There were six trades made during the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft. In a departure from previous seasons, very few of these deals involved established NBA players. We’re going to break down each deal here by looking at both immediate and long-term impacts.

Phoenix Suns and Charlotte Hornets

Phoenix Suns acquire: Mark Williams

Charlotte Hornets acquire: Vasilije Micic, draft rights for Liam McNeeley (2025 29th pick), 2029 least favorable of Cavaliers, Timberwolves 6-30 and Jazz first-round pick

Let’s dive in!

Phoenix Suns

Incoming salary: $6.3 million in 2025-26

  • Mark Williams (C, one year, $6.3 million)

Outgoing salary: $10.9 million in 2025-26

  • Vasilije Micic (PG, one year, $8.1 million), Liam McNeeley (SF/SG, four years, $22.9 million (rookie scale contract)

The Phoenix Suns came into the draft looking to add a center. They came away with two of them, after acquiring Mark Williams and drafting Khaman Maluach with the 10th pick they received in the Kevin Durant trade. Those two will team with holdover Nick Richards and Oso Ighodaro to give Phoenix solid center depth.

That said, this is a weird trade for the Suns.

Maluach is still a very raw prospect. He needs a year to two to develop, even if he’s overflowing with potential. But he could have done that while playing with Richards and Ighodaro. Adding Williams just overcomplicates things in the Suns center rotation. None of those guys are really fours, so there aren’t even really options to play them in frontcourt pairings.

In addition, Williams is extension-eligible this summer. That means Phoenix has to figure out what to do there before next season starts. Given that Williams career-high in games played is 44, and he was already part of a rescinded trade, there’s risk in locking into a long-term deal with him. And there’s even more risk, given Maluach should be seen as the team center of the future.

Lastly, the Suns don’t have a lot of draft capital to trade, especially in the form of first-round picks. Giving up one of the few they do have to fill a spot that wasn’t really a major need is an odd use of their limited assets. Not to mention that the team took on money in this trade, because Phoenix could have declined their team option for Vasilije Micic to let him return to Europe.

Charlotte Hornets

Incoming salary: $10.9 million in 2025-26

  • Vasilije Micic (PG, one year, $8.1 million), Liam McNeeley (SF/SG, four years, $22.9 million (rookie scale contract))

Outgoing salary: $6.3 million in 2025-26

  • Mark Williams (C, one year, $6.3 million)

The Charlotte Hornets and Mark Williams seemed destined for a breakup, considering the team traded him once already. They all talked a good game about welcoming him back into the fold, but it was clear both sides were ready to part ways.

Now, Charlotte doesn’t have to deal with any sort of awkwardness with extension talks that neither party really wanted. The Hornets are shorthanded up front, but that’s something they can deal with when free agency opens.

In a weird twist of fate, Vasilije Micic returns to Charlotte after spending some time there a year ago. His stay may be short, as Micic reportedly has several standing offers from top EuroLeague teams. This will likely result in a buyout, as Micic’s team option was only picked up to make the salary-matching work.

The real gets here for the Hornets are Liam McNeeley, who was selected with the 29th overall pick and a future first-round pick. McNeeley dropped in the draft, but will team with Kon Knueppel, who was drafted fourth overall by Charlotte, to give the team some much needed perimeter shooting and scoring with good size.

The 2029 first-rounder the Hornets added is also a nice pickup. It’s the worst pick out of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz. It probably won’t be too juicy of a pick, but we have no idea what those teams will be in four years.

 

 

 

Memphis Grizzlies and Portland Trail Blazers

Memphis Grizzlies acquire: draft rights for Cedric Coward (2025 11th pick)

Portland Trail Blazers acquire: draft rights for Hansen Yang (2025 16th pick), 2028 Magic first-round pick, two future second-round picks

Let’s dive in!

Memphis Grizzlies

Incoming salary: $5.7 million in 2025-26

  • Cedric Coward (SF/SG, four years, $38.6 million (rookie scale contract))

Outgoing salary: $4.4 million in 2025-26

  • Hansen Yang (C, four years, $32.6 million (rookie scale contract))

This trade is all about upside for both teams. Cedric Coward has six games of high-level NCAA experience under his belt, because he had a shoulder injury last year for Washington State. He was one of the highest risers in the pre-draft process, going from a second-round pick to a late first-round pick to being picked in the lottery.

