2025 NBA Draft Prospect Part 3

[Dalek]

Cmb for sure is going to be an impact sub at least but as the season has gone on I have soured on any star potential. He's undersized and doesn't have legs under his jumper and solidly in 60s from line. I also am not that high on his passing ability. His defense is high level but probably not enough to compensate for being a non-shooting power forward with lackluster passing.

I think Danny Wolf has more similarities with Draymond Green than CMB does.

I don't know if the draft has a lot of star potential beyond the top four but I do think CMB's shooting will progress in the NBA - he has made some + strides this year.

The defensive motor is where people see the Draymond comps with CMB which I see a bit. I just wish this kid lost some weight but he always is in the right place on defense and looks effortless doing it.

Read on Twitter

Danny Wolf is intriguing but I feel like there are a lot of second round Cs with the three and block package he has, and maybe scaled back assist-attempts is a good thing. I am really like Alex Condon over Wolf because he plays smarter basketball and looks a bit lighter on his feet. CMB and Condon would be a pretty great draft for the Raptors if we fail at getting one of the top three.

[Psubs]

Malauch is this years Cody Williams for me. All theoretical talent and measurements but when you watch the tape and squint at the numbers its mediocre.

Dude got taken top 10 and is a corpse on Utah

And his lower recruited brother is far exceeding expectations.

[bballsparkin]

Here's my hot takes so far. Based off very little hehe.

1- Cooper: what's not to like. I just hope fans expectations are not too high. Let Cooper be himself that's enough for me.

2- Dylan Harper: Crazy talented and skilled but is he a winning player? hey, I said these were hot takes.

3- Ace Bailey: I love his old school mid range game. He's lanky and young. More space in the NBA for him to opperate? Or stagnates and aims for three and D? Rooting for him.

4- VJ: He looks like a Raptor to me. Right down to the shooting. Would love for him to be a Raptor. \

Then not sure. I think I'd be okay with any of Tre, Maluach, Queen, McNeely or even a Sober should the FO lean that way. Still lots of players I haven't paid attention to.

edit: and Jak too

[RealFaction]

Malauch is this years Cody Williams for me. All theoretical talent and measurements but when you watch the tape and squint at the numbers its mediocre.

Dude got taken top 10 and is a corpse on Utah

And his lower recruited brother is far exceeding expectations.

Classic case of one brother stealing all the nutrients and talent from the other, lmao.

To be fair though, Maluach will be way better than Cody just cause of his size alone.

[Psubs]

Cmb for sure is going to be an impact sub at least but as the season has gone on I have soured on any star potential. He's undersized and doesn't have legs under his jumper and solidly in 60s from line. I also am not that high on his passing ability. His defense is high level but probably not enough to compensate for being a non-shooting power forward with lackluster passing.

I think Danny Wolf has more similarities with Draymond Green than CMB does.

I don't know if the draft has a lot of star potential beyond the top four but I do think CMB's shooting will progress in the NBA - he has made some + strides this year.

The defensive motor is where people see the Draymond comps with CMB which I see a bit. I just wish this kid lost some weight but he always is in the right place on defense and looks effortless doing it.

Read on Twitter

Danny Wolf is intriguing but I feel like there are a lot of second round Cs with the three and block package he has, and maybe scaled back assist-attempts is a good thing. I am really like Alex Condon over Wolf because he plays smarter basketball and looks a bit lighter on his feet. CMB and Condon would be a pretty great draft for the Raptors if we fail at getting one of the top three.

To me, Condon is like 6'11 Pascal, that is many years ahead with 3pt shooting and already has an A/T of 2. He has the motor because he's essentially drafted into the AFL. Also plays water polo. He's a multi-sport talent.

Also he's helped Florida take down #1 Tennessee (12pts, 12 rebs, 2 blks, 4 ast (0 turnovers)), then #1 Auburn (17 pts, 10 rebs, 1 stl, 4 ast (2 turnovers)).

Condon will be back Tues vs Georgia after 2 weeks off with the ankle sprain.

https://apnews.com/article/florida-alex-condon-fcb35100e45de771d49968c9a823db77

[bballsparkin]

Malauch is this years Cody Williams for me. All theoretical talent and measurements but when you watch the tape and squint at the numbers its mediocre.

