2025 Draft prospects - thread 2

[DuckIII]

Essengue isnt a center.. SF/PF tweener.. but he is my top 3 favourite to pick with #12

I see him as a 4/small ball 5.

You see Buz as the 3 next to Noa?

How do you see Giddey playing with them? Using them?

Or Matas at 4 and Noa as a small ball 5.

I see Giddey playing PG and running like his hair is on fire, and them running with him.

[Red Larrivee]

More recently, Mo Bamba. Better athlete than Maluach, freak wingspan (7' 9" wingspan, Maluach 7' 4"), much better college stats than Maluach. And in the NBA he delivered, he turned out to be a good 3P shooter. 39%, 38%, 38% his first 3 seasons from 3.

Still a low minute bench center in the league and waste of a 6th pick when SGA & Mikal Bridges were still on the board.

Yeah, Bamba was on the higher end of the same archetype as Maluach. I don't think it necessarily means that Maluach can't pan out, but it should allow you to have much more realistic expectations and focus more on the median outcome.

[DuckIII]

More recently, Mo Bamba. Better athlete than Maluach, freak wingspan (7' 9" wingspan, Maluach 7' 4"), much better college stats than Maluach. And in the NBA he delivered, he turned out to be a good 3P shooter. 39%, 38%, 38% his first 3 seasons from 3.

Still a low minute bench center in the league and waste of a 6th pick when SGA & Mikal Bridges were still on the board.

Yeah, Bamba was on the higher end of the same archetype as Maluach. I don't think it necessarily means that Maluach can't pan out, but it should allow you to have much more realistic expectations and focus more on the median outcome.

I liked Bamba a lot as a prospect. But like Pat, his issue didn’t end being the talent. I just don’t think his failure matters to Maluach. Not sure there is a lesson to be learned there.

[nomorezorro]

The Bulls do need a long-term starting center, but I don't think you need to reach on it just to say you did it. Teams are finding these players with much less opportunity cost these days. It's very possible the Bulls can find that guy through trade, FA or a later draft pick.

is an end-of-lottery draft pick really that meaningful an investment, in the grand scheme of things? i'm pretty sure a long-term starting center would be an above-average outcome for the #12 pick.

likewise, while you can get solid/passable center play from guys who are relatively easy to acquire, the vast majority of "above average starting bigs" are players who were drafted in the top half of the first round and/or would cost a ton of money/assets to acquire after their rookie contract.

just a quick list i pulled together in an effort to identify the 17 best starting big men right now: nikola jokic (second round pick, now supermax player / never someone you're going to acquire in free agency or via trade), wemby (#1 overall pick), evan mobley (#3 overall pick), anthony davis (#1 overall pick), karl anthony towns (#1 overall pick), jaren jackson jr. (#4 overall pick), bam adebayo (#14 overall pick), ivica zubac (second round pick, probably relatively attainable for most of his career), domantas sabonis (#11 overall pick), joel embiid (#3 overall pick), chet holmgren (#2 overall pick), aperen sengun (#16 overall pick), jarrett allen (#22 overall pick), kristaps porzingis (#4 overall pick), rudy gobert (#27 overall pick, max player who cost a tremendous amount to acquire in trade), isaiah hartenstein (second rounder, eminently attainable until this past offseason), myles turner (#11 overall pick)

there's a lot of big man talent in the league right now, and the league seems to be pretty good at identifying the best of the best (or at least, identifying guys who could be the best of the best and using a relatively high draft pick on them — i imagine the hit rate for lottery big men might not be particularly pretty). if we think maluach has the potential to be that caliber of player, we shouldn't hesitate to take him at 12 just because we imagine we might be able to get by at C with a cheaper option.

[MrSparkle]

I lean Essengue too, as a realistic #12. He might move up in camps, though. Ingram length but he seems more interested in and capable of defense, making passes and running the floor.

Kasparas or Queen if they drop should be checked out, although their defensive issues make them immediately poor fits with anybody (not to mention Giddey and Coby). Not that it matters so much. Kasparas has 3P/assist power, but the NBA translation and defense scare me.

The only thing AK says that reassures me over his many blunders is his recurring quote of drafting talent, not need. Philosophy of keeping vets and not addressing positional needs with rookie picks seems to kind of back that up, although Terry was a far-fetched “Lonzo lite” pick (“connector” — buzz word of summer 2022). So not entirely sure. But point is, I don’t think Giddey, Coby nor Matas will affect this year’s pick. Especially since the 2 aren’t even resigned yet, and may change teams (unlikely, but very possible).

