in Markovic, whose solid jump shot, versatile scoring skills, and shot blocking prowess makes him a really good pick at 47. He’ll need to add more muscle to his frame, but he is a very talented prospect that could replace Brook Lopez and add some dynamic skills to help the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Milwaukee Bucks’ 2024 Draft Night Grade: B+ (9th Overall)

Minnesota Timberwolves

17. Joan Beringer, F-C, Cedevita Olimpija (France)

45. Rocco Zikarsky, C, Brisbane (Australia)

The Timberwolves were able to get a couple of talented and promising, but raw big men with both of their picks. They made a reach pick in selecting the very athletic, but raw big man in Joan Beringer, who adds promising rim running and rim protection skills, but must expand his skill set, and has to add more muscle to his frame. They also added a very big, raw center in Rocco Zikarsky, who similarly adds rim running and rim protection skills and has considerable potential, but also must expand his skill set on offense, and has to continue to improve his team defense in games.

This does make me wonder about the future of Leonard Miller, who is a young, very athletic and skilled big man that has dominated in the G-League for the past two years and arguably is more talented than the both of them, but has gotten very little run under Chris Finch, as Miller doesn’t seem to factor much into the Timberwolves’ plans at all, and these picks run the risk of duplication amidst a crowded frontcourt, with playing time not being available for all of their players.

The Minnesota Timberwolves’ 2024 Draft Night Grade: C (25th Overall)

New Orleans Pelicans

7. Jeremiah Fears, G, Oklahoma

13. Derik Queen, F-C, Maryland

40. Micah Peavy, F, Georgetown

On paper, the Pelicans added talent and depth by getting a fleet-footed playmaker in Jeremiah Fears, whose ball-handling chops and raw speed makes him a very talented point guard prospect, but he’ll need to add a reliable outside shot, will need to improve his defense, and has to take better care of the basketball. They also added a strong, mobile big man in Derik Queen, whose production, scoring and rebounding skills, combined with his playmaking will make him a polished player that can contribute right away, and Micah Peavy is a very athletic swingman that could fit neatly in a 3 and D role.

However, they made a reach pick to select Fears, and they also gave up way too much to get Queen, in which they made two questionable trades to move up to get him. They gave up an unprotected Indiana first round pick to get 23, and then they moved up again from 23 and traded away an unprotected first round pick that will either be their own or Milwaukee’s to get 13. Tyrese Haliburton will likely miss the entire 2025-26 season due to an Achilles injury. New Orleans is likely going to be bad next season, and Milwaukee just waived Damian Lillard, so even though they’ll still have Giannis, the Bucks aren’t at all a certain bet to be an upper-tier playoff team next year. Fears has a lot of flaws despite being a high-upside prospect, and there’s a very real possibility that the Pelicans might have given up two future lottery picks just to get Queen, which makes the Pelicans’ draft look pretty sketchy here.

The New Orleans Pelicans’ 2024 Draft Night Grade: C- (28th Overall)

New York Knicks

51. Mohamed Diawara, F, Cholet Basket (France)

The Knicks add a young, promising but raw combo forward in Diawara, as he could be a versatile role player in time, but he will need to improve his jump shot, playmaking skills, and show that he can be a lockdown defender at the NBA level.

The New York Knicks’ 2024 Draft Night Grade: C- (27th Overall)

Oklahoma City Thunder

15. Thomas Sorber, C, Georgetown

44. Brooks Barnhizer, G-F, Northwestern

The Thunder add a strong interior presence in Thomas Sorber, whose brute physicality, low post scoring, and passing skills will come in handy, but he’ll need to stay healthy, add a reliable outside shot, and improve his defense. Brooks Barnhizer could be that 3 and D, movement shooter that the Thunder may be seeking to add more depth to their team, but he’ll need to improve their defense.

On paper, this seems to be an okay draft, and nothing more. But games aren’t played on paper, they’re played on the court. The Thunder have found ways to consistently develop and maximize the most out of their talent, and there’s a considerable likelihood that their staff will help Sorber and Barnhizer reach far greater heights than they would with other teams.

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s 2024 Draft Night Grade: C+ (21st Overall)

Orlando Magic

25. Jase Richardson, G, Michigan State

32. Noah Penda, G-F, Le Mans Sarthe Basket (France)

The Magic made two really good picks in getting Jase Richardson and Noah Penda. They acquired an athletic sharpshooting point guard in Jase Richardson, who could be an even better player in the NBA than he was in college, and he’ll fit in very well with this team. Penda is a smart, skilled forward that has strong playmaking skills, defense, and toughness, and if he adds a reliable jump shot to his arsenal, that could make him the consummate role player that will greatly help with his versatile skill set and high basketball IQ.

The Orlando Magic’s 2024 Draft Night Grade: A- (5th Overall)

Philadelphia 76ers

3. V.J. Edgecombe, G-F, Baylor

35. Johni Broome, F-C, Auburn

The 76ers did a great job of selecting V.J. Edgecombe at 3, a very athletic, skilled swingman that offers versatile, dynamic offensive skills, can finish plays far above the rim and in traffic, and is a rangy defender, and has shown an improved outside shot. They also added a solid low post scoring big man in Johni Broome, who is a tremendous rebounder and can block shots, and can step in right away in the league, but he will need to improve his outside shot, his team defense, and will need to improve his mobility for the next level.

