Ace Bailey is a Winner and Other Takeaways from the 2025 NBA Draft

Ace Bailey came out a winner

Everyone’s going to clown Bailey for landing with the Jazz after being so selective in the days leading up to the draft. His preferred destinations were the Pelicans, Wizards, and Nets — but the Jazz held a higher pick than any of them. So much for the idea that he was tanking his draft stock. Not only will Bailey earn a larger rookie contract by going earlier, but he’s joining a team where he’ll likely see real minutes right away. If you’re in his camp, this is a win all around: a bigger payday now, and a better shot at securing that second contract down the line.

Did the Nets just waste their top ten pick?

Sean Marks has been the Nets’ general manager for ten years, but this was his first crack at a top ten pick. It’s not like Brooklyn has been thriving during his tenure — he’s made the playoffs in just half of his seasons and has only advanced past the first round once. So with the franchise’s first top ten selection since 2010, the Nets stunned everyone by taking Egor Demin. Unfortunately, Demin was a disaster. He couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn from the free throw line, posted one of the worst PERs among this year’s prospects, and averaged nearly three turnovers per game. To make matters worse, analytical darlings like Collin Murray-Boyles and Khaman Maluach were picked immediately after.

How did every NBA expert miss Hansen Yang?

Throughout the entire draft process, the names Noa Essengue, Joan Beringer, and Nolan Traore kept coming up. They were treated like surefire first-rounders — but the numbers just didn’t back it up. Yes, NBA teams love French prospects, but this felt like overkill. Meanwhile, the international player who actually put up the best stats? That was Yang. At just 19, he averaged a double-double in the Chinese Basketball Association, posted 3 assists per 36 minutes, and recorded a 20.2 PER. He also had the biggest hands of any center at the NBA Combine. This isn’t some long-term project. Yang can contribute now.

Is Khaman Maluach set up to fail?

Maluach is like a beautiful block of clay — raw, but full of potential. He only started playing basketball a few years ago, yet he’s already one of the most offensively efficient freshman centers in recent memory. It’s easy to imagine what NBA trainers could do with his game. But of all the teams to draft him, the Suns might be one of the worst fits. They’re stuck in a strange limbo: not good enough to contend, not bad enough to rebuild. On a title contender, Maluach could learn behind seasoned vets. On a rebuilding team, he’d have the freedom to grow without the pressure. Instead, he’s landed on a team fighting for a playoff spot, led by Devin Booker. To complicate matters, the Suns just traded for Mark Williams on draft night — another young center who’s struggled to stay healthy. That could thrust Maluach into a bigger role sooner than he’s ready for. And based on his struggles at the Final Four against Houston, that’s not the situation you want to drop him into.

Was it weird to also cry when Danny Wolf did?

The last two years have been a wild ride for Danny Wolf. Back at Yale, just getting drafted would’ve been a feel-good story. Once he transferred to Michigan, a second-round selection seemed like a realistic and satisfying outcome. After that, the season rolled along and the NBA Combine occurs, and those shareholders of Wolf started to check the brokerage accounts have a higher number than usual. Then came draft night — and the story flipped. He had to seriously wait his turn in the green room with his family. Even Hansen Yang, who watched from the crowd, heard his name before Wolf. Eventually, Wolf was taken with the 27th pick, making him the second-to-last player left in the green room. If you had told anyone in March 2023 that Danny Wolf would be sweating it out under the green room lights, they’d have called you crazy.