2025 NBA Draft Prospects

[sco]

I wonder if Kasparus will be our guy (or at least AKME’s guy).

There’s some pretty strong connections there with Illinois and a Lithuanian so I’m sure they will know everything there is to know about him.

I like Kasparus, but I do hate that AK seems to have way too much love for local/regional favorites in general. It's a big country/world out there. All I can assume is that our talent scouts only get reimbursed for bus travel!

[DuckIII]

I wonder if Kasparus will be our guy (or at least AKME’s guy).

There’s some pretty strong connections there with Illinois and a Lithuanian so I’m sure they will know everything there is to know about him.

I like Kasparus, but I do hate that AK seems to have way too much love for local/regional favorites in general. It's a big country/world out there. All I can assume is that our talent scouts only get reimbursed for bus travel!

I think AK is arguably the worst GM in the game. But how has his presumed affinity for regional favorites in any way been a negative? It’s probably the only reason he drafted Ayo which was a huge win for the 38th pick in the draft and even if you assume it had something to do with Matas he was pretty clearly one of the steals of the draft.

Everyone else “local” (Liddell, THT) are meaningless bench scrubs who are just brought in as long shots for deep bench roles on a team going nowhere.

[sco]

I wonder if Kasparus will be our guy (or at least AKME’s guy).

There’s some pretty strong connections there with Illinois and a Lithuanian so I’m sure they will know everything there is to know about him.

I like Kasparus, but I do hate that AK seems to have way too much love for local/regional favorites in general. It's a big country/world out there. All I can assume is that our talent scouts only get reimbursed for bus travel!

I think AK is arguably the worst GM in the game. But how has his presumed affinity for regional favorites in any way been a negative? It’s probably the only reason he drafted Ayo which was a huge win for the 38th pick in the draft and even if you assume it had something to do with Matas he was pretty clearly one of the steals of the draft.

Everyone else “local” (Liddell, THT) are meaningless bench scrubs who are just brought in as long shots for deep bench roles on a team going nowhere.

I am bothered only from the perspective that he should be casting the widest possible net to find deep bench prospect, because in today's league, you need to get lucky to build a winner, and hitting on one of those guys is a way to do it. Don't want local bias over talent bias. It also gives me the vibe that "we're not putting a good team out there, but here are some local products to watch".

[DuckIII]

I like Kasparus, but I do hate that AK seems to have way too much love for local/regional favorites in general. It's a big country/world out there. All I can assume is that our talent scouts only get reimbursed for bus travel!

I think AK is arguably the worst GM in the game. But how has his presumed affinity for regional favorites in any way been a negative? It’s probably the only reason he drafted Ayo which was a huge win for the 38th pick in the draft and even if you assume it had something to do with Matas he was pretty clearly one of the steals of the draft.

Everyone else “local” (Liddell, THT) are meaningless bench scrubs who are just brought in as long shots for deep bench roles on a team going nowhere.

I am bothered only from the perspective that he should be casting the widest possible net to find deep bench prospect, because in today's league, you need to get lucky to build a winner, and hitting on one of those guys is a way to do it. Don't want local bias over talent bias. It also gives me the vibe that "we're not putting a good team out there, but here are some local products to watch".

You had it in the context of KJ. One has nothing to do with the other.

But I agree about the bench scrubs but it also doesn’t really matter much.

[jordanwilliams6]

I like Kasparus, but I do hate that AK seems to have way too much love for local/regional favorites in general. It's a big country/world out there. All I can assume is that our talent scouts only get reimbursed for bus travel!

I think AK is arguably the worst GM in the game. But how has his presumed affinity for regional favorites in any way been a negative? It’s probably the only reason he drafted Ayo which was a huge win for the 38th pick in the draft and even if you assume it had something to do with Matas he was pretty clearly one of the steals of the draft.

Everyone else “local” (Liddell, THT) are meaningless bench scrubs who are just brought in as long shots for deep bench roles on a team going nowhere.

I am bothered only from the perspective that he should be casting the widest possible net to find deep bench prospect, because in today's league, you need to get lucky to build a winner, and hitting on one of those guys is a way to do it. Don't want local bias over talent bias. It also gives me the vibe that "we're not putting a good team out there, but here are some local products to watch".

I meant it really doesn’t make sense to criticise.

I’m not a THT fan but he’s 24 years old and putting h up 25/5/5 on 55/50 shooting splits per 36. For his contract he’s actually played quite well this year.

I also really like Liddell in his draft year before his ACL. Once we expectedly clear out Vuc, I’m sure we’ll see an increased role for him. I think he has the ability to develop into a solid backup big similar to Jalen Smith.

[rosenthall]

I actually think Flagg is better off if he drops in the draft a little bit. He raises your ceiling more than your floor. He strikes me as more of a Draymond type than an AD type, and wouldn't function as well if he's the hub of what a team is trying to do.

