2025 NBA First Round Draft Grades for Every Team -
Atlanta Hawks: A+
The Hawks have absolutely crushed the draft so far. Asa Newell will be a great backup to Porzingis. And all reports seem to indicate that Asa will be a shooter at some point. The underrated part of this draft is the quality of the pick that they received from New Orleans for trading back. If New Orleans plans to play Fears and Queen big minutes right away (which I'm sure they do,) there is a very high likelihood that the 2026 pick going to Hawks will be top 10.
Boston Celtics: A-
The Celtics didn't do anything too crazy here with Hugo Gonzalez. I like the pick, but Boston really needs to hit on this one and figure out how to develop Hugo properly. On one hand, Boston has time since they are set to at least have an off year. But on the other hand, they are likely still going to make another run at a title when Jayson Tatum returns.
Brooklyn Nets: C+
I don't like this draft for the Nets. They now have way too many ball dominators that they need to try to develop at once, and I'm not high on most most of their guys anyway. The only thing saving them from a worse grade is the Traore, and Powell picks. I do worry that they will have a hard time developing in Brooklyn, but I'm extremely into those two guys.
Charlotte Hornets: A-
This was an excellent draft for Hornets. I would have preferred someone other than Kon at four, but I get it since he is such a clean fit in their lineup. They also got a great return for Mark Williams in my opinion who they needed to get off of anyway. I'm a big McNeeley fan.
Chicago Bulls: B
The Bull didn't do poorly but what they also didn't do is find their identity. Noa Essengue has good upside, but I would have a preferred a table setter and leader like Jakucionis.
Cleveland Cavaliers: N/A
Dallas Mavericks: A+
This is obviously an A+, they did what they came to do and got their franchise player.
Denver Nuggets: C
This might seem odd since the Nuggets didn't make a selection in the first round of the draft. But I would have liked them to! They need high energy cheap options to replace what they lost in Bruce Brown and KCP if they want to get back to competing for the title. I would have liked to see them trade into the first round and grab someone like Jase Richardson, Drake Powell, or Nique Clifford.
Detroit Pistons: N/A
Golden State Warriors: N/A
Houston Rockets: N/A
Indiana Pacers: N/A
LA Clippers: C+
I doubt that Yanic Konan Niederhauser will turn out to be amazing, but he has the upside to develop into a serviceable rim runner so I guess that is ok at the end of a first round with limited talent left on the board.
Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Memphis Grizzlies: B-
The Grizzlies clearly knew who they wanted in this draft, and kudos to them for doing what it took to get him. It seems a bit aggressive to me, but Cedric Coward seems like a great dude who will do what it takes to play in the NBA.
Miami Heat: A+
The Heat came away with arguable the biggest steal in the draft, Kasparas Jakucionis. I really can't imagine what caused him to slide. He will be excellent.
Milwaukee Bucks: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: B+
The Wolves coming away with Beringer is slightly underwhelming as I don't see him playing big minutes immediately. However, this is an exciting pick long-term with Beringer's athleticism and coordination giving him significant upside, furthermore, he fills a role that Minnesota desperately needed. I like the pick.
New Orleans Pelicans: A-
The Pelicans did the really good! I have a lot of doubt about what this team looks like longterm, but I feel as though Fears, and maybe even Queen, have legitimate all star potential. The only thing giving them the minus is that I maybe would have gone a different direction with the Queen pick and targeted more shooting.
New York Knicks: N/A
Oklahoma City Thunder: A+
The Thunder continue to score big in the draft. The rich get richer. Sorber has potential to be at least a top 10 center in the NBA, and Thunder get yet another player who they can do a lot of funky things with down the road.
Orlando Magic: A+
Another A+. The Magic nailed this pick with Jase Richardson. I agree with Johnathan Wasserman that Jase's measurements are a bit overblown. We have to remember that before the measurements came out, he was ranked as a potential top 10 guy. The talent is there and I think the Magic have the right ecosystem to really utilize that talent well.
Philadelphia 76ers: A-
VJ will be an excellent player. My only reason for the minus is that I feel the 76ers could have done a little bit more with this pick in terms of a trade down, grabbing more assets to help them rebuild in the post PG13/Embiid era.
Phoenix Suns: A
The Suns made the right choice to bolster their frontcourt with Khaman Maluach, and then double down with Mark Williams. It seems odd at first to get both of them in rapid succession, but lets be realistic, Mark Williams ain't playing 82 games a season. Maluach was the best player available and the best fit available.
Portland Trail Blazers: C
I hope Yang Hansen is awesome. I really do! This is not a good pick at 16 though. They totally could have gotten another pick in the late first round from a team like the Nets, and gotten a better talent, along with Hansen.
Sacramento Kings: B+
The Kings swooped in and took Nique Clifford. I'm a fan of this pick and Clifford will be able to contribute right away, however, I think he has more or less reached his ceiling so what they get in his rookie year will probably be what they get for the rest of his career.
San Antonio Spurs: A
The Spurs are obviously winners. Dylan Harper is awesome. Personally, I would have gone a different direction with the Carter Bryant pick but I see the vision. I don't really buy Carter becoming a high usage guy, but the Spurs can hopefully use him to the best of his abilities. I just would have liked to see them fill their backup big man void with Sorber, or even Asa Newell.
Toronto Raptors: A
As you may know, I love Collin Murray-Boyles. He's an awesome player, and honestly the most Raptorsy player of all time. The fit is obviously questionable, but Murray-Boyles is a special talent that was worth taking regardless of fit.
Utah Jazz: B-
Ace Bailey is not good, but the upside is there. I like Walter Clayton Jr. I just would have gone Tre Johnson or Jeremiah Fears at #5, but I guess you can't get too mad at the Jazz for taking a swing.
Washington Wizards: A-
Although the Wizards were probably angling for Ace Bailey, I think that Tre Johnson is the better pick. There's things to nitpick in his game, but at the end of the day, he is going to put the ball in the basket. Same goes for Will Riley, even though there were other guys I preferred in that spot.
BEST PLAYERS LEFT ON THE BOARD IN THE SECOND ROUND:
Rasheer Fleming
Tyrese Proctor
Ryan Kalkbrenner
Koby Brea
Kam Jones
Adou Thiero
Maxime Raynaud
Alijah Martin
Ryan Nembhard
Sion James