2025 NBA Draft

[cedric76]

Homer choice for our SRP, how can you pass on a rebounding Machine that can stretch the floor?

Maxime Raynaud, welcome to O town

[Bensational]

I watched a bunch of footage on Rocco Zikarsky who has been touted as a hot Aussie prospect but he looks pretty bad and raw to me.

[Skybox]

How about the guard from Florida in the second...isn't he a sniper?

[Skybox]

I can't see the Magic slipping out of the play-in...but they could easily drop a couple more slots behind "surging" West teams (POR, SAS) assuming they don't get their stuff together...the next stretch of the season is pretty brutal and ORL has recently demonstrated that they are capable of unintentionally losing to teams that are trying to lose.

In terms of the draft, that's pretty big...I'm hoping we trade the first pick (which could end up pretty high after all)...so, unless some miracle of an offensive scheme change rights all of the wrong we've been seeing lately and the shots start falling - I'd strongly consider giving Paolo & Franz a few more weeks of rest and therapy to really make sure their obliques are 100%

The difference in trade value between, say 14 and 8 is pretty substantial and, honestly, there's nobody, imo, outside of the top 2 that look like certain fits for us...we could do some work with that pick on the trade market and maybe unload a deal we don't want to carry anymore at the same time.

There's guys I'd like to take a swing at with the DEN pick and the srps when the stakes are much lower...I'd maybe even look to trade the DEN pick because trade hauls are about number of "firsts" with not enough scrutiny given as to how valuable they really are. Optics are very important to GMs - right or wrong, they don't want to look, to the public, like Nico does right now.

[Idiosyncratic]

How about the guard from Florida in the second...isn't he a sniper?

Yeah he would be good value in the 2nd. Good shooter, but also can create shots for himself and make tough shots. Players with his lack of height that don't look like lead ball-handlers at the next level will always be heavily scrutinized (hence the 2nd grade or possible even 2-way contract), but I do think he can have an NBA role and would be more than fine taking him in the 2nd.

Edit: Walter Clayton Jr. is the player being discussed.

[KillMonger]

Jase Richardson tape is initially intriguing, he can definitely shoot it.... Not a liability on defense... Not a great athlete like his father and he's in that 6'3/6'4 area so not a super big guard... Really good feel and touch around the basket which more and more I'm finding is key for guards....You have to have a good floater and he has one........Initially I'm thinking he's in the keyonte George Jared McCain mold

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[OrlandoDream]

Jase Richardson tape is initially intriguing, he can definitely shoot it.... Not a liability on defense... Not a great athlete like his father and he's in that 6'3/6'4 area so not a super big guard... Really good feel and touch around the basket which more and more I'm finding is key for guards....You have to have a good floater and he has one........Initially I'm thinking he's in the keyonte George Jared McCain mold

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Been watching him more and more and seems like might be worth the gamble if available at the Denver pick. My only reservations is that PG is the hardest position to learn in the NBA and usually takes these players the longest to see what they can be in the league. I don't know if we have the patience to wait for another PG to develop. I think we trade for a more vet PG and if we still have denver pick then go for backup big or a wing. Im liking Nique Clifford.

[Skybox]

Jase Richardson tape is initially intriguing, he can definitely shoot it.... Not a liability on defense... Not a great athlete like his father and he's in that 6'3/6'4 area so not a super big guard... Really good feel and touch around the basket which more and more I'm finding is key for guards....You have to have a good floater and he has one........Initially I'm thinking he's in the keyonte George Jared McCain mold

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Been watching him more and more and seems like might be worth the gamble if available at the Denver pick. My only reservations is that PG is the hardest position to learn in the NBA and usually takes these players the longest to see what they can be in the league. I don't know if we have the patience to wait for another PG to develop. I think we trade for a more vet PG and if we still have denver pick then go for backup big or a wing. Im liking Nique Clifford.

