2025 NBA Draft Grades, Analysis and Trade Breakdowns
The first round of the 2025 NBA Draft is in the books. Today, before we kick off the second round, Brian and Zach continue their annual tradition of breaking down and grading each pick so far.
Dallas Mavericks: Cooper Flagg
Zach’s Thoughts: Duh. Exactly what we’ve known would happen all this time. Flagg enters the league as an immediate superstar and he’ll be well on his way to a hopeful Hall of Fame-level career if all goes as we think.
Grade: A+
Brian’s Thoughts: Who could’ve seen that coming? I mean this is a clear A+. You take the best player on the board and you don’t overthink it. It’s a massive get out of jail free card for the Mavs but Flagg should go 1 and that’s what happened.
Grade: A+
San Antonio Spurs: Dylan Harper
Zach’s Thoughts: Another no-brainer. It’s a great pick for San Antonio, and even in spite of two other solid guards on the team, all 3 will be able to coexist and do so comfortably. Harper and Castle eventually being the core starters is going to be so much fun.
Grade: A+
Brian’s Thoughts: You couldn’t have gone better for this pick. Dylan Harper will be able to play off of Fox and Castle. He can be the full time PG once Fox moves on. He’ll be great next to Wembanyama long term and this is the clear cut #2 pick.
Grade: A+
Philadelphia 76ers: VJ Edgecombe
Zach’s Thoughts: This is pretty much what we expected, and it still gets an A. Edgecombe is far from a perfect pick or your ideal 3rd overall pick in most classes just based on potential low-end to median outcomes, but the potential is very high once we see how his offensive role can settle and mature. He’s going to be a key piece alongside Maxey and McCain. He adds a lot and his defense is going to leap out very early into his career. We just need to see the offense fully come on and we could be looking at fringe star outcomes.
Grade: A
Brian’s Thoughts: It seemed like it was trending that way this whole time. Obviously a great human being who’s going to work hard and contribute on defense from the jump. I’m skeptical of the offense and how it looks long term but Edgecombe should play well off of McCain in the bench unit to start his career.
Grade: B+
Charlotte Hornets: Kon Knueppel
Zach’s Thoughts: It was the right pick. Kon is a great connective guy to play between LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. Good passer for his role and spot, fine defender who won’t be a target or a cone, good functional athleticism and isn’t just the sneaky/scrappy/lunch pail guy. I see a lot more upside here than I think some want to admit.
Grade: A
Brian’s Thoughts: I also think this was the right move for the Hornets. I ended up with Kon at #3 on my board. He’s just won at all levels. He’s a better defender than what people think. He’s sneaky athletic but doesn’t look it because he does look a bit bigger than some of the other prospects. He can be a real complimentary piece with some real upside as a scorer. No complaints from me.
Grade: A
Utah Jazz: Ace Bailey
Zach’s Thoughts: Wow! Every fiber of my being was ready to see him become a Wizard. We literally knew he didn’t seem to like going to Utah, and the Ainges said, “sorry, bud.” I like the pick, though. Ace is very Danny Ainge-coded just based on how he built the current iteration of the Boston Celtics and on a team wide open with opportunity like Utah, it’s going to be easy to have Ace buy in and have a firm proof of concept for what he can develop into as a Day 1 starter to eventually being handed the keys to the future. Say what you will about the many blemishes to his game; he’s a very talented shotmaker and there is an unbelievable amount to love about his game and his physical stature. A for me, and an A for Utah having the confidence to still swing like this.
Grade: A
Brian’s Thoughts: After being traumatized by the Jeremiah Fears to Washington rumors, I am perfectly happy with Ace Bailey at 5. I know Ace made it clear that he didn’t want to play for Utah. They very much did not care and still took the swing. If you are someone who wants to own Ace in dynasty, you should be relieved he ended up here. Will Hardy will know how to use him. He won’t get distracted off the court. I think he might start from day 1. Michael Porter Jr has said ending up in Denver was a blessing in disguise because he wasn’t able to get distracted as easily when he was younger. I have a feeling Ace could be in a similar mold. It’s the best spot for Ace to me.
