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The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
NBA draft grades 2025: Breaking down all 30 teams after first round
There was only one real surprise - Portland using the No. 16 pick to take Yang Hansen. Who fared well in the draft? Who is set up for the present and the future? Here are USA TODAY Sports' 2025 NBA draft grades: 2025 NBA draft grades Atlanta Hawks: B+ The Hawks traded for Kristaps Porzingis and then acquired Asa Newell with the No. 23 pick. Boston Celtics: B At No. 28, Boston landed Spain's Hugo Gonzalez, who is one of Europe's top prospects. But he may not be ready to contribute immediately. Brooklyn Nets: A The Nets accumulated five first-round draft picks ahead of the draft and got: BYU's Egor Demin at No. 8, France's Nolan Traore at No. 19, North Carolina's Drake Powell at No. 22, Israel's Ben Saraf at No. 26 and Michigan's Danny Wolf at No. 27. Charlotte Hornets: B 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's Kon Knueppel can help a massive shortcoming on Charlotte's roster. Chicago Bulls: B France is in a nice run of producing NBA players, and Noa Essengue, the No. 12 pick, will give the Bulls another interior option. Cleveland Cavaliers: B 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. Dallas Mavericks: A The Mavericks needed luck to get the No. 1 pick - just a 1.8% chance to win the lottery and that's what happened, allowing them to select Cooper Flagg, who brings talent, maturity and an NBA-ready game to a team looking to compete for a title. Denver Nuggets: A 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. Detroit Pistons: Incomplete Detroit's selection was sent away as part of the 2020 trade that brought Isaiah Stewart to the Pistons. Golden State Warriors: Incomplete As part of the trade that sent Jimmy Butler to Golden State, the Warriors shipped the No. 20 selection to Miami that became Kasparas Jakucionis. While Butler infused defense, veteran experience and more competitiveness to the Warriors, they were eventually eliminated in the second round. Houston Rockets: A- The Rockets did not have a first-round pick ... because they traded the No. 10 pick to Phoenix for Kevin Durant, putting them in position to contend for a title after going 52-30 last season and earning the No. 2 seed in the West. Indiana Pacers: Incomplete 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. Los Angeles Clippers: B With the final pick of the night, the Clippers bolstered their interior presence, taking forward Yanic Konan Niederhauser out of Penn State. He's 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 -- he ranked 12th in the country in blocks per game (2.31) -- and should be a lob threat as a finisher. Los Angeles Lakers: Incomplete 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. Memphis Grizzlies: B+ This was all about replacing Desmond Bane, 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. Miami Heat: B Illinois' Kasparas Jakucionis was projected as a lottery pick in several mock drafts, and the Heat got him at No. 20. Milwaukee Bucks: A Did not have a first-round pick; the Bucks traded this 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's hard to complain about a title. Minnesota Timberwolves: C The issue with Rudy Gobert is that his offensive game can be inconsistent. And Minnesota's 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's a project and doesn't necessarily help Minnesota get over the hump in the short term. He's explosive and full of potential. Minnesota's window to win, however, is now, and plenty of plug-and-play prospects were available at 17. New Orleans Pelicans: B- In a vacuum, both Jeremiah Fears (guard, No. 7) and Derik Queen (center, No. 13) are solid players. But they're 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's skill set -- his ball handling, vision, passing and touch -- 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. New York Knicks: B- 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. Oklahoma City Thunder: B Given it's the Thunder front office led by executive VP/GM Sam Presti and the track record of the Thunder acing the draft, it's a safe bet to say the Thunder found value with the No. 15 pick (Georgetown's Thomas Sorber). Orlando Magic: B At one point during the draft process, Michigan State's Jase Richardson was a projected lottery pick and the Magic got him at No. 25. Philadelphia 76ers: B The Sixers passed on Ace Bailey and took defensive-minded guard VJ Edgecombe at No. 3. He will be able to guard multiple positions. Phoenix Suns: C- There's no question: the Suns have wanted a center for a long time. They traded Jusuf Nurkic to the Hornets in the middle of the season and struggled to find a presence down low. Duke's Khaman Maluach at No. 10 -- part of the trade that sent Kevin Durant to Houston -- is actually great value. But, minutes prior, the Suns also reportedly completed a trade to get another former Duke center, Mark Williams, from the Hornets. This reeks of a team that didn't think Maluach would be available, got impatient, and fired off a