The first round of the 2025 NBA draft on Wednesday kicked off with the Dallas Mavericks selecting Cooper Flagg as the top pick, the first of three players from Duke University chosen in the round. The night wrapped up with the LA Clippers drafting center Yanic Konan Niederhauser at pick number 30.
The opening round featured teams that had strong performances, as well as unexpected selections, such as the Utah Jazz choosing Rutgers guard Ace Bailey fifth overall and the Phoenix Suns acquiring Duke`s highly-rated center Khaman Maluach at number 10.
Which teams should be pleased with their first-round choices, like the Miami Heat potentially securing a future cornerstone point guard? Conversely, should New Orleans Pelicans supporters be concerned about the trade they made to move up and select Derik Queen?
It`s time to break down the key events from Wednesday evening at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. ESPN`s experts Jonathan Givony, Jeremy Woo, and Kevin Pelton share their perspectives on the winners, surprises, and major questions following the 30 first-round selections.
Givony: Notable Teams of Round 1
Phoenix Suns
The selection: Khaman Maluach (Pick 10)
The landscape of the Suns` trade involving Kevin Durant appears significantly altered after Maluach unexpectedly dropped to the 10th pick. This pick allows Phoenix to bolster a crucial position at center while adding a player with significant long-term potential.
Maluach brings notable intensity, defensive timing around the rim, rebounding prowess, and the ability to switch defensively – attributes the team needed last season. His selection injects valuable youth and vigor into a roster heavily reliant on guards.
Crucially, he is one of the youngest prospects in this draft class, offering considerable room for physical and skill development. He is highly regarded by coaches and teammates for his positive attitude and character off the court, and his ability to catch lobs makes him a promising pick-and-roll partner for Devin Booker.
Miami Heat
The selection: Kasparas Jakucionis (Pick 20)
It was quite a surprise to see Jakucionis – ranked 11th on our expert big board – fall all the way to the 20th selection.
Any immediate disappointment over potential lost draft position was likely outweighed by the realization that he landed in arguably the most favorable situation for any guard prospect in this draft. The Heat are a team in need of shot creation and playmaking, and his skillset fits their demanding culture and emphasis on toughness perfectly.
Jakucionis` versatility to play any backcourt position provides the Heat with valuable lineup flexibility, especially when paired with Tyler Herro.
Given his impressive feel for the game and savvy handling of pick-and-roll situations, it wouldn`t be surprising to see him eventually develop into the franchise`s primary point guard.
Givony: Biggest Surprises of Round 1
Portland Trail Blazers
The selection: Yang Hansen, center (Pick 16)
Hansen, previously ranked 35th on ESPN`s big board, made the most significant jump in the first round when Portland selected him at number 16.
The Trail Blazers` interest in Yang dates back to scouting him with the Chinese national team at the FIBA U19 World Cup in 2023. They subsequently traveled to China to watch him play, followed his progress in Las Vegas scrimmages with the Chinese senior national team last summer, and conducted a private workout with him in Portland recently.
Despite drafting another seven-footer, Donovan Clingan, last year, the Trail Blazers approach the draft by selecting the best player available. They expressed excitement about Yang`s skill set and off-court attributes, planning to bring him to the NBA immediately for development.
Utah Jazz
The selection: Ace Bailey (Pick 5)
Bailey appeared surprised when the Utah Jazz selected him at pick number 5, after seemingly trying to influence his draft position towards other teams like Washington or Brooklyn. Following the draft, Bailey reportedly told Andscape`s Marc Spears that he “had no idea” the Jazz were interested in him.
Bailey declined multiple invitations to visit and work out privately with Utah during the pre-draft process, as he also did with the Philadelphia 76ers at number 3 and the Charlotte Hornets at number 4. However, the Jazz felt they had sufficient knowledge of his game and potential to feel comfortable drafting him regardless.
Austin Ainge, the new president of basketball operations for the Jazz, had interviewed Bailey at the NBA draft combine while still with the Boston Celtics` front office. The rest of the Jazz management team also interviewed him separately, and Ainge had scouted him multiple times throughout his season at Rutgers.
Immediately after making the pick, Ainge told ESPN: “We genuinely like him as a player and feel he`s a good fit for our program.”
What was the most impressive pick of the night?
