The 2025 NBA Draft is finally upon us, and with it comes the next generation of stars. There figures to be plenty of excitement tonight, from unexpected swings in the lottery to league-altering trades. We have already seen several blockbuster moves in the days leading up to the draft — Desmond Bane to Orlando, Kevin Durant to Houston, Jrue Holiday to Portland, Kristaps Porzingis to Atlanta — so it's clear teams are eager to shuffle the deck after a parity-driven 2024-25 season.
We generally know what will happen at No. 1, with the Dallas Mavericks slated to select Wooden Award-winning freshman Cooper Flagg out of Duke. Mere months after the Luka Dončić trade blew a hole through the hearts of Mavs fans everywhere, the next generational star is on his way.
The board opens up a bit from there. Dylan Harper is the overwhelming favorite to go No. 2 overall, but we can't rule out the San Antonio Spurs trading back. With the Philadelphia 76ers at No. 3, there's even more uncertainty. VJ Edgecombe? Ace Bailey, against his wishes? A trade back? A trade up? Everything's on the table.
This should be a fun evening, full of surprises and the sort of fleeting optimism an event like the draft can provide to even the most bitter and cynical fandoms.
Starting at 8 PM E.T., we will break down all the action below.
FanSided's NBA Draft Central has you covered from every angle with the latest mock drafts, rankings, detailed notes on every top prospect and more.
NBA Draft live grades for all 30 first-round picks
1. Dallas Mavericks — Cooper Flagg, F, Duke (Fr.)
No surprise here. Duke freshman Cooper Flagg goes No. 1 overall to Dallas, completing a full-circle moment for the franchise after the controversial Luka Dončić trade. Should we trust the Mavs to handle Flagg's fledging career? Maybe not, but there's no denying the player, the talent. Flagg plays his tail off on every possession, with plus athleticism, a high feel for the game and a remarkable capacity for improvement. He grew so much in a few months at Duke, adding layers to his game as a self-creator and playmaker. Flagg is arguably the best offensive prospect and the best defensive prospect. Dallas is back on the right track.
Grade: A+
2. San Antonio Spurs — Dylan Harper, G, Rutgers (Fr.)
As expected, the Spurs roll with Dylan Harper despite concerns over the backcourt fit with De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle. San Antonio may need to reshuffle the deck eventually, but Harper is the clear No. 2 prospect in this draft — a big, bursty slasher with high-level playmaking feel and unique positional versatility at 6-foot-6 and 215 pounds. Harper's primary value comes as an on-ball generator, but he's also savvy off the ball, cutting and relocating with a purpose and finding ways to impact winning, even when he's not controlling the rock. That should alleviate some of those fit-related qualms.
Grade: A
3. Philadelphia 76ers — VJ Edgecombe, G, Baylor (Fr.)
As expected, the Sixers roll with the only player they worked out: VJ Edgecombe. It was a strange pre-draft process in Philadelphia, but it has led them to the right pick. Edgecombe is a nuclear athlete with a solid 3-point stroke and sharp processing skills. He needs to work on his ball-handling and pull-up shooting, but Edgecombe can hit spot-up jumpers, get downhill with an explosive first step and finish with power in the lane. He's a smothering perimeter defender as well, with the potential to render an immediate impact on a championship hopeful. Is there some positional overlap with Quentin Grimes? Perhaps, but Edgecombe plays bigger than his size and is too talented to get too caught up on fit.
Grade: A-
4. Charlotte Hornets — Kon Knueppel, F, Duke (Fr.)
Charlotte has spurned Ace Bailey and other so-called high ceiling prospects in favor of the safest bet, selecting Duke's Kon Knueppel fourth overall. This is a great pick for a team that just needs more good basketball players. Sure, there are some athletic concerns, but Knueppel consistently makes the right decisions on the floor. He's a lights-out shooter, a savvy secondary playmaker and a better defender than he gets credit for. Charlotte will need to find other ways to elevate the defense around Knueppel, LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, but the Hornets can expect Knueppel to deliver immediate results.
