The Post’s Zach Braziller grades the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft.
1. Dallas Mavericks — Cooper Flagg, F, Duke
Grade: A: Entering draft night, the bigger question for the Mavericks was whether Jason Kidd would still be their coach next year, rather than who they would take with the No. 1 pick. This was a lock the moment Dallas somehow won the draft lottery with only 1.8 percent odds of doing so. The do-it-all Flagg, the youngest player in the draft, is that transcendent of a draft prospect.
2. San Antonio Spurs — Dylan Harper, G, Rutgers
Grade: A: He has the size (6-foot-6), the pedigree (the son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper) and the talent (averaged 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists as a freshman) to be an immediate impact player. And he won’t be asked to carry too large of a burden, joining Victor Wembanyama and Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle.
Dylan Harper reacts to being drafted second by the Spurs. AP3. Philadelphia 76ers — V.J. Edgecombe, G, Baylor
Grade: A: Ace Bailey’s loss is Edgecombe’s gain. The Rutgers star’s refusal to work out for Philadelphia leads the 76ers to taking the Bahamian standout, an elite athlete who some scouts have compared to Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade.