Pelton: Carter Bryant going to the Spurs at number 14. Since he spent most of his single college season at Arizona coming off the bench, he might not contribute significantly to the Spurs right away. However, in the future, Bryant possesses the kind of 3-and-D skillset that should ideally complement San Antonio`s core, which includes Victor Wembanyama, De`Aaron Fox, NBA Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle, and number 2 pick Dylan Harper.
Woo: Assuming Cooper Flagg to the Mavericks at number 1 is excluded from consideration for this title, I`ll choose Khaman Maluach to the Suns at number 10, a pick that Givony discussed earlier. It was an excellent outcome for Phoenix, and he might be precisely the type of player needed to anchor the team`s future identity.
To highlight another selection, I`ll pick Thomas Sorber at number 15. His fit with the Thunder makes a lot of sense. They were rumored to be interested in trading up but were able to simply wait for him to be available at their pick. Oklahoma City made this selection with a long-term perspective, considering that retaining their starting center, Isaiah Hartenstein, might be difficult when Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren become eligible for their second contracts next year.
The Thunder secured a prospect with the abilities to offer a similar dimension to the team, and someone they can patiently develop over the next season or two. This pick reflects the high level of roster planning that the Thunder consistently demonstrate in the draft.
What was your favorite trade made during Round 1?
Pelton: Atlanta securing the better of Milwaukee`s and New Orleans` first-round picks in 2026 while only moving back 10 spots from number 13 to number 23 is a move that could prove highly significant a year from now. The Pelicans will face a tough challenge making the playoffs in the competitive Western Conference, and the Bucks have potential downside risk with Damian Lillard recovering from an Achilles injury.
The Hawks could potentially end up with a better draft pick next year than the one they gave up this year. Even getting a pick in the mid-to-late teens would represent a substantial win from a value standpoint.
Woo: As Kevin mentioned, the trade between Atlanta and New Orleans was probably the most impactful in terms of value, but it wouldn`t be my *favorite*, particularly from the Pelicans` perspective.
Heading into the night, it was known that the Pelicans were interested in Derik Queen – and presumably, the Hawks were too. Atlanta arguably capitalized on this by extracting significant value from New Orleans, receiving an unprotected 2026 first-round pick which will be the better of two different teams` selections.
It`s challenging to foresee a straightforward path for New Orleans, as currently constructed, to reach playoff contention, especially if the team intends for Jeremiah Fears and Queen to play substantial minutes, which both prospects will need for their development. This level of risk taken on by the Pelicans was confusing, and if Atlanta ends up with a high lottery pick next year, it will be painful regardless of how well Queen adapts to the NBA.
Which title contender improved the most?
Pelton: Am I allowed to include the Mavericks? To be clear, it`s improbable that any player drafted on Wednesday will play a significant role in the final two rounds of next season`s playoffs. That`s perhaps more likely to happen with a Round 2 pick selected on Thursday.
Based on that assessment, the move that might have the greatest long-term impact on a team contending for a title in 2026 could be the Thunder postponing their number 24 pick by acquiring a 2026 first-round pick from the Kings.
Woo: I`ll preface this by noting that not many clear title contenders made draft picks in the first round. However, I did like the moves the Magic made in this draft, including their decisive yet measured trade for Desmond Bane (sending the number 16 pick as part of a package to Memphis) and then waiting for the board to fall to them at number 25 to select Jase Richardson.
Richardson has the potential to contribute off the bench for the Magic early in his career. He provides them with a potentially valuable (and cost-effective) depth player during a period when they are focused on competing at the highest level with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner leading the way.
Am I ready to definitively call the Magic a true contender? With the Eastern Conference appearing wide open, they certainly aspire to be. They have definitely handled the offseason effectively so far.
What is your favorite prospect-team pairing outside of the lottery?
Pelton: Kasparas Jakucionis to the Heat at number 20. If everything goes well, my comparison for Jakucionis is former Miami guard Goran Dragic. Both are physically strong guards who can shoot. Dragic significantly reduced his high turnover rate that was an issue early in his career, and Jakucionis will need to do the same.
At 6-foot-6, Jakucionis` size will allow him to play alongside either Tyler Herro or Davion Mitchell, assuming the Heat re-sign Mitchell as a restricted free agent.
