NBA rookie report card: Grading every 1st-rounder's debut month

The first month of the NBA season is in the books. Here's how every 2025 first-round pick has fared so far.

1. Cooper Flagg, F, Mavericks

Stats: 33.6 MPG, 15.9 PPG, 52.7 TS%, 6.4 RPG, 3.1 APG, 2.0 STL + BLK

Flagg hasn't quite set the league ablaze yet. His efficiency has suffered as he's been asked to run Dallas' wretched offense sans Kyrie Irving, but these reps will only help him down the road. It's tough to be too down on an 18-year-old who's still producing at this rate in an impossible situation.

Grade: A-

2. Dylan Harper, G, Spurs

Stats: 23.3 MPG, 14.0 PPG, 58.4 TS%, 4.0 RPG, 3.8 APG, 0.7 STL + BLK

Before being sidelined by a calf injury, Harper looked every bit the dynamic guard San Antonio was excited to pair with Victor Wembanyama. He was getting to the rim, using his craftiness to finish once there, and nicely balancing his scoring and playmaking. Unfortunately, that aforementioned injury has limited him to just six games, suppressing his grade somewhat.

Grade: B+

3. VJ Edgecombe, G, 76ers

Stats: 37.3 MPG, 15.6 PPG, 50.3 TS%, 6.0 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.8 STL + BLK

Where would Philly be without Edgecombe? The Baylor product has invigorated the 76ers with an infusion of youth and athleticism they desperately needed on both ends of the court. His efficiency has lagged, but Edgecombe has produced solid two-way stretches while logging the second-most minutes per game league-wide.

Grade: A

4. Kon Knueppel, G/F, Hornets

Stats: 33.6 MPG, 19.4 PPG, 65.4 TS%, 5.8 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.0 STL + BLK

Knueppel has been the best rookie among a stacked draft class over the first month. Full stop. An NBA freshman has no business scoring as efficiently as the 20-year-old has with limited talent around him in Charlotte. Knueppel is shooting roughly 58% inside the arc, 44% from deep, and 90% from the free-throw line, with his off-ball movement unlocking the Hornets' offense.

Grade: A+

5. Ace Bailey, F, Jazz

Stats: 21.5 MPG, 9.9 PPG, 54.8 TS%, 3.4 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.0 STL + BLK

A promising preseason gave way to a rough first month for Bailey in which some of his weaknesses popped up. Still, flashes of a future star are there. His combination of size and shot-creation can't be denied, and his defensive effort has improved lately. The results have been a mixed bag thus far, but Bailey's not as one-dimensional a scorer or overall player as I thought.

Grade: C+

6. Tre Johnson, G, Wizards

Stats: 24.3 MPG, 11.5 PPG, 56.5 TS%, 3.0 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.9 STL + BLK

Johnson will miss some time with a strained left hip flexor (which he originally hurt in college), but he's already shown off his clear NBA skill: The kid can score. He's converting multiple 3-pointers per game at a nearly 40% clip and makes scoring inside the arc look effortless. The rest of his game is a work in progress, but his shooting has definitely translated to the pros.

Grade: B

7. Jeremiah Fears, G, Pelicans

Stats: 26.8 MPG, 15.4 PPG, 54.1 TS%, 3.3 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.8 STL + BLK

The Pelicans are a disaster in more ways than one, but the team's rookies are a glaring reason for optimism, and Fears is the first on our list. The 19-year-old has displayed poise beyond his years in getting to his spots and scoring at a respectable level. His turnovers have been an issue at times, but Fears' defense is ahead of schedule, thanks to his incredibly active hands.

Grade: A-

8. Egor Demin, G, Nets

Stats: 22.2 MPG, 7.6 PPG, 50.7 TS%, 3.4 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.0 STL + BLK

Demin's a big guard with range and awesome playmaking vision, but he hadn't shown much scoring versatility until recently when he started getting downhill more. His two-way ceiling is obvious, even if the early returns have been lukewarm.

