NBA Draft 2025 live first-round trade grades: Grading notable trades
The annual NBA Draft isn't just about dynamic young prospects like the special Cooper Flagg starting new, worthwhile life adventures.
Usually, it applies to various established NBA veterans, and when we get lucky, superstars around the league. That's because NBA organizations like to use the draft as a de facto trade negotiating table. One where deals and trades are magnified and more likely because of the pressure of a deadline, and because the draft is a natural place for everyone to gather. With early July's free agency on the horizon, the draft becomes the perfect place to facilitate conversation and sow chaos.
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In this regard, the 2025 NBA Draft should be no different.
NBA DRAFT GRADES: Analysis for all first-round picks in 2025
In fact, thanks to the league's dangerous second apron tax rule, which is already scaring perennial title-contending squads like the Boston Celtics and the Denver Nuggets, this year's draft might be even more chaotic than usual. Call it a hunch, but we're probably going to see at least a few big names that we didn't expect changing jerseys, mailing addresses, and zip codes by the end of the night.
We will grade almost every meaningful trade that involves players during the 2025 draft. It is meant to provide context and color to one of the more enjoyable nights on the NBA calendar.
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Of course, not every transaction carries the same weight. Quite obviously, some deals will feel more significant and impactful on the NBA's landscape. If indeed included (we're playing it by ear here), others might be forgettable wheeling and dealing behind the scenes that would otherwise almost never draw a single headline. And if a trade feels like it could be setting something else much more elaborate and monumental up, you better believe I'll have a handle on it.
Without further ado, let's dive in and have some fun, dearest readers.
TRADE 1: Charlotte Hornets send C Mark Williams to the Phoenix Suns for G Vasilije Micić, the No. 29 overall pick in the 2025 draft, and a 2029 first-round draft pick
After his trade to the Los Angeles Lakers was nixed last season, it was clear that Williams was not long for Charlotte. For one, it was apparent the Hornets believed Williams no longer fit in their long-term plans. Their concerns, on some level, are surely at least somewhat related to Williams' health issues as he started his NBA career. Foot injuries have limited Williams' availability to an alarming degree over the last couple of years. For the other, there was no realistic path for Charlotte to repair its relationship with the young big man after almost shipping off across the entire country.
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So, Williams is now a Sun. If Williams can stay healthy, the 23-year-old center is an athletic rim-runner who also protects the rim rather well. In this event, he'll be worth the trade price. He can be a building block for a Phoenix team that is somewhat starting over after trading Kevin Durant. But again, the key is whether he can stay healthy enough to be reliable. And that remains to be seen.
Grade: B
TRADE 2: Portland Trail Blazers trade No. 11 overall pick G Cedric Coward to the Memphis Grizzlies for the No. 16 overall draft pick, a future first-round draft pick, and two undisclosed second-round draft picks.
A versatile all-around wing with a solid shooting stroke, Coward felt like a perfect pick for an ascending Portland squad that could use more young athleticism. Fortunately, the same could be said for the Grizzlies after they officially moved up to acquire his draft rights. The fit is more or less the same.
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As the Grizzlies try to retool without long-time franchise piece Desmond Bane, Coward's capacity toward two-way play should give him a decent floor to work with as a rookie. More importantly, his ceiling to continue growing makes him someone worth developing to slot next to Ja Morant in the long term. Coward will need to get stronger, but handling your business in the weight room is one of the easiest tasks for a young NBA player.
Grade: B+
This article originally appeared on For The Win: NBA Draft 2025 live first-round trade grades: Grading notable trades
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