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Biggest winners from the 2025 NBA draft<\/p>\n
Smart trades and bold picks helped the Suns, Grizzlies, and Hawks steal the spotlight on draft night.<\/p>\n
There’s probably not a Nikola Jokic in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft<\/a>. There could be. But it’s unlikely.<\/p>\n Could there be a Draymond Green (35th pick in the second round in 2012) or a Manu Ginobili (57th pick in the second round in 1999)? It’s possible. But that’s also difficult to know today.<\/p>\n However, several players with first-round potential slipped into the second round and were drafted by teams hoping to find that rare gem. Some of those picks impacted some overall draft grades<\/a> following the completion of this week\u2019s draft.<\/p>\n Here are USA TODAY Sports\u2019 2025 NBA Draft grades after both rounds:<\/p>\n 2025 NBA draft gradesAtlanta Hawks: B+<\/p>\n The Hawks traded for Kristaps Porzingis<\/a> and then acquired Asa Newell with the No. 23 pick. They also ended up with a 2026 first-round pick that could end up being a lottery pick.<\/p>\n Boston Celtics: B<\/p>\n At No. 28, Boston landed Spain\u2019s Hugo Gonzalez, who is one of Europe\u2019s top prospects. But he may not be ready to contribute immediately.<\/p>\n Brooklyn Nets: A<\/p>\n The Nets accumulated five first-round draft picks ahead of the draft and got: BYU\u2019s Egor Demin at No. 8, France\u2019s Nolan Traore at No. 19, North Carolina\u2019s Drake Powell at No. 22, Israel\u2019s Ben Saraf at No. 26 and Michigan\u2019s Danny Wolf at No. 27.<\/p>\n Charlotte Hornets: B+<\/p>\n The Hornets need shooting. They were 28th in 3-point shooting percentage, 30th in field goal percentage and 30th in effective field goal percentage. Duke\u2019s Kon Knueppel can help a massive shortcoming on Charlotte\u2019s roster. They went after offense and size in the second round with Duke’s Sion James and Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner in the second round.<\/p>\n Chicago Bulls: B<\/p>\n France is in a nice run of producing NBA players, and Noa Essengue, the No. 12 pick, will give the Bulls another interior option.<\/p>\n Cleveland Cavaliers: B<\/p>\n Did not have a first-round pick; traded to Utah as part of the Donovan Mitchell deal, which has worked out for the Cavs. They signed him to a three-year, $150.3 million contract that keeps him with the Cavs through at least 2026-27. Cleveland used one of its two second-round picks on Duke’s Tyrese Proctor.<\/p>\n Dallas Mavericks: A<\/p>\n The Mavericks needed luck to get the No. 1 pick \u2013 just a 1.8% chance to win the lottery and that\u2019s what happened, allowing them to select Cooper Flagg<\/a>, who brings talent, maturity and an NBA-ready game to a team looking to compete for a title.<\/p>\n Denver Nuggets: A<\/p>\n Did not have a first-round pick. The Nuggets traded it to Orlando in 2021 in a deal that sent Aaron Gordon to the Nuggets. It helped Denver win a title in 2023.<\/p>\n Detroit Pistons: Incomplete<\/p>\n Detroit\u2019s selection was sent away as part of the 2020 trade that brought Isaiah Stewart to the Pistons.<\/p>\n Golden State Warriors: Incomplete<\/p>\n As part of the trade that sent Jimmy Butler to Golden State, the Warriors shipped the No. 20 selection to Miami, which became Kasparas Jakucionis. While Butler infused defense, veteran experience and more competitiveness to the Warriors, they were eventually eliminated in the second round. Golden State had two second-round picks but those picks are unlikely to impact 2025-26.<\/p>\n Houston Rockets: A-<\/p>\n The Rockets did not have a first-round pick … because they traded the No. 10 pick to Phoenix for Kevin Durant<\/a>, putting them in position to contend for a title after going 52-30 last season and earning the No. 2 seed in the West.<\/p>\n Indiana Pacers: Incomplete<\/p>\n The Pacers did not have a first-round pick, trading the No. 23 overall selection to the Pelicans, as well as the rights to guard Mojave King. In exchange, the Pacers received their own 2026 first-round selection, which they had originally shipped to Toronto in the deal that brought Pascal Siakam to Indiana. Like Golden State, Indiana had two second-round picks, but the value won’t be revealed immediately.<\/p>\n Los Angeles Clippers: B<\/p>\n With the final pick of the first night, the Clippers bolstered their interior presence, taking forward Yanic Konan Niederhauser out of Penn State. He\u2019s still a bit raw, but he should be an excellent developmental backup to center Ivica Zubac. Niederhauser should get plenty of burn as a low block defender \u2014 he ranked 12th in the country in blocks per game (2.3) \u2014 and should be a lob threat as a finisher.<\/p>\n Los Angeles Lakers: B<\/p>\n The No. 22 overall selection was part of the package the Lakers sent the Pelicans in the deal that brought center Anthony Davis to Los Angeles. The Lakers moved up from No. 45 to No. 36 and drafted Arkansas’ Adou Thiero, who has first-round potential.