Absolutely need to trade for a "ready" player first and foremost. Richardson, to me, would be a value pick that might or might not work out...which is fine at that point in the draft. Trade the ORL pick, gamble with the srps and, if it doesn't also get moved, the DEN pick.

[basketballRob]

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[OrlandoDream]

Jase Richardson tape is initially intriguing, he can definitely shoot it.... Not a liability on defense... Not a great athlete like his father and he's in that 6'3/6'4 area so not a super big guard... Really good feel and touch around the basket which more and more I'm finding is key for guards....You have to have a good floater and he has one........Initially I'm thinking he's in the keyonte George Jared McCain mold

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Been watching him more and more and seems like might be worth the gamble if available at the Denver pick. My only reservations is that PG is the hardest position to learn in the NBA and usually takes these players the longest to see what they can be in the league. I don't know if we have the patience to wait for another PG to develop. I think we trade for a more vet PG and if we still have denver pick then go for backup big or a wing. Im liking Nique Clifford.

Absolutely need to trade for a "ready" player first and foremost. Richardson, to me, would be a value pick that might or might not work out...which is fine at that point in the draft. Trade the ORL pick, gamble with the srps and, if it doesn't also get moved, the DEN pick.

Jase looks like he will be a solid PG but not right away. If we move Cole and still have Denver pick then he might be worth it at 27. U just don't see any PG this draft coming in and stepping into starting level PG role and being the contributing PG we need. Boogie Fland I think will be nice but maybe in year 3 or 4. Jeremiah Fears I don't thin is a good fit for us. Slashing PG that isn't known for shooting/3pt threat. We don't need AB 2.0. That Alabama kid Philon looks like a backup in NBA to me. nothing game changing for us.

If we end up keeping our mid 1st pick, I don't think we go PG route. I think we trade for that and maybe try to snag a SG/SF off the bench.

[Idiosyncratic]

Jase is not making it to the Denver pick IMO, he stays in school if he gets the vibe that is where he would go.

None of the young PGs we have potential to draft produce right away IMO, they still need to trade for a guy that can score and potentially sign a cheap vet (Jones, Schroder etc.). Maybe if they got really lucky and got Tre Johnson (not happening) I could see him being playable as a rookie.

They can get minutes off the bench, in the g league and when Suggs gets hurt. I still would not mind an upside play for the future, but also understand if they trade the picks or grab someone they think can help now. It will be interesting to see. I hope they at least use a 2nd this year and explore the undrafted guys, that is all I ask even if they trade 1sts.

[Idiosyncratic]

Jase 18-5-3 on 10 shots against Michigan. 4-4 on the line which puts him very close to 50-40-90 shooting splits on the year. Handle is advanced. He is just short.

Danny Wolf 18-13-4 Not a very efficient day, 23 possessions used to get 18 points (counting 2 free throws as a possession). But I actually liked what I saw. Not sure where I have him overall, but definitely wouldn't be mad at him with a mid to late 1st.

[OrlandoDream]

Jase Richardson seems to me like more of a tweener in the NBA. He doesn't really have the traditional PG skills we need. Hes more of a bully ball level PG. Can get to the paint, drive. Not really the best halfcourt playmaker compared to others in his class. This again goes back to his scorer/SG mentality.......part of that might the team he is on. His stock is rising and sounds like he will be a lottery pick.


Also don't sleep on some of these international PG/SG. Ben Saraf and Nolan Traore might shoot up boards.

[Idiosyncratic]

Jase Richardson seems to me like more of a tweener in the NBA. He doesn't really have the traditional PG skills we need. Hes more of a bully ball level PG. Can get to the paint, drive. Not really the best halfcourt playmaker compared to others in his class. This again goes back to his scorer/SG mentality.......part of that might the team he is on. His stock is rising and sounds like he will be a lottery pick.


Also don't sleep on some of these international PG/SG. Ben Saraf and Nolan Traore might shoot up boards.

