2025 NBA Draft Thread: Detroit Pick Edition

[Klomp]

Whoa slow down Pistons, we don't want that pick to be in the 20's.
Just stay in that 6th seed spot and we're all good.

So basically right now, they are 6th in the East and would be 6th in the West as well....so I believe right now it's sitting at 19. here's opportunity to climb in the East, but I'd say they're unlikely to climb past any more West teams....there's roughly 3.5 game between the Pistons and Lakers. So right now, I'd say 21 is the current worst case. Within a couple games of jumping a few teams in the other direction though.

[minimus]

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Does CMB look like mini Randle?

[TheZachAttack]

I think Broome is a 5 in this era, I'm questioning whether he could play the 4. He's like a mesh of Taj Gibson, Carlos Boozer and Luka Garza. I don't love the fit as much as other bigs, but I don't hate it.

I'd agree with that.

A comp I'd give is Trayce Jackson-Davis, who's done well for Golden State as a late 2nd pickup. Broome is either equal with or better than TJD in most statistical categories, although he is less efficient (caused by the fact he takes 3s and only hits them at a 30% clip, which decreases his overall FG% as compared to TJD who took no 3s).

I'm actually really coming around on Broome. I can't see how he fails in the NBA as at worst he should be a backup and overall his skillset is something we could use behind Gobert (imagine a better defending Garza).

I’m sort of onboard for a big as well. I could potentially see a PG making sense as well. For me, I think it’s really important that we have 5’s that can attack in the short roll and punish teams when they trap Ant. I’m looking to make Gobert more of a 20-25 mpg player, maybe situationally more depending on the matchup. If we have a big that can score and find open shooters out of the short roll it’s much easier for Ant and the Wolves to just take what the defenses give them until they stop.

[minimus]

One way the UTA bigs were able to beat our smallball lineup was with high-low passing. Both Filipowski and Kessler were able to see and pass over the defense. This is a BIG area of improvement for Naz Reid, who has started to show some signs as a passer, but is still behind the curve as an offensive hub. Imagine TJ and McDaniels making cuts and receiving passes from bigs in the paint and finishing at open rim. As I have said many times before, effective passing is a real key for bigs in the five, because it allows them to use the space created by stretching the defense in the most effective way.

My question is, who from this draft can be that kind of big? Danny Wolf? If so, I would consider him as a draft pick. However, I have a few questions: I see that he has fluidity and mobility, but not much athleticism and verticality. Does that mean he is not much injury risk compared to some bigmen who move clunky? How much can he improve his body? Naz Reid went from being overweight and injury-prone to being an athletic, mobile big man. Can Wolf follow that path? His 3pt shot is not broken, but can he be a consistent shooter from deep? Below is a video of him making some high-low passes.

Watch on YouTube

P.S. I feel like every game I watch Naz Reid throw the ball away when he tries to start a fast break. He needs to clean that up.

[TheZachAttack]

One way the UTA bigs were able to beat our smallball lineup was with high-low passing. Both Filipowski and Kessler were able to see and pass over the defense. This is a BIG area of improvement for Naz Reid, who has started to show some signs as a passer, but is still behind the curve as an offensive hub. Imagine TJ and McDaniels making cuts and receiving passes from bigs in the paint and finishing at open rim. As I have said many times before, effective passing is a real key for bigs in the five, because it allows them to use the space created by stretching the defense in the most effective way.

My question is, who from this draft can be that kind of big? Danny Wolf? If so, I would consider him as a draft pick. However, I have a few questions: I see that he has fluidity and mobility, but not much athleticism and verticality. Does that mean he is not much injury risk compared to some bigmen who move clunky? How much can he improve his body? Naz Reid went from being overweight and injury-prone to being an athletic, mobile big man. Can Wolf follow that path? His 3pt shot is not broken, but can he be a consistent shooter from deep? Below is a video of him making some high-low passes.

Watch on YouTube

P.S. I feel like every game I watch Naz Reid throw the ball away when he tries to start a fast break. He needs to clean that up.

I agree with all of this. I think this is one of Naz's shortcomings. I think he's better when he plays a little bit more within himself. he gets a little careless with the ball. I think my favorite pick so far is Wolf because I really think he can be that big in the short roll or high post that we can throw the ball into the middle of the floor and he can be a threat as a scorer or a passer.

[minimus]

I agree with all of this. I think this is one of Naz's shortcomings. I think he's better when he plays a little bit more within himself. he gets a little careless with the ball. I think my favorite pick so far is Wolf because I really think he can be that big in the short roll or high post that we can throw the ball into the middle of the floor and he can be a threat as a scorer or a passer.

IMO to play this role a bigman might not even be a superior passer like current version of Sabonis. He just needs to play smart, don't force things and play within team flow. Imagine prime Al Horford, who's career high were 5APG in BOS 2017-17.

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I feel like this roster of MIN have huge void in decision making regardless of position. It's clear because our best inbounder is Ingles. So MIN can improve by bringing a playmakers at wings and in frontcourt, not only at PG.

Maybe Sorber can be this two way player?

