Tonight’s first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center in Brooklyn delivered exactly what fans hoped for—drama, emotion, surprise picks, and future stars making their first step into the NBA spotlight.
Top Headlines of the Night
Cooper Flagg met expectations as the No.?1 overall pick, heading to the Dallas Mavericks. The versatile Duke forward, known for his defense and basketball IQ, adds a new layer to Dallas’ frontcourt strategy.
The San Antonio Spurs selected dynamic guard Dylan Harper at No.?2, adding a backcourt partner with high upside. The move signals San Antonio’s continued build around youth and pace.
V.J. Edgecombe was taken at No.3 by the Philadelphia 76ers, giving them a two-way guard who’s already drawn comparisons to top-tier perimeter defenders in the league.
Notable Surprise Picks
Khaman Maluach, a 7’2” defensive powerhouse from Duke, surprisingly slid to No.10, where the Phoenix Suns scooped him up. Many experts considered it one of the steals of the night. Source
Portland made the boldest reach by selecting Hansen Yang, a towering prospect from China, at No.16. Though raw, his size and motor could pay off with proper development.
Utah’s pick at No.5, Ace Bailey, was another intriguing moment. Despite skipping workouts with teams, his potential was too strong to pass up. The Jazz are betting on upside and long-term growth. But the crazy part was Bailey looked upset to be picked by Utah, checkout his reaction…
“This was not one of his preferred destinations… he was hoping to get to either Washington, New Orleans or Brooklyn.”
Jonathan Givony on the Jazz taking Ace Bailey with the 5th pick in the NBA Draft.
The Rutgers star did not look too happy ?pic.twitter.com/IQJ1n25mw6 https://t.co/wublwXAemx
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 26, 2025
Emotional Moments & Trade Drama
Khaman Maluach’s tearful reaction after hearing his name called was one of the night’s most heartfelt moments, bringing an ovation from fans and family.
Brooklyn made waves with an unprecedented five first-round selections, including multiple international players. Their aggressive strategy signals a full rebuild. Source
The New Orleans Pelicans moved up in the draft, trading future assets to land Derik Queen, signaling win-now intent even with a roster already full of young talent.
Final Thoughts
This year’s first round leaned heavily on wings and guards, with a notable presence of international talent. Teams like Dallas, Utah, and Phoenix made defining moves that could shape their franchises for the next decade.
While some picks came with controversy or risk, the night confirmed one thing: the league’s future is in good hands with this rookie class.
? First-Round Picks: All 30 Selections
- Dallas Mavericks – Cooper Flagg (PF, Duke)
- San Antonio Spurs – Dylan Harper (SG, Rutgers)
- Philadelphia 76ers – V.J. Edgecombe (SG, Baylor)
- Charlotte Hornets – Kon Knueppel (SF, Duke)
- Utah Jazz – Ace Bailey (SF, Rutgers)
- Washington Wizards – Tre Johnson (SG, Texas)
- New Orleans Pelicans – Jeremiah Fears (PG, Oklahoma)
- Brooklyn Nets – Egor Demin (PG, BYU)
- Toronto Raptors – Collin Murray Boyles (PF, South Carolina)
- Phoenix Suns – Khaman Maluach (C, Duke)
- Portland Trail Blazers – Cedric Coward (SF, Washington State)
- Chicago Bulls – Noa Essengue (PF, Germany)
- Atlanta Hawks – Derik Queen (C, Maryland)
- San Antonio Spurs – Carter Bryant (SF, Arizona)
- Oklahoma City Thunder – Thomas Sorber (C, Georgetown)
- Memphis Grizzlies – Hansen Yang (C, China)
- Minnesota Timberwolves – Joan Beringer (C, Slovenia)
- Washington Wizards – Walter Clayton Jr. (PG, Florida)
- Brooklyn Nets – Nolan Traoré (PG, France)
- Miami Heat – Kasparas Jakucionis (PG, Illinois)
- Utah Jazz – Will Riley (SF, Illinois)
- Atlanta Hawks – Drake Powell (SG, North Carolina)
- New Orleans Pelicans – Asa Newell (PF, Georgia)
- Oklahoma City Thunder – Nique Clifford (SG, Colorado State)
- Orlando Magic – Jase Richardson (SG, Michigan State)
- Brooklyn Nets – Ben Saraf (SG, Israel)
- Brooklyn Nets – Danny Wolf (PF/C, Michigan)
- Boston Celtics – Hugo González (SF, Spain)
- Phoenix Suns – Liam McNeeley (SF, UConn)
- Los Angeles Clippers – Yanic Niederhauser (C, Penn State)
*Phoenix acquired pick No.?10 via trade.