Everyone knew Cooper Flagg was going to the Mavericks. That wasn't a surprise. But looking back at the nba draft 2025 grades now that the dust has settled, the real story isn't about the generational talent at the top. It’s about the absolute chaos that happened in the middle of the first round.
Honestly? Most of the instant "A" grades handed out on draft night were way too optimistic.
We saw teams like the Brooklyn Nets take massive swings on international prospects that, frankly, look like high-stakes gambles rather than sure things. Meanwhile, the Charlotte Hornets quietly built a flamethrower of a backcourt. You've gotta look past the highlights to see who actually got better.
The Flagg Effect and the Mavericks' Easy A+
Let’s get the obvious out of the way first. Dallas landing Cooper Flagg at No. 1 is the easiest A+ a GM will ever earn. It’s basically cheating. Flagg isn't just a "prospect"; he’s a 6'9" Swiss Army knife who defended the perimeter and protected the rim at Duke like a seasoned pro.
In his first 40 games in the league, the kid averaged 18.8 points and over 6 rebounds. He even dropped 42 on the Jazz in December. If you’re a Mavs fan, you aren't just happy—you're basically set for the next decade. He’s already filling the void left by injuries to stars like Kyrie Irving.
But does a team really "win" a draft just because they were bad enough to get the first pick?
Probably not. The real "winning" happens when you find value where others see risk.
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Why the Charlotte Hornets Might Have Won the Night
People slept on the Hornets. Hard.
They took Kon Knueppel at No. 4 and then traded for Liam McNeeley at No. 29. Basically, they decided that if they can't stop anyone, they’re just going to outshoot them. Knueppel is a Duke product who understands spacing better than some five-year veterans.
- Kon Knueppel: A high-IQ shooter who actually moves the needle.
- Liam McNeeley: Steal of the draft at 29? Many scouts think so.
- Sion James: A second-round bruiser who adds much-needed grit.
They got a grade of A from most serious analysts, and for good reason. They didn't just take "best player available"; they built a cohesive identity. Knueppel’s 42.8% from deep early on suggests that Charlotte’s front office actually had a plan for once.
The Brooklyn Nets: A "D+" That Might Be a Genius Move (Or a Disaster)
The Nets had five picks. Five! And they used them to turn the roster into an international experiment. Taking Egor Demin at No. 8 and Nolan Traoré at No. 19 felt... risky.
Demin has struggled. His free-throw shooting is, well, let's just say it's "work in progress" to be polite. He averages nearly three turnovers a game. On the surface, the nba draft 2025 grades for Brooklyn were ugly—CBS Sports gave them a D+ because they didn't consolidate those picks to move up.
But here’s the thing: Brooklyn is clearly playing the long game. They’re hunting for the next Giannis or Jokic. If even one of these guys hits, the D+ looks stupid in three years. Right now? It's a mess. They passed on Khaman Maluach and Collin Murray-Boyles, two guys who look like immediate contributors. That hurts.
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The Rutgers Connection: Spurs and Jazz
It was a weirdly great year for Rutgers. Dylan Harper went No. 2 to the Spurs, and Ace Bailey went No. 5 to the Jazz.
Harper in San Antonio is a dream fit. He’s a big, coordinated guard who doesn't panic. Pair him with Victor Wembanyama, and you have a duo that makes every other Western Conference team nervous. The Spurs got a solid A. They didn't overthink it.
The Jazz taking Ace Bailey at No. 5 was more polarizing. Some people clowned Bailey because he supposedly wanted to go to a bigger market, but Utah didn't care. They needed a star. Bailey is a "human highlight reel" according to scouts, but he's raw. He’s got that "alpha" mentality, yet his shot selection can be... questionable. A "B-" grade feels right for Utah—high upside, but a lot of room to fail.
Mid-First Round Value Picks
- Jeremiah Fears (No. 7, Pelicans): A speedy guard who’s already a rotation staple.
- Khaman Maluach (No. 10, Suns via Rockets): A 7'2" monster who earned an A+ grade for Phoenix.
- Thomas Sorber (No. 15, Thunder): Classic OKC pick. High motor, physical, and fits the culture.
What Most People Get Wrong About Draft Grades
The biggest mistake is grading a draft 24 hours after it happens. We do it anyway because it's fun, but it’s mostly guesswork.
Take V.J. Edgecombe at No. 3 for Philadelphia. On paper, it was a B. He’s a bit small for a wing and his handle is shaky. But then you see him play next to Tyrese Maxey and realize his "straight-line" speed is exactly what they needed. Context is everything.
You also have to look at the second round. The Lakers getting Adou Thiero at No. 36? That’s a steal. He’s a defensive menace who just needs a jumper to become a high-level starter. Most teams gave up on him because of his shooting, but the Lakers took the flyer. That’s how you win on the margins.
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The Actionable Takeaway for Fans
If you're tracking these nba draft 2025 grades to see how your team did, don't just look at the letter. Look at the "Swing Skill."
Every player has one. For Egor Demin, it’s his shot. For Ace Bailey, it’s his decision-making. If your team’s rookie is failing at their swing skill by year two, the grade drops a full letter.
Keep an eye on the G League stats for these guys too. Players like Noa Essengue (Bulls, No. 12) are going to spend a lot of time there. If they aren't dominating that level of competition, the "upside" talk starts to feel like a cope.
The 2025 class was top-heavy, but the real winners are the teams that didn't just chase "potential" and actually drafted guys who know how to play basketball right now.
Next Steps for Following the Class:
- Monitor the "Win Shares" for the top 10; currently, Kon Knueppel and Cooper Flagg are leading the pack.
- Watch for trade rumors involving Brooklyn's surplus of young guards; they can't keep them all.
- Check the "Per 36" stats for second-rounders like Rasheer Fleming and Chaz Lanier, who are outperforming their draft slots.