Spherical 1 of the 2025 NBA Draft on Wednesday evening introduced loads of surprises. It began when Ace Bailey was unexpectedly chosen by the Utah Jazz at No. 5 and continued when the Portland Path Blazers pulled a shocker by deciding on Yang Hansen, a comparatively unknown 7-footer from China, at No. 16 general.
Will the surprises proceed into Thursday evening’s Spherical 2? There are nonetheless loads of notable names on the board, together with faculty standouts like Auburn’s Johni Broome and Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner. Take a look at the very best gamers accessible and dive into Kyle Boone’s Spherical 2 sleepers in addition to his full second-round mock draft to see what could lie forward.
CBS Sports activities is right here to information you thru Spherical 2 with pick-by-pick grades from Kyle Boone, who takes over in your’s actually. Spherical 1 grades can be found under the dwell, updating Spherical 2 grades on the high of this text.
2025 NBA Draft grades, Spherical 2
Kyle Boone
31. Phoenix Suns (by way of Timberwolves): PF Rasheer Fleming, Saint Joseph’s
Fleming was the highest-rated participant on my board getting into the second spherical and Phoenix neatly made a commerce with Minnesota to amass this decide and by extension the proper to Fleming. He is a 6-foot-9 ahead with a 7-foot-5 wingspan who shot 39% on 3s final season and must be an amazing addition to the Suns’ frontcourt. Grade: A
32. Orlando Magic (by way of Celtics): SF Noah Penda, France
Orlando moved as much as seize Penda in a deal that provides the Magic a proficient wing from France who has the bodily instruments and the body to be a plus-defender early in his profession. He is been extremely productive within the LNB Professional A and I like the worth right here for somebody who I believed could go Spherical 1. Grade: B
33. Charlotte Hornets: PG Sion James, Duke
That is about 10 spots increased than the place I would have chosen James so this seems like a little bit of a attain. However I am going to go alongside a good grade right here for one purpose: Charlotte appears to be drafting with a imaginative and prescient. Kon Knueppel (its No. 4 decide) is the very best shooter within the draft and James is a dynamic taking pictures weapon as properly after ranking within the 96th percentile final season on soar pictures and catch-and-shoot alternatives. Grade: C
34. Charlotte Hornets (by way of Pelicans): C Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton
This is perhaps the one A+ I hand out within the second spherical. Love, love, love this for Charlotte, particularly after dealing Mark Williams on Wednesday. He is a 7-foot-1 heart with a 7-foot-6 wingspan who is able to contribute early. The four-time Large East Defensive Participant of the 12 months award winner may be an anchor for the Hornets’ protection and has turn out to be an actual menace as a floor-spacer as well. Grade: A+
35. Philadelphia 76ers
36. Minnesota Timberwolves (by way of Suns)
37. Detroit Pistons (by way of Raptors)
38. Indiana Pacers (by way of Spurs)
39. Toronto Raptors (by way of Path Blazers)
40. New Orleans Pelicans (by way of Wizards)
41. Phoenix Suns (by way of Warriors)
42. Sacramento Kings (by way of Bulls)
43. Washington Wizards (by way of Jazz)
44. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (by way of Hawks)
45. Los Angeles Lakers (by way of Bulls)
46. Orlando Magic
47. Milwaukee Bucks (by way of Pistons)
48. Memphis Grizzlies (by way of Warriors)
49. Cleveland Cavaliers (by way of Bucks)
50. New York Knicks (by way of Grizzlies)
51. Los Angeles Clippers (by way of Timberwolves)
52. Golden State Warriors (by way of Suns)
53. Utah Jazz (by way of Clippers)
54. Indiana Pacers
55. Chicago Bulls (by way of Lakers)
56. Memphis Grizzlies (by way of Rockets)
57. Orlando Magic (by way of Celtics)
58. Cleveland Cavaliers
59. Golden State Warriors (by way of Suns)
2025 NBA Draft grades, Spherical 1
Adam Finkelstein
1. Dallas Mavericks: SF Cooper Flagg, Duke
Generally it is higher to be fortunate than good. Dallas had lower than a 2% likelihood of getting this decide and in Flagg the Mavs are getting not simply an elite two-way prospect however an elite two-way participant. He is able to affect the staff and assist them win proper now and be the bridge to the franchise’s future. He can dominate defensively on and off the ball. Nice shot blocker. Excessive steal fee. Terrific passer. In his lone faculty season, he took main strides as a shooter and a creator. He is the long run face of the franchise. A house run for Dallas. Grade: A
2. San Antonio Spurs: PG Dylan Harper, Rutgers
The Spurs have an inside-out tandem they’ll construct round for the following 15 years with Harper and Wemby. He is an enormous lead guard with a pure really feel for the sport and nice playmaking instincts. He makes these round him higher. There are some long-term questions on his taking pictures potential and sturdiness. If he can deal with these areas, there are clear All-Star outcomes for him in San Antonio. Grade: A
3. Philadelphia 76ers: SG VJ Edgecombe, Baylor