Grade: A-
Washington Wizards: Tre Johnson
Zach’s Thoughts: Excellent pick. Washington and Utah essentially flipped who I thought they would take in my final mocks of the year, but this checks out all the same. Tre Johnson comes in as their best young player from Day 1 and it wouldn’t be impossible to see him pretty close behind CJ McCollum in points per game on this team this year. He’ll have free reign to demolish offensively while he hones the other areas of his game.
Grade: A
Brian’s Thoughts: The Wizards essentially drafted a younger Jordan Poole with way more upside. Man, I love this pick for Washington. He has the potential to be a lead guard on the team and he really could be weaponized in time with the defenders they have around him. This could end up being a great spot for him long term.
Grade: A+
New Orleans Pelicans: Jeremiah Fears
Zach’s Thoughts: I think I just like this fit and developmental plan for Fears more than others, and that’s understandable. He is very raw and has a lot on offense to figure out. I think the building blocks are at least there as far as playmaking and just how he’s learning to use his gifts as a high-end athlete and vision to impact the body, and when you have a team with Dejounte Murray, it’s easy to squint and say, “Well, maybe you can be that, too.” I think the longer term fit with Jordan Poole is interesting if he indeed starts down the line and getting to play through the bad (and it will be really, REALLY rough early on), finding that refined version of himself to play off Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy could be very crucial for everyone on this team. I want to be clear, too: I liked the pick independent of the other New Orleans pick. Collectively, not a fan of anything they did in this draft, but solely on this pick, I like it fine enough.
Grade: B-
Brian’s Thoughts: I liked Jeremiah Fears and I liked the potential. I really hope he succeeds with the Pelicans. I worry they just drafted a more raw version of Dejounte Murray. I think Fears has a real shot to be one of the most negatively impactful players in the NBA because of his frame and potential lack of shooting. I want to make this clear, this does not mean I don’t think he’ll be good eventually but I worry here in a real way and the Pelicans did something tonight. I don’t know how to describe it but my goodness. I’ll rant about it when we get to it but with that impending trade, this pick makes even less sense than it did before.
Grade: C+
Brooklyn Nets: Egor Demin
Zach’s Thoughts: THIS is how you swing for the fences, folks. It’s funny too, because Brian literally brought this up earlier on Draft Day when we linked up with Noah Rubin on the Young Man Squad Fantasy Basketball podcast. Egor Demin might be both the best passer and the most polarizing talent in this class with a crucial swing skill on just being able to shoot and ultimately developing more into a true weapon as a jumbo ball handler. There’s a definite margin for error in this pick, but I think the vision is clear and that he can be a starter from Day 1 if he continues making real progress. A lot of people hate this pick, but Brian and I are going to stand on business for this one and go to bat for our boy. It’s risky, but I think it can really pay off with patience.
Grade: B+
Brian’s Thoughts: I know there are people that are going to hate this pick. I actually like it and I understand what Brooklyn is doing here at this pick specifically. It makes less sense when you combine it with all the other picks they made. I really think Jordi Fernandez is going to find a way to utilize him correctly. He’s a really good kid and smart. I wish nothing but the best for him in Brooklyn. I ended up with Demin at 7 on my board anyway so this is perfectly fine to me.
Grade: A
Toronto Raptors: Collin Murray-Boyles
Zach’s Thoughts: I like Collin Murray-Boyles, but with respect to Jonathan Mogbo, when you already have a worse, less refined, less defensively inclined version of Murray-Boyles on the roster, what’s the real draw here? Murray-Boyles is a good player as sort of a roaming free safety/small ball big that can be a one-man defensive wrecking crew in a Draymond Green sort of mold, and I think he has some good stuff in his two-way arsenal without even needing to shoot. I just don’t know about the team fit. He certainly fits Darko Rajakovic’s desire for a free-flowing offense with passers all over, but I think Murray-Boyles’ fit is too at odds with Scottie Barnes and other players to really be utilized properly. I just think this wasn’t the right move even though I do acknowledge the talent is high.
Grade: C-
Brian’s Thoughts: This was one of the more confusing picks in the draft to me. I like Murray-Boyles as the player. I just don’t like this fit in Toronto. I expect him to play off the bench immediately but he needs the ball in his hands to be effective and he’s not getting the ball with the roster that they have. On top of that, he doesn’t exactly maximize Scottie’s strengths either. I know some people will bring up the fact they have Jonathan Mogbo who is similar to him. That is 100% but Murray-Boyles can really defend better than Mogbo. However, they still have players like him on the roster. I don’t agree with the process here.
