2025 Blazer Draft Prospects

[zzaj]

By popular demand! (good idea Walton1one, lol)

A place to post videos, analysis, whatevs about potential targets for the Blazers in the 2025 draft.

I'll start things off by including a highlights vid of the non-concensus #2 and #3 in the draft: Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper

https://youtu.be/3v0UIs6a_qs?si=scjTHUGoXO0fYRdl

And here is a highlight vid of Noa Essengue (projected Top 20) from the other night vs. the Blazers:

https://youtu.be/HrH1euDPP_k?si=C9w2caFNyAjRPEGd

[tester551]

Of course everyone could just go here: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2360689
There's a lot more interaction and opinions there.

[Pistol King]

I'll move it here since there is a new thread:

I like him much more than Topic. The Manu comp may not be as apt as the first steps are not that comparable (Manu was a freak first step). He may be more in the Dragic range of talent - which is still a Top-10 pick.

The athleticism potential of Ben Saraf and the possible comp to Manu is a subject that intrigues me.

I'm following Saraf from closely since his 40pts game against Spain U-18, and I'm trying to figure out his athleticism potential. A few times this year he actually flashed really nice bounce, not ultra-elite by any means, yes? but still in the teen years Manu territory. But for some reason so far he rarely repeats it. I remember one time he drove in the EuroCup, I think against an Lithuanian team named Wolves, and it has looked like he bounced high enough to dunk impressively over someone's head with his two hands. Or there is that play when he dunked on a Spanish payer's head with his two hands. It looked athletic. But you much more often see him with an average NBA level athleticism at best.

Question is, is it a mental thing that you need to unlock in him? a conditioning thing? or maybe it's common for every player with average athleticism to flash in rare occasions above average athleticism but that doesn't mean they can become above average athletes? I'm not sure yet.

It's an interesting issue because I think his game is so fun and aesthetic to watch, skill and size wise, that if he can have a respectful level of explosiveness + first step to a point he can repeat it regularly, I really see star potential.

I'm watching the full match replay of the Ulm-Blazers game right now and that what made me coming here and share my thoughts, especially after the good observations I saw from BlazersBroncos.

Same applies to his first step. Often he would look slow, but occasionally would flash a step faster:

BTW, here is a Manu clip from 1997, when he was 19 years old.

Watch on YouTube

He seemed here less explosive than on his prime years.

[zzaj]

Of course everyone could just go here: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2360689
There's a lot more interaction and opinions there.

Sure, sure...however, not everyone loves the catty-ness of the GB. Plus, this team-specific space allows us to discuss players within a Blazers context without the GB peanut gallery who don't follow the team very closely.

[Butter]

This draft looks like a two horse race for the top

1a Cooper Flagg
1b Ace Bailey

Are there any other franchise players in this draft?

[zzaj]

I'll move it here since there is a new thread:

I like him much more than Topic. The Manu comp may not be as apt as the first steps are not that comparable (Manu was a freak first step). He may be more in the Dragic range of talent - which is still a Top-10 pick.

The athleticism potential of Ben Saraf and the possible comp to Manu is a subject that intrigues me.

I'm following Saraf from closely since his 40pts game against Spain U-18, and I'm trying to figure out his athleticism potential. A few times this year he actually flashed really nice bounce, not ultra-elite by any means, yes? but still in the teen years Manu territory. But for some reason so far he rarely repeats it. I remember one time he drove in the EuroCup, I think against an Lithuanian team named Wolves, and it has looked like he bounced high enough to dunk impressively over someone's head with his two hands. Or there is that play when he dunked on a Spanish payer's head with his two hands. It looked athletic. But you much more often see him with an average NBA level athleticism at best.

Question is, is it a mental thing that you need to unlock in him? a conditioning thing? or maybe it's common for every player with average athleticism to flash in rare occasions above average athleticism but that doesn't mean they can become above average athletes? I'm not sure yet.

