2025 NBA Draft: Analysis of Round 1

theScore's Dane Belbeck, Sam Oshtry, and Chicco Nacion offer their insights from the most notable moves, emerging trends, and interesting picks in Round 1 of the 2025 NBA Draft.

Mavericks reset franchise with Cooper Flagg
F, Duke - 1st overall

The Mavericks may have been crazy enough to trade Luka Doncic, but not even Nico Harrison would pass on taking Flagg at No. 1. The Duke superstar lived up to the hype and then some in his lone collegiate season, claiming both the Naismith and Wooden Awards for national player of the year. If you're looking for a weakness in his game, get comfortable, because it'll take you a while. Flagg has excellent size at 6-foot-8 and possesses top-line basketball IQ to match his freakish athleticism. He does just about everything on the basketball court at an above-average to elite level ... and he turned 18 in December. Flagg won't immediately make Mavericks fans say "Luka who?", but he projects as the type of franchise player who can single-handedly raise the quality of a roster to championship caliber.

Spurs add explosive scoring with Dylan Harper
G, Rutgers - 2nd overall

Harper, the clear second-best player in the draft, was a no-brainer selection for the Spurs. He's a lethal scorer who can operate as a lead guard, explode to the rim, and drill tough shots. While Rutgers didn't have the season it hoped, Harper did his part, averaging 19.4 points per game. He must develop a more consistent 3-point shot, but his 33% mark from long range can be attributed to playing hero for a team that needed one. He's a seamless fit alongside Wembanyama and Stephon Castle, the last two Rookie of the Year winners. Harper should immediately help San Antonio make its first postseason since 2019.

76ers get electric VJ Edgecombe
G, Baylor - 3rd overall

We don't know if Edgecombe makes the 76ers significantly better, but he definitely makes them more explosive. The skywalking Baylor freshman was a highlight reel waiting to happen in his lone college season and instantly becomes one of the more athletic players in the NBA. However, the knock on Edgecombe is that he's well-aware of that advantage and his skill development has suffered as a result. His improved 3-point shooting numbers down the stretch in college provide some hope on that front, and he projects to be a terror on defense with his quickness and leaping ability. If Edgecombe adds more polish to his offensive game, the 76ers might have selected the best player in this draft. If he doesn't, at least we'll get some "SportsCenter" highlights.

Hornets take chance on Kon Knueppel
G, Duke - 4th overall

The second Duke freshman is off the board. Knueppel showed flashes as a playmaker when Cooper Flagg sat out multiple games in the ACC Tournament, but he flew up draft boards because of his sharpshooting. Knueppel averaged 14.4 points while hitting 40% from three. The Hornets have plenty of young talent capable of creating shots for Knueppel, who will be relegated to a spot-up role alongside LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Miles Bridges. The Hornets haven't built a winning culture, but they're getting a winning player in Knueppel.

Jazz grab sliding Ace Bailey
Wing, Rutgers - 5th overall

Perhaps the most talked-about prospect in the buildup to the draft goes to Utah at No. 5. The Rutgers standout failed to meet any teams for predraft workouts - a decision suggesting he had a guarantee from a team at a certain number. It's unclear if that was the Jazz, but his elite scoring talent is exactly what they need to get back into playoff contention. Bailey has elite size for the wing position with a 7-foot wingspan and made 35% of his triples at the college level. He does most of his work from the mid-range but needs to work on getting to the hoop to make things easier for himself at the next level.

Wizards snag Tre Johnson
G, Texas - 6th overall

The Wizards might have stolen the best pure scorer in the class. Johnson averaged nearly 20 points per game with 39% shooting from three in his lone season at Texas. His combination of strength and speed will make it tough for defenders to stay in front of him. While he must improve his finishing around the rim, his shotmaking ability is exactly what Washington needed. Johnson will have plenty of time to develop in a patient organization committed to rebuilding.

Pelicans gamble on Jeremiah Fears
PG, Oklahoma - 7th overall

The glass-half-full assessment of the Oklahoma star is that he's one of the best driving guards we've seen in recent memory, constantly getting to the hoop in the loaded SEC despite being the focus of every opponent's defense. The glass-half-empty read on Fears is that he's currently a liability shooting the basketball - which is tough to overcome when you're 6-foot-2. Fears was essentially the Sooners' entire offense, boasting one of the highest usage rates in the nation. That's daunting for any player, let alone an 18-year-old freshman. Fears gets to the hoop with ease and excels at finding the open man. However, he often struggles to downshift to something less than full-out speed and finish in traffic. That ability - along with improved shooting - will be the deciding factor as to whether this was a boom or bust pick for the Pelicans.