If Coward hits, this is a great get for Memphis. They can plug him and Jaylen Wells in as 3&D-plus players around Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. That’s big for a team that is retooling their roster around the two stars.

The issue is that Coward is a bit of an unknown, because of the lack of action. Considering Memphis didn’t give up too much to make this move, it’s hard to take much issue with it. Maybe they could have waited to see if Coward would drop to them, but at the expense of an extra first-rounder from the Magic (which projects to be a pick in the 20s), it’s not any kind of massive overpay. If you feel like Coward is your guy, it’s best to make the move.

Portland Trail Blazers

Incoming salary: $4.4 million in 2025-26

  • Hansen Yang (C, four years, $32.6 million (rookie scale contract))

Outgoing salary: $5.7 million in 2025-26

  • Cedric Coward (SF/SG, four years, $38.6 million (rookie scale contract))

This was the most shocking pick of the draft. It’s one of the most shocking first-round picks in years. Hansen Yang rapidly went from moderately unknown and a projected undrafted to player to a potential high second-round pick during the pre-draft process. The Portland Trail Blazers taking him 16th overall threw the entire NBA for a loop.

Yang’s numbers in China, both offensively and defensively, are impressive. That’s true even if you have to take stats put up in the CBA with a grain of salt, because the style of play leads to inflated stats.

Yang also just turned 20 years old, so he’s far from a finished prospect. He’s a good passer, solid finisher, decent rebounder and good rim protector. There’s a lot to like, even when you factor in the level of competition.

All of that said, this is a weird fit in Portland.

The Trail Blazers just drafted Donovan Clingan to be the center of the future a year ago. Nothing that happened in Clingan’s rookie season should have changed that assessment. It doesn’t look like Portland will be able to create lineups where Clingan and Yang will be able to play together, as both are pure fives.

In addition, but less worrisome, is that the Blazers still have Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams III. The two vets are on expiring contracts, and both are trade chips, so there’s no long-term worries there. It’s just an immediate logjam, but given Yang doesn’t seem likely to be ready for NBA minutes right away, it’s fine.

The main issue here is the value of picking Yang so high. There’s something to be said for believing in your board and selecting your guy when you have the chance. But given how many teams were trading around in the 20s in this draft, Portland should have had an opportunity to trade back further, pick up more assets, and still draft Yang.

Flipping back to the positive side, getting an additional first-round pick is good work. That pick projects to be in the 20s, but that’s fine. The Blazers now have an additional draft asset, plus two incoming second-round picks too, to work with down the line. Not a bad haul for only moving back five picks.

 

 

 

Atlanta Hawks and New Orleans Pelicans

Atlanta Hawks acquire: draft rights for Asa Newell (2025 23rd pick), 2026 more favorable Bucks or Pelicans first-round pick

New Orleans Pelicans acquire: draft rights for Derik Queen (2025 13th pick)

Let’s dive in!

Atlanta Hawks

Incoming salary: $3.2 million in 2025-26

  • Asa Newell (PF, four years, $25.6 million (rookie scale contract))

Outgoing salary: $5.1 million in 2025-26

  • Derik Queen (C, four years, $36.4 million (rookie scale contract))

The Atlanta Hawks continued an impressive run of transactions with this trade. In moving back 10 picks, the Hawks saved some money, got a player who fills a need for frontcourt depth and picked up a potentially extremely valuable first-round pick in next year’s draft.

The Hawks have plenty of room under the luxury tax to re-sign Caris LeVert and to continue to retool their bench. The $1.9 million in savings might not seem like much, but it could be the difference between using the full Non-Taxpayer MLE, or a large chunk of Atlanta’s $25.3 million TPE.

Newell will fit in nicely in Atlanta’s frontcourt rotation right away. He plays with a ton of energy as a bouncy, athletic forward. The shot is a work in progress, but Newell’s form looks good and he’s a good free shooter. There are shades of Jaden McDaniels in his game, and that would be a terrific outcome for Newell and the Hawks.

