The Official 2025 Draft Grades And Post-Draft Analysis Thread

[Inigo Montoya]

This thread is meant for us to give our thoughts on the Jazz's draft night, give grades for every pick, for the Jazz draft as a whole, and post grades and pick analysis from sources around the league.

[babyjax13]

4: Ace Bailey
I give this one an A. I really think he has a ton of potential.

18: Walter Clayton Jr.
C. I would not have complained much at 21, but with Jakucionis on the board still I really, really do not like this. Also, another undersized guard? Gross.

[FarBeyondDriven]

Ace - A.
I don't care that he is seemingly a knucklehead. He may have high bust potential and he's got glaring flaws too. But, the man isn't afraid to shoot and impose his will. He's got prototypical SF size and athleticism and he is a natural scorer that flashes on defense. Congrats, you got yourself a dawg.

Clayton Jr. - D
why? Why draft yet another undersized combo guard when you're already 4 deep? So many better options on the board.

[Inigo Montoya]

Ace: A-
I wanted either Johnson or Bailey so I'm happy with that, but would have preferred Tre Johnson. On the positive side, Bailey has the potential to be the best player in the draft, and the Jazz ended up not being hurt by dropping to 5. He also fills a position of need. On the negative side, he's high risk and has holes in his game, and he also did not want to go to the Jazz (suck it up, buttercup!).

Clayton Jr.: D
I don't get this pick. He's 22 years old, with average size. He's looking like a scoring backup PG, and there are a ton of those to sign in every free agency, not to mention the Jazz already have several of those on their roster. The instinct to move up was right, but they picked the wrong player, as Traore and Kasparas where both on the board. They are both 19, bigger and with higher upside. WCJ is likely a backup if he pans out. Traore and Kasparas are starters or even more than that if they pan out. It's not that WCJ is a bad player, it's just that the type of player he is can be found very easily in free agency or on the Jazz's own roster. It's a pick with zero upside unless he somehow becomes Jalen Brunson.

[Daddy 801]

I give and A- for Ace. Swing for the fences.

My initial reaction for Clayton was a C, but after watching film, reading stats, etc I give it an B-. At his draft range if he becomes who I think he will be it’s a good pick. I think he can be a rotation 15-20 mins a night spark and fill in starter mins from time to time with injury. If he can do that it’s a good pick at 18.

[Inigo Montoya]

I give and A- for Ace. Swing for the fences.

My initial reaction for Clayton was a C, but after watching film, reading stats, etc I give it an B-. At his draft range if he becomes who I think he will be it’s a good pick. I think he can be a rotation 15-20 mins a night spark and fill in starter mins from time to time with injury. If he can do that it’s a good pick at 18.

It'd be a good outcome for the 18th pick but we also need to take into account who else was available, and if Kasparas or Traore turn out significantly better then it wouldn't be such a great pick.

But all the media seems to think this was a great pick and I didn't really consider him to be in the mix, and it's not like I followed college ball all that closely last season so what do I know.

[WinterSoldier]

Ace, I'll give and A grade. Getting that upside at 5 is the whole point of drafting in the top 5.

Clayton, a D grade. He's the same age or older than many of our other combo guards. I'm sure he's a great kid who impressed our very easy to impress FO. I don't understand the purpose of this pick and it brings into question the level of competency of baby-Ainge.

The 2nd round is an easy F grade. Oldest prospect in the draft that has very low chance of being on the roster in a few years. I would rather them trade away 2nd rounders that they clearly don't care in the least bit about.

[Catchall]

I had Ace Bailey as the de facto Paul George of this draft (PG entering the draft from Fresno St.). I had Ace and Tre at 3 and 4, respectively, on my board. Having the choice between these two guys at #5 is about as well as the draft could have unfolded for the Jazz. The Jazz wanted Ace and took the swing. I'll give it an 'A.'

I didn't really follow Walter Clayton Jr. until this year's tournament. He's this year's upperclassman who built his stock with a standout tournament run. Historically, this is the type of player teams should be wary of. However, I'll respect the Jazz's effort to trade up for him and grab him ahead of Miami, where he was rumored to have a promise. It's obvious that the Jazz want shotmaking. I'll give it a 'B.'