The first round of the 2025 NBA Draft concluded on Wednesday, beginning with Cooper Flagg, the first of three Duke players chosen, heading to the Dallas Mavericks as the top pick. The night wrapped up with the LA Clippers selecting center Yanic Konan Niederhauser at pick number 30.
The night featured notable winners and unexpected selections, including the Utah Jazz`s choice of Rutgers guard Ace Bailey at number 5 and the Phoenix Suns acquiring Duke`s Khaman Maluach, the top-ranked center, at pick number 10.
Which team`s fans should feel optimistic about their favorite team`s performance on Day 1? For example, should Miami Heat fans be excited about potentially landing a future franchise point guard? Or should Pelicans fans be questioning the trade New Orleans made to move up and select Derik Queen?
It`s time to dissect the events of Wednesday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. ESPN`s Jonathan Givony, Jeremy Woo, and Kevin Pelton share their analysis of the winners, surprises, and biggest questions following the first 30 picks.
- Givony: Biggest Winners of Round 1
- Phoenix Suns
- Miami Heat
- Givony: Biggest Surprises of Round 1
- Portland Trail Blazers
- Utah Jazz
- What was the best pick of the night?
- What was your favorite trade of Round 1?
- Which title contender helped itself the most?
- What`s your favorite prospect-team fit outside of the lottery?
- True or false: Cooper Flagg will average 20 points as a rookie.
- Fill in the blank: New Orleans giving up its 2026 unprotected first-round pick is ___________.
- The Nets started Round 1 with five picks and used all five. How would you grade their night?
- Who are you most surprised to see still on the board heading into Round 2?
Givony: Biggest Winners of Round 1
Phoenix Suns
The pick: Khaman Maluach (No. 10)
The Suns` trade for Kevin Durant looks significantly better now that Maluach fell to number 10. This pick helps Phoenix solidify a vital center position and adds one of the draft`s most promising long-term talents.
Maluach brings intense effort, excellent timing for block shots, strong rebounding, and switchable defense – qualities the team lacked last season. He injects much-needed youth and dynamism into a roster heavy on guards.
Crucially, he is one of the youngest prospects in this draft, with considerable room for physical and skill development. Known for his strong character by coaches and teammates, his ability to catch lobs makes him an excellent partner for Devin Booker in pick-and-roll plays.
Miami Heat
The pick: Kasparas Jakucionis (No. 20)
It was surprising to see Jakucionis – ranked number 11 on our top 100 board – drop all the way to pick number 20.
Any initial disappointment over lost draft slot money was likely overshadowed by the realization that he landed in perhaps the most favorable situation for a guard prospect in this draft. Miami is a team in need of shot creation and playmaking, and he fits their culture and toughness perfectly.
Jakucionis`s versatility to play any guard position offers the Heat significant flexibility, especially when playing alongside Tyler Herro in the backcourt.
It wouldn`t be surprising if he eventually develops into the franchise`s primary point guard, thanks to his sophisticated handling of pick-and-rolls and exceptional basketball IQ.
Givony: Biggest Surprises of Round 1
Portland Trail Blazers
The pick: Yang Hansen, center (No. 16)
Hansen, ranked number 35 on the ESPN big board, made the most significant leap in the first round when Portland selected him at number 16.
The Trail Blazers have been impressed with Yang since scouting him with the Chinese national team at the FIBA U19 World Cup in 2023. They later traveled to watch him play in China, followed his progress in scrimmages in Las Vegas last summer with the senior national team, and conducted a private workout with him in Portland recently.
Despite drafting another 7-footer, Donovan Clingan, last year, the Trail Blazers adopt a best-player-available strategy and expressed excitement about Yang`s skills and character. They intend to bring him to the NBA immediately for development.
Utah Jazz
The pick: Ace Bailey (No. 5)
Ace Bailey appeared surprised when the Utah Jazz selected him at number 5. It seemed he was hoping to fall lower in the draft to destinations like Washington or Brooklyn. Bailey reportedly told Andscape`s Marc Spears after the draft that he had “no idea” the Jazz were interested.
