2025 NBA Draft

[basketballRob]

You think Mike Miller can warp the draft?

Yes. Fears is being mocked in our range

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I don't understand ....what's to be worked out?

He just doesn't have to work out with the teams ahead of us. I'm not sure if they can still withhold medicals.

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[ogmagicfan]

I'd reckon its easier to get a guard than a big through trades

I'd trade both of our picks to move up and grab Khaman Maluach. He seems like he can be a better version of Dereck Lively, with 3 pt shooting included

Then trade for Malik Monk. I'd send Jett, Goga & a 2nd. Maybe a future 1st with protections if they dont bite.

Monk
Suggs
Franz
Paolo
Khaman

Sounds like a great starting 5

I agree with your first sentence...there's a ton of guards that, for various reasons, might be available and fit well. The reason we didn't get one at the TD sure wasn't because of a lack of possibilities. We'll have to part with pick(s), but I'm all in on that, as opposed to drafting and "developing" a playmaker.

It's rarely viable to trade up that high...but maybe this year because:
1) I think the draft actually DOES flatten out after the first two...there are obviously tiers, but...
2) Quite a few of the teams likely to land ahead of us (and behind #2) already have young, recently drafted, promising Centers

POR-Clingan (and Ayton and RWill)
MIA - Ware
NOLA - Missi
UTA - Kessler
WAS - Sarr
SAS - Wemby
HOU via PHX - Sengun
DAL - Lively (and Gafford)

also...BRK has Claxton and CHA has Mark Williams

any of these teams might be willing to trade out or trade their incumbents to take Malauch...interesting.

I don't know if Malauch will be a great player, but it's more important that we start looking for great FITs

Really good point. Looking at the draft right now, 76ers (6), Toronto (7), Bulls(10), & Hawks (14) are the only places where a Khaman pick makes some sort of sense.

76ers and Toronto pick look a bit too high, so I think the Bulls at 10 make the most sense as where he can get drafted. If we end up making the playoffs, the 15th pick as our worst case scenario, I believe in a draft this deep we can move up to 10 by packaging our 25th pick. Bulls can easily pick Queen, Sorber, or Wolf if available at 15.

I think Khaman will both be a good player, and a great fit on our team. He will kill it in the dunkers spot off alleys from drives of Paolo & Franz, he has 3 pt ability even though he hasnt really taken many at Duke for some reason, and his ability to guard the perimeter is unreal for someone his size and will fit our defensive schemes so well. The kinda player who can get an easy 10 pts without drawing anything up for him.

Also, with the direction the NBA is heading, you need a long boi to guard the long bois in the new class of NBA big men (Wemby, Chet, Clingnan, Sarr, etc). He'll fit right in, and give us the flexibility to finally move off of Isaac/WCJ as he develops.

[ogmagicfan]

Jase Richardson has been booming up the mock drafts, looks like he might fall outside of our range

Sucks considering a couple weeks ago it might look like he could snag him with our Denver pick, oh well

[zzaj]

We have had some trades tossed around posted to our board that include:

Simons, Thybulle, Duop

KCP, Cole, Black, Harris, DEN FRP

Is there anything in there that makes sense for you guys?

The idea being Portland taking on KCP's extra year or other longer contracts that might build a bridge in a Simons swap - and if Thybulle plays upon his return he might be an ideal replacement for the D KCP brings, but cheaper and with a year less on his deal. The Blazers would be coveting the DEN FRP, assuming your better 1st rounder is off limits.

FWIW, Duop has been barely used this year with Ayton, Clingan, RWIII also on the roster--but hits 3s at a pretty good clip for a C.

Have you all targeted a Guard or a player in your draft range that can shoot/score well enough to fill that role for your roster?

[cedric76]

We have had some trades tossed around posted to our board that include:

Simons, Thybulle, Duop

KCP, Cole, Black, Harris, DEN FRP

Is there anything in there that makes sense for you guys?

The idea being Portland taking on KCP's extra year or other longer contracts that might build a bridge in a Simons swap - and if Thybulle plays upon his return he might be an ideal replacement for the D KCP brings, but cheaper and with a year less on his deal. The Blazers would be coveting the DEN FRP, assuming your better 1st rounder is off limits.

FWIW, Duop has been barely used this year with Ayton, Clingan, RWIII also on the roster--but hits 3s at a pretty good clip for a C.

Have you all targeted a Guard or a player in your draft range that can shoot/score well enough to fill that role for your roster.

I think many people here would do that

[Idiosyncratic]

Jase Richardson has been booming up the mock drafts, looks like he might fall outside of our range

Sucks considering a couple weeks ago it might look like he could snag him with our Denver pick, oh well

He shouldn't even make it to our own pick. And I am sad about that.

[Skybox]

We have had some trades tossed around posted to our board that include:

Simons, Thybulle, Duop

KCP, Cole, Black, Harris, DEN FRP

Is there anything in there that makes sense for you guys?

