2025 NBA Draft Thread
Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2025 8:42 am
Another draft is upon us and we're armed with pick #42 in a shallow draft. There are likely to be some decent glue guys still left on the board so thought I'd point out some possibilities. I'm trying to be hopeful which is hard with a roster like ours and not having a first round pick but there have been numerous 2nd round players taken throughout NBA history that have ended up difference makers so maybe it's our turn to hit for once! One of the following will make for a positive addition providing at least some reason for excitement (along with Carter and Keegan's development) for what is assuredly going to be a painful season. If we land one of these guys we should count ourselves lucky.
Jamir Watkins - 6'5" SG/SF 6'11.25" wingspan
he's very reminiscent of Jimmy Butler with similar size/athleticism/skill plus the way he moves, defends and affects the game. He really showed out at the combine. Like Butler his shot isn't consistent (32% from three) and he's an older prospect (24) which is why he may drop. I could see him becoming a Dort/Brooks type player which has a lot of value
Sion James - 6'4" SG
he's another potential Dort/Brooks type player. Built like a truck and a jack of all trades master of none. Consummate 3 and D (41% from three) Winning teams need guys like this in the back of their rotation. Not flashy but doesn't make mistakes and makes all the right plays.
Jonathan Pierre - 6'7" SF
late bloomer due to a late growth spurt that took a circuitous route to becoming a draft prospect. Great size, BBIQ and production. Showed out in the pre-draft process and is flying under the radar not even on anyone's mock drafts or Big Boards but he's made several visits to NBA teams including us. Something very smooth about his game. Huge sleeper.
Ryan Nembhard - 5'11" PG
There's no sugar-coating it, he's tiny and he doesn't have the length or athleticism necessary to make you forget about it. But he's scrappy, can really run an offense, has active hands and is a 40% 3pt shooter. He had a great combine displaying his true PG skills. We just saw how a similar guy like TJ McConnell performed in the Finals so it's possible to get contributions from small guards. His older brother actually plays on the Pacers too. He'd be very easy to root for and I'm ngl he's who I think we'll be picking
Dink Pate - 6'6" G/F
Was a 17 y/o playing with men and holding his own in the G-League Ignite alongside Holland and Buzelis a couple of seasons ago. Played out of position (off-ball) this season and prospect status stalled. He has PG skillset with drive and kicks and at that position offers a nice size/athleticism advantage. Shooting consistency needs work. Flashes on defense so he's a potential plus defender. For a team that feels it doesn't currently have a PG on the roster he makes sense.
Yanic Konan Niederhauser - 6'11" center with 7'3" wingspan and 9'3" reach
Gafford 2.0. Typical, useful rim-running center that could allow us to play two-big lineups when the situation calls for it. We've needed a player like this since we acquired Sabonis. It'd be nice i he could help space the floor but alas, if he could do that he'd be a lottery pick.
Jamir Watkins - 6'5" SG/SF 6'11.25" wingspan
he's very reminiscent of Jimmy Butler with similar size/athleticism/skill plus the way he moves, defends and affects the game. He really showed out at the combine. Like Butler his shot isn't consistent (32% from three) and he's an older prospect (24) which is why he may drop. I could see him becoming a Dort/Brooks type player which has a lot of value
Sion James - 6'4" SG
he's another potential Dort/Brooks type player. Built like a truck and a jack of all trades master of none. Consummate 3 and D (41% from three) Winning teams need guys like this in the back of their rotation. Not flashy but doesn't make mistakes and makes all the right plays.
Jonathan Pierre - 6'7" SF
late bloomer due to a late growth spurt that took a circuitous route to becoming a draft prospect. Great size, BBIQ and production. Showed out in the pre-draft process and is flying under the radar not even on anyone's mock drafts or Big Boards but he's made several visits to NBA teams including us. Something very smooth about his game. Huge sleeper.
Ryan Nembhard - 5'11" PG
There's no sugar-coating it, he's tiny and he doesn't have the length or athleticism necessary to make you forget about it. But he's scrappy, can really run an offense, has active hands and is a 40% 3pt shooter. He had a great combine displaying his true PG skills. We just saw how a similar guy like TJ McConnell performed in the Finals so it's possible to get contributions from small guards. His older brother actually plays on the Pacers too. He'd be very easy to root for and I'm ngl he's who I think we'll be picking
Dink Pate - 6'6" G/F
Was a 17 y/o playing with men and holding his own in the G-League Ignite alongside Holland and Buzelis a couple of seasons ago. Played out of position (off-ball) this season and prospect status stalled. He has PG skillset with drive and kicks and at that position offers a nice size/athleticism advantage. Shooting consistency needs work. Flashes on defense so he's a potential plus defender. For a team that feels it doesn't currently have a PG on the roster he makes sense.
Yanic Konan Niederhauser - 6'11" center with 7'3" wingspan and 9'3" reach
Gafford 2.0. Typical, useful rim-running center that could allow us to play two-big lineups when the situation calls for it. We've needed a player like this since we acquired Sabonis. It'd be nice i he could help space the floor but alas, if he could do that he'd be a lottery pick.