John Canady

Unexpected Drama in the 2025 NBA Draft: Ace Bailey's Fate

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No explanation needed. <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/players/cooper-flagg/89200">Cooper Flagg</a> was by far the best prospect in this draft class and immediately gives the Mavericks a generational talent that can make an immediate impact and to build around in the longterm. Collusion or not, Nico Harrison redeemed himself with Flagg heading to Dallas.
Grade: A+
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1) F Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks

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<a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cbb/players/dylan-harper/69361">Dylan Harper</a> seemed like the no-brainer selection for whatever team landed the No. 2 overall pick. Considering the Spurs received multiple calls from teams hoping to persuade them from selecting the Rutgers standout, it's clear the potential teams see. San Antonio lands a top-tier guard to add to their already impressive rebuild.
Grade: A

2) G Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs

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<a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cbb/players/vj-edgecombe/68998">VJ Edgecombe</a> received raving reviews following a strong showing at the NBA Combine. Between his work ethic and talent on the court, it was evident this past month that the Baylor star would be one of the biggest risers in this draft class. Now, he lands in Philly, joining a hopeful contender.
Grade: A

3) G VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers

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<a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cbb/players/kon-knueppel/69587">Kon Knueppel</a> was a rumored fit for the Hornets all along after reports surfaced of great interviews between Knueppel and Charlotte. While there was certainly better talent on the board, the team opted to go personal fit over potential.
Grade: B-

4) G Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets

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<a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cbb/players/ace-bailey/69357">Ace Bailey</a> had plenty of eyes on him heading into draft night following his decision to cancel his lone pre-draft visit with the 76ers last week. The talented wing was viewed as a top prospect in this class, and many projected him to go No. 3 before his camp seemingly tried to will his way to a preferred destination, which was not, in fact, Salt Lake City. However, Danny Ainge and newly hired Austin Ainge didn't seem to mind taking a swing on his high upside, even if that means disgruntling the young forward more.
Grade: A

5) G/F Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz

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<a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cbb/players/tre-johnson/78568">Tre Johnson</a> seemed to be in the running to be selected anywhere between picks No. 3 and No. 6 after a strong showing at the NBA Combine. The Texas guard is arguably one of, if not the best, shooters in this entire draft class, and he now heads to the nation's capital looking to put that skillset on full display. As for Washington, Johnson was the best player available to them after their dream target, Bailey, was selected one spot before them. Hence, a pivot to the sharpshooter makes complete sense for general manager Will Dawkins.
Grade: A

6) G Tre Johnson, Washington Wizards

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<a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cbb/players/jeremiah-fears/78673">Jeremiah Fears</a> has all the talent to be a premier player at the next level, but there are still flaws in his game that need work for him to reach that potential. The Oklahoma guard seemed like he'd be a better fit on a team that can give him the time to develop, and it's hard to imagine the Pelicans being that organization right now. This was the first of several questionable decisions made by New Orleans on Wednesday.
Grade: B-

7) G Jeremiah Fears, New Orleans Pelicans

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<a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cbb/players/egor-demin/68995">Egor Demin</a> is an oversized guard with excellent court vision and the potential to become an elite playmaker at the next level. Still, Demin was a surprise pick at No. 8 and looked to be a panic pivot for Sean Marks after Fears was taken off the board. Regardless, with his large frame and high IQ, there's plenty to like if he can overcome his turnover struggles and improve his jumper.
Grade: C+

8) G Egor Demin, Brooklyn Nets

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<a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cbb/players/collin-murray-boyles/5475">Collin Murray-Boyles</a> has all the talent in the world to be an excellent role player or even a key starter at the next level. However, it's hard to make the case for his fit in Toronto with their current roster construction. Not to mention, the South Carolina product visibly seemed frustrated about being selected by the Raptors when his name was called. It feels like an area where Masai Ujiri could have gone multiple different directions.
Grade: B-

9) F Collin Murray-Boyles, Toronto Raptors

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<a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cbb/players/khaman-maluach/69591">Khaman Maluach</a> seemed to be one of the biggest risers in this class after showing a bit more offensive potential at the NBA Combine than he was able to during his freshman season at Duke. Entering the draft process with high praise about his defensive potential, his ability to develop into a two-way threat made him seem like a potential top-five pick. Landing him at No. 10 for Phoenix, who desperately needed to find a big man, makes this one of the best value picks in the draft.
Grade: A

10) Khaman Maluach, Phoenix Suns (via HOU)

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<a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cbb/players/cedric-coward/8074">Cedric Coward</a> is another riser who did himself nothing but favors at the NBA Combine. From seeming like a lock to return to college for one more season to being a projected first-round pick, the Washington State product added to Wednesday's surprises, hearing his name called in the lottery. The wing has plenty of potential to prove he's more than worthy of this selection, but after an injury-riddled season, this seems like a reach for the Grizzlies at this point in the draft.
Grade: B-

11) F Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies (via POR)

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<a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/players/noa-essengue/89199">Noa Essengue</a> may be one of the rawest prospects in this entire draft class. Despite that, he's shown plenty of flashes overseas in France that provided the Bulls with enough confidence that taking a risk on his development is worth it at No. 12. Essengue will be a wait-and-see pick for Chicago, and while they could have went a different route to address team needs, this pick shows solid value considering ESPN had him ranked as the No. 9 overall prospect.
Grade: B

12) F Noa Essengue, Chicago Bulls

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Many people had <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cbb/players/derik-queen/69024">Derik Queen</a> mocked as a top ten pick in this draft class. It seemed like that could be the case until the first reach of the night came at No. 4. The Maryland standout showed flashes of his offensive potential in the frontcourt this past season. With his measurements comparing him to elite company like <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/players/kevin-love/3159">Kevin Love</a>, it's easy to see why teams were eager to jump up to select him when he fell to No. 13. However, the Pelicans being the team to do it, especially considering the rich price they paid to move up from No. 23 will have implications on how he pans out in NOLA.
Grade: B-

13) Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans (via ATL)

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<a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/cbb/players/carter-bryant/78339">Carter Bryant</a> was viewed as a high-potential pick all along, with many believing he could be taken in the top 10. Multiple teams attempted to move up to No. 14, but the Spurs seem locked in on the wing from the jump when he fell to them. He will fill the role of an athletic high-upside wing that San Antonio has desperately needed in their rebuild.
Grade: A
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14) F Carter Bryant, San Antonio Spurs

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Breaking down every 2025 NBA Draft lottery pick with full Round 1 recap and grades—analyzing team fits, surprises, and the biggest winners of the night.

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