Dude got taken top 10 and is a corpse on Utah

I was never feeling Cody last year. Cody is not 7 foot plus though.

[Indeed]

I think he's fabulous but unfortunately he's not a plug and play. I picture his role as nearly identical to Scottie's. The fit isn't really there with this squad. Although that doesn't necessarily mean we should skip over him. I think CMB and Wolf are my faves.

I think you guys are on point about CMB. He is probably my favorite 5-10 range prospect for Toronto.

To me, his strength and size and IQ are NBA ready. Is there some similarities with Scottie? Well, yes and that is a good thing. We notice in past 1.5 seasons, when Scottie is out the defense really falters and that's because we don't have big rugged defenders like him. CMB is going to take every defensive assignment and be complimentary on offence. Can he share the offense with Scottie? As an unselfish mostly at the basket scorer, I don't see why not. Poeltl has done well. CMB likely comes off the bench to begin with anyways.

I think prior to adding Ingram I was thinking this team doesn't have enough offense, but with the addition, the paradigm has changed. CMB is a high level defender, but I also want to say he does create a ton of his team's offense having to deal with a defensive gameplan and despite that still scores efficiently.

Nearly 50 FTR second straight year
24 dunks
68% at the rim with 42% self-created
Increased most of his key advanced numbers like AST% BLK% STL% 3P% REB% and Boxscore +/-

This game with Texas is great to scout how he has dealt with extra attention. See around the 32 min mark how he ahs 1-2 guys converging on him.

Watch on YouTube

This is an exciting draft for sure. I know it's crazy but I'd swap a top 3 pick for 10 and 11 if it means I could get Wolf and CMB.

I think the consensus top 3 are fine players but I only see super high potential in Bailey. Needs tons of refinement on both ends. Uber talented, explosive, and raw.

I'd be concerned giving Harper the reigns of my team. Appears ball dominant but I'm unsure of his ability to be a floor general. He's creative and can get some buckets but he's not someone impactful on a play-by-play basis. That's an indictment for a lead guard.

Flagg. I'm whelmed by his athleticism. Similar to Scottie in that they both can't explode in tight spaces. I think he's a fine player but I fear he's more of a Jalen Brown type. Good all-around player.

I think adding a brilliant 7 footer who's a 3 level scorer, and a defensive stalwart is far more beneficial. From a team building perspective. Orlando won the 2021 draft with Suggs and Wagner. I think this draft is similar.

Lottery is too high for CMB, and teams may take him in late 1st, so he will be gone by POR pick.
However, I don't feel we are missing on him, because there are still interesting prospects. Catchings is another one after Fleming and Thiero and Lendeborg. There are still many good prospects in the early 2nd.

Watch on YouTube

[Rapsfan07]

I think he's fabulous but unfortunately he's not a plug and play. I picture his role as nearly identical to Scottie's. The fit isn't really there with this squad. Although that doesn't necessarily mean we should skip over him. I think CMB and Wolf are my faves.

I think you guys are on point about CMB. He is probably my favorite 5-10 range prospect for Toronto.

To me, his strength and size and IQ are NBA ready. Is there some similarities with Scottie? Well, yes and that is a good thing. We notice in past 1.5 seasons, when Scottie is out the defense really falters and that's because we don't have big rugged defenders like him. CMB is going to take every defensive assignment and be complimentary on offence. Can he share the offense with Scottie? As an unselfish mostly at the basket scorer, I don't see why not. Poeltl has done well. CMB likely comes off the bench to begin with anyways.

I think prior to adding Ingram I was thinking this team doesn't have enough offense, but with the addition, the paradigm has changed. CMB is a high level defender, but I also want to say he does create a ton of his team's offense having to deal with a defensive gameplan and despite that still scores efficiently.

Nearly 50 FTR second straight year
24 dunks
68% at the rim with 42% self-created
Increased most of his key advanced numbers like AST% BLK% STL% 3P% REB% and Boxscore +/-

This game with Texas is great to scout how he has dealt with extra attention. See around the 32 min mark how he ahs 1-2 guys converging on him.

Watch on YouTube

This is an exciting draft for sure. I know it's crazy but I'd swap a top 3 pick for 10 and 11 if it means I could get Wolf and CMB.

I think the consensus top 3 are fine players but I only see super high potential in Bailey. Needs tons of refinement on both ends. Uber talented, explosive, and raw.

