Dillon Jones Headlines 2025 NBA G League Draft, Taken First by Lakers Affiliate
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The NBA G League conducted its annual draft for the 2025-26 season on Saturday afternoon, October 25. All 30 NBA affiliates and the independent Mexico City Capitanes made selections from a pool of players who had signed G League contracts but were not already tied to a club’s returning rights.
South Bay, the Los Angeles Lakers’ affiliate, owned the top pick and chose 23-year-old forward Dillon Jones. A first-round pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2024 NBA Draft (No. 26 overall), Jones appeared in 54 games as an NBA rookie, averaging 2.5 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 10.2 minutes. Oklahoma City traded him to Washington in June, and the Wizards waived him last weekend while remaining responsible for $2,753,280 in guaranteed salary. Selecting Jones gives the Lakers organization an up-close look without affecting his NBA free-agent status.
With the second selection, the Osceola Magic grabbed 20-year-old power forward Tyler Smith. Smith, the No. 33 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, was cut by Milwaukee after narrowly missing the Bucks’ final roster.
Capital City Go-Go—the Washington Wizards’ affiliate—controlled three of the next four picks, choosing Ace Baldwin at No. 3, Nolan Hickman at No. 5 and Cam Carter at No. 6. Grand Rapids Gold (Denver Nuggets) interrupted that run at No. 4 by taking Adama Bal.
Second-generation talent was also on display. Jamal Mashburn Jr. went No. 8 to the Westchester Knicks, while Jabri Abdur-Rahim—son of G League president Shareef Abdur-Rahim—was selected No. 29 by the Stockton Kings.
Round 1 Selections
- South Bay Lakers (Lakers): Dillon Jones
- Osceola Magic (Magic): Tyler Smith
- Capital City Go-Go (Wizards): Ace Baldwin
- Grand Rapids Gold (Nuggets): Adama Bal
- Capital City Go-Go (Wizards): Nolan Hickman
- Capital City Go-Go (Wizards): Cam Carter
- Motor City Cruise (Pistons): Stefan Todorovic
- Westchester Knicks (Knicks): Jamal Mashburn Jr.
- Greensboro Swarm (Hornets): Ethan Taylor
- Raptors 905 (Raptors): A.J. Hoggard
- Texas Legends (Mavericks): Kario Oquendo
- Grand Rapids Gold (Nuggets): Kenan Blackshear
- Oklahoma City Blue (Thunder): Vinicius da Silva (Brazil)
- Sioux Falls Skyforce (Heat): Josh Cohen
- Texas Legends (Mavericks): Cearius Warren (St. Thomas University)
- Osceola Magic (Magic): Ebenezer Dowuona
- Oklahoma City Blue (Thunder): John Harge (Adams State University)
- Birmingham Squadron (Pelicans): Tray Jackson
- Westchester Knicks (Knicks): Jaden Seymour
- Birmingham Squadron (Pelicans): Chris Mantis
- College Park Skyhawks (Hawks): Tyrin Lawrence
- Raptors 905 (Raptors): JP Pegues
- Greensboro Swarm (Hornets): Olisa Akonobi
- Oklahoma City Blue (Thunder): No pick
- South Bay Lakers (Lakers): Selton Miguel
- Motor City Cruise (Pistons): O’Mar Stanley
- Noblesville Boom (Pacers): Ben Coupet Jr.
- Salt Lake City Stars (Jazz): Des Watson
- Stockton Kings (Kings): Jabri Abdur-Rahim
- Salt Lake City Stars (Jazz): Carter Whitt
- Capital City Go-Go (Wizards): J.Z. Zaher
Round 2 Highlights
Round 2 opened with the Texas Legends selecting Sean Durugordon. Other notable names included Jermaine Couisnard (Salt Lake City Stars), Bryce Thompson (Valley Suns) and Fousseyni Drame (Westchester Knicks). Several clubs passed on their allocated picks as the round progressed.
Next Steps
Teams will complete their rosters with affiliate, returning-rights and tryout players, along with NBA assignments and two-way contract holders. Training camps open Monday, and the NBAGL Tip-Off Tournament begins November 7. The regular season is set to start December 19.
Source: HoopsRumors
