We saw 14 trades in total during the 2025 NBA draft, with teams getting aggressive to land talent or future assets. This year’s draft excitement was a stark contrast to its predecessor in 2024.
In a loaded draft class, which teams came out on top? Here are two winners, two losers, and a push in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Winner: Phoenix Suns
The Suns used the assets acquired in the Kevin Durant trade to be aggressive in the draft. Phoenix drafted Duke big man Khaman Maluach with the tenth pick to fill their need at center. Maluach is a stout rim protector, strong rebounder, and an excellent lob threat.
New head coach Jordan Ott was responsible for Evan Mobley’s leap in Cleveland this past season and specializes in player development, so this is huge for Maluach. Then, they traded up in the second round to grab Rasheer Fleming, an all-around forward with a high motor.
He plays with a level of physicality that jumps off the screen and has a growing offensive game. He was one of the only players in college basketball this past season to have 40 or more dunks and 50 or more made threes.
Finally, Brea is a 6’7” wing that can play the two and three and is an elite movement shooter, one of the best in the draft. The Suns nailed their three draft selections and if they can flip Jalen Green or Bradley Beal for better roster fits next to Devin Booker, their retool will look even stronger.
Loser: Brooklyn Nets
The Nets had five first-round selections and made all five, which is an NBA record. Brooklyn had a huge hole to fill at guard, and they did address that need. The problem is that they drafted too many players with the same deficiency: lack of an outside shot and reliable scoring.
They reached on Egor Demin at 8 and could have gotten someone like Derik Queen. Demin can develop into a strong floor general, but his offensive game is a huge project. The Nets then followed that up by picking two more players with the same archetype: Nolan Traore and Ben Saraf.
It felt like the Nets were throwing darts and hoping a couple will stick. There were more pro-ready players at their picks (Queen, Kasparas Jakucionis, and Nique Clifford) and they could have walked away with a better haul given their five draft picks.
Winner: Charlotte Hornets
Head coach Charles Lee wants to build a culture of toughness in Charlotte, and that was reflected in the Hornets’ draft picks. Kon Knueppel gives them a combo guard that can shoot off the dribble and handle the ball very well, while also hustling on defense.
Liam McNeeley has a smooth jump shot and is not afraid of big moments. Sion James is a rugged defender and strong shooter who projects to be a core piece to winning soon. Ryan Kalkbrenner fills the void Mark Williams left and projects to be an elite rim protector.
Charlotte absolutely nailed this draft and has a strong young core that also features LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. The Hornets won’t be in the East basement for much longer.
Loser: Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers were also aggressive in the second round, as they moved up from pick number 55 to 45 and then to 36.
LA selected Arkansas wing Adou Thiero, who is a strong defender and has an elite athletic profile, but his shooting is very subpar and needs to be developed. The Lakers have a wing on the roster with a similar issue in Jarred Vanderbilt and while Thiero does offer more overall offensive value, this wasn’t a strong pick.
What makes matters worse is that the Lakers could have selected Tennessee wing Chaz Lanier, a knockdown shooter and a tough-minded defensive wing. He was a much better fit for a roster that features Luka Doncic and LeBron James, two high-level playmakers who often find shooters. LA missed out on an NBA-ready shooter in Lanier.
Push: New Orleans Pelicans
I loved the Pelicans' picks in Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen, two top-ten prospects. Fears is a shifty point guard that projects as a lead floor general thanks to his court vision. His jumper needs work, and the fit is awkward with Jordan Poole and Dejounte Murray, but the long-term answer is Fears.
As for Queen, he is one of the most versatile big men in the class and has a strong inside game and a smooth handle that allows him to live in the mid-range. He has a strong post game as well and has playmaking chops but needs to work on his three-point shooting and overall defensive motor.
The issue is what the Pelicans gave up to get Queen. To move up ten spots, New Orleans traded pick 23 and an unprotected 2026 first round pick to the Hawks. That 2026 pick is the most favorable between the Pelicans and Bucks and could be a high lottery selection.
New Orleans doesn’t project to be a contender next season and now does not have control of their own first-rounder. Queen is an elite player, but the cost was steep for the Pelicans, and it was poor asset management by the front office.