I'd be concerned giving Harper the reigns of my team. Appears ball dominant but I'm unsure of his ability to be a floor general. He's creative and can get some buckets but he's not someone impactful on a play-by-play basis. That's an indictment for a lead guard.

Flagg. I'm whelmed by his athleticism. Similar to Scottie in that they both can't explode in tight spaces. I think he's a fine player but I fear he's more of a Jalen Brown type. Good all-around player.

I think adding a brilliant 7 footer who's a 3 level scorer, and a defensive stalwart is far more beneficial. From a team building perspective. Orlando won the 2021 draft with Suggs and Wagner. I think this draft is similar.

That is pretty crazy, not gonna lie.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

Cmb for sure is going to be an impact sub at least but as the season has gone on I have soured on any star potential. He's undersized and doesn't have legs under his jumper and solidly in 60s from line. I also am not that high on his passing ability. His defense is high level but probably not enough to compensate for being a non-shooting power forward with lackluster passing.

I think Danny Wolf has more similarities with Draymond Green than CMB does.

I don't know if the draft has a lot of star potential beyond the top four but I do think CMB's shooting will progress in the NBA - he has made some + strides this year.

The defensive motor is where people see the Draymond comps with CMB which I see a bit. I just wish this kid lost some weight but he always is in the right place on defense and looks effortless doing it.

Read on Twitter

Danny Wolf is intriguing but I feel like there are a lot of second round Cs with the three and block package he has, and maybe scaled back assist-attempts is a good thing. I am really like Alex Condon over Wolf because he plays smarter basketball and looks a bit lighter on his feet. CMB and Condon would be a pretty great draft for the Raptors if we fail at getting one of the top three.

Cmb's shooting hasn't progressed at all he just has been attempting and bricking a few threes on low vol.

Going through this thread there isn't a single player whose shooting projecting is being doubted it's the same story every year about how this or that player's shot isn't broken, if only he adds a jumpshot, etc...

Cmb hasnt taken the strides he needed to take this year with the jumper and he doesn't pass the eye test to me. He's still worth a lotto pick based on his defense, rebounding and ability to play bully ball and keep the ball moving a bit.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

I think you guys are on point about CMB. He is probably my favorite 5-10 range prospect for Toronto.

To me, his strength and size and IQ are NBA ready. Is there some similarities with Scottie? Well, yes and that is a good thing. We notice in past 1.5 seasons, when Scottie is out the defense really falters and that's because we don't have big rugged defenders like him. CMB is going to take every defensive assignment and be complimentary on offence. Can he share the offense with Scottie? As an unselfish mostly at the basket scorer, I don't see why not. Poeltl has done well. CMB likely comes off the bench to begin with anyways.

I think prior to adding Ingram I was thinking this team doesn't have enough offense, but with the addition, the paradigm has changed. CMB is a high level defender, but I also want to say he does create a ton of his team's offense having to deal with a defensive gameplan and despite that still scores efficiently.

Nearly 50 FTR second straight year
24 dunks
68% at the rim with 42% self-created
Increased most of his key advanced numbers like AST% BLK% STL% 3P% REB% and Boxscore +/-

This game with Texas is great to scout how he has dealt with extra attention. See around the 32 min mark how he ahs 1-2 guys converging on him.

Watch on YouTube

This is an exciting draft for sure. I know it's crazy but I'd swap a top 3 pick for 10 and 11 if it means I could get Wolf and CMB.

I think the consensus top 3 are fine players but I only see super high potential in Bailey. Needs tons of refinement on both ends. Uber talented, explosive, and raw.

I'd be concerned giving Harper the reigns of my team. Appears ball dominant but I'm unsure of his ability to be a floor general. He's creative and can get some buckets but he's not someone impactful on a play-by-play basis. That's an indictment for a lead guard.

Flagg. I'm whelmed by his athleticism. Similar to Scottie in that they both can't explode in tight spaces. I think he's a fine player but I fear he's more of a Jalen Brown type. Good all-around player.

I think adding a brilliant 7 footer who's a 3 level scorer, and a defensive stalwart is far more beneficial. From a team building perspective. Orlando won the 2021 draft with Suggs and Wagner. I think this draft is similar.

