The 2025 NBA Draft has finally arrived, and there is plenty of intrigue to wade through during Round 1. After Duke’s Cooper Flagg (Dallas Mavericks) and Rutgers’ Dylan Harper (San Antonio Spurs) were selected with the first two picks, there was a dramatic pause until Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe was chosen No. 3 overall by the Philadelphia 76ers.
The fun began from there as analysts and fans alike murmured about the future of another Rutgers star, Ace Bailey. Though his pre-draft process was filled with controversy — largely his unwillingness to participate in workouts with individual teams — the Utah Jazz were not deterred. Bailey went off the board at No. 5 with the Blue Devils and Scarlet Knights combining for four of the draft’s first five picks.
There is a long ways to go until Round 1 wraps up Wednesday night, and CBS Sports will be with you the entire way. Keep it locked here for pick-by-pick grades and analysis from our NBA Draft experts. Live, continuous coverage of the draft is available live in the CBS Sports HQ player at the top of this page or on any device of your choosing.
2025 NBA Draft grades, Round 1
Adam Finkelstein
1. Dallas Mavericks: SF Cooper Flagg, Duke
Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good. Dallas had less than a 2% chance of getting this pick and in Flagg the Mavs are getting not just an elite two-way prospect but an elite two-way player. He’s ready to impact the team and help them win right now and be the bridge to the franchise’s future. He can dominate defensively on and off the ball. Great shot blocker. High steal rate. Terrific passer. In his lone college season, he took major strides as a shooter and a creator. He’s the future face of the franchise. A home run for Dallas. Grade: A
2. San Antonio Spurs: PG Dylan Harper, Rutgers
The Spurs have an inside-out tandem they can build around for the next 15 years with Harper and Wemby. He’s a big lead guard with a natural feel for the game and great playmaking instincts. He makes those around him better. There are some long-term questions about his shooting potential and durability. If he can address those areas, there are clear All-Star outcomes for him in San Antonio. Grade: A
3. Philadelphia 76ers: SG VJ Edgecombe, Baylor
This is solid, not spectacular. Edgecombe is a spectacular athlete with incredible defensive potential. He can put a ton of pressure on the rim but he needs growth with his guard skills, particularly making spot up 3s and being a primary ball handler. I don’t know how much he can help drive winning right away but he’s a very quality longterm piece. Grade: B
4. Charlotte Hornets: SF Kon Knueppel, Duke
He can play right now. He knows how to play with other good players and can hold his own offensively. He showed it at Duke. And when Cooper Flagg went down in the ACC Tournament, he showed he can be the alpha. He’s an incredibly skilled, very strong, very smart player. My concern is on the defensive end. He’s not an elite athlete. He wasn’t guarding NBA-level two-guards at Duke. How will that fit next to LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller in Charlotte? Grade: B
5. Utah Jazz: SF Ace Bailey, Rutgers
I give this an enthusiastic “A.” His upside is significant. He didn’t work out for them but Utah was not going to get bullied by Bailey’s representation. They took the best prospect on the board. I believe he’s a top three prospect in the draft. He’s a jumbo wing, high-level athlete and tough shot-maker. If everything clicks, he could have the highest upside in the draft. Ace Bailey is going to have an opportunity to have an immediate impact. I think in the long run this can work out very, very well for the Jazz. Grade: A
6. Washington Wizards: SG Tre Johnson, Texas
The Wizards had the last option of a clear top six in this draft. They tried to get Bailey and came close. If Johnson is the contingency plan, that’s a good outcome. He has NBA-caliber size and will be able to score right away in the NBA. He showed tremendous growth in his efficiency at Texas. He made tough shots as the focal point of the opposing defense and made strides with his passing. Grade: A
7. New Orleans Pelicans
8. Brooklyn Nets
9. Toronto Raptors
10. Phoenix Suns (via Rockets)
11. Portland Trail Blazers
12. Chicago Bulls
13. Atlanta Hawks (via Kings)
14. San Antonio Spurs (via Hawks)
15. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Heat)
16. Memphis Grizzlies (via Magic)
17. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Pistons)
18. Washington Wizards (via Grizzlies)
19. Brooklyn Nets (via Bucks)
20. Miami Heat (via Warriors)
21. Utah Jazz (via Timberwolves)
22. Brooklyn Nets (via Hawks)
23. New Orleans Pelicans (via Pacers)
24. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Clippers)
25. Orlando Magic (via Nuggets)
26. Brooklyn Nets (via Knicks)
27. Brooklyn Nets (via Rockets)
28. Boston Celtics
29. Phoenix Suns (via Cavaliers)
30. Los Angeles Clippers (via Thunder)
2025 NBA Draft order, Round 2
Kyle Boone
31. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Jazz)
32. Boston Celtics (via Wizards)
33. Charlotte Hornets
34. Charlotte Hornets (via Pelicans)
35. Philadelphia 76ers
36. Brooklyn Nets
37. Detroit Pistons (via Raptors)
38. Indiana Pacers (via Spurs)
39. Toronto Raptors (via Trail Blazers)
40. New Orleans Pelicans (via Wizards)
41. Golden State Warriors (via Heat)
42. Sacramento Kings (via Bulls)
43. Utah Jazz (via Mavericks)
44. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Hawks)
45. Chicago Bulls (via Kings)
46. Orlando Magic
47. Milwaukee Bucks (via Pistons)
48. Memphis Grizzlies (via Warriors)
49. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Bucks)
50. New York Knicks (via Grizzlies)
51. Los Angeles Clippers (via Timberwolves)
52. Phoenix Suns (via Nuggets)
53. Utah Jazz (via Clippers)
54. Indiana Pacers
55. Los Angeles Lakers
56. Memphis Grizzlies (via Rockets)
57. Orlando Magic (via Celtics)
58. Cleveland Cavaliers
59. Houston Rockets (via Thunder)