The 2025 NBA Draft unfolded exactly as many predicted. Top-talent Cooper Flagg became the No. 1 overall pick, but the real intrigue lies in the ripple effects of key dominoes. Rutgers phenom Cooper Flagg snagged the top spot, while Ace Bailey, projected as a top-3 pick, slid to No. 5, a fall surprising in its impact.
Rank-sliding Bailey was once pegged as a mid-lottery lock, but questions about his size (he measured 6’7″ vs. a listed 6’10”), decision-making, and turnover issues (a sub-1.0 assist-to-turnover ratio) sparked a dramatic drop, along with some strange drama about where he wanted to land.
Meanwhile, interesting selections like the Pelicans locking up top scorer Jeremiah Fears and the Nets betting on passing maestro Egor Demin have experts debating whether these steals, shakes, or splashes will define the night. But these aren’t even the biggest winners or losers of the draft; there is far more to discuss.
Below: our full grading, top-to-bottom, on the winners and losers of this draft’s wildest shifts.
Winners
Dallas Mavericks (And Mavericks Fans): A+
Losing Luka Doncic rocked Dallas, with outrage spilling over GM Nico Harrison all season long. But the Mavericks, armed with the No. 1 pick, landed premier prospect Cooper Flagg, a move that will immediately temper fan anger.
Flagg joins an elite core of Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis, and Daniel Gafford/Dereck Lively, offering a potent blend of star power, NBA readiness, and commercial buzz. It’s a launchpad for Dallas’ next era, both on the court and in ticket/t-shirt sales.
This was always going to be an A+ grade for any team that got the No. 1 overall pick, but this is especially important for the Mavericks fans who will be more than happy to see the future superstar suit up for the franchise.
San Antonio Spurs: A
Locking in Dylan Harper to complement Victor Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, and Stephon Castle anchors their long-term rebuild. Harper’s playmaking and size fit slot seamlessly into a vision built around defense and future upside.
However, the Spurs do not receive an A+ because of the fact that they missed out on Cooper Flagg, but Harper is still very raw and easily the second-best player in the draft. Harper’s fit in San Antonio is in question moving forward, but we expect the Spurs to figure it out.
Utah Jazz: B+
Selecting Ace Bailey at No. 5 gives Utah a top-tier scorer and modern wing, though whispers suggest he wasn’t fully onboard with the destination. That slight hesitation knocks off a few points, but talent-wise, it’s a strong addition, and the Jazz made the easiest choice.
If they can convince Bailey to be happy in Utah, they have the most important asset on the team moving forward. The No. 5 overall pick has some players to play alongside it, including Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler, and Isaiah Collier, but he will likely be the one to become the only untouchable moving forward.
Cooper Flagg: A
Summer workouts lit him up, Mavs insiders called him a “complete beast,” and Duke trusted him with high-stakes moments. Rather than land in a rebuilding pit, Flagg lands in a playoff-ready environment, poised to learn from Kyrie, Davis, and Thompson.
Flagg is very fortunate to be in a position to be on an immediate playoff contender, and if the stars on the team are healthy, he can be an impact player. We don’t anticipate Flagg running away with the Rookie of the Year trophy because of the touches Irving and Davis will require. But the youngster has plenty of opportunity to learn the ropes while being well-received by Mavs fans who see him as Luka’s replacement.
Memphis Grizzlies: A
After trading Desmond Bane, Memphis swiftly replenished with Cedric Coward, a sharpshooter who averaged 41% from deep and brings diverse scoring, playmaking, and defensive growth. He carries upside to be the third option next to Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.
Essentially, the Grizzlies have swapped Bane for Coward and four first-round picks, so this wasn’t the worst offseason in franchise history by any means. In fact, some might argue that Coward could end up being a better fit in Memphis moving forward than Bane could have.
Losers
Ace Bailey: C
Bailey didn’t conceal his unhappiness over the Utah landing. He canceled workouts with multiple teams, including Philadelphia, and has been notably selective. It was also alarming to see Bailey almost in tears when his name ended up being called to be a new member of the Jazz.
Scouts raised flags about his unpolished interviews and questionable decision-making; his assist-to-turnover ratio hovered around 0.8, and that showed in his narrow draft projection. That kind of leverage for a rookie speaks volumes, and not in a good way.
He landed top 5, but rather than embrace it, Bailey’s camp opted for control. Teams rarely take kindly to those demands before proving themselves.
New Orleans Pelicans: C
The Pelicans drafting Derik Queen raises some eyebrows. Burdened by conditioning issues and free-throw shooting (76.6%), Queen’s draft stock reportedly “dinged” at the combine, and scouts flagged his scoring footprint beyond the paint.
In New Orleans, where high-octane performance is a prerequisite, Queen appears more undersized and underdeveloped. Without a reliable jump shot or metabolic readiness, his fit alongside Zion’s timeline seems misaligned. Overall, Queen has risky upside, fits an uncertain timeline, and will be a questionable fit.
Portland Trail Blazers: C-
Portland’s selection of Hansen Yang (large Chinese 7-footer) and pairing him alongside Donovan Clingan could be electrifying, but it has to be seen if chemistry breeds success or trade talk.
The fit is intriguing: a twin-towering frontcourt that could shift the Blazers’ identity. On the flip side, the suggestion of a swap-down with Brooklyn hints at uncertainty. This was a very bold move, and we don’t know why a twin-towers pairing alongside the newly acquired Jrue Holiday made sense for Portland.
Minnesota Timberwolves: C-
Minnesota’s pick of Joan Beringer screams “raw project.” Yes, he dunks with ferocity, but beyond that, there’s little polish or pro readiness (no web hits, but internal note).
With veterans like Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle locked in (with Naz Reid mulling free agency), Beringer lacks an obvious role and needs foundational minutes to grow. We give this selection a C-, because the potential looks promising, but without a role plan, that potential might stall, and we predict it might.
Miami Heat: D
The Miami Heat likely hoped to secure a player of Walter Clayton Jr.’s talent (who went No. 18 overall) but instead landed Kasparas Jakucionis, whose readiness to run an NBA backcourt remains in question. Instead of a high-upside PG to spell or prod Herro, Miami’s pick feels like a backup plan.
We unfortunately have to give this a D. This selection didn’t support a defined need, and the upside doesn’t justify it. The Heat need a point guard, and it’s great that they drafted one, but the roster isn’t looking too impressive heading into 2025-26.