trade. Now, Phoenix has the opposite issue: it has one big too many. Portland Trail Blazers: C This is another curious 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's 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. Sacramento Kings: B 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. San Antonio Spurs: A The Spurs have the past two rookies of the year (Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle) and just picked Rutgers' Dylan Harper at No. 2 and Arizona's Carter Bryant at No. 14. The Spurs are on their way. Toronto Raptors: B 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's system. Utah Jazz: A Danny Ainge struck again. Utah got excellent value at No. 5 with Ace Bailey, an electric player who is built exactly the way teams want their wings. He has effortless athleticism and is a hyper-competitive player who should find easy buckets. And then, in a trade with the Wizards, the Jazz nabbed an experienced guard in Walter Clayton Jr., who has range and the clutch gene. Washington Wizards: B The Wizards targeted guards as part of their extensive rebuild and selected Texas' Tre Johnson sixth and acquired Illinois' Will Riley at No. 21.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Nuggets couldn't help craving Taco Bell in NBA Draft second round
By now, everyone knows Nikola Jokić's incredible story. These days, the Serbian center is a three-time regular-season MVP, the 2023 NBA Finals MVP, and a 2023 NBA champion. Jokić is one of the biggest faces of one of the most competitive eras in NBA history. The guy nicknamed "Joker" is not only the best basketball player in the world, but he's also one of the best ever. It's fitting, then, that he plays an unconventional point center/three-level scorer style that has transformed him into one of the most unique talents ever to palm an orange ball. That style of play is specifically what makes it seem like he has the easiest time dominating whenever he's on the court. Advertisement But before Jokić became the king of the hill and a remarkable all-timer, he was an overlooked second-round NBA Draft pick. Jokić was so overlooked initially, in fact, that the Denver Nuggets' selection of him during the 2014 NBA Draft famously came across the ESPN ticker during a Taco Bell commercial. It's one of those fun, quirky NBA facts that is definitely a staple at many trivia nights across the country. As the No. 41 overall pick clock ticked on Thursday night, the Nuggets decided to make light of their selection of the greatest second-round pick in NBA history. They made a string of Taco Bell jokes, first qualifying their desires for a cheesy quesarito, then following that up with a picture of the item while standing in front of a view of the Denver skyline. When you get this lucky with a prospect who turns into a generational-defining player AND his story so happens to have a funny Taco Bell segue involved, you should feel free to get away with this kind of humor: Call it a hunch, but I'm willing to bet some diehard Nuggets fans celebrate the No. 41 overall pick every year by getting some Taco Bell. When that selection turns into someone unforgettable like Nikola Jokić, it's only fair. That's the type of niche tradition worth celebrating. This article originally appeared on For The Win: Nuggets make perfect Nikola Jokic Taco Bell joke during NBA Draft second round
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Nuggets couldn't help craving Taco Bell in NBA Draft second round
By now, everyone knows Nikola Jokić's incredible story. These days, the Serbian center is a three-time regular-season MVP, the 2023 NBA Finals MVP, and a 2023 NBA champion. Jokić is one of the biggest faces of one of the most competitive eras in NBA history. The guy nicknamed "Joker" is not only the best basketball player in the world, but he's also one of the best ever. It's fitting, then, that he plays an unconventional point center/three-level scorer style that has transformed him into one of the most unique talents ever to palm an orange ball. That style of play is specifically what makes it seem like he has the easiest time dominating whenever he's on the court. Advertisement But before Jokić became the king of the hill and a remarkable all-timer, he was an overlooked second-round NBA Draft pick. Jokić was so overlooked initially, in fact, that the Denver Nuggets' selection of him during the 2014 NBA Draft famously came across the ESPN ticker during a Taco Bell commercial. It's one of those fun, quirky NBA facts that is definitely a staple at many trivia nights across the country. As the No. 41 overall pick clock ticked on Thursday night, the Nuggets decided to make light of their selection of the greatest second-round pick in NBA history. They made a string of Taco Bell jokes, first qualifying their desires for a cheesy quesarito, then following that up with a picture of the item while standing in front of a view of the Denver skyline. When you get this lucky with a prospect who turns into a generational-defining player AND his story so happens to have a funny Taco Bell segue involved, you should feel free to get away with this kind of humor: Call it a hunch, but I'm willing to bet some diehard Nuggets fans celebrate the No. 41 overall pick every year by getting some Taco Bell. When that selection turns into someone unforgettable like Nikola Jokić, it's only fair. That's the type of niche tradition worth celebrating. This article originally appeared on For The Win: Nuggets make perfect Nikola Jokic Taco Bell joke during NBA Draft second round