[Chi town]

More recently, Mo Bamba. Better athlete than Maluach, freak wingspan (7' 9" wingspan, Maluach 7' 4"), much better college stats than Maluach. And in the NBA he delivered, he turned out to be a good 3P shooter. 39%, 38%, 38% his first 3 seasons from 3.

Still a low minute bench center in the league and waste of a 6th pick when SGA & Mikal Bridges were still on the board.

Yeah, Bamba was on the higher end of the same archetype as Maluach. I don't think it necessarily means that Maluach can't pan out, but it should allow you to have much more realistic expectations and focus more on the median outcome.

I liked Bamba a lot as a prospect. But like Pat, his issue didn’t end being the talent. I just don’t think his failure matters to Maluach. Not sure there is a lesson to be learned there.

Malauch doesn’t seem to have a motor. Just like Pat and Bamba.

[Chi town]

I see him as a 4/small ball 5.

You see Buz as the 3 next to Noa?

How do you see Giddey playing with them? Using them?

Or Matas at 4 and Noa as a small ball 5.

I see Giddey playing PG and running like his hair is on fire, and them running with him.

I don’t see Noa at the 5 for at least 3-4 years. He’d have to get to 220 and he’s 193.

I see Giddey tossing lobs and playing lightning fast. Also see Noa getting tons of dunks on cuts to the hoop and movement. I actually think his 3 ball will be a plus but take another year than Buz to get there.

I think a Giddey Buz Noa lineup would be electric and cause a ton of turnovers and easy buckets

[Red Larrivee]

The Bulls do need a long-term starting center, but I don't think you need to reach on it just to say you did it. Teams are finding these players with much less opportunity cost these days. It's very possible the Bulls can find that guy through trade, FA or a later draft pick.

is an end-of-lottery draft pick really that meaningful an investment, in the grand scheme of things? i'm pretty sure a long-term starting center would be an above-average outcome for the #12 pick.

likewise, while you can get solid/passable center play from guys who are relatively easy to acquire, the vast majority of "above average starting bigs" are players who were drafted in the top half of the first round and/or would cost a ton of money/assets to acquire after their rookie contract.

just a quick list i pulled together in an effort to identify the 17 best starting big men right now: nikola jokic (second round pick, now supermax player / never someone you're going to acquire in free agency or via trade), wemby (#1 overall pick), evan mobley (#3 overall pick), anthony davis (#1 overall pick), karl anthony towns (#1 overall pick), jaren jackson jr. (#4 overall pick), bam adebayo (#14 overall pick), ivica zubac (second round pick, probably relatively attainable for most of his career), domantas sabonis (#11 overall pick), joel embiid (#3 overall pick), chet holmgren (#2 overall pick), aperen sengun (#16 overall pick), jarrett allen (#22 overall pick), kristaps porzingis (#4 overall pick), rudy gobert (#27 overall pick, max player who cost a tremendous amount to acquire in trade), isaiah hartenstein (second rounder, eminently attainable until this past offseason), myles turner (#11 overall pick)

there's a lot of big man talent in the league right now, and the league seems to be pretty good at identifying the best of the best (or at least, identifying guys who could be the best of the best and using a relatively high draft pick on them — i imagine the hit rate for lottery big men might not be particularly pretty). if we think maluach has the potential to be that caliber of player, we shouldn't hesitate to take him at 12 just because we imagine we might be able to get by at C with a cheaper option.

You're right, it's not like we're using a Top-4 pick. But to me, Maluach's median outcome still isn't a player that's worth using a lottery pick on. Nor is it a long-term starting center. It's a Cauley-Stein, Bamba, or Biyombo type of player: A journeyman, reserve big. You can get those in any draft and at a lower cost. Unlocking his shooting would be great, but as others have pointed out, plenty of bigs have entered the league as non-shooters, made some 3s in empty gyms, and remained non-shooters for their careers.

I think Maluach has some unique traits, but I don't really see a special talent. The Bulls do need a big of the future, but it doesn't necessarily have to come from this draft and with this pick.

