2025 NBA Draft Grades
With the 2025 NBA Draft officially in the books, let's grade every team's draft pick focusing on the longer term!
Introduction
With the 2025 NBA Draft officially in the books, let's grade every team's draft pick, focusing on the longer term! I’m more critical than my peers. Therefore, you won’t see many A-grades, as these are reserved for the best decisions. The long-term potential and opportunity to play heavily affect my decision.
Rankings
1. Dallas Mavericks — A
Cooper Flagg (#2, Duke): Freshman, 6'9"
We’ll see Flagg take over the largest chunk of Doncic’s ball touches as the Mavericks’ main guy. He has a clear path to be the first All-Star of this class, while the Mavericks have shown commitment to him by extending Gafford and Irving recently. Flagg is the clear favorite for Rookie of the Year.
2. San Antonio Spurs — B-
Dylan Harper (#2, Rutgers): Freshman, 6'6"
Harper’s rim pressure is the main buy for the Spurs. They addressed their floor-spacing potential by trading for Fox, the best paint-touch-generator in the NBA. Harper will face a logjam at guard but has a path to play 20+ minutes as a Rookie. In terms of unleashing his full-term potential, another franchise would have been a better fit.
3. Philadelphia 76ers — C+
V.J. Edgecombe (#7, Baylor): Freshman, 6'5"
With Haliburton, Lillard, and Tatum injured, the Eastern Conference is wide open. This forces the Sixers to maximize their window to compete for a title. Therefore, the addition of needs and skills that they didn’t have yet was a must. Edgecombe will be a slasher and athletic defender who’ll learn from Paul George. His shooting prowess is the main area of development. There’s no clear path for playing top minutes, hence the lower grades.
4. Charlotte Hornets — B-
Kon Knueppel (#7, Duke): Freshman, 6'7"
By taking a top-five player, you must swing for the fences. However, I can understand why the Hornets took Kon as a connective guard in supporting their main guys LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. In terms of fit, Khaman Maluach would have complemented their roster in the best way. But with Ball’s gravity, Knueppel will continue showing out with his reputation as one of the draft’s best shooters and wing-sized creators.
5. Utah Jazz — B+
Ace Bailey (#4, Rutgers): Freshman, 6'10"
I’m happy for Ace. It might not be the destination he had in mind, but Utah is the best fit for his long-term development. Looking at their roster, they are forced to continue to give developmental minutes. Hendricks’ unfortunate history gives them the need to continue to add a top wing-sized shooter and shot-creator to fit the rest of the roster. The long-term potential is enticing, and he can be the second-best player in this class if everything clicks. I don’t expect Utah to compete anytime soon, making it easier for Bailey to adjust to the NBA.
6. Washington Wizards — A-
Tre Johnson (#20, Texas): Freshman, 6'6"
I had Tre as my #2 player this cycle. The outcome at Texas was his enticing shot-making in a profile with a high volume of off-the-dribble shooting. That’s the most valuable trait in the NBA. However, the Wizards recognize Tre’s playmaking potential. He’s the most dynamic all-around guard in this class and enters a context where he can maximize his potential. The fit with Carrington in the backcourt helps him as well. Improving his defensive footwork and rotations is a must to play high minutes. That’s the swing skill.
7. New Orleans Pelicans — B-
Jeremiah Fears (#0, Oklahoma): Freshman, 6'4"
The fit is there for the long term. However, I don’t understand trading for Jordan Poole while Dejounte Murray is still recovering from his injury. The positional overlap could lead to Fears facing a Dillingham-esque rookie season where the minutes will be low, but the Pelicans will make Fears a long-term piece in their plans. The 18-year-old should be a senior in high school and the physical development is a big reason why they might develop him slowly.
8. Brooklyn Nets — C-
Egor Demin (#3, BYU): Freshman, 6'9"
I don’t understand Demin going in the top ten. Brooklyn was not competing with anyone else until the tail-end of the lottery. The fit is uncomfortable but understandable. The Nets value his elite playmaking while working on making Demin a multidimensional player. The gravity of his pass is not a strength yet. However, his craft and decision-making as a scorer make him one of their main offensive options next year. The fit is worth a B+, but at #8 it feels like a reach.
