Jun 25, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Jeremiah Fears, Cooper Flagg, and Dylan Harper stand on stage before the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn ImagesJun 25, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Jeremiah Fears, Cooper Flagg, and Dylan Harper stand on stage before the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
With the 2025 NBA Draft in the books, some fan bases revel in their franchise's newfound talent while others come away with more questions than answers. Talent evaluation is an inexact science that well and truly hinges on the eye of the beholder — just ask the Portland Trail Blazers. Nevertheless, here are five organizations whose draft day dealings rose above the rest, at least at first blush.
San Antonio Spurs
As if chancing upon Dylan Harper was not already enough, the Spurs were the beneficiary of other teams’ draft boards at the back end of the lottery. There was noise around selecting Thomas Sorber at No. 14 to buttress their frontcourt depth. But the door to that eventuality quickly swung shut as Carter Bryant fell into San Antonio’s lap. Thought by many to be a surefire top-10 pick, Bryant is as alluring as he is raw.
San Antonio could not have asked for a better outcome.
Carter is a multi-positional defender, an elite rhythm 3-point shooter off the catch, an attuned cutter in the halfcourt and has the type of applied athleticism to finish above the rim. The Spurs declining to accelerate their championship timeline dovetails perfectly with Bryant’s development over the coming years.
Phoenix Suns
Mar 21, 2025; Raleigh, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Khaman Maluach (9) celebrates during the first half against the Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn ImagesMar 21, 2025; Raleigh, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Khaman Maluach (9) celebrates during the first half against the Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
I covered the Suns’ first-round endeavors in yesterday’s piece, namely fortifying their paint presence with the towering tandem of Khaman Maluach and Mark Williams. But it was their second-round transacting that cemented their status as a draft day winner. About an hour before the No. 31 pick was made, Brian Gregory and company sent the No. 36 pick and two future second-round picks to Minnesota to move up five spots and select Saint Joseph’s forward Rasheer Fleming. They proceeded to acquire the No. 41 pick from the Golden State Warriors to draft Kentucky wing Koby Brea.
Fleming, who I had at No. 18 on my personal big board, adds an intriguing arrow to the Suns’ frontcourt quiver. He is 6-foot-9 with a ridiculous 7-foot-5 wingspan. While he is very much an advantage converter rather than an advantage creator, he will seldom be expected to put the ball on the floor. Rasheer can detonate at the rim with elite jump timing or stretch the floor along the perimeter, which he did to the tune of 39% as a junior. His otherworldly reach and considerable verticality make him a menacing help defender. Conversely, what the 6-foot-7 Brea lacks in defensive fortitude he more than makes up for with first-rate shooting ability. Brea is arguably the best 3-point marksman in the entire class, connecting on a mind-boggling 46.5% of his 3-point looks during his final two college seasons.
While the long-term viability of this roster remains entirely nascent, Phoenix checked itself out of purgatory and pieced together a respectable young core in the span of 48 hours.
Atlanta Hawks
Jan 18, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs forward Asa Newell (14) reacts after making a three point shot against the Auburn Tigers at Stegeman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn ImagesJan 18, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs forward Asa Newell (14) reacts after making a three point shot against the Auburn Tigers at Stegeman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
After replacing Landry Fields as general manager on April 21, Hawks front office figurehead Onsi Saleh has wasted no time in making a splash this offseason. He followed up the vaunted Kristaps Porzingis trade with a similarly masterful draft night haul.
Atlanta voluntarily moved back 10 spots on the draft board and still managed to acquire Asa Newell, a 6-foot-10 hybrid big man who was in the thick of lottery conversations. I had Newell No. 15 on my final big board and third among bigs in this class. As you might expect, the Hawks were heavily incentivized to do so. But the degree of compensation received was utterly perplexing.
Atlanta’s upper management preyed on Pelicans executive Joe Dumars’ sensibilities (or lack thereof). It was widely reported that Dumars and the Pelicans’ overseers were enchanted by Derik Queen. When Jeremiah Fears fell to them at No. 7, it is clear that a mad scramble to trade up and pursue Queen ensued. In exchange for swapping the No. 13 pick for No. 23, Atlanta received an unprotected 2026 first-round pick, specifically the most favorable of either New Orleans or Milwaukee. The Hawks still got the prospect they wanted — a hometown kid who rounds out their big man rotation nicely. With a blue-chip asset in hand, this exchange could have franchise-altering ramifications in next year’s draft lottery on both sides. Hawks fans could not have scripted the NBA Draft any better.
Miami Heat
Mar 10, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra reacts to referee Brian Forte (45) against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn ImagesMar 10, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra reacts to referee Brian Forte (45) against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images
In recent years, Miami has had an uncanny affinity for making hay in the middle of the first round. Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez, Nikola Jovic, Precious Achiuwa — the list goes on. Call it fortuitous or advanced scouting, lightning struck once again on Wednesday night. Kasparas Jakucionis, a prospect who was widely mocked to be selected in the top 10 and slotted similarly on the big boards of draft evaluators (mine included), fell precipitously to No. 20. Multiple teams even passed on him twice.
This was a no-brainer selection for the Heat, and quite frankly a steal at this stage of the draft board. Whether his frequent turnovers or shooting downturn (due to a forearm injury suffered in January) at the college level drove down his stock, or other intangible factors arising from the pre-draft process, Miami found a backcourt building block. Jakucionis’ star potential is highly debatable, but his outlook as a 6-foot-6 versatile combo guard is brighter than it is dull. He boasts the stature and shooting ability to slot in next to Tyler Herro and, most importantly, can capably create for himself and others with the ball in his hands. In my view, the turnovers and miscues at Illinois have been vastly overblown. With greater experience at the next level and a less demanding workload, Kasparas is bound to strike a balance in the triple threat.
Orlando Magic
Feb 15, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo talks with Michigan State Spartans guard Jase Richardson (11) during the second half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn ImagesFeb 15, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo talks with Michigan State Spartans guard Jase Richardson (11) during the second half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
After giving up the farm for Desmond Bane, it seems the Magic’s roster curation was just getting started. In Round 1, Orlando selected Jase Richardson with the No. 25 pick. Richardson’s stock took a nosedive when he measured 6 feet without shoes at the Draft Combine. With playoff basketball fresh in everyone’s minds, that trepidation ultimately bled into his draft stock. But Orlando, where Jase’s father played for two seasons, saw past his shortcomings. After all, their roster orbits two jumbo playmakers and they possess the collective positional size and length to cover for him defensively. Richardson is a trueborn combo guard whose efficiency from every segment of the court speaks volumes.
The Magic came back to the well in Round 2, acquiring the No. 32 pick from Boston and selecting Frenchman Noah Penda. He had expressed his hope to come to the NBA next season rather than remain overseas for the foreseeable future. Orlando granted him that wish. Penda is a 6-foot-8 broad-shouldered forward with sharp defensive instincts and a predisposition to physicality — although his jumper does remain in question.
Orlando deserves respect for not resting on its laurels and continuing to pad out its roster with future-focused transactions. Richardson fills the void left behind by Cole Anthony but is inarguably better suited to a more ancillary and less ball-dominant role. Meanwhile, Penda’s physical tools and rugged playstyle provide the perfect counterbalance to Tristan da Silva in Orlando’s forward rotation.
Honorable mentions: Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder