The 2025 NBA Draft has concluded, featuring Cooper Flagg as the first overall pick for the Dallas Mavericks and Dylan Harper as the second pick for the San Antonio Spurs. The first round was marked by several unexpected developments.
Ace Bailey was selected fifth by the Utah Jazz, a team he reportedly hadn`t expected but which analysts see as a great fit. The New Orleans Pelicans made a bold move, trading valuable draft capital to acquire both Jeremiah Fears (No. 7) and Derik Queen (No. 13). The Portland Trail Blazers made the most surprising pick of the first round by selecting Yang Hansen, who was ranked lower on draft boards (No. 35 on ESPN`s final Top 100). Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets, holding five first-round picks, kept and drafted all five to kickstart a youth movement.
Following the draft, questions arise: What was the best value pick? Which team assembled the strongest draft class? And who are the top contenders for first-team All-Rookie honors? After years of scouting this class, analysts share their insights on the most impactful, surprising, and potentially future-defining moves.
Here is a breakdown answering 15 key questions about the draft`s aftermath.
What was your favorite pick of the entire draft?
Jonathan Givony: Kasparas Jakucionis to the Miami Heat at No. 20. Miami not only secured a player ranked significantly higher on my board (No. 10) but also addressed a roster need and found a perfect cultural and stylistic fit. Jakucionis, standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 205 pounds, offers crucial backcourt shot creation with his ballhandling and playmaking. His size also allows him to play off-ball alongside Tyler Herro. His versatility, including size, strength, and perimeter shooting, is ideal for the modern NBA.
Post-draft, the Heat also signed Russian center Vlad Goldin, ranked No. 2 among undrafted free agents on ESPN`s board (No. 49 overall), continuing their trend of adding international talent. The team also features Sweden`s Pelle Larsson and Serbia`s Nikola Jovic.
Jeremy Woo: Khaman Maluach to the Phoenix Suns at No. 10. While the Suns` immediate future is uncertain, they effectively addressed last season`s issues, notably by drafting Maluach. He represents the type of large, paint-protecting presence Phoenix desperately lacked. The Suns had minimal defensive identity last season, and Maluach, alongside new addition Mark Williams, should help establish a stronger defensive tone. He is well-suited to complement the team`s perimeter-oriented, ball-dominant players.
Which player landed in the ideal situation to maximize his talent?
Givony: Ace Bailey to the Utah Jazz at No. 5. Despite pre-draft drama regarding his preferred destination and agent actions, the situation resolved favorably. This was likely influenced by the NBA`s collective bargaining agreement limiting player leverage and the public backlash. When Bailey arrives in Utah, he should recognize the significant opportunity provided by ample playing time, a supportive coaching staff, and a passionate fanbase. This environment is ideal for him to develop into an All-Star caliber player.
Woo: Egor Demin to the Brooklyn Nets at No. 8. I am more optimistic about Demin`s potential than some. His archetype as a tall playmaker is highly valued. The Nets` decision to draft him early, despite struggles in Big 12 play, is understandable. Landing on a team where he`ll get immediate playing time, substantial on-ball opportunities, and the chance to improve his shooting is ideal. While his rookie season might be challenging, his unselfish playing style aligns with the Nets` desired team identity. Joining a rebuilding team like this could be crucial for Demin, offering more freedom to develop than a deeper roster might have allowed.
What was the best value pick?
Givony: Liam McNeeley to the Charlotte Hornets at No. 29. I was surprised McNeeley (ranked No. 17 on our board) fell so late. Known for his shooting, he shot only 32% from three at UConn this season and reportedly struggled in private workouts. However, I`ve seen him perform exceptionally well in various settings and believe he will thrive with NBA spacing in a reduced offensive role compared to UConn. He also brings valuable size (6-foot-8), toughness, feel for the game, and overall skill. Finding a player like him so late makes this a potential steal for the Hornets.
Woo: Kasparas Jakucionis to the Miami Heat. Miami benefited from other teams` decisions, drafting a player many (including myself) viewed as a top-10 prospect who also fits their need for a playmaking guard. He was more polarizing than anticipated, but I expect this pick to look better for the Heat over time than for the teams that passed on him.
Which pick most surprised you?
Givony: Egor Demin to the Nets. Many found his high ranking (Top 10) surprising throughout the year, especially given his struggles in the Big 12. However, seeing him selected before Khaman Maluach and Jakucionis, whom I ranked higher, was still a slight surprise. We heard the Nets wanted a starting point guard from this draft, and they now have multiple candidates in Demin, Nolan Traore, Ben Saraf, and possibly Danny Wolf. I appreciate that Demin will be empowered to reach his potential with significant playing time, even through mistakes, and will have playmakers alongside him. Ideally, the group would have more shooting, but this can be addressed long-term, potentially in next year`s deep draft featuring prospects like A.J. Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, or Nate Ament.