Bailey declined multiple requests to visit and work out privately with Utah during the pre-draft process, and also with the Philadelphia 76ers at number 3 and the Charlotte Hornets at number 4. However, the Jazz felt they knew enough about his game and profile to be comfortable drafting him anyway.
New president of basketball operations Austin Ainge had interviewed Bailey at the NBA draft combine while part of the Boston Celtics` front office, and the rest of the Jazz leadership also interviewed him separately. Ainge had scouted him multiple times throughout the season at Rutgers.
Immediately after making the pick, Ainge told ESPN: “We really like him as a player and a fit in our program.”
What was the best pick of the night?
Pelton: Carter Bryant to the Spurs at number 14. Having spent most of his single season at Arizona coming off the bench, he might not contribute immediately to the Spurs. However, long-term, Bryant possesses the 3-and-D skill set that should ideally complement San Antonio`s core of 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 isn`t eligible for this title, I`ll choose Khaman Maluach to the Suns at number 10, as Givony explained earlier. It was an excellent outcome for Phoenix, and he might be exactly the type of player they need to anchor the team`s future direction.
To highlight another selection, I`ll pick Thomas Sorber at number 15, a great fit for the Thunder. They were rumored to be looking to trade up but were able to simply wait for him to drop. Oklahoma City made this pick with the future in mind, considering starting center Isaiah Hartenstein might be difficult to keep when Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren are due for their second contracts next year.
The Thunder acquired a prospect with the skills to offer a similar dimension and someone they can develop patiently over the next season or two. This pick, unsurprisingly, reflects the forward-thinking roster management the Thunder always demonstrate in the draft.
What was your favorite trade of Round 1?
Pelton: Atlanta receiving better of Milwaukee`s and New Orleans` first-round picks in 2026 in exchange for moving back only 10 spots from number 13 to number 23 could be hugely impactful a year from now. The Pelicans will face significant challenges making the playoffs in a competitive Western Conference, and the Bucks carry injury risk with Damian Lillard sidelined by Achilles rehab.
The Hawks might end up with a better pick next year than the one they gave up this year. Simply getting a pick in the teens would represent a massive win in terms of value.
Woo: As Kevin noted, the Atlanta-New Orleans trade was likely the most significant in terms of value, but it wouldn`t be my favorite, particularly from the Pelicans` perspective. We knew entering the night that the Pelicans might be targeting Derik Queen – and presumably, the Hawks were too, which they arguably used to extract substantial value from New Orleans, including an unprotected 2026 first-round pick that is the better of two different teams` selections.
It`s hard to see a clear path for New Orleans as currently constructed to consistently be a playoff team, especially if the plan involves significant minutes for Jeremiah Fears and Queen to maximize their development. It felt like a puzzling amount of risk for the Pelicans to undertake, and if Atlanta lands a high lottery pick next year, it will be painful regardless of how well Queen adapts to the NBA.
Which title contender helped itself the most?
Pelton: Am I allowed to include the Mavericks? To be clear, it`s unlikely any player drafted on Wednesday will play a crucial role in the final two rounds of next season`s playoffs. I`d say that`s more likely to happen after Thursday`s picks.
Based on that, the move that might have the most significant long-term effect on a 2026 title contender could be the Thunder pushing back their number 24 pick by acquiring a 2026 first-round pick from the Kings.
Woo: I should preface this by saying not many clear contenders made draft picks – but I did like the Magic`s approach in this draft. This included their bold yet calculated trade for Desmond Bane (sending the number 16 pick as part of a package to Memphis) and allowing the board to play out before selecting Jase Richardson at number 25.
Richardson could potentially contribute off the bench for the Magic early in his career, providing them with a potentially valuable (and cost-effective) depth player during a period when they are committed to competing at the highest level with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.
Am I ready to declare the Magic a definite contender? With the Eastern Conference as open as it is, they certainly aspire to be. They`ve definitely had a strong start to the offseason.
What`s your favorite prospect-team fit outside of the lottery?
