2025 NBA Draft Winners and Losers

NBANEWS
July 1, 2025

2025 NBA Draft

Big Winners and Shocking Misses – Duke Shines, Nets Rebuild, Blazers Make Unexpected Moves

 

A Draft Full of Emotion, Surprises… and Great Betting Opportunities

 

The 2025 NBA Draft, held on Wednesday, June 25, left fans, analysts, and bettors alike stunned. While some teams followed the expected script, others surprised with risky picks and strategic moves that are already impacting NBA 1st Half Lines.

With standout college players from Duke and surprising international prospects like Yang Hansen, this Draft sent a clear message: the NBA’s future is entering a new era.. And for bettors, the opportunities have never been more alive.

 

The Big Winners of the 2025 Draft

 

Duke and College Basketball Dominance

The actual winner of the 2025 NBA Draft was Duke University, which made history by having three lottery picks:

  • Cooper Flagg (No. 1)
  • Kon Knueppel (No. 4)
  • Khaman Maluach (No. 10)

This is only the third time Duke has had three lottery picks in a single draft, joining the historic years of 1999 and 2019. This achievement not only puts the program back in the spotlight but also directly affects the NBA 2nd Half Lines, especially for the teams that selected these players.

Cooper Flagg landing with the Dallas Mavericks after leaping to the No. 1 pick—despite just a 1.8% chance—is a significant highlight for bettors.  The young forward’s talent, paired with a team under less media pressure, could become a winning formula in the medium term.

 

Brooklyn Nets: Five Shots at the Future

 

The Brooklyn Nets made a bold move, grabbing five selections in the first round. This marks a new chapter in their rebuilding process. Among the most notable names:

  • Egor Demin (BYU, No. 8)
  • Nolan Traore (France, No. 19)
  • Drake Powell (UNC, No. 22)
  • Ben Saraf (Israel, No. 26)
  • Danny Wolf (Michigan, No. 27)

Not all will shine right away, but having this many options increases the chances of uncovering a hidden gem, thus shifting the NBA Lines for Brooklyn in the near future.

With so much young talent, the Nets become one of the most intriguing teams to watch in future betting markets like Rookie of the Year or Sixth Man of the Year.

 

San Antonio Spurs: Wemby’s New Partners

 

The San Antonio Spurs already have Victor Wembanyama, but they’re not settling. This year, they added two pieces that fit their system well:

  • Dylan Harper (No. 2)
  • Carter Bryant (No. 14)

The San Antonio Spurs bolster their future foundation with this promising young trio. The NBA first-half lines are already showing a slight uptick for San Antonio in midterm playoff markets. Smart bettors are closely watching Harper’s development and potential chemistry with Wemby.

 

Atlanta Hawks: Onsi Saleh’s Impressive Debut

 

New Atlanta Hawks  GM Onsi Saleh made an impact in his debut at the 2025 NBA draft. First, he acquired Kristaps Porzingis at a bargain price. Then, he selected Asa Newell (No. 23)—a player many projected to go higher.

But the real kicker: he secured an unprotected 2026 first-round pick from the Pelicans, who shared that pick with Milwaukee. Considering Damian Lillard’s injury and New Orleans’ poor 21–61 season, this move could give Atlanta a Top 5 pick next year.

Long-term NBA 2nd Half Lines for the Hawks are beginning to reflect this masterstroke.

 

The Big Losers of the 2025 Draft

 

Kentucky: End of an Era

 

For the first time since 2009, no player from Kentucky was selected in the first round. For fans of the program, this is a worrying sign. Bettors who used to count on Kentucky rookies will need to look for new sources of value in the NBA betting odds.

 

Phoenix Suns: Costly Impatience

 

The Phoenix Suns made a misstep: they traded for center Mark Williams, but then saw Khaman Maluach surprisingly slip to the No. [pick].M aluach unexpectedly fell to the No. 10 spot.

Now they have two young centers, have lost a valuable first-round pick, and are still tied to Bradley Beal’s hefty contract, limiting their financial flexibility.

NBA odds for Phoenix remain stable, but the team’s depth remains a concern for more analytical bettors.

 

Portland Trail Blazers: Another Center?

 

A year after picking center Donovan Clingan, the Trail Blazers surprised again by selecting Yang Hansen (China, No. 16), a 7-foot-1 giant.

This move puzzled many analysts and added uncertainty to Portland’s NBA 1st lines. Unless Yang turns out to be a hidden gem, the Blazers are overcrowded at center with few real solutions for the backcourt.

 

Players Who Fell Lower Than Expected

 

Some talents projected to be picked higher slid down the board:

  • Kasparas Jakucionis (Heat, No. 20)
  • Jase Richardson (Magic, No. 25)
  • Liam McNeeley (Hornets, No. 29)

McNeeley, in particular, could have an immediate impact with his shooting. Bold bettors may find value in the NBA odds for Rookie of the Year among these underrated players.

 

Outside the Top 30

 

Some intriguing prospects were left out of the first round entirely:

  • Rasheer Fleming (Saint Joseph’s)
  • Maxime Raynaud (Stanford)
  • Ryan Kalkbrenner (Creighton)
  • Noah Penda (Le Mans, France)

Although not drafted, they could still find spots on teams as free agents or in the G-League, which could impact NBA Lines if any of them manage to stand out.

 

Betting Outlook After the Draft

 

The 2025 NBA Draft made waves. Teams like Duke, San Antonio, and Brooklyn added strong future assets, while franchises like Phoenix and Portland raised more questions than answers.

Savvy bettors are already utilizing this information to gain an edge in the markets. NBA odds for individual awards, such as Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Player, or playoff predictions, are constantly shifting.

Key takeaway: The real value lies in spotting the next star—or breakout team—before the sportsbooks adjust their lines. And this Draft gave juicy clues for those who know where to look.

 

Where Are the Opportunities?

 

With NBA odds updated post-Draft, here are some of the most promising betting markets:

  • Cooper Flagg as Rookie of the Year
  • The Brooklyn Nets as a breakout team
  • Dylan Harper is a top-3 rookie in efficiency
  • Liam McNeeley is a fantasy sleeper pick

 

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