Cooper Flagg (pictured) headlines the West as a potential franchise cornerstone amid a draft with a sea of question marks, rebuilds, and long-term plays. Some teams leaned into their identity while others bet on raw upside or cultural fit. With blockbuster trades, draft stashes, and value swings shaping the night, here we present the Western Conference draft grades.
Link: 2025 Eastern Conference Draft Grades
Dallas Mavericks: A
Picks:
1. Cooper Flagg 6-9, 210, SF, Duke, Fr.
It has been a chaotic four months for the Mavericks in the aftermath of the controversial Luka Doncic trade, but landing Cooper Flagg at No. 1 is about as good a “consolation prize” as any franchise could hope for. Flagg has been widely regarded as the top prospect in the 2025 draft class, and pairing him with Anthony Davis gives Dallas a formidable frontline built on elite defensive potential and long-term upside. A fierce competitor, Flagg filled up the box score at Duke and led a starting lineup that saw all five members selected in this year’s draft. His shot creation is the one area that still invites questions, but his instincts, rebounding, toughness, and winning intangibles make him an ideal foundation for the next era of Mavericks basketball. It has been said before, but the recurring theme here is that in basketball decision making and in life, sometimes being lucky is better than being good. Given the fortune of landing Flagg, and factoring in the uncertainty surrounding Kyrie Irving’s injury, the front office might also consider pivoting and moving Davis (and ultimately irving) while they still hold real value in exchange for youth. Just 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 show a strong eye for second-round value, following up recent hits like Trayce Jackson-Davis and Quintin Post with two more intriguing prospects. Will Richard brings championship experience, a team-first mentality, and a skill set that fits Golden State’s system. He defends, knocks down standstill threes, and thrives in the mid-range with NBA-level athleticism and length. He looks like a potential contributor and could be the latest second-rounder to carve out a role in the Bay. Alex Toohey is a versatile forward who does a bit of everything at 6’8, but it’s his toughness and shooting that likely caught the Warriors’ attention. He will need to overcome speed concerns at the NBA level, but his feel and offensive polish give him a chance to develop into a useful role player over time.
Los Angeles Clippers: B
Picks:
30. Yanic Konan Niederhauser 7-1, 245, C, Penn State, Sr.
50. Kobe Sanders 6-9, 210, SF, San Diego, Sr.
With the 30th pick, the Clippers took Yanic Konan Niederhauser, a late bloomer and athletic 7-foot center who offers some intriguing long-term upside. He runs the floor well, protects the rim, and finishes above the basket, projecting as a potential lob threat and energy big. His tools are promising, but his feel for the game and basketball IQ are still developing. At 50, they added Kobe Sanders, a lanky 6-foot-9 forward from San Diego who showed good passing instincts and offensive versatility at the mid-major level. Sanders will need to get stronger and more consistent as a shooter to stick, but his size and feel give him a shot if the development comes along. For a team looking to restock the pipeline with affordable depth, these are respectable swings late in the draft.
Los Angeles Lakers: B-
Picks:
36. Adou Thiero 6-7, 220, SF, Arkansas, Jr.
The Lakers traded up in the second round to select Adou Thiero, a 6-foot-7, 220-pound wing with strong physical tools and defensive potential. Thiero is a very good athlete with the length, strength, and toughness to guard multiple positions on the perimeter, and he plays with energy and a willingness to do the dirty work. His offensive game still needs work, particularly as a shooter and ball-handler, but his motor and athleticism give him value as a slasher, cutter, and lob finisher. The pairing with Luka makes a lot of sense, as Doncic is one of the league’s best lob passers and Thiero has the explosiveness to be on the receiving end. That combination could be especially useful in transition or off backdoor cuts when defenses are keyed in on Luka. On a roster that needs more perimeter defense and role-playing athleticism, Thiero has a real shot to contribute.