That is strong, not spectacular. Edgecombe is a spectacular athlete with unimaginable defensive potential. He can put a ton of strain on the rim however he wants progress along with his guard abilities, notably making spot up 3s and being a major ball handler. I do not understand how a lot he can assist drive profitable immediately however he is a really high quality longterm piece. Grade: B
4. Charlotte Hornets: SF Kon Knueppel, Duke
He can play proper now. He is aware of learn how to play with different good gamers and might maintain his personal offensively. He confirmed it at Duke. And when Cooper Flagg went down within the ACC Event, he confirmed he may be the alpha. He is an extremely expert, very sturdy, very good participant. My concern is on the defensive finish. He isn’t an elite athlete. He wasn’t guarding NBA-level two-guards at Duke. How will that match subsequent 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 critical. He did not work out for them however Utah was not going to get bullied by Bailey’s illustration. They took the very best prospect on the board. I imagine he is a high three prospect within the draft. He is a jumbo wing, high-level athlete and hard shot-maker. If every part clicks, he may have the best upside within the draft. Ace Bailey goes to have a possibility to have a direct affect. I believe in the long term this will work out very, very properly for the Jazz. Grade: A
6. Washington Wizards: SG Tre Johnson, Texas
The Wizards had the final possibility of a transparent high six on this draft. They tried to get Bailey and got here shut. If Johnson is the contingency plan, that is an excellent end result. He has NBA-caliber dimension and can be capable to rating immediately within the NBA. He confirmed large progress in his effectivity at Texas. He made robust pictures as the focus of the opposing protection and made strides along with his passing. Grade: A
7. New Orleans Pelicans: PG Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma
I am skeptical. Fears is among the most polarizing prospects within the draft. There may be bust potential. Whenever you take a guard like Fears, you might be saying you imagine he could be a major creator. I believe his almost definitely end result is an instantaneous affect scorer on a second unit. There are main questions on how a man who does not shoot it nice from 3 and is ball dominant matches subsequent to Zion Williamson. Can he adapt to having much less probabilities with the ball in his arms? It is a dangerous guess given the archetype. Grade: C+
8. Brooklyn Nets: PG Egor Demin, BYU
I am shocked. Everyone calls him a degree guard, however he is 6-foot-9. I do not purchase into that. I see him as a facilitating ahead. To draft him this excessive you imagine within the upside and imagine he is a degree guard. You do not take a facilitating ahead at this level within the draft particularly when he struggles defensively and with taking pictures from the surface. He principally defended forwards at BYU. Who will he guard within the NBA? Grade: C+
9. Toronto Raptors: PF Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina
I like him greater than most. The knock is he’s an undersized huge — he is 6-foot-6 with out footwear on — and isn’t a 3-point shooter. However he’s very lengthy with a 7-foot wingspan and really sturdy. He performs larger than he’s and is a wonderful processor of the sport. He is very good and versatile defensively. In Toronto, he is much like Scottie Barnes however not pretty much as good. Match turns into necessary whenever you attempt to maximize an asset. Grade: B
10. Phoenix Suns (by way of Rockets): C Khaman Maluach, Duke
I am an enormous believer in Maluach. He has an extended future within the league. He is 7-2 with a 7-6 wingspan and is an excessive lob menace. That is what he does greatest proper now. He is exceptionally cellular for his dimension. He can run end-to-end and in addition transfer laterally. He has shot blocking potential however is just not an enormous time shot blocker simply but. Phoenix does not have anyone in its frontcourt proper now, so he can play speedy minutes and switch into an excellent participant for a very long time. Good worth. Grade: A-
11. Memphis Grizzlies (by way of Path Blazers): SG Cedric Coward, Washington State
Coward is a late bloomer who labored his means up from the Division III stage and was headed to Duke earlier than sticking within the draft. He has lengthy arms, large arms and a body that ought to preserve evolving. He’ll present Memphis with much-needed flooring spacing and has the instruments to be a useful wing defender alongside Jaylen Wells. The hope is that these two can affect profitable immediately and evolve right into a tandem the Grizzlies can depend on for years to return. He is 23, so this can be a decide that should have a direct return after the Desmond Bane commerce. If he can contribute on the low wage related to this decide, then it makes quite a lot of sense. Grade: B
12. Chicago Bulls: PF Noa Essengue, France
