Passing or failing

With the conclusion of the 2025 NBA Draft, franchises have come away with optimism, thinking that their rosters have been optimized for the future. Certain teams came away victorious, while others will look to next year’s draft to correct their mistakes. We’ve graded every team’s draft performance, starting with the Dallas Mavericks.

Dallas Mavericks: A+

It would have been difficult for Dallas to mess this one up, although fans could never be too sure that general manager Nico Harrison would take Cooper Flagg until it actually happened. Christian Clark of The Athletic believes that Flagg will be a rare impact player “the first day he steps” into the NBA.

Philadelphia 76ers: A

The tea leaves connecting VJ Edgecombe to Philadelphia were in place for a while. His explosive athletic ability is tantalizing for the 76ers to pair with the likes of Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain. Edgecombe told The New York Times about the 76ers, “It’s been a minute since they won, so being the final piece to put them over the hump would mean a lot to me, the fans, and the owners.” Philadelphia also took Johni Broome in round two, who was one of college basketball’s best players.

Charlotte Hornets: D

The Hornets were stuck between a rock and a hard place in this draft. Things have gotten so bad for them that they didn’t want to take a huge risk, but their roster also needs massive upgrades. Charlotte brought Duke’s Kon Knueppel in with the fourth pick, which doesn’t seem like the type of franchise altering move the team needed to make. The Hornets also brought in UConn’s Liam McNeeley at the end of round one.

Utah Jazz: B

The Jazz arguably might’ve had the most fascinating draft of anyone. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Ace Bailey did not want to play in Utah, but the team took him anyway. Bailey might have the highest ceiling of anyone in the draft, so it’s a high risk, high reward selection. Utah also traded for national champion Florida point guard Walter Clayton Jr with the 18^th pick.

Washington Wizards: B

Wizards fans should appreciate Tre Johnson’s game, as it may be reminiscent of what Bradley Beal brought to the court in Washington for so many years. Johnson’s shooting ability should pair nicely with Bub Carrington’s skill set for the Wizards. Washington also traded for Will Riley, who Bleacher Report ironically compared to current Wizards swingman Kyshawn George.

New Orleans Pelicans: B-

The Pelicans acquired two players in the lottery, Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen. Both have bright futures in the NBA, but their fit in the current roster is a bit suspect. How Fears will develop playing next to Jordan Poole, and how Queen can improve playing next to Zion Williamson, is an unknown at the present time.

Brooklyn Nets: C+

Brooklyn had some bad luck at eight, as they were probably hoping one of Fears, Bailey or Johnson would fall to them. Instead, their selection there was Egor Demin, who may not have the same potential as those other three players. The Nets also came away with Nolan Traore, Drake Powell, Ben Saraf and Danny Wolf in round one as the rebuild continues.

Toronto Raptors: D-

Toronto’s selection of Collin Murray-Boyles didn’t make a whole lot of sense. The Raptors took a 6’7” power forward when their roster is already full of swingmen. They needed a defensive presence at center in the worst way, and passed on Khaman Maluach. ESPN’s Jay Bilas loves Murray-Boyles’ potential in the NBA, but his landing spot was curious at best.

Houston Rockets: C

The Rockets didn’t make any selections in the 2025 NBA Draft. They traded the 10^th overall pick to the Phoenix Suns in the Kevin Durant deal, and traded the 59^th overall pick to the Memphis Grizzlies. The 59^th pick was Jahmai Mashack from Tennessee.

Portland Trail Blazers: C-

The Trail Blazers made one of the most stunning moves of the draft, selecting Yang Hansen from China at number 16 overall. Hansen was believed by many to be a second-round pick at best. CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander thought this was a 9.5 out of 10 on the shocking scale. Portland already has Robert Williams, Donovan Clingan and Deandre Ayton, so how Hansen will get onto the court is anyone’s guess.

Oklahoma City Thunder: B-

Having just won the NBA title with a deep roster, Oklahoma City wasn’t exactly in dire need of anything heading into the draft. Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman gave the Thomas Sorber pick a B+. We think it was an average pick, but Sorber does get the benefit of developing behind Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein.

Memphis Grizzlies: B-

The Grizzlies appear to be a team in transition after the Desmond Bane trade. It seems like they tried to restock their off guard depth by grabbing Cedric Coward with the 11^th pick. Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal believes Coward can help boost the Grizzlies’ perimeter defense as they chart a way back to the top of the Western Conference standings.