<\/p>\n Memphis Grizzlies: B+<\/p>\n This was all about replacing Desmond Bane<\/a>, whom Memphis just shipped to the Orlando Magic, but on a budget. Bane had been signed to a max extension in July 2023, so he was going to become pricey. Guard Cedric Coward, a late riser in the draft process, was picked at No. 11. He has ample experience and should play right away. Memphis has a pretty solid track record in recent years of drafting. His size and shooting ability should translate instantly.<\/p>\n Miami Heat: B<\/p>\n Illinois\u2019 Kasparas Jakucionis was projected as a lottery pick in several mock drafts, and the Heat got him at No. 20.<\/p>\n Milwaukee Bucks: A<\/p>\n Did not have a first-round pick; the Bucks traded the pick to New Orleans in 2020, acquiring Jrue Holiday, who helped the Bucks win a title in 2021. Yes, the Bucks are trying to stay competitive with Giannis Antetokounmpo, but it\u2019s hard to complain about a title.<\/p>\n Minnesota Timberwolves: B-<\/p>\n The issue with Rudy Gobert is that his offensive game can be inconsistent. And Minnesota\u2019s consecutive trips to the Western Conference finals proved that the Timberwolves need more scoring, particularly when teams game plan to take Anthony Edwards out of rhythm. Joan Beringer is only 18, so he\u2019s a project and doesn\u2019t necessarily help Minnesota get over the hump in the short term. He\u2019s explosive and full of potential. Minnesota\u2019s window to win, however, is now, and plenty of plug-and-play prospects were available at 17.<\/p>\n New Orleans Pelicans: B-<\/p>\n In a vacuum, both Jeremiah Fears (guard, No. 7) and Derik Queen (center, No. 13) are solid players. But they\u2019re also both at positions where the Pelicans have established players, which could mean New Orleans will be looking to sell off veterans like point guard Dejounte Murray and power forward Zion Williamson. Queen\u2019s skill set \u2014 his ball handling, vision, passing and touch \u2014 should make him too valuable to sit. The same, frankly, goes for Fears. The Pelicans have very nice pieces; the fit is a little cumbersome.<\/p>\n New York Knicks: B-<\/p>\n Did not have a first-round pick; the Knicks have traded significant draft capital (no first-round picks in 2025, 2027, 2029 and 2031) to build this team. Back-to-back 50-win seasons and an Eastern Conference finals appearance this season are the results so far.<\/p>\n Oklahoma City Thunder: B<\/p>\n Given it\u2019s the Thunder front office led by executive VP\/GM Sam Presti and the track record of the Thunder acing the draft, it\u2019s a safe bet to say the Thunder found value with the No. 15 pick (Georgetown\u2019s Thomas Sorber).<\/p>\n Orlando Magic: B<\/p>\n At one point during the draft process, Michigan State\u2019s Jase Richardson was a projected lottery pick and the Magic got him at No. 25. In the second round, the Magic landed Noah Penda, who has first-round talent, at No. 32.<\/p>\n Philadelphia 76ers: B<\/p>\n The Sixers passed on Ace Bailey and took defensive-minded guard VJ Edgecombe at No. 3<\/a>. He will be able to guard multiple positions.<\/p>\n Phoenix Suns: C-<\/p>\n There\u2019s no question: the Suns have wanted a center for a long time. They traded Jusuf Nurki\u0107 to the Hornets in the middle of the season and struggled to find a presence down low. Duke\u2019s Khaman Maluach at No. 10 \u2014 part of the trade that sent Kevin Durant to Houston \u2014 is actually great value. But, minutes prior, the Suns also reportedly completed a trade to get another former Duke center, Mark Williams<\/a>, from the Hornets. This reeks of a team that didn\u2019t think Maluach would be available, got impatient, and fired off a trade. Now, Phoenix has the opposite issue: it has one big too many.<\/p>\n Portland Trail Blazers: C<\/p>\n This was another curious first round move. Clearly, Portland loved Yang Hansen, a 7-foot-1 center from China with fluid athleticism and superb passing ability. But the Trail Blazers now have three centers: Hansen, Robert Williams (who is entering the final year of his contract) and Donovan Clingan (last year\u2019s No. 7 overall selection). Even if Portland packages Williams in a salary-shedding move, Hansen, who turned 20 on Thursday, June 26, is only one year younger than Clingan. Despite his impressive skill set, he also might need time to assimilate from the Chinese Basketball Association.<\/p>\n Sacramento Kings: B+<\/p>\n The Kings did not have a first round pick to start the night but traded into the first round, acquiring the No. 24 pick from Oklahoma City and drafting Nique Clifford from Colorado State. At No. 42, Sacramento selected Maxime Raynaud, who had emerged as a potential first-round pick late in the draft process.<\/p>\n San Antonio Spurs: A<\/p>\n The Spurs have the past two rookies of the year (Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle) and just picked Rutgers\u2019 Dylan Harper at No. 2<\/a> and Arizona\u2019s Carter Bryant at No. 14. The Spurs are on their way.<\/p>\n Toronto Raptors: B<\/p>\n The Raptors are close to making a move in the East, and Collin Murray-Boyles at No. 9 is the kind of player who fits Toronto\u2019s system.<\/p>\n Utah Jazz: A<\/p>\n