That is an upside swing, which is extra justifiable at this level within the draft. He is one of many youngest gamers within the draft and among the best athletes within the draft along with his court docket protection and leaping skill. He was enjoying professional in Germany and was impactful at a excessive stage of worldwide play. There’s a lot to be inspired about however he has to refine his recreation and add muscle mass to his body. There’s quite a lot of untapped upside on the defensive finish and offensively he has a knack for locating methods to attain and attending to the free-throw line. Grade: B
13. New Orleans Pelicans (by way of Hawks): C Derik Queen, Maryland
I believe he is a high 8 or 10 prospect on this class. Folks criticize his conditioning and athletic considerations, and that brings implications on the defensive finish. However he has arguably the very best arms on this draft and is exceptionally expert at his dimension, notably as a playmaker, dribbler and passer. The one concern is the match. It is questionable since Zion Williamson and Jeremiah Fears are additionally non-shooters. The spacing might be problematic, until, in fact, Williamson is on the commerce block. Grade: A-
14. San Antonio Spurs (by way of Hawks): PF Carter Bryant, Arizona
Bryant solely averaged 6.5 factors and 4.1 rebounds, however shot 46% on unguarded catch-and-shoot 3-pointers. He is a high-level athlete and multi-positional defender at simply 19 years previous. He is 6-foot-7 and generally Arizona would even match him up defensively with opposing level guards. There aren’t many 3-and-D gamers on this draft however he matches that archetype. It is important to construct flooring spacing for Wemby, Dylan Harper and Stephon Fortress. They wanted taking pictures they usually bought it with this decide. Grade: A
15. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (by way of Warmth): C Thomas Sorber, Georgetown
Coming off a title, Oklahoma Metropolis does not have rotation minutes up for grabs however the supporting solid wants to show over across the staff’s stars. Do not anticipate a lot affect immediately from Sorber, who has lengthy, magnetic arms and has improved at a speedy fee in recent times. He ought to be capable to actually contribute in a 12 months or two, which is what OKC is on the lookout for. Grade: B
16. Portland Path Blazers (by way of Grizzlies): C Yang Hansen, China
He is 19 years previous and averaged 16 factors and 10 rebounds with three blocks and three assists within the CBA in China. That is increased than anybody projected him to be drafted. This can be a swing of epic proportions and comes on the heels of the Blazers drafting Donovan Clingan. Perplexing. Can these guys play collectively? We have had some surprises tonight. That is the most important shock bar none. If it hits, they’re going to be smarter than everybody. Grade: C
17. Minnesota Timberwolves (by way of Pistons): C Joan Beringer, France
He is very younger. He does not flip 19 till November and has solely performed for a couple of years. However he is slightly below 7-feet with out footwear and has higher than a 7-foot-4 wingspan. He is an excessive athlete with wonderful mobility and good arms. His archetype is a rim-running shot blocker and lob menace. That is very valued in in the present day’s NBA. In Minnesota, Beringer will get to be taught underneath Rudy Gobert — and will doubtlessly take over for him a couple of years down the street. That is an important succession plan on the heart spot. Grade: A
18. Utah Jazz (by way of Wizards): PG Walter Clayton Jr., Florida
He’s an elite shooter. Whenever you’re speaking about perimeter position gamers within the NBA, that is crucial standards. He is among the highest shooters on this draft and has the flexibility to play each on and off the ball. He has the physique kind to defend and the bodily energy to be a extra aggressive defender within the NBA than what we noticed for many of his faculty profession. Grade: A-
19. Brooklyn Nets (by way of Bucks): PG Nolan Traore, France
I’m excessive on Traore. He got here into the cycle as a high 5 prospect however regressed a little bit bit – not less than the notion of his inventory did. He performed higher late in his professional season. He has burst as a playmaker with tons of creativity. He will get into the paint and has proven beneficial properties as a shooter. Traore at this spot is nice worth however I am shocked Kasparas Jakucionis was not within the combine at this spot with Brooklyn selecting a degree guard. Grade: B
20. Miami Warmth (by way of Warriors): PG Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois
I perceive the considerations. His talent and his basketball acumen are his greatest property. He has good dimension, talent and processing instincts. Nevertheless, he did not shoot the three notably properly and he had a excessive turnover fee. I perceive why persons are nervous, however you simply put a chip on this man’s shoulder and despatched him to the Miami Warmth. That is terrific worth. Should you’re a Warmth fan, you might be ecstatic about this. They’re rebuilding with out bottoming out. They are not considering tanking. Grade: A
21. Washington Wizards (by way of Jazz): SF Will Riley, Illinois
