2025 Draft Night Picks Discussion

[Biff]

Interesting info here.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AtlantaHawks/comments/1kq8ucs/khaman_maluach_tested_terribly_at_the_combine/

To be frank Jokic and Luka would also look horrible in combines

Jokic and Luka aren't known for their athletic ability, they're known for their insane BBIQ. Everything I hear about this kid is he has super low BBIQ and he measures very poorly athletically. He looked dominant defensively in college but I think he's going to be a terrible pro.

[Biff]

We continue to make headscratching movies. Malauch doesn't seem mobile enough to play rim runner/rim protector role. I don't see this guy being a rotational NBA player. He won't be able to stay on the court, teams will just hunt for endlessly. Mark Williams has far too many injury red flags to waste 2 1st rounders on.

This franchise is run by absolute clowns with no idea how to build a team in 2025.

I would have been happier if we got him at 15 or later not necessarily at #10 though.

Would have been nice to keep the #29 and add another forward or even a PG but maybe the front office can trade a few of the 2nd to move up in the 2nd round tomorrow? At least we plugged one gaping hole now off to plug the other holes somehow.

To be fair, from a lot of places I've looked at, including in the NBA draft forum on RealGM, he's pretty consistently been mocked to go before #10 and as high as in the top 5 (I don't agree but I've seen it). So #10 isn't really a stretch for him and most expected him to go in the top 10 anyway. But regardless if we got him at #10 or #15, he's still not my favourite type of prospect.

I saw that too and I don't understand why. He was a great defensive center in college but he's going to be hunted endlessly by NBA wings. Given his combine results, I don't see how he ever stays in front of NBA players. College and NBA is a very different game.

[sunsbg]

What are the options for a decent PG in Beal, Royce, Allen, Richards trade ?

GoK may throw a gem at PG in the late 2nd round range to watch for tomorrow.

[Blonde]

I keep typing up posts then deleting them… overall I am very confused at vision/disappointed at the lack of high upside swings. I’ll reserve further judgement until the offseason is over, but it’s not a direction I would have gone tonight. Happy that so many Suns fans are feeling these moves though, I hope it all works out.

[RaisingArizona]

Hate to conjure up 2016 draft night comparisons but dang seems like a damn good draft night that everyone is giving rave reviews to. Feels good man.

[lilfishi22]

I would have been happier if we got him at 15 or later not necessarily at #10 though.

Would have been nice to keep the #29 and add another forward or even a PG but maybe the front office can trade a few of the 2nd to move up in the 2nd round tomorrow? At least we plugged one gaping hole now off to plug the other holes somehow.

To be fair, from a lot of places I've looked at, including in the NBA draft forum on RealGM, he's pretty consistently been mocked to go before #10 and as high as in the top 5 (I don't agree but I've seen it). So #10 isn't really a stretch for him and most expected him to go in the top 10 anyway. But regardless if we got him at #10 or #15, he's still not my favourite type of prospect.

I saw that too and I don't understand why. He was a great defensive center in college but he's going to be hunted endlessly by NBA wings. Given his combine results, I don't see how he ever stays in front of NBA players. College and NBA is a very different game.

The number of C's even in the NBA that won't be hunted by NBA wings/guards you could probably count on one hand. Guys like AD, Jaren Jackson Jr, Mobley, Wemby...Bam? There aren't that many and even then the better guards/wings are still probably going to try them. You can't get away from that.

His combine numbers aren't great but I wouldn't really hang my hat on that quite frankly because I've seen enough of him in action to understand how well he moves, how well he navigates on PnR defenses and how much rim protection he brings.

[lilfishi22]

I keep typing up posts then deleting them… overall I am very confused at vision/disappointed at the lack of high upside swings. I’ll reserve further judgement until the offseason is over, but it’s not a direction I would have gone tonight. Happy that so many Suns fans are feeling these moves though, I hope it all works out.

