2025 NBA Draft: Expert Analysis on Picks and Predictions

My favorite pick was Kasparas Jakucionis to the Miami Heat at No. 20. The Heat not only drafted a player I rated significantly higher (No. 10 on my board) but also addressed a roster need with someone who fits their organizational culture perfectly. Jakucionis brings much-needed backcourt shot creation with his ballhandling and playmaking, while his size allows him to play effectively both on and off the ball, a versatility crucial in the modern NBA.

Miami also secured Russian center Vlad Goldin, an undrafted prospect, adding to their roster`s international flavor alongside Pelle Larsson and Nikola Jovic.

I liked Khaman Maluach to the Phoenix Suns at No. 10. While the Suns` immediate future is uncertain, this pick effectively addresses a major weakness from last season – the lack of a dominant interior defender. Maluach provides the exact type of presence in the paint that Phoenix desperately needed. Pairing him with new addition Mark Williams should significantly improve their defensive identity and allow him to thrive alongside their score-first perimeter players.

My pick is Egor Demin to the Brooklyn Nets at No. 8. I`m more optimistic about Demin`s future than some, valuing his profile as a tall playmaker. The Nets drafting him early shows they see his potential, and landing on a team where he will get immediate playing time and on-ball opportunities is ideal. He can develop his game, including his shooting, and his unselfish style aligns with the Nets` desired team identity. This blank-slate situation is crucial for his development, allowing him to experiment and grow without the pressure of fighting for limited minutes on a deeper roster.

The best value pick was Liam McNeeley to the Charlotte Hornets at No. 29. I was surprised he fell this far, having him ranked much higher (No. 17). While his shooting numbers were down in college and in some workouts, I`ve seen him shoot exceptionally well in various settings and believe he will thrive with NBA spacing and a less dominant offensive role. Beyond shooting, his size, toughness, feel for the game, and overall skill make him a valuable find late in the first round. Charlotte got a potential steal here.

I agree with Givony on Jakucionis to the Heat. Miami capitalized on other teams` decisions, getting a player who some, myself included, viewed as a top-10 talent. While opinions on him were mixed, I expect this pick to look very good for Miami in hindsight compared to the teams that passed on him, especially given their need for a playmaking guard.

The most surprising pick for me was Demin to the Nets. While I kept him high on my board despite college struggles, seeing him go ahead of players like Maluach and Jakucionis was unexpected. The Nets clearly prioritized finding a starting point guard candidate, and now have multiple options. I appreciate that Demin will be given the freedom to develop, but I was surprised they took him that high, especially needing more shooting among their guard prospects.

I was most surprised by Yang Hansen to the Portland Trail Blazers at No. 16. My reaction was more fascination than shock. Yang possesses intriguing skills for a young big man, and he was a player worth a gamble. I liked his combine performance, but there was no widespread expectation he`d be drafted in the top 20. It`s a significant gamble on his offensive game translating from a lower-level league. The fact that Portland took him so high, seemingly without much competition reported higher up, was the biggest surprise of the first round.

No single team`s class stands out as particularly bad, though I would have liked to see the Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets more involved in trading up or making picks, but their focus is clearly on playoff contention right now.

My favorite was the Atlanta Hawks trading down to ultimately draft Asa Newell at No. 23. They managed to acquire what I project to be a No. 8 pick in the 2026 draft simply by moving down 10 spots. While I personally rated Derik Queen (the player New Orleans traded up for at No. 13) much higher than Newell, the value the Hawks received for that 10-spot difference, leveraging New Orleans` clear and perhaps overly transparent interest in Queen, was excellent.

I liked the Utah Jazz trading up to draft Walter Clayton Jr. at No. 18. While I wasn`t initially high on Clayton, I grew to appreciate his shotmaking as an intriguing bet in a draft light on true point guards. The Jazz didn`t have to give up much to get him, and despite potentially competing for minutes, there`s a solid chance Clayton develops into a valuable contributor for them.

My least favorite trade was Memphis moving up five spots with Portland, from No. 16 to No. 11, costing them an unprotected 2028 first-round pick and two second-round picks. That package seems very steep for moving up just five spots, even with rumors that the Oklahoma City Thunder were also interested in Cedric Coward (the player Memphis drafted at No. 11). I wasn`t convinced Coward was worth a pick that high in the first place, so the cost makes this trade questionable for Memphis.

My least favorite was the New Orleans Pelicans mortgaging their future for Derik Queen. Considering all factors, trading away a valuable 2026 first-round pick to move up 10 spots in this specific draft feels difficult to justify. It`s less a critique of Queen himself and more a concern about the process and the high cost paid relative to the value received and the potential fit issues.