Yeah that is the x-factor with Jase. You have to bank on the fact that is Izzo is being safe with him and him having way more lead ball-handling/passing skills than he has shown. I personally see flashes of passing, he makes smart reads in the role he has, takes care of the ball, handle is nice, footwork is nice. But he is a boom or bust guy and I would not fault them for going elsewhere. For me personally he is quickly going up my draft board.

It is really hard for me to get a read on Saraf and Traore. Traore is really fast and a pretty good passer. I think both are less likely to be scorers than the other guards because of the shooting, but they have skills. I would probably go Traore out of them, no clue where I would rank him yet.

There's also Pettiford from Auburn who can really shot create and shoot the ball, but is also short. There are some really really interesting scoring guards in this draft that have potential to be all-star level lead guards... Picking the right one though, not an easy task. Many will surely bust, but some will be very good.

This team needs someone to help now more than anything, but I don't think they need to trade every pick ever to get that unless they are getting Lamelo or something. They will certainly make draft picks again and certainly need to continue to develop contributors. I know people have the mindset "why not trade for someone who is good now why discuss prospects" Well I like discussing prospects and I also agree they should look to trade for help now, but as of now they have 4 picks so I will look at possible prospects until they have 0. And even then I will look at undrafted guys.

[basketballRob]

Jase Richardson seems to me like more of a tweener in the NBA. He doesn't really have the traditional PG skills we need. Hes more of a bully ball level PG. Can get to the paint, drive. Not really the best halfcourt playmaker compared to others in his class. This again goes back to his scorer/SG mentality.......part of that might the team he is on. His stock is rising and sounds like he will be a lottery pick.


Also don't sleep on some of these international PG/SG. Ben Saraf and Nolan Traore might shoot up boards.

Yeah that is the x-factor with Jase. You have to bank on the fact that is Izzo is being safe with him and him having way more lead ball-handling/passing skills than he has shown. I personally see flashes of passing, he makes smart reads in the role he has, takes care of the ball, handle is nice, footwork is nice. But he is a boom or bust guy and I would not fault them for going elsewhere. For me personally he is quickly going up my draft board.

It is really hard for me to get a read on Saraf and Traore. Traore is really fast and a pretty good passer. I think both are less likely to be scorers than the other guards because of the shooting, but they have skills. I would probably go Traore out of them, no clue where I would rank him yet.

There's also Pettiford from Auburn who can really shot create and shoot the ball, but is also short. There are some really really interesting scoring guards in this draft that have potential to be all-star level lead guards... Picking the right one though, not an easy task. Many will surely bust, but some will be very good.

This team needs someone to help now more than anything, but I don't think they need to trade every pick ever to get that unless they are getting Lamelo or something. They will certainly make draft picks again and certainly need to continue to develop contributors. I know people have the mindset "why not trade for someone who is good now why discuss prospects" Well I like discussing prospects and I also agree they should look to trade for help now, but as of now they have 4 picks so I will look at possible prospects until they have 0. And even then I will look at undrafted guys.

I hate looking hard for the X-factor. I remember Weltman saying he had to dig to find intell on Jett prior to an ankle injury. If you need to dig that hard to convince yourself to draft a player, it isn't worth it.

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[KillMonger]

Jase 18-5-3 on 10 shots against Michigan. 4-4 on the line which puts him very close to 50-40-90 shooting splits on the year. Handle is advanced. He is just short.

Danny Wolf 18-13-4 Not a very efficient day, 23 possessions used to get 18 points (counting 2 free throws as a possession). But I actually liked what I saw. Not sure where I have him overall, but definitely wouldn't be mad at him with a mid to late 1st.

We need a big to replace Dell..... I like queen a bit better but I think wolf is right there....he's a legit 7 footer can rebound can block shots and he's a pretty good passer while stretching the floor.....Rookie bigs have been coming into the league contributing..... Lively.... Edy.... Clingan.... Ware... Wolf isn't a bad way to go

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[RookieStar]

Jase 18-5-3 on 10 shots against Michigan. 4-4 on the line which puts him very close to 50-40-90 shooting splits on the year. Handle is advanced. He is just short.