Ironically, one of the reasons I'm not a huge Maluach guy is because he's a very high upside wing

[thamadkant]

Interesting info here.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AtlantaHawks/comments/1kq8ucs/khaman_maluach_tested_terribly_at_the_combine/

To be frank Jokic and Luka would also look horrible in combines

Jokic and Luka aren't known for their athletic ability, they're known for their insane BBIQ. Everything I hear about this kid is he has super low BBIQ and he measures very poorly athletically. He looked dominant defensively in college but I think he's going to be a terrible pro.

Yes obviously.

I was trying to make a point.

Only those with gaping holes in their basketball talent and those with doubt in their athleticism part take in the combines to improve their stock.

Those with proven talent on court dont have to attend such things. Hence drafting for basketball talent, combine result is not neccessary, but those who are being drafted for their athleticism or their physical traits would bank on the combine a lot.

My second point, someone like Maluach would need to be coached and developed by proper basketball development coaches and not tape measurers.

[Blonde]

I keep typing up posts then deleting them… overall I am very confused at vision/disappointed at the lack of high upside swings. I’ll reserve further judgement until the offseason is over, but it’s not a direction I would have gone tonight. Happy that so many Suns fans are feeling these moves though, I hope it all works out.

Ironically, one of the reasons I'm not a huge Maluach guy is because he's a very high upside wing

I think you went over my head lol

[WeekapaugGroove]

Every team runs a ton of spread pick and roll but it appears the Suns are going to run like harden with Houston levels with the roster they seem to be creating.

[thamadkant]

I keep typing up posts then deleting them… overall I am very confused at vision/disappointed at the lack of high upside swings. I’ll reserve further judgement until the offseason is over, but it’s not a direction I would have gone tonight. Happy that so many Suns fans are feeling these moves though, I hope it all works out.

Ironically, one of the reasons I'm not a huge Maluach guy is because he's a very high upside wing

Maluach has Very high potential, but also a very low floor. If he struggles to adjust or he doesnt show he can implement his physical traits on the court, then he would be out of the league in 5 years OR sitting on the bench as a 3rd string big man.

Thunder Drafted Sorber... who we both liked, and its easy why. He can implement the coach's system by moving well and having good IQ. He knows how to play basketball even if he's not the most explosive player. He would help Thunder tremendously.

[thamadkant]

Now not to be a total wet blanket.

Maluach needs to undergo a program as soon as next month, he needs to be watching films, he needs to be working on his endurance and most of all, he needs to improve his IQ/awareness of X and Os ASAP. Shooting will come if he shoots enough every practice, but the IQ and the ability to PLAY the game he lacks a lot at the moment. But he has very high upside (but very low floor). He seems to be a good kid so thats a plus but just like Giannis, he needs to really work hard on his body and tank.

[lilfishi22]

I keep typing up posts then deleting them… overall I am very confused at vision/disappointed at the lack of high upside swings. I’ll reserve further judgement until the offseason is over, but it’s not a direction I would have gone tonight. Happy that so many Suns fans are feeling these moves though, I hope it all works out.

Ironically, one of the reasons I'm not a huge Maluach guy is because he's a very high upside wing

I think you went over my head lol

Swing not wing lol

[lilfishi22]

I keep typing up posts then deleting them… overall I am very confused at vision/disappointed at the lack of high upside swings. I’ll reserve further judgement until the offseason is over, but it’s not a direction I would have gone tonight. Happy that so many Suns fans are feeling these moves though, I hope it all works out.

Ironically, one of the reasons I'm not a huge Maluach guy is because he's a very high upside wing

Maluach has Very high potential, but also a very low floor. If he struggles to adjust or he doesnt show he can implement his physical traits on the court, then he would be out of the league in 5 years OR sitting on the bench as a 3rd string big man.

Thunder Drafted Sorber... who we both liked, and its easy why. He can implement the coach's system by moving well and having good IQ. He knows how to play basketball even if he's not the most explosive player. He would help Thunder tremendously.

