The future of the NBA is unfolding live! The 2025 NBA Draft is underway, bringing fresh talent and potential superstars to teams across the league. Held over two nights at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, this event is a pivotal moment for franchises looking to build contenders.
Round 1 commenced on Wednesday, June 25th, with teams having five minutes to make their selections. The excitement continues with Round 2 on Thursday, June 26th. Fans can tune in to catch all the action and see where the next generation of NBA talent lands.
How to Watch the 2025 NBA Draft
Round 1: Wednesday, June 25th, 8 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN
Round 2: Thursday, June 26th, 8 p.m. ET on ESPN
Location: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York
Tracking the Picks: Round 1 Results
The first round saw teams strategically adding key pieces, with some highly anticipated prospects coming off the board early. The draft order below reflects the selections made live:
Top Picks from Round 1
The top of the draft board features players expected to make an immediate impact, headlined by the consensus No. 1 pick.
- Dallas Mavericks – Cooper Flagg, Forward, Duke
- San Antonio Spurs – Dylan Harper, Guard, Rutgers
- Philadelphia 76ers – VJ Edgecombe, Guard, Baylor
- Charlotte Hornets – Kon Knueppel, Guard/Forward, Duke
- Utah Jazz – Ace Bailey, Guard/Forward, Rutgers
- Washington Wizards – Tre Johnson, Guard, Texas
- New Orleans Pelicans – Jeremiah Fears, Guard, Oklahoma
- Brooklyn Nets – Egor Demin, Guard, BYU
- Toronto Raptors – Collin Murray-Boyles, Forward, South Carolina
- Phoenix Suns (from HOU) – Khaman Maluach, Center, Duke
- Portland Trail Blazers – Cedric Coward, Guard, Washington State (Reportedly traded to Memphis Grizzlies)
- Chicago Bulls – Noa Essengue, Forward, France
- New Orleans Pelicans (from ATL via SAC) – Derik Queen, Center, Maryland (Reportedly traded to New Orleans Pelicans)
- San Antonio Spurs (from ATL) – Carter Bryant, Forward, Arizona
- Oklahoma City Thunder (from MIA) – Thomas Sorber, Center, Georgetown
- Portland Trail Blazers (from MEM via ORL) – Yang Hansen, Center, China (Reportedly traded to Portland Trail Blazers)
- Minnesota Timberwolves (from DET) – Joan Beringer, Center, France
- Utah Jazz (from WAS via MEM) – Walter Clayton Jr., Guard, Florida (Reportedly traded to Utah Jazz)
- Brooklyn Nets (from MIL) – Nolan Traoré, Guard, France
- Miami Heat (from GSW) – Kasparas Jakucionis, Guard, Illinois
- Utah Jazz (from MIN) – Will Riley, Forward, Illinois
- Orlando Magic
- Atlanta Hawks (from NOP via SAC)
- Golden State Warriors
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Denver Nuggets
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Boston Celtics
- Charlotte Hornets (from PHX)
- New York Knicks
- Portland Trail Blazers
- Boston Celtics
- San Antonio Spurs
- Orlando Magic (from PHI)
- Indiana Pacers (from CHO)
- Miami Heat (from WAS)
- Minnesota Timberwolves (from NOP)
- Indiana Pacers (from SAS)
- Brooklyn Nets
- New York Knicks (from TOR)
- San Antonio Spurs (from PHX)
- Houston Rockets (from POR)
- Washington Wizards (from CHI via UTA)
- Milwaukee Bucks (from ATL)
- Oklahoma City Thunder (from MIA)
- Orlando Magic (from MEM)
- Sacramento Kings
- Minnesota Timberwolves (from DET)
- Atlanta Hawks (from GSW)
- Philadelphia 76ers (from DAL)
- Los Angeles Clippers
- Indiana Pacers
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Indiana Pacers (from DEN)
- Dallas Mavericks (from BOS)
- Oklahoma City Thunder (from HOU)
- Los Angeles Lakers
Picks 11-30
Round 1 continued with teams filling out their rosters, including several picks that had previously changed hands via trade.
High Volume of Trades Highlight Draft Night
A significant theme early in the 2025 NBA Draft has been the sheer number of trades. Teams are actively moving up and down the board, swapping draft capital and players to reshape their futures. Reports indicate a particularly high prevalence of swaps among picks 13 through 30 in the first round, underscoring the active market.
Notable trades reported involving first-round picks include:
The Wizards trading Walter Clayton Jr. (Pick 18) to the Jazz for picks #21 and #43.
The Hawks sending pick #13 (originally via Sacramento) to the Pelicans in exchange for pick #23 and an unprotected 2026 first-round pick.
The Grizzlies trading pick #16 (originally via Orlando) to the Trail Blazers for the drafted Cedric Coward (Pick 11), a 2028 first-round pick, and two second-round picks.
The Hornets reportedly sending Mark Williams to the Suns for pick #29, a future first-round pick, and Vasilije Micic.
Teams like the Boston Celtics, holding the #28 pick, are also reportedly exploring options to potentially move their selections as they navigate salary cap implications and seek financial flexibility following recent major trades.
Round 2 Picks
The second round features picks 31 through 58, with teams hoping to find valuable contributors and hidden gems. The total number of picks in the 2025 draft is 59, one fewer than usual, due to the New York Knicks forfeiting their second-round selection as a result of a league investigation into their 2022 signing of Jalen Brunson.
Here is the order for the second round:
New York Knicks forfeited pick #59.
Rookie Contracts: A Life-Changing Opportunity
For the young athletes selected, the NBA Draft represents not just a chance to play professionally but also a significant financial opportunity. Rookie contracts are structured to provide substantial earnings, with typical deals potentially exceeding $14 million over four years if team options are exercised. The projected first overall pick, Cooper Flagg, is expected to sign a contract potentially worth over $60 million over four years, with an estimated $13.8 million in just his first season. These contracts highlight the immediate financial impact of being drafted into the league.
Stay tuned as the 2025 NBA Draft continues to unfold, bringing new talent and potential shifts in the league landscape with every pick and trade!