Individual Daily Draft Prospect Discussion/Index

[Chi town]

Fears and Tre and the next guy all fall under the same category for me. Offensive game is so strong that defensive shortcomings can be overlooked...for most/many teams

Yep

[Chi town]

Queen is a fun watch… on another team.

Don’t want. Think he’s an underachiever with all that talent. Maybe a guy like Spo could get it all out of him. He should be a good PNR defender because he’s light on his feet but he’s not. No rim protection.

He’d have to become a good 3pt shooter and FT rate guy to have enough offense to cover his D.

[Guru]

All 3 of Queen-Flowers and Tre J are flawed, in all the ways you suggest, but I see all as the last 3 that have the biggest potential to be stars outside of the top 4.

[Guru]

8 F-Collin Murray-Boyles-S Carolina 4/20/2025

SCOUTING REPORT BY Danny Chau
It might not be a smart move trying to pitch the idea of Murray-Boyles in an elevator. He’s a remarkable defender who blends instinct and intelligence with strength, catlike reflexes, and lateral agility that’s unique for his frame. But … he’s a tweener (strike one) who doesn’t really shoot (strike two) and whose obvious playmaking vision and instincts are stymied by a neutral assist-to-turnover ratio (strike three)—without the absurd athleticism that allowed a player like Zion Williamson to transcend such mortal limitations (OK, we’re done here, pal).

There aren’t too many success stories in the NBA with a prospect profile like CMB’s. That’s a significant barrier; teams are looking for precedents to follow. Just watch him play, though. It isn’t hard to imagine Murray-Boyles as a Swiss Army knife in the pick-and-roll on both sides of the ball. He can rumble into a blitz, creating havoc for the ball handler with his quick hands and broad frame; he can operate in the two-man game himself as either the initiator or the roller. He has the quickest hands in the class and would be a terror as a help defender digging at the nail. CMB’s brand of versatility may be unorthodox, but his particular gifts and outright motor could give shape to a defense.

On offense, Murray-Boyles is a handful in the post, where his power, footwork, and passing vision really shine. Of course, there aren’t many teams in the NBA clamoring for a 6-foot-7 post hub these days. South Carolina has given CMB plenty of room to explore the limits of his offensive repertoire—his usage rate is up there with the biggest names in college basketball. His on-ball creation is still a work in progress, as evidenced by his turnovers, but for a player with his oxlike frame, Murray-Boyles has shown the ability to vary his drives by changing speeds and accentuating either his touch or his bullying force, depending on the situation.

As reductive as it sounds, CMB’s trajectory could very well come down to his shooting. Draymond Green once had positional concerns despite outstanding defensive aptitude, but his gradual improvements from behind the arc (and a David Lee hamstring injury) ultimately helped him get his foot in the door at Golden State. It’ll be an uphill climb for Murray-Boyles, but teams have been looking for their own personal Draymonds for more than a decade, and CMB actually has the skill set, not just the chalk outline of one, to make it happen.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

[sco]

8 F-Collin Murray-Boyles-S Carolina 4/20/2025

SCOUTING REPORT BY Danny Chau
It might not be a smart move trying to pitch the idea of Murray-Boyles in an elevator. He’s a remarkable defender who blends instinct and intelligence with strength, catlike reflexes, and lateral agility that’s unique for his frame. But … he’s a tweener (strike one) who doesn’t really shoot (strike two) and whose obvious playmaking vision and instincts are stymied by a neutral assist-to-turnover ratio (strike three)—without the absurd athleticism that allowed a player like Zion Williamson to transcend such mortal limitations (OK, we’re done here, pal).

There aren’t too many success stories in the NBA with a prospect profile like CMB’s. That’s a significant barrier; teams are looking for precedents to follow. Just watch him play, though. It isn’t hard to imagine Murray-Boyles as a Swiss Army knife in the pick-and-roll on both sides of the ball. He can rumble into a blitz, creating havoc for the ball handler with his quick hands and broad frame; he can operate in the two-man game himself as either the initiator or the roller. He has the quickest hands in the class and would be a terror as a help defender digging at the nail. CMB’s brand of versatility may be unorthodox, but his particular gifts and outright motor could give shape to a defense.

On offense, Murray-Boyles is a handful in the post, where his power, footwork, and passing vision really shine. Of course, there aren’t many teams in the NBA clamoring for a 6-foot-7 post hub these days. South Carolina has given CMB plenty of room to explore the limits of his offensive repertoire—his usage rate is up there with the biggest names in college basketball. His on-ball creation is still a work in progress, as evidenced by his turnovers, but for a player with his oxlike frame, Murray-Boyles has shown the ability to vary his drives by changing speeds and accentuating either his touch or his bullying force, depending on the situation.

