NBA Draft 2025: Teams That Succeeded and Those That Struggled

NBA Draft 2025: Teams That Succeeded and Those That Struggled

The 2025 NBA Draft has wrapped up (take a gander at the Draft Log). The league kept the two-day format this year, with mixed reviews, but it did give teams an extra day to ponder their choices. Some teams thrived, while others crumbled under the pressure - let's examine the winners and losers.

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Winners

Spurs

Much like the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2022, the San Antonio Spurs aim to contend for the NBA championship sooner rather than later. By selecting Rutgers guard Dylan Harper with the second overall pick, the Spurs have found a versatile wing partner for the emerging generational talent, Victor Wembanyama. Harper excels as a efficient inside scorer and has the added ability to shoot from outside, making him the most well-rounded scoring threat in the class, aside from Cooper Flagg.

In the lottery, the Spurs added Arizona's Carter Bryant to their roster, a player some analysts believed San Antonio would have to trade up to secure. Bryant projects to be a 3&D player, fitting well in the Spurs' rotation, much like Peyton Watson in Denver, if not a tad bit comparable to Josh Smith in terms of capabilities. However, keep in mind that Bryant will still require development to fully realize his potential.

Suns

Phoenix's top target was Duke center Khaman Malauch, and fortunately for the Suns, he was available at No. 10 overall. The Sudanese phenom will immediately stepping into as one of the NBA's high percentile shot blockers, both in set defenses and in transition. At 7'2, he's extremely effective off the pick and roll, making a suitable partner for Suns guard Devin Booker in this regard.

Rounding out the draft, Rasheer Fleming, a two-way prospect from St. Joseph's, was selected with the 31st overall pick. Fleming was courted by numerous teams, potentially falling into the first round if not for the intense competition. Another player on the rise is Koby Brea, who challenges Texas' Tre Johnson for the title of best shooter in the entire draft class, having led the nation in 3-point percentage as a junior at Dayton and dominating the SEC as a senior at Kentucky.

76ers

Choosing V.J. Edgecombe over Ace Bailey may seem controversial now, but it's a move that will likely age quite well. Edgecombe showcases Victor Oladipo-like slashing capability and possesses lockdown defensive ability that will immediately translate to the NBA level, proving to be a strong compliment to the game of former MVP Joel Embiid.

Edgecombe wasn't the only promising selection. The 35th overall pick, Johni Broome, was in contention for National Player of the Year and presents a worthy second-round flier, despite concerns about his age, durability, and size at the next level. Broome dominated one of the deepest college basketball conferences, making him a potential steal.

Losers

Pelicans

The Pelicans' moves left many questioning their sanity. Trading both the 23rd overall pick in the draft, as well as the team's unprotected 2026 first-round draft pick (Atlanta) to move up 10 places for Maryland's Derik Queen is among the most mind-boggling draft day decisions in recent memory. With questionable moves like this, one could argue the organization would have been better off if David Stern were still running it, as he passed away over five years ago.

While the Pelicans did manage to select Jeremiah Fears at No. 7, their decision to reach for Georgetown's Micah Peavy in the second round was questionable, as he was taken around 10 spots higher than his consensus mock position. For the draft to age well, the Pelicans will need to make the playoffs next season and offset the value of their outgoing 2026 pick, but their current roster arguably has a better shot at winning the lottery. Literally and figuratively.

Nets

Brooklyn entered the draft with five first-round picks, setting them up for a historic haul. However, their execution left much to be desired. The Nets reached for Egor Denim at the eighth overall spot, a 6'9 playmaking wing from BYU ranked in the 20s on several reputable big boards. A brighter spot was the selection of French guard Nolan Traore at No. 19 overall, but they once again reached for UNC's Drake Powell at No. 22 overall, a move that was criticized as unnecessary as several mocks had Powell going to the Nets at 27. The Nets closed the draft with Israeli point guard Ben Suraf and Michigan center Danny Wolf, with Wolf showing some potential but Suraf being deemed a developmental project at best at the NBA level.

TrailBlazers

The Trail Blazers clearly coveted Yang Hansen, managing to trade down and collect extra compensation during the draft. The problem lies in the fact that they could have traded down further, even into the second round, and earned an even greater bounty while still securing their desired prospect. It is speculated that the Grizzlies might have received word of another team interested in Yang before they could make another pick, but this scenario seems unlikely. All in all, Portland could have done better.

Top Pick

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• Perspectives: Overall Draft, Spurs, 76ers, and Pelicans
  • The 2025 NBA Draft was marked by notable decisions, standout performances, and strategic gambles, headlined by the highly competitive race for top talent.
  • The Spurs executed a smart draft, prioritizing versatility and a strong defensive identity with their selections.
  • The 76ers made smart moves, positioning themselves for long-term success with impactful picks like V.J. Edgecombe, while addressing RoCo's departure.
  • The Pelicans' aggressive pursuit of Derik Queen raised eyebrows, with concerns surrounding the trade's long-term value and potential impact on their rebuilding process.
• New Orleans Draft Analysis:
  • The Pelicans' draft strategy focused on strengthening their young core with promising talent.
  • Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen, when paired together, have the potential to establish a formidable offensive presence.
  • While the dual acquisitions could speed up New Orleans' rebuilding process, concerns about draft capital and long-term impact remain.
• Brooklyn Nets Draft Review:
  • The Nets' draft was a double-edged sword, showcasing an impressive commitment to youth and a deep pool of first-round picks.
  • However, their aggressive approach may not pay off immediately, as several selections were deemed slightly dubious in terms of value and fit.
• Portland Trail Blazers Draft Summary:
  • Portland demonstrated a clear interest in Yang Hansen, ultimately selecting the Chinese center as their first-round pick.
  • The Trail Blazers' decision to trade down in order to draft Hansen, however, raised questions about the team's overall strategy and ability to maximize their draft position.

In summary, the 2025 NBA Draft featured a variety of strategic moves and surprising selections, with the Spurs, 76ers, and Pelicans making notable decisions that will have lasting impacts on their respective teams. The Nets and Trail Blazers faced more scrutiny, with controversy surrounding their draft strategies and resource management.

• San Antonio Spurs' draft picks, Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant, have made them a team to watch in the upcoming NBA season, with Harper being the most well-rounded scoring threat in the class.
• Phoenix Suns added Khaman Malauch, a dominant shot blocker, at No. 10 overall, making a suitable partner for Devin Booker in pick and roll plays.
• Philadelphia 76ers drafted V.J. Edgecombe over Ace Bailey, a move that may seem controversial now but shows potential for long-term success, with Edgecombe's defensive abilities meshing well with Joel Embiid's game.
• The New Orleans Pelicans' aggressive pursuit of Derik Queen, trading their unprotected 2026 first-round draft pick (Atlanta), raised eyebrows and left many questioning their decision-making, despite selecting Jeremiah Fears at No. 7.

In terms of top picks, the 2025 NBA Draft featured notable decisions, standout performances, and strategic gambles, with the Spurs, 76ers, and Pelicans making moves that will have lasting impacts on their respective teams. The New Orleans Pelicans' draft strategy focused on strengthening their young core with promising talent, but concerns about draft capital and long-term impact remain.

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