2024/25 College basketball / NBA draft thread

Post #81 » by **Grang33r** » Thu May 29, 2025 1:05 am

Wizop wrote:Don't know Luis. I like Nembhard 2.0 late in the second.

I heard he was impressive at the Chicago draft combine as well, just as his brother was in his draft year. But isn't his size concerning? 6'0?

Wizop · Post #82 » by **Wizop** » Thu May 29, 2025 1:21 am

Grang33r wrote:
Wizop wrote:Don't know Luis. I like Nembhard 2.0 late in the second.

I heard he was impressive at the Chicago draft combine as well, just as his brother was in his draft year. But isn't his size concerning? 6'0?

It is but I see him as a 3rd point guard and a long term TJ replacement. Drafted or as an UDFA I see him on a two-way and playing mostly for the Boom. But Ray J has looked promising too.

However, the key need is backup center.

Wizop · Post #83 » by **Wizop** » Thu May 29, 2025 1:33 am

What about the Michigan centers. Wolf is mocked near our first and Goldin near our second.

The Chinese center has moved up.

JMaster5K · Post #84 » by **JMaster5K** » Fri May 30, 2025 8:56 am

IMO we still need a big wing that can defend big wings at the 3 or the 4,... switchable 2-4? or a backup big with enough size & game to spend an important amount of time at the 5?

I haven't been impressed with the 5's or even most of the 5/4's in this draft. Maluach is more of a Edey/Clingan style of 5? In terms of Size/Athleticism,.. Kalkbrenner, Yang & Raynaud look the most like a legit NBA centers? IMO Goldin may be better than advertised, but not for the Pacers,... reasonably quick feet, but s l o w up & down the court,.. similar to Zikarsky. If you gave me a choice between any of these guys and Bryant, on an equivalent value contract to a rookie, low first rounder? I'd take Bryant?

for the 5/4's,.... Queen has already started to drop. His game is really beautiful at a college level,... but he is a similar level athlete to Broome,... both of which compare to Trevion Williams, if you want a benchmark. (Jury is still out on Sorber - didn't test at the combine - injury, and hasn't yet submitted testing numbers)

For me, with the way the Pacers play,... I like Beringer & Niederhauser. Both athletic enough to defend on 4's or 5's, perimeter or post, both big enough to play as legit 5's when needed. Both are defensive players, who appear like they could provide solid defensive minutes (in limited time & specific matchups) as early as next season. Both have significant offensive limitation (at present), but seem to have the potential to grow into offensive contributors. At this point Beringer is solidly ahead of Niederhauser in his development and 3-4 years younger, with the very high likelihood that he will get taller & larger,... likely growing into a legit 5 over the next couple of years. Niederhauser is old enough that what you see, is likely what you get.

Pacers Forever · Post #85 » by **Pacers Forever** » Fri May 30, 2025 11:17 am

I’m in favor of doing a 1 year prove it deal for a healthy I-Jax and even kicking the tires on a Wiseman third string option. I felt like Thomas Bryant filled in decently this season. I’m not in favor of bringing him back as I just think his career is on the decline.

I’d draft another tall wing defender for the first round pick and then take Ryan Nembhard in the second round. Eventually Obi or Walker could be dealt creating room. Heck Furphy may grow into a stud wing. Personally I’d not draft a center unless the Pacers buy another late second round pick to make a late euro stash if a future center stud is available.

Wizop · Post #86 » by **Wizop** » Fri May 30, 2025 1:01 pm

I'm fine with an Edy/Robinson type on the bench to provide a defensive option.

I've liked Sorber since watching him against IU but he's more of an iJax type.

EDIT I probably saw him against Butler rather than IU.

JMaster5K · Post #87 » by **JMaster5K** » Sat May 31, 2025 8:35 am

I think that if we go with a big,... they have to be able to run with our offense,... as 4 on 5 doesn't really work all that well?

IMO, Bryant has done really well as our backup 5? He's almost as long as Myles.

Yeah,.. he doesn't block shots as well as Myles or Bradley, but I was impressed about how much ground he could cover defensively. He definitely fits better here on both ends, than he did in Miami? He isn't the rebounder that Bradley is, but he's better than Myles. I would love to see what he can do here after a full training camp with our staff & the rest of the team?

So,.. if we are considering a 3rd string 5? there are number of 5/4 hybrids in this draft that have a post game, aren't really long enough to play as a full time 5, but have better movement skills that could also allow them to play the 4 against '2 big' lineups?...

I do like Sorber. Want to see what his athletic testing shows once he does it, but one of the scouts I've read over the years said, "he really rebounds the heck out of the ball", if the rest checks out,... having that 1 translatable, NBA level skill,... and 1 that we really need, would work really well? I just don't think he will be there at 23.

Wizop · Post #88 » by **Wizop** » Sat May 31, 2025 12:48 pm

JMaster5K wrote:I think that if we go with a big,... they have to be able to run with our offense,... as 4 on 5 doesn't really work all that well?

Beringer is a runner but he also looks to be going higher than 23.

Wizop · Post #89 » by **Wizop** » Sat May 31, 2025 1:31 pm

Watch on YouTube

Post #90 » by **Grang33r** » Sat May 31, 2025 4:16 pm

Wizop wrote:

Watch on YouTube

Nice, ill have to check this out.

JMaster5K · Post #91 » by **JMaster5K** » Sat May 31, 2025 6:00 pm

Wizop wrote:
JMaster5K wrote:I think that if we go with a big,... they have to be able to run with our offense,... as 4 on 5 doesn't really work all that well?

Beringer is a runner but he also looks to be going higher than 23.