[Jstock12]

Let's not overlook the fact that Cooper Flagg reclassified. He should be dominating at the high school level this season.

I don’t think anyone could forget. Age/experience have become central to his case for #1.

At this point I think it might be a source of him being a little overrated. Go look at the college numbers for KAT, AD and Zion. Now THOSE are the stats of top-tier prospects.

Cooper's clearly a tier below. And I agree you do see it with the way he labors to make his impact. Those guys effortlessly dominated. Flagg seems like he has to fight for what he gets.

He's still a legit #1 prospect, but he's more attractive for his floor than ceiling.

That's a nice way of putting it.

I also really like Vecenie's comp for Flagg as a "Franz Wagner 2.0 but with a higher defensive ceiling".

[sco]

I don’t think anyone could forget. Age/experience have become central to his case for #1.

At this point I think it might be a source of him being a little overrated. Go look at the college numbers for KAT, AD and Zion. Now THOSE are the stats of top-tier prospects.

Cooper's clearly a tier below. And I agree you do see it with the way he labors to make his impact. Those guys effortlessly dominated. Flagg seems like he has to fight for what he gets.

He's still a legit #1 prospect, but he's more attractive for his floor than ceiling.

That's a nice way of putting it.

I also really like Vecenie's comp for Flagg as a "Franz Wagner 2.0 but with a higher defensive ceiling".

I was thinking about that, but Franz is a better ball handler but isn't a great shooter. I sorta see him more of a AD comp in terms of style/skillset.

[Jcool0]

Let's not overlook the fact that Cooper Flagg reclassified. He should be dominating at the high school level this season.

I don’t think anyone could forget. Age/experience have become central to his case for #1.

At this point I think it might be a source of him being a little overrated. Go look at the college numbers for KAT, AD and Zion. Now THOSE are the stats of top-tier prospects.

Cooper's clearly a tier below. And I agree you do see it with the way he labors to make his impact. Those guys effortlessly dominated. Flagg seems like he has to fight for what he gets.

He's still a legit #1 prospect, but he's more attractive for his floor than ceiling.

Anthony Davis averaged 14.2/10.3/4.7 at Kentucky. KAT averaged 10.3/6.7/2.3 at Kentucky. Zion was 22.6/8.9/1.8 at Duke. Copper is currently 15.9/9/1.4. Maybe should of checked before making the statement.

[Chi town]

Just showed AK at the Rutgers game. Ace hits the 3 to take the lead. Timeout. AK right behind bench/score table

[Chi town]

Harper with the game winning buzzer beater.

Him and Ace both missed both FTs under a min left.

[Jcool0]

Harper with i think 18 2nd half points with a game winning 3 against a now 5-6 Seaton Hall team. Bailey and Harper went 0-4 from the line in the last minute of the game. Bailey was 1-8 on FTA. Harper and Bailey combined 8 TO. Both finished with over 20 points. Mixed bag.

[Muzbar]

I don’t think anyone could forget. Age/experience have become central to his case for #1.

At this point I think it might be a source of him being a little overrated. Go look at the college numbers for KAT, AD and Zion. Now THOSE are the stats of top-tier prospects.

Cooper's clearly a tier below. And I agree you do see it with the way he labors to make his impact. Those guys effortlessly dominated. Flagg seems like he has to fight for what he gets.

He's still a legit #1 prospect, but he's more attractive for his floor than ceiling.

Anthony Davis averaged 14.2/10.3/4.7 at Kentucky. KAT averaged 10.3/6.7/2.3 at Kentucky. Zion was 22.6/8.9/1.8 at Duke. Copper is currently 15.9/9/1.4. Maybe should of checked before making the statement.

Davis' percentages - FG: 62%, 3PT: 15% (he also barely shot them, FT: 70%.

KAT's percentages - FG: 56%, 3PT: 25% (also barely shot them), FT: 81%.

Zion's percentages - FG: 68%, 3PT: 34% (on 2 attempts), FT: 75%.

Flagg's percentages - FG: 43%, 3PT: 22% (on nearly 4 attempts), 73%.

You left these stats out.

[Jcool0]

At this point I think it might be a source of him being a little overrated. Go look at the college numbers for KAT, AD and Zion. Now THOSE are the stats of top-tier prospects.

Cooper's clearly a tier below. And I agree you do see it with the way he labors to make his impact. Those guys effortlessly dominated. Flagg seems like he has to fight for what he gets.

He's still a legit #1 prospect, but he's more attractive for his floor than ceiling.

Anthony Davis averaged 14.2/10.3/4.7 at Kentucky. KAT averaged 10.3/6.7/2.3 at Kentucky. Zion was 22.6/8.9/1.8 at Duke. Copper is currently 15.9/9/1.4. Maybe should of checked before making the statement.