Minnesota Timberwolves: B

Jon Krawczysnki’s headline for The New York Times perhaps says it all. “Rudy Gobert 2.0? Timberwolves take French big man Joan Beringer at number 17”. Beringer will get to learn from his follow countryman in Minnesota, as he profiles as a similar rim-protecting presence in the paint. It seems a little redundant for what Minnesota might need, but Beringer is in a great place to improve.

Miami Heat: B+

The Heat may have gotten a lottery talent at pick 20 as Kasparas Jakucionis fell to them. Miami should waste no time getting into the lineup, as they badly needed a player who can set up his teammates off the dribble. The 6’6” guard also brings good size, which is helpful for a Heat team looking to improve on the defensive end.

Orlando Magic: B+

The Magic are another team who may have had a player who was projected to go much higher fall right into their lap. Jase Richardson had an impressive freshman year at Michigan State, and brings explosive athletic traits to Orlando. The Magic stood to gain another rotational guard after parting ways with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cole Anthony for Desmond Bane.

Boston Celtics: C+

It’s hard to know exactly what the Celtics have in mind for 2025-2026, as they already made two large trades to shake up their team. Boston added Hugo Gonzalez at the end of round one. Nick Goss of NBC Sports Boston wrote, “Gonzalez needs to work on his three-point shooting, but the 19-year-old wing should be a good fit for the Celtics defensively given his athleticism, length and competitiveness.”

Phoenix Suns: A-

The story with Phoenix for the last couple of seasons has been that their centers have not provided the requisite level of rebounding or rim protection required to win. The Suns took huge steps to correct that, trading for Mark Williams and drafting Khaman Maluach at number 10. Suns fans have to be excited about how well the team rounded out their roster.

Los Angeles Clippers: C+

With the final pick of the first round, Los Angeles selected Yanic Konan Niederhauser. He hails from Switzerland originally, and most recently played his college basketball at Penn State. He figures to be more of a developmental prospect as the Clippers continue to ride with Ivica Zubac at the five position. The Clippers also picked up Kobe Sanders in round two.

Detroit Pistons: B+

Detroit only made one selection in the 2025 NBA draft, but they made it count. They selected Tennessee sharpshooter Chaz Lanier, which is a solid insurance move for the Pistons if they lose either or both of Tim Hardaway Jr. or Malik Beasley in free agency.

Sacramento Kings: B

The Kings popped back into round one by trading for the 24^th pick and selecting Nique Clifford. It’s a nice move for Sacramento, who has been questioned for their decision-making dating back to the De’Aaron Fox trade. Clifford wore a purple suit in honor of Kobe Bryant, and told The Sacramento Bee that is was meant to be that he was drafted by a team with purple in their color scheme.

Milwaukee Bucks: C-

Milwaukee only had one selection in the draft, and used it in the second round on Serbian Bogoljub Markovic. Sporting News’ scouting report on him said, “Markovic is an interesting prospect, standing over 6’10” with several perimeter skills, including his shooting ability.” It seems unlikely Markovic will play with Milwaukee next season.

Cleveland Cavaliers: B-

Cleveland came away with two players late in the second round. They selected guard Tyrese Proctor from Duke, and took Saliou Niang, who played his professional basketball in Italy last season. According to the Akron Beacon Journal, Cavs General Manager Mike Gansey confirmed that the team plans to sign Proctor to a multiyear deal rather than a two-way contract.

New York Knicks: C-

New York came away with one player via trade at the 51^st slot, French forward Mohamed Diawara. According to the New York Post, Diawara is good friends with current Knick and fellow Frenchman Pacome Dadiet, whom New York selected in the 2024 NBA Draft. It’s uncertain whether Diawara will play in the NBA next season.

Indiana Pacers: C

Indiana acquired Kam Jones in the early second round as a result of a trade with the Spurs, and took Taelon Peter with the 54^th pick later on. According to the Indianapolis Star, Jones is a reliable ballhandler, which is important considering that Pacers starting point guard Tyrese Haliburton is set to miss the entire 2025-2026 season with a torn Achilles.

Los Angeles Lakers: C

Los Angeles wasn’t expected to do much in the draft. They made one move by trading for Adou Thiero from the Brooklyn Nets early in the second round. Broderick Turner of Yahoo Sports noted that scouts liken Theiro’s potential to that of Knicks forward OG Anunoby, who is regarded as one of the best defenders in the NBA.

Denver Nuggets: C

Denver didn’t have any picks in the 2025 NBA Draft, and didn’t trade for any selections either. According to The Denver Post, they signed Tamar Bates to a two-way contract after the conclusion of the draft.