[sco]

The Bulls do need a long-term starting center, but I don't think you need to reach on it just to say you did it. Teams are finding these players with much less opportunity cost these days. It's very possible the Bulls can find that guy through trade, FA or a later draft pick.

is an end-of-lottery draft pick really that meaningful an investment, in the grand scheme of things? i'm pretty sure a long-term starting center would be an above-average outcome for the #12 pick.

likewise, while you can get solid/passable center play from guys who are relatively easy to acquire, the vast majority of "above average starting bigs" are players who were drafted in the top half of the first round and/or would cost a ton of money/assets to acquire after their rookie contract.

just a quick list i pulled together in an effort to identify the 17 best starting big men right now: nikola jokic (second round pick, now supermax player / never someone you're going to acquire in free agency or via trade), wemby (#1 overall pick), evan mobley (#3 overall pick), anthony davis (#1 overall pick), karl anthony towns (#1 overall pick), jaren jackson jr. (#4 overall pick), bam adebayo (#14 overall pick), ivica zubac (second round pick, probably relatively attainable for most of his career), domantas sabonis (#11 overall pick), joel embiid (#3 overall pick), chet holmgren (#2 overall pick), aperen sengun (#16 overall pick), jarrett allen (#22 overall pick), kristaps porzingis (#4 overall pick), rudy gobert (#27 overall pick, max player who cost a tremendous amount to acquire in trade), isaiah hartenstein (second rounder, eminently attainable until this past offseason), myles turner (#11 overall pick)

there's a lot of big man talent in the league right now, and the league seems to be pretty good at identifying the best of the best (or at least, identifying guys who could be the best of the best and using a relatively high draft pick on them — i imagine the hit rate for lottery big men might not be particularly pretty). if we think maluach has the potential to be that caliber of player, we shouldn't hesitate to take him at 12 just because we imagine we might be able to get by at C with a cheaper option.

You're right, it's not like we're using a Top-4 pick. But to me, Maluach's median outcome still isn't a player that's worth using a lottery pick on. Nor is it a long-term starting center. It's a Cauley-Stein, Bamba, or Biyombo type of player: A journeyman, reserve big. You can get those in any draft and at a lower cost. Unlocking his shooting would be great, but as others have pointed out, plenty of bigs have entered the league as non-shooters, made some 3s in empty gyms, and remained non-shooters for their careers.

I think Maluach has some unique traits, but I don't really see a special talent. The Bulls do need a big of the future, but it doesn't necessarily have to come from this draft and with this pick.

100%. I like his defense, but his offense looks like it will take years to develop to even a slightly below average level, at best. And look, there are no guarantees that anyone else at 12 pans out, but usually there's a top quartile starting talent a his position available there or below...key is finding him.

[Chi town]

Beringer, Noa, Penda, Traore stock rising.

https://www.nbadraft.net/international-stock-watch-12/

[WesPeace]

I'm curious at what size Noa will be at draft combine, again we see different 6'8 - 6'10 data.. but I think he is more likely 6'9, I trust European sites more at this stage.

[2weekswithpay]

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[2weekswithpay]

I'm curious at what size Noa will be at draft combine, again we see different 6'8 - 6'10 data.. but I think he is more likely 6'9, I trust European sites more at this stage.

Essengue measured at 6'9 at BWB last summer.

Spoiler:

[Chi town]

I'm curious at what size Noa will be at draft combine, again we see different 6'8 - 6'10 data.. but I think he is more likely 6'9, I trust European sites more at this stage.

Essengue measured at 6'9 at BWB last summer.

Spoiler:

Yep. 6’10 IMO. Think he’s still growing too.

[Guru]

if we wanted two picks the teams with the ability to trade up if they have a guy in mind are
12 for

Orlando 16 and 25
OKC 15 and 24
Brooklyn 19 and 26/27

Im not saying it will happen or they will take it but those are the teams who could fall in love with someone at 12 they don't think they can get later.

[sco]

if we wanted two picks the teams with the ability to trade up if they have a guy in mind are
12 for

Orlando 16 and 25
OKC 15 and 24
Brooklyn 19 and 26/27

Im not saying it will happen or they will take it but those are the teams who could fall in love with someone at 12 they don't think they can get later.

I would much prefer two of those picks to #12, I see very little difference in terms of risk/reward potentials between picks 4-25, and would prefer two bites at the apple for minimal drop-off in likelihood of success. Honestly, I'd be ok totally trading out of this draft if the return is a more proven asset or a chance for a better pick in a future year.

[Guru]

I'd love to make a group consensus big board for our group. We all rank our top 25 or so guys and then its brought together. Any ideas about a good way to do that?

[2weekswithpay]

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[Jcool0]

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[sco]

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