It's an interesting issue because I think his game is so fun and aesthetic to watch, skill and size wise, that if he can have a respectful level of explosiveness + first step to a point he can repeat it regularly, I really see star potential.

I'm watching the full match replay of the Ulm-Blazers game right now and that whats made me coming here and share my thoughts, especially after the good observations I saw from BlazersBroncos.

Same applies to his first step. Often he would look slow, but occasionally would flash a step faster:

BTW, here is a Manu clip from 1997, when he was 19 years old.

Watch on YouTube

He seemed here less explosive than on his prime years.

My sense of Ginobili was that he wasn't ever the most "explosive" athlete, however he had INCREDIBLY high functional athletecism and a very, very high game feel from the outset. His passing ability, and ability to find seams for his shots in the mid-range and at the rim where at a very high level right out of the gate.

Of course, we're talking a bit of apples to oranges in terms of the brand of basketball being played in the NBA during Ginobili's peak, maybe 18 years ago vs. what Saraf will be looking at next year.

[zzaj]

This draft looks like a two horse race for the top

1a Cooper Flagg
1b Ace Bailey

Are there any other franchise players in this draft?

I think those two at this stage are the Tier 1. Probably more will elevate to that tier as the year goes on.

I think that currently, Harper, Traore, and Edgecomb make up Tier 2.

[Butter]

By popular demand! (good idea Walton1one, lol)

A place to post videos, analysis, whatevs about potential targets for the Blazers in the 2025 draft.

I'll start things off by including a highlights vid of the non-concensus #2 and #3 in the draft: Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper

https://youtu.be/3v0UIs6a_qs?si=scjTHUGoXO0fYRdl

Just watched the game clips on Bailey you posted. NBADraft.net has him listed as a SG/SF. He looks all SF to me, but man, he looks amazing.

If the Blazers miss out on Flagg, imaging a front court duo of Deni and Bailey would be pretty sweet.

[JasonStern]

Zero games in and already a draft prospect thread. Should be a fun season.

[zzaj]

By popular demand! (good idea Walton1one, lol)

A place to post videos, analysis, whatevs about potential targets for the Blazers in the 2025 draft.

I'll start things off by including a highlights vid of the non-concensus #2 and #3 in the draft: Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper

https://youtu.be/3v0UIs6a_qs?si=scjTHUGoXO0fYRdl

Just watched the game clips on Bailey you posted. NBADraft.net has him listed as a SG/SF. He looks all SF to me, but man, he looks amazing.

If the Blazers miss out on Flagg, imaging a front court duo of Deni and Bailey would be pretty sweet.

Only thing that kinda bugs me about Bailey is that from the waist down his shot is a complete mess...he's always shooting off balance, and with his feet not underneath him. That being said, he's a shot MAKER...meaning they somehow go in, and that's all that matters.

I agree with you that he looks more SF to me, but with an improved handle I could definitely see him as a jumbo SF.

Also, Butter you follow nbadraft.net?! That site has been pretty wonky for a lot of years! Admittedly, I haven't looked at it in at least 2, however

[zzaj]

Zero games in and already a draft prospect thread. Should be a fun season.

If you like winning basketball, then this forum will not be the place to be for at least the next 2 years

If you like all things draft...then you've found your Shangri-la.

[Walton1one]

We did this for you JasonStern

Thanks zzaj, I agree, a POR specific thread compared to the general board.

[Walton1one]

I'll throw this in here, a 2nd round player for POR to watch: Alex Karaban

Has worked out for POR the last (2) years, apparently had a really good workout this year, but decided to return.

Another UCONN player, all part of the Hurley as POR coach master plan

and will you look at that, he is a shooter (39% 3FG, 5att\game).

Say it ain't so, Joe!

Of course, this all depends on if POR gets ATL 2nd rounder (protected 1-10), if they do, would not be surprised to see Karaban selected by POR. However, I have a tough time seeing ATL finishing with one of the 10 worst records in the NBA this year.

