The dust has settled on the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft, leaving teams and fans to dissect the night’s decisions. From anticipated lottery picks to surprising swings, the choices made will shape franchises for years to come. Here’s a deep dive analysis, styled as a “stock report,” looking at the picks and moves that impressed and those that raised eyebrows.
Veteran NBA analyst Chris Mannix offers his perspective, highlighting the selections and team strategies that stood out, for better or worse, in this year’s initial wave of draftees.
Picks That Earned Praise
Some teams navigated the unpredictable waters of the draft board with selections that appear to align well with needs and value.
San Antonio Spurs Stick and Pick Dylan Harper at No. 2
One move drawing approval is the San Antonio Spurs standing pat and selecting Rutgers guard Dylan Harper with the second overall pick. Despite potential temptations for the Spurs to engage in trade talks for established stars, they opted for the high-upside prospect.
Pre-draft analysis and mock drafts consistently projected Harper as a top talent, often landing him at No. 2. Standing at 6′ 4.50”, Harper impressed scouts with his dynamic scoring ability, particularly his elite rim pressure and finishing, a skill honed through dedicated practice methods. He earned Big Ten All-Freshman honors for his performance at Rutgers, where he posted rare first-year guard stats (19.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 4 APG on 48% FG). While his pull-up shooting (29.2% from three) is an area for improvement, it’s noted as something he is actively working on.
Taking Harper provides the Spurs with a potential franchise guard to pair with Victor Wembanyama, and as Mannix notes, he could also represent a valuable asset should a superstar trade opportunity arise in the future.
Utah Jazz Take High-Upside Swing with Ace Bailey at No. 5
The Utah Jazz selecting Rutgers forward Ace Bailey at No. 5 is viewed positively, albeit acknowledging the unusual circumstances surrounding the pick. Bailey reportedly had a bizarre pre-draft process, including zero team workouts, and was rumored to prefer landing with teams like Washington (No. 6) or Brooklyn (No. 8).
Despite this, the Jazz, a team eager for high-end talent, made the selection. At 6′ 7.50”, Bailey possesses impressive size and length for a wing. Pre-draft evaluations were somewhat polarizing; while his shooting potential was highlighted, some concerns were raised about his shot selection and consistency. He averaged 17.6 PPG and 7 RPG at Rutgers, and despite questions about his playing style, the team was significantly better with him on the court.
This move is characterized as a classic Danny Ainge-esque decision – prioritizing talent regardless of perceived fit or player preference, much like drafting Jayson Tatum in 2017. It’s a big swing on a player with undeniable physical tools and potential if developed correctly.
Miami Heat Land Potential Draft Steal in Kasparas Jakucionis at No. 20
Among the later first-round picks, the Miami Heat snagging Lithuanian guard Kasparas Jakucionis at No. 20 is highlighted as potentially the steal of the draft.
Standing 6′ 6”, Jakucionis offers impressive size for a primary ball-handler or playmaker. His court vision and passing instincts are particularly strong, drawing comparisons to a larger Ricky Rubio. While he struggled with turnovers last season, his overall talent level is undeniable and believed by some analysts to be worthy of a much higher selection. Landing him at No. 20 provides the Heat with a high-upside prospect who fits their developmental model.
Boston Celtics Make Prudent Off-Court Moves
Beyond the draft picks themselves, the Boston Celtics are commended for their recent salary-shedding transactions. By moving Jrue Holiday’s contract to Portland and Kristaps Porzingis’s deal to Atlanta, the Celtics significantly reduced their luxury tax penalties (estimated at $180 million).
These moves allowed Boston to duck under the punitive second apron and positioned them to potentially get out of the luxury tax entirely with further adjustments. While acknowledged that the revamped roster might face challenges in the Eastern Conference next season, the financial flexibility gained opens up crucial options for future seasons, ensuring core players like Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Derrick White remain under contract through the 2026–27 season.
Moves and Picks That Raised Concerns
Not every decision on draft night received a stamp of approval. Several teams made choices that analysts questioned based on fit, value, or overall strategy.
Philadelphia 76ers Select VJ Edgecombe at No. 3
A pick that drew immediate skepticism was the Philadelphia 76ers taking Baylor wing VJ Edgecombe at No. 3. Leading up to the draft, some mocks speculated the Sixers might target a bigger wing like Ace Bailey or even trade down, especially given the surprising lottery outcome that landed them in the top 3.
