The first round of the 2025 NBA Draft has concluded, with the night filled with surprising picks and trades. While there were plenty of head-scratching picks, there were even more great selections throughout the night. Let’s highlight the top selections in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft. This list will exclude the selections of Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper as they were obviously the best selections at their picks.
Top 5 First-Round Selections In The 2025 NBA Draft
1. Kon Knueppel To The Charlotte Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets taking Duke forward Kon Knueppel at the fourth overall pick is a top selection and a great trend in the right direction. They get to add a player who profiles to be an excellent secondary shot-creator and shooter who already knows how to play next to stars. Not only that, but Knueppel showed throughout his time at Duke that he is serious about playing winning basketball. That mentality that Knueppel has is something that the Hornets have lacked for multiple seasons. Unquestionably, Knueppel is the type of player who can bring real production on the court next to guys like LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. Furthermore, he can help change the culture of the Hornets and help move them toward the path of winning basketball. Overall, Knueppel is a great pick-up in terms of both production and mentality for Charlotte.
2. Khaman Maluach To The Phoenix Suns
Another Duke player lands on this list as the Phoenix Suns get their center of the future with Khaman Maluach. Considering their need to build around Devin Booker and Jalen Green after the Kevin Durant trade, getting a great defensive center in Maluach is a home run pick. Specifically, Maluach has the potential to be a starting-caliber center in the league and an amazing defensive anchor. For a team that lacked any meaningful impact or upside at the center position, Malauch can be the long-term fit there. While Malauch will need more development, he has the physical tools and mentality to become the starting center he can be. He is easily one of the top selections in the 2025 NBA Draft.
3. Carter Bryant To The San Antonio Spurs
Carter Bryant landing in San Antonio is another top selection in the 2025 NBA Draft. The Spurs already got Harper at second overall, so getting a top 3-and-D option in the draft is an incredible outcome. In particular, Bryant put his skill set on full display at Arizona, being an amazing defensive wing who can space the floor. He is the exact type of player that the Spurs need around Harper and Victor Wembanyama. Plus, he can serve as an eventual Harrison Barnes replacement as he ages out of the league. Undoubtedly, San Antonio got incredibly lucky in drafting a player like Bryant. With him, they secure their 3-and-D wing of the future.
4. Thomas Sorber To The Oklahoma City Thunder
Surprisingly, the newly-minted NBA champions make a selection in the first round, taking Thomas Sorber. Unquestionably, they already have a team capable of winning a championship and have no major holes. Nevertheless, they make an amazing selection in Sorber, setting up a successor for Isaiah Hartenstein. The Thunder will in all likelihood eventually have to move Hartenstein due to Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams needing new contracts after their rookie contracts expire. That’s where Sorber comes in, as he has a similar skill set to Hartenstein. His defense and passing skills out of the center position can give the Thunder a long-term fit next to Holmgren. Taking Sorber is yet another wise, forward-thinking decision by the champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
5. Kasparas Jakucionis To The Miami Heat
The Miami Heat got the biggest slide in the draft in Kasparas Jakucionis, getting a massive steal in the process. The Heat absolutely needed a long-term solution at point guard. In response to that, they have the good fortune of getting Jakucionis, who is a lottery-level talent. He has shown the potential to be a three-level scorer and has elite playmaking talent. Undoubtedly, he would be a great fit next to Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo given his skills as a playmaker. Getting a lottery-level talent at the 20th overall pick is truly a home run for a Heat team that needs a point guard.
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