Sixers, Spurs highlight biggest winners of 2025 NBA Draft
The post Sixers, Spurs highlight biggest winners of 2025 NBA Draft appeared first on ClutchPoints.
ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas perfectly summed up the NBA Draft after the first round concluded on Wednesday: history will remember it as a coronation for No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, but there are several players in this class who will leave their mark in The Association. The Dallas Mavericks stumbled into the top spot, winning the sweepstakes that the league's cellar dwellers had been yearning for during these last several months.
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Considering the whirlwind of vitriol that swallowed general manager Nico Harrison and the franchise, this dramatic turn of events will rightly command most of the public's attention. Flagg's superb skill set and outstanding accomplishments only accentuate that fact. But despite their GM's highly questionable 'fortune favors the bold comment,' the Mavs did not have to do anything of skill to bring about this momentous occasion. Thus, I cannot crown them a draft winner.
There are other squads that, while also benefiting from a favorable bounce in the lottery, made shrewd moves and judgements that enabled them to come away with a promising haul on paper. While I am personally high on Flagg, I am going to temporarily pull the spotlight away from him and shine it on some other franchises and prospects who enjoyed their own big night in Barclays Center.
Let's take a look at the biggest winners in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Honorable Mention: Hornets
Although I recognize the pure shooting ability that Kon Knueppel displayed in his lone season at Duke, Tre Johnson felt like the higher upside prospect at No. 4. The Texas star needs to improve his decision-making, but he oozes potential. That being said, Knueppel provides a vital trait that the Charlotte Hornets desperately require: long-range firepower.
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The Second-Team All-ACC selection shot 40.6 percent from 3-point land last season, which should allow him to quickly earn an important role with the team. Charlotte kept things interesting by trading up to grab UConn standout Liam McNeeley at No. 29. The Big East Freshman of the Year is raw, but many expected him to come off the board a bit earlier. The Hornets are counting on him to fulfill his five-star recruit status.
They also opted for more immediate production by drafting experienced center Ryan Kalkbrenner, who will try to fill the void left by Mark Williams' departure. He could add solid rim-protection and welcome floor-spacing with a competent 3-point stroke. Sion James, Knueppel's Duke teammate, adds on-ball defense and a decent shot. Overall, this franchise did enough positive things to earn a shoutout here.
The 76ers are looking mighty intriguing after an eventful NBA Draft
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
It seems borderline negligent to express overwhelming optimism about the Philadelphia 76ers after their disastrous 2024-25 season. They went all in on Paul George in free agency and paid dearly for it. Injuries plagued the entire core trio, limiting Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and George to a combined 112 games. Who is to say the Sixers' horrible luck will improve going forward?
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Well, even if it doesn't, polarizing president of basketball operations Daryl Morey is positioning the franchise for a bright future. He used the No. 3 overall pick on VJ Edgecombe, arguably the best athlete in the 2025 NBA Draft. With captivating explosiveness and two-way promise, this rookie should fit magnificently with speedy/crafty point guard Tyrese Maxey.
Besides adding a new layer to their offensive attack, which on its own is worthy of celebration, Philly also shored up its depth by snagging All-American center Johni Broome early in the second round. Shutting down Embiid was probably the organization's best chance at ever seeing the big man return to MVP-form, but he is going to miss time. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse will want to preserve his health as much as possible, which means a trustworthy backup is essential.
I will not deny the obvious red flags that stick to Broome. He has limited athleticism, can struggle to defend in space, shot just 60.3 percent from the free throw line during his college career and is still a largely unreliable shooter from distance. However, and this is important, the 2025 SEC Player of the Year is much more skilled than he was getting credit for in the lead-up to the draft.
Broome has made notable strides as a passer, displays deft footwork in the low-post area, is a monster on the glass and is an effective shot-blocker. He will not be able to impose his will on opponents in the NBA like he did while playing for Auburn — 18.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.1 rejections per contest last season — but the 22-year-old is incredibly durable and dedicated to his craft. The 76ers were wise not to turn those attributes down.