The Philadelphia 76ers’ 2024 Draft Night Grade: A- (6th Overall)

Phoenix Suns

10. Khaman Maluach, C, Duke

31. Rasheer Fleming, F, Saint Joseph’s

41. Koby Brea, G-F, Dayton

The Suns made a series of very good picks with each selection in this draft. They were able to get a very tall, young and athletic center in Khaman Maluach, who offers them strong rim running and rim protection skills, with an emerging jump shot to boot. Rasheer Fleming was a great pick at 31, and he is an athletic, strong forward that offers versatility and a range of skills that could allow him to make an immediate impact right away. Koby Brea is a smooth, sharpshooting swingman that can offer a movement component to the Suns’ team. Phoenix made a very solid draft, and they boosted their team with each of their choices.

The Phoenix Suns’ 2024 Draft Night Grade: B+ (7th Overall)

Portland Trail Blazers

16. Yang Hansen, C, Qingdao (China)

The Blazers made a very interesting pick, as they selected a tall, skilled center in Yang Hansen, whose strong playmaking skills, combined with versatile scoring abilities and feel for the game make him a unique selection at 16, but sparked divisive reactions, as his average athleticism and questionable defensive skills raise questions for the next level. Still, I’m convinced that his offensive skills and high basketball IQ will win out, and Yang will find a way to make it work and find a solid role in the NBA.

The Portland Trail Blazers’ 2024 Draft Night Grade: C+ (23rd Overall)

Sacramento Kings

24. Nique Clifford, G-F, Colorado State

42. Maxime Raynaud, F-C, Stanford

The Kings made a really good picks by selecting a smart, versatile skilled swingman in Nique Clifford, who is coming off a tremendous senior season, and his solid all-around play will allow him to contribute positively right away. They also added a skilled big man in Maxime Raynaud, whose solid offensive skills and similarly good feel for the game could allow him to step in and produce immediately, although he will need to improve his mobility and defense in the meantime.

The Sacramento Kings’ 2024 Draft Night Grade: B+ (8th Overall)

San Antonio Spurs

2. Dylan Harper, G, Rutgers

14. Carter Bryant, F, Arizona

The Spurs had a great draft, where they selected a strong, very athletic playmaker in Dylan Harper, whose strong, downhill driving style and scoring skills and versatility will make him a very good fit with Wembanyama, and Carter Bryant is a very athletic, 3 and D wing who has strong defensive skills, and could be a shutdown defender in this league.

The San Antonio Spurs’ 2024 Draft Night Grade: A (2nd Overall)

Toronto Raptors

9. Collin Murray-Boyles, F, South Carolina

39. Alijah Martin, G, Florida

Collin Murray-Boyles is a strong, athletic forward that has very good defensive skills and has shown improved playmaking skills, but he’ll need to add a reliable outside shot to his arsenal. While this pick might have been a bit high to select him, CMB will give the Raptors a quality player. They also drafted a champion in Alijah Martin, a very athletic combo guard who will offer them sharpshooting, scoring skills, and strong defense, and his strong makeup will certainly help the Raptors.

The Toronto Raptors’ 2024 Draft Night Grade: B- (16th Overall)

Utah Jazz

5. Ace Bailey, F, Rutgers

18. Walter Clayton Jr., G, Florida

53. John Tonje, G-F, Wisconsin

Ace Bailey is a super athletic and tall, very talented forward that was almost a surefire bet to be a top 5 pick, pretty much right from the get go. But he was risking a potential free fall by not deciding to work out for any of the NBA draft teams, and he even was rumored to not want to show up to play for some of the teams that had picks in the lottery. That left a bad taste in plenty of people’s mouths, especially since he and Harper couldn’t even get Rutgers to the NCAA Tournament.

Still, Bailey is a tremendous talent, as he is a very skilled, smooth scorer that will bring rangy defense, annd also has a penchant for taking very difficult shots. Walter Clayton Jr. is a winner, and he is a smooth shooting point guard that will bring polish and smarts to the table. John Tonje is coming off a tremendous season, and he is a versatile scorer that fits the 3 and D archetype well, and he’s proven that he can score on the big stage.

The Utah Jazz’s 2024 Draft Night Grade: B- (18th Overall)

Washington Wizards

6. Tre Johnson, G-F, Texas

21. Will Riley, G-F, Illinois

43. Jamir Watkins, G-F, Florida State

The Wizards were able to select an athletic, very skilled scoring wing in Tre Johnson, who has deep range and versatile scoring skills, and also has a penchant for taking tough shots. Will Riley is a skilled swingman that has promising scoring and playmaking skills, but will need to improve his consistency. Jamir Watkins is a playmaking wing that can score and defend, but will need to improve his jump shot. Overall, the Wizards were able to add depth and talent, which could help them incrementally next season and considerably in the future.

The Washington Wizards’ 2024 Draft Night Grade: C+ (20th Overall)

Those were my thoughts on how the draft fared. It was a fun, entertaining event, and I enjoyed watching it as it unfolded. It was an exciting NBA season, and it will be interesting to see how things will unfold in free agency. Thanks for reading.