As nice as it is to get Newell now, the real asset in this deal is getting that unprotected 2026 first-round pick that will be the best of the Pelicans or Bucks. There’s no guarantee that New Orleans will be able to climb up the Western Conference standings, and things are still fairly uncertain in Milwaukee, even if they don’t trade Giannis Antetokounmpo. Having that pick has major upside for the Hawks.

New Orleans Pelicans

Incoming salary: $5.1 million in 2025-26

  • Derik Queen (C, four years, $36.4 million (rookie scale contract))

Outgoing salary: $3.2 million in 2025-26

  • Asa Newell (PF, four years, $25.6 million (rookie scale contract))

Derik Queen is a really nice center prospect for the Pelicans. He can form a nice offense-defense pairing with Yves Missi at the center spot. If the shot comes along for either Queen or Missi, there are even lineup constructions where the two young bigs could play together.

The issue is the fit is a little weird. If Queen is seen as the immediate starting center, he’s not a great fit next to Zion Williamson. Queen is a ground-bound big man and not a great defender. Williamson is obviously uber-athletic, but he’s not a good defender either. And, as referenced above, Missi is there already and was a bright spot for the Pelicans last year.

But that stuff will all sort itself out. Queen and Missi have potential, and Williamson’s future in New Orleans has never been more uncertain. The Pels have some options up front now.

The issue is that New Orleans gave up an unprotected first-round pick in what projects to be a pretty good draft. And this team has no guarantee of being a playoff team next season. If that pick ends up landing in the top-five, the value becomes so slanted towards Atlanta that Queen would have to be a multi-time All-Star for things to even out.

This is the kind of short-term, “gotta get our guy” stuff that can get teams in trouble. We praised others for making moves for a player they believe in, but this feels like a fairly large overpay because of the potential of that 2026 pick.

 

 

 

Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards

Utah Jazz acquire: draft rights for Walter Clayton Jr. (2025 18th pick)

Washington Wizards acquire: draft rights for Will Riley (2025 21st pick), 2025 43rd pick, two future second-round picks

Let’s dive in!

Utah Jazz

Incoming salary: $3.9 million in 2025-26

  • Walter Clayton Jr. (PG, four years, $29.6 million (rookie scale contract))

Outgoing salary: $3.5 million in 2025-26

  • Will Riley (SF/SG, four years, $26.7 million (rookie scale contract))

This space is a big fan of Walter Clayton Jr. The stereotypical definition for Clayton is that he’s a “winner”. Normally, that’s fluff and hyperbole, but it fits in Clayton’s case. He’s tough, he’s hyper-competitive and he makes clutch plays. You can’t ask for a whole lot more.

Clayton also comes in fairly NBA-ready. He’s an older player, and he’ll be ready to play Day 1. The Jazz can put Clayton in their rotation immediately and he’ll hold his own.

The above is important, because the Jazz’s other first-round pick, Ace Bailey, has some well-reported immaturity issues. Bailey isn’t a bad kid, he’s just a typical 19-year-old that has to figure out a lot of things. Having Clayton to be his first-year running mate will help Bailey transition to the NBA.

The only real issue here is that Utah has a bunch of guards on the roster already. Keyonte George and Isaiah Collier were recent first-round picks. Veterans Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton are both around too. That’s something that Austin Ainge will have to sort out.

Giving up three second-round picks to move up a handful of spots would normally be a little questionable. But Utah is swimming in extra draft picks. They can afford to overpay a bit to go up and get the guy they want.

Mostly, this pick and the Bailey pick say that Ainge is in charge of building up the Jazz. Both overlap with other young players on Utah’s roster, but this Ainge didn’t make those picks. He’s going to build this roster his way moving forward.

Washington Wizards

Incoming salary: $3.5 million in 2025-26

  • Will Riley (SF/SG, four years, $26.7 million (rookie scale contract))

Outgoing salary: $3.9 million in 2025-26

  • Walter Clayton Jr. (PG, four years, $29.6 million (rookie scale contract))

This move continues a string of smart moves by the Wizards front office. They moved back a few picks, got a good player and added to their draft treasure chest. Given the ties the Washington front office has to the Oklahoma City Thunder, it’s no real surprise to see them following the Sam Presti playbook.