Lottery is too high for CMB, and teams may take him in late 1st, so he will be gone by POR pick.
However, I don't feel we are missing on him, because there are still interesting prospects. Catchings is another one after Fleming and Thiero and Lendeborg. There are still many good prospects in the early 2nd.

Watch on YouTube

Lotto isn't too high at all for CMB, even if he ends up as Xavier Tillman (which he is ahead of him as prospect) he would still be a lotto level talent in average class. He has the wingspan, BPM, FTr and other markers that give him a strong pro makeup.

But he's on the short side, a non shooter and hasn't progressed meaningfully this year.

Catchings hasn't done a single thing to catch my eye no pun intended.

[BoyzNTheHood]

The most underrated guy is still Isaiah Evans. He only produces when he plays. He’s an elite movement shooter and will be an absolute terror to guard in the NBA. Remember guys like Reggie Miller and Rip Hamilton who were constantly running around and hitting jumpers? That’s Isaiah Evans offensive role at the next level.

[Yallbecrazy]

I think you guys are on point about CMB. He is probably my favorite 5-10 range prospect for Toronto.

To me, his strength and size and IQ are NBA ready. Is there some similarities with Scottie? Well, yes and that is a good thing. We notice in past 1.5 seasons, when Scottie is out the defense really falters and that's because we don't have big rugged defenders like him. CMB is going to take every defensive assignment and be complimentary on offence. Can he share the offense with Scottie? As an unselfish mostly at the basket scorer, I don't see why not. Poeltl has done well. CMB likely comes off the bench to begin with anyways.

I think prior to adding Ingram I was thinking this team doesn't have enough offense, but with the addition, the paradigm has changed. CMB is a high level defender, but I also want to say he does create a ton of his team's offense having to deal with a defensive gameplan and despite that still scores efficiently.

Nearly 50 FTR second straight year
24 dunks
68% at the rim with 42% self-created
Increased most of his key advanced numbers like AST% BLK% STL% 3P% REB% and Boxscore +/-

This game with Texas is great to scout how he has dealt with extra attention. See around the 32 min mark how he ahs 1-2 guys converging on him.

Watch on YouTube

This is an exciting draft for sure. I know it's crazy but I'd swap a top 3 pick for 10 and 11 if it means I could get Wolf and CMB.

I think the consensus top 3 are fine players but I only see super high potential in Bailey. Needs tons of refinement on both ends. Uber talented, explosive, and raw.

I'd be concerned giving Harper the reigns of my team. Appears ball dominant but I'm unsure of his ability to be a floor general. He's creative and can get some buckets but he's not someone impactful on a play-by-play basis. That's an indictment for a lead guard.

Flagg. I'm whelmed by his athleticism. Similar to Scottie in that they both can't explode in tight spaces. I think he's a fine player but I fear he's more of a Jalen Brown type. Good all-around player.

I think adding a brilliant 7 footer who's a 3 level scorer, and a defensive stalwart is far more beneficial. From a team building perspective. Orlando won the 2021 draft with Suggs and Wagner. I think this draft is similar.

Lottery is too high for CMB, and teams may take him in late 1st, so he will be gone by POR pick.
However, I don't feel we are missing on him, because there are still interesting prospects. Catchings is another one after Fleming and Thiero and Lendeborg. There are still many good prospects in the early 2nd.

Watch on YouTube

I can assure you CMB will be drafted in the top 15.

[Psubs]

The most underrated guy is still Isaiah Evans. He only produces when he plays. He’s an elite movement shooter and will be an absolute terror to guard in the NBA. Remember guys like Reggie Miller and Rip Hamilton who were constantly running around and hitting jumpers? That’s Isaiah Evans offensive role at the next level.

Him and Jase Richardson look like good shooters that should be drafted in the teens.

[bballsparkin]

This is an exciting draft for sure. I know it's crazy but I'd swap a top 3 pick for 10 and 11 if it means I could get Wolf and CMB.

I think the consensus top 3 are fine players but I only see super high potential in Bailey. Needs tons of refinement on both ends. Uber talented, explosive, and raw.

I'd be concerned giving Harper the reigns of my team. Appears ball dominant but I'm unsure of his ability to be a floor general. He's creative and can get some buckets but he's not someone impactful on a play-by-play basis. That's an indictment for a lead guard.

