2025 NBA draft: Pick-by-pick coverage and analysis

The first round of the NBA draft at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn has concluded with the Clippers taking Yanic Konan Niederhauser, a 6-foot-11 center from Penn State.

The second round will take place on Thursday, starting at 5 p.m. PDT.

The Dallas Mavericks beat huge odds to get the first pick, with only a 1.8% chance of winning the draft lottery, and selected Cooper Flagg, the college player of the year from Duke, with the pick.

The draft started with several consensus top-10 prospects — Rutgers teammates Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe, Duke’s Kon Knueppel, Oklahoma’s Jeremiah Fears and Texas’ Tre Johnson — getting selected early.

First round

1. DALLAS: Cooper Flagg, 18, F, 6-8, Duke

His athleticism and vast skills make him a can’t-miss two-way star who was the college player of the year. Averaged 19.2 points on 48.1% shooting (38.5% 3FG), 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists.

2. SAN ANTONIO: Dylan Harper, 19, G, 6-5, Rutgers

A combo guard, this left-hander has good court vision and the ability to make shots in the midrange and at the rim. Averaged 19.4 points on 48.4% shooting (33.3% from deep) and 4.0 assists.

3. PHILADELPHIA: VJ Edgecombe, 19, G, 6-4, Baylor

Accomplished two-way player with physicality and explosiveness who averaged 15.4 points on 43.6% shooting (34% from deep) and 5.6 rebounds. Has national-team experience with Bahamas.

4. CHARLOTTE: Kon Knueppel, 19, G-F, 6-5, Duke

Best shooter in the class (40.6% on threes, 91.4% free throws), he has a high IQ, sturdy frame and toughness. Only lacks explosiveness. Averaged 14.4 points on 47.9% shooting.

5. UTAH: Ace Bailey, 18, G-F, 6-8, Rutgers

A three-level, versatile scorer who is a solid rebounder and defender with a 7-foot wingspan. Averaged 17.6 points on 46% shooting (34.6% on threes) and 7.2 rebounds.

6. WASHINGTON: Tre Johnson, 19, SG, 6-5, Texas

A natural scorer with good length, and a 6-10 wingspan, all he lacks is physicality. Averaged 19.9 points on 42.7% shooting (39.7% from three), 3.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists.

7. NEW ORLEANS: Jeremiah Fears, 18, G, 6-3, Oklahoma

A combo guard who has the ability to score at all three levels with a good feel for the game. Averaged 17.1 points on 43.4% shooting (28.4% from three), 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists.

8. BROOKLYN: Egor Demin, 19, G-F, 6-8, Brigham Young

Russian wing, who played at Real Madrid, struggled at times in college but can pass, play defense and has high IQ. Averaged 10.6 points and 5.6 assists last season. Only shot 27.3% from three.

9. TORONTO: Collin Murray-Boyles, 20, PF, 6-7, South Carolina

Physical, hard-nosed post who can pass and defend. He plays bigger than his size with a 7-1 wingspan. Lacks perimeter game. Averaged 16.8 points and 8.3 rebounds while shooting 58.6% (26.5% on threes, 70.7% FTs).

10. HOUSTON (draft rights traded to Phoenix): Khaman Maluach, 18, C, 7-1, Duke

A rim-running big from South Sudan who can anchor a defense in the paint. While not explosive, he moves well but is raw on offense. Averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks while shooting 71.2%.

11. PORTLAND (draft rights traded to Memphis): Cedric Coward, 21, G-F, 6-5, Washington State

A shoulder injury limited this solid two-way wing’s season at WSU to six games. He’s capable of scoring at all three levels. Two seasons ago at Eastern Washington, he averaged 15.4 points on 56.5% shooting (38.3% 3FG).

12. CHICAGO: Noa Essengue, 18, F, 6-9, Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)

An athletic and skilled French forward who defends, rebounds and scores in the midrange or off the drive. Averaged 9.9 points on 48% shooting (23% from deep) and 4.6 rebounds.