Danny Wolf 18-13-4 Not a very efficient day, 23 possessions used to get 18 points (counting 2 free throws as a possession). But I actually liked what I saw. Not sure where I have him overall, but definitely wouldn't be mad at him with a mid to late 1st.

We need a big to replace Dell..... I like queen a bit better but I think wolf is right there....he's a legit 7 footer can rebound can block shots and he's a pretty good passer while stretching the floor.....Rookie bigs have been coming into the league contributing..... Lively.... Edy.... Clingan.... Ware... Wolf isn't a bad way to go

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You seen Wolf play? Not just highlights? I think its only because he is a legit 7fter and that his frontcourtmate is even bigger than him that makes him able to be productive.

I would call him a less athletic MoeWagner. Im gonna waot for the combine but i predict he is even less tha average athletically so forget about the boards blocks and movement defense.

He is great offensively though

[KillMonger]

Jase 18-5-3 on 10 shots against Michigan. 4-4 on the line which puts him very close to 50-40-90 shooting splits on the year. Handle is advanced. He is just short.

Danny Wolf 18-13-4 Not a very efficient day, 23 possessions used to get 18 points (counting 2 free throws as a possession). But I actually liked what I saw. Not sure where I have him overall, but definitely wouldn't be mad at him with a mid to late 1st.

We need a big to replace Dell..... I like queen a bit better but I think wolf is right there....he's a legit 7 footer can rebound can block shots and he's a pretty good passer while stretching the floor.....Rookie bigs have been coming into the league contributing..... Lively.... Edy.... Clingan.... Ware... Wolf isn't a bad way to go

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You seen Wolf play? Not just highlights? I think its only because he is a legit 7fter and that his frontcourtmate is even bigger than him that makes him able to be productive.

I would call him a less athletic MoeWagner. Im gonna waot for the combine but i predict he is even less tha average athletically so forget about the boards blocks and movement defense.

He is great offensively though

I've seen him play, my initial eye test is telling me he can't be worse than Dell..... I mean Dell got to be motivated to get 10 boards... Out of the centers in our range I like queen the best but I'm not complaining with wolf.... Athletics not the best but do I need my center to be super athletic or super smart and skilled?

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[OrlandoDream]

I like Wolf with Denver pick. From what I've seen from him not the best defender at C but at least has size over Dell. Would be an offensive upgrade. These stretch C are the future of the NBA. Hes also a good 3pt shooter for C and above average playmaker for big. My only concern is him and Paolo are gonna be KAT level paint defense.

[RookieStar]

We need a big to replace Dell..... I like queen a bit better but I think wolf is right there....he's a legit 7 footer can rebound can block shots and he's a pretty good passer while stretching the floor.....Rookie bigs have been coming into the league contributing..... Lively.... Edy.... Clingan.... Ware... Wolf isn't a bad way to go

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You seen Wolf play? Not just highlights? I think its only because he is a legit 7fter and that his frontcourtmate is even bigger than him that makes him able to be productive.

I would call him a less athletic MoeWagner. Im gonna waot for the combine but i predict he is even less tha average athletically so forget about the boards blocks and movement defense.

He is great offensively though

I've seen him play, my initial eye test is telling me he can't be worse than Dell..... I mean Dell got to be motivated to get 10 boards... Out of the centers in our range I like queen the best but I'm not complaining with wolf.... Athletics not the best but do I need my center to be super athletic or super smart and skilled?

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Super Smart and skilled offensively is what I would call Moe. Sucks on D.

As I said, I will wait for the combine measurements especially on the speed and jump part but I have a hard time believing Wolf won't be targeted on D due to "measureables." With what we saw that Paolo cant protect the rim, I think I want my C to be able to do so.