Nets reach for Egor Demin
G, BYU - 8th overall

Our first shocker of the night comes from the Nets. Demin is one of the most polarizing prospects in the draft. He's a 6-foot-8 guard who's unquestionably the best passer in the class. Demin has incredible processing ability coming off ball screens and finishes well around the rim. His biggest red flag is his shooting; he connected on just 27% of his threes during his lone season at BYU. He never lost confidence in his three and reportedly shot well during the predraft process. However, his foul shooting was also discouraging - he made 69% of his attempts from the charity stripe. If he ever develops a shot, his upside is tremendous. Brooklyn, which has a total of five first-round picks, had little to lose by reaching for Demin.

Raptors get rugged defender in Collin Murray-Boyles
F, South Carolina - 9th overall

There's no question that Murray-Boyles has the defensive prowess to be a very strong NBA player. Whether he can do enough to be a threat on the offensive end will set his ceiling as a pro. Murray-Boyles - the first South Carolina player ever selected in the lottery - did most of his work on offense in the low post thanks to his sturdy 239-pound frame. However, at just 6-foot-7, it's fair to question whether his offensive game will translate to the professional level. He's garnered plenty of Draymond Green comparisons given how the future Warriors star looked coming out of Michigan State. Green was able to adapt offensively while immediately thriving on defense in the NBA. Raptors fans will likely lean on that potential to justify taking him here.

Suns draft Khaman Maluach
C, Duke - 10th overall

The Suns acquired this pick from the Rockets when they traded Durant days ago. Maluach addresses a position of need for the Suns, who desperately needed a center. After selecting him, they traded for Mark Williams. Size is no longer a concern in Phoenix. Maluach, for his part, is a traditional rim-running and rim-protecting big man - a ferocious finisher and a menace on the offensive glass. Maluach started playing basketball in 2019 and now becomes the third Duke freshman selected in the 2025 draft's top 10. If Maluach develops ball skills, he can emerge as a multidimensional big.

Grizzlies deal for Cedric Coward
G, Washington State - 11th overall

Trade details: Grizzlies receive Cedric Coward from Trail Blazers for No. 16 pick, 2028 first-round pick, two second-round picks

Don't be alarmed if you're unfamiliar with Coward; most people were until about three weeks ago. Coward started his collegiate career in Division III before eventually transferring to Eastern Washington. He played just six games with Washington State, a major program, before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. Coward looked set to stay in college and head to Duke for his final season before generating draft buzz and opting to turn pro. He possesses elite wing size for the NBA with a 7-foot-2 wingspan on his 6-foot-6 frame and can heat up from deep, having shot 40% from beyond the arc. Will Coward shine at the next level or did he simply feast on lesser competition in college?

Bulls take swing on Noa Essengue
Wing, France - 12th overall

The Bulls take a chance on a young Frenchman who left his international squad in the middle of its championship series to attend the draft. Essengue's profile rose thanks to his impressive production in the German league. He's an athletic, long wing who excels in transition, but he must improve as a shooter and develop a better handle. Chicago is in the midst of a rebuild, so he'll have some time.

Pelicans make bold move for Derik Queen
PF, Maryland - 13th overall

Trade details: Pelicans acquire Queen from Hawks for No. 23 pick, unprotected 2026 first-round selection

Queen was one of the more enjoyable players to watch this past college season, with a polished throwback game that left you in awe of his brilliant touch for a low-post player. Queen does most of his work in the paint, but he reads the game as an elite passer from the forward position, which frequently allowed Maryland to run the offense through him. His buzzer-beater versus Colorado State in the NCAA Tournament illustrated his deft touch - he somehow made a highly contested fadeaway with his right hand while going hard to his left. The argument against Queen is that his lack of explosive athleticism will make scoring difficult at the next level. However, his touch and high-level basketball IQ should be enough to overcome that issue. That's obviously what the Pelicans are thinking by moving up to nab him at No. 13.

Spurs continue to build with Carter Bryant
Wing, Arizona - 14th overall

The Spurs reinforce their young core with a prototypical 3-and-D wing. Bryant will immediately help the Spurs' sixth-worst defense, especially with Victor Wembanyama protecting the rim. Bryant is an exceptional athlete who doesn't need the ball to flourish offensively, making him the perfect complement to a team with ball-dominant guards. The Arizona freshman shot 37% from three last season. He'll impact the game on both ends without demanding too many touches. San Antonio looks set to surge up the Western Conference standings soon.

