Game 7 of the Finals ended just a few days ago and the 2025 NBA Draft is tonight, meaning players are already finding new homes. We’re helping out all trade fanatics with a handy draft night trade tracker.
Based on the beginning of this offseason, it will be a bustling trade market. We’ve already had a couple of stars changing teams and rumors up and down the draft order. As the drama unfolds tonight, we’ll cover each deal, from stars changing cities to the smallest draft pick swaps. I’ll provide trade details and analysis on the motivations for each deal.
Plenty of player props are offered on DraftKings Sportsbook, depending on betting location. Without further ado, let’s get into the trade slop.
2025 NBA Draft trade tracker
San Antonio Spurs trade No. 38 Pick to Indiana Pacers for 2030 Sacramento Kings second-round pick and cash
Our first trade of the night is official. After trading the 23rd pick in this draft to the Pelicans to get their 2026 first-rounder back, the Pacers have traded back into the draft. They’ve acquired an early second-round pick from the Spurs for a future second-round pick and some cash. It’s a shrewd move for the Pacers to capitalize on San Antonio’s roster crunch.
The Spurs own the second and 14th picks in the first round. They’re expected to stay put at two and draft Dylan Harper, the Rutgers point guard. San Antonio has 10 players under contract and is expected to be active on the trade and free agent market, so adding a player with the 38th pick would add to their roster crunch. This deal kicks the can down the road while adding some cash as a bonus.
Phoenix Suns acquire center Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets for 29th pick in 2025 Draft and 2029 first-round pick
UPDATE: Hornets select Liam McNeeley with the 29th pick
At first glance, I didn’t understand this trade at all. Phoenix has few picks to work with and needs to make the right swings. Trading the 29th pick this year and the 2029 pick they own is confusing. Granted, it will be the least favorable of Cleveland, Minnesota, and Utah in that draft. But it’s less than ideal value for a player that is unable to stay on the floor.
Williams was traded to the Lakers at the deadline, but Los Angeles reportedly went back on the trade due to his medicals. That left Williams adrift in Charlotte on a team that didn’t want him. The Lakers’ concerns are warranted: Williams has played 43, 19, and 44 games in his first three seasons.
Mark is a talented center, and they needed a center, but the risks are clear. Then you add in Phoenix drafting center Khaman Maluach at the 10th pick, an extremely similar player, and things get even more confusing. I love Maluach in this draft and would consider him a better prospect than Williams, but neither can shoot or pass at a high level and they cannot share the floor.
In addition, Phoenix acquired Nick Richards from these same Hornets at the deadline last year for three second-round picks. To make the trade seem even funnier, Vasilije Micic is heading back to the Hornets after being part of the initial Richards trade. Richards is also a true center who cannot shoot. They went from too few centers to too many and spent three first-round picks to do so. I think this is a very bad trade for Phoenix. The Hornets must feel like they walked up to the table, drew blackjack, and walked away.
Charlotte Hornets Grade: B+
Phoenix Suns Grade: F
Portland Trail Blazers trade No. 11 Pick to Memphis Grizzlies for No. 16 pick, Orlando 2028 first, and two second-round Picks. Grizzlies select Cedric Coward
UPDATE: Portland Trail Blazers select Yang Hansen with the 16th pick acquired from Memphis
The Grizzlies have a type. After taking an experienced win-now player last year in Zach Edey, they’ve traded up to select Cedric Coward with the 11th pick.
Coward has NBA size and athleticism with legit defensive chops and perimeter shooting. He and Jaylen Wells form a great wing defender tandem who can space the floor and play instantly alongside Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. After trading Desmond Bane to the Magic, the Grizzlies had some extra assets to play with, and cashed in some chips to get better.
I like this value for Portland, too. An extra first-round pick and two extra second-rounders to move back five spots is excellent for a team that is only a bit above water regarding additional assets. If they didn’t love anyone at 11, 16 should be more palatable.
Memphis Grizzlies Grade: B+
Portland Trail Blazers Grade: A
Atlanta Hawks trade No. 13 pick to New Orleans Pelicans for No. 23 Pick and 2026 first-round pick, Pelicans select Derik Queen
UPDATE: Hawks select Asa Newell with the 23rd pick
We have two trades back in three choices. And this one is a doozy.
Atlanta came into this draft with the 13th and 22nd picks. They traded 22 to get Kristaps Porzingis, a major short-term addition. Now they trade back from 13 to get an extremely valuable pick. The 2026 pick is unprotected and the most favorable of the Pelicans and Bucks picks. It’s an extreme value for trading back from an end-of-lottery pick. Atlanta could have a huge asset in a loaded 2026 draft or a major trade chip if they choose to go for it this year.
I love Derik Queen as a prospect and in this draft slot. He’s a highly skilled offensive player with size. But there are defensive concerns in New Orleans, and Queen isn’t fixing those. It’s a great value on Queen but a poor fit in New Orleans. On top of that, a 21-win team should not be trading away its picks, especially unprotected. It’s a bad gamble that a team with health and talent concerns can be a playoff squad in this loaded Western Conference.
If I had to guess, this pick will be better than No. 13 next year. When you add the 23rd pick going to Atlanta as well, this is extremely poor value for New Orleans, despite my love for Derik Queen.
Atlanta Hawks Grade: A+
New Orleans Pelicans Grade: F+
Washington Wizards Trade No. 18 Pick to Utah Jazz for No. 21 Pick, No. 43 Pick, 2031 and 2032 2nd Rounders. Jazz Select Walter Clayton Jr.
Another trade back in the draft. Utah and Washington picked back-to-back at five and six early in this draft, with Utah taking Ace Bailey and Washington taking Tre Johnson. Now the two trade places with their second selections in the draft. Utah sent three total second-round picks to Washington in order to select Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr.
This gives Utah an experienced college player fresh off an NCAA championship. Utah has prioritized young, raw talents high in the draft in recent years. Now they get a predictable skillset of scoring and playmaking in Clayton Jr. It’s a good zag from their usual process. They have a roster crunch as well and two second-round picks this year, so trading one of them to move up and secure their guy is a good move.
It’s a good price for the Wizards to trade back just a few spots. They get an extra selection in this draft and two more in future drafts. Washington’s new front office has prioritized collecting extra assets and has an immediate need for more players. As things stand, Washington has two more picks at 21 and 43 to add to this roster.
Washington Wizards Grade: B+
Utah Jazz Grade: B
Oklahoma City Thunder Trade No. 24 Pick to Sacramento Kings for 2027 Spurs 1st Round Pick Protected 1-16. Kings Select Nique Clifford
The Oklahoma Thunder had a roster crunch to address. They selected Thomas Sorber with the 15th pick and had the 24th pick to try to fit on the roster. Instead, the Sacramento Kings swept in to take the pick off their hands. Sacramento added Nique Clifford with the pick. The 2027 Spurs pick is protected 1-16; if it doesn’t convey, it turns into two second-round picks. For the Thunder, they’re kicking the can down the road with their trove of picks.
Nique is going to be a significant addition to the Kings. Sacramento is still in win-now mode after trading away DeAaron Fox, and Clifford fits that mold. He’s filled out his 6’6″ frame, has lots of experience, and can contribute in many ways. Nique defends, shoots, and can handle the ball with great passing sense. With Sacramento’s starting lineup more or less locked in for the time being, Clifford should feature prominently off the bench with big minutes out of the gate.
Oklahoma City Thunder Grade: B
Sacramento Kings Grade: B-