Grade: A-
5. Utah Jazz — Ace Bailey, F, Rutgers (Fr.)
Utah ends the (brief) slide for Rutgers wing Ace Bailey. He's a major talent — 6-foot-9 in shoes with incredible shot-making skill and plus athleticism. He rarely passes, the defensive effort wavers, and he struggles to create advantages with his handle, but you don't find many wings with Bailey's size and shooting versatility. The Ainges were behind the Jayson Tatum pick in Boston. They will hope Bailey can follow a similar arc in Salt Lake City. That said, it's fair to be a little concerned about Bailey developing bad habits as the primary shot-taker on an underdeveloped roster.
Grade: B
6. Washington Wizards — Tre Johnson, G, Texas (Fr.)
Washington has patiently stockpiled length, positional versatility and defense in recent drafts. This is a swing on offense. Tre Johnson is the most dynamic shot-maker in the draft. He's comfortable flying around screens, uncorking step-backs, and patiently getting to his spots out of pick-and-rolls. There are significant questions about his defense and lack of physicality, but Johnson is 6-foot-6 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan, so the hope is that he grows into his frame. Johnson has some passing vision, too, although he didn't deploy it much at Texas. Washington is a great fit, although there were probably better prospects on the board.
Grade: B
7. New Orleans Pelicans — Jeremiah Fears, G, Oklahoma (Fr.)
Jeremiah Fears brings one of the highest ceilings in the 2025 draft to New Orleans. Much has been made of New Orleans' need for a point guard with Dejounte Murray hurt. That feels a little bit misguided — especially after the Jordan Poole trade — but Fears gets into the paint at will and creates tons of advantages with his handle. Between Fears and Zion Williamson (when the latter is healthy), the Pelicans will have two ball-handlers capable of getting into the paint and putting the defense in rotation. The shooting needs work, as will his defense, but Fears has a strong foundation for growth. Maybe not the ideal landing spot, but there's plenty of upside here.
Grade: B
8. Brooklyn Nets — Egor Demin, F, BYU (Fr.)
Brooklyn takes the gamble on 6-foot-9 playmaking wing Egor Demin. The appeal is understandable. He's a brilliant processor who can deliver every pass in the book. He operates with a uniqiely high vantage point at 6-foot-9, peering over defender's outstretched arms to deliver pinpoint passes through tight windows. That said, Demin lacks physicality as a defender and a finisher. He's a subpar athlete who struggles to generate separation with his handle. He's a poor shooter with middling touch indicators, even if he took a healthy volume of 3s in college. Demin would've made more sense for a team with scoring and defensive infrastructure around him. This is a deeply risky bet.
Grade: D
9. Toronto Raptors — Collin Murray-Boyles, F, South Carolina (So.)
Collin Murray-Boyles leveled up across the board as a sophomore at South Carolina. He was the No. 3 prospect on my board, so this is a huge win for Toronto. He also fits everything the Raptors are about — size, skill versatlity, high-level defense. The shooting concerns are real, especially on a team with limited spacing like Toronto, but Murray-Boyles pummels mismatches in the paint, delivers slick passes off of drives, and is probably the most impactful day-one defender in the draft. This is a surprise, but a good one.
Grade: A
10. Phoenix Suns — Khaman Maluach, C, Duke (Fr.)
Khaman Maluach is the third Duke product off the board in the top 10. He goes to Phoenix, a team with a pressing need at center. It's a bit surprising that he fell this far. The 19-year-old will require a patient hand, but he should develop into the defensive anchor this Suns team so desperately lacks. Maluach has limited utility as a passer and generally as a decision-maker, but he dunks everything at the rim, he hammers the glass on both ends, and he's an incredible athlete for his size, standing 7-foot-2 with a 7-foot-7 wingspan. Maluach has some touch at the free throw line, too, and there's reason to believe he might be able to space the floor eventually. This was probably the dream outcome for Phoenix fans.