Will Riley gives Washington another offensive player with upside. Riley didn’t shoot well in his lone year at Illinois, but he’s got a knack for scoring. At 6-foot-8, he’s got good size for a perimeter player too. There’s some overlap with Tre Johnson (who was drafted sixth) and returnees Bilal Coulibaly, Corey Kispert and Kyshawn Geroge. But the Wizards are in talent-collection mode. They can figure out fit issues later.

And, of course, getting a few additional second-round picks is pretty good work. It’s all about collecting assets and taking as many bites as the apple as it takes until you find players who work. Washington is well on their way to building a team that can have sustainable success.

 

 

 

Oklahoma City Thunder and Sacramento Kings

Oklahoma City Thunder acquire: 2027 top-16 protected Spurs first-round pick

Sacramento Kings acquire: draft rights for Nique Clifford (2025 24th pick)

Let’s dive in!

Oklahoma City Thunder

Incoming salary: $0.0 million in 2025-26

  • None

Outgoing salary: $3.1 million in 2025-26

  • Nique Clifford (SF/SG, four years, $25.1 million (rookie scale contract))

This one is really simple: The Oklahoma City Thunder have a real roster crunch this season. They have 13 players under contracts, team options for two players they like and they had two incoming first-round draft picks. That’s two players too many.

So, to make life easier, the Thunder kicked the can down the road a couple of years. Given the Spurs are building a nice young team, that pick will probably convey as a first. If it doesn’t, Oklahoma City will get a couple of second-round picks instead. Pretty good work to solve what could have been a potential issue with roster spots.

Sacramento Kings

Incoming salary: $3.1 million in 2025-26

  • Nique Clifford (SF/SG, four years, $25.1 million (rookie scale contract))

Outgoing salary: $0.0 million in 2025-26

  • None

The Sacramento Kings did well here to get a really helpful player in Nique Clifford. In a sense, Sacramento traded a pick with low upside to acquire a player they had obviously targeted. That’s a smart, aggressive move.

Clifford is really solid all-around. He can shoot, dribble and pass. He’s a pretty good rebounder for a wing and his defense is above-average. The Kings have a lot of guys who excel in specific skills, adding an all-round wing like Clifford will help them build a more versatile roster.

Sacramento did take on some money, which makes their situation under the tax line one to monitor. But unless things get crazy with Keon Ellis (who the Kings should decline their team option for then re-sign as a restricted free agent), they should be fine.

 

 

 

Indiana Pacers and San Antonio Spurs

Indiana Pacers acquire: 2025 38th pick

San Antonio Spurs acquire: future second round pick, cash considerations

Let’s dive in!

Indiana Pacers

Incoming salary: $0.0 million in 2025-26

  • None

Outgoing salary: $0.0 million in 2025-26

  • None

After trading their first-round pick in this year’s draft to the New Orleans Pelicans to get back their 2026 first-round pick, the Pacers found themselves with just a late second-round pick. Now, Indiana can add a little bit of depth to the backend of their roster after acquiring this pick from the Spurs.

The only really interesting item to note, as we don’t yet know who the Pacers are selecting with the 38th pick, is that Indiana sent cash to San Antonio in this trade. That will trigger a second-apron hard cap for the Pacers for next season. They are currently about $39.8 million under the second apron with four open roster spots.

That should be more than enough to re-sign Myles Turner, as the Pacers have said that they’ll go into the tax, but they aren’t likely to push so far in that the second apron becomes an issue. But it does put a cap on just how much Indiana can re-sign Turner for, while still filling out their roster.

San Antonio Spurs

Incoming salary: $0.0 million in 2025-26

  • None

Outgoing salary: $0.0 million in 2025-26

  • None

We’ll keep this really simple: The San Antonio Spurs went into the first-round knowing they were probably drafting two rookies. The team doesn’t want to trend overly young, so they move off a second-rounder this year for a later one. And they made a little bit of money to do so.