As reductive as it sounds, CMB’s trajectory could very well come down to his shooting. Draymond Green once had positional concerns despite outstanding defensive aptitude, but his gradual improvements from behind the arc (and a David Lee hamstring injury) ultimately helped him get his foot in the door at Golden State. It’ll be an uphill climb for Murray-Boyles, but teams have been looking for their own personal Draymonds for more than a decade, and CMB actually has the skill set, not just the chalk outline of one, to make it happen.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

I for sure wouldn't hate that pick, but I do worry that he's just another guy who falls into the Phillips Terry bucket of a B+ defender C offensive player. Again, unless an A+ defender with great ball and finishing skills, you really don't get to start in the NBA without a legit 3 ball. Also, if we are going defense, I'd prefer getting a guy who is a better POA guy against guards.

[2weekswithpay]

CMB is the second best prospect on defense after Flagg. He has a great frame that allows him to wall up drives and defend in the post. Enough footspeed to switch onto the perimeter and defend guards. Long arms to contest shots and get into passing lanes. The IQ and anticipation to put it all together as a high-level defender.

With that said, his offensive shortcomings are very much a concern. He can't shoot the ball. His form isn't broken, but the indicators aren't positive. 70% from the line and under 30% from 3. Everyone loves to say that shooting is the easiest thing to improve, and while true, for most players, the improvement is marginal. Dalen Terry improved, but no respectable team cares about 36% on 1.4 attempts.

CMB is extremely left hand dominant. Not an issue in college, but this kind of flaw is easy to game plan against. We see it with Julius Randle. Players know he wants to drive left, and if he gets near the basket, sit on his right shoulder because he wants to get back to his left. The driving and passing are a plus at his age and position, but I think people can overstate his offensive capabilities. He should be a good connector, short roll, extra pass guy who drives when teams give him open lanes, but he isn't going to create offense.

CMB looks to be 6'7/6'8. He has long arms, but he's still short with mediocre athleticism.

Everyone wants Draymond, but Draymond is one of one. He's one of the best defenders in NBA history. The defense is so good that you play Draymond with his shortcomings on offense. You acquire talent so that you can play Draymond more minutes and in more lineups. CMB is a good defender, but most of the time, good isn't enough to warrant consistent playing time if the offense is bad.

I have him behind Maluach and maybe Newell. CMB has better auxiliary skills than both, but Maluach's size gives him a clearer path to being a two-way big IMO. Newell has better shooting indicators, which might give him a slight edge.

[TheSuzerain]

Queen is a run to the podium situation.

Calling him an underachiever is bizarre when he was the 2nd best freshman this year after Flagg in terms of actually anchoring a winning ball club.

[drosestruts]

I wouldn't draft Queen or CMB if they feel to us.

Maube they're truley unique players, but there's not much of a successful archetype for either player right now and I wouldn't be the one to bet on either being the one to break the mold.

[sco]

Queen is a run to the podium situation.

Calling him an underachiever is bizarre when he was the 2nd best freshman this year after Flagg in terms of actually anchoring a winning ball club.

I am a big believer in BPA. Queen and Maluach are the two guys at 11 or 12 that could actually be the BPA's. I've been against both when I thought we'd be as high as 8, but at 12 I might be ok because my expectations are lower there. Either guy COULD be good, but I just get nervous about drafting a C in the lottery...the risk/reward for that position just feels lower. So many of the better C's in the league were drafted lower and so many highly drafted C's have busted.

I look at Queen and I get the Sabonis/Vuc "ick's". Highly skilled offensive players who can be a hub facilitator/rebounder/scorer that turns your team into a lay-up line on defense. I think I have PTSD from the first quarter of the play-in game from that.

[wolffy]

We need a big size upgrade. So many good teams are running two 7 footers out there now. A lot of big stretch fours that can still cover the lane if the other big gets screened.

[Ralphb07]

CMB would be a solid selection. I have a few ahead of him that I would take at 12, but CMB would bring something the Bulls just don't have right now.

[ChettheJet]

Things will shake out A LOT at draft camp. Some guys will measure more or less than they have. When they measure vertical leap, there's no cheating. They'll run those agility drills and some might look better or worse. We'll see who looks to have some endurance. When they run 5on5 you'll see who can listen to a coach. And when they do interviews some guys are going to drop if they sound like knuckleheads.

[Shill]

Queen is a run to the podium situation.

Calling him an underachiever is bizarre when he was the 2nd best freshman this year after Flagg in terms of actually anchoring a winning ball club.

No concerns about his defense?

[Chi town]

We need a big size upgrade. So many good teams are running two 7 footers out there now. A lot of big stretch fours that can still cover the lane if the other big gets screened.

This is why I’m not a CMB fan.

We have seen what Buz’s length does.

I want to believe in CMB. I just don’t.

[TheSuzerain]

Queen is a run to the podium situation.

