Day One: 2025 NBA Draft - Fantasy Basketball - Quick Hit Thoughts with Noah Rubin

NBA Fantasy Basketball Dynasty and Redraft

Noah Rubin

Jun 26, 2025

Alright, I’ve slept on it.

Here are my quick-hit thoughts on the first night of the 2025 NBA Draft:

Cooper Flagg is one of the best prospects of the past decade, and he lands on a team looking to compete immediately. That isn’t a surprise, but with Kyrie Irving out until at least January/February, Flagg will be used a ton. He was one of the primary playmakers at Duke last season and will play a similar role. He’s a top five pick in dynasty, but I think there’s a legitimate case to take him in the second round in redraft leagues, though I’d probably prefer to take him in the third round.
Dylan Harper is going to be good. He’s the long-term point guard for Victor Wembanyama. However, with De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle there, and the Spurs looking to make the playoffs, Harper may not be an immediate producer. Stay patient.

V.J. Edgecombe brings some strong defensive value to Philly. Excited to see how he fits in the rotation. If he plays a lot, there should be a ton of steals.
Kon Knueppel should start immediately and be a really good player for Charlotte. Reliable, efficient. Not many defensive stats, but I like the fit. Then they drafted Liam McNeeley at 29, who I think is better than what he did at UConn, but I would’ve preferred they didn’t take another shooting wing. Especially after trading Mark Williams to the Suns. Would love to see them take Maxime Raynaud or Ryan Kalkbrenner at 33 or 34.
Ace Bailey can fill the need of a potential superstar in Utah, but selecting him when he clearly didn’t want to be there is interesting. Then they leaped the Heat to take Walter Clayton Jr. at 18 after he seemed to have a promise from the Heat at 20 (I mean, why else would he have Rick Ross in his top three people to have dinner with). Good picks, we’ll see how it pans out. Think both can work out well.
Washington added Tre Johnson and Will Riley. Johnson has the potential to be a high-level scorer, but he’s at least a lethal three-point shooter. Riley is an upside swing that can be a dynamic piece. Both will fit well with what Washington is building.
The Pelicans added Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen. Love Fears, but he’s going to take time to develop. He’ll do that while sitting behind Jordan Poole and Dejounte Murray. Queen is a fun fit next to Zion Williamson on offense, but I’m worried about the defensive fit. However, if they decide to trade Zion, Queen is an exciting piece that can play the four or the five. Just seems like they’re relying on Herb Jones and Trey Murphy to play all the defense.
The Nets made five picks, selecting Egor Demin, Nolan Traore, Drake Powell, Ben Saraf. I’m a huge fan of Powell, and I think he’ll be a long-term defensive wing there. Then they took three point guards and a seven-foot center that plays like a point guard. Individually, I’m fine with the picks, but I don’t love the strategy of taking Demin, Traore and Saraf. Wolf is more dynamic on offense than the centers they have, so I like that one.
I really like Collin Murray-Boyles, but I’m not a huge fan of the landing spot. He won’t start immediately, but he would’ve started for a handful of other teams selecting in this range. Would’ve been one of the best rookies in year one. Still could be, but I’m not as optimistic.
Trading for Mark Williams and drafting Khaman Maluach within two minutes was a great way for the Suns to address the center position. That was a legitimate issue for a while. Maluach will eventually surpass Williams, but Williams still has upside and should make an immediate impact.
Good job by the Grizzlies to trade up and get Cedric Coward. Helps make up for Desmond Bane being traded away, and he has a 7’2” wingspan instead of a 6’4” wingspan.
Nice upside swing in Chicago with Noa Essengue. They need to add more shooting at some point, but he should make an impact from day one on defense and on the glass.
What a steal for the Spurs to get Carter Bryant. Immediate high level defender. Just don’t know if he plays enough to contribute defensive stats in year one.
The rich get richer. I love Thomas Sorber, and now he’s headed to OKC. Probably just a stash for the next two years, but the upside is tremendous, especially with the Thunder.
Okay, so this Hansen Yang to Portland thing was real. Genuinely, I liked Yang as a prospect! As a second-round upside swing. If he pans out, this is a home run pick. If he doesn’t, it’s probably a fireable offense. They traded back at least, but would they have taken him at 11? I have to imagine he gets the opportunity to play a lot quickly so this regime can justify the pick, but they currently have Donovan Clingan, Deandre Ayton, Robert Williams and Duop Reath! They’re practically a lock to trade at least two of those guys.
Joan Beringer is Rudy Gobert Jr. He’ll get the chance to sit and develop while learning from Gobert. Great selection by Minnesota. Eventual fantasy stud.
Can’t believe Kasparas Jakucionis slipped to Miami. An absolute steal for them. Should play a lot early on. Lots of points, rebounds and assists. Should go much early in dynasty drafts.
Asa Newell. Born in Atlanta. Played at UGA. Now he’s a Hawk. A high-energy reserve that can fill multiple spots for them. Love the fit. Also, getting the most favorable first round pick between the Pelicans and Bucks next season? In a draft with Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer and AJ Dybantsa? In this economy? Don’t know what the Pelicans were thinking. The New Orleans/Milwaukee combo hate watch starts now for Hawks fans.
Kings trade in for Nique Clifford. Immediate rotation piece, but if they trade DeMar DeRozan or another starting perimeter player, he could slide in as a starter. Keeping an eye on what they do this summer.
Jase Richardson is a flawless fit in Orlando. Will be maximized next to Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Might be stuck as a reserve for a while, but he’s a phenomenal player, and this is the best team he could’ve landed with.
Hugo Gonzalez didn’t play much for Real Madrid this past season, but that’s a loaded squad. Boston could stash him or have him come over and play developmental minutes in a retooling season for them.
Yanic Konan Niederhauser should fill out the backup center minutes for the Clippers. Fun lob threat for James Harden. Not sure how much he plays with Ivica Zubac in front of him, but he’s a fun piece.