NBA Draft Grades + Drake Powell Goes To Brooklyn Nets
Reese, Pam and Alex recap round one of the NBA Draft last night and give some grades.
Round one of the NBA Draft was last night.
The 2025 NBA Draft featured a strong Duke freshman class and was headlined by Duke forward Cooper Flagg, who was selected No. 1 overall by the Dallas Mavericks. Flagg, a versatile two-way player with elite defensive instincts and offensive polish, was widely seen as the best prospect in the draft. Duke’s Kon Knueppel went 4th to the Charlotte Hornets, bringing efficient shooting and smart wing play.
At No. 2, the San Antonio Spurs took Dylan Harper and the Philadelphia 76ers used the 3rd pick on VJ Edgecombe, a high-motor guard from Baylor known for his explosiveness and defensive ability. Rutgers’ Ace Bailey rounded out the top five as a high-upside, athletic forward selected by the Utah Jazz, despite Bailey not wanting to go to Utah. Bailey's preferred destinations were Washington, New Orleans and Brooklyn.
Khaman Maluach went 10th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft to the Phoenix Suns (via Houston). His journey—from refugee camps in Uganda to the NBA—has made his rise all the more compelling. Drake Powell, from the University of North Carolina, was selected 22nd overall in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks, with his draft rights subsequently traded to the Brooklyn Nets. What grade did your team get for their draft selections?