Woo: Yang Hansen to the Portland Trail Blazers at No. 16. My reaction was more fascination than shock. Yang has an intriguing skillset for a young big man, and it made sense for someone to take a chance on him. I liked his performance at the combine, but selecting him inside the top 20 was unexpected. It`s a significant gamble on his offensive talent translating from a lower level of competition in China. The Nets were the only team widely linked to Yang, holding later picks. While I understand Portland taking him early if they loved him to avoid risking it, especially if trading back was difficult, the thought of him going this high never occurred to me.
Which team has your favorite class as a whole?
Givony: Charlotte Hornets. Besides McNeeley (No. 29), I also like their additions of Kon Knueppel (No. 4) and Ryan Kalkbrenner (No. 34). Knueppel`s feel for the game, unselfishness, strength, and toughness make him easy to play with, potentially complementing LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller well. I was a big fan of Knueppel all season and wasn`t surprised by his top-five selection. With Kalkbrenner, the Hornets added an NBA-ready big man capable of contributing rotation minutes immediately on a cost-effective rookie deal. Charlotte needed frontcourt help after trading Mark Williams for the pick used on McNeeley and a 2029 first-rounder, which I also viewed as a smart trade.
Woo: San Antonio Spurs. While fortunate to land Harper (No. 2), the Spurs were right not to rush their competitive window by trading him. Despite potential fit concerns with De`Aaron Fox already on the roster, allowing Harper, Victor Wembanyama, and Stephon Castle (No. 3) to develop together makes sense. We often assign immediate title urgency to teams with superstar talent, but Wembanyama is only 21. San Antonio wisely prioritized drafting and letting these young players grow together. Adding Carter Bryant (No. 14), who can complement his ball-dominant teammates with shooting and perimeter defense, further solidifies what could be an excellent foundation for the Spurs.
Which team has your least favorite class as a whole?
Givony: No single team stands out negatively, though I would have liked to see the Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets more active in the draft. However, their focus on current playoff windows is understandable.
Woo: New Orleans Pelicans. This is less about the players` talent and more about the increased risk and fit concerns created by their recent transactions. Jeremiah Fears (No. 7) is talented, but maximizing his potential in a potentially crowded backcourt with Jordan Poole is a concern. Similarly, I struggle to see how Derik Queen (No. 13) can effectively share the floor with Zion Williamson in a winning context. Neither is a high-level perimeter shooter or paint protector, and they might impede each other. I worry whether either lottery pick will be in a situation to fully utilize their strengths.
While a new front office targeting their preferred players and shaping the team is understandable, it`s less palatable given the Pelicans traded away their own 2026 first-round pick to facilitate these moves. This places significant pressure on the current roster to make substantial collective progress.
What was your favorite in-draft trade?
Givony: The Atlanta Hawks trading down to ultimately draft Asa Newell at No. 23. While Jeremy discussed the New Orleans side of the Derik Queen deal, the new Hawks front office (led by Onsi Saleh) deserves credit. The Hawks secured a likely top-10 pick in the 2026 NBA draft (projected No. 8) just by moving down 10 spots this year. Although I rated Queen significantly higher than Newell personally, New Orleans` process of clearly signaling their strong interest in Queen hurt their negotiating position, leading them to overpay with a valuable future first-round pick.
Woo: The Jazz trading up to draft Walter Clayton Jr. at No. 18. Admittedly, I wasn`t initially a strong proponent of Clayton, but my evaluation improved, and I began to see his shotmaking talent as an intriguing gamble in a draft lacking point guards. The Jazz didn`t give up much to move up. While he`ll need to compete for minutes, there`s a reasonable chance Clayton becomes a valuable contributor.
What was your least favorite in-draft trade?
Givony: Memphis trading up five spots with Portland from No. 16 to No. 11. They gave up an unprotected 2028 first-round pick from Orlando and two second-round picks (2027 from Atlanta, 2028 from Orlando). This feels like a steep price for moving up just five spots, even with rumors that Oklahoma City (picking No. 15) also wanted Cedric Coward. I wasn`t convinced Coward warranted such a high selection, so we`ll see how this plays out. I thought Portland could have moved down further for Yang and potentially gained more assets, but the trade market seemed to cool significantly outside the top 15.
Woo: New Orleans mortgaging the future for Derik Queen. Considering all factors, trading away a 2026 first-round pick to move up 10 spots in this draft was difficult to justify, regardless of how highly you rate Queen or who else might have been available at No. 13. My concern is 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 significantly higher (No. 15). He was initially projected as a top-10 pick, but his stock fell due to limited playing time on a stacked Real Madrid team. Had he played elsewhere (like Ratiopharm Ulm, BYU, or the NBL Next Stars program), I believe he would have been a clear lottery pick. He built an impressive resume in FIBA youth competitions and junior club play before this season. I also love his fit in Boston; his defensive intensity will make him a fan favorite. However, his significant buyout with Real Madrid means he`ll have to cover a substantial portion himself, impacting his immediate earnings.
