2025 Draft prospects - thread 2

[League Circles]

How confident are people that Asa Newell will be better than Jalen Smith?

[Jcool0]

Cooper Flagg attends Duke.

And both Maluach and Kon are on my (somewhat lengthy) list of guys I would take between 10-15.

Maluch and Kon will be long gone between 10-15. Neither is going to fall past 8

15, sure. The difference between 8 and 10 is negligible and players slip or rise 2-3 spots in the lottery pretty regularly. I think this year, similar to last year, will be particularly conducive to this. After the top 5 or picks, there is a lot of potential for movement up and down the board.

I agree it’s likely they are both gone before we pick. But if not, I see real value to the Bulls in both. Kon’s is pretty predictable. Maluach is much more of a swing on potential and simply being physically unique in a league increasingly moving back to the truly large center.

If one of those two drops it will most likely be Kon because he is seen as a more high floor low ceiling pick.

[Guru]

You need guys like Kon

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Duke has 7 of the top 39 most valuable players in the country.....That tells you that list isn't very good.

Duke went 35-4 this year and was #1 ranked team on KenPom with a +39.29 rating, which is the 2nd best all time to Duke in 1998 (Elton Brand team) with a 43 rating. They had the #1 recruiting class this year. Why would you think that list isn't good? I take it you dont follow college basketball?

Oh I follow college basketball. Far more than just the top schools. The idea that 7 of the top 39 most valuable players are on one team is just ludicrous.

[Jcool0]

Duke has 7 of the top 39 most valuable players in the country.....That tells you that list isn't very good.

Duke went 35-4 this year and was #1 ranked team on KenPom with a +39.29 rating, which is the 2nd best all time to Duke in 1998 (Elton Brand team) with a 43 rating. They had the #1 recruiting class this year. Why would you think that list isn't good? I take it you dont follow college basketball?

Oh I follow college basketball. Far more than just the top schools. The idea that 7 of the top 39 most valuable players are on one team is just ludicrous.

You still haven't explained why its ludicrous that an all time team would have top players on it. On the year Kon averaged 14.4/4/2.7. In the ACC tournament with Flagg out he averaged 21/5.7/4.7 (had 24 FTA) and Duke won the tournament fairly easily. This is not just a one man team.

[Guru]

Duke went 35-4 this year and was #1 ranked team on KenPom with a +39.29 rating, which is the 2nd best all time to Duke in 1998 (Elton Brand team) with a 43 rating. They had the #1 recruiting class this year. Why would you think that list isn't good? I take it you dont follow college basketball?

Oh I follow college basketball. Far more than just the top schools. The idea that 7 of the top 39 most valuable players are on one team is just ludicrous.

You still haven't explained why its ludicrous that an all time team would have top players on it. On the year Kon averaged 14.4/4/2.7. In the ACC tournament with Flagg out he averaged 21/5.7/4.7 and Duke won the tournament fairly easily. This is not just a one man team.

There are 364 teams in NCAA Division 1. There are 13 scholarship players per team. That's 4,732 players. The idea that 7 of the top 37 most valuable players are on one team is just ludicrously illogical. If you are saying they are 7 of the top 37 overall NBA prospects that's a bit different but also probably wrong.

The idea that Duke is just a 1 man team? Thats a strawman argument that I am not making. They have talent for sure. They are probably the most talented team in America.

[Jcool0]

Oh I follow college basketball. Far more than just the top schools. The idea that 7 of the top 39 most valuable players are on one team is just ludicrous.

You still haven't explained why its ludicrous that an all time team would have top players on it. On the year Kon averaged 14.4/4/2.7. In the ACC tournament with Flagg out he averaged 21/5.7/4.7 and Duke won the tournament fairly easily. This is not just a one man team.

