2025 NBA Draft: First Round Selections and Trades

Brooklyn, NY — The 2025 NBA Draft began Wednesday night at the Barclays Center, with teams making significant selections and trades. The Dallas Mavericks opened the draft by selecting Cooper Flagg, a forward from Duke, with the first overall pick.

Following Flagg, the San Antonio Spurs drafted Dylan Harper, a guard from Rutgers, with the second pick. The Philadelphia 76ers chose VJ Edgecombe, a guard from Baylor, at third overall. The Charlotte Hornets grabbed Kon Knueppel, a forward from Duke, at fourth, and the Utah Jazz selected Ace Bailey, another Rutgers forward, at fifth.

The first round continued with the Washington Wizards picking Tre Johnson from Texas at sixth, and the New Orleans Pelicans selecting Jeremiah Fears, a guard from Oklahoma, in seventh place. The Brooklyn Nets and Toronto Raptors completed the top ten, selecting Egor Demin of BYU and Collin Murray-Boyles from South Carolina, respectively. The Houston Rockets rounded out the top ten with Khaman Maluach, a center from Duke.

Several notable trades occurred in the first round. The Portland Trail Blazers traded the 11th pick, Cedric Coward from Washington State, to the Memphis Grizzlies. The Atlanta Hawks traded the 13th pick, center Derik Queen from Maryland, to the New Orleans Pelicans, who believe he can develop into a significant player despite some defensive concerns. The San Antonio Spurs, who also received Carter Bryant, a forward from Arizona, via trade from the Hawks, had a solid night, adding two valuable pieces.

Overall, the first round of the draft saw teams strategically plan not only for immediate talent acquisition but also for future potential. The second round will continue Thursday night, where teams will have further opportunities to refine their rosters.