Woo: Will Riley to the Washington Wizards at No. 21. Having seen him play live many times at Illinois, I`m a strong believer in Riley`s talent. He has a chance to thrive on a Wizards team that will offer ample opportunities to young players. His physical development is crucial (6-foot-8, 180 pounds), but history shows that wings with legitimate size and offensive talent rarely fail solely due to being too skinny. Riley possesses real game skill, and I expect him to surprise people over time.
Call it now: Who will win NBA Rookie of the Year?
Givony: Cooper Flagg. He is the top player in this class and is expected to play a significant role for the Mavericks immediately. Given their current lack of shot creation outside of stars, they`ll need him to contribute like a star from day one, helping them compete in the tough Western Conference, especially while waiting for Kyrie Irving`s return.
Woo: Anyone other than Flagg? Unlikely. This isn`t a bold prediction. He enters an excellent situation to immediately stand out, and I anticipate he will adapt to the NBA quickly.
Call it now: Which five players will be named to the NBA All-Rookie first team?
Givony: Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, Kon Knueppel, Tre Johnson (Wizards).
Woo: Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Tre Johnson, Kon Knueppel. To offer a slightly different list, I`ll include the other Jazz rookie, Walter 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 strong Big 12, Small carried a West Virginia team, showcasing steady shot creation and making, toughness, and physicality on both ends – traits that translate well to the G League. He will be difficult to handle in transition and should thrive in the league`s up-tempo style, scoring in bursts while making winning plays. He could potentially emerge as another valuable find for Memphis, similar to Scotty Pippen Jr. in recent years.
Woo: Ryan Nembhard, undrafted. Nembhard is signing a two-way deal with the Mavericks. He might even get fast-tracked to the NBA roster due to the Mavs` limited point guard depth. I appreciate Nembhard`s feel for playmaking and involving teammates and believe he can overcome his size limitations (6-foot, 180 pounds). When assigned to the G League, he will be one of the top guards.
Which undrafted player are you most interested to follow?
Givony: Eric Dixon with the Los Angeles Lakers. The former Villanova player was a top scorer in college basketball, averaging 23 points and shooting 41% from three. He`s more than a spot-up shooter, capable of hitting tough pull-ups and drawing fouls. At 6-foot-8 and 260 pounds, he presents a genuine inside-out mismatch akin to Guerschon Yabusele. Dixon, 24, needs to prove himself defensively but offers toughness and physicality alongside his shooting. I like this addition for the Lakers. I heard Lakers president Rob Pelinka met with Dixon and shared a story about Kobe Bryant emphasizing attention to detail and mastering one`s craft under difficult conditions, comparing it to Michelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel.
Woo: John Poulakidas with the LA Clippers. The former Yale player was a deep sleeper I grew to appreciate. Poulakidas (6-foot-6, 205 pounds) has good size for a wing and is already a very good shooter. If he can improve his defense, there`s a path for him to make a roster (reportedly signing an Exhibit-10 deal with the Clippers). Quality three-point shooters with NBA size often get opportunities faster than other role players.
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 Rudy Gobert, a fellow Frenchman. Beringer, who recently grew an inch and a half, only started playing basketball in summer 2021 after focusing on soccer. He proved to be the top shot blocker in the Adriatic League in his first professional season, showing exceptional defensive instincts and agility as a drop defender and rim protector. This gives him huge long-term defensive potential.
Woo: The Nets` draft will age better than expected. Brooklyn`s strategy was clear: they acquired players like Nolan Traore (No. 19) and Drake Powell (No. 22) coming off challenging seasons and prioritized high-IQ passers with above-average size like Demin, Ben Saraf (No. 26), and Danny Wolf (No. 27). The goal is clearly to build an unselfish, ball-sharing team. I`m less concerned about developmental overlap among these players than others seem to be. All need to improve their perimeter shooting, which is a fair critique and a major variable. However, I worry less about skill overlap when bringing together players who prioritize passing. Allowing them to start their careers together, build chemistry, and play a distinct style should create easier opportunities for everyone. The Nets appear to have minutes available for all of them as they head into next year`s draft lottery, and I believe several of these players will exceed expectations.
What is your top overarching takeaway from this draft?
Givony: College basketball remains a major pathway and is not going away. Following a draft where the top two picks came from France (Zaccharie Risacher) and Australia (Alex Sarr), the 2025 draft saw zero non-collegiate international players selected in the top 10 and only six in the first round – historically low numbers. This trend might continue, with current projections for next year`s draft showing even fewer non-collegiate international players in the first two rounds. The financial appeal of large Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals in college keeps players in school longer and attracts international talent to the U.S., as seen with Demin and Jakucionis. Time will tell if future revenue-sharing restrictions reduce NIL salaries, potentially leading more international prospects to develop through traditional European routes.
Woo: Consensus is merely a concept. Most first-round surprises resulted from teams prioritizing their internal evaluations over public opinion. Whether it was Memphis ensuring they drafted Coward, New Orleans making a big move for Queen, Portland selecting Yang unexpectedly high, or the Nets keeping all five first-round picks, the draft outcome is always subjective. This draft served as an entertaining reminder that many teams are willing to trust their convictions and disregard popular notions of draft value.