Grade: A-
11. Memphis Grizzlies — Cedric Coward, F, Washington State (Sr.)
Memphis acquires this pick from the Portland Trail Blazers. This completes a meteoric rise for Cedric Coward, a former D-III player who only spent one season on the national stage at Washington State — and he only appeared in six games as a senior due to injury. There is substantial theoretical upside with Coward, who has massive hands and a gaping 7-foot-2 wingspan. He shoots a clean 3, makes strong decisions on offense and plays all-out on defense. Memphis is generally a great player development spot. Coward needs to add strength and work on his handle, but the raw tools and strong baseline of feel make this a reasonable gamble for the retooling Grizzlies.
Grade: B
12. Chicago Bulls — Noa Essengue, F, France (2006)
This is a huge win for the Bulls — a sentence you probably haven't read very often over the last few years. Chicago's front office deserves skepticism, and some fans may be skeptical of the lesser-known international prospect, but Essengue is a major talent. He's the second-youngest player in the draft, with a long 6-foot-11 frame and incredible agility. It shows up in a big way on defense, where Essengue effortlessly switches around the floor and generates chaos. His feel is also underrated. Essengue needs to develop his ball skills and his 3-point shot, but he'll run the floor with Chicago's guard-heavy lineup, kickstart transition possessions with heads-up outlet passes, and do the little things — like screen, relocate and cut — offensively. Essengue was the No. 4 prospect on FanSided's big board.
Grade: A
13. New Orleans Pelicans — Derik Queen, C, Maryland (Fr.)
The Pelicans gave up a lot to trade into this pick — including their unprotected 2026 first-round pick, which is a bold sacrifice for a 21-win team. That said, Derik Queen is a tremendous talent and peak value at this point in the draft. I'm not entirely sure of the Queen and Williamson fit in the frontcourt, as neither is a great defender and both occupy similar areas of the floor on offense, but it's a strong bet on upside for the Pelicans. Queen creates advantages with his strength and coordination as a driver. His passing as a center is next level. He didn't hit a ton of 3s at Maryland, but he has incredible touch around the basket and from mid-range, with the confidence to devleop into a more potent perimeter spacer over time.
Grade: A-
14. San Antonio Spurs — Carter Bryant, F, Arizona (Fr.)
Carter Bryant's streamlined role at Arizona made him a tough evaluation, but the entire NBA is looking for wings with Bryant's athleticism, size and defensive intensity. He's an efficient spot-up shooter, with a little bit of wiggle getting to his spots in the mid-range. His primary value early on, however, will be taking tough assignments on defense and making an impact with his athleticism. This is about as good a fit for Bryant and the Spurs as was possible at this point in the draft. San Antonio really needs shooting and defense on the wing.
Grade: A-
15. Oklahoma City Thunder — Thomas Sorber, G, Georgetown (Fr.)
OKC continues to run laps around the rest of the league, landing the best remaining prospect in Georgetown's Thomas Sorber. It's never too early to look to the future, and OKC will need an Isaiah Hartenstein replacement eventually. Beefing up the frontline makes sense for the Thunder. Sorber is just a phenomenal all-around talent and he should be able to crack the rotation early on, even for a championship favorite like OKC. He smothers the paint defensively with a 7-foot-6 wingspan; he's mobile enough to step up in space and guard on the perimeter a bit. He's a brilliant short roll passer and a savvy connective piece, in addition to a proficient rim finisher. OKC got a good one.
Grade: A
16. Portland Trail Blazers — Hansen Yang, C, China (2005)
This is the first true stunner of the draft. Hansen Yang was widely projected as an early second-round pick. The big man from China is undeniably an intriguing talent, though, with incredible court vision and passing chops on the block. He's 7-foot-2 with soft touch and strong instincts as a rim protector, although there are questions about his mobility against quicker lineups. Portland already has Donovan Clingan and Deandre Ayton in the building, so Yang probably won't play much as a rookie. He can't really play next to Clingan on defense either, so Portland is essentially investing in a backup center. Strange, but a commendably gutsy upside swing.