Grade: C
Phoenix Suns: Khaman Malauch
Zach’s Thoughts: I actually really like this move for the Suns. Right before this pick, the Suns traded the 29th pick and a 2029 1st for Mark Williams from the Hornets, and turned right around to take Khaman Malauch. I think this could look really smart for the Suns to utilize two bigs in this way. You have Williams, a strong offensive player who isn’t much of a good defender. You add Malauch behind him, who is pretty raw on offense but is slightly bigger and has a lot more potential on defense. I think Malauch is still a decent defender who can contribute in small bursts early on, and he now has more time and less pressure to hone his skills more clearly to evolve in a meaningful way and with an organization that places clear trust and confidence in his growth. It’s undoubtedly a weird roster and perhaps not the highest need when you have Nick Richards and Oso Ighodaro to back up Mark Williams, but I can’t argue with the process of adding a high-upside big when you see it. It’s a bold move and I think the Suns did very well here in getting a potential defensive anchor for their 2nd unit until it’s his time to shine.
Grade: A
Brian’s Thoughts: I really don’t know how to think about this. I don’t think Khaman is a great defender at this point. Phoenix isn’t stopping anyone on defense so it’s not like he’s going to get much help. Khaman is a good lob threat and has good hands when he’s in the air. The issue is who is passing the ball? On top of that, they traded for Mark Williams who is frequently compared to Khaman. You already have Nick Richards and Oso Ighodaro right now who need minutes. I wish they traded this pick to move down a couple spots if they could. Like, I would’ve taken Memphis’s offer that they gave to Portland for this pick to move down and get someone that fits better with how the team is currently constructed. It’s truly one of the weirdest looking rosters in the league.
Grade: B
Memphis Grizzlies (via Portland Trail Blazers): Cedric Coward
Zach’s Thoughts: When the Grizzlies initially traded for the 16th pick in the draft, I felt that the desired end result should be moving up for one of Carter Bryant or Cedric Coward. This checked out perfectly with that, and Coward is just a perfect fit in Memphis. Great connective piece to start next to Ja Morant, very long and wiry, has shown some quality two-way skills and shotmaking that any NBA team wants and needs to be a good team, but we just have a really limited sample size on what he can do. It was a lot to pay up for Coward and move up 5 spots, but this is precisely the “get your guy” move that can change a franchise's whole trajectory again after trading away a top player like Desmond Bane. This pick is an A for taking Coward and a C+ for the price of trading up. We’ll see if it was worth it.
Grade: A for taking Coward, C+ for the trade
Brian’s Thoughts: This might be the biggest Memphis Grizzlies guy in the draft and I’m not shocked at all that it cost that much to move up and get him. Good job for Portland to get that package for this pick. It’s still a lot but honestly, if Coward hits like they expect him to, he’s going to be someone who could be in the mix for max contracts. He fits well off of Ja Morant. They form a fantastic Washington State wing duo to tackle defensive matchups. Smart move by Memphis.
Grade: A-
Chicago Bulls: Noa Essengue
Zach’s Thoughts: I was intrigued by the pick at first, but soured as the night went on. I don’t know, man. I think it just looks a lot worse to me on paper when you consider they already took Matas Buzelis, who’s best at power forward (roughly a 20-80 split at SF vs. PF total minutes) and they still have Patrick Williams. I think a small forward or a big was more the pick. Also, as Brian points out, Noa Essengue is just such a work in progress, and when your only real higher-end-to-elite advantages are driving, drawing fouls, and height/length at 6’9”-ish and 7’, I just don’t feel that’s enough here for Chicago. It’s a fine pick, ultimately. I get why they would take the swing. I just think it might be a mistake considering both Thomas Sorber and Carter Bryant were still on the board.
Grade: C+
Brian’s Thoughts: I’ve struggled with Noa all year. I get why people like him, I just don’t think that getting to the free throw line as your only elite skill is going to be a massive recipe for success. On top of that, it's the Chicago Bulls who drafted Matas Buzelis last season and still have Patrick Williams albatross contract on the books. It’s going to take time for Noa to get established.
