The 2025 NBA draft has come and gone, and it was not without its surprises. The first few picks of the draft went as expected, with Duke’s Cooper Flagg and Rutgers’ Dylan Harper going first and second. However, after the first few picks, there started to be some major surprises. Here is a look at five of the biggest surprises from the 2025 NBA draft.
Top 5 Most Shocking Moments from the 2025 NBA Draft
#1 Utah Takes Ace Bailey
The biggest surprise from the 2025 draft was arguably the result of the Ace Bailey saga. Before the draft, Bailey had made it clear to NBA teams that he wanted to go to the Washington Wizards, New Orleans Pelicans, or Brooklyn Nets. As a result, a player who many believe is a top-three talent was expected to fall out of the top five.
However, on draft night, the Utah Jazz took a risk and drafted Bailey despite his wishes. It was a surprising move, but one that could work out for the young and rebuilding squad.
#2 New Orleans Trades 2 Picks to Move Up 10 Spots
One of the biggest shocks of the NBA draft came in the first half of the first round when the New Orleans Pelicans traded the 23rd pick and an unprotected 2026 first-round pick to Atlanta to acquire the 13th pick. While they got a player they like in Maryland’s Derik Queen. The move was a huge risk. If the Pelicans are bad again next year, they could have traded away a top-five pick in 2026.
#3 Portland Reaches on China’s Yang Hansen
Memphis and Portland were involved in a pick swap, which resulted in the Trail Blazers receiving the 16th pick. With that pick, they reached for Chinese center Yang Hansen. This was viewed as a big reach by most experts, as he was projected as an early second-round pick by ESPN.
#4 Toronto Picks Collin Murray-Boyles in the Top 10
The top 10 was not too shocking. Most of the players expected to go in the top 10 were selected. However, Toronto made an interesting move with the ninth pick, selecting South Carolina’s Collin Murray-Boyles. The Raptors were projected to take Duke’s Khaman Maluach, but instead, went with the Gamecocks forward. The move even appeared to surprise Murray-Boyles in the moment.
Collin Murray-Boyles after getting drafted by the Raptors
“FUCK”pic.twitter.com/0vZtUepkfW
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 26, 2025
#5 Maxime Raynaud Falls Out of the Top 40
After the first round, many draft experts viewed Stanford’s Maxime Raynaud as the best player left on the board. However, he continued to fall on Day 2 as he was not selected until Sacramento selected him with the 42nd pick.
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