Grade: C
17. Minnesota Timberwolves — Joan Beringer, C, France (2006)
Minnesota picks up its big man of the future in Joan Beringer. The French 18-year-old began playing basketball in 2021; he's new to the game and his ascent has been meteoric. It's a bit surprising to see the Wolves go with such a long-term prospect, but Beringer should learn a lot from fellow countryman Rudy Gobert. He can block shots and cover a ton of ground defensively. He's a bit more raw than other players in this range and he probably won't see the floor much as a rookie, but the Wolves are clearly thinking about the future as Gobert's decline begins.
Grade: C
18. Utah Jazz — Walter Clayton Jr., G, Florida (Sr.)
Utah trades up for Walter Clayton Jr., an NCAA Tournament hero and one of the best offensive talents in college basketball. He's a lights-out shooter and a bold downhill scorer, with incredible shiftiness and strength despite his small frame. I'm skeptical of the fit with Isaiah Collier and Keyonte George, two defensively challenged guards, but Clayton's skill set certainly plugs into Will Hardy's motion-heavy, 3s-oriented offense. He can give them an immediate scoring punch off the bench. Utah has some cuts to make in the backcourt, but Clayton has a chance to earn early minutes and potentially compete for an All-Rookie slot.
Grade: C+
19. Brooklyn Nets — Nolan Traore, G, France (2006)
Brooklyn goes international with the 19th pick, drafting Nolan Traoré of Saint-Quentin. He's one of the youngest prospects on the board and is, frankly, a tremendous complement to Egor Demin in the backcourt. This does not absolve the reach at No. 8, but Traoré takes pressure off of Demin. Traoré is one of the quickest and shiftiest ball-handlers in the draft, with plus size for a point guard. He hits the turbo in transition and has no trouble beatind defenders at the point of attack with his dynamic first step. Scoring efficiency is a concern — neither Traoré nor Demin are particularly adept as scorers — but if Brooklyn puts the right pieces around them, there could be a strong backcourt foundation here.
Grade: B
20. Miami Heat — Kasparas Jakucionis, G, Illinois (Fr.)
A big win for Miami, as Kasparas Jakučionis' unexpected slide stops at No. 20. There will be defensive concerns with Jakučionis and Tyler Herro in the backcourt, but he's 6-foot-6 with a stout frame and he competes hard — a trait Miami maximizes more than most teams. The offense is awesome. He'll need to cut down on turnovers, but Jakučionis reads the floor like a book out of pick-and-rolls and is admirably bold with his passes. The shooting is real, both off the ball and pulling up. This was great value and we should see Jakučionis on the floor early and often as a rookie.
Grade: A
21. Washington Wizards — Will Riley, F, Illinois (Fr.)
This is a very Wizards pick. Will Riley fits Washington's general mold — he's a long, fluid shot-maker on the wing. There are concerns about Riley's ability to play through physicality on defense, but he strong arms his way to the rim on drives despite a thin frame and he and looks good when he's spraying pull-up middies, even if the efficiency can waver. Washington will give him plenty of chances to attack closeouts, connect dots as a passer and step into a significant scoring role.
Grade: C+
22. Brooklyn Nets — Drake Powell, F, North Carolina (Fr.)
Drake Powell fell victim to a wonky situation at North Carolina, but he's a major athlete on the wing. At worst, Powell figures to hound ball-handlers on defense and blow up plays with his length and activity in passing lanes. He also hit spot-up 3s at a healthy clip. The offense is a work in progress otherwise, and Brooklyn has now picked three prospects with major scoring question marks, but Powell is a reasonable upside swing for a team starting from scratch like Brooklyn.
Grade: B-
23. Atlanta Hawks — Asa Newell, F, Georgia (Fr.)
Atlanta opts for the local product with UGA's Asa Newell. He should benefit a ton from Trae Young. Newell stacked double-doubles in college. He's not the most diverse offensive talent, but Newell has a great sense for when to screen, cut and move. He'll make himself available around the rim as Young sets the table. He can hit spot-up 3s and he's a nimble, versatile athlete on defense with an appetite for rebounds. This is strong value and a great skill match for Newell. He should spend plenty of time next to both Kristaps Porzingis and Jalen Johnson in the frontcourt.
