Live 2025 NBA Draft Grades: Round 2
2025 NBA Mock Draft
16.
Portland Trailblazers: Hansen Yang, C, China – Millen Grade
Wow, this is a reach. Hansen Yang is a borderline first-round prospect who easily could have been taken on Thursday. This doesn’t even fill a need because Portland has multiple quality big men.
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17.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Joan Beringer, C, France – A- Grade
Drafting a Frenchman named Joan is probably a bad move, but I’ll give the Timberwolves a high grade for this selection. The Timberwolves don’t have needs now, so it makes sense to draft an overseas stash. Joah Beringer is very talented and could be an elite defender.
18.
Utah Jazz: Walter Clayton Jr., SG, Florida – B Grade
Walter Clayton Jr. is only 6-foot-2, but he’s an amazing shooter. The poor height could prevent him from becoming a star, but the Jazz will be able to have him as a quality role player down the road if they ever become a good team, which seems unlikely.
19.
Brooklyn Nets: Nolan Traore, PG, France – A Grade
The Nets made up for their initial crappy pick. I thought Nolan Traore could have been taken earlier than this. Traore is a fast player who can score and distribute the ball very well. He’s also a solid defender.
20.
Miami Heat: Kasparas Jakucionis, PG, Illinois – A Grade
I thought Kasparas Jakucionis could have been chosen much earlier than this. He’s a smart and NBA-ready point guard. His court vision is terrific, so I thought he could have been chosen closer to the top 10.
21.
Washington Bullets: Will Riley, SG, Illinois – B- Grade
Will Riley is a tall guard and an incredible scorer. However, he’s a major liability on the defensive end. The Bullets need players who can score, so I can understand why they’d make this pick.
22.
Brooklyn Nets: Drake Powell, SG/SF, North Carolina – D Grade
This is a reach, as Drake Powell seemed more like a high second-round pick. Powell is a tremendous athlete, but has some serious questions about his offensive game. He can be a defensive stalwart, but that’s just about it.
23.
Atlanta Hawks: Asa Newell, PF, Georgia – A+ Grade
This is incredible. The Hawks could have taken Asa Newell at No. 13, and no one would have complained. Instead, they picked up an unprotected first-round pick next year, and they still took Newell at No. 23! Newell is an athletic grinder who can hit threes. He has quality upside.
24.
Sacramento Kings: Nique Clifford, SF, Colorado State – B+ Grade
The Kings needed some talent and didn’t have a first-round pick, so I like that they traded into this spot to draft a player who could have been chosen a half-dozen selections earlier. Nique Clifford is a terrific athlete and defender. His shooting needs to improve though.
25.
Orlando Magic: Jase Richardson, SG, Michigan State – B Grade
Jase Richardson, son of former NBA player Jason Richardson, is a dynamic player who can create his own shot. However, his height is a big issue, as he wasn’t even 6-foot-1 at the combine. There’s downside here, but Richardson could be a good player for Orlando.
26.
Brooklyn Nets: Ben Saraf, G, Israel – D Grade
The Nets reach again. Ben Saraf is not a good athlete, and he’s not a good shooter. He’s a good passer, but that’s about it. He should have been chosen in the second round.
27.
Brooklyn Nets: Danny Wolf, C, Michigan – A Grade
The Nets finally redeem themselves. Danny Wolf should have been chosen much earlier than this, perhaps in the late teens. Danny Wolf is a quick center who has a high basketball IQ and can hit the outside shot.
28.
Boston Celtics: Hugo Gonzalez, SG, Spain – B+ Grade
The Celtics lost Jayson Tatum, but they’re getting a player who can create his own shot. Hugo Gonzalez has nice size and basketball IQ. He has high upside.
29.
Charlotte Hornets: Liam McNeely, SF, Connecticut – B+ Grade
Liam McNeely could have easily gone a half-dozen picks earlier than this. He’s just a mediocre athlete, but has some great offensive skills. He’s a smart player who will be able to improve Charlotte’s offense.
30.
Los Angeles Clippers: Yanic Konan Niederhauser, C, Penn State – D Grade
Yanic Konan Niederhauser is an older player who happens to be raw. That’s not a good combo. Niederhauser has good size at 7-foot-1, but that’s about it. He’s already 22, so he’ll need to develop quickly to have a significant NBA career.
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2025 NBA Mock Draft
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