Grade: B-

9. Collin Murray-Boyles, F, Raptors

Stats: 19.1 MPG, 7.6 PPG, 61.1% TS, 3.2 RPG, 1.2 APG, 1.0 STL + BLK

Murray-Boyles has earned regular rotation minutes for the second-place Raptors, thanks to his as-advertised defense and general activity around the rim. But the real stunner has been his shooting, albeit in a very small sample. Murray-Boyles has canned 9-of-18 threes in 13 games after going 9-of-39 from deep over two years at South Carolina.

Grade: B+

10. Khaman Maluach, C, Suns

Stats: 4.8 MPG, 1.6 PPG, 61.8 TS%, 0.8 RPG, 0.1 APG, 0.5 STL + BLK

Maluach is a long-term project who's already spent time in the G League. As the third- or fourth-string center on a surprisingly competitive Suns team, his limited NBA minutes have mostly come in garbage time, making it tough to evaluate him.

Grade: D

11. Cedric Coward, G/F, Grizzlies

Stats: 26.4 MPG, 13.8 PPG, 60.9 TS%, 5.8 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.0 STL + BLK

The losses and drama have mounted in Memphis, but Coward has been an encouraging breath of fresh air. The 22-year-old is an "old" rookie, and he certainly looks more comfortable on an NBA court than most of his peers. He's shown off his three-level scoring ability and defensive upside, emerging as one of the Grizzlies' most important players already.

Grade: A

12. Noa Essengue, F, Bulls

The versatile French forward has logged just six minutes across two games, as it appears he'll be more of a G League player for the time being.

Grade: D-

13. Derik Queen, C, Pelicans

Stats: 23.8 MPG, 12.4 PPG, 54.9 TS%, 6.5 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.9 STL + BLK

Queen would have to ascend to superstar status to make New Orleans' reckless bet on him worthwhile, but for the purpose of this report card, he should only be judged relative to his draft position. In that regard, this pick looks like a home run. Queen is an exceptionally talented big man with a soft touch and impressive playmaking skills. His defense remains a concern, and he'll eventually have to share a frontcourt with another big man who can space the floor, but so far, so good.

Grade: A

14. Carter Bryant, F, Spurs

Stats: 6.5 MPG, 2.5 PPG, 1.4 RPG, 0.3 STL + BLK

I thought Bryant's 3-and-D abilities would lead to immediate NBA minutes, but regular playing time hasn't been there for him yet. Still, he's had a couple loud moments that have teased the potential within.

Grade: D+

15. Thomas Sorber, F/C, Thunder

Sorber will miss the entire season due to a torn ACL.

Grade: Incomplete

16. Yang Hansen, C, Trail Blazers

Stats: 7.8 MPG, 3.1 PPG, 40.6 TS%, 1.7 RPG, 0.8 APG, 0.4 STL + BLK

Hansen's welcome to the NBA has been a lot ruder than his preseason highlights suggested it would be, but the big man appeared more confident when he returned to the Blazers' lineup following a three-week hiatus and G League stint.

Grade: C-

17. Joan Beringer, F/C, Timberwolves

Stats: 4.1 MPG, 2.0 PPG, 73.1 TS%, 1.3 RPG, 0.3 STL + BLK

Beringer's sparse minutes have come in garbage time, but he hasn't needed much time to flash his intriguing combination of length and athleticism.

Grade: C+

18. Walter Clayton Jr., G, Jazz

Stats: 15.9 MPG, 5.4 PPG, 52.1 TS%, 2.1 RPG, 3.2 APG, 0.8 STL + BLK

Clayton started strong but eventually lost his rotation spot once reserve guard Isaiah Collier returned from injury. His all-around game popped in his G League debut, just as it did in his first taste of NBA action.

Grade: B-

19. Nolan Traore, G, Nets

Stats: 8.8 MPG, 1.8 PPG, 35.4 TS%, 0.3 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.5 STL + BLK

The 19-year-old got some run in the opening week of the season, but he was obviously overmatched and has since bounced between the G League and the big club. Traore's been productive for the Long Island Nets and carries obvious upside, though he doesn't look like an NBA player yet.

Grade: D+

20. Kasparas Jakucionis, G, Heat

Jakucionis has yet to see an NBA floor, as he was limited by a groin injury early and has since been assigned to the G League, where he's been filling the stat sheet and trying to find his jumper still.