Memphis Grizzlies: B
Picks:
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 saw something they liked in Cedric Coward, trading up in the first round to grab the Washington State wing who missed most of the 2024–2025 season with a shoulder injury. Coward has a soft shooting touch and great length for a wing, and if he develops into a reliable rotation piece, the decision to move Desmond Bane’s contract could age very well. Replacing Bane’s shooting on a rookie-scale deal while clearing long-term salary would be a smart piece of business if Coward hits. At 48, Memphis added Javon Small, a 6-foot-2 combo guard coming off a strong senior year at West Virginia. He’s a confident shot creator with some playmaking ability, but questions remain about his defense and athletic ceiling. At 59, they took Jahmai Mashack, a scrappy, defense-first guard who lacks offensive polish but could earn a look as a situational stopper thanks to his toughness and effort.
Minnesota Timberwolves: B-
Picks:
17. Joan Beringer 7-0, 230, C, France, Intl.
45. Rocco Zikarsky 7-3, 265, C, Australia, Intl.
Joan Beringer offers solid value at 17 and brings the kind of upside teams hope to find in the middle of the first round. The Wolves are apparently stacking up bodies to throw at the Joker in Denver, selecting two international big men in Beringer and Rocco Zikarsky. Beringer is a legitimate prospect with real tools as a rim-running, shot-blocking center who moves well for his size, finishes lobs, and plays with energy around the basket. He could earn minutes sooner than expected thanks to his mobility and defensive instincts. Zikarsky is also a developmental swing but even more of a long shot, an enormous physical presence who clogs space and creates second-chance opportunities but faces a steeper climb in terms of NBA translation. Both will require time, but the bet on Beringer feels far more grounded.
New Orleans Pelicans: D
Picks:
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 surface, the Pelicans came away with one of the best draft hauls, landing three players who could help them, particularly in the future. Fears is among the top guard prospects in the 2025 Draft with his ability to apply constant pressure on defenses using his handle and confidence in the mid-range. Queen, who they traded up to select at 13, had a productive freshman season at Maryland and possesses advanced scoring craft around the paint and mid-post. He’ll need to improve his conditioning to unlock more on the defensive end, but his touch and feel as a scorer are undeniable. In the second round, they added 5th-year senior Micah Peavy, a rugged, defense-first wing with quick hands and disruptive instincts reminiscent of his new teammate Herb Jones. Peavy’s improved perimeter shooting as a senior was a key boost to his stock, and he could stick as a rotation piece. But all of that gets overshadowed by the puzzling decision to send an unprotected 2026 first-round pick to Atlanta just to move up from 23 to 13. Even if Queen turns out to be a standout NBA player, that is a steep price, especially in what is projected to be a loaded 2026 draft. The move looks even more questionable considering the range from 13 to 23 had relatively similar talent, and Atlanta’s pick at 23, Asa Newell, may ultimately prove to be the better long-term player. With Zion Williamson’s injury history and the strength of the Western Conference, that pick holds serious upside and could easily become a valuable lottery asset. At minimum, the front office should have insisted on top-five protection. Perhaps the deal was struck as the clock was winding down and caution was thrown aside. The move feels reckless and the draft strategy, when factoring in Zion’s ongoing availability concerns, comes across as shortsighted and unnecessarily risky.
Oklahoma City 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 15th pick to take Thomas Sorber, the 6’10, 265-pound big man from Georgetown with a 7’6 wingspan. He was a player we had graded as the top long-term center in the draft, and the rich get richer. Sorber had a very productive freshman season on both ends and may have slipped slightly due to a foot injury that ended his season early and prevented him from working out for teams during the pre-draft process. His feel for the game and physical profile give him significant long-term potential, combining soft touch near the rim, sharp instincts as a passer, and the tools to become a defensive anchor. He plays with excellent timing and rarely finds himself out of position, traits that suggest he could develop into a reliable two-way big. Given Oklahoma City’s depth, he may have to wait his turn for consistent minutes, but the potential is clear. In the second round, they added Brooks Barnhizer, a sturdy and cerebral 6’6 wing from Northwestern who filled up the box score and defended well at the college level. His jumper can be streaky and his athleticism is average, but he plays hard and could have an outside shot at carving out a depth role.