13. ATLANTA (drafts right traded to New Orleans): Derik Queen, 20, C, 6-9, Maryland

A polished low-post scorer because of his size and strength, he lacks a midrange game and needs to improve on defense. Averaged 16.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks while shooting 52.6% from field and 76.6% on free throws.

14. SAN ANTONIO (from Atlanta): Carter Bryant, 19, G, 6-7, Arizona

The athletic wing from Corona has a polished game with 3-and-D potential who was primarily a reserve in college. Averaged 6.5 points and 4.1 rebounds while shooting 46% from the field and 37.1% from three.

15. OKLAHOMA CITY (from Miami): Thomas Sorber, 19, C, 6-9, Georgetown

A raw, physical presence in the post who can pass. Has potential as a rim protector with 7-6 wingspan. Averaged 14.5 points and 8.5 rebounds while shooting 53.2%.

16. MEMPHIS (draft rights traded to Portland): Yang Hansen, 19, C, 7-1, Qingdao (China)

A skilled big who can score in the paint, pass and rebound but lacks elite mobility. In two seasons in the CBA, he averaged 15.8 points on 56.9% shooting, 10.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.4 blocks.

17. MINNESOTA (from Miami): Joan Beringer, 18, F-C, 6-10, Cedevita Olimpija (Croatia)

An athletic, lanky big from France with a 7-5 wingspan and raw potential, particularly as a rim protector and defensive standout, but lacking offensive moves. Averaged 4.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 18 minutes.

18. WASHINGTON (draft rights traded to Utah): Walter Clayton Jr., 22, PG, 6-2, Florida

A score-first floor general whose athleticism translates well to defense. Excels in catch-and-shoot as well as scoring at all levels. Averaged 18.3 points and 4.2 assists while shooting 44.8% (38.6% 3FG, 87.5% FTs).

19. BROOKLYN (from Milwaukee): Nolan Traore, 20, PG, 6-5, Saint Quentin (France)

Excellent floor leader with good feel for game, whether running half-court offense or on break. A streaky shooter, he averaged 11.7 points on 39% shooting (31.3% threes) and 5.1 assists.

20. MIAMI (from Golden State): Kasparas Jakucionis, 20, G, 6-5, Illinois

Lithuanian, who spent two seasons with FC Barcelona, has solid all-around skills and can score in a variety of ways. Averaged 15 points on 44% shooting (31.8% from three), 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists.

21. UTAH (from Minnesota, draft rights traded to Washington): Will Riley, 19, G-F, 6-8, Illinois

A lanky Canadian wing who needs to bulk up but has plenty of scoring potential at all three levels. Lacks the defense in a 3-and-D player. Averaged 12.6 points and 4.1 rebounds while shooting 43.2% (32.6% from three).

22. ATLANTA (draft rights traded to Brooklyn): Drake Powell, 19, G-F, 6-5, North Carolina

An athletic wing with a 7-foot wingspan who has 3-and-D potential. An explosive athlete, he’s inconsistent on offense. Averaged 7.4 points and 3.4 rebounds while shooting 48.3% (37.9% from deep) but only 64.8% FTs.

23. NEW ORLEANS (draft rights traded to Atlanta): Asa Newell, 19, PF, 6-9, Georgia

An athletic, skilled post player who provides energy and defense but lacks a midrange, face-to-the-basket game. Averaged 15.4 points and 6.9 rebounds while shooting 54.3% from the field (29.2% 3FG).

24. OKLAHOMA CITY (draft rights traded to Atlanta): Nique Clifford, 23, SG, 6-5, Colorado State

A fifth-year senior who uses his athleticism and physicality well on both ends of the court. Can score from all three levels. Averaged 18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists while shooting 49.6% (37.7% from three).

25. ORLANDO (from Denver): Jase Richardson, 19, G, 6-1, Michigan State

Very quick with the ability to score at all three levels and have an influence on defense, his size is the big question mark. He averaged 12.1 points and 1.9 assists while shooting 49.3% (41.2% 3FG, 83.6% FTs).

26. BROOKLYN (from New York): Ben Saraf, 19, G, 6-5, Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)

An Israeli combo guard with excellent passing ability who is a pick-and-roll threat and can finish through contact. Averaged 12.8 points on 40.1% shooting (22.2% 3FG), 4.6 assists and 1.3 steals in 16 EuroLeague games.