Grade: C
New Orleans Pelicans: Derik Queen
Zach’s Thoughts: Woof. Okay. Brian and I both really like Derik Queen, the offensive player. I don’t think I necessarily disagree with taking Queen this high at 13 considering the upside he does offer, and whether that’s purely as a potential offensive hub or not, I think it’s justifiable. That being said, this is just a horrendous move in context. With Fears and Poole in the mix, the Pelicans’ defense is going to look bad already. Add in Queen, and it may be pretty near the bottom of the league again, only being held up by Herb Jones. Conceptually, I always felt like Derik Queen was best suited in an environment where he could be covered up defensively to some degree. Washington was one idea next to good defenders in Bilal Coulibaly and Alex Sarr. Minnesota was another, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert. Oklahoma City, the team that has all good defenders. San Antonio, improving and also can support him next to Victor Wembanyama. Instead, he gets one of the worst fits imaginable for the defensive side of it. Still, the offensive talent next to Williamson at their sizes is great and I think there could be a fun group here to see on the offensive end, just barrelling down on dudes and creating mismatches. What really pushes this beyond the pale is the absolutely, unbelievably awful trade to get here, in which New Orleans traded the 23rd pick and the MOST favorable pick between New Orleans and Milwaukee. Right now, those picks project to be fine on paper and with everyone healthy, but these two teams could go south incredibly quickly. Why, why, why did the Pelicans bet against themselves a year after going 21-61 and perpetually being an oft-injured team and the Milwaukee Bucks, who still have a chance at stinking with Damian Lillard out for the year? And this is on top of giving another first, too. Like, WHAT?! You might be looking at giving a top 5-10 pick up on top of another pick to move up 10 spots. This has potential to go so, so, so freaking bad. I was very harsh on the hirings of Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver and I’m not even kidding when I say this: this is a near-fireable offense already for Weaver as a guy who, frankly, doesn’t deserve a GM job ever again. He’s literally just following his same roadmap for Detroit again. So yeah, fun player who I still believe in, questionable pick, beyond ridiculous process to get the pick and one of the most baffling draft trades in recent memory.
Grade: C- for the pick, F for the trade, #FireTroyWeaver
Brian’s Thoughts: I’m sorry Pelicans fans. Look, I like Derik Queen as a player and I think the pick in terms of a value proposition was fine. On the other hand, how does Troy Weaver still have a job? There’s no reason that Derik Queen, who tested horribly at the combine, who was polarizing league wide, was worth giving up the best pick between NEW ORLEANS AND MILWAUKEE next season. Atlanta absolutely cooked in this trade and likely still took a guy they might’ve taken at 13. Absolute insanity. That pick swap next season could be a top 5 pick if things go really bad for New Orleans or Milwaukee next season. Then you have the fit with Zion. They play in the same spaces on the court. I don’t think Queen is shooting it at a high level. He’s the same size as Zion. The defense is a real worry. They have Fears and now Jordan Poole. Herb Jones can’t play 1 on 5. Truly one of the most baffling situations. As for dynasty, I think he’s interesting and you might have to take him earlier than he went here because he’s going to play but there’s real risk here.
Grade: Can I go lower than an F for the trade? C- for the pick
San Antonio Spurs: Carter Bryant
Zach’s Thoughts: Perfect, perfect pick. You couldn’t have done any better. Carter Bryant is a fantastic 3&D player who could have some really strong untapped upside as he continues to develop. I’ve been outspoken about my beliefs on how far he could go in terms of taking that role player-to-starter-to-high-end starter trajectory and then some when you consider role malleability, but even if he tops out as a good role player, getting a winning piece at 14 in any year is a W. Carter Bryant has supposedly worked out and interviewed extremely well and seems to be a very poised, smart, and mature young man with basketball IQ beyond his years. I was already all the way in off his work ethic and motor alone. He absolutely will be a winning player in an organization like the Spurs.
Grade: A+
Brian’s Thoughts: You add a hard worker, smart off ball player who can shoot next to Victor Wembanyama. Absolutely great pick for the Spurs. Maybe Carter is like Harrison Barnes but that’s a win at the 14th pick. Enjoy the gift that you were given by having him fall there.