USA Today
a day ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
The Nuggets couldn't help craving Taco Bell in NBA Draft second round
By now, everyone knows Nikola Jokić's incredible story. These days, the Serbian center is a three-time regular-season MVP, an NBA Finals MVP, and an NBA champion. Jokić is one of the biggest faces of one of the most competitive eras in NBA history. The guy nicknamed "Joker" is the best basketball player in the world. It's fitting, then, that he plays an unconventional point center/three-level scorer style that has transformed him into one of the most unique talents ever to palm an orange ball. That style of play is specifically what makes it seem like he has the easiest time dominating whenever he's on the court. But before Jokić became the king of the hill and an all-timer, he was an overlooked second-round NBA Draft pick. Jokić was so overlooked initially, in fact, that the Denver Nuggets' selection of him during the 2014 NBA Draft famously came across the ESPN ticker during a Taco Bell commercial. It's one of those fun, quirky NBA facts that's sure to be a staple at many trivia nights across the country. As the No. 41 overall pick clock ticked on Thursday night, the Nuggets decided to make light of their selection of the greatest second-round pick in NBA history. They made a string of Taco Bell jokes, first qualifying their desires for a cheesy quesarito, then following that up with a picture of the item while standing in front of a view of the Denver skyline. When you get this lucky with a prospect who turns into a generational-defining player AND his story so happens to have a funny Taco Bell segue involved, you should feel free to get away with this kind of humor: Call it a hunch, but I'm willing to bet some diehard Nuggets fans celebrate the No. 41 overall pick every year by getting some Taco Bell. When that selection turns into someone unforgettable like Nikola Jokić, it's only fair. That's the type of niche tradition worth celebrating.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers Fans Excited After Unexpected Nikola Jokic Trade Message From Nuggets Owner
Lakers Fans Excited After Unexpected Nikola Jokic Trade Message From Nuggets Owner originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Nikola Jokic had a spectacular season, leading the Denver Nuggets with historic performances even as his team fell short in a tough second-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The three-time MVP averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds and 10.2 assists in 70 games, including NBA history‑making 30‑20‑20 and 40‑15-15 outings—proof he remains one of the most dominant big men to ever play in the league. Advertisement On July 8, Jokic becomes eligible for a three‑year, roughly $212 million super‑max extension—with many assuming he will eventually sign. His decision will shape Denver's future, even as financial and roster strategies come into sharper focus. Denver Nuggets superstar center Nikola Jokic (15).© Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images However, an eyebrow‑raising comment from Nuggets owner Josh Kroenke has stunned the NBA. Discussing the consequences of the second apron during a press conference on Tuesday, Kroenke warned that salary constraints mixed with a catastrophic injury could force Denver into considering a Jokic trade—a shocking admission seeing as Jokic is widely viewed as the Nuggets' immutable cornerstone. 'The wrong person gets injured, and very quickly you're in a scenario that I never want to contemplate, and that's trading No. 15," Kroenke admitted. That statement, although hypothetical, quickly sparked reactions from Lakers fans excited about the idea of Jokic potentially being available one day. Advertisement 'He wants to play with Doncic,' one fan wrote 'So I guess Jokic is a Laker,' another fan said. 'It's time,' a Lakers fan posted. 'Jokic to the Lakers confirmed,' another fan declared. 'Lakers dynasty is inevitable lol,' another fan added. '@Lakers idk how but make it happen,' a fan urged LA's front office. While a trade remains exceedingly unlikely, the blockbuster midseason acquisition of Luka Doncic by Los Angeles continues to fuel optimism about the Lakers landing more superstars in the future. In reality, Denver still centers its plans firmly around its MVP big man. But Kroenke's admission serves as a reminder that in today's NBA, no player is truly untouchable. Advertisement Related: Andrew Wiggins to Lakers Trade Report Surfaces After Kevin Durant News Related: Alex Caruso Facing Backlash From Lakers Fans After NBA Finals Message This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
