Selecting the Right Rookie Matters
A lot of teams tend to select rookies based on their scouting reports, Draft Combine performances, and individual workouts. Through those activities, teams are able to find out the right talent who can make an impact for their squad and even become centerpieces for rebuilding teams. So far, many of these selections have ended up as great picks, and some are even considered a massive steal, which says a lot about their potential.
Of course, not every player drafted turns out to be great – we have seen a great deal of busts from time to time, such as Darko Milicic, Anthony Bennett, Michael Carter-Williams, and many more. This just means that selections can be really based on luck as well, and player trajectories don’t always turn out to be what was expected.
On the other hand, there are also other selections that turn out for the best. To the point that they have eventually turned their respective franchises around. Just ask the Oklahoma City Thunder as to how selecting Chet Holmgren with the no. 2 pick and Jalen Williams with the no. 12 pick back in 2023 turned out for the best this year.
Still, there are also rookies who have immediate star potential, and some even become an All-Star in their rookie seasons, which says a lot about their value and how they can project a promising outlook in their games moving forward.
Who are the Top Selections in the 2025 NBA Draft?
That being said, the 2025 NBA Draft played host to a lot of rookies with great potential. To be fair, it is one of the draft classes that ultimately have become underrated, considering that there’s just one consensus great player to begin with. However, not all picks turn out for the best, and that is why each team still picks strategically than most people think.
Here are the top 10 selections of the 2025 NBA Draft:
1. Cooper Flagg, 1st overall (Dallas Mavericks)
Of course, we would not go that far in talking about great picks when there’s the no. 1 player selected at no. 1 overall, too. Flagg was the consensus no. 1 to begin with, and he brings a dynamic power to a squad that already has Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis – all selected no. 1 overall as well. The Duke star is expected to make waves in the NBA now more than ever, and we are expecting to see him make a drastic shift for the Mavericks as they lean into contendership in the wild West.
2. Kon Kneuppel, 4th overall (Charlotte Hornets)
If there was a lot of talk about how the Hornets were robbed of the 1st overall pick, it is definitely true – but hey, they still got a prime talent in Kneuppel. The Duke product blends well with the rest of the Hornets’ squad due to his stretch forward ability. In fact, LaMelo Ball is going to have two prime talents in Brandon Miller and Kneuppel to lean on in their games, considering how great of a scorer the former Duke star is. Still, there’s a lot to expect from Kneuppel as he is slated to develop his shooting further with the team.
3. Khaman Maluach, 10th overall (Houston Rockets, from Phoenix via Brooklyn)
Stretch bigs have somewhat become in demand over the past few years, and the 2025 Champions Oklahoma City succeeding with one seems to be quite the nail in the coffin. Khaman Maluach fits that role well with the Houston Rockets – although it remains a huge question mark as to how he would be going in the rotation, considering that there’s Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, and Steven Adams – all capable of fitting with the center/forward role. This just means that he can shine with the team, provided that he finds the right rhythm and groove in his games.
4. Yang Hansen, 16th overall (Memphis Grizzlies, from Orlando and traded to Portland)
Much has been said about drafting a Chinese player into the NBA once more. The last time a Chinese big man was selected, Yao Ming thrived well in the league. However, it is worth noting that he definitely fits the bill for Portland – who has no real center aside from Deandre Ayton, whose game is slowly fading away at this point. Yang has the makings of a potential Nikola Jokic, Alperen Sengun, and Domantas Sabonis archetype. That’ll be seen in the coming season if he fully acclimates to the league and finds a way to inject his game well.
5. Dylan Harper, 2nd overall (San Antonio Spurs)
The San Antonio Spurs continue to get lucky with their lottery chances, and now landing yet another combo guard in Dylan Harper is going to help the team stretch out their lineup and deliver a promising run in the 2025 campaign. Harper brings a fast-paced offense to the team, allowing Victor Wembanyama to unload some of the offensive responsibility he’s been carrying so far. This just means that the Spurs stand to have a promising campaign, provided that Harper eases well into whatever role he’s going to play in.
6. Carter Bryant, 14th overall (San Antonio Spurs, from Atlanta)
At this point, it cannot be denied that the Spurs really cooked in this draft. Bringing in Arizona product Carter Bryant is a huge win as the forward position is one of the spots that the team failed to come up with in the previous campaign, and they struggled to have options on that end as well. However, it is worth noting that Carter Bryant stands as a great rookie to have on the reserve or on the starting lineup, so it is a win for the Spurs.
7. Walter Clayton Jr., 18th overall (Washington Wizards from Memphis)
It was quite stunning that Florida products didn’t end up high in the 2025 NBA Draft, considering that they were also the 2025 NCAA Champions. Clayton Jr. was one of the highly projected picks of this draft, and the Wizards are extremely lucky to have one dynamic guard on their roster that is now well-balanced between veterans and young players. Clayton Jr. brings in a promising ball-handling run, and an enhanced playmaking that has earned him a lot of praise in the college run.
8. Thomas Sorber, 15th overall (Oklahoma City Thunder from Miami via LA Clippers)
Sorber comes in as the perfect addition for the defending NBA champs. The Georgetown product was one of the best defensive players in college, and his strong presence in the paint – the ability to bruise his way inside says a lot about the effect that he will have for OKC. In fact, he is even pegged to be the replacement for Isaiah Hartenstein – who is set to have a team option by next season.
9. VJ Edgecombe, 3rd overall (Philadelphia 76ers)
It is still unknown how he will fit into the Sixers roster heading into this season, considering that Philadelphia has a flurry of guards. However, the best bet for Edgecombe is to be on the starting lineup, playing alongside Tyrese Maxey as a promising scoring option. It is worth noting that he is a sharpshooter in his own right, but he will need more work on his shooting stroke if he is going to thrive in the starting lineup for the team. On top of that, he may end up shifting to the forward spot if Jared McCain also returns.
10. Brooks Barnhizer, 44th overall (Oklahoma City Thunder from Atlanta)
Now, as the only second-rounder on this list, it is safe to say that he is indeed a steal for the Thunder. It is actually surprising that the Northwestern product fell this far away from the first round, but he is an athletic ball handler who can also play in the clutch with elite stat lines in college. While he is on a two-way deal, it is expected that Barnhizer will make a huge impact on three-point shooting as well – a big issue for OKC in the past few years.
What to Expect from 2025 Rookies?
The 2025 NBA Draft has proven to be much deeper and more promising than initially anticipated. While Cooper Flagg was the clear-cut top prospect, other names like Dylan Harper, Kon Kneuppel, and Khaman Maluach are already showing signs that they could become future franchise cornerstones. Meanwhile, second-round surprises like Brooks Barnhizer further highlight the depth and unpredictability of this class. As teams look to develop their young talent, these rookies have the potential to shift the NBA’s balance of power over the coming years.
Several teams, notably the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder, emerged as big winners on draft night, managing to secure not just one but multiple impact players. The Spurs’ selection of both Harper and Carter Bryant gives them a solid foundation to build around Victor Wembanyama, while OKC continues to stack depth with picks like Thomas Sorber and the underrated Brooks Barnhizer.
Ultimately, this draft class reflects the growing versatility and evolving nature of the modern NBA. Whether it's dynamic scorers, playmaking guards, stretch bigs, or defensive anchors, the 2025 rookies bring a wide array of talent and intrigue. If early impressions hold true, we could be looking back at this group in a few years as one of the most influential classes of the decade.