Thunder snap up another defensive ace in Thomas Sorber
C, Georgetown - 15th overall

The rich get richer as the newly minted NBA champs add Sorber to the league's top defensive unit. The Georgetown big man may be a bit undersized at the five, but he's a tremendous rim-protector, and he proved capable of defending in space on the perimeter. Sorber averaged two blocks and 1.5 steals during his lone collegiate campaign. He finished seventh in the Big East in blocks (49) despite having his freshman year cut short by a foot injury. Sorber has also shown flashes of playmaking and could be used in a similar role to Isaiah Hartenstein if his passing continues to develop. The Thunder could decline Hartenstein's $28.5-million team option for 2026-27 and transition to Sorber as their starting center since Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren will need long-term deals.

Trail Blazers shock with Yang Hansen
C, China - 16th overall

Drafting Yang with the 16th pick is a wild reach considering most mocks projected he'd go in the second round. Yang is listed at 7-foot-1. The Chinese big is an effective rebounder and rim-protector, but his slow feet and questionable ball skills make this a head-scratcher. The Blazers traded back from the 11th pick and clearly identified Yang as their guy. Hopefully, their tunnel vision didn't hurt their ability to land a more surefire prospect.

Timberwolves go for upside with Joan Beringer
C, France - 17th overall

Want to feel old? Beringer was born six months before the first iPhone was released in June 2007. The 6-foot-11 French big only started playing high-level basketball three years ago. He's as raw a prospect as we've seen in recent memory and is likely years away from being a key contributor. However, athletic bigs with 7-foot-4 wingspans aren't readily available at your local gym, and he's already an elite shot-blocker that disrupts anybody who comes to the hoop. Add in Rudy Gobert as a potential mentor and Beringer was worth the swing for the Timberwolves.

Jazz snatch national champion Walter Clayton Jr.
G, Florida - 18th overall

Trade details: Jazz acquire Clayton from Wizards for picks No. 21 and 43, two future second-round picks

Clayton stole America's hearts with his incredibly difficult clutch shotmaking throughout the NCAA Tournament. He led Florida to a national championship, but we've seen impressive March runs fail to translate at the next level. He's an older prospect at 22 after spending two years at Iona with Rick Pitino and two years in Gainesville. Clayton's size, playmaking, and defense are concerns in the NBA, but his shooting prowess is undeniable. He averaged 18.3 points on 38% shooting from three in his last season at Florida. He joins Ace Bailey as the Jazz's two 2025 first-round selections.

Nets double down on Euro backcourt with Nolan Traore
G, France - 19th overall

Brooklyn added another European guard to its backcourt, taking Traore with the No. 19 overall pick. The speedy guard spent the past two seasons with Saint-Quentin in France's top domestic league, averaging 5.2 assists over 37 appearances. He finished fifth in total assists (153) last season. The Frenchman was also one of the top performers in last year's Nike Hoop Summit game, tallying 18 points and four assists in a showcase event that also featured Cooper Flagg and top-ranked 2025 recruit AJ Dybantsa. With Egor Demin (No. 8) and Traore aboard, the Nets have beefed up their playmaking and added a pair of potential long-term answers at the point.

Heat capitalize on Kasparas Jakucionis' slide
G, Illinois - 20th overall

The Heat are constantly praised for their scouting and development, and they just landed one of the steals of the draft. Jakucionis was projected to be a lottery pick, but concerns about his athleticism, turnovers, and shooting led to a slide. He's an excellent operator out of the pick-and-roll and a daring passer, although that can sometimes get him in turnover trouble. He also has a unique ability to control the pace with his acceleration and deceleration, which should translate to the NBA. However, Jakucionis struggles to beat his defender without a ball screen. While his shooting stats are questionable, a forearm injury in the second half of his freshman season at Illinois caused his numbers to dip. The talent is obvious, and the Heat are the perfect organization to help him work on his weaknesses.

Wizards go for shooting with Will Riley
Wing, Illinois - 21st overall

Riley's film is impressive, but it also leaves one very skeptical his frame can last in the NBA. The Illinois wing stands 6-foot-8 and can easily shoot over anybody in his path, making him a great contested shotmaker in this class. He also moves very well without the ball and has shown an ability to get to the hoop despite lacking an explosive first step. A crucial bulking offseason awaits the Canadian, who barely tipped the scales at 185 lbs this past season. If he can add weight without sacrificing his fluid movement, the Wizards got a legit scoring threat at the professional level.

Nets bolster defense with Drake Powell
Wing, North Carolina - 22nd overall

The Nets nabbed one of the best defenders in the draft with their third of five first-round picks. Powell's an athletic specimen with a 7-foot wingspan who can switch onto multiple positions. He can't immediately contribute on offense for a winning team, but the Nets won't be one of those for a few years. Powell has solid cutting instincts and can play without the ball. Plus, he shot nearly 38% from three. This is a low-risk pick with potentially high reward.