9. Toronto Raptors — A-
Collin Murray-Boyles (#30, South Carolina): Sophomore, 6'8"
Toronto made it clear they wanted to win after acquiring Brandon Ingram. They were one of the league’s best defensive teams in the second half of the regular season. With Murray-Boyles, they are adding to their defensive value and taking pressure away from Barnes, who had to defend the opponent’s best player too often, which didn’t help him lead the team consistently on the offensive end.
Murray-Boyles can play as a five, while he’s skilled to be a four. Despite the lack of size, his strength, feel, and footwork make him one of the best all-around players in the class. I expect him to thrive by playing bully ball while working on adding a three-pointer to his game in the NBA. The increased sample size as a sophomore is the first intriguing sign of his success.
10. Phoenix Suns — C+
Khaman Maluach (#9, Duke): Freshman, 7'2"
With three shooting guards in Booker, Beal, and Green, the Suns needed to address their need at the five. Maluach is raw but oozing with long-term potential. He came to Duke, praised for his defensive potential in the NBA. However, the offense got so much better, and the Blue Devils helped him develop by benefiting from elite scorers and their gravity. Maluach is a developmental piece that the Suns are forced to embrace, considering their horrible cap and draft pick situation.
11. Memphis Grizzlies — B
Cedric Coward (#0, Washington St.): Senior, 6'6"
A plug-and-play defensive wing that can help the Grizzlies with their rotation at the two and the three. Jaylen Wells is the future, and with Coward, they add another former Cougar that brings multipositional defense and a promising package of potential as a scorer. Coward will improve the Grizzlies’ defensive rating while he’ll be a threat with his connective passing and downhill slashing to support the gravity of his shooting. I expect him to be a top-five rookie in total minutes played.
12. Chicago Bulls — B
Noa Essengue (#12, ratiopharm Ulm): 2006, 6'10"
The Bulls are turning into a long team with great positional size in every position. One of the results of the Giddey trade is that the Bulls now help him play in his original role as a three rather than a point. On top of that, Buzelis had a fantastic rookie campaign and was one of their primary pieces. While he brings creation and ball handling, Essengue brings fluidity and top athleticism with a clean blueprint to be bent, molded, and shaped into the league’s next athletic power four.
Essengue’s main improvement this year is his offensive prowess with the way he draws and absorbs contact. To understand Essengue, it’s vital to watch his progress from a few years until now. He’ll be a long-term bet but will be one of the league’s better fours if everything clicks.
13. New Orleans Pelicans — B-
Derik Queen (#25, Maryland): Freshman, 6'10"
Queen has a path to play minutes for New Orleans. At Maryland, he had Julian Reese next to him, while Yves Missi will be his partner in crime in the frontcourt. I’ve always said that Queen is not a true five but more of a skilled hub and a face-up-scoring four. That’s his ultimate role. The rebounding connective and short-roll passing give him a role early. From there, he can earn a bigger role to make plays off the dribble. The Pelicans love the positional size and have the options to compensate for his defensive lapses early.
14. San Antonio Spurs — B
Carter Bryant (#9, Arizona): Freshman, 6'8"
San Antonio has their core of the future. Therefore, swinging for the fences by going with a potentially elite role player with a true creation upside makes sense. Bryant embraced a smaller role as a Burger Boy at Arizona. His physical readiness, combined with the ability of his quick feet and skill,l gives him an immediate connective role. The physicality and strength are must-haves, as the Spurs try to build as many power players around Wembanyama as possible. Bryant will be one of the more-used rookies with a clear path to grow and take away minutes at the three-spot.
15. Oklahoma City Thunder — B
Thomas Sorber (#35, Georgetown): Freshman, 6'10"
This is a long-term swing while preparing themselves for a major cap relief. Oklahoma City must pay several guys and can’t afford to keep Hartenstein after this season. Therefore, they had to address their need at the center with skill and physicality. Sorber stood out to me as a passer, and that’s the primary path to grow into a perimeter hub in creating for others out of handoff sets. Oklahoma City keeps the ball moving, which opens up the possibility for Sorber to leverage his strength. Despite being a teenager, he’s a man-child and can hold his own against older guys. There’s a clear path to play a role as a rookie, especially when fully cleared of his ankle injury.
