2025 NBA Draft Thread: Detroit Pick Edition

[Klomp]

Two players who immediately stood out to me are Nique Clifford and Carter Bryant with their elite FG% numbers in the halfcourt. It’s not the same as pure “rim finishing” numbers, but I feel like this skill should translate well to the NBA level. At this point, I dare myself to say — I’m fully convinced TC should take Nique Clifford or Carter Bryant with the 17th pick.

Two of my favorites at this point in the process.

[Klomp]

Another guy who I view in the same category as Nique Clifford is Yaxel Lendeborg: high IQ, high effort, well rounded skillset.

I think it's important to note that Tim Connelly and Chris Finch really seem to favor offensively-skilled big men. In Connelly's run here, Gobert is the only big man acquisition who does not fall into this category. From what I've seen, Lendenborg should have enough versatility in his game to fall into this category.

[Mattya]

I really hope they can trade back with the Nets and pick up one of Wolf, Sorber or Bryant at 19 then Clayton Jr in the late first. Clayton just looks like he would thrive off the ball with this team as a movement shooter.

[Slim Tubby]

I really hope they can trade back with the Nets and pick up one of Wolf, Sorber or Bryant at 19 then Clayton Jr in the late first. Clayton just looks like he would thrive off the ball with this team as a movement shooter.

I'm a huge fan of Clayton Jr after watching him play 20+ games this season. He has flaws but the guy is a winner. Landing him and any of the guys you mentioned would be a heck of a Draft.

My dream is moving high enough up with 17 & 31 to grab Queen but I can't see that happening.

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[Neeva]

If all the guys I really like are gone at 17 I trade down also. I think Connelly will be making moves.

[Klomp]

You want defensive culture?!

The 6-foot-5 wing has been one of the more impressive G League defenders throughout the season and one of the more interesting prospects to enter the NBA's developmental league through its embryonic international draft. He recently set a G League record with 10 steals in a game and looms as an intriguing defensive specialist for NBA evaluators to see when Nogués Gonzaléz likely participates in the G League Elite Camp in Chicago in May prior to the NBA Draft Combine.

“I can defend a lot of positions," Nogués Gonzaléz told me. "Not only the point guard. Not only the best player. I can defend all 48 minutes of the game. I can give 100% of my energy on defense. This really helps any team."

Read on Twitter

Watch on YouTube

[minimus]

Another guy who I view in the same category as Nique Clifford is Yaxel Lendeborg: high IQ, high effort, well rounded skillset.

I think it's important to note that Tim Connelly and Chris Finch really seem to favor offensively-skilled big men. In Connelly's run here, Gobert is the only big man acquisition who does not fall into this category. From what I've seen, Lendenborg should have enough versatility in his game to fall into this category.

I saw someone compare Yaxel Lendeborg to Kyle Anderson — and I actually really like that comp.

At this stage of his career, Kyle can defend bigs, facilitate, rebound, and pass.
He has a gigantic wingspan and a high basketball IQ (6’8.5″ height, 7’2.5″ wingspan). Yaxel has comparable measurements: 6’9″ with a 7’3″ wingspan.

I still remember the play-in game vs NOP on April 10, 2023 — the one where Gobert punched Anderson and Towns fouled out. Kyle basically replaced both of them in that game, playing an all-around role: 8 PTS, 9 REB, 4 AST, 2 BLK.

Or take Game 2 vs DEN last year, when Gobert was out and Kyle started at center: 6 PTS, 9 REB, 8 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK.

In other words, Kyle can:
- defend on the perimeter (mostly thanks to quick hands)
- defend bigs
- provide weak-side rim protection

Watch on YouTube

To me, he was just as important to MIN’s defensive identity last season as Towns — complementing Gobert and McDaniels perfectly, and providing defensive versatility and depth across almost every position.

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If Lendeborg can truly be developed into a Kyle Anderson-type player, MIN might get their defensive identity from last season back.

[thinktank]

I think I like the Polish guy Bogoljub Marković more than Danny Wolf and you can get him with first pick in the second round. I like him more than Raynaud. At least right now. Guy has VERY quick feet, good vision, and a good jumper. Very fluid.

https://youtu.be/9yElkDNmYrg?si=K7ELJWPMov2DAAZj

Raynaud has a lot of flash but his FG% is not good and he’s got a negative A/T ratio despite only 1.4 assists. So he’s flashy but I’m not seeing the substance to him.

[Norseman79]

Beringer, depending on pre draft stuff has caught my eye. If he is a legit 6'11 w 7'3 wingspan at 18 years old ...I'd like him behind Rudy for a year or so to learn and take over. As far as pick 17....could Essengue drop?

[Norseman79]

Also, how high up could 17 and 31 actually get us?

[minimus]

Beringer, depending on pre draft stuff has caught my eye. If he is a legit 6'11 w 7'3 wingspan at 18 years old ...I'd like him behind Rudy for a year or so to learn and take over.