Grade: A-
24. Sacramento Kings — Nique Clifford, F, Colorado State (Sr.)
Great value for Sacramento, and a pick that aligns with their general tendencies as a front office. He's a ready-made contributor, guarding all over the floor defensively and rebounding far above his means as a wing. He's a standout athlete. The offensive skill set is so well-rounded; he can hit spot-up 3s, create out of pick-and-rolls, play vertically on backdoor cuts or as a roll man. He's 23, so the upside is perhaps limited, but Clifford should plug a lot of holes for a Kings roster in flux.
Grade: A
25. Orlando Magic — Jase Richardson, G, Michigan State (Fr.)
This is a home run pick for Orlando, adding a lottery-level talent who fits their needs perfectly. Jase Richardson is undersized, but he's a stout perimeter defender and Orlando has the length to insulate him on defense. Offensively, he's a killer off-ball scorer, bombing 3s, snaking into the lane off of closeouts and burying feather-soft floaters. He didn't play much point guard with the Spartans, but Richardson should score with tremendous efficiency off of Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Orlando's core pieces.
Grade: A+
26. Brooklyn Nets — Ben Saraf, G, Israel (2006)
Well, this is a strange one. Brooklyn takes another guard in Ben Saraf, who joins Egor Demin and Nolan Traoré in a backcourt that will struggle to score but do an incredible job of setting up teammates, whomever they may be. He's 6-foot-7 with shifty handles, a nice mid-range package and genuinely remarkable vision as a passer, but Saraf's 3-point shot can waver and he's a limited defender in terms of lateral quickness and physicality. This is good value, but man, Brooklyn is going a little heavy on a certain type of guard prospect.
Grade: C-
27. Brooklyn Nets — Danny Wolf, C, Michigan (Jr.)
Another... fascinating pick from Brooklyn. The Nets are loading up on ball skills. Danny Wolf essentially played point guard as a 7-footer at Michigan, running inverted pick-and-rolls and slinging a wide array of passes on the move. He has questions on the defensive end and it will be fascinating to see how he scales down next to Brooklyn's new gaggle of guards, but he can shoot, rebound and defend reasonably well in a team context, although he's not a rim protector. There are a lot of fun passers in Brooklyn now, but it's unclear if all the pieces will gel.
Grade: C+
28. Boston Celtics — Hugo Gonzalez, F, Spain (2006)
Boston swings international with Hugo González, a tough, physical wing who spent last season in a bit role for Real Madrid, one of the best programs in Europe. There are questions about the 3-point shooting, but González plays endlessly hard on defense and has the athletic tools to stifle NBA guards and wings at the point of attack. He makes smart decisions in the flow of the offense and gets downhill with a purpose off the catch. If the jumper and the scoring come along, González will have a shot at outperforming this draft slot, especially on a talented Celtics team.
Grade: B
29. Charlotte Hornets — Liam McNeeley, F, UConn (Fr.)
This is a fine pick. Charlotte goes with another high-feel shooter in Liami McNeeley to pair with lottery pick Kon Knueppel. McNeeley will shoot better than he did in college with NBA level playmakers and shooters around him. There are serious concerns on defense and the ceiling isn't super high, but it's solid value and he can add more dynamism to the Hornets offense as a movement shooter and competent secondary playmaker.
Grade: B-
30. Los Angeles Clippers — Yanic Konan Niederhauser, C, Penn State (Jr.)
Yanic Konan Niederhauser was a huge riser at the NBA Combine, going from a relative afterthought to a potential first-round pick. He's a major athlete at 7-foot with a long wingspan, incredible vertical pop and the mobility to guard on the perimeter. Konan Niederhauser's lack of feel and ball skills will make it a steep learning curve at the next level, but Los Angeles can take it slow as a contender with a reasonably deep roster. They need backup center help behind Ivica Zubac. He was not a top-60 prospect on the FanSided board, but the logic here is at least comprehensible. Not a great pick, but maybe it works out. There are worst strategies than swinging for the fences at No. 30.
Grade: D+
Stay tuned for live updates throughout the night.