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While it may sound crazy, when surveying the injury-ravaged Eastern Conference, this group should have a legitimate chance to vie for an NBA Finals appearance during the 2025-26 campaign. Philadelphia must overcome its own health issues, but if it does, then these new additions are going to look even better.
Spurs continue to build up their resources
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Similar to the Mavericks, the San Antonio Spurs do not deserve much praise for taking the consensus best player available at No. 2. However, when combining the size and physicality that Dylan Harper brings on offense with the high defensive ceiling that Carter Bryant boasts, it is hard not to feel enthusiastic about this team's draft loot.
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Both incoming rookies have notable drawbacks — Harper's modest 33.3 percent 3-point shooting is not ideal for a Spurs squad that already struggles in that area and Bryant only logged 19.3 minutes per game at Arizona — but their respective physical gifts and abilities should mesh nicely in San Antonio. The former Rutgers guard diced through defenders and into the paint with regularity, while the 3-and-D wing progressed as the season went on.
Victor Wembanyama is a superstar-in-the-making, De'Aaron Fox is a former All-Star and Stephon Castle is a prototypical glue guy. Together they form an ostensibly sturdy foundation for the Spurs to build upon in the years to come. The newcomers could add even more long-term stability.
If Harper can expand his offensive repertoire a bit, something that will have to happen with De'Aaron Fox manning point guard duties, then this backcourt could be downright lethal. Bryant will be more of a project, which is not a huge problem given San Antonio's developmental timetable, but his 3-point prowess should eventually prove extremely useful.
Put simply, it is all coming together for one of the most intriguing franchises in the NBA today. The Spurs are trying to implement their own version of the Oklahoma City Thunder model. They are a long, long way from reaching that standard, but they are gradually trending in the right direction. It is time for the growth to reveal itself in the standings, though.
Hawks may have committed one of the biggest heists in recent NBA Draft history
It did not take long for first-year general manager Onsi Saleh to cement his reputation as one of the biggest bandits in the league. The Atlanta Hawks executive, at first glance, ruthlessly robbed the New Orleans Pelicans during the first round of the NBA Draft. He convinced championship-winning president of basketball operations Joe Dumars to trade an unprotected 2026 first-rounder and the No. 23 overall pick just for the right to move up 10 spots on Wednesday.
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Although Maryland center Derik Queen posted stellar numbers as a freshman, he does not jump out as the surefire talent that one needs to be to justify giving up a potential top-five pick in next year's draft. Moreover, many analysts actually prefer the player the Hawks snatched at No. 23, who just so happens to be Queen's ex-teammate from Florida's Montverde Academy.
Asa Newell embodies the traits that many modern-day front offices desire in a forward. He is exceptionally versatile on defense and bounces off the court on offense. With Trae Young's top-notch playmaking and Dyson Daniels' active hands, Georgia's 2024-25 leading scorer could become a fast-break menace in Atlanta. He is a dunk machine who scouts believe has the touch to blossom into a dependable deep threat. I am not going to let him off the hook for a dismal 29.2 3-point shooting percentage, however.
Yes, he is only 19 and has plenty of time to tweak his mechanics. And yes, he is a fine addition to the Hawks' transition offense. But I still need to see him withstand more imposing frontcourts before labeling him a hidden gem. Still, his undeniable potential, coupled with Saleh's masterful negotiating, earns the Hawks a spot on this list.
They are heading toward a pivotal campaign that may determine Young's future standing with the team, but fans will be interested to watch it all unfold after a lively start to the offseason.
Related: 10 greatest one-on-one NBA players of all time, ranked
Related: 10 NBA teams that have produced the most MVPs
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USA Today
8 minutes ago
- USA Today
Should the Nets be worried about their 2025 NBA Draft class?
