2025 Draft prospects - thread 3

[kulaz3000]

There's absolutely zero chance Edgecombe goes before Harper.

Don’t know, if SA stays at 2, they already have Fox and Castle as great PG options. Does drafting another PG in Harper really make sense for them?

For the record I think Harper is far and away the #2 prospect in the class, but the draft board is different for every team. And not everyone is in BPA mode.

SA ain't a stupid org. If they decided not to take Harper (which I seriously doubt) they'll trade the pick to someone who does want him. He's as clearly the #2 guy as Flagg is #1.

There's an outside chance VJE could leap Bailey and go third. Unlikely, could happen. No chance in a million lifetimes Harper doesn't go #2 unless he gets hurt in a pickup game or arrested or something.

As you said, the Spurs aren't a stupid organisation. Trading the pick and not drafting Harper would be something terrible front offices like ours would do, by trying to be cute.

They will draft him, and play him alongside both Fox or Castle, and then they will decide who they believe will be best suited for their future, and I think Harper eventually comes out on top with Fox eventually being let go. I think their future is a Castle and Harper backcourt, with them being being extremely versatile on either end.

[MGB8]

Don’t know, if SA stays at 2, they already have Fox and Castle as great PG options. Does drafting another PG in Harper really make sense for them?

For the record I think Harper is far and away the #2 prospect in the class, but the draft board is different for every team. And not everyone is in BPA mode.

SA ain't a stupid org. If they decided not to take Harper (which I seriously doubt) they'll trade the pick to someone who does want him. He's as clearly the #2 guy as Flagg is #1.

There's an outside chance VJE could leap Bailey and go third. Unlikely, could happen. No chance in a million lifetimes Harper doesn't go #2 unless he gets hurt in a pickup game or arrested or something.

As you said, the Spurs aren't a stupid organisation. Trading the pick and not drafting Harper would be something terrible front offices like ours would do, by trying to be cute.

They will draft him, and play him alongside both Fox or Castle, and then they will decide who they believe will be best suited for their future, and I think Harper eventually comes out on top with Fox eventually being let go. I think their future is a Castle and Harper backcourt, with them being being extremely versatile on either end.

Honestly, given the number of teams that need help at PG, the Spurs should trade Fox. Maybe he is the main piece in a trade for Durant.

[BullsSD]

Update: AKME, I’m gonna need you to get Essengue or Fleming. Oh, and one more thing, we also need to get Coward.

I believe in you.

[DuckIII]

I think he definitely has the neatest name of the notable guys. Lots of great talent there this year. My name-only Big Board:

1. VJ Edgecombe
2. Cooper Flagg
3. Noah Penda (Penda Bear?!)
4. Jeremiah Fears
5. Ace Bailey
6. Khaman Maluach
7. Derik Queen
8. Cedric Coward
8. Kasparas Jakuncionis
9. Liam NcNeeley (I'm Irish heritage, we deserve one)
10. Danny Wolf

There just isn’t a more appropriate name for the next American Great White Hope than Cooper Flagg. It’s almost like it’s fake. He “edges” out VJ. Ba-dum-bum.

And I was going to move Fears up to 2 because it sounds cool. But when I really looked at it, his full name actually suggests he’s a pussy.

Also, and not because I’m partial to him as a prospect, but how does a badass name like Egor Demin not make the list?

[Hangtime84]

Update: AKME, I’m gonna need you to get Essengue or Fleming. Oh, and one more thing, we also need to get Coward.

I believe in you.

Oh you want chet type length at the 4. I see it!

[ImSlower]

I think he definitely has the neatest name of the notable guys. Lots of great talent there this year. My name-only Big Board:

1. VJ Edgecombe
2. Cooper Flagg
3. Noah Penda (Penda Bear?!)
4. Jeremiah Fears
5. Ace Bailey
6. Khaman Maluach
7. Derik Queen
8. Cedric Coward
8. Kasparas Jakuncionis
9. Liam NcNeeley (I'm Irish heritage, we deserve one)
10. Danny Wolf

There just isn’t a more appropriate name for the next great American White Hope than Cooper Flagg. It’s almost like it’s fake. He “edges” out VJ. Ba-dum-bum.

And I was going to move Fears up to 2 because it sounds cool. But when I really looked at it, his full name actually suggests he’s a pussy.

Also, and not because I’m partial to him as a prospect, but how does a badass name like Egor Demin not make the list?

Definitely is a cooler name than my Irish pick. Sounds like a major antagonist in one of my nerdy fantasy novels I tend to. VJ just sounds like a multi year All Star to me. And yeah Cooper Flagg is, entertainingly, the second best guaranteed #1 name since... Victor Wembanyama.