Hawks crash glass with Asa Newell pick
F, Georgia - 23rd overall pick

Newell might be the most energetic player in this draft - an absolute monster on the offensive glass and a pogo-stick dunker when given the opportunity. He was part of the star-studded Montverde Academy squad featuring Cooper Flagg, Derik Queen, and Liam McNeeley, so it's no surprise he learned to thrive on offense without having plays run for him. Newell is a bit of tweener with a lean frame at 6-foot-9, but he's very active defensively as a disruptor both down low and on the perimeter. His skill set suggests a lengthy NBA career that could reach All-Star levels if he can improve his long-range shooting from his 29% mark in college.

Kings deal for Nique Clifford
Wing, Colorado State - 24th overall

Trade details: Kings acquire Clifford from Thunder for 2027 protected first-round pick (Nos. 1-16)

Clifford should find an immediate role with his all-around skill set. The 6-foot-5 guard did it all for Colorado State, leading the Rams in scoring, rebounding, assists, and steals last season. He's a versatile defender and was among college basketball's top defensive rebounders over the last two campaigns. Clifford rounded out his offensive game as a fifth-year senior, developing as an isolation scorer and ball-handler. Sacramento's in win-now mode and couldn't afford to take on a developmental prospect. That seems to be the Kings' strategy behind trading with the Thunder to move up for Clifford.

Magic go with versatility of Jase Richardson
G, Michigan State - 25th overall

The son of Jason Richardson is a coach's dream: a player who impacts the game in a multitude of ways without needing plays called for him on offense. Jase Richardson is a stat-sheet stuffer with an all-around skill set that puts pressure on the defense from the opening tip. No, he doesn't have his father's otherworldly athleticism, but he offers more as a 3-point shooter, and he's an annoying presence defensively for any opposing guard. Richardson can likely contribute immediately in a bench role for the Magic, but his all-around ability gives him the ceiling of a solid NBA starter.

Nets take another guard in Ben Saraf
G, Israel - 26th overall

Are you sick of the Nets and their infinite first-round picks yet? Brooklyn obviously has a thing for guards and international players, and it's hard to blame the franchise given the success of some recent international prospects. The Nets needed guards to build around, and now they have plenty of options to evaluate over the next few seasons. Although Saraf was a projected second-rounder, it's not hard to see why he went a little earlier. The Israeli guard is an effective ball-handler and playmaker. He typically looks to pass out of the pick-and-roll, but if he can get to the rim at a higher rate and improve his shot, the Nets will look like geniuses.

Danny Wolf caps historic draft for Nets
C, Michigan - 27th overall

Wolf's strong play for Yale in the Ivy League translated despite stiffer Big Ten competition during his lone year at Michigan. The 7-footer was an inside-out threat for the Wolverines, demonstrating both a back-to-the-basket game and a 3-point stroke. Wolf's ability to handle the rock and create out of the pick-and-roll at his size could provide an interesting wrinkle to Brooklyn's offensive playbook. This pick also made the Nets the first team in NBA history to select five players in the first round of the draft as Wolf joins Demin, Traore, Powell, and Saraf.

Celtics select overseas prospect Hugo Gonzalez
Wing, Spain - 28th overall

Gonzalez was a fringe first-round prospect, but the Celtics saw something in the Spanish wing who played for Real Madrid the last two seasons. It's hard to properly evaluate him because of his limited role on a notable EuroLeague team. Gonzalez is considered a good defender, but there are concerns about his shot and decision-making. As Boston offloads expensive salaries and deals with injuries, Gonzalez could have an opportunity to see the floor sooner than expected.

Hornets stop Liam McNeeley's fall after trade
Wing, UConn - 29th overall

Trade details: Hornets receive McNeeley, 2029 first-round pick from Suns for Mark Williams

McNeeley's slide ends at No. 29 as the Hornets grab the UConn standout with the pick they acquired in the Mark Williams trade earlier in the night. McNeeley, 19, has a legit claim to be one of the best shooters in the draft despite pedestrian 32% shooting from deep in his lone college season. The Huskies' offense took a significant step back last year and lacked a creator who could get McNeeley open shots. When he did get uncontested catch-and-shoot looks, McNeeley hit more than 43% of them from 3-point range. That's how he's going to make his money in the NBA.

Clippers conclude Round 1 by picking Yanic Konan Niederhauser
C, Penn State - 30th overall

Konan Niederhauser is a 7-foot lob threat who finishes almost everything at the rim. His athleticism alone is worth the final pick of the first round. While he's a raw prospect with limited fundamentals, his rim-protection and finishing ability should give the Clippers hope he can back up Ivica Zubac productively. Konan Niederhauser is the first Penn State product ever selected in the first round.