NBA Draft 2025: Analysis and Grades for each first round pick

The debut of The Inside Cut!

Yeah, yeah it’s me again. Izzy Sy. I know you have all seen my work through FanSided, but now you get more through my substack, The Inside Cut, to yap about the greatest league in the world.

The first round of the 2025 NBA Draft was chaotic, but that was to be expected with a stacked class. We saw multiple teams move up to stop a player’s slide or to get their guy.

I graded every single first round pick. I handed out a lot of As (sending condolences to Brooklyn, the only team to receive three C-level picks), because I am a huge fan of this year’s class, a stark contrast to its predecessor in 2024.

If you want to take it out on me because your team had a bad draft, be my guest. If you have questions about prospects, I’d be happy to answer them. Either way, subscribe to The Inside Cut! Without further ado, here are my grades.

1. Dallas Mavericks: F Cooper Flagg (Duke)

Grade: A+

Even the addition of Cooper Flagg couldn’t stop Mavs fans from chanting “Fire Nico!” If Nico Harrison did anything but select Flagg, then the city of Dallas would have been up in flames. In all seriousness, after trading away Luka Doncic, the Mavericks lucked into this pick, but they have their franchise player. Flagg is one of the best prospects ever and is an all around forward. He can take over the game in so many different ways and pairing him with Anthony Davis gives Dallas a scary frontcourt. Mavs fans can put down the pitchforks and the torches and celebrate their new face of the franchise.

2. San Antonio Spurs: G Dylan Harper (Rutgers)

Grade: A+

In any other year, Harper would be the first overall pick, but in a class with Flagg, he has to settle for second. The New Jersey native has Cade Cunningham-like elements to his game: great at getting downhill, excels in pick and roll, and has a large frame that allows him to create at all three levels. He is great at finishing in traffic thanks to his great body control and his jump shot needs work, but he can excel as a lead ball handler from day one. Yes, the Spurs are loaded at guard with De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle, but passing up on a talent like Harper would be silly.

3. Philadelphia 76ers: G/F VJ Edgecombe

Grade: A

Edgecombe is the best raw athlete in this class and joins a Sixers team in desperate need of that boost on their roster. Edgecombe can contribute to a Philly team that is ready to win now thanks to his high motor on the defensive end and his overall toughness. He is great at the point of attack and can generate live ball turnovers that will help the Sixers live in transition. Offensively, he will benefit playing next to Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid, as he will have ample opportunities to attack closeouts and get to the basket, as well as catch and shoot threes (39 percent from 3 in conference play with Baylor).

4. Charlotte Hornets: G Kon Knueppel

Grade: B+

Head coach Charles Lee is trying to set a culture in Charlotte and Knueppel is the perfect fit for that. Knueppel is the kind of all around guard the Hornets need. He is a great shooter, smart as a ball handler, and has great hustle on the defensive end. He can play both on the ball and off the ball, something Charlotte needed. His lack of quickness is definitely a worry and I question if he can hold up physically on that end, but he is a great offensive fit next to LaMelo Ball in the backcourt.

5. Utah Jazz: Ace Bailey

Grade: A+

I had Bailey as the third best player in the class and the Jazz got him at the fifth pick. Utah was lacking a franchise player and Bailey has the potential to fill that role. He excels at making tough shots, something that will translate to the league. He also has explosive athleticism that helps him play above the rim and on the defensive end, it allows him to recover quickly to erase shots. Bailey has all the tools to be a versatile wing, but must improve his handle to be the lead scorer the Jazz need him to be.

6. Washington Wizards: G Tre Johnson

Grade: A-

The Wizards traded Jordan Poole away and had a need in the backcourt. Johnson fills that need and more. He is gifted at scoring the basketball, especially from the perimeter. He has a quick release and he can score off the dribble, in catch and shoot, and he can hit tough shots as well. Washington has done a great job with their rebuild so far and having a versatile young core of Johnson, Bilal Coulibaly, and Alex Sarr as the nucleus of their team is a great foundation. One thing Johnson needs to do? Add weight. He stands at 6’6” and is only 190 pounds and adding muscle to his slim frame will help him hold up physically.

