NBA Draft 2025: Shocking Trades and Unexpected Twists in Round 1 You Can’t Miss!

NEW YORK — As the NBA Draft kicked off, a sharply dressed fan caught everyone’s attention. In his stunning all-white outfit, he leaped up, cheering like he had just won the lottery. It was a moment of pure excitement as Yang Hansen, an unexpected pick, was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers.

At just 19 years old and towering at 7-foot-1, Yang’s selection was the biggest surprise of the night. He wasn’t even invited to the green room and had only anticipated a late first-round pick. Yet, when Commissioner Adam Silver announced his name as the No. 16 pick, it was surreal.

Yang had previously played with the Qingdao Eagles in the Chinese Basketball Association. His impressive passing skills and remarkable height made him a standout. In fact, when he stretches his arms, his fingertips come just 9 inches shy of the rim—talk about a reach!

The Blazers had their eyes on Yang and took a strategic step, trading down from their original No. 11 pick with the Memphis Grizzlies. This trade wasn’t just about gaining Yang; it also secured additional draft assets for future seasons.

“I never imagined this day would come,” Yang expressed through his interpreter after the announcement. Despite his expected lower placement in mock drafts, he felt a connection with the Blazers during a meeting weeks prior.

Yet Yang’s wasn’t the only surprising moment. The Charlotte Hornets shook things up by trading center Mark Williams to the Phoenix Suns. Hornets fans might remember that Williams almost ended up with the Los Angeles Lakers. After failing a physical earlier this year, the trade fell through, and Williams remained with the Hornets. This latest move signals that the Suns are seriously looking for a reliable center after cycling through multiple players recently.

Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans moved up 10 spots in a bold move. They traded their No. 23 pick along with a future first-round selection to Atlanta for the No. 13 spot. This selection is particularly interesting given the Pelicans’ struggles in the previous season—only 21 wins due to numerous injuries. They picked Derik Queen from Maryland, aiming to secure a brighter future.

On the flip side, Danny Wolf from Michigan experienced a surprising drop when he fell to the 27th pick. Expected to go higher, Wolf will now join the Brooklyn Nets.

The draft began predictably, with the Dallas Mavericks choosing Duke’s Cooper Flagg first, and the Philadelphia 76ers selecting V.J. Edgecombe at No. 3. The 76ers had explored trading this pick but couldn’t find a suitable deal, leading them to choose the dynamic guard instead.

Unexpected things also happened during the first round; for instance, Ace Bailey, a scoring prodigy, joined the Utah Jazz even though he skipped workouts for top teams. He candidly admitted to being unfamiliar with Utah but expressed eagerness to learn more.

Throughout the night, trades were plentiful, showcasing the league’s ongoing shifts and strategies. As teams strategize for the future, this draft will be remembered not just for the players chosen, but for the twists and turns that made it truly dramatic.

The NBA Draft is far from over, with the second round continuing soon. Each decision made this week could change the course of teams for years to come.

For more insights on the draft and player prospects, check out The Athletic.

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Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, Utah Jazz, Portland Trail Blazers, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, NBA