Cooper Flagg (pictured) headlines the West as a possible franchise cornerstone amid a draft with a sea of query marks, rebuilds, and long-term performs. Some groups leaned into their id whereas others guess on uncooked upside or cultural match. With blockbuster trades, draft stashes, and worth swings shaping the evening, right here we current the Western Convention draft grades.
Hyperlink: 2025 Jap Convention Draft Grades
Dallas Mavericks: A
Picks:
1. Cooper Flagg 6-9, 210, SF, Duke, Fr.
It has been a chaotic 4 months for the Mavericks within the aftermath of the controversial Luka Doncic commerce, however touchdown Cooper Flagg at No. 1 is about pretty much as good a “comfort prize” as any franchise may hope for. Flagg has been extensively thought to be the highest prospect within the 2025 draft class, and pairing him with Anthony Davis provides Dallas a formidable frontline constructed on elite defensive potential and long-term upside. A fierce competitor, Flagg crammed up the field rating at Duke and led a beginning lineup that noticed all 5 members chosen on this yr’s draft. His shot creation is the one space that also invitations questions, however his instincts, rebounding, toughness, and successful intangibles make him a really perfect basis for the subsequent period of Mavericks basketball. It has been stated earlier than, however the recurring theme right here is that in basketball choice making and in life, typically being fortunate is best than being good. Given the fortune of touchdown Flagg, and factoring within the uncertainty surrounding Kyrie Irving’s harm, the entrance workplace may also think about pivoting and transferring Davis (and in the end irving) whereas they nonetheless maintain actual worth in alternate for youth. Only a thought.
Golden State Warriors: B+
Picks:
56. Will Richard 6-5, 210, SG, Florida, Jr.
52. Alex Toohey 6-8, 225, SF/PF, Australia, Intl.
GM Mike Dunleavy continues to point out a powerful eye for second-round worth, following up current hits like Trayce Jackson-Davis and Quintin Put up with two extra intriguing prospects. Will Richard brings championship expertise, a team-first mentality, and a ability set that matches Golden State’s system. He defends, knocks down standstill threes, and thrives within the mid-range with NBA-level athleticism and size. He appears to be like like a possible contributor and could possibly be the most recent second-rounder to carve out a job within the Bay. Alex Toohey is a flexible ahead who does a little bit of every part at 6’8, nevertheless it’s his toughness and taking pictures that seemingly caught the Warriors’ consideration. He might want to overcome velocity considerations on the NBA degree, however his really feel and offensive polish give him an opportunity to develop right into a helpful function participant over time.
Los Angeles Clippers: B
Picks:
30. Yanic Konan Niederhauser 7-1, 245, C, Penn State, Sr.
50. Kobe Sanders 6-9, 210, SF, San Diego, Sr.
With the thirtieth choose, the Clippers took Yanic Konan Niederhauser, a late bloomer and athletic 7-foot middle who gives some intriguing long-term upside. He runs the ground properly, protects the rim, and finishes above the basket, projecting as a possible lob risk and power large. His instruments are promising, however his really feel for the sport and basketball IQ are nonetheless creating. At 50, they added Kobe Sanders, a lanky 6-foot-9 ahead from San Diego who confirmed good passing instincts and offensive versatility on the mid-major degree. Sanders might want to get stronger and extra constant as a shooter to stay, however his dimension and really feel give him a shot if the event comes alongside. For a workforce trying to restock the pipeline with reasonably priced depth, these are respectable swings late within the draft.
Los Angeles Lakers: B-
Picks:
36. Adou Thiero 6-7, 220, SF, Arkansas, Jr.
The Lakers traded up within the second spherical to pick Adou Thiero, a 6-foot-7, 220-pound wing with sturdy bodily instruments and defensive potential. Thiero is an excellent athlete with the size, power, and toughness to protect a number of positions on the perimeter, and he performs with power and a willingness to do the soiled work. His offensive sport nonetheless wants work, notably as a shooter and ball-handler, however his motor and athleticism give him worth as a slasher, cutter, and lob finisher. The pairing with Luka makes numerous sense, as Doncic is without doubt one of the league’s greatest lob passers and Thiero has the explosiveness to be on the receiving finish. That mixture could possibly be particularly helpful in transition or off backdoor cuts when defenses are keyed in on Luka. On a roster that wants extra perimeter protection and role-playing athleticism, Thiero has an actual shot to contribute.
Memphis Grizzlies: B
Picks:
11. Cedric Coward 6-6, 210, SG/SF, Washington State, Sr.
48. Javon Small 6-2, 185, PG, West Virginia, Sr.
59. Jahmai Mashack 6-3, 195, SG, Tennessee, Sr.
The Grizzlies clearly noticed one thing they preferred in Cedric Coward, buying and selling up within the first spherical to seize the Washington State wing who missed a lot of the 2024–2025 season with a shoulder harm. Coward has a tender taking pictures contact and nice size for a wing, and if he develops right into a dependable rotation piece, the choice to maneuver Desmond Bane’s contract may age very properly. Changing Bane’s taking pictures on a rookie-scale deal whereas clearing long-term wage can be a wise piece of enterprise if Coward hits. At 48, Memphis added Javon Small, a 6-foot-2 combo guard coming off a powerful senior yr at West Virginia. He’s a assured shot creator with some playmaking skill, however questions stay about his protection and athletic ceiling. At 59, they took Jahmai Mashack, a scrappy, defense-first guard who lacks offensive polish however may earn a glance as a situational stopper due to his toughness and energy.