7. New Orleans Pelicans: G Jeremiah Fears

Grade: B-

Fears is one of the best scorers in the draft and also has one of the best handles. He is great at creating separation off the dribble and getting to his spots on the court. He also sees the court very well and is great at finding shooters off drives. The worry here is his three-point shooting (28 percent), but his shot mechanics are promising. My question is how will he fit with Jordan Poole and Dejounte Murray when he comes back. Fears needs to develop and he needs touches to do so and having him next to two ball dominant guards could cause him to struggle early.

8. Brooklyn Nets: G Egor Demin

Grade: C+

Brooklyn needed a floor general and Demin is one of the better ones in the draft. Demin showcased his great court vision in his lone season at BYU and is great at finding cutters. His smooth handle allows him to navigate in tight spaces. His jump shot needs a lot of work and his in between game is a work in progress as well. I think the Nets were hoping for Fears at this spot and had to go with the next best available on their board, but someone like Kasparas Jakucionis or Derik Queen would have been a better pick here at 8. They likely could have traded up using one of their later first rounders to take Demin later instead of at 8. Taking someone like Queen and then adding him next to Demin would have been the more prudent move, which is why my grade is low.

9. Toronto Raptors: F Collin Murray-Boyles

Grade: A-

Murray-Boyles is one of my favorite prospects in the class. He does a lot of things well, but his bread and butter is the defensive end of the floor. He has a high motor and can guard multiple positions with his strength and agility. He also relentlessly attacks the glass and generating extra possessions in today’s NBA is more important than ever. Murray-Boyles’ offensive game is solid as well because of his high IQ and has great touch around the rim. The Raptors seem to be building a culture of high motor guys and adding Murray-Boyles next to Scottie Barnes gives them a nice forward duo.

10. Phoenix Suns (via Houston Rockets): C Khaman Maluach

Grade: A

Maluach has only been playing basketball for three years, but is already a dominant force in the paint. The 7’2” big man is the best rim protector in the class and that is an area Phoenix struggled in last season. Offensively, he is a work in progress, but he is a strong roller and can finish lobs around the rim. The Suns got their center of the future and will bear the fruit of the Kevin Durant trade.

11. Memphis Grizzlies (via Portland Trail Blazers): F Cedric Coward

Grade: A

Coward is one of the best 3 and D wings in the class and Memphis had a desperate need at that spot. Coward only played six games this past season, but in 72 college games he shot 39 percent from three. He is also a strong on ball defender and he should form a nice defensive duo with Jaylen Wells. The Grizzlies use their assets acquired from the Desmond Bane trade to get their guy.

12. Chicago Bulls: F Noa Essengue

Grade: A-

Essengue is one of the more raw players in the class and is definitely a project, but Chicago needs to keep building out their young core and Essengue fits in nicely. He is highly athletic and is great at running the floor, two skills that fit well within the Bulls’ system (fastest pace in the NBA last year). Essengue is also a stout defender and is great at using his length to recover and erase shots at the rim. He can also step out onto the perimeter and keep up with guards. He is a project, but Essengue has immense potential.

13. New Orleans Pelicans (via Atlanta Hawks): C Derik Queen

Grade: A+

The Pelicans got a top five prospect near the end of the lottery. Queen has all the tools to be a franchise big man. He has a great inside game and a smooth handle that allows him to live in the mid range. His three-point shot definitely needs work and his defensive motor does as well, but he is a solid rim protector when engaged. New Orleans is rebuilding their young core and Queen alongside Fears is a great start.

14. San Antonio Spurs: F Carter Bryant

Grade: A+

The Spurs needed a wing badly and Bryant is the perfect fit for them. Bryant profiles as a 3 and D wing in the league, as he shot 37 percent from three with Arizona. Bryant also has great feel and IQ that allows him to be in the right spot. He is a great off ball cutter and is a strong spot up shooter. Defensively, he can guard 1-4 given his big frame at 6’8”, 225 lbs. and having that level of switchability will be beneficial for a Spurs team that needs to improve defensively.

