2025 NBA draft recap: Round 1 winners, surprise picks and key acquisitions

The pick: Khaman Maluach (No. 10) to Suns

The Phoenix Suns' blockbuster trade for Kevin Durant now carries added context following Khaman Maluach’s unexpected slide to No. 10 in the draft, a move that might prove to be a franchise-saver in the long run. With Maluach on board, Phoenix finally fills a glaring void at center, bringing in a defensive anchor and high-upside prospect who offers exactly what last season’s roster lacked.

Maluach's game is built on elite rim protection, relentless rebounding, and the kind of defensive versatility that allows him to guard multiple positions, a breath of fresh air for a backcourt-heavy Suns team. At just 18, he's one of the youngest prospects in the class, yet already brings a maturity that's impressed coaches and teammates alike. With his vertical pop and timing, he could quickly become a dream pick-and-roll partner for Devin Booker, especially on lob plays.

The pick: Kasparas Jakucionis (No. 20) to Heat

It was a shock to see Kasparas Jakucionis, the No. 11 prospect on most big boards, tumble to the 20th pick — but what a soft landing spot it was. Despite the potential hit to his rookie paycheck, Jakucionis ends up in arguably the perfect environment for a guard with his skill set and mindset.

The Heat, starved for creators and shot-makers, might have struck gold here. Jakucionis brings positional versatility in the backcourt, fitting smoothly alongside Tyler Herro or taking over lead guard duties down the road. His feel for the game, pick-and-roll poise, and gritty two-way mentality make him a textbook Miami guy — and possibly the long-term floor general the franchise has been hunting for.

Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets didn't flinch on draft night. With five first-round selections, they stayed put and used every single one. According to reports, all five draftees are expected to stay with the franchise. Their opening pick raised a few eyebrows — but more on that coming up next.

The pick: Yang Hansen, center (No. 16) to Blazers

he Portland Trail Blazers sent shockwaves through draft night by selecting Chinese big man Yang Hansen with the 16th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft — a move made possible through a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Originally picked by Memphis, Hansen was quickly rerouted to Portland, who’ve had their eyes on the 7-foot-2 center for quite some time. Despite not being projected to go this high, Portland’s front office clearly saw something special after closely scouting him over the past couple of seasons in China.

Hansen now joins elite company, becoming just the third Chinese player ever to be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft. Only Yao Ming (No. 1 in 2002) and Yi Jianlian (No. 6 in 2007) share that distinction — a testament to how rare and significant his rise has been.

The 20-year-old has made waves in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) with the Qingdao Eagles, where he earned Rookie of the Year honors and was a two-time All-Star. In just two seasons, he posted eye-catching averages of 15.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. His high-IQ playmaking from the post has even drawn comparisons to Nikola Jokić, thanks in part to his standout passing during the NBA Draft Combine.

While many expected him to be a second-round steal, a strong pre-draft process, including workouts with 11 different teams, saw his stock rise sharply. Portland, after flipping their 11th pick for Memphis' 16th, seized the opportunity and brought Yang Hansen aboard, betting big on his upside and vision at the center position.

The pick: Ace Bailey (No. 5) to Jazz

Ace Bailey appeared caught off guard when the Utah Jazz called his name with the fifth overall pick, especially after reportedly angling for a drop to more preferred landing spots like Washington or Brooklyn. Speaking to Andscape's Marc Spears post-draft, Bailey admitted he was stunned, saying he had "no idea" Utah even had him on their radar.

Throughout the lead-up to the draft, Bailey had turned down multiple invites to meet with or work out for the Jazz — as well as the Philadelphia 76ers (No. 3) and Charlotte Hornets (No. 4). But despite the cold shoulder, Utah’s front office felt confident in their evaluation and went all in.

The key connection? New head of basketball operations Austin Ainge, who previously interviewed Bailey while with the Celtics during the draft combine. Ainge, along with the rest of the Jazz front office, kept tabs on Bailey all season long at Rutgers, scouting him closely enough to believe he was worth the gamble. Clearly, they saw something the others didn't, and didn't need a private workout to pull the trigger.

The pick: Egor Demin(No. 8) to Nets

The Brooklyn Nets threw a bit of a draft night curveball, surprising just about everyone — media and fans alike — by using their lottery pick on Egor Demin, the BYU standout with international experience. It was an unexpected twist, especially with top-tier names like Khaman Maluach and Noah Essengue still waiting in the green room. Reports leading up to the draft had linked Brooklyn to both of those high-upside prospects, making Demin’s selection all the more intriguing.

Still, there's plenty to like about the 6ft 8in playmaker. Demin enters the NBA with one of the sharpest passing instincts in the class and a basketball IQ that jumps off the film. During his lone year at BYU, he averaged a solid 10.6 points, 5.3 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game, showing poise and polish beyond his years.

Perhaps most importantly, Demin is a true floor general, something that could prove vital for Cam Thomas, allowing the explosive scorer to stay in his natural shooting guard role rather than taking on playmaking duties. If Demin earns a starting role as a rookie, Brooklyn may have just unlocked a more balanced backcourt.

The Phoenix Suns have hit the reset button, and their roster overhaul is well and truly in motion. After shipping Kevin Durant to Houston, they've doubled down on getting younger and more athletic. The latest move? Swinging a deal with the Charlotte Hornets for big man Mark Williams — the same center who was nearly dealt to the Lakers at the deadline before that trade collapsed at the last minute.