The idea being Portland taking on KCP's extra year or other longer contracts that might build a bridge in a Simons swap - and if Thybulle plays upon his return he might be an ideal replacement for the D KCP brings, but cheaper and with a year less on his deal. The Blazers would be coveting the DEN FRP, assuming your better 1st rounder is off limits.

FWIW, Duop has been barely used this year with Ayton, Clingan, RWIII also on the roster--but hits 3s at a pretty good clip for a C.

Have you all targeted a Guard or a player in your draft range that can shoot/score well enough to fill that role for your roster?

Simons for KCP & DEN frp…done

We have a bunch of Thybulles…we need more Simons’s

[OrlandoDream]

Jase Richardson has been booming up the mock drafts, looks like he might fall outside of our range

Sucks considering a couple weeks ago it might look like he could snag him with our Denver pick, oh well

Him or Fears are going top 10. If we keep our FRP, either one of those two would be incredible here.

[basketballRob]

Wasserman has us taking Ben Saraf at 15. He also has Queen going 6th.

Saraf is being compared to Manu.

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[Idiosyncratic]

Danny Wolf 18-11-6 on 10 shots 2 turnovers. I like him, don't know what he will be in the NBA, but he looks like a rotation guy to me. Moves so well, I think he can hold his own on the glass.

Labaron Philon 23-3-4 with 3 steals. I would like him with the Nuggets pick if he came out, moves so fluidly, tough defender, a chance he can play point. Think he would be really redundant with AB though, so if they moved AB for a guard or big or whatever Philon would be higher on my want list than he is now.

Nique Clifford - 26-11-6 Senior wing averaging 19-10-4 and 40% from 3. Seems like he would be good value with the Nuggets pick. I have mostly been preferring guys who could be lead ball-handlers and bigs, but at the Nuggets pick gotta take whatever value you can. Maybe he can play 2 in the NBA.

Yaxel Lendenborg- 30-20-8 with 5 steals 4 blocks and 0 turnovers. Woah. Would not scoff if they used the Nuggets pick on him. A big that can do a bit of everything. Not a true center, but can probably play there in certain matchups. Can probably even play some wing if he adds shooting. If he makes it to the 2nd trade up and get him.

Derik Queen 19-10 2 steals 1 block no turnovers- Insanely productive for a freshman. I think he goes lottery and should be top 10 IMO, but would be terrific value at our pick, but I do not like the defensive fit with Paolo.

Kasparas Jakucionis 15-10-4 on 10 shots and 6 turnovers. Pretty meh game. Stock is falling, athleticism is a question, but very skilled. Chance to be a guy who can be a lead ball-handler with passing skills and the ability to shoot 3s at a volume. Kind of what we need. Still don't think he makes it to us even with the slip, but if he gets to us at 15/16 I would still take him, value and fit too good to pass.

Jase had 17, Kam Jones had 24-7, Clayton had 18-6, Broome 23-15, Maluach 13-9

Tre Johnson had a rough game. Was a back to back to back. That handle looked really loose and they went at him on defense. Those issues have been there this year. Stats are so good for a freshman that I still think he should be easy top 7 or 8 for me, but I have my doubts at times. I do think at worst he has some height and could be a catch-and-shoot guy if the handle doesn't improve.

There are so many guys where I look at them and say "wouldn't be mad if we took them", night and day from last draft. I did not like much of anybody last draft. I think there is just a pretty decent chance that this is just a good draft.

[Idiosyncratic]

Wasserman has us taking Ben Saraf at 15. He also has Queen going 6th.

Saraf is being compared to Manu.

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I still need to dive into Saraf, Traore and Essengue. From what I have seen on Saraf the shooting is just not there and the athleticism is pretty meh as well. I think I would be upset with him with our pick as of now. I'd probably have him in the 20s somewhere.

Manu comparisons are probably because he is left-handed, people have a hard time looking past handedness for comparisons. I don't see him as a slasher, settles for mid range pullup a lot which he isn't terrible at. Solid passing feel. He's a smart player, but lacks some tools.

[Skybox]

I think if you're into Danny Wolf, you have to advocate for NOT exercising Moe's team option (and saving a bunch of cash, breaking some hearts, and very likely deeply regretting what you did)...I think Wolf is a good player, but very far from what we need long-term at C, next to Franz & Paolo. If you're using your highest frp for the next few years (amen ) on a backup...you'd be much better off throwing it into a package for a player you need.

Outside of the Top 2...Maluach seems like the only ORL starter to me. Fears is interesting long-term, but yet another big "maybe"...we've already got those in-house, this is a year where we could move our pick for a proven player that we KNOW will fit.

Saraf, according to Spotrac ranks highly for "Draft Age"....very low for shooting, assists, defense, turnovers...I'll take Fultz for $2m and, at least avoid the turnovers and traffic cone defense. He certainly could surprise (in several years-long after Paolo has left)...but why why why keep spinning the wheel of fortune when you could just make a trade.

[basketballRob]

Jase Richardson has been booming up the mock drafts, looks like he might fall outside of our range

Sucks considering a couple weeks ago it might look like he could snag him with our Denver pick, oh well

Him or Fears are going top 10. If we keep our FRP, either one of those two would be incredible here.