Grade: A+
Oklahoma City Thunder: Thomas Sorber
Zach’s Thoughts: What a win for OKC to come off winning game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals and turn right around and add a stellar defensive-minded center 4 days later. I didn’t think Sorber would be on the board here, so to have him giftwrapped when they don’t even need him for a year or more is crazy. Great pick, awesome fit with Chet Holmgren if they’re eventually priced out of Isaiah Hartenstein, and fits the exact vision Sam Presti constructed a championship-winning roster in.
Grade: A
Brian’s Thoughts: This makes a lot of sense for OKC. They need cost control on some of these young guys. Sorber won’t play much next season but could be a fun guy for fantasy the year after. The Thunder continue to collect good players that fit their system. The rich continue to get richer.
Grade: A
Portland Trail Blazers: Hansen Yang
Zach’s Thoughts: Okay. I kinda crashed out when this pick first happened. I’m trying to come at things more calm, cool and collected. But guys, what are we doing here? What is this process? I suppose I’ll start with playing Devil’s advocate here: conceptually, I understand what GM Joe Cronin might’ve been thinking: he’s a player with strong feel, and regardless of the quality of the league, you can’t teach it. He’s a strong passer and that kind of outlier skill can be very valuable, especially if he can even be a fraction of Nikola Jokic or Alperen Sengun. I don’t think the process on the team coveting Deni Avdija how they did is so dissimilar from what they like about Yang. But… come on. You have DeAndre Ayton, who makes $35 million this year as an expiring and likely returns if there’s not much of a market. You have Donovan Clingan, who you just drafted 7th overall in 2024 and might be functionally quicker than Yang, which… I don’t even feel like getting into this here. You have Robert Williams, an oft-injured guy who can barely tolerate playing starting minutes because of his injury history that you chose not to trade, and Duop Reath, who could be a legit rotation piece on most other NBA teams. Yes, some of them are probably gone next year or after, but again, why even bother with Yang at 16th overall when he surely would’ve been available lower? Who were they outbidding here? I don’t want to lay it on so hard here, but I think Yang is a long way away from being a positive contributor on both ends of the floor and I already thought that even as someone who had him barely in the top 50 in my final big board. Yang is very slow and I see him really struggling against big and athletic NBA starting centers. I see him as a cone on defense. I just don’t know what he can do as a full package on the court, and I think he needs a lot of time to learn how to be a fully rounded NBA player. I just… don’t see a prospect here worthy of the 16th overall pick. I’m sorry. I hope I am wrong about Yang because the idea of him is so much fun and I’ll be happy to admit how wrong I was, but man, this might be one of the biggest reaches I’ve ever seen. Surely the biggest since we started the Dizzle Dynasty.
Grade: F
Brian’s Thoughts: Like, what’s the reasoning here? LIke seriously. You have DeAndre Ayton, Donovan Clingan, Rob Williams, and Duop Reath on the roster right now. Yes, I know that many of them won’t be on the team beyond next season. I know he can pass and there’s potential for some rim protection. Is the best case scenario a worse version of Donovan Clingan? I don’t think Yang is going to be able to move with NBA athletes consistently. You can find backup centers that are better for cheaper than Yang too. The process just seems off to me. If this was the plan the whole time, then at least they moved down and got some additional assets. They should’ve tried harder to move further down if they could. They clearly valued the CBA play and it’s worth noting that they had Yongxi Cui last season for summer league so there was clearly some interest.
Grade: D
Minnesota Timberwolves: Joan Beringer
Zach’s Thoughts: Yeah, I think this is a solid pick. Beringer was someone they had clear interest in with reported workouts, and even if he is a project player, there can be real opportunity to learn early and get chances to play behind Rudy Gobert when called on. Having a mentor like Gobert will be very important for Beringer and Minnesota at large. Minnesota is not afraid to mix it up for a combination of youth and ready-to-go upperclassmen as they built around Anthony Edwards and this is a smart, proactive move in case Naz Reid leaves.
Grade: A-
Brian’s Thoughts: I love this pick for the Timberwolves. He’s a real project but I think there’s a chance he could play some spot minutes here and there as a rookie. He’d get to learn from Rudy Gobert which is a massive plus. I think there’s a lot of similarities as prospects between the two. I’m glad they took the swing on him and for dynasty, this is an interesting sleeper target late in drafts.