Minnesota Timberwolves: B-
Picks:
17. Joan Beringer 7-0, 230, C, France, Intl.
45. Rocco Zikarsky 7-3, 265, C, Australia, Intl.
Joan Beringer gives strong worth at 17 and brings the sort of upside groups hope to search out in the course of the primary spherical. The Wolves are apparently stacking up our bodies to throw on the Joker in Denver, deciding on two worldwide large males in Beringer and Rocco Zikarsky. Beringer is a reliable prospect with actual instruments as a rim-running, shot-blocking middle who strikes properly for his dimension, finishes lobs, and performs with power across the basket. He may earn minutes ahead of anticipated due to his mobility and defensive instincts. Zikarsky can be a developmental swing however much more of an extended shot, an unlimited bodily presence who clogs area and creates second-chance alternatives however faces a steeper climb by way of NBA translation. Each would require time, however the guess on Beringer feels much more grounded.
New Orleans Pelicans: D
Picks:
7. Jeremiah Fears 6-4, 180, PG/SG, Oklahoma, Fr.
13. Derik Queen 6-10, 250, PF/C, Maryland, Fr.
40. Micah Peavy 6-7, 210, SG/SF, TCU, Sr.
On the floor, the Pelicans got here away with probably the greatest draft hauls, touchdown three gamers who may assist them, notably sooner or later. Fears is among the many high guard prospects within the 2025 Draft along with his skill to use fixed stress on defenses utilizing his deal with and confidence within the mid-range. Queen, who they traded as much as choose at 13, had a productive freshman season at Maryland and possesses superior scoring craft across the paint and mid-post. He’ll want to enhance his conditioning to unlock extra on the defensive finish, however his contact and really feel as a scorer are simple. Within the second spherical, they added Fifth-year senior Micah Peavy, a rugged, defense-first wing with fast palms and disruptive instincts paying homage to his new teammate Herb Jones. Peavy’s improved perimeter taking pictures as a senior was a key increase to his inventory, and he may stick as a rotation piece. However all of that will get overshadowed by the puzzling choice to ship an unprotected 2026 first-round choose to Atlanta simply to maneuver up from 23 to 13. Even when Queen seems to be a standout NBA participant, that may be a steep worth, particularly in what’s projected to be a loaded 2026 draft. The transfer appears to be like much more questionable contemplating the vary from 13 to 23 had comparatively related expertise, and Atlanta’s choose at 23, Asa Newell, might in the end show to be the higher long-term participant. With Zion Williamson’s harm historical past and the power of the Western Convention, that choose holds critical upside and will simply change into a invaluable lottery asset. At minimal, the entrance workplace ought to have insisted on top-five safety. Maybe the deal was struck because the clock was winding down and warning was thrown apart. The transfer feels reckless and the draft technique, when factoring in Zion’s ongoing availability considerations, comes throughout as shortsighted and unnecessarily dangerous.
Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder: A-
Picks:
15. Thomas Sorber 6-10, 265, C, Georgetown, Fr.
44. Brooks Barnhizer 6-6, 230, SF, Northwestern, Sr.
The champs used the fifteenth choose to take Thomas Sorber, the 6’10, 265-pound large man from Georgetown with a 7’6 wingspan. He was a participant we had graded as the highest long-term middle within the draft, and the wealthy get richer. Sorber had a really productive freshman season on each ends and will have slipped barely as a result of a foot harm that ended his season early and prevented him from figuring out for groups in the course of the pre-draft course of. His really feel for the sport and bodily profile give him vital long-term potential, combining tender contact close to the rim, sharp instincts as a passer, and the instruments to change into a defensive anchor. He performs with glorious timing and infrequently finds himself out of place, traits that counsel he may develop right into a dependable two-way large. Given Oklahoma Metropolis’s depth, he might have to attend his flip for constant minutes, however the potential is obvious. Within the second spherical, they added Brooks Barnhizer, a sturdy and cerebral 6’6 wing from Northwestern who crammed up the field rating and defended properly on the faculty degree. His jumper will be streaky and his athleticism is common, however he performs exhausting and will have an out of doors shot at carving out a depth function.