In five years, we`ll wonder why Hugo Gonzalez fell to the Boston Celtics at No. 28. I had him ranked No. 15, significantly higher. His stock dropped partly because he struggled for playing time on a deep Real Madrid team. If he had played elsewhere, in a role that highlighted his skills more, he would likely have been a lottery pick. He has a strong international resume from youth competitions. His fit in Boston is great, and he`s sure to be a fan favorite with his defensive intensity, though his significant buyout might complicate his initial contract.

We might wonder why Will Riley fell to the Washington Wizards at No. 21. Having seen him play live frequently, I`m a strong believer in his talent. He joins a Wizards team that will offer plenty of opportunities for young players to develop. His physical frame (6-foot-8, 180 pounds) is a work in progress, but players with his combination of size and offensive talent rarely fail purely due to being too skinny. Riley has genuine game, and I expect him to surprise people over time.

Cooper Flagg. He is the best player in this draft class and will step into a major role immediately for the Mavericks, who need his shot creation. He will need to be a star from day one, helping keep the team competitive while they await Kyrie Irving`s return from injury.

Anyone other than Flagg? Unlikely. This isn`t a bold prediction. Flagg is walking into an excellent situation with ample opportunity to shine right away. I anticipate he will adjust to the NBA quickly and stand out from his peers.

Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, Kon Knueppel, Tre Johnson (Wizards).

Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Tre Johnson, Kon Knueppel – and to differ slightly, I`ll include the other Jazz rookie, Walter Clayton Jr.

That would be Javon Small, No. 48 pick by Memphis. As a first-team all-conference player in the tough Big 12, Small carried West Virginia with his steady shot creation and shotmaking, bringing toughness on both ends. These attributes translate well to the G League. He`ll be effective in transition and should thrive in the league`s open style, scoring in bunches while making winning plays. He could become another valuable find for Memphis like Scotty Pippen Jr.

I`ll go with Ryan Nembhard, who went undrafted. Nembhard is reportedly signing a two-way deal with the Mavericks. Given Dallas`s point guard situation, he might quickly find himself on the main roster. Regardless, I believe in his playmaking feel and ability to involve teammates despite his size limitations. Whenever he plays in the G League, he will be among the top guards there.

I`m most interested in following Eric Dixon with the Los Angeles Lakers. The former Villanova guard was a top scorer in college basketball, averaging 23 points and shooting 41% from three. He`s not just a shooter; he can create his own shot and draw fouls. At 6-foot-8 and 260 pounds, he`s a strong inside-out threat. While his defense will need work, he brings toughness and physicality. This is a solid addition for the Lakers. I heard Lakers president Rob Pelinka met with Dixon and shared a story about Kobe Bryant`s focus and dedication, illustrating the mindset required for greatness.

I`ll be following John Poulakidas with the LA Clippers. The former Yale guard was a late-round sleeper I began to like. Poulakidas has good physical tools for a wing (6-foot-6, 205 pounds) and is already a very good shooter. If he improves defensively, he has a path to an NBA roster spot, likely on an Exhibit 10 contract initially. Quality three-point shooters with NBA size often have an easier path to the league than other types of players.

I predict that the Nets’ draft class will age better than expected. Brooklyn had a clear strategy: acquire high-IQ passers with good size (Demin, Ben Saraf, Danny Wolf) and buy low on talents coming off down seasons (Nolan Traore, Drake Powell). Their vision is to build an unselfish, ball-sharing team. I`m not concerned about their skill sets overlapping developmentally, especially with players who prioritize passing. Starting their careers together should foster chemistry and easier scoring opportunities. The Nets have minutes available for development and are positioned well for the next loaded draft class, so I believe several of these players will exceed current expectations.

My main takeaway is that college basketball is back and will remain a significant pipeline. After the previous draft`s top picks came from France and Australia, this year saw zero non-collegiate international players in the top 10 and only six in the first round – historically low numbers. This trend might continue next year. The appeal of high NIL earnings in college has encouraged many players to stay in school and even attracted international talent. It remains to be seen if future changes in revenue sharing impact NIL values and potentially push more international prospects back towards traditional European development paths.

My top takeaway is that consensus is just a concept in the draft. Many of the first-round surprises stemmed from teams strictly adhering to their own evaluations rather than public perception. Whether it was Memphis trading up for Coward, New Orleans going big for Queen, Portland picking Yang unexpectedly high, or the Nets using all five of their picks, this draft highlighted that teams trust their boards and are willing to take players they believe in, regardless of external rankings. It was an entertaining reminder of how subjective draft value can be.