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 wager on uncooked upside or cultural match. With blockbuster trades, draft stashes, and worth swings shaping the night time, right here we current the Western Convention draft grades.
Hyperlink: 2025 Jap Convention Draft Grades
Dallas Mavericks: APicks:
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 broadly considered 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 profitable intangibles make him a super basis for the subsequent period of Mavericks basketball. It has been mentioned earlier than, however the recurring theme right here is that in basketball choice making and in life, generally being fortunate is healthier than being good. Given the fortune of touchdown Flagg, and factoring within the uncertainty surrounding Kyrie Irving’s damage, the entrance workplace may additionally contemplate pivoting and transferring Davis (and finally irving) whereas they nonetheless maintain actual worth in change 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 indicate a powerful eye for second-round worth, following up current hits like Trayce Jackson-Davis and Quintin Submit 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 like a possible contributor and may very well be the most recent second-rounder to carve out a task within the Bay. Alex Toohey is a flexible ahead who does a little bit of every little thing at 6’8, however it’s his toughness and capturing that doubtless caught the Warriors’ consideration. He might want to overcome pace issues on the NBA degree, however his really feel and offensive polish give him an opportunity to develop right into a helpful position participant over time.
Los Angeles Clippers: BPicks: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 provides some intriguing long-term upside. He runs the ground nicely, protects the rim, and finishes above the basket, projecting as a possible lob menace 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 measurement and really feel give him a shot if the event comes alongside. For a crew seeking to restock the pipeline with inexpensive 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 robust bodily instruments and defensive potential. Thiero is an excellent athlete with the size, energy, 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 recreation 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 a variety of 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 may very well 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: BPicks: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 appreciated in Cedric Coward, buying and selling up within the first spherical to seize the Washington State wing who missed many of the 2024–2025 season with a shoulder damage. Coward has a delicate capturing 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 nicely. Changing Bane’s capturing on a rookie-scale deal whereas clearing long-term wage could 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 capacity, 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 provides stable worth at 17 and brings the form 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 respectable prospect with actual instruments as a rim-running, shot-blocking middle who strikes nicely for his measurement, 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 also be a developmental swing however much more of a protracted shot, an infinite 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 wager on Beringer feels way more grounded.
New Orleans Pelicans: DPicks: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 top-of-the-line 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 together with his capacity 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 fingers and disruptive instincts paying homage to his new teammate Herb Jones. Peavy’s improved perimeter capturing as a senior was a key enhance 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 could be a steep worth, particularly in what’s projected to be a loaded 2026 draft. The transfer appears much more questionable contemplating the vary from 13 to 23 had comparatively related expertise, and Atlanta’s choose at 23, Asa Newell, might finally show to be the higher long-term participant. With Zion Williamson’s damage historical past and the energy of the Western Convention, that choose holds severe upside and will simply grow to be a helpful 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 issues, 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 damage that ended his season early and prevented him from figuring out for groups throughout the pre-draft course of. His really feel for the sport and bodily profile give him important long-term potential, combining delicate contact close to the rim, sharp instincts as a passer, and the instruments to grow to be a defensive anchor. He performs with glorious timing and barely 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 nicely on the school degree. His jumper might be streaky and his athleticism is common, however he performs arduous and will have an outdoor shot at carving out a depth position.
Phoenix Suns: CPicks: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 crew in want of measurement, given his 7’2 body and intriguing bodily instruments, however 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 influence 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 general 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 considered as a slight steal the place he was taken. He brings lengthy arms, a powerful body, and a promising outdoors shot, although his really feel for the sport stays inconsistent. With the forty first choose, Phoenix added Koby Brea, some of the environment friendly shooters in school basketball at Dayton and Kentucky. He’ll get an opportunity to carve out a task as a floor-spacing wing.
Portland Path Blazers: B+Picks:16. Hansen Yang 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 considered 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 energy and doesn’t persistently influence 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 recreation, which is able to take time and endurance.
Sacramento Kings: BPicks:24. Nique Clifford 6-6, 200, SG, Colorado State, Sr.42. Maxime Raynaud 7-1, 240, C, Stanford, Jr.
Nique Clifford is a good athlete and shall be requested to offer defensive depth on the NBA degree. He was top-of-the-line rebounders within the nation at Colorado State, no matter place, whereas additionally working in a point-forward position. 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 stable basketball IQ and a team-first method. Clifford has a bit Doug Christie to his recreation, so it’s fascinating that he now joins the franchise Christie as soon as performed for and at the moment 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 delicate capturing contact and bonafide three-point vary, however is extra finesse than bodily and might want to get harder defensively to carve out a constant position. It’s additionally value noting that the longer term 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: APicks: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 Citadel, however they neatly stood pat and chosen Dylan Harper. It’s been established for months that Harper was considered because the doubtless 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 fascinating to see how the Spurs’ guard rotation performs itself out. Choosing Carter Bryant on the finish of the lottery was extra of a long-term play, however a worthwhile funding contemplating his potential as a flooring spacer and versatile defender. We have been decrease on Bryant than most, given his restricted improvement 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 throughout the 2025 NBA Draft course of. His shot creation isn’t a energy, however with the offensive expertise round him in San Antonio, it received’t should 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 longer term together with his immense expertise, athleticism, and shot-making capacity, however he might want to totally purchase into the crew and decide to constructing his all-around recreation. His future could 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 picks match their long-term developmental focus.