Grade: Incomplete

21. Will Riley, F, Wizards

Stats: 6.9 MPG, 2.2 PPG, 46.8 TS%, 1.4 RPG, 0.9 APG, 0.3 STL + BLK

Although Riley hasn't had much time to showcase himself yet, he seems like a crafty player who can put the ball on the floor and create for himself. He fared well in a couple G League games, averaging 21 points, four rebounds, and four assists on 58% shooting.

Grade: C

22. Drake Powell, G, Nets

Stats: 18.9 MPG, 6.9 PPG, 62.6 TS%, 2.0 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.0 STL + BLK

The lowly Nets have provided an opportunity for Powell to play out of the gate, but he's earned it. The 20-year-old has been efficient in his limited offensive role and already looks like a plus-defender on the perimeter, which is no small feat for a rookie.

Grade: B+

23. Asa Newell, F/C, Hawks

Stats: 8.1 MPG, 4.3 PPG, 63.6 TS%, 1.6 RPG, 0.1 APG, 0.7 STL + BLK

Like many players on the latter half of this list, Newell hasn't played enough for his numbers to reveal much. However, during the only two games in which the big man logged more than 10 minutes, he recorded a double-double against the Thunder then had 17 points, five rebounds, and four steals in a win over the Lakers. Newell has the makings of an energetic stretch-big.

Grade: B

24. Nique Clifford, G/F, Kings

Stats: 17.2 MPG, 4.3 PPG, 46.9 TS%, 2.9 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.7 STL + BLK

Clifford's minutes have tailed off lately after he received regular opportunities early in the season. He's a bouncy player who can defend and moves well off the ball, but things haven't fallen into place for him yet as a pro.

Grade: C+

25. Jase Richardson, G, Magic

Stats: 5.8 MPG, 2.4 PPG, 62.1 TS%, 0.7 RPG, 0.9 APG

Richardson hasn't played many meaningful minutes for a Magic team that's trying to win now, but he showed Orlando something in his first taste of rotation action Sunday against Boston, scoring 18 points in 21 minutes. The guy can shoot, and his playmaking chops are underrated. Don't be surprised if head coach Jamahl Mosley starts leaning on him more as the campaign progresses.

Grade: B

26. Ben Saraf, G, Nets

Stats: 13.9 MPG, 3.3 PPG, 37.7 TS%, 1.9 RPG, 2.4 APG, 0.3 STL + BLK

Saraf's playmaking vision is obvious, but he looked out of place on an NBA court and turned the ball over too often in the G League. Then, he suffered an ankle injury that's currently sidelining him.

Grade: C-

27. Danny Wolf, F/C, Nets

Although Wolf has played just eight minutes across three games, he's been absolutely tearing it up in the G League, where he's averaging 21 points and 11 rebounds on 63% true shooting. Wolf's scoring, rebounding, and court vision should be on display sooner than later at the NBA level.

Grade: B-

28. Hugo Gonzalez, G/F, Celtics

Stats: 11.6 MPG, 2.6 PPG, 51.0 TS%, 1.8 RPG, 0.7 APG, 1.0 STL + BLK

It's not easy for an international teenager to make the transition to the NBA, but the Spanish swingman has earned playing time in Boston, where head coach Joe Mazzulla has been impressed by Gonzalez's defensive instincts. That counts for something.

Grade: B-

29. Liam McNeeley, G/F, Hornets

Stats: 13.3 MPG, 4.2 PPG, 50.4 TS%, 2.3 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.3 STL + BLK

McNeeley has struggled in nearly every facet of the game thus far and seems like an obvious candidate to benefit from some extended G League run.

Grade: D+

30. Yanic Konan Niederhauser, C, Clippers

Stats: 5.0 MPG, 3.1 PPG, 71.3 TS%, 1.5 RPG, 0.4 APG, 0.3 STL + BLK

Niederhauser probably won't factor into the Clippers' rotation this year, but between the preseason and his recent G League stint, the Swiss big man has shown me something. He's a great athlete for a 6-foot-11, 240-pounder.

Grade: C

Joseph Casciaro is theScore's lead NBA reporter.