There are 364 teams in NCAA Division 1. There are 13 scholarship players per team. That's 4,732 players. The idea that 7 of the top 37 most valuable players are on one team is just ludicrously illogical. If you are saying they are 7 of the top 37 overall NBA prospects that's a bit different but also probably wrong.

The idea that Duke is just a 1 man team? Thats a strawman argument that I am not making. They have talent for sure. They are probably the most talented team in America.

Here is the top 10:

1. Cooper Flagg, Duke

2. Johni Broome, Auburn

3. Joseph Tugler, Houston

4. Braden Huff, Gonzaga

5. Thomas Haugh, Florida

6. Kon Knueppel, Duke

7. Zakai Zeigler, Tennessee

8. Kam Jones, Marquette

9. Braden Smith, Purdue

10. Walter Clayton, Florida

Seems like a reasonable list. Also this is based on stats not option. The numbers are what the numbers are. You dont have to like it.

[DuckIII]

How confident are people that Asa Newell will be better than Jalen Smith?

He’s one of the few guys I have no interest in drafting unless we end up around 15 and the options are poor.

Newell strikes me as almost the prototype guy who will max out as a player you can find in free agency or a modest trade in pretty much any two year window.

We know AK won’t have the patience to rebuild the team slowly so we need to use our picks to take high upside swings. Newell to me projects as a solid pro. This summer, operating on the assumption I am correct about the speed with which AK will look to rebuild, I’d rather go big and draft a bust than end up with a role player.

[Jcool0]

How confident are people that Asa Newell will be better than Jalen Smith?

He’s one of the few guys I have no interest in drafting unless we end up around 15 and the options are poor.

Newell strikes me as almost the prototype guy who will max out as a player you can find in free agency or a modest trade in pretty much any two year window.

We know AK won’t have the patience to rebuild the team slowly so we need to use our picks to take high upside swings. Newell to me projects as a solid pro. This summer, operating on the assumption I am correct about the speed with which AK will look to rebuild, I’d rather go big and draft a bust than end up with a role player.

There is really only one big swing guy in the 15 range, Noa Essengue. He could jump during the pre draft process though.

[DuckIII]

Duke has 7 of the top 39 most valuable players in the country.....That tells you that list isn't very good.

Duke went 35-4 this year and was #1 ranked team on KenPom with a +39.29 rating, which is the 2nd best all time to Duke in 1998 (Elton Brand team) with a 43 rating. They had the #1 recruiting class this year. Why would you think that list isn't good? I take it you dont follow college basketball?

Oh I follow college basketball. Far more than just the top schools. The idea that 7 of the top 39 most valuable players are on one team is just ludicrous.

It’s not typical but it’s far enough from ludicrous that it’s hard to accept that you do closely follow college basketball, at least as it regards how prospects are ranked and projected and the extent to which they can be on the same team.

Bear in mind, it’s a projection. Of course it is unlikely that over time this Duke team does in fact produce 7 of the top 39 players from that group.

But this happens sometimes. Though one would certainly expect it to happen less often with NIL and the portal.

[DuckIII]

How confident are people that Asa Newell will be better than Jalen Smith?

He’s one of the few guys I have no interest in drafting unless we end up around 15 and the options are poor.

Newell strikes me as almost the prototype guy who will max out as a player you can find in free agency or a modest trade in pretty much any two year window.

We know AK won’t have the patience to rebuild the team slowly so we need to use our picks to take high upside swings. Newell to me projects as a solid pro. This summer, operating on the assumption I am correct about the speed with which AK will look to rebuild, I’d rather go big and draft a bust than end up with a role player.

There is really only one big swing guy in the 15 range, Noa Essengue. He could jump during the pre draft process though.

Demin as well.

[Chi town]

How confident are people that Asa Newell will be better than Jalen Smith?

He’s one of the few guys I have no interest in drafting unless we end up around 15 and the options are poor.

Newell strikes me as almost the prototype guy who will max out as a player you can find in free agency or a modest trade in pretty much any two year window.