Reminds me Joakim Noah

[Norseman79]

Beringer, depending on pre draft stuff has caught my eye. If he is a legit 6'11 w 7'3 wingspan at 18 years old ...I'd like him behind Rudy for a year or so to learn and take over.

Reminds me Joakim Noah

Would be a really solid guy to come off the bench behind Rudy and eventually take over.

[shrink]

Also, how high up could 17 and 31 actually get us?

I have a formula for that, and it comes out to barely #13. However, this formula is purely mathematical, so it doesn’t take into account positive emotional biases (“but #13 is a lottery pick!”) or negative ones (“but #31 is just a a second rounder!”). A lot of these decisions also come down to who is on the board for that specific draft, while my numbers are based on the average outcomes of a large number of drafts.

Here’s the draft order

#13 ATL
#14 SAS
#15 OKC (won’t downgrade for more picks)

[Norseman79]

Also, how high up could 17 and 31 actually get us?

I have a formula for that, and it comes out to barely #13. However, this formula is purely mathematical, so it doesn’t take into account positive emotional biases (“but #13 is a lottery pick!”) or negative ones (“but #31 is just a a second rounder!”). A lot of these decisions also come down to who is on the board for that specific draft, while my numbers are based on the average outcomes of a large number of drafts.

Here’s the draft order

#13 ATL
#14 SAS
#15 OKC (won’t downgrade for more picks)

The real kick could be if we package the 17 and potentially Randle could we get up to 10ish?

[Ethomasp31]

Also, how high up could 17 and 31 actually get us?

I have a formula for that, and it comes out to barely #13. However, this formula is purely mathematical, so it doesn’t take into account positive emotional biases (“but #13 is a lottery pick!”) or negative ones (“but #31 is just a a second rounder!”). A lot of these decisions also come down to who is on the board for that specific draft, while my numbers are based on the average outcomes of a large number of drafts.

Here’s the draft order

#13 ATL
#14 SAS
#15 OKC (won’t downgrade for more picks)

The real kick could be if we package the 17 and potentially Randle could we get up to 10ish?

Good Grief...I get Randle was a bad mix at the beginning of the year. I hated him as much as anyone. But 17 and Randle to get to the 10th pick is brutal. Our season would be over now if we didn't have Randle.

[BlacJacMac]

Also, how high up could 17 and 31 actually get us?

I have a formula for that, and it comes out to barely #13. However, this formula is purely mathematical, so it doesn’t take into account positive emotional biases (“but #13 is a lottery pick!”) or negative ones (“but #31 is just a a second rounder!”). A lot of these decisions also come down to who is on the board for that specific draft, while my numbers are based on the average outcomes of a large number of drafts.

Here’s the draft order

#13 ATL
#14 SAS
#15 OKC (won’t downgrade for more picks)

The real kick could be if we package the 17 and potentially Randle could we get up to 10ish?

How many 10th overall picks would help us more than Randle?

[Norseman79]

I have a formula for that, and it comes out to barely #13. However, this formula is purely mathematical, so it doesn’t take into account positive emotional biases (“but #13 is a lottery pick!”) or negative ones (“but #31 is just a a second rounder!”). A lot of these decisions also come down to who is on the board for that specific draft, while my numbers are based on the average outcomes of a large number of drafts.

Here’s the draft order

#13 ATL
#14 SAS
#15 OKC (won’t downgrade for more picks)

The real kick could be if we package the 17 and potentially Randle could we get up to 10ish?

Good Grief...I get Randle was a bad mix at the beginning of the year. I hated him as much as anyone. But 17 and Randle to get to the 10th pick is brutal. Our season would be over now if we didn't have Randle.

Do you want Randle or Naz?

[Norseman79]

I have a formula for that, and it comes out to barely #13. However, this formula is purely mathematical, so it doesn’t take into account positive emotional biases (“but #13 is a lottery pick!”) or negative ones (“but #31 is just a a second rounder!”). A lot of these decisions also come down to who is on the board for that specific draft, while my numbers are based on the average outcomes of a large number of drafts.

Here’s the draft order

#13 ATL
#14 SAS
#15 OKC (won’t downgrade for more picks)

The real kick could be if we package the 17 and potentially Randle could we get up to 10ish?

How many 10th overall picks would help us more than Randle?

Do you consider being able to resign Naz as helping us?

[BlacJacMac]

The real kick could be if we package the 17 and potentially Randle could we get up to 10ish?

Good Grief...I get Randle was a bad mix at the beginning of the year. I hated him as much as anyone. But 17 and Randle to get to the 10th pick is brutal. Our season would be over now if we didn't have Randle.

Do you want Randle or Naz?

Randle is the better player. Naz is the more fun story.

Why does it have to be one or the other? I'd take both guys over NAW.

[cmoss84]

If we make it to WCF we need to retain entire team.
If not, there are a million possibilities.