[DuckIII]

I think he definitely has the neatest name of the notable guys. Lots of great talent there this year. My name-only Big Board:

1. VJ Edgecombe
2. Cooper Flagg
3. Noah Penda (Penda Bear?!)
4. Jeremiah Fears
5. Ace Bailey
6. Khaman Maluach
7. Derik Queen
8. Cedric Coward
8. Kasparas Jakuncionis
9. Liam NcNeeley (I'm Irish heritage, we deserve one)
10. Danny Wolf

There just isn’t a more appropriate name for the next great American White Hope than Cooper Flagg. It’s almost like it’s fake. He “edges” out VJ. Ba-dum-bum.

And I was going to move Fears up to 2 because it sounds cool. But when I really looked at it, his full name actually suggests he’s a pussy.

Also, and not because I’m partial to him as a prospect, but how does a badass name like Egor Demin not make the list?

Definitely is a cooler name than my Irish pick. Sounds like a major antagonist in one of my nerdy fantasy novels I tend to. VJ just sounds like a multi year All Star to me. And yeah Cooper Flagg is, entertainingly, the second best guaranteed #1 name since... Victor Wembanyama.

Egor Demin is a Bond villain with a free-roaming pet albino boa constrictor.

[sco]

I'm always wrong on how guys pan out in the NBA...I thought Luka was too slow and not enough of a 3 ball to be better than average.

This year:
- Queen is too small, slow, bad defender with no 3 ball to be even a starter.
- Demin lacks all skills other than passing and isn't athletic enough to be a starter.
- Maluach is too slow to defend perimeter and doesn't have enough other skills to be a starter.

[DuckIII]

I'm always wrong on how guys pan out in the NBA...I thought Luka was too slow and not enough of a 3 ball to be better than average.

This year:
- Queen is too small, slow, bad defender with no 3 ball to be even a starter.
- Demin lacks all skills other than passing and isn't athletic enough to be a starter.
- Maluach is too slow to defend perimeter and doesn't have enough other skills to be a starter.

We all get it hugely, massively wrong at times.

1. Hated both the Hinrich and Taj picks, who both became two of my all time favorite Bulls. I really, really hated the Gibson pick in particular and behind Pip, Taj and Deng are my two favorite Bulls ever.

2. Right behind them was my hatred for the Coby White pick. While I was feeling pretty good about that one for a few years, he showed why patience can be important and turned into a legit quality starter.

3. LOVED Tyrus Thomas. Oops.

And those are just the Bulls. And indeed just some of the Bulls I’ve been miserably wrong about. There’s knowledge and skill involved in evaluating prospects but so much of it still comes down to subjectivity and gut. And you can’t control how a player will react to professionalism regardless of the talent.

[drosestruts]

I was adamant that Giannis would be a flop and anyone drafting him would be a fool.

Probably the biggest one I've gotten wrong.

[drosestruts]

Don’t know, if SA stays at 2, they already have Fox and Castle as great PG options. Does drafting another PG in Harper really make sense for them?

For the record I think Harper is far and away the #2 prospect in the class, but the draft board is different for every team. And not everyone is in BPA mode.

SA ain't a stupid org. If they decided not to take Harper (which I seriously doubt) they'll trade the pick to someone who does want him. He's as clearly the #2 guy as Flagg is #1.

There's an outside chance VJE could leap Bailey and go third. Unlikely, could happen. No chance in a million lifetimes Harper doesn't go #2 unless he gets hurt in a pickup game or arrested or something.

As you said, the Spurs aren't a stupid organisation. Trading the pick and not drafting Harper would be something terrible front offices like ours would do, by trying to be cute.

They will draft him, and play him alongside both Fox or Castle, and then they will decide who they believe will be best suited for their future, and I think Harper eventually comes out on top with Fox eventually being let go. I think their future is a Castle and Harper backcourt, with them being being extremely versatile on either end.

I think Harper is better than Castle, who despite winning ROY should strangly not factor into the decision of who the Spurs do or do not draft.

I mean - MCW was Rookie of the Year. It's not an indicator of much. Where's Tyreke Evans??

Harper is the better scorer, distributor, ball handler, and overall player from day one.

And I think Harper is the second best player in the draft without #3 being particularly close at all.

It's a no brainer that the Spurs draft Harper.

The real question is what do they do with Castle and Fox.