I've come around to his floor over the past day or so. The more I watch him the more I think he brings enough defensively to keep him in games and if he's able to just finish around the rim and bring that effort and motor, he'll make a positive impact. Him being 7'2 with a 7'5 wingspan will go a long way in just being a deterrence down low.

My only concern with his floor is that his PnR defense doesn't translate at the NBA level and becomes a liability. That's when I'll get seriously worried about his long term development because you need to be able to defend the PnR and defend in space in today's NBA. From what I've seen at the college level, he's able to do it fairly well....at the NBA level we'll have to see.

[lilfishi22]

I keep typing up posts then deleting them… overall I am very confused at vision/disappointed at the lack of high upside swings. I’ll reserve further judgement until the offseason is over, but it’s not a direction I would have gone tonight. Happy that so many Suns fans are feeling these moves though, I hope it all works out.

Ironically, one of the reasons I'm not a huge Maluach guy is because he's a very high upside wing

Maluach has Very high potential, but also a very low floor. If he struggles to adjust or he doesnt show he can implement his physical traits on the court, then he would be out of the league in 5 years OR sitting on the bench as a 3rd string big man.

Thunder Drafted Sorber... who we both liked, and its easy why. He can implement the coach's system by moving well and having good IQ. He knows how to play basketball even if he's not the most explosive player. He would help Thunder tremendously.

Yeah I mentioned before I would've considered trading with OKC because they wanted to move up and I wouldn't mind moving down to get someone like Sorber while picking up a future FRP from them. #10 would've been a bit too high for Sorber for me but trading down to get him, I'd be on board with. Oh well, I think Thunder picked the perfect guy that fits well, is very coachable and can play alongside Chet as the bruiser dirt worker.

[Qwigglez]

Ironically, one of the reasons I'm not a huge Maluach guy is because he's a very high upside wing

Maluach has Very high potential, but also a very low floor. If he struggles to adjust or he doesnt show he can implement his physical traits on the court, then he would be out of the league in 5 years OR sitting on the bench as a 3rd string big man.

Thunder Drafted Sorber... who we both liked, and its easy why. He can implement the coach's system by moving well and having good IQ. He knows how to play basketball even if he's not the most explosive player. He would help Thunder tremendously.

Yeah I mentioned before I would've considered trading with OKC because they wanted to move up and I wouldn't mind moving down to get someone like Sorber while picking up a future FRP from them. #10 would've been a bit too high for Sorber for me but trading down to get him, I'd be on board with. Oh well, I think Thunder picked the perfect guy that fits well, is very coachable and can play alongside Chet as the bruiser dirt worker.

Imagine we made that trade with OKC and then they drafted Maluach because they were rumored to want someone in the top 10.

[RaisingArizona]

Suns need the lotto ticket. OKC can play it safe. Works out better for both sides here.

[Blonde]

Ironically, one of the reasons I'm not a huge Maluach guy is because he's a very high upside wing

I think you went over my head lol

Swing not wing lol

Ahhh, yes. Idk, Maluach upside is what, top 10 C in the league? Obviously we’d all be happy with that outcome. I’m speaking more on the overall upside of Maluach + Williams. I would be pretty thrilled with Maluach + using those picks to trade for a PG/Sf/PF, or take a swing on Flemming, Thiero, etc at 29.

[lilfishi22]

Just catching up on some of the trades during the night. ATL did super well moving out of #13 (Queen) to pick up a solid 2026 FRP (best of Mil/New Orleans) and #23 Asa Newell who I value more or less the same as Queen. New Orleans will now have two overweight and offensively minded forwards wooo

[Qwigglez]

Another thing... the West has slowly started to shift to playing much taller, or perhaps I am just now barely realizing it...

Thunder - Hartenstein, Chet
Mavs - AD, Lively, Gafford, (and now Flagg)
Rockets - Sengun, Adams, KD, Jabari Smith Jr
Wolves - Gobert, Randle, Reid
Grizzlies - JJJ, Aldama, Edey