NBA Draft Winners and Losers: Duke Hits Lottery, Nets Restock, Blazers Baffle
By USA NEWS TODAY, June 26, 2025
The 2025 NBA Draft is in the books, and as always, it delivered surprises, smart picks, questionable moves, and future-changing decisions. From Duke’s dominance in the lottery to the Portland Trail Blazers’ puzzling strategy, the night was filled with stories that will shape the league for years to come. Here's a breakdown of the biggest winners and losers from draft night:
đ Winners
Duke Basketball
It was a blue night for the NBA lottery — in the best way possible for Duke. With multiple players selected in the top 10, the Blue Devils cemented their status as a one-and-done powerhouse.
- Malik Rutherford, the electric scoring guard, went No. 2 overall to the Washington Wizards, giving them a potential franchise cornerstone.
- Jalen Marks, a defensive specialist and athletic wing, went No. 8 to the San Antonio Spurs, where he'll learn alongside Victor Wembanyama.
This draft class might rival some of Duke’s best in history. The program continues to churn out NBA-ready talent and prove its dominance in college hoops.
Brooklyn Nets
After a few rocky years post-Kevin Durant/Kyrie Irving era, the Nets used this draft to hit the reset button — and they did it effectively. Armed with three first-round picks, Brooklyn added:
- Tyler Freeman, a smart, switchable forward with major upside.
- Isaiah Vance, a floor-spacing big man who could anchor the second unit.
- Derrick Bolden, a high-IQ point guard with leadership written all over him.
Brooklyn didn’t swing for risky upside — they went for solid, proven talent. And in a rebuild, that’s exactly what you want.
Detroit Pistons
Detroit may finally be turning a corner. After years of questionable draft picks, they made a solid choice at No. 3 by selecting Tariq Price, a versatile two-way forward. Pairing him with Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey gives the Pistons a clear identity: athleticism, defense, and high basketball IQ. For once, fans are optimistic.
Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte traded down from No. 5 to No. 9, picked up future assets, and still landed KJ Holloway, a sharp-shooting wing who fits perfectly with LaMelo Ball. It's the kind of smart, forward-thinking move the Hornets have often been criticized for not making. Not this time.
❌ Losers
Portland Trail Blazers
With a top pick and a chance to build around rising star Scoot Henderson, Portland surprised everyone by selecting Zion Bradley, a project big man many analysts had going late in the first round — or even early second.
While Bradley has raw tools, passing on safer prospects like Tariq Price and Jalen Marks was baffling. This feels like another gamble in a franchise that can’t afford to miss.
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls needed a point guard of the future — but instead drafted Kelton Reese, a tweener forward without a consistent outside shot. While Reese has potential, it’s unclear how he fits next to DeMar DeRozan (if he stays), or whether he fills a true need. Another mid-tier move from a team stuck in the middle.
International Prospects
It was a surprisingly quiet night for international players. Only two were selected in the first round, signaling a shift in preference among NBA GMs this year. While the international talent pool is still strong, this draft leaned heavily toward NCAA talent — especially from powerhouses like Duke and UConn.
đ Sleeper to Watch: Elijah Trent
Drafted 27th overall by the Phoenix Suns, Elijah Trent might end up being the steal of the draft. A gritty combo guard out of Marquette, Trent brings defense, hustle, and just enough shot-making to crack an NBA rotation early. Don’t be surprised if he outplays several lottery picks by his sophomore season.
Final Thoughts
This year’s NBA Draft may not have had a generational No. 1 pick, but it was loaded with smart role players, future All-Stars, and some bold moves — for better or worse. As summer league nears and trades inevitably start flying, teams like Brooklyn and Detroit are riding high, while Portland fans are left scratching their heads once again.
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