Woo: Joan Beringer to the Timberwolves at number 18. I have a high opinion of Beringer`s long-term potential – it`s rare to find centers with his combination of physical attributes, ability to run the court, and rim protection. His youth and relatively limited experience mean there is significant potential for improvement.
Developing behind another French player, Rudy Gobert, who could serve as a valuable mentor as Beringer makes the substantial leap to the NBA, could be an ideal situation to help him realize his considerable talent.
This pick may require time to fully pay off, but as Minnesota continues to build a winning team around Anthony Edwards, acquiring a talent of this caliber while addressing a long-term need could be a significant strategic success.
True or false: Cooper Flagg will average 20 points as a rookie.
Pelton: False. I don`t believe scoring will ever be the primary strength of Flagg`s game. Furthermore, on a contending team that includes Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson, and potentially adds a shot creator at point guard in the absence of Kyrie Irving? I don`t view that level of rookie scoring as realistic.
Woo: False, but I don`t consider that a negative. It depends more on how much offensive responsibility the Mavericks decide to give him immediately rather than anything else – it`s the well-rounded nature of Flagg`s game that should stand out and position him as a favorite for Rookie of the Year.
Dallas should be enthusiastic about his prospects without needing to burden him with more than he can handle in his first season.
Complete the following: New Orleans giving up their unprotected 2026 first-round pick is ___________.
Pelton: Jumping out of the plane without a parachute. The Pelicans experienced firsthand last season what can go wrong due to injuries in the Western Conference. They entered the lottery with a 12.5% chance of landing the number 1 pick. Imagine the reaction in New Orleans if the Hawks are in a position to win the lottery using the Pelicans` pick.
Woo: A poorly timed decision. It`s understandable to trade a future pick when you have a clear path to a playoff spot or are acquiring a player who helps you get there. It`s something else entirely to use it to gamble on a rookie – even one you highly value – without providing yourself with any kind of safety net if things don`t go according to plan.
I also question the long-term fit of Queen playing alongside Zion Williamson – both are big men who are most effective offensively but offer limited rim protection and lack floor-spacing ability. While I like some players on the Pelicans` roster, I`ve been unclear about the team`s overall strategy moving forward, and that was the case even before they decided to take such a significant leap of faith.
The Nets entered Round 1 with five picks and used all of them. How would you assess their draft night?
Pelton: Probably a C-plus. Brooklyn appeared to heavily favor project players, selecting two prospects who played just one college season (Egor Demin at number 8 and Drake Powell at number 22) along with two teenage international prospects (Nolan Traore at number 19 and Ben Saraf at number 26). Michigan center Danny Wolf, the last player chosen from the green room, was the only pick older than 19.
I personally would have preferred to see them prioritize players with a more proven track record of production. Based on my stats-based projections, Demin, ranked 8th, was the only Nets pick who fell within the top 23.
Woo: I would give them a B. When a team makes five selections, their draft board is rarely going to perfectly align with the general consensus. However, I can understand the vision they seem to have for their roster, and I`m intrigued to see how it might unfold for them.
The Nets are clearly committed to implementing coach Jordi Fernandez`s playing style and focused on acquiring players with positional size and passing skills (Demin, Traore, Saraf, Wolf). They also took a chance on Powell, who was considered a potential lottery pick at the start of the season but was perhaps not used in his most effective role at North Carolina, often playing power forward.
I`m not certain exactly how this collection of players will fit together, but I respect their approach to the draft. They will have ample time next season to evaluate all their newly drafted players and determine the best path forward.
Which player are you most surprised to see still available heading into Round 2?
Pelton: Rasheer Fleming from Saint Joseph`s. Ranked 27th in the final mock draft by Givony and Woo, Fleming was the highest-rated player not selected in the first round. He was even higher, at 18th, in my stats-based projections.
It will be interesting to observe whether teams actively maneuver on Thursday to position themselves to draft Fleming early in Round 2.
Woo: Maxime Raynaud from Stanford. I thought he had demonstrated enough to be selected in the 20s. However, with the number of big men taken in the first round, including Yang Hansen`s surprising rise, he was one of the players who ultimately slipped. I anticipate several teams will look for ways to acquire him early in the second round.