15. Oklahoma City Thunder: C Thomas Sorber

Grade: A

The Thunder do have their championship frontcourt of Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein, but Sorber profiles as the better long term fit. Sorber is a strong rim protector and rebounder and those two skills fit in with OKC’s identity. He showcased soft touch and great physicality offensively as well. Sorber and Holmgren is a scary defensive duo, so good luck to teams trying to score in the paint.

16. Portland Trail Blazers (via Memphis Grizzlies): C Yang Hansen

Grade: B

Hansen was a reach for Portland and was a projected second round pick, but he has great potential. He is a bit of a project offensively, but Hansen projects as a strong defender at the next level. He was named first-team all CBA this past season and won the defensive player of the year in 2024. He and Donovan Clingan form a strong paint duo. The Blazers were one of the league’s best defensive teams to end the season last year and adding Hansen to their young core keeps up with their identity.

17. Minnesota Timberwolves: C Joan Beringer

Grade: A-

Good on Minnesota for drafting a potential Rudy Gobert replacement, especially after dangling him in trade talks with the Suns for Kevin Durant. Beringer is very versatile at 6’10” and a 7’3” wingspan. He is great at switching onto the perimeter and hedging ball screens and offers strong rim protection as well. His effort is always high and he does the little things well on offense: strong screener, strong roller, and will do the dirty work and fight on the glass. The Wolves needed youth in the frontcourt and Beringer can learn behind Gobert.

18. Utah Jazz (via Washington Wizards): G Walter Clayton

Grade: A

The Jazz are currently looking to trade Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson, so remaking their backcourt was a priority this draft. Clayton is coming off an electric college season where he showed off his elite scoring ability. He is great at making something out of nothing offensively and has shown that he will not shy away from big moments. Clayton is an older prospect, but that level of experience should help him adjust at the next level. He could be the sparkplug off the bench that Utah needs.

19. Brooklyn Nets: G Nolan Traroe

Grade: C-

I am not sure what the Brooklyn Nets are doing. First they reached on Demin, a gurad who can’t shoot and then they selected…another guard who can’t shoot. We’ll see who Brooklyn sees as their lead point guard, but Traroe at least has a level of quickness that jumps off the screen. He is great at creating space and getting to the basket, but his lack of floor spacing and a middling jumper is concerning. This feels like the Nets are throwing darts and hoping one of these guards hits.

20. Miami Heat: G Kasparas Jakucionis

Grade: A-

I expected Jakucionis to go higher, but Miami reaps the rewards of his slide. Jakucionis excels as a pick and roll ball handler and his court vision is very strong. He can find cutters with ease and can take it all the way to the basket against drop coverage. His three-point shooting numbers don’t look great, but it is important to note he was playing through a hand injury during the second half of the season. The addition of Jakucionis allows for Tyler Herro to slide back to his normal two guard spot and gives the Heat their long-term answer at point guard.

21. Washington Wizards (via Utah Jazz): F Will Riley

Grade: B+

Back to back Illini in the draft. Riley is a lengthy all around forward that fits in nicely with the Wizards young core. He is good at finishing through contact at the rim and has a smooth jump shot both off the dribble and off the catch. He is also a strong off ball player and is great at filling spaces on the court. He is a bit slender at 6’9” 185, but he will naturally add strength at the next level. One concern is the defensive end of the floor, where he can be out of position at times and he struggles with physicality.

22. Brooklyn Nets (via Atlanta Hawks): G/F Drake Powell

Grade: B

The theme of the draft Brooklyn? Reaching. However, Powell is less of a reach than the Nets’ previous two picks. Powell is a relentless defender and shoots the three well (40 percent on catch and shoot looks). His all around offensive game does need work and his overall aggression on that end if a concern as well, but that will come with maturity and reps. But at 6’6'“ and with a 7’0” wingspan, Powell will be a strong defender from day one.