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Boston Globe
17 minutes ago
- Boston Globe
Jazz lead the big winners in NBA Draft and the Trail Blazers were the biggest losers
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They're not going to make the playoffs next season so they stacked prospects as they prepare to make a free-agent splash in 2026. Tre Johnson , selected sixth, could pair with Bub Carrington for a dynamic frontcourt in coming years. Johnson needs work on defense but he shot nearly 40 percent on 3-pointers as a freshman at Texas and could turn into a prolific scorer. Will Riley , taken 21st, will battle it out with the other young swingmen for playing time, but like the Thunder, the Wizards are packing their roster with prospects and banking that the best will become stars. Jamir Watkins , a Florida State product taken 43rd overall, should contend for a roster spot. Advertisement GRADE: A- Charlotte Hornets It's been a difficult several years and it got worse when they slipped to fourth overall in the lottery despite having one of the league's worst records. But general manager Jeff Peterson made the best of the situation by taking four solid players who can add to a new culture. Fourth overall pick Kon Knueppel had a solid freshman season at Duke, shooting 40 percent from the 3-point line and should compete for small-forward minutes. Liam McNeeley probably should have stayed at UConn for another season as he slipped to 29, and the Hornets jumped into the first round to take him. Sion James and Ryan Kalkbrenner could have been worthy of the first round, but the Hornets took them with consecutive picks (33 and 34) to add depth. GRADE: A- Orlando Magic The Magic have drafted a litany of lottery picks over the years to uneven success but they moved one of their first-rounders to Memphis in the Desmond Bane deal, then selected at No. 25 to take Jase Richardson , a freshman who was arguably Michigan State's t best player at season's end. Orlando is desperate for offense and Richardson could serve as a solid backup to Bane. Orlando then traded with the Celtics to take Noah Penda , a 20-year-old French prospect who could become a rotation player. Advertisement GRADE: B San Antonio Spurs They took advantage of their lottery luck, selecting Dylan Harper second overall, then capitalized on the first-rounder they received from the Hawks in the Dejounte Murray deal to take Arizona freshman Carter Bryant at No. 14. The Spurs are finished rebuilding. Adding an immediate impact rookie such as Harper and a workhorse such as Bryant into their culture will help their ascension. GRADE: B LOSERS Portland Trail Blazers Drafting Chinese center prospect Y ang Hansen probably was the most bizarre first-round pick in several years. Very rarely do 16th overall picks sit in the stands during the draft but he was there as a fan, clad in a white suit. As much help as the Blazers need, taking a chance on an unproven prospect, especially at a position where they are deep, is curious at best. The Blazers came away with nothing else on draft night, meaning Hansen better be worth the investment. Brooklyn Nets The general assumption around the NBA was the Nets would trade at least one of their five first-round picks. Most teams don't need five rookies because that's a lot of roster space for players who may not be ready for the NBA rigors. But the Nets ignored conventional theory and have all five, at least for now. They could have potentially moved a pick or two for a veteran or even a future first-rounder. All five may eventually turn into starters and rotation players but the learning curve could outlast general manager Sean Marks , who has done a less than impressive job in Brooklyn. Advertisement How the West was won Thunder seem to have blueprint The Thunder look poised for long-term success. Nate Billings/Associated Press The Thunder not only won the NBA championship but they have set the blueprint for organizational success. How do veteran teams such as the Warriors manage against the younger teams? Golden State has a small window with Stephen Curry , Draymond Green , and Jimmy Butler in their mid-30s and the club still needing to decide what to do with gifted but underachieving forward Jonathan Kuminga . 'They'll be the team that we've got to knock off for sure,' general manager Mike Dunleavy said. 'The good news is, though, there's been an incredible amount of parity the last six, seven years. Multiple different champions, multiple different finalists. 'I don't want to say it's wide open. But I don't think it's to the point where it was in 2016, '17 with this organization where it was really, really hard to oust a team.' The Thunder took three years to rebuild their roster, starting with the trade of Paul George to the Clippers for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander . They then added draft picks such as Jalen Williams , Chet Holmgren , and Aaron Wiggins along with the acquisitions of Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein . They built from scratch and now have an opportunity for the first dynasty since the Warriors. Advertisement 'Oklahoma City is really good,' Dunleavy said. 