That is an upside swing much like Kyshawn George final 12 months. Riley is a long-term inventory as he builds up his physique and will get extra constant. He has nice positional dimension at 6-8 however he shot simply 32% from 3. Should you imagine within the upside, you imagine the taking pictures will click on and also you’re optimistic about among the playmaking he confirmed at Illinois late within the season. However that is an extended methods away. He wants time to develop his physicality to complete by way of contact on the rim within the NBA. I additionally query the match. Washington appears to have quite a lot of related items. Most guys like this went again to varsity. Grade: C+
22. Brooklyn Nets (by way of Hawks): SF Drake Powell, North Carolina
This can be a little little bit of a attain. The upside is a 3-and-D wing however the offense is just not there but. It is a main work in progress. Good athlete. Good defender with lengthy arms. Excessive character child. Not NBA prepared proper now. The theme of this class for Brooklyn is they appear to assume they’ll develop shooters. If these guys can develop as shooters, they’re going to be high-quality. I do not assume he’ll assist the Nets subsequent 12 months. It is solely due to my religion within the Nets’ participant growth program that I am not being extra harsh. Grade: C+
23. Atlanta Hawks (by way of Pelicans): PF Asa Newell, Georgia
He is a high-energy and cellular huge who can break up time between the 4 and the 5, although he is in all probability undersized to play the small-ball 5 within the NBA. Good athlete with an excellent motor. Performs with nice physicality and confirmed promise guarding the decide and roll. He did not present a lot progress along with his taking pictures potential at Georgia. If that hits within the NBA, the decide is a steal. Grade: B+
24. Sacramento Kings (by way of Thunder): SF Nique Clifford, Colorado State
It is a very strong decide. Clifford is a flexible wing and an excellent athlete on the perimeter. He is a wonderful perimeter rebounder and an excellent passer and cutter. He grew to become an NBA prospect as a result of he made substantial beneficial properties along with his taking pictures. If that is sustainable, then he’ll show to be a really strong NBA participant for years to return. Grade: B
25. Orlando Magic (by way of Nuggets): SG Jase Richardson, Michigan State
The Magic wanted backcourt depth and flooring spacing with taking pictures after the Desmond Bane commerce. Richardson checks each packing containers. He scores in many various spots and did so with effectivity. He even completed properly on the rim regardless of his dimension. He can play on and off the ball and rating at varied ranges, however he was smaller than anticipated on the mix. He is slightly below 6-1, so being a combo guard at that dimension goes to be robust on the NBA stage. Can he become a degree guard? Grade: B+
26. Brooklyn Nets (by way of Knicks): PG Ben Saraf, Israel
Saraf is a jumbo southpaw guard with a robust body. He is one of the inventive passers off the dribble within the draft. He is very inventive and he places strain on the rim. The query is the taking pictures, which is a pattern with these worldwide guards that Brooklyn has chosen tonight. Grade: B
27. Brooklyn Nets (by way of Rockets): PF Danny Wolf, Michigan
Wolf is very expert at almost 7-feet tall, particularly as a ball handler and passer. He was Michigan’s major initiator for vital stretches final season and was an actual playmaker. He has terrific arms and terrific contact and his skill to go the ball could be very uncommon at his dimension. He did not shoot it properly from exterior in faculty, a typical theme with the picks from the Nets in Spherical 1. There are additionally questions on his protection. Grade: B+
28. Boston Celtics: SF Hugo Gonzalez, Spain
Gonzalez had an enormous early fame within the Actual Madrid system. He is an enormous wing with strong dimension and a excessive motor and defensive upside, particularly on the ball. The protection is the intrigue right here as his greatest offense is in transition. The taking pictures is the swing talent — he shot simply 29% final 12 months. Boston shoots quite a lot of threes, so he’ll want to point out enchancment there to essentially stick to the Celtics. Grade: B-
29. Charlotte Hornets (by way of Suns): SF Liam McNeeley, UConn
This can be a steal for Charlotte. At decide No. 29, you are on the lookout for a surefire NBA participant. McNeeley is that. He is a aggressive 6-8 wing and was the first offensive possibility for UConn when wholesome for a lot of final season. That is terrific worth. There’s little doubt in my thoughts that he is a greater shooter than what we noticed this 12 months. I believe he is a professional for 10-plus years. Grade: A
30. Los Angeles Clippers (by way of Thunder): C Yanic Konan Niederhauser, Penn State
Seven-footers who’re high-level athletes are professionals till confirmed in any other case. Niederhauser was an enormous winner on the mix. He performed properly and opened eyes along with his athletic testing. He is bought legit dimension and athleticism. He matches the NBA recreation maybe higher than he did faculty. He is a rim runner and lob menace. He may find yourself being an excellent backup huge for the Clippers. Grade: B