Flagg. I'm whelmed by his athleticism. Similar to Scottie in that they both can't explode in tight spaces. I think he's a fine player but I fear he's more of a Jalen Brown type. Good all-around player.

I think adding a brilliant 7 footer who's a 3 level scorer, and a defensive stalwart is far more beneficial. From a team building perspective. Orlando won the 2021 draft with Suggs and Wagner. I think this draft is similar.

That is pretty crazy, not gonna lie.

The idea is pretty intriguing. Not sure about the selections though. Queen and McNeely vs Bailey or VJ? Tempting. Switch and remove for preferred picks.

[Ell Curry]

Obviously, we take Flagg at 1 if we get him, but the best fits are Harper and VJ for our roster. Ace wouldn't be bad, because we'd definitely just let him gun off the bench for a year or two before figuring everything out and he could backup three and four and maybe even have a ridiculous 5 out small ball lineup. Watching OKC play, they really debunk that you need size to play really good defence. They were playing a large part of crunch time last night against the Wolves with Jalen Williams as their biggest player. If everyone is good and tenacious defensively, you can play it effectively undersized. I still want size options though haha.

An exciting thing about Flagg and maybe even Bailey is we can both play without a center at times and still be good defensively and play with a center and be huge. With the right coach (zero idea if it's Darko, I can't really say I've spent much time thinking about it to be honest and our availability has been real bad), that's at least a team that can throw 2 looks at you in a playoff series.

VJ is a lovely fit in theory, for sure. Quickley-VJ-Ingram-Barnes-Poeltl gives us 2 really plus athletes who should both be 2-way guys surrounded by Quickley hitting 3s, Poeltl scoring at the very efficient rate he generally does and Ingram hopefully taking better shots, obviously he can shoot and has the height to comfortably shoot over closeouts.

When I've watched Baylor for 10 minutes or so here and there, I don't see an offence that's particularly well run or focused on VJ, which is normal, he's still a freshman and they have more scorers than passers and screen setters, so I think he might be a really, really good NBA 2 guard.

[Ell Curry]

He doesn't need the ball in his hands either he's currently a way better catch and shoot guy then off the dribble so I do think offensively there's no overlap with IQ

If that first part is true, I feel like his catch and shoot numbers must be great because the 3s I've seen him take have been mostly off the dribble and Rutgers isn't exactly set up to get him catch and shoot 3s with their only other truly talented player being an all-time non-passer and their general talent level being fairly low outside of those 2.

I do think he'd mostly be on-ball, because I think he's got a better handle and change of pace than Quickley so he's gonna draw more off-ball help, and Quickley should be really dangerous either on catch and shoot 3s or attacking closeouts and having easier work inside the arc as a result. Either way, I think they'd be great on O and real meh on D, but we would also stagger them so if they're at 34 a game that's 14 minutes each running as sole PG and 20 minutes together, so we're actually talking about them not being together for almost 60% of the game, I wouldn't be too worried about any overlap on O and if we have 2 quality guards, Scottie can hopefully save his energy and be a demon defensively. Might have to use the 2026 first on a true rim protector too, or trade a future 1st and one of the wings (RJ, Agbaji, Dick, Walter) for one, even if it's just to split time with Poeltl.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

This is an exciting draft for sure. I know it's crazy but I'd swap a top 3 pick for 10 and 11 if it means I could get Wolf and CMB.

I think the consensus top 3 are fine players but I only see super high potential in Bailey. Needs tons of refinement on both ends. Uber talented, explosive, and raw.

I'd be concerned giving Harper the reigns of my team. Appears ball dominant but I'm unsure of his ability to be a floor general. He's creative and can get some buckets but he's not someone impactful on a play-by-play basis. That's an indictment for a lead guard.

Flagg. I'm whelmed by his athleticism. Similar to Scottie in that they both can't explode in tight spaces. I think he's a fine player but I fear he's more of a Jalen Brown type. Good all-around player.

I think adding a brilliant 7 footer who's a 3 level scorer, and a defensive stalwart is far more beneficial. From a team building perspective. Orlando won the 2021 draft with Suggs and Wagner. I think this draft is similar.