We know AK won’t have the patience to rebuild the team slowly so we need to use our picks to take high upside swings. Newell to me projects as a solid pro. This summer, operating on the assumption I am correct about the speed with which AK will look to rebuild, I’d rather go big and draft a bust than end up with a role player.

There is really only one big swing guy in the 15 range, Noa Essengue. He could jump during the pre draft process though.

Riley has the upside of Noa too. I’d take a swing on both of them at 15 if we can get Beringer later in the draft. I’m on board with CMB if he measures well and AK think he can be a Draymond type on defense as a small ball C. Crazy how Draymond is DPOY candidate and starting at the 5 with Jimmy at the 4.

Love Penda too later.

[Guru]

You still haven't explained why its ludicrous that an all time team would have top players on it. On the year Kon averaged 14.4/4/2.7. In the ACC tournament with Flagg out he averaged 21/5.7/4.7 and Duke won the tournament fairly easily. This is not just a one man team.

There are 364 teams in NCAA Division 1. There are 13 scholarship players per team. That's 4,732 players. The idea that 7 of the top 37 most valuable players are on one team is just ludicrously illogical. If you are saying they are 7 of the top 37 overall NBA prospects that's a bit different but also probably wrong.

The idea that Duke is just a 1 man team? Thats a strawman argument that I am not making. They have talent for sure. They are probably the most talented team in America.

Here is the top 10:

1. Cooper Flagg, Duke

2. Johni Broome, Auburn

3. Joseph Tugler, Houston

4. Braden Huff, Gonzaga

5. Thomas Haugh, Florida

6. Kon Knueppel, Duke

7. Zakai Zeigler, Tennessee

8. Kam Jones, Marquette

9. Braden Smith, Purdue

10. Walter Clayton, Florida

Seems like a reasonable list. Also this is based on stats not option. The numbers are what the numbers are. You dont have to like it.

Seems like they are only including highly ranked teams.

[dougthonus]

Continue discussion here. I moved over the more recent stuff so that it can still be quoted / replied to.

[League Circles]

He’s one of the few guys I have no interest in drafting unless we end up around 15 and the options are poor.

Newell strikes me as almost the prototype guy who will max out as a player you can find in free agency or a modest trade in pretty much any two year window.

We know AK won’t have the patience to rebuild the team slowly so we need to use our picks to take high upside swings. Newell to me projects as a solid pro. This summer, operating on the assumption I am correct about the speed with which AK will look to rebuild, I’d rather go big and draft a bust than end up with a role player.

There is really only one big swing guy in the 15 range, Noa Essengue. He could jump during the pre draft process though.

Demin as well.

I'd like Collin Murray-Boyles too as an upside swing if he's available when we pick. I think he's among the very few guys with star potential outside the top few picks. Terrible on court fit for us but I'd roll the dice.

[Rose2Boozer]

How confident are people that Asa Newell will be better than Jalen Smith?

He’s one of the few guys I have no interest in drafting unless we end up around 15 and the options are poor.

Newell strikes me as almost the prototype guy who will max out as a player you can find in free agency or a modest trade in pretty much any two year window.

We know AK won’t have the patience to rebuild the team slowly so we need to use our picks to take high upside swings. Newell to me projects as a solid pro. This summer, operating on the assumption I am correct about the speed with which AK will look to rebuild, I’d rather go big and draft a bust than end up with a role player.

There is really only one big swing guy in the 15 range, Noa Essengue. He could jump during the pre draft process though.

I like Noa Essengue, but sometimes I watch him think about Julian Phillips and scratch my chin. Essengue has better ball handling skills, and I haven't seen much from Phillips off the dribble. Phillips is a better shooter, and Essengue will have to learn how to space the floor or what little dribble he has will be pretty much worthless. He's an interesting prospect, and he's Cooper Flagg level young. I wouldn't mind AK drafting Essengue.