16. Portland Trail Blazers — C+
Hansen Yang (#15, Qingdao Eagles): 2005, 7’1"
The ultimate ‘swing-for-the-fences’ pick. Portland doesn’t care about any ranking and follows its process. This decision means the Rob Williams and Deandre Ayton eras are done, and both can be moved. I don’t see an overlap with Clingan because he’s a defensive deterrent and a true rim-protecting-five, while Yang works on his floor-spacing and stretching and impacts the game with his skill. We might see Portland play both together, as Clingan will primarily take away the deficiencies of Yang as a defender. I can understand why Portland builds through their fives with their backcourt set. However, the positional overlap with four centers causes some confusion.
17. Minnesota Timberwolves — B+
Joan Beringer (#20, Cedevita): 2006, 6’11"
Yes! Beringer joins Rudy Gobert in Minnesota. They needed an athletic and switchable vertical lob threat at the five. Comparable to Gobert, Beringer is a high-level screener and perhaps the best screening five in this class. His gravity as a play-finisher above the rim helps him be productive early, as a result of his screens, is space for others or himself. Minnesota prepares for another deep playoff push, addressing its biggest defensive needs. The potential returns are high.
18. Utah Jazz — C+
Walter Clayton Jr. (#1, Florida): Senior, 6'3"
Another guard for Utah? Clayton Jr.’s clutch shooting and positive attitude of a winner on the floor are an example for the rest of their group. He’s assertive and demanding, which will give him opportunities to play serious minutes. For the long term, Utah must consolidate or move from the guards they have on its roster. Clayton Jr. deserves a B+ ranking based on his role, but Utah has too many guards on its roster, creating some confusion about who will be in their long-term plans.
19. Brooklyn Nets — C
Nolan Traoré (#2, Saint-Quentin): 2006, 6’4"
Same here. Another guard in Brooklyn? Positional overlap, as they had a clear path in drafting multiple different roles and skill sets. However, the positive is that Traoré needs to improve his body and get stronger. He’ll thrive in NBA spacing as his game is all about craft and creating angles as he gets downhill. Traoré will be productive as a rookie with a path to utilize and grow his scoring potential. The Nets are clearly betting on multiple horses here.
20. Miami Heat — B+
Kasparas Jakucionis (#32, Illinois): Freshman, 6'6"
The Heat have a history of betting on multiple skill sets. With Jakucionis, it’s his creativity as a playmaker and self-creating scorer. His draft stock fell after teams figured him out. Working on his habit of deferring to step-back jumpers is a must. Compared to his days at Barcelona, Jakucionis is now much stronger and has grown into an NBA-ready frame. The biggest factor is the positional size, while he doesn’t have to serve as a guard. The consistency of the shot is an early return, while Jakucionis’ great understanding of the game helps Coach Spoelstra by adding another vital piece for the Heat, which is trying to compete in the playoffs.
21. Washington Wizards — C+
Will Riley (#7, Illinois): Freshman, 6'8"
Riley will be used as an occasional wing who has a glaring need to get stronger. His body is not NBA-ready, and this should be considered as a developmental pick with many reps in the G League as a result. Riley can be a rotational wing in the NBA, but his body needs work and will cost him one or two full seasons. Great context for Washington to slowly develop him
22. Brooklyn Nets — B+
Drake Powell (#9, North Carolina): Freshman, 6'6"
This is a clear bet on athleticism and defensive upside. The Nets have multiple options running the show for them offensively. However, potentially elite point-of-attack defenders like Powell earn reps and find ways to impact a starting lineup. Powell didn't get fully utilized at the Tar Heels, similarly to his early NBA role. The additional value is Powell’s untapped potential as a self-creating scorer, which will be visible mainly in how he operates out of closeouts.
23. Atlanta Hawks — B-
Asa Newell (#14, Georgia): Freshman, 6'11”
Newell adds great athleticism to a frontcourt that needs a difference skill in the minutes that newly-acquired Kristaps Porzingis sits on the bench. Newell is a buy-low option who will help Trae Young in his role as a vertical lob threat. Newell is not a true five, but his screen setting is good enough to play spot minutes where his play-finishing in one-two plays with Young gives him the potential to be a productive rookie. There’s room to develop him into a rotational five for the Hawks in the next few years.