Calling him an underachiever is bizarre when he was the 2nd best freshman this year after Flagg in terms of actually anchoring a winning ball club.

No concerns about his defense?

Some. But he's strong with long arms and good hands.

And you're drafting him for the offense.

[Guru]

CMB is who I want from this draft.

His D is very good, his passing is very good, he's strong, he's got a great BBIQ, and he's very good on offense.

He's probably going to end up in the 6-6 range and he doesn't have great shooting. I still think he's a great fit.

His shooting, in 2 years with SC he shot 39 threes, 34 in 2024. He has a nice stroke, but his feet are off and he barely jumps.
I thought he had poor athleticism, but thats just not true. He can jump, at times he just obliterates the rim, he's extremely quick, and on defense he moves very quickly (and smartly). There was an NFL RB who used to get up slowly after every time he was tackled. Im not saying that's what he's doing, but you do get the vibe he's conserving energy and only using so much energy.

He was on a terrible team.

Put him on a team that likes to run, he will battle for rebounds, and then be instant offense in the other direction.

I get that he isn't a perfect stereotype of what we want but I get Charles Barkley vibes on this guy. I won't pretend I remember a ton about Barkley but what I do was this rare BBIQ and him exerting himself on his opponent. Probably wrong but I just get the vibe of a guy that I will win depsite his deficiencies.

[wolffy]

CMB is who I want from this draft.

His D is very good, his passing is very good, he's strong, he's got a great BBIQ, and he's very good on offense.

He's probably going to end up in the 6-6 range and he doesn't have great shooting. I still think he's a great fit.

His shooting, in 2 years with SC he shot 39 threes, 34 in 2024. He has a nice stroke, but his feet are off and he barely jumps.
I thought he had poor athleticism, but thats just not true. He can jump, at times he just obliterates the rim, he's extremely quick, and on defense he moves very quickly (and smartly). There was an NFL RB who used to get up slowly after every time he was tackled. Im not saying that's what he's doing, but you do get the vibe he's conserving energy and only using so much energy.

He was on a terrible team.

Put him on a team that likes to run, he will battle for rebounds, and then be instant offense in the other direction.

I get that he isn't a perfect stereotype of what we want but I get Charles Barkley vibes on this guy. I won't pretend I remember a ton about Barkley but what I do was this rare BBIQ and him exerting himself on his opponent. Probably wrong but I just get the vibe of a guy that I will win depsite his deficiencies.

I just don't see the "he's very good on offense" thing.
His shooting is pretty scary tbh

[Guru]

9 G-Jase Richardson-Michigan St 4/21/2025

SCOUTING REPORT BY Danny Chau
Jase didn’t inherit his father Jason’s dunk-contest-winning explosiveness, but a childhood spent in and around NBA circles has definite advantages. Richardson has a high-level understanding of the game and his place in it—an aptitude that has all but forced longtime Michigan State coach Tom Izzo to play his star freshman in big minutes during the final stretch of the NCAA season even though he’s famously youngblood averse. Should he declare, Jase would be only the fifth one-and-done Spartan since 1952.

Richardson’s season is a case study in how teams can approach his floor and ceiling. In a lower-usage role to start the year, Jase made the most of his time by working diligently off the ball. He’s crisp and decisive in his movement and relocation, with the legitimate deep range and accuracy to apply pressure on the defense in subtle ways. While on the smaller side as a combo guard, his instincts, hand-eye coordination, and motor make him an effective off-ball defender. At the very least, Richardson projects as a no-nonsense two-way role player next to a bigger initiator.

However, as his role expanded in East Lansing, flashes of high-level self-creation became more and more common. Jase has a compact frame that seems destined to add on muscle in the coming years, but he relies on delicate footwork to create leverage against the defense. He also has the lower-body range of motion, as well as the excellent stop-start ability, to create seamless stepbacks and complex dribbling chains. While he doesn’t exactly have top-tier vision or creativity as a facilitator, he does show poise and timing running the pick-and-roll. All it takes is one team to see the vision of him as a lead guard—there have been plenty of franchises that have tried to craft point guards from players with lesser shooting and handling talent.

Richardson’s lack of size for his position is a clear concern, but the league has gotten better at understanding intrinsic value and is less beholden to familiar shapes and molds. There is a versatility and scalability in Richardson’s skill set that presents a high enough floor to bet on.

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[sco]

I don't hate Richardson. Sorta gives me Brunson vibes. Could be a good 6th man or White insurance. I'm a fan of high BBIQ good footwork guys who are crafty and can create separation in the paint. He looks passable on defense too.

[drosestruts]

I have Richardson much higher than most.

I just see a guy that at worst is a positive impact contributing role player, at best blossoms into a Brunson/Ben Gordon type player.

I like the safeness in feeling confident Jase won't be a bust nor will he take 4 years to make positive contributions on an NBA court.