Davis' percentages - FG: 62%, 3PT: 15% (he also barely shot them, FT: 70%.

KAT's percentages - FG: 56%, 3PT: 25% (also barely shot them), FT: 81%.

Zion's percentages - FG: 68%, 3PT: 34% (on 2 attempts), FT: 75%.

Flagg's percentages - FG: 43%, 3PT: 22% (on nearly 4 attempts), 73%.

You left these stats out.

You also left this out:

Zion: 13.2 FGA

Davis: 8.4 FGA

KAT: 6.6 FGA

Flagg: 13.3 FGA

So the only one really putting up top tier stats was Zion.

[DuckIII]

I don’t think anyone could forget. Age/experience have become central to his case for #1.

At this point I think it might be a source of him being a little overrated. Go look at the college numbers for KAT, AD and Zion. Now THOSE are the stats of top-tier prospects.

Cooper's clearly a tier below. And I agree you do see it with the way he labors to make his impact. Those guys effortlessly dominated. Flagg seems like he has to fight for what he gets.

He's still a legit #1 prospect, but he's more attractive for his floor than ceiling.

Anthony Davis averaged 14.2/10.3/4.7 at Kentucky. KAT averaged 10.3/6.7/2.3 at Kentucky. Zion was 22.6/8.9/1.8 at Duke. Copper is currently 15.9/9/1.4. Maybe should of checked before making the statement.

College counting stats mean less than jack and just a little more than **** when it comes to evaluating the talent level and style of play of prospects.

[Jcool0]

At this point I think it might be a source of him being a little overrated. Go look at the college numbers for KAT, AD and Zion. Now THOSE are the stats of top-tier prospects.

Cooper's clearly a tier below. And I agree you do see it with the way he labors to make his impact. Those guys effortlessly dominated. Flagg seems like he has to fight for what he gets.

He's still a legit #1 prospect, but he's more attractive for his floor than ceiling.

Anthony Davis averaged 14.2/10.3/4.7 at Kentucky. KAT averaged 10.3/6.7/2.3 at Kentucky. Zion was 22.6/8.9/1.8 at Duke. Copper is currently 15.9/9/1.4. Maybe should of checked before making the statement.

College counting stats mean less than jack and just a little more than **** when it comes to evaluating the talent level and style of play of prospects.

100%. I was only responding to the person claiming Davis and KAT put up top tier numbers as a way to knock Flagg.

[Jcool0]

Kasparas Jakucionis with 8 points on 2 possessions. Looking like a top 5 pick.

[2weekswithpay]

Jakucionis with 22/3/2 with 7 TOs.

It was a mixed bag against Tennessee. He reminded me of Haliburton. He has good size, shooting, and passing but only average athleticism. I doubt he'll reach Haliburton's offensive production, but players who can shoot, dribble, and pass are safe bets to be productive NBA players.

[DuckIII]

Anthony Davis averaged 14.2/10.3/4.7 at Kentucky. KAT averaged 10.3/6.7/2.3 at Kentucky. Zion was 22.6/8.9/1.8 at Duke. Copper is currently 15.9/9/1.4. Maybe should of checked before making the statement.

College counting stats mean less than jack and just a little more than **** when it comes to evaluating the talent level and style of play of prospects.

100%. I was only responding to the person claiming Davis and KAT put up top tier numbers as a way to knock Flagg.

Yeah, I was just agreeing with you.

[rosenthall]

I don’t think anyone could forget. Age/experience have become central to his case for #1.

At this point I think it might be a source of him being a little overrated. Go look at the college numbers for KAT, AD and Zion. Now THOSE are the stats of top-tier prospects.

Cooper's clearly a tier below. And I agree you do see it with the way he labors to make his impact. Those guys effortlessly dominated. Flagg seems like he has to fight for what he gets.

He's still a legit #1 prospect, but he's more attractive for his floor than ceiling.

Anthony Davis averaged 14.2/10.3/4.7 at Kentucky. KAT averaged 10.3/6.7/2.3 at Kentucky. Zion was 22.6/8.9/1.8 at Duke. Copper is currently 15.9/9/1.4. Maybe should of checked before making the statement.

I did check.

The following are the PER / BPM / Net Rating for each of these guys in their freshman year:

AD: 35 / 17.2 / +59
KAT: 31 / 14.3 / +48
Zion: 41 / 20.1 / +46
Flagg: 24 / 11.5 / +28

Those are the stats I was referring to.

Those 3 guys just clearly reached a higher level of statistical domination in college than Flagg has so far. They were all older than Flagg when they entered college, but I don't think you can just assume Flagg will be able to reach the level of influence they did with the passage of time since their production was absolutely elite.