I hope Richardson is gone. Unless he can play PG, he looks small.

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[Idiosyncratic]

Jase Richardson has been booming up the mock drafts, looks like he might fall outside of our range

Sucks considering a couple weeks ago it might look like he could snag him with our Denver pick, oh well

Him or Fears are going top 10. If we keep our FRP, either one of those two would be incredible here.

I hope Richardson is gone. Unless he can play PG, he looks small.

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He is, but funny enough I believe he leads all top guard prospects with 70+% shooting at the rim. Worth noting his volume there is pretty low but still a positive. His height definitely could be an issue for sure though.

[Skybox]

My very premature, uninformed analysis of the lottery class...(hoping we're lucky enough to still be in it when the play-in is mercifully over) ...going largely off of Spotrac ranking order...

1. Cooper Flagg...no team in the league trades out of here, with ORL being the only possible exception...although he's so enticing, we'd maybe consider moving Paolo or Franz, for a boatload of good stuff, if we had Flagg coming in.
2. Dylan Harper...stud. Cade with, maybe, a better shot...I'd trade anything but Paolo or Franz to get him...not a guaranteed superstar that I'd send out more than a couple frps for, but really really enticing.
3. Ace Bailey...not really getting what makes him a lock here. No interest for me. Huge drop-off from top 2.
4. Edgecombe...savage, typical Baylor edge. certainly intriguing but not a 3pt shooter and not a big assist/turnover guy so...meh
5-6. Tre Johnson/Kon Kneuppel...shooters, questionable at other stuff - I'd like em, but would probably trade out for proven guys
7-eternity...plenty of good players, but noone who ORL should covet or keep their pick for rather than package it for a proven player:

EXCEPT...Maluach from Duke...who, at this moment, I'd take anywhere after the Top 2. Could he be the ORL Center, defensive anchor, lob-catching dunk machine for the next decade? (I don't even care at this point about the 3pt range speculation-would be nice)

[Skybox]

If somehow, the Gods smiled on us and we were in position to draft Maluach with our pick and Jase Richardson with the DEN pick...I would rescind my demand that we trade out. I'd still very much -even more so- be eager to trade some future pick(s) and players to get that scoring/playmaking guard that I talk about on the draft thread all day about. Those two, at their respective likely landing spots look like the right guys for us...I'm also kind of intrigued with Tyrese Proctor from Duke in the second round - seems like an upside, no risk choice, even if he only ends up challenging Mac for G-League dominance.

But I'm generally unenthused about this class for ORL, outside of Harper and Maluach

[Idiosyncratic]

If somehow, the Gods smiled on us and we were in position to draft Maluach with our pick and Jase Richardson with the DEN pick...I would rescind my demand that we trade out. I'd still very much -even more so- be eager to trade some future pick(s) and players to get that scoring/playmaking guard that I talk about on the draft thread all day about. Those two, at their respective likely landing spots look like the right guys for us...I'm also kind of intrigued with Tyrese Proctor from Duke in the second round - seems like an upside, no risk choice, even if he only ends up challenging Mac for G-League dominance.

But I'm generally unenthused about this class for ORL, outside of Harper and Maluach

I am definitely on board with a trade for a guard first and foremost. A ton of guys I do like with whatever picks we have remaining though even in the 2nd. I think it is a really good chance to take a couple shots and come out with a longterm player. Like even if we are just using the Nuggets pick and one in the 2nd I think we really should come away with a really solid player that we keep for a long time.

But yes get guard help first. It could come from future picks though, not many draft day trades the last few years.

Hypothetical world where we keep both a Richardson/Fears/Jakucionis + Broome/Sorber/Yax draft would be like perfect to me. If Maluach slips I would be fine with a trade up for him, but I really think he is going to get picked before that is an option. There is the possibility we lose the play-in though so who knows, just going off what I think is most likely.

[basketballRob]

I'd like to trade both picks and next years pick for Kneuppel. Other than Flagg, it looks like a lot of busts.

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[Skybox]

I'd like to trade both picks and next years pick for Kneuppel. Other than Flagg, it looks like a lot of busts.

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Wow...now I can name one guy that I want less as ORL GM than Weltman

I am NOT seeing anything like that. But I guess we'll see. He's had a nice run lately...and, like Proctor, it's certainly possible that Flagg's massive shadow might hide some underrated gems (like so many Kentucky guards on stacked teams).

[basketballRob]

I'd like to trade both picks and next years pick for Kneuppel. Other than Flagg, it looks like a lot of busts.

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Wow...now I can name one guy that I want less as ORL GM than Weltman

I am NOT seeing anything like that. But I guess we'll see. He's had a nice run lately...and, like Proctor, it's certainly possible that Flagg's massive shadow might hide some underrated gems (like so many Kentucky guards on stacked teams).

Hide what? He's 47/40/91 with a 585% EFG and 632% TS. With 1.9 SPG.

That's a really good player in plain sight.

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