Agreed. We don’t have numbers, but he looks athletic. Even against the top pro’s in EU.

He is one I’d like even if we had to move a bit to get him. Even more if he agrees to a draft & stash, so his contract doesn’t go on the books till next year.

He is also young for this draft. He still has some growth left. Could be Myles understudy, then heir.

Wizop · Post #92 » by **Wizop** » Thu Jun 5, 2025 1:18 pm

I like Sorber a lot but can see a taller backup 5 and can see a trade down.

Watch on YouTube

Post #93 » by **Grang33r** » Thu Jun 12, 2025 11:46 pm

I have not seen anything official from the club, but guard Taelon Peter (Liberty) had a pre-draft workout with the Pacers today, per his IG.

8305 · Post #94 » by **8305** » Sat Jun 14, 2025 5:52 pm

I heard Sam Viciene say that Ryan Kalkbrenner was a better backup center than Thomas Bryant right now. I know that bar isn’t very high. Big time rim protector and finisher, looks like he can run the floor. He has even shot the three in college with some success. Needs to get stronger and will likely remind us of Myles Turner as a rebounder. Not sure I have seen a mock that has him taken before us at 23. Seems pretty simple. The Andrew Nembhard of centers?

Wizop · Post #95 » by **Wizop** » Sat Jun 14, 2025 6:21 pm

8305 wrote:I heard Sam Viciene say that Ryan Kalkbrenner was a better backup center than Thomas Bryant right now. I know that bar isn’t very high. Big time rim protector and finisher, looks like he can run the floor. He has even shot the three in college with some success. Needs to get stronger and will likely remind us of Myles Turner as a rebounder. Not sure I have seen a mock that has him taken before us at 23. Seems pretty simple. The Andrew Nembhard of centers?

I posted a comment on Sam's pod asking if he thought we should trade up for Maluach/Sorber/Beringer or stay put for Kalkbreener and he replied we should stay put if only because of the cheaper contract at 23.

8305 · Post #96 » by **8305** » Sat Jun 14, 2025 6:56 pm

Wizop wrote:
8305 wrote:I heard Sam Viciene say that Ryan Kalkbrenner was a better backup center than Thomas Bryant right now. I know that bar isn’t very high. Big time rim protector and finisher, looks like he can run the floor. He has even shot the three in college with some success. Needs to get stronger and will likely remind us of Myles Turner as a rebounder. Not sure I have seen a mock that has him taken before us at 23. Seems pretty simple. The Andrew Nembhard of centers?

I posted a comment on Sam's pod asking if he thought we should trade up for Maluach/Sorber/Beringer or stay put for Kalkbreener and he replied we should stay put if only because of the cheaper contract at 23.

Sounds to me like Sam likes Beringer’s upside. Less so with the other two.
Reading the scouting reports on all the centers this year makes me appreciate Turner.

JMaster5K · Post #97 » by **JMaster5K** » Tue Jun 17, 2025 8:41 am

8305 wrote:
Wizop wrote:
8305 wrote:I heard Sam Viciene say that Ryan Kalkbrenner was a better backup center than Thomas Bryant right now. I know that bar isn’t very high. Big time rim protector and finisher, looks like he can run the floor. He has even shot the three in college with some success. Needs to get stronger and will likely remind us of Myles Turner as a rebounder. Not sure I have seen a mock that has him taken before us at 23. Seems pretty simple. The Andrew Nembhard of centers?

I posted a comment on Sam's pod asking if he thought we should trade up for Maluach/Sorber/Beringer or stay put for Kalkbreener and he replied we should stay put if only because of the cheaper contract at 23.

Sounds to me like Sam likes Beringer’s upside. Less so with the other two.
Reading the scouting reports on all the centers this year makes me appreciate Turner.

Amen to the Turner appreciation,.... there have been so many stories about what he doesn't do to some vague expectation,... that sometimes I have to watch a game highlight, just to appreciate what he does do! :lol:

It's also worth skimming a current set of depth charts,... I keep asking myself, would I trade Myles for this guy?... the consistent answer is,... nope.

JMaster5K · Post #98 » by **JMaster5K** » Tue Jun 17, 2025 8:46 am

If he were to fall for some reason,... another potential draftee I could see us taking is Coward. He's only 6'5" barefoot,... but has a 7'2" wingspan,.. and the same standing reach as Pascal. (Way longer that Mathurin, Walker, or Nesmith) He's kind of a Draymond type player,.. He's a defense first guy,... long enough to actually guard 4's,... (giving us someone that can guard the big wings),.. with that size, he's also played some point in college,... good smooth handle,.. very quick, excellent athlete,... very high BBIQ, good passer,... good shot blocker,... he didn't record many steals in college, but was the primary rim defender on his team,... so wasn't in lanes much.

only problem,... I think he's played himself into the teens,...

Wizop · Post #99 » by **Wizop** » Tue Jun 17, 2025 5:49 pm

FROM SHAMS:

NBA draft deal: The Indiana Pacers are trading their No. 23 pick and the rights to Mojave King to the New Orleans Pelicans for Indiana's own 2026 first-round pick back which the Pelicans had previously acquired, sources tell ESPN.

JMaster5K · Post #100 » by **JMaster5K** » Tue Jun 17, 2025 6:09 pm

Wizop wrote:
FROM SHAMS:

NBA draft deal: The Indiana Pacers are trading their No. 23 pick and the rights to Mojave King to the New Orleans Pelicans for Indiana's own 2026 first-round pick back which the Pelicans had previously acquired, sources tell ESPN.

time to start looking at the early 2026 mocks?..... :-o