27. BROOKLYN (from Houston): Danny Wolf, 21, F-C, 6-11, Michigan

Yale transfer is an agile big who can handle the ball and excel in pick-and-roll. Can score in a variety of ways. Averaged 13.2 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists while shooting 49.7% but only 59.4% FTs.

28. BOSTON: Hugo Gonzalez, 19, G-F, 6-6, Real Madrid (Spain)

Well-built wing scores mostly off drives and cuts to the basket, where he finishes strong. Can defend on the perimeter. Appeared in 28 Liga ACB games, averaging 4.9 points on 44% shooting (25.6% from deep).

29. MIAMI (from Cleveland, draft rights traded to Charlotte): Liam McNeeley, 19, SF, 6-7, UConn

A solid, skilled wing whose shooting stats belie his potential. Can score in a variety of ways, including from three. Averaged 14.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists while shooting 38.1% (31.7% from deep) plus 86.6% on FTs.

30. CLIPPERS (from Oklahoma City): Yanic Konan Niederhauser, 22, C, 6-11, Penn State

Swiss native is a protypical big as a rim-running lob threat and shot-blocker. The Northern Illinois transfer averaged 12.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks while shooting 61.1% (66.4% FTs).

The most pressing need the Lakers have is finding a rim-running, shot-blocking young center to put alongside Luka Doncic for the present and future.

But the Lakers don’t have a first-round pick to use in Wednesday night’s NBA draft, and when they do make their choice in the second round at No. 55 on Thursday night in the two-day event, that’s probably not where they are going to find that sort of talent.

There’s no Victor Wembanyama in the class headed to the NBA draft this week. There’s no Zaccharie Risacher, either. For the first time since 2022, the first pick in the draft will not be someone from France.

Wembanyama had that title in 2023. Risacher had it last year. This year, Duke’s Cooper Flagg is almost certain to go No. 1 to the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday when the draft begins at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. That doesn’t mean there isn’t going to be a ton of international representation in these 59 picks. Far from it.

Order of the 2025 NBA draft picks:

First round

1. Dallas

2. San Antonio

3. Philadelphia

4. Charlotte

5. Utah

6. Washington

7. New Orleans

8. Brooklyn

9. Toronto

10. Phoenix Suns (from Houston)

11. Portland

12. Chicago

13. Atlanta (from Sacramento)

14. San Antonio (from Atlanta)

15. Oklahoma City (from Miami)

16. Memphis (from Orlando)

17. Minnesota (from Detroit)

18. Washington (from Memphis)

19. Brooklyn (from Milwaukee)

20. Miami (from Golden State)

21. Utah (from Minnesota)

22. Brooklyn (from Atlanta)

23. New Orleans (from Indiana)

24. Oklahoma City (from the Clippers)

25. Orlando (from Denver)

26. Brooklyn (from New York)

27. Brooklyn (from Houston)

28. Boston

29. Phoenix (from Cleveland)

30. CLIPPERS (from Oklahoma City)

Second round

31. Minnesota (from Utah)

32. Boston (from Washington)

33. Charlotte

34. Charlotte (from New Orleans)

35. Philadelphia

36. Brooklyn

37. Detroit (from Toronto)

38. San Antonio

39. Toronto (from Portland)

40. New Orleans (from Washington)

41. Golden State (from Miami)

42. Sacramento (from Chicago)

43. Utah (from Dallas)

44. Oklahoma City (from Atlanta)

45. Chicago (from Sacramento)

46. Orlando

47. Milwaukee (from Detroit)

48. Memphis (from Golden State)

49. Cleveland (from Milwaukee)

50. New York (from Memphis)

51. CLIPPERS (from Minnesota)

52. Phoenix (from Denver)

53. Utah (from the Clippers)

54. Indiana

55. LAKERS

— New York (forfeited)

56. Memphis (from Houston)

57. Orlando (from Boston)

58. Cleveland

59. Houston (from Oklahoma City)