24. Sacramento Kings — B
Nique Clifford (#10, Colorado St.): Senior, 6'6"
Clifford is an upside swing despite being an older prospect. The Kings conducted many trades and are left with holes in their roster. Their trading up for OKC’s pick and going for a combination of BPA and fit makes sense. They need another shot-maker, but more importantly, tough and switchable pieces that can bring extra athleticism to their group. Clifford has proven his scalable role at Colorado State. His shot needed improvement, and that’s mainly addressed in his fifth year.
25. Orlando Magic — B+
Jase Richardson (#11, Michigan St.): Freshman, 6'3"
When purely focusing on prospect-team fit, this is a match made in heaven. Richardson is an undersized off-guard, but his game fits the NBA. He isn’t the elite athlete his father once was, but in his development Richardson mastered to leverage his physicality and play the angles. He’s tremendous with his footwork and ability to operate in a phone booth. Rim pressure is his main value, while it’s not written in stone that he’ll be a liability on defense. His rotations and reads on the floor are beyond his years. Richardson proves his size is less relevant, considering he was one of the most efficient guards at the rim in the entirety of college basketball this season. Great pick.
26. Brooklyn Nets — C
Ben Saraf (#77, ratiopharm Ulm): 2006, 6’6"
Saraf is one of the better scorers among his European peers. He has proven that with Israel during the 2024 summer tournaments. His excellent year at Ulm puts him firmly in first-round considerations. It’s almost assuming Saraf won’t come over immediately when seeing Brooklyn drafting three guards in the first round. His game fits the NBA as a connective passer and slashing scorer. Saraf is tough and got much better as a team defender. I can see it work, but unfortunately, not in Brooklyn.
27. Brooklyn Nets — C+
Danny Wolf (#1, Michigan): Junior, 7'0"
Another questionable decision, as Wolf needed to go to a team that’s competing and has gaps to fill on their offensive end from the four slot. But the coach in Brooklyn matters. Role versatility is the main buy. His creativity as a passer and creator gives him a clear NBA role. Wolf is not getting enough credit for his physical tools and team defense. Number-crunchers addressed their concerns about the high turnovers. However, these are live-ball turnovers where the level of high reads are remarkable in Wolf’s game. The creativity fits Coach Fernandéz and how he'll utilize him to create role versatility from its forwards.
28. Boston Celtics — B-
Hugo González (#1, Real Madrid): 2006, 6’7"
González makes sense for Boston. They need another wing who can thrive in a limited role. Despite being the main guy in his generation among his Spanish peers, González has shown legitimate NBA flashes in limited minutes for Real Madrid. He doesn’t need ball touches to impact the game with his great feel for rotations and switches. He’s active and agile and has a promising jumper to his package. That’s the swing skill. The Celtics need defensive continuity from rookies to give them minutes. Unlike Baylor Scheierman last year, González will be a part of the Celtics rotation.
29. Charlotte Hornets — C+
Liam McNeeley (#30, UConn): Freshman, 6'7"
McNeeley rides the hype of his days from Montverde. His role as a connective wing wasn’t visible at Connecticut, as he had to do more and struggled in his role. The Hornets need to add rotational pieces to their core, and McNeeley makes sense at 29, albeit having better options. The fit in Charlotte isn’t fully there, considering their focus on athleticism and playing as fast as possible. That’s not McNeeley’s game.
30. Los Angeles Clippers — A-
Yanic Konan Niederhauser (#14, Penn St.): Junior, 7'0"
This was a pick I was talking about to my friends for months. James Harden needs a vertical lob threat to improve their offensive rating even more. Konan Niederhauser outplayed his peers at the G League Elite Camp and NBA Draft Combine. His fit in Los Angeles is perfect, as his skill is everything that they can’t get from Ivica Zubac. I see Konan Niederhauser immediately playing a role off the bench and feasting off Harden’s playmaking with Konan Niederhauser’s top screening ability. Excellent pick.
Live Draft Show — Pensare Basketball
I did a live show with my good friend Rob at Pensare Basketball during the first night. Feel free to watch parts back below via:
Hi Ersin, great work as always. I will point out that pick 21 was moved to Washington in the trade up to 18 by Utah, and Will Riley won’t have to worry about overlap with Sensabaugh. I’m sure it’s easy to miss small stuff on a hectic night, great work regardless and I appreciate having been able to read your stuff all year and see the culmination of that tonight.