Grade: A
Utah Jazz (via Washington Wizards): Walter Clayton Jr.
Zach’s Thoughts: Incredible pick, and I really wish I saw this coming more. My current lukewarm take is that Clayton is now the best guard in Utah. He’s surely the best shotmaker and I’m extremely excited that he has a real opportunity to snatch up a starting role immediately. Absolutely loved Clayton throughout this cycle, he’s an unreal shooter, he’s a real winner that was the best player on a national championship team, he’s a ridiculous clutch player and rises to big moments under bright lights, and he’s going to be a winning two-way guard from Day 1. Shocking pick, but a very great surprise. Utah really cooked in this draft.
Grade: A
Brian’s Thoughts: Why didn’t we ever connect the dots for Utah and Walter? Like, Danny and Austin drafted Payton Pritchard in Boston, the guy we pretty consistently compared Walter Clayton to. He’s not a true PG but he’s a really good shooter. He’s tough and physical. I’ll be honest, I think there’s a real chance he’s a better NBA player than Isaiah Collier already. I think there’s more starter upside long term. (Keep in mind, I was never a big Isaiah Collier guy.) I had Walter lower on my board than this but I think this fit is fantastic. It was quite a bit to move up and get him but I think it was worth it to get the guy you’re really set on.
Grade: A-
Brooklyn Nets: Nolan Traore
Zach’s Thoughts: I’ve been lower on Traore for most of this cycle, but I have to admit that this is an objectively decent pick in terms of value. He was once thought of as a top 5-10 talent in this class and there were real reasons why before he started to dip in his overseas play. Once he begins to show some growth as a shooter, he can make a real push for the starting lineup. Don’t love Traore overall, I would’ve taken Jakucionis here, but it makes sense.
Grade: B-
Brian’s Thoughts: I like this pick for Brooklyn. This could be a real buy low opportunity for the Nets if Traore figures out the shooting consistency. There’s a real opportunity to play and it should happen immediately. This is about where I have Nolan as it is so I like this pick.
Grade: B+
Miami Heat: Kasparas Jakucionis
Zach’s Thoughts: Uh… yeah, I think the league might’ve screwed up giving the Heat exactly what they needed, and letting a projected top 10-14 player in this class fall into Erik Spoelstra’s hands. The Heat came in with a clear need at point guard and generally needed some more scoring punch after the loss of Jimmy Butler. We all assumed the target was Walter Clayton Jr., and he probably was before Utah swooped in. I think this could be even better than picking Clayton, honestly. Great size for a point guard, very good feel that should mature nicely with a stellar development staff around him, great passer and shotmaker. Great, great selection, and could be the steal of the draft one day.
Grade: A+
Brian’s Thoughts: This is a home run pick to me. I know he struggled down the stretch of the season, I think that had more to do with the injury and illness that swept through the team. I think Spo will know how to use him and will use him similarly to how he was used at Illinois, particularly on defense. I think there’s a real chance that he ends up being a starter as a rookie at some point. If you’re in dynasty, I’d feel comfortable taking him way higher than 20. I haven’t sat down and done dynasty rankings stuff yet, but I think he should be the first non-lottery pick off the board and should probably go ahead of some of the lottery picks.
Grade: A+
Washington Wizards (via Utah Jazz): Will Riley
Zach’s Thoughts: I like Will Riley the idea a lot more than Will Riley the player right now. I see the vision here and what the draw is with Riley in general, especially with a team that does value his sort of archetype, plus size/length and passing feel. I just think there were better players on the board for Washington than Riley, personally. It’s a fine pick.
Grade: C+
Brian’s Thoughts: I get why they took him. I just don’t really see it with Will Riley. He’s got to get stronger and it’s not always the easiest thing to do. He’s not a consistent shooter at this point. I’ll also be honest, I really liked, and still do like Jett Howard and to me, I think Jett’s just a better prospect than Will. He’s someone I’ll gladly be wrong on if he does break out.