'They play their cards right, they're going to be really good for a long time. Health is a part of that and certain other things. But no doubt, the regular season they had this year was incredible, and obviously making the playoff run to win the championship this year, they're going to be the team to beat.' NBA general managers have duly noticed why and how Oklahoma City and Indiana reached the Finals. Gone are the days of high-scoring teams splashing threes and winning shootouts without defensive emphasis. Games are getting uglier and more athletic. 'I think it just is bared out that defense is still really important, and then the offensive end, to be able to have space on the floor to combat these defenses,' Dunleavy said. 'Certainly Indiana had that with some of the floor-spacing bigs they had. Then I think obviously you go back to further rounds with the Knicks, Minnesota … but honestly to go deep in the playoffs you've got to have a little bit of everything. Man, you've got to put together a really good team, and that's what Oklahoma City has done. Sam [ Presti ] did a great job. 'And credit to Indiana, as well. Those guys had a heck of a year. Kevin Pritchard did an amazing job; Rick Carlisle , what a coach. Just need really good players.' Of course, the winning philosophy for the Warriors differs from younger teams. They have to win now. They have to maximize this small window without many of the resources as younger and less expensive teams because so much is invested in their Big Three. Advertisement 'In our case we've got three players in their 30s that are really good, and that's the hand we're playing,' Dunleavy said. As time goes on, maybe that changes, but multiple different ways to build a team, and I think the way we're going about doing ours is what's right for us.' But there's a dilemma. In 2010, the aging Celtics eased up during the regular season, won 50 games, 12 fewer than the previous season, but regrouped for an NBA Finals run as the fourth seed in the East. The Warriors don't want to take that same path. They don't want to go through the playoff gauntlet as a lower seed — such as this season when they beat Houston as the seventh seed, then lost to Minnesota. They want to flourish during the regular season to make their playoff run easier. But is that possible with an older team? 'This isn't a team that we can just say, hey, let's get through the regular season and have a roster ready to go for the postseason,' Dunleavy said. 'The West is really tough. The league is really tough. I mentioned the parity before. So in that regard — we won 48 games this year and we were in the play-in, so we've got to be able to have a really good team that can sustain their regular season through some nights of rest, through some injuries, all that may come about. 'We look at trades in free agency, we're going to look at guys, how healthy they are, how many games they play. That stuff is important. We'll factor it all in, and hopefully we can also put together a roster that we feel once the regular season turns over to the postseason, that team can be really good, too.' New face in New Orleans Dumars trying to revamp Pelicans Joe Dumars and the Pelicans had a busy draft night. Matthew Hinton/Associated Press The Pelicans fared well on draft night as new general manager Joe Dumars tries to revamp the roster and acquire youth. He traded CJ McCollum , in the final year of his contract, to the Wizards for erratic but talented Jordan Poole . Dumars then took a pair of one-and-dones in Maryland forward Derik Queen and Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears . Fears is considered a potential star with seasoning and fills a void at point guard the Pelicans have missed since the departure of Jrue Holiday . They took a chance on Kira Lewis in 2020 and he never started a game, and Dejounte Murray could miss most of next season recovering from an Achilles' tear. 'I feel like they'll be a great fit,' Fears said of the Pelicans. 'They have some amazing pieces. Obviously just got Jordan Poole, as well, so that will be a great addition. They have Zion [ Williamson ]. He's a lob threat, somebody that you can get the ball to, somebody that is going to impact the game, all aspects of the game. I bring a lot to the game, as well. It's going to be super dope. Looking to build that connection with those guys and add a lot of wins to the win column this year.' Fears is one of the younger draftees, turning 19 in October. He flourished in his lone season at Oklahoma, averaging 17.1 points, 4.1 assists, and 4.1 rebounds. He showed playmaking ability and an effectiveness around the rim. 'Really just going out there, doing my thing, treat [the NBA] with the same mind-set,' he said. 