2025 NBA Draft First Round Breakdown: Assessing the Winners, Surprises, and Key Decisions

The first round of the 2025 NBA Draft concluded on Wednesday, delivering a mix of expected outcomes and significant surprises. The night began with the Dallas Mavericks selecting Cooper Flagg as the first overall pick and concluded with the LA Clippers choosing center Yanic Konan Niederhauser at No. 30.

Throughout the evening, some teams made moves that drew immediate praise, while others left analysts and fans with pressing questions. The Phoenix Suns secured a top-ranked center, the Utah Jazz made a surprising selection at No. 5, and the Miami Heat may have found their point guard of the future.

Here is a breakdown of the first round's biggest winners, most surprising picks, and expert analysis on the key decisions made at the Barclays Center.

Givony: Biggest Winners of Round 1