[2weekswithpay]

Watch on YouTube

[Jcool0]

He’s one of the few guys I have no interest in drafting unless we end up around 15 and the options are poor.

Newell strikes me as almost the prototype guy who will max out as a player you can find in free agency or a modest trade in pretty much any two year window.

We know AK won’t have the patience to rebuild the team slowly so we need to use our picks to take high upside swings. Newell to me projects as a solid pro. This summer, operating on the assumption I am correct about the speed with which AK will look to rebuild, I’d rather go big and draft a bust than end up with a role player.

There is really only one big swing guy in the 15 range, Noa Essengue. He could jump during the pre draft process though.

Demin as well.

Is that a big swing when the upside is pre all star break Giddey? We just had discussions over was that guy worth 15M per year.

[Jcool0]

There are 364 teams in NCAA Division 1. There are 13 scholarship players per team. That's 4,732 players. The idea that 7 of the top 37 most valuable players are on one team is just ludicrously illogical. If you are saying they are 7 of the top 37 overall NBA prospects that's a bit different but also probably wrong.

The idea that Duke is just a 1 man team? Thats a strawman argument that I am not making. They have talent for sure. They are probably the most talented team in America.

Here is the top 10:

1. Cooper Flagg, Duke

2. Johni Broome, Auburn

3. Joseph Tugler, Houston

4. Braden Huff, Gonzaga

5. Thomas Haugh, Florida

6. Kon Knueppel, Duke

7. Zakai Zeigler, Tennessee

8. Kam Jones, Marquette

9. Braden Smith, Purdue

10. Walter Clayton, Florida

Seems like a reasonable list. Also this is based on stats not option. The numbers are what the numbers are. You dont have to like it.

Seems like they are only including highly ranked teams.

Competition matters. Its why Drake can go 31-4 and be unranked and an 11th seed in the tournament

[Jcool0]

He’s one of the few guys I have no interest in drafting unless we end up around 15 and the options are poor.

Newell strikes me as almost the prototype guy who will max out as a player you can find in free agency or a modest trade in pretty much any two year window.

We know AK won’t have the patience to rebuild the team slowly so we need to use our picks to take high upside swings. Newell to me projects as a solid pro. This summer, operating on the assumption I am correct about the speed with which AK will look to rebuild, I’d rather go big and draft a bust than end up with a role player.

There is really only one big swing guy in the 15 range, Noa Essengue. He could jump during the pre draft process though.

Riley has the upside of Noa too. I’d take a swing on both of them at 15 if we can get Beringer later in the draft. I’m on board with CMB if he measures well and AK think he can be a Draymond type on defense as a small ball C. Crazy how Draymond is DPOY candidate and starting at the 5 with Jimmy at the 4.

Love Penda too later.

Riley is a big risk and if he comes out would be more 20-25 draft range then 15-20. Came on late but still a lot to work on. Awful defender. Not a good shooter. Only plus right now is his age. CMB is a right fit player more then big upside. Kind of like would Draymond be a HOF if the Bulls had taken him? Or did it work because he had Steph and Klay to carry the offense.

[Almost Retired]

There is really only one big swing guy in the 15 range, Noa Essengue. He could jump during the pre draft process though.

Riley has the upside of Noa too. I’d take a swing on both of them at 15 if we can get Beringer later in the draft. I’m on board with CMB if he measures well and AK think he can be a Draymond type on defense as a small ball C. Crazy how Draymond is DPOY candidate and starting at the 5 with Jimmy at the 4.

Love Penda too later.

Riley is a big risk and if he comes out would be more 20-25 draft range then 15-20. Came on late but still a lot to work on. Awful defender. Not a good shooter. Only plus right now is his age. CMB is a right fit player more then big upside. Kind of like would Draymond be a HOF if the Bulls had taken him? Or did it work because he had Steph and Klay to carry the offense.

Riley should go back to school. Way too skinny. Needs to play another year and grow.