Grade: D
Brooklyn Nets: Drake Powell
Zach’s Thoughts: My favorite landing spot for Powell has been Brooklyn and I like this get for them. Really eye-popping athleticism at points and can use it to his advantage early and often, great motor and physicality, impressive defense and could excel as one of the best non-big defenders of this class if things go well for him, just lots of potential to be a good 3&D piece. We just haven’t gotten to see a lot and Powell’s North Carolina role held him back badly with roughly 14-15% usage. I really liked Powell coming out of high school and I’m willing to stick to my guns hoping he can earn a role early in Brooklyn.
Grade: B+
Brian’s Thoughts: Drake Powell is an excellent defensive prospect and this team can certainly use that. I don’t love Drake as a prospect and I just feel it’s too early. There could be real potential as a good role player in a 3-n-D mold but I’m worried about that really low usage in college. Plus for fantasy, I don’t think he profiles very well as a fantasy player. If you do take him, I’d try to move him after his rookie season.
Grade: C-
Atlanta Hawks (via New Orleans Pelicans): Asa Newell
Zach’s Thoughts: There’s been a ton of Atlanta connections here beyond just going to the University of Georgia, but quite a surprise to see them take another big after just trading for Kristaps Porzingis. I like this get overall, and I agree with the process, especially if he is indeed able to play some PF like Brian mentioned. I’m still very interested to see if/how the shooting can come along.
Grade: A-
Brian’s Thoughts: If you need more evidence that the Hawks don’t value Onyeka Okongwu very highly, this is it. It seemed like they’ve liked Asa this whole time. Asa might be able to play a bit of the backup PF for them. It’s another lob threat for Trae Young. I think this was one of the best players on the board at the time as well. Atlanta nailed this draft as well. That trade is going to likely pay dividends for them long term. Onsi Saleh killed it in his first draft.
Grade: A-
Sacramento Kings (via Oklahoma City Thunder): Nique Clifford
Zach’s Thoughts: Great move, wow. I’m impressed by the splash from new GM Scott Perry. I’ve been very high on Colorado State’s do-it-all wing all cycle and I was a bit shocked he went about 8-10 spots lower than I thought he deserved to go. To get him here at 24 is a big win. Clifford can immediately come in as a strong defender that can shoot, pass a little, and destroy the glass. He’s a beast and fits right in with Keon Ellis off the bench. I can’t think of a better pick for the Kings, especially considering Clifford would’ve been long gone on my mock draft by the time I thought Sacramento would aim to move up. Love the trade as well, and only needing to give that 2027 first from San Antonio that may just covey into 2 2nds is such a win. Great job here, Sacramento.
Grade: A for the pick, A for the trade
Brian’s Thoughts: I think this was really smart process by the Kings. That San Antonio first might not be very valuable at all since its in 2027. You get to keep it if they have injury issues and send second round picks instead. They go and get a wing defender who can hit 3’s and rebound. Nique won’t start but he should be in the rotation. He was BPA for the Kings and they go him. Absolutely no complaints from me and Kings fans will really like having him.
Grade: A
Orlando Magic: Jase Richardson
Zach’s Thoughts: If you take away him being 6’1.5” without shoes, this is like the perfect Orlando Magic pick. Even in spite of his size limitations, Richardson is a very high-feel player that can immediately come in for Orlando as a bench piece. Very good shooter, very good feel for the game, not a true PG but can pass it. I like it overall. He should fit right in next to Anthony Black as the first 2 guards off the bench.
Grade: A-
Brian’s Thoughts: Jase is a very smart basketball player. I’m surprised Orlando took the swing on him given that they tend to go big with positional size. Jase isn’t that but he’s got a great BBIQ. He can shoot and they need it. I would imagine Jase is a bench player for them eventually but I doubt it happens this year.
Grade: B+
Brooklyn Nets: Ben Saraf
Zach’s Thoughts: I think Saraf is a fine pick in the late 20s to early 30s range, but I don’t really think he was the pick Brooklyn should’ve gone with when they already took Egor Demin and Nolan Traore. I think there’s some bottleneck brewing there even if one of them can emerge as a shooter. Can any of them? Definitely some cause for concern here. He’s certainly my least favorite pick of theirs.
Grade: C
Brian’s Thoughts: I didn’t love this fit for Brooklyn. You already have Egor and Nolan. Why do you need Saraf too? I guess there’s the potential for him to be stashed overseas but they have so much overlap on their roster. I think Saraf in this range was fine but I don’t think the Nets should’ve taken him.