[Norm2953]

It'll be interesting to see how these guys play this season but it appears the strength of this draft will
be its depth but I'd love for Portland to draft a mobile big.

[Butter]

By popular demand! (good idea Walton1one, lol)

A place to post videos, analysis, whatevs about potential targets for the Blazers in the 2025 draft.

I'll start things off by including a highlights vid of the non-concensus #2 and #3 in the draft: Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper

https://youtu.be/3v0UIs6a_qs?si=scjTHUGoXO0fYRdl

Just watched the game clips on Bailey you posted. NBADraft.net has him listed as a SG/SF. He looks all SF to me, but man, he looks amazing.

If the Blazers miss out on Flagg, imaging a front court duo of Deni and Bailey would be pretty sweet.

Only thing that kinda bugs me about Bailey is that from the waist down his shot is a complete mess...he's always shooting off balance, and with his feet not underneath him. That being said, he's a shot MAKER...meaning they somehow go in, and that's all that matters.

I agree with you that he looks more SF to me, but with an improved handle I could definitely see him as a jumbo SF.

Also, Butter you follow nbadraft.net?! That site has been pretty wonky for a lot of years! Admittedly, I haven't looked at it in at least 2, however

What sites do you like? Always happy to upgrade the favorites.

[tester551]

Just watched the game clips on Bailey you posted. NBADraft.net has him listed as a SG/SF. He looks all SF to me, but man, he looks amazing.

If the Blazers miss out on Flagg, imaging a front court duo of Deni and Bailey would be pretty sweet.

Only thing that kinda bugs me about Bailey is that from the waist down his shot is a complete mess...he's always shooting off balance, and with his feet not underneath him. That being said, he's a shot MAKER...meaning they somehow go in, and that's all that matters.

I agree with you that he looks more SF to me, but with an improved handle I could definitely see him as a jumbo SF.

Also, Butter you follow nbadraft.net?! That site has been pretty wonky for a lot of years! Admittedly, I haven't looked at it in at least 2, however

What sites do you like? Always happy to upgrade the favorites.

https://nbadraftroom.com/2025-nba-mock-draft/

and
https://tankathon.com/mock_draft

[Norm2953]

Interesting to see NBA draft room projected Essengue who the fans just saw a few days ago in the last
pre-season game to the Blazers at 7

[Walton1one]

I would recommend The Ringer, not as updated as frequently as others, but good deep dives on players.
Link to 2024 Guide
https://nbadraft.theringer.com/


I'd also recommend checking YouTube for some good breakdowns of players, a few of my favorites:

Hoop Intellect
https://www.youtube.com/@HoopIntellect

Game Theory Podcast w\Sam Vecenie
https://www.youtube.com/@GameTheoryPodcastwSamVecenie

AVC
https://www.youtube.com/@_AVC_/videos

Kevin O'Connor Show - Good for general NBA rumors as well
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtAg01865jDfvaiOL5KNcdogZDIw5uI59

No Ceilings
https://www.youtube.com/@NoCeilingsNBA

[Walton1one]

https://hoopshype.com/lists/2025-nba-mock-draft-cooper-flagg-ace-bailey/

[JRoy]

Only thing that kinda bugs me about Bailey is that from the waist down his shot is a complete mess...he's always shooting off balance, and with his feet not underneath him. That being said, he's a shot MAKER...meaning they somehow go in, and that's all that matters.

I agree with you that he looks more SF to me, but with an improved handle I could definitely see him as a jumbo SF.

Also, Butter you follow nbadraft.net?! That site has been pretty wonky for a lot of years! Admittedly, I haven't looked at it in at least 2, however

What sites do you like? Always happy to upgrade the favorites.

https://nbadraftroom.com/2025-nba-mock-draft/

and
https://tankathon.com/mock_draft

Draft room is pretty good.