Phoenix Suns: C
Picks:
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 may have been defensible for a team in need of size, given his 7’2 frame and intriguing physical tools, but it’s unclear whether his raw defensive potential will translate quickly enough to help a win-now roster. He’s still far from NBA ready on the offensive end, and his defensive impact remains more theoretical than proven. The selection becomes even harder to justify considering the two future firsts Phoenix gave up to acquire Maek Williams, raising questions about overall draft strategy. The maneuvering on Day Two to secure the 31st pick and select Rasheer Fleming is commendable, but not enough to overcome the head-scratching decisions on Day One. Fleming, an athletic and intriguing big, was viewed as a slight steal where he was taken. He brings long arms, a strong frame, and a promising outside shot, though his feel for the game remains inconsistent. With the 41st pick, Phoenix added Koby Brea, one of the most efficient shooters in college basketball at Dayton and Kentucky. He’ll get a chance to carve out a role as a floor-spacing wing.
Portland Trail Blazers: B+
Picks:
16. Yang Hansen 7-2, 255, C, China, Intl.
The decision to move down from 11 to 16, pick up a 2028 first-round pick in what is expected to be a stronger draft, and still land a player with as much upside as anyone on the board was a smart move by Portland. Yang Hansen was viewed by many as a reach, but his film reveals rare flair and creativity for a 7-footer, especially as a passer. He has real feel, touch, and mobility, but lacks physical strength and doesn’t consistently impact the game on defense. With a crowded frontcourt, it’s fair to question the fit, but the upside swing is justifiable. Now the challenge will be Yang assimilating to American culture and the NBA game, which will take time and patience.
Sacramento Kings: B
Picks:
24. Nique Clifford 6-6, 200, SG, Colorado State, Sr.
42. Maxime Raynaud 7-1, 240, C, Stanford, Jr.
Nique Clifford is a great athlete and will be asked to provide defensive intensity at the NBA level. He was one of the best rebounders in the nation at Colorado State, regardless of position, while also operating in a point-forward role. Though not a natural shooter or shot creator for himself, he is unselfish and will get some points in transition or via cuts. An older prospect at 23, he brings a solid basketball IQ and a team-first approach. Clifford has a little Doug Christie to his game, so it’s interesting that he now joins the franchise Christie once played for and currently coaches. Maxime Raynaud, a 7-footer from Stanford, had an extremely productive senior season. He can operate both near the basket and on the perimeter, showing a soft shooting touch and legitimate three-point range, but is more finesse than physical and will need to get tougher defensively to carve out a consistent role. It’s also worth noting that the future protected first-round pick the Kings gave up to acquire OKC’s No. 24 pick, which became Clifford, will convey in the weaker 2027 draft. That timing makes the trade much smarter than if it had conveyed in a stronger class like 2026 or 2028.
San Antonio Spurs: A
Picks:
2. Dylan Harper 6-6, 215, PG/SG, Rutgers, Fr.
14. Carter Bryant 6-8, 215, SF, Arizona, Fr.
Many thought the Spurs would trade their No. 2 pick in hopes of landing an established star to pair with Wemby, De’Aaron Fox, and Stephon Castle, but they smartly stood pat and selected Dylan Harper. It’s been established for months that Harper was viewed as the likely pick after Cooper Flagg, and his all-around high skill level may have simply been too much for San Antonio to pass on, even with positional overlap on the current roster. It will be interesting to see how the Spurs’ guard rotation plays itself out. Selecting Carter Bryant at the end of the lottery was more of a long-term play, but a worthwhile investment considering his potential as a floor spacer and versatile defender. We were lower on Bryant than most, given his limited development since his junior year of high school, but landing with the Spurs significantly improves his long-term outlook. Despite modest freshman production at Arizona, Bryant solidified his stock during the 2025 NBA Draft process. His shot creation isn’t a strength, but with the offensive talent around him in San Antonio, it won’t need to 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 much potential as anyone in the draft not named Cooper Flagg. After some pre-draft uncertainty, Bailey reluctantly reported to Utah and chose to wear No. 19. He gives the Jazz hope for the future with his immense talent, athleticism, and shot-making ability, but he will need to fully buy into the team and commit to building his all-around game. His future is very bright, and along with it, Utah’s becomes brighter. At 18, the Jazz added national champion Walter Clayton Jr., a strong, poised guard who will need to earn minutes in a crowded young backcourt featuring Isaiah Collier and Keyonte George. Utah may look to make some roster moves to create room, but both selections fit their long-term developmental focus.