While Edgecombe, a 6′ 4.00” wing, is lauded for his athleticism and aggressive defense, concerns exist about his offensive game. He was considered a “meh” shooter at Baylor (43.6% FG, 34% 3P) and didn’t consistently showcase strong shot creation. Notably, he was one of only two first-year college players with at least 30 dunks and 3-pointers, highlighting his bouncy scoring potential but also inconsistency. Mannix argues the pick doesn’t address a key position of need for the Sixers, expressing surprise that team president Daryl Morey didn’t leverage the high pick for more established NBA talent.
Phoenix Suns’ Confusing Draft Strategy
The Phoenix Suns’ actions throughout draft night were particularly bewildering. The Suns selected Duke big man Khaman Maluach at No. 10. While Maluach (7′ 0.75”) is a raw, high-upside prospect known for his efficiency, lob threat ability, and defensive presence aided by an impressive nearly 7-foot-7 wingspan, Mannix was less high on him than others.
Compounding the confusion, reports surfaced from rival teams that the Suns were immediately dangling Maluach in trade talks after drafting him. Shortly after, Phoenix acquired center Mark Williams from Charlotte, surrendering the 29th pick in this draft and a 2029 first-rounder. This sequence left observers questioning the logic: why invest a top-10 pick in a developmental center only to acquire a more established player at the same position? The Suns’ center rotation is now crowded with Williams, Maluach, Nick Richards, and Oso Ighodaro. This strategy reflects a perceived disconnect between the Suns’ self-image as a playoff contender and their roster’s reality, which many analysts believe will struggle to even reach the play-in tournament.
Portland Trail Blazers Take Risky Swing on Yang Hansen at No. 15
The Portland Trail Blazers’ selection of Chinese 7-footer Yang Hansen at No. 15 also drew mixed reactions. While the moment of Hansen being drafted was memorable, the strategic fit is questionable. The Blazers already possess a crowded frontcourt with Donovan Clingan (drafted the previous year), Deandre Ayton, and Robert Williams III.
Hansen, a soon-to-be 20-year-old, is described as having a raw offensive game. This pick is labeled a “big swing” by the Blazers, suggesting the team’s assistant general manager, Mike Schmitz (highly regarded for his scouting acumen), must see significant long-term potential. The range of outcomes is vast – from developing into a “modern version of Yao Ming” to becoming a draft bust akin to “a Chinese Bruno Caboclo.”
New Orleans Pelicans’ Questionable Trades and Pick
The New Orleans Pelicans made several head-scratching moves. A trade during draft week saw them send CJ McCollum and Kelly Olynyk to Washington for Jordan Poole and Saddiq Bey. This swap is criticized for taking on Poole’s large contract and inefficient game, acquiring Bey who missed the previous season with a knee injury, and sacrificing financial flexibility for a player in Poole who is not a guaranteed reliable complement to Zion Williamson.
On draft night, the Pelicans drafted guard Jeremiah Fears. While Mannix liked this pick, citing his potential (consistent with mock draft descriptions of him as a competitive “dog” and speedy playmaker), their subsequent move drew criticism. New Orleans traded an unprotected 2026 first-round pick to move up 10 spots and select Maryland big man Derik Queen at No. 13. Queen’s pre-draft profile highlighted his offensive talent and versatility but noted less-than-ideal athletic testing and questions about consistency. Mannix is not a “Queen guy,” citing significant variance, limited athleticism, poor shooting (53% FG, 20% 3P) with a slow release, and potential fit issues alongside Williamson. These decisions are seen as risky bets by the New Orleans front office.
Brooklyn Nets’ Historic Haul of First-Rounders
The Brooklyn Nets made NBA history by using all five of their first-round picks in a single round, selecting Egor Demin, Nolan Traore, Drake Powell, Ben Saraf, and Danny Wolf. While some of these players were featured in mock drafts (Demin, Traore, Saraf, Wolf) and noted for specific traits (Demin’s connection to Jazz executives, Powell’s combine athleticism), taking five rookies in one round raises logistical questions. It’s unclear if this was the planned strategy and how the team will manage bringing such a large rookie class into training camp.
Beyond the Picks: Criticisms of Draft Coverage
Finally, Mannix also offered criticism of ESPN’s draft night coverage, arguing the network underutilized its key experts. While citing insightful moments, like the brief discussion on Ace Bailey’s draft positioning featuring insider Jonathan Givony and cap expert Bobby Marks, he felt there wasn’t enough depth from these highly knowledgeable analysts. He suggested an ideal panel featuring Givony, Marks, and former executive Bob Myers, steered by host Malika Andrews, arguing the current approach leaves the network open to justified criticism for not fully leveraging its talent.
In sum, the 2025 NBA Draft First Round delivered a mix of anticipated cornerstone additions, calculated gambles on high-upside prospects, and team decisions that left analysts scratching their heads, setting the stage for intriguing rookie development storylines.
By Chris Mannix