Lottery is too high for CMB, and teams may take him in late 1st, so he will be gone by POR pick.
However, I don't feel we are missing on him, because there are still interesting prospects. Catchings is another one after Fleming and Thiero and Lendeborg. There are still many good prospects in the early 2nd.

Watch on YouTube

I can assure you CMB will be drafted in the top 15.

Presti would take him in a split second.

The hope was that he was going to become some kind of Julius Randle w/ defense which would be a devastating player in the league but his shooting really hasn't progressed and he went through this weird long turnover prone stretch. Randle's slightly better ft% and greater pullup volume make it more difficult to project CMB as that but CMB is still only barely 20 on draft day. But my opinion is that given his body type and shot mechanics he won't be a shooter so that leaves the question what can he accomplish despite that. And the answer is clearly still enough to easily warrant a lotto selection.

Historically there's just a huge difference in the shot projection of guys shooting 60s from stripe w low dribble j volume and guys shooting 70s from stripe with moderate dribble j volume.

[Syd-TK3]

He doesn't need the ball in his hands either he's currently a way better catch and shoot guy then off the dribble so I do think offensively there's no overlap with IQ

If that first part is true, I feel like his catch and shoot numbers must be great because the 3s I've seen him take have been mostly off the dribble and Rutgers isn't exactly set up to get him catch and shoot 3s with their only other truly talented player being an all-time non-passer and their general talent level being fairly low outside of those 2.

I do think he'd mostly be on-ball, because I think he's got a better handle and change of pace than Quickley so he's gonna draw more off-ball help, and Quickley should be really dangerous either on catch and shoot 3s or attacking closeouts and having easier work inside the arc as a result. Either way, I think they'd be great on O and real meh on D, but we would also stagger them so if they're at 34 a game that's 14 minutes each running as sole PG and 20 minutes together, so we're actually talking about them not being together for almost 60% of the game, I wouldn't be too worried about any overlap on O and if we have 2 quality guards, Scottie can hopefully save his energy and be a demon defensively. Might have to use the 2026 first on a true rim protector too, or trade a future 1st and one of the wings (RJ, Agbaji, Dick, Walter) for one, even if it's just to split time with Poeltl.

Yeah the overall attempts are pretty low because like you said there's not much talent or offensively flow on Rutgers to put him in those positions. Idk where to see a updated stat but at the beginning of January he was like 14/20.
IQ has been more aggressive as a shooter lately and Dylan would probably be the best downhill threat on the team. Stagger their minutes and you got elite guard play going on for a whole game

[Yallbecrazy]

Lottery is too high for CMB, and teams may take him in late 1st, so he will be gone by POR pick.
However, I don't feel we are missing on him, because there are still interesting prospects. Catchings is another one after Fleming and Thiero and Lendeborg. There are still many good prospects in the early 2nd.

Watch on YouTube

I can assure you CMB will be drafted in the top 15.

Presti would take him in a split second.

The hope was that he was going to become some kind of Julius Randle w/ defense which would be a devastating player in the league but his shooting really hasn't progressed and he went through this weird long turnover prone stretch. Randle's slightly better ft% and greater pullup volume make it more difficult to project CMB as that but CMB is still only barely 20 on draft day. But my opinion is that given his body type and shot mechanics he won't be a shooter so that leaves the question what can he accomplish despite that. And the answer is clearly still enough to easily warrant a lotto selection.

Historically there's just a huge difference in the shot projection of guys shooting 60s from stripe w low dribble j volume and guys shooting 70s from stripe with moderate dribble j volume.

The one thing I think works in his favour is he is so devastating at finishing around the basket that any time he pulls up or shoots from outside 12 feet it is relatively a bad shot since he's so efficient inside. If that's the case then why would you do anything else or work that hard on your outside shot when it's a relatively bad shot?

[Mark_83]

The most underrated guy is still Isaiah Evans. He only produces when he plays. He’s an elite movement shooter and will be an absolute terror to guard in the NBA. Remember guys like Reggie Miller and Rip Hamilton who were constantly running around and hitting jumpers? That’s Isaiah Evans offensive role at the next level.

I think there's more to his game than just movement shooting and he's just playing his role on a stacked Duke team. I think a team takes him in the 1st based on his high floor, with decent upside.

Watch on YouTube

;t=55s&pp=ygUXaXNhaWFoIGV2YW5zIGhpZ2hsaWdodHM%3D