The 2025 NBA Draft first round wasn’t just about star power but also a gold rush for hidden talent. There are always steals in every NBA draft, for example, Jaylen Wells of the Memphis Grizzlies and Kyle Filipowski of the Utah Jazz. In the 2025 NBA Draft, stars such as Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper stole the show, but there are some gems that we have easily identified.
Similar to other draft classes, several picks popped off the board as genuine bargains, and these selections dropped into perfect spots where their fit, upside, and landing environment align in ways that could pay off. Let’s dive into the five biggest steals in the first round of the 2025 draft.
1. VJ Edgecomb – Philadelphia 76ers
With the No. 3 pick, the 76ers grabbed Baylor’s explosive two-way guard VJ Edgecombe. How could a top-three pick end up being a steal? Because the Sixers could have fallen victim to what they “should have done”, drafting a player such as Kon Knueppel or Ace Bailey.
Instead, they took a gamble that will pay off for them immediately. An elite athlete with a 6’4″ frame, Edgecombe averaged 15 points, 5.6 boards, 3.2 assists, and 2.1 steals as a freshman, earning Big 12 Rookie of the Year honors.
Infused with defensive tenacity, perimeter agility, and a developing shooting stroke, he’s being touted as the perfect complement to Philly’s core of Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. The buzz around his fit under Nick Nurse runs deep because he can make immediate contributions in transition while growing into a larger creative role.
This pick qualifies as a first-round steal because Edgecombe slipped behind flashier, perceived higher-ceiling prospects, leaving Philly with a player whose instinctive game and defensive juice make him a win-now asset on a playoff-ready roster.
2. Khaman Maluach – Houston Rockets (Traded To Phoenix Suns)
At pick No. 10, the Suns (via a Kevin Durant deal) landed towering 7’2″ rim protector Khaman Maluach, widely projected as a top-eight pick, marking one of the draft’s sharpest value grabs. A South Sudanese prodigy with a 9’8″ reach, Maluach quickly established himself as a Defensive Anchor at Duke.
Analysts highlight his pick-and-roll finishing and interior efficiency, making him a perfect centerpiece for Phoenix’s long-term interior rebuild. Given his steep physical ceiling, underrated offensive reading, and a defensive profile that could anchor the paint for years, Maluach slipping to 10, especially to a team in need of interior juice, checks every box for a draft-night steal.
The Suns got far more than upside; they got a potential foundational big on a rookie deal. It might also help that Maluach will have stiff competition from the newly acquired Mark Williams as well.
3. Cedric Coward – Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis swung big, trading two first-rounders (plus seconds) to snatch Cedric Coward at No. 11, a bet that’s instantly paying dividends in draft value. Coward’s unique journey, from D-III dominance at Willamette to Big Sky breakthroughs and a brief, injury-hobbled stint at Washington State, has become one of the draft’s most compelling storylines.
With a 6’6″ frame and 7’2″ wingspan, scouts laud his scoring versatility, playmaking instincts, efficiency, and ceiling, and he might be a top-8 talent, to be frank. No doubt a diamond in the rough, Coward’s combination of feel, polish, and intangibles comes at a bargain given his lottery selection. He might end up being the biggest steal of the draft, but we have him third because of the proof we have already seen from Edgecombe and Maluach.
4. Will Riley – Utah Jazz
Taken No. 21, Canadian power wing Will Riley, fresh off a breakout freshman campaign at Illinois, is generating real buzz as a late-first-round gem. With averages of 12.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and a deep wingspan that disrupts on defense, Riley fits the modern Jazz blueprint.
His trajectory, from reclassification to Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year, then downing shot creation down the stretch, showed his rapid improvement and adaptability. Even as Utah ultimately traded him to the Wizards, we still consider Riley a steal. A combo forward at 6’8″ and armed with positionless versatility, he may be one of the best values in the late 20s.
5. Jase Richardson – Orlando Magic
At pick No. 25, the Magic landed 19-year-old Michigan State guard Jase Richardson, son of former NBA star Jason Richardson, with little fanfare yet massive upside. In his freshman season, he shot 41% from downtown and averaged 12+ points, earning Third-Team All-Big Ten honors.
Beyond scoring, he’s viewed as a savvy playmaker with on-ball instincts and toughness on both ends. For a franchise starving for young talent that fits its timeline, Richardson’s proven floor-spacing, two-way IQ, and built-in winning pedigree could deliver strong rookie returns and long-term payoff.