[nomorezorro]

not saying it's the only path forward, but it kind of feels like the most obvious thing for the spurs to do is just flip fox before his next contract is due

i know that'd be cold considering he just forced his way there, but when you've got too many talented young guards with questionable shots and two are on rookie deals while the third is on the precipice of demanding a ton of money...just don't think fox is good enough to make up for the fact that his money could be better spent elsewhere if the spurs want a balanced roster

[jump]

Does anyone have a source or an update on which players the Bulls have worked out or interviewed?

[Chi town]

Update: AKME, I’m gonna need you to get Essengue or Fleming. Oh, and one more thing, we also need to get Coward.

I believe in you.

A Noa + Coward draft would certainly solidify how we want to play and greatly help the D and athleticism of the team.

That team would be a blast to watch!

[Chi town]

Per WT… Pels want Ace.

I could see Jones and a future 1st to move up.

Sixers smoke has been around Kon.

Flagg
Bailey
Ace
VJ
Tre
Fears
Kon

Looks like top 7.

BKN is the wildcard at 8 where the draft really gets started.

[Infinity2152]

Watched a draft show today. Can't credit their sources, and they emphasized these are rumored offers for Coby White:

Orlando: Built around 16th pick and Cole Anthony
Mavericks: Future first and one of Lively, Gafford, Washington (trade we've been speculating for awhile)
GS Warriors: Kuminga plus Moody and future draft capital (assume Vucevic goes in that trade too)

No to the Orlando deal, we can just re-sign Tre Jones.

Yes to Mavs deal if it's Lively and a first, need two firsts if it's Gafford, no to Washington

Warriors: We could probably get Kuminga without including Coby, this deal would have to include two lightly protected/unprotected firsts. Coby and Vuc would be huge adds to the Warriors vs what they got from Kuminga and Moody. Fits their timeframe.

Kuminga's contract would probably be more than we want to pay right now, but not likely to be a Pat Williams overpay and likely less than Coby. Fits our timeframe along with Moody and the picks and he could end up a value deal.

Mavericks trade, if we get Lively and a first or Gafford and two firsts, you have one starting position locked down. Guaranteed pretty high end player. Still have Vuc and Collins for trade, and a Mavs draft pick.

Warriors trade: Need Kuminga and Moody to develop. Draft picks are probably far down the line so little impact over the next few years, unless used in trade. Kuminga could end up being a great fit, but not as sure as Lively or Gafford.

Want to use Coby for a big deal, but I'd jump on that Mavs deal for Lively and a pick. He's 21, PER 20 last year, some injury issues, still on rookie contract.

We've discussed these options individually, but which do you choose if all three are on the table and you have to choose 1?

[nomorezorro]

https://reddit.com/r/NBA_Draft/comments/1laiv4w/transition_efficiency_at_rim_numbers_per_synergy/

i don't know how much these numbers are really worth, but they're kind of interesting to me. queen being really good in transition and at a higher volume than the rest of the bigs despite all the hubbub about his lack of athleticism surprised me. newell converting at a near-perfect rate made me more intrigued by him; sorber having basically no volume is a bit of a turn-off considering he already profiles as a weak rim-runner.

for non-bigs, confirmation that essengue is a transition monster, and another data point suggesting jakucionis is way better at the rim than you might expect for a guy of his profile

[Chi town]

https://youtu.be/8tFZ22cgtuc?si=PhqzYDEdfJl2fbFU

Good listen.

Vecenie is very high on Beringer. Sees him going 10-15. Also high on Kalkbrenner.

[Chi town]

Watched a draft show today. Can't credit their sources, and they emphasized these are rumored offers for Coby White:

Orlando: Built around 16th pick and Cole Anthony
Mavericks: Future first and one of Lively, Gafford, Washington (trade we've been speculating for awhile)
GS Warriors: Kuminga plus Moody and future draft capital (assume Vucevic goes in that trade too)

Will be shocked if Coby gets traded for anything less than a massive overpay.

[nomorezorro]

https://youtu.be/8tFZ22cgtuc?si=PhqzYDEdfJl2fbFU

Good listen.

Vecenie is very high on Beringer. Sees him going 10-15. Also high on Kalkbrenner.

i've done a little more research into beringer and my takeaway is that he wouldn't necessarily be a bad pick at 12, but i'd really be a lot more comfortable with drafting him if we had more than one first-round pick.

i like his general profile and really like taking a guy who's come a long way in a short time after picking up the game late in life, but i just feel like there isn't really the realistic upside potential that totally justifies the level of risk you're taking on. i could see him becoming a plus starting center, but i dunno if i see a path to him becoming anything more than that, and i also think there's a really good chance he just ends up as a depth big