Grade: C+
Brooklyn Nets: Danny Wolf
Zach’s Thoughts: Ending the Nets’ record-setting draft by selecting 5 times in this draft on Danny Wolf is fitting for this draft from them. I like Danny Wolf, but I don’t know how this is going to go. You essentially drafted 4 different players that need the ball in their hands to be properly effective, and you still have Cam Thomas and Cameron Johnson on your team. I just don’t really see how the full view of the class is going to fit with one another, and while I think the pieces are fun, I don’t really like the entire picture. We’ll see how things pan out in Summer League and beyond.
Grade: C+
Brian’s Thoughts: I really like Danny Wolf but he’s another player that needs the ball in his hands. Most of the other prospects on this team need the ball in their hands as well. I’m really interested to see how this works with all of these guys together but I do like Wolf and think he can play. I wonder if he’s in the rotation immediately especially if they move off of Day’Ron Sharpe.
Grade: B
Boston Celtics: Hugo Gonzalez
Zach’s Thoughts: I probably would’ve preferred Ryan Kalkbrenner here, but wow, I can’t even be mad when the pick is ultimately Hugo Gonzalez. I really, really like Gonzalez’s potential already, but giving him to Boston puts him way over the top for me. He fits their ideal type to a T, he’s got 3&D wing written all over him, and he’s a tenacious defender and athlete. If things go right for Gonzalez and Boston heavily invests in his development like I think they will in a potential lost year, we could look back on this as the steal of this draft. Absolutely love this pick and love everything Brad Stevens has done this offseason. I imagine he comes to the NBA immediately and I look forward to seeing him on the court soon.
Grade: A
Brian’s Thoughts: I really like this pick for Boston. He fits their mold of player and if he shoots it, he’s a real deal 3-n-D wing that can handle the ball a little bit. He’ll have an opportunity to play immediately if he comes over this year. Can’t complain at all.
Grade: A
Charlotte Hornets (via Phoenix Suns): Liam McNeeley
Zach’s Thoughts: Maybe it’s a little safe and a slight risk considering the best centers on the Hornets right now are Moussa Diabate and Jusuf Nurkic, but the trade to get this pick and another future one for Mark Williams was good process. I think adding shooting in this way is key. McNeeley didn’t shoot it well this year, but we definitely know he can shoot and has backed it up plenty. He’s a good addition to the rotation and I imagine he scratches that Dalton Knecht itch they had last season in the failed Mark Williams trade. I wasn’t big on Charlotte’s selections last draft, but I think they crushed the first round. I expect them to add a center at either 33rd or 34th overall today.
Grade: B
Brian’s Thoughts: So first of all, I really like this for the Hornets. Trading Mark Williams while they could was smart. I think there’s a real chance Liam is a better prospect than Dalton Knecht as it is if we’re comparing it to last year’s failed deal. Liam has won at a lot of levels and will just need to shoot and defend in Charlotte. It was a very smart pick in my opinion and I really like what they’ve done in Charlotte recently.
Grade: B+
Los Angeles Clippers: Yanic Konan Niederhauser
Zach’s Thoughts: I see the vision and why Yanic was desirable to them. The Clippers have never been afraid to go bold on their picks and I have to assume he must’ve crushed workouts in order to get them to buy in here. That much I can understand, but with Maxime Raynaud and Ryan Kalkbrenner still on the board, I think this is a big, big misfire to go for the raw 22 year-old big man when you’re aiming to win now and maximize the Kawhi Leonard and James Harden window.
Grade: D+
Brian’s Thoughts: I’m not surprised they did this. I know it was a surprise to some but honestly, he felt very LA Clippers like to me and there were some signs that it could go this way. The Clippers aren’t afraid to go against the grain and grab the guy they want. Now, I don’t really like this pick. I feel like he’s all tools but his hands aren’t great. He bobbles passes, jumps at everything and still raw despite an upperclassmen. In dynasty, I’d only really be interested if you’re in 40’s in your drafts. He could fit well next to Harden but he needs to improve his defense a lot first before that happens.
Grade: C-
Thanks for tuning in, folks! Get ready for Round 2 dropping tomorrow.