Grades will be handed out and opinions will be spouted, but nobody really knows how the 2025 draft class will pan out until games actually start to matter in the fall.
The difference this year is that the categories have changed. There are the usual winners and losers, but there’s also a third category: Flagg-ed
That’s what Cooper Flagg does for an organization. He gives it its own designation. The Mavericks didn’t just win — that’s underselling what happened in the first round Wednesday. They definitely didn’t lose or anything close to it.
They simply Flagg-ed.
In going through with the obvious and selecting the Duke star No. 1 overall, the Mavs put themselves in a special place. Within three years, they’ll be the home of the new face of the league. Flagg, a can’t-miss prospect, can go ahead and start working on his Hall of Fame speech now.
So while the opinions on the winners and losers are listed below, the Mavs won’t be found. They can go ahead and sit this one out.
WINNERS
Hornets — They haven’t looked like a serious organization for years. Whether it’s Miles Bridges and his headshaking off-the-court discretions or LaMelo Ball and his on-the-court decision-making, they seem to be more circus than NBA franchise.
In adding Kon Knueppel with the No. 4 overall pick, maybe — just maybe — Charlotte finally has an adult in the room.
Knueppel is not only the best outside shooter in the class and an underrated athlete, but he brings a no-nonsense approach.
Hawks — They didn’t just dupe the Pelicans in their draft-night trade; they took them to the woodshed. In sliding down 10 spots in a pick exchange — No. 13 to No. 23 — Atlanta also acquired an unprotected first-round pick from the Pels for next season.
By the way, it’s a 2026 draft class that could be even better than the ’25 class.
Considering how competitive the Western Conference will be, there’s a good chance it will be a high pick at that.
VJ Edgecombe — The Baylor guard was projected to go No. 4 or 5 a few months ago, in line behind Flagg, Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey. Bailey, however, tried to get cute and manipulate the draft order by not working out for anyone, allowing Edgecombe’s value to rise.
Not only did it move Edgecombe to No. 3, but he’ll join a 76ers squad that could be top four in the East if everyone comes back healthy. Edgecombe can play with little pressure and develop at his own pace.
Kasparas Jakucionis — The Illinois guard obviously didn’t love slipping down to No. 20, especially because there were rumors that he could be a top-10 selection. But he lands in “Heat Culture” with a chance to learn from one of the best coaches in the league in Erik Spoelstra. That’s a win-win.
LOSERS
Pelicans — Mediocre-to-bad teams in the NBA have only one realistic way to get out of the swamp: draft assets. The Pelicans just gave a 2026 one away. Derik Queen had better be an All-Star for them in three years.
Trail Blazers — Yang Hansen was one of the surprise first-round picks in the last five years. Most organizations gave him a second-round grade.
But that didn’t stop the Blazers from gambling on a total project. The 7-1 center is slow and unathletic. Time will tell how big of a mistake it was.
Ace Bailey — The Rutgers standout looked more hostage than volunteer after being selected at No. 5 by the Jazz.
The talented forward failed to manipulate the draft the way he wanted to, and now he has some damage control to do. He’s with the Jazz for now and has to make the best of it. Who knows, maybe Salt Lake City will grow on him.
Bulls fans — The hope was the Bulls would take advantage of a limping Eastern Conference by adding an instant-impact rookie, but the front office instead drafted a project — 18-year-old Noa Essengue.
Sure, Bulls fans will be disappointed for a bit, but at the start of the 2025-26 season, they’ll do what they do best — complain about the product at a sold-out United Center.