[shangrila]

If you're looking for bigs that can pass out of the short roll, Sorber, Queen and Wolf all come to mind

[TheZachAttack]

I agree with all of this. I think this is one of Naz's shortcomings. I think he's better when he plays a little bit more within himself. he gets a little careless with the ball. I think my favorite pick so far is Wolf because I really think he can be that big in the short roll or high post that we can throw the ball into the middle of the floor and he can be a threat as a scorer or a passer.

IMO to play this role a bigman might not even be a superior passer like current version of Sabonis. He just needs to play smart, don't force things and play within team flow. Imagine prime Al Horford, who's career high were 5APG in BOS 2017-17.

Watch on YouTube

I feel like this roster of MIN have huge void in decision making regardless of position. It's clear because our best inbounder is Ingles. So MIN can improve by bringing a playmakers at wings and in frontcourt, not only at PG.

Maybe Sorber can be this two way player?

I totally agree that even someone just competent (I think of a guy like Hartenstein with his screening, simple passing, and floater game) that's enough. Any ability above that is a plus, but really that's all we need. I think having every structural answer for two on the ball on Ant is a must for this team to contend and then we can add in other layers after that. That being said, we have kind of seen Ant figure out the 2 on the ball thing -- although I thing though I would love more answers that involve being able to attack the middle of the floor. I think Jaden and Randle are both able to do this to some extent -- Naz to a lesser extent. With Rudy out, we do have the answers we need for the most part.

[TheZachAttack]

In watching more highlights, it does appear that Wolf plays almost like a 7'0 version of Joe Ingles. He's mostly operating was a spacer/drive off the catch guy in some of the places that say Naz lines up in and then as the primary ball-handler starting from outside the 3 point line. He didn't play really any pick and roll or said differently he plays in all of the spaces and roles that say Joe Ingles would. I would have some concern that he can do a lot of things that big men can't, but he's not very good at doing the big man things on either side of the ball. He would allow us to potentially play a 5-out offense though, which is interesting.

Sorber looks great. He seems big/long, fluid, strong, and athletic (7'6 wingspan). He seems like he has a couple of solid post moves, some ability to hit elbow midrange shots in the paint, and he can pass pretty well. I can also see him being a lot more comfortable in a big role on both sides. The biggest question is how much can he develop as a shooter.

Queen looks amazing as well. He almost reminds me of Draymond Green, but more aggressive as a scorer and more ability to finish above the rim.

I'd probably rank them:

Sorber
Wolf
Queen

I'd be happy with any of them. I think Queen has a better handle and can more fluidly rebound and take the possession up the floor himself and catch the ball behind the 3 point line and drive to the rim. Sorber seems like he can be better defensively. Sober did recently have a season ending foot injury which may put some risk on him playing the full season next year.

[minimus]

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[younggunsmn]

Doesn't look like the Pistons pick is gonna be any better than 17 and could climb as high as 22 with them within a game of 5 other teams (including us) and 4 back of the Rockets who would draft 23rd right now.
Pistons are currently in the 6th seed by 5 games over the 7th place Hawks with 16 games left to play.

But hey I will take that when we weren't sure the pick would ever even convey before the season started.

[minimus]

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Draft and stash candidate?

[Neeva]

The more I see of this draft the less I like it!! No real big stars, too bad the Pistons didn’t suck this season and have their “breakout” next season instead. That being said I like Sorber with Pistons pick and Carter Bryant with Utah pick. They won’t be huge stars but could become wolves version of John Collins and Aaron Gordon. Too bad Sorber isn’t over 7 feet.

[minimus]

The more I see of this draft the less I like it

I feel like every draft scouting is like this.

[minimus]

With so much focus on three point shooting in the league (read more offensive power on perimeter less in post) AND MIN progress as three point shooting team I wonder if guys like Thompson twins (Ausar and Amen) make more sense as even without consistent shot? HOU and DET have a lot of success this season and you can find multiple video analysis about their game.

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So if DET pick is more about 20th than 15th AND all quality bigs (Maluach, Queen, Sorber, Essengue, Fleming, Beringer, Wolf) are already drafted would you consider guys such as Adou Thiero or Carter Bryant?

The idea is to pair McDaniels with another big wing with elite defensive potential

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[minimus]

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Yaxel Lendeborg had a 30-20 game. Second round pick candidate

P.S. I will be happy if Miller or Minott prove me wrong but it looks like MIN have a big hole at back PF position as well.

[BlacJacMac]

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Yaxel Lendeborg had a 30-20 game. Second round pick candidate

P.S. I will be happy if Miller or Minott prove me wrong but it looks like MIN have a big hole at back PF position as well.

30 points, 20 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 steals, 4 blocks, 0 turnovers.

That's as good of a line as I've just about ever seen.

[minimus]

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Can Carter Bryant or Adou Thiero be developed into such type of defender?

[BlacJacMac]

They’ve lost four of their last six and their only wins were against the Wizards and Blazers.

[life_saver]

They’ve lost four of their last six and their only wins were against the Wizards and Blazers.

yeah...this pick is looking lot better now than anyone could have imagined before start of the season