To land Williams, Phoenix parted with the No. 29 pick in the draft and a 2029 first-rounder, a hefty price for a team that just offloaded Jusuf Nurkic and is desperate to fill a frontcourt void post-Durant. While Devin Booker and Bradley Beal still headline the backcourt, it’s clear the Suns are pivoting to build around them, and they believe Williams is a piece worthy of investment.

That said, giving up future draft capital raises questions. For a franchise already thin on assets after blockbuster deals for Durant and Beal, moving more picks feels risky, especially when they should be stockpiling youth, not spending what's left of their future.

This trade feels like a gamble, especially since the Lakers, who had a glaring hole at center, ultimately passed on Williams. Phoenix saw an opportunity and pounced, but there's no margin for error now. While the deal didn't fall apart over medical issues like L.A.'s attempt, the Suns are banking on Williams making an instant impact.

With Cooper Flagg now in Dallas, the Western Conference arms race just got even more intense. Williams may fill a need, but he’s far from a silver bullet. The Suns need more depth, more draft assets, and frankly, more time to piece this puzzle back together. Snagging a center off the Lakers’ leftovers might not be the masterstroke they think unless he proves everyone else wrong.

The San Antonio Spurs made a savvy addition at No. 14 in the 2025 NBA Draft, grabbing Carter Bryant, and it could spell trouble for rivals like the Oklahoma City Thunder. In today's league, where versatility is king, teams are stocking up on multi-skilled wings who can handle the ball, stretch the floor, and guard multiple positions. Bryant checks all those boxes.

A product of Arizona, just like Spurs cult hero Sean Elliott, Bryant brings a modern twist to that legacy. He’s got the physical tools: strength, bounce, and quickness but what sets him apart is his ability to knock down shots from deep. And for a San Antonio team that’s been craving shooting and athleticism on the perimeter, he fits the bill perfectly.

Though Bryant didn’t dominate in his lone college season, his impact was steady. He suited up in 37 games, starting just five, but made his minutes count, averaging 6.5 points on 46% shooting, including a respectable 37.1% from three, while adding 4.1 boards, a block, a steal, and an assist per night.

As draft analyst Fletcher noted in May, Bryant didn't light it up statistically, but he brought solid value off the bench and showed clear signs of upside, particularly as one of the youngest wing prospects in the class.

In short: he's the kind of long-term piece teams love to mold, and with the Spurs' track record in player development, Carter Bryant might just become their next under-the-radar gem.

The Miami Heat added a crafty floor general to their backcourt by picking Kasparas Jakucionis at No. 20 in the 2025 NBA Draft. The Illinois standout, originally from Vilnius, Lithuania, was a key cog in a 22-win season for the Fighting Illini, earning spots on both the All-Big Ten Team and the Big Ten All-Freshman Team. Over the season, he averaged 15 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists, showcasing a well-rounded game with plenty of upside.

Standing just under 6ft5in barefoot with a 6'7¾" wingspan and weighing in at 205 pounds, Jakucionis has the physical tools to hold his own at the next level. His bread and butter is the pick-and-roll, where he demonstrates creativity, composure, and a knack for manipulating defenders. With the ball in his hands, he’s a true three-level scorer — finding daylight in the mid-range, slicing to the rim, or pulling up from deep.

While he only shot 31% from beyond the arc, the volume (five attempts per game) reflects confidence and commitment. He also connected on 44% from the field and 84% from the free-throw line, hinting at untapped offensive efficiency as he continues to grow.

Jakucionis will slot into a Miami backcourt that features Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo as primary options, likely easing him into a playmaking role. While there are still concerns about his ability to create separation and manage turnovers against elite NBA defenses, the long-term outlook is bright.

He may not blow you away with quick-twitch athleticism or flashy moves, but Jakucionis brings a mature, polished approach to the game. With his size, IQ, and versatility, he projects as a reliable rotational guard who could grow into a bigger role in the Heat's system.

Just months after the stunning trade that sent Luka Doncic out of Dallas, the Mavericks have pulled off a remarkable turnaround — and it's all thanks to their new cornerstone: Cooper Flagg.

Once left for dead in the title race, the Mavs are suddenly back in business, with Flagg lighting the fuse for what could be a new era of dominance. The 18-year-old phenom has long been pegged as the top prize in this year's draft, and he didn’t disappoint.

Hailing from Maine, Flagg reclassified early to the high school class of 2024, clearing the way for a one-and-done run at Duke where he carried the Blue Devils to the Final Four. In 37 college appearances, he posted 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, showing the full package on both ends of the floor.

Despite holding just a 1.8% chance in the lottery, Dallas hit the jackpot in May, and they didn't hesitate to snatch up the do-it-all forward with the No. 1 pick.

Now officially a Maverick, Flagg has the chance to not only steady the ship but to push it full sail ahead. He’s a relentless worker, a gifted playmaker, and a defensive menace — all while boasting a polished jumper that makes him a matchup nightmare. The fact that he’s both the most complete offensive and defensive weapon in the draft made this selection a no-brainer.

Whether slotted in as a small forward next to a big like Anthony Davis or sliding into the power forward role in smaller lineups, Flagg's size, IQ, and motor make him plug-and-play ready. He’s going to contribute right away, the only question is whether he merely becomes an All-Star, or fulfills the massive expectations that point toward a Hall of Fame career. Either way, the Mavericks have their man — and their fans have reason to believe again.