Winners and Losers from Day 1 of the 2025 NBA Draft
- ThatManChe
- Jun 26
- 3 min read
Day 1 of the 2025 NBA Draft brought the chaos we all live for—blockbuster picks, quiet steals, and head-scratching decisions. Some teams walked away with future stars, others with question marks. Here’s who came out on top—and who’s got work to do.
Winners
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks made one of the savviest moves of the night. They traded down in a multi-team deal that landed them Kristaps Porziņģis and a future unprotected first-round pick from the Pelicans—while still selecting Asa Newell at No. 23. That’s asset-building and roster improvement in one move. Newell is a rangy, athletic forward with long-term upside, and Porziņģis gives them a win-now piece. A major win for new GM Onsi Saleh.
San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio just keeps stacking. Taking Dylan Harper at No. 2 gives them a physical, confident scoring guard to pair with Wembanyama. Carter Bryant at No. 14 brings elite athleticism, defensive instincts, and serious versatility. These are two plug-and-play guys who complement the Spurs’ long-term plan. The rebuild is already turning into a reload.
Miami Heat
The Heat made only one pick, but they made it count. Kasparas Jakucionis at No. 20 isn’t flashy—but he’s incredibly smart, composed, and polished beyond his years. A pass-first guard with excellent court vision and feel for the game, he fits Miami’s culture to a tee. The Heat didn’t overthink it. They found a system fit who could crack the rotation sooner than people think.
Utah Jazz
Ace Bailey at No. 5 was one of the cleanest fits of the night. A long, explosive wing with a smooth shooting stroke and two-way upside, Bailey joins a Jazz roster that can afford to be patient while developing his star potential. He wasn’t just the best player available—he was the best player for Utah’s timeline. This pick has future All-Star written all over it.
Rutgers Basketball
Not a team, but they still made history. Two top-five picks in the same draft: Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey. That’s a program-defining moment. Rutgers just put the rest of college basketball on notice—they’re not just developing pros, they’re sending stars to the league.
Losers
Brooklyn Nets
The Nets had five first-round picks. And somehow, they walked away without a single difference-maker. They added depth, sure—but no player who clearly changes the direction of the franchise. This wasn’t bold. It wasn’t aggressive. It was five swings, and no contact. Brooklyn had a chance to make noise and instead whispered into the void.
Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte selected Kon Knueppel at No. 4—a shooter with size and polish—but left higher-upside talent on the board. Once again, the Hornets played it safe. And once again, it feels like a team scared to take the big swing. They need talent not fit, or not more complementary pieces.
Portland Trail Blazers
Yang Hansen at No. 16 was the biggest reach of the night. The tools are intriguing with Jokic potential, but he’s raw and years away from contributing. Portland is stuck between rebuilding and trying to stay competitive, and this pick doesn’t help either due to them already having multiple solid centers on the team. They needed shooting or a stabilizing presence—and went project instead. Another confusing step for a franchise in limbo.
Final Take
Day 1 of the 2025 NBA Draft made one thing crystal clear: some franchises have a plan, and some are just guessing. The Spurs, Heat, Jazz, and Hawks made moves with purpose. Rutgers stole the show with two top-five talents. Meanwhile, Brooklyn, Charlotte, and Portland walked away with more questions than answers.
This draft wasn’t just about who got picked—it was about who’s building something real. And who’s still hoping something clicks.
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