Phoenix Suns: C
Picks:
10. Khaman Maluach 7-2, 255, C, Duke, Fr.
31. Rasheer Fleming 6-9, 240, PF/C, Saint Joseph’s, Jr.
41. Koby Brea 6-6, 200, SG, Kentucky, Sr.
Khaman Maluach at No. 10 might have been defensible for a workforce in want of dimension, given his 7’2 body and intriguing bodily instruments, nevertheless it’s unclear whether or not his uncooked defensive potential will translate rapidly sufficient to assist a win-now roster. He’s nonetheless removed from NBA prepared on the offensive finish, and his defensive affect stays extra theoretical than confirmed. The choice turns into even tougher to justify contemplating the 2 future firsts Phoenix gave as much as purchase Maek Williams, elevating questions on total draft technique. The maneuvering on Day Two to safe the thirty first choose and choose Rasheer Fleming is commendable, however not sufficient to beat the head-scratching selections on Day One. Fleming, an athletic and intriguing large, was seen as a slight steal the place he was taken. He brings lengthy arms, a powerful body, and a promising exterior shot, although his really feel for the sport stays inconsistent. With the forty first choose, Phoenix added Koby Brea, probably the most environment friendly shooters in faculty basketball at Dayton and Kentucky. He’ll get an opportunity to carve out a job as a floor-spacing wing.
Portland Path Blazers: B+
Picks:
16. Yang Hansen 7-2, 255, C, China, Intl.
The choice to maneuver down from 11 to 16, choose up a 2028 first-round choose in what is anticipated to be a stronger draft, and nonetheless land a participant with as a lot upside as anybody on the board was a wise transfer by Portland. Yang Hansen was seen by many as a attain, however his movie reveals uncommon aptitude and creativity for a 7-footer, particularly as a passer. He has actual really feel, contact, and mobility, however lacks bodily power and doesn’t persistently affect the sport on protection. With a crowded frontcourt, it’s honest to query the match, however the upside swing is justifiable. Now the problem shall be Yang assimilating to American tradition and the NBA sport, which can take time and persistence.
Sacramento Kings: B
Picks:
24. Nique Clifford 6-6, 200, SG, Colorado State, Sr.
42. Maxime Raynaud 7-1, 240, C, Stanford, Jr.
Nique Clifford is a superb athlete and shall be requested to offer defensive depth on the NBA degree. He was probably the greatest rebounders within the nation at Colorado State, no matter place, whereas additionally working in a point-forward function. Although not a pure shooter or shot creator for himself, he’s unselfish and can get some factors in transition or through cuts. An older prospect at 23, he brings a strong basketball IQ and a team-first method. Clifford has a bit of Doug Christie to his sport, so it’s attention-grabbing that he now joins the franchise Christie as soon as performed for and presently coaches. Maxime Raynaud, a 7-footer from Stanford, had a particularly productive senior season. He can function each close to the basket and on the perimeter, exhibiting a tender taking pictures contact and bonafide three-point vary, however is extra finesse than bodily and might want to get more durable defensively to carve out a constant function. It’s additionally price noting that the long run protected first-round choose the Kings gave as much as purchase OKC’s No. 24 choose, which grew to become Clifford, will convey within the weaker 2027 draft. That timing makes the commerce a lot smarter than if it had conveyed in a stronger class like 2026 or 2028.
San Antonio Spurs: A
Picks:
2. Dylan Harper 6-6, 215, PG/SG, Rutgers, Fr.
14. Carter Bryant 6-8, 215, SF, Arizona, Fr.
Many thought the Spurs would commerce their No. 2 choose in hopes of touchdown a longtime star to pair with Wemby, De’Aaron Fox, and Stephon Fortress, however they neatly stood pat and chosen Dylan Harper. It’s been established for months that Harper was seen because the seemingly choose after Cooper Flagg, and his all-around excessive ability degree might have merely been an excessive amount of for San Antonio to cross on, even with positional overlap on the present roster. Will probably be attention-grabbing to see how the Spurs’ guard rotation performs itself out. Deciding on Carter Bryant on the finish of the lottery was extra of a long-term play, however a worthwhile funding contemplating his potential as a ground spacer and versatile defender. We had been decrease on Bryant than most, given his restricted growth since his junior yr of highschool, however touchdown with the Spurs considerably improves his long-term outlook. Regardless of modest freshman manufacturing at Arizona, Bryant solidified his inventory in the course of the 2025 NBA Draft course of. His shot creation isn’t a power, however with the offensive expertise round him in San Antonio, it received’t must be.
Utah Jazz: A-
Picks:
5. Ace Bailey 6-9, 205, SG/SF, Rutgers, Fr.
18. Walter Clayton Jr. 6-3, 200, PG/SG, Florida, Sr.
Ace Bailey has as a lot potential as anybody within the draft not named Cooper Flagg. After some pre-draft uncertainty, Bailey reluctantly reported to Utah and selected to put on No. 19. He provides the Jazz hope for the long run along with his immense expertise, athleticism, and shot-making skill, however he might want to totally purchase into the workforce and decide to constructing his all-around sport. His future may be very brilliant, and together with it, Utah’s turns into brighter. At 18, the Jazz added nationwide champion Walter Clayton Jr., a powerful, poised guard who might want to earn minutes in a crowded younger backcourt that includes Isaiah Collier and Keyonte George. Utah might look to make some roster strikes to create room, however each alternatives match their long-term developmental focus.