'Approach everything the same way, to kill and to make the right reads. Personally, I don't believe in pressure because I trust my work and know what I'm capable of.' Meanwhile, the most controversial pick was Rutgers swingman Ace Bailey , who did not work out for any interested teams and declared through his representatives that he wanted to play on the East Coast. That didn't deter Danny and Austin Ainge , who selected him fifth overall for the Jazz. Last we checked, Utah is far from the East Coast. Bailey appeared giddy at his draft selection, perhaps expecting that teams wouldn't bow to his demands. 'Just a blessing,' he said. 'The little kid in me is smiling hard right now, because I know the hard work, the sacrifice, the blood, the sweat, the tears not just for me but my family put into this.' Bailey was asked his knowledge of Salt Lake City. The answer? Not much. 'I don't know a lot, but I'm learning,' he said. ' I know it gets cold and hot up there. I'm used to the cold because I've been in Jersey. I'm used to the heat because I'm from the South. I can get along with it.' If it works out well, Bailey could become a cornerstone for the Jazz. Layups When Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens said freshly minted first-round pick Hugo Gonzalez played with several former NBA players, he wasn't kidding. Real Madrid is loaded with former first-rounders and ex-NBAers, including Mario Hezonja , former Thunder draft pick Gabriel Deck , former Rockets first-round pick Usman Garuba , former Celtic Bruno Fernando , ex-Hawk Edy Tavares , former Net Dzanan Musa , longtime NBA center Serge Ibaka , former Nuggets guard Facundo Campazzo , and former Rockets and longtime Spanish standout Sergio Llull . Gonzalez did not play in the closeout game against Valencia Basket Club to win the Spanish League title and he averaged 1.9 points in playing 30 of Real Madrid's first 40 games before the Spanish League playoffs … With the sale of the Lakers to Mark Walter and Dodgers ownership, there is a spotlight on the organization to capitalize on the shrinking window with LeBron James and Luka Doncic on the five-year anniversary of the team's last championship. Los Angeles did not have a first-round pick in 2025 because of the Anthony Davis acquisition six years ago. LA did jump up 10 spots in the draft to take Chicago's second-round pick at No. 45. The Lakers' offseason priority is a pick-and-roll center for Doncic but the free-agent market is dry on centers with aging Brook Lopez or the limited Clint Capela the best options … The Rockets wanted Fred VanVleet back but not at $43 million per season so they rejected his team option but brought back the savvy guard on a two-year, $50 million deal, giving them a reliable scorer to join Kevin Duran . VanVleet also provides leadership for a younger team … The Celtics have until Sunday to pick up the option on JD Davison's contract for 2025-26. Even if the Celtics do keep Davison, his $2.2 million would not become guaranteed until Jan. 10, 2026. Boston could pick up the option and add Davison to a potential trade to fill salary. The Celtics also have until Sunday to make a qualifying offer to two-way swingman Drew Peterson , who should get minutes with the team's retooling this season. The Celtics also have an open two-way contract, a spot they could fill after summer league or even sooner with an undrafted player. Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at
USA Today
33 minutes ago
- USA Today
Three Florida Gators on ESPN's way-too-early 2026 NBA big board
Florida basketball just saw three players selected in the same draft for the first time since 2007, but it might not take more than a year for the Gators to accomplish the feat again. Center Alex Condon, transfer point guard Boogie Fland and forward Thomas Haugh are all inside the top 40 on ESPN's first 2026 big board. Condon appearing at No. 29 is no surprise. He tested the draft waters this year and decided to return to improve his stock. A fringe first-round projection fits that narrative, and he can easily move up if he develops into the All-American/All-SEC big man many expect him to be. With only five centers ahead of him on ESPN's lists, the movement could happen quickly. Fland also gauged NBA interest after his freshman year with Arkansas, but a second-round projection has him back in school, except with a different SEC program. A former All-American, Fland averaged 15.1 points, 5.7 assists and 3.4 rebounds over the Razorbacks' first 18 games. He shot 36.5% from 3-point range, but the hand injury that ended his season might have kept that from rising over the year. Scouts will be looking for better shot selection from him and a better finishing touch near the rim. Size is also a question mark, but he can't do much to grow. ESPN has him just outside a first-round ranking at No. 31 overall. Haugh might have the highest ceiling of the group. He wasn't on draft boards coming into last year, but it's hard to imagine that there's an NBA front office without knowledge of him after the run he made in the postseason. Haugh is a big riser already at No. 40, but he could easily end the 2025-26 season as a first-rounder. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
