Another NBA Draft is officially done, wrapping up Thursday night with all 59 selections made. But, as usual, the real fun begins now.
It’s time to assess who won and who lost.
NBA Draft Expert Ricky O’Donnell has shared his insights, but let’s take a moment to highlight some of the bright spots from the 2025 NBA Draft.
Here’s what we’ve noticed, and feel free to share your thoughts!
Markscofield: San Antonio’s Picks
Missing out on the Cooper Flag sweepstakes, the Spurs chose guard Dylan Harper from Rutgers with their first pick. Harper’s mix of ball handling, defensive skills, and playmaking makes him an exciting option for the next level.
But the standout move for the Spurs was their next selection, where they picked Arizona swingman Carter Bryant. Standing at 6’7″, Bryant has the potential to be an effective 3-and-D player, having shot 37% from beyond the arc last season. This seems like an ideal fit, especially alongside talents like Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox.
On top of that, the Spurs grabbed Marquette guard Cam Jones later in the draft. Jones seems to add solid depth as a capable combo guard.
The main takeaway? If Bryant can tap into his passing and vision, this draft could be a huge win for San Antonio.
James Datar: Phoenix Suns
The Suns face an uncertain future after moving on from Kevin Durant. They still have Devin Booker as a star, but the recent trade for Bradley Beal hasn’t brought much optimism. This draft was essential for the franchise.
And they did extremely well.
It starts with their first-round pick, Kaman Mallach, whom O’Donnell ranks as the third-best player in this class. Mallach is already versatile, showcasing perimeter defense and shooting skills—definitely a high-impact player for his rookie season.
Following that, they traded with Charlotte to pick up center Mark Williams. Although it may seem a bit odd to draft Mallach and then add Williams, they offer different skills. The Suns traded minimally to acquire Williams, securing a reliable center who can produce double-doubles when healthy, adding depth rather than redundancy.
They also secured Rasheer Fleming in the second round, making this draft a big success overall. The team’s loss of KD stings, but these picks signal major progress.
Jacolby Hart: Washington Wizards
The Wizards had a rough season, finishing with the worst record in the East and the second-worst in the league, but still managed to land the sixth pick amidst a franchise overhaul. It was clear they weren’t quite ready to compete, but they have been stockpiling intriguing young talent over the years, necessitating more additions from this draft.
They achieved that with their selections: Tre Johnson at #6, Will Riley at #21, and Jameel Watkins at #43.
Drafting both Johnson and Riley was a strong move in my opinion, as the Wizards need a more consistent approach moving forward.
Trapped in the struggle of a less competitive conference, the team is gradually building a young core that could excite even the most die-hard fans. They might still be a couple of years away from real contention, but players like Alex Sarle, Bilal Coulibaly, Aji Johnson, Keyshaun George, Bab Carrington, and the newcomers Johnson and Riley could rejuvenate the long-suffering DC basketball scene.
Ricky O’Donnell: Check out my detailed winners and losers list
Just a quick note—I’m also covering the 2026 NBA Draft class.