23. Atlanta Hawks (via New Orleans Pelicans): F Asa Newell

Grade: A-

The Hawks continue to rebuild their frontcourt and Newell is the perfect addition. Standing at 6’10”, he has high energy and is a great rim runner, making him the perfect lob partner for Trae Young. He crashes the glass with a lot of energy and has displayed a strong paint game. Defensively, he plays passing lanes very well and creates live ball turnovers and gets deflections. He does need to bulk up to ready himself for more physical matchups.

24. Sacramento Kings (via Oklahoma City Thunder): F Nique Clifford

Grade: A

The Kings doing something right? Always a welcome sight. Clifford is the forward this team has sorely lacked. He can do it all offensively: playmake, create for himself, and finish at the rim. He is also efficient, as he shot 50 percent from the field and 38 percent from three in his last year at Colorado State. Defensively, he is versatile and has high IQ. Clifford is the kind of player that can contribute to winning right away and Sacramento sorely needed that.

25. Orlando Magic (via Denver Nuggets): G Jase Richardson

Grade: A-

The Magic came into the offseason with a desperate need for floor spacing and in less than two weeks, they have accomplished that goal. First they acquired Desmond Bane from Memphis and now Orlando drafted Richardson. Richardson’s strength is three-point shooting, whether that’s off the dribble or off the catch. He shot 41 percent from three in his lone season at Michigan State and also improved his self-creation throughout the year. The one concern is the defensive end of the floor and at 6’0”, Richardson will be targeted a lot by opposing offenses.

26. Brooklyn Nets (via New York Knicks): G Ben Saraf

Grade: C

The Nets drafted the same type of guard three picks in a row. Saraf does have great feel for the game and his court vision and IQ are impressive, but guess what he can’t do? Oh, you guessed it! Shoot the basketball. Saraf just shot 22 percent from three with Ratiopharm Ulm this past season and there were rumors of him being a draft and stash. The Nets do want to bring him to the league this season to develop him, but it is hard to imagine him co-existing with Demin, Traroe, and Cam Thomas.

27. Brooklyn Nets (via Houston Rockets): C Danny Wolf

Grade: B+

Finally, a pick I like from the Nets! Wolf was one of the most versatile big men in college basketball this past season. The Wolverines used him a lot as the main ball handler in pick and roll sets and Wolf excelled, helping them get to the Sweet 16. Wolf has great touch around the rim and isn’t afraid to be physical down low. He did have a turnover problem throughout the year, but I highly doubt the Nets will deploy him in the same high usage ball-handling role Michigan did. Defensively, he does have a lack of quickness that can be exposed on the perimeter and his shot was iffy at times throughout the year, but his confidence never wavered.

28. Boston Celtics: G Hugo Gonzalez

Grade: B

Gonzalez is a project and will need a couple seasons to develop his game, but he plays with a high-level of aggression that is translatable to the next level. He has shown that he can play fast in transition and get all the way to the basket, as well as a developing pick and roll game as the lead handler. I would have liked for Boston to take a more pro ready guy here like Saint Joseph’s Rasheer Fleming, but banking on Gonzalez’s potential is not a bad idea.

29. Charlotte Hornets (via Phoenix Suns): F Liam McNeeley

Grade: B+

The sweet-shooting forward from UConn will thrive off of kickouts from his rookie mate Knueppel and from his new teammate LaMelo Ball. McNeely did not shoot the three well at UConn this past season (32 percent), but that is mostly because of his shot diet and the Huskies’ lack of floor spacing. On the defensive end, he does not have the athleticism or quickness to keep up with faster players, but does showcase effort and IQ to be in the right spots. McNeeley has the tools to be a 3 and D wing, something Charlotte does not have, but will definitely need a lot of reps and the Hornets have to be willing to let him play through mistakes.

30. Los Angeles Clippers (via Oklahoma City Thunder): C Yanic Konan Niederhauser

Grade: B-

Niederhauser is raw, but has explosive athleticism. He is great at finishing lobs and at the very least can be a pick and roll partner for James Harden. Defensively, he is a great rim protector and he is never fully out of the play even if he gets beat. He recovers very well on that end. He will crash the glass and do the dirty work, but needs a lot of polishing as a roller, post player, and needs to work on his hands.