Pelton: Kasparas Jakucionis to the Heat at number 20. My comparison for Jakucionis, if he reaches his potential, has been former Miami guard Goran Dragic. Both are physical guards with shooting ability. Dragic improved his high turnover rate from his younger years, and Jakucionis will need to do the same.
Jakucionis`s size at 6-foot-6 allows him to play alongside either Tyler Herro or Davion Mitchell, assuming the Heat retain Mitchell as a restricted free agent.
Woo: Joan Beringer to the Timberwolves at number 18. I have high hopes for Beringer`s long-term potential – finding centers with his physical attributes who can also run the floor and protect the rim is rare. His youth and relative inexperience offer significant room for growth.
Developing behind another Frenchman, Rudy Gobert, who could serve as a valuable mentor as Beringer makes the leap to the NBA, could be an ideal situation to help him tap into his considerable talent.
This might take time to yield results, but as Minnesota continues to build a winning team around Anthony Edwards, acquiring a player of this potential who also addresses a long-term need could be a real steal.
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. And on a contending team with Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson, that might also add a shot creator at point guard in Kyrie Irving`s absence? I don`t think that`s a realistic expectation.
Woo: False, but I don`t consider that a concern. It depends more on how much offensive responsibility the Mavericks plan to give him immediately than anything else – but it`s Flagg`s well-roundedness that should stand out and make him the front-runner for Rookie of the Year. Dallas should be optimistic about his future without burdening him with more than he can handle right away.
Fill in the blank: New Orleans giving up its 2026 unprotected first-round pick is ___________.
Pelton: Jumping out of the plane without a parachute. The Pelicans saw last season what can happen when injuries occur in the West. They entered the lottery with a 12.5% chance for the number 1 pick. Imagine the feeling in New Orleans if the Hawks are in a position to win the lottery with the Pelicans` pick.
Woo: A mistimed decision. It`s one thing to trade a pick a year in advance with a clear path to a playoff spot, or to acquire a player who can help you get there. It`s another to use it as a gamble on a rookie – even one you really like – without leaving yourself any sort of safety net if things don`t go well. I also question the long-term fit of Queen alongside Zion Williamson – two bigs who excel offensively but offer limited rim protection and no floor spacing. While I like some players on the Pelicans` roster, I`ve been confused about their overall direction, and that was before they decided to take such a significant leap of faith.
The Nets started Round 1 with five picks and used all five. How would you grade their night?
Pelton: Probably a C-plus. Brooklyn seemed to strongly lean towards developmental prospects, selecting two one-and-done players (Egor Demin at number 8 and Drake Powell at number 22) in addition to 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 their only pick older than 19.
I would have preferred to see a little more proven production. Demin, ranked eighth, was the only Nets pick to rank in the top 23 in my statistics-based projections.
Woo: I`d give them a B. When you make five picks, your draft board is unlikely to perfectly match consensus, but I can understand the vision they seem to have for the roster, and I`m intrigued to see how it plays out. The Nets appear clearly committed to how coach Jordi Fernandez wants to play and loaded up on players with positional size and passing ability (Demin, Traore, Saraf, Wolf). They also took a chance on Powell, who was considered a potential lottery pick entering the season and was arguably misused at North Carolina playing significant time at power forward.
I`m not certain exactly how this group will perform, but I respect their approach, and they will have ample time next season to evaluate all their players and determine their future path.
Who are you most surprised to see still on the board heading into Round 2?
Pelton: Rasheer Fleming (Saint Joseph`s). At number 27 in the final mock draft by Givony and Woo, Fleming was the highest-ranked player not selected in the first round. Fleming was even higher, 18th, in my statistics-based projections.
It will be interesting to see if teams try to maneuver on Thursday to select Fleming early in Round 2.
Woo: Maxime Raynaud (Stanford). I thought he had done enough to be drafted in the 20s. However, with several other big men being selected in the first round, including Yang Hansen`s unexpected jump, he was one of the players who ultimately slipped. I expect a few teams will be looking for ways to acquire him early in the 30s.
