2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 9

[GLF]

Can someone please explain to me what the reason for trading down would be? Honest question. Why wouldn’t we just draft who we like most at 9. Like what’s the point of trading down to 12 for example to pick a guy who could have just picked at 9? Would the player’s salary be cheaper at 12 than 9 or something? And to me trading down is a big risk because what is the player you want is no longer there. Might as well just take the player you want at 9 bc there isn’t much difference is talent from 9-12 from everything I’ve read. But someone please explain what I’m missing.

[Godaddycurse]

Can someone please explain to me what the reason for trading down would be? Honest question. Why wouldn’t we just draft who we like most at 9. Like what’s the point of trading down to 12 for example to pick a guy who could have just picked at 9? Would the player’s salary be cheaper at 12 than 9 or something? And to me trading down is a big risk because what is the player you want is no longer there. Might as well just take the player you want at 9 bc there isn’t much difference is talent from 9-12 from everything I’ve read. But someone please explain what I’m missing.

to get an extra pick?

[Basketball_Jones]

Seems like Raps are out on Queen and pretty much so am I lol. Just the combination of being smaller then advertised, even less athletic then we hoped, compounded with having to hope he develops a three point shot and defense is a lot. I’m pretty much Khaman or Coward at this point, and I don’t think either fall outside of top 10 so not sure about trading down.

[TimeForChange]

Pelton's top 30

2. Kon
3. Edgecomb
6. Essengue
8. Demin
9. Tre
10. CMB

https://www.espn.co.uk/nba/story/_/id/44888875/nba-draft-2025-projecting-30-best-prospects

[DreamTeam09]

Can someone please explain to me what the reason for trading down would be? Honest question. Why wouldn’t we just draft who we like most at 9. Like what’s the point of trading down to 12 for example to pick a guy who could have just picked at 9? Would the player’s salary be cheaper at 12 than 9 or something? And to me trading down is a big risk because what is the player you want is no longer there. Might as well just take the player you want at 9 bc there isn’t much difference is talent from 9-12 from everything I’ve read. But someone please explain what I’m missing.

The logic would be to get 2 picks in the 1st round because you see the value in getting 2 picks rather than staying at 9 and selecting the player who wasn't at the top of your draft board.

They would only contemplate trading down if their guy at 9 isn't there

They want Maluach / but a Flemming + Yang combo would also be cool

[AkelaLoneWolf]

Can someone please explain to me what the reason for trading down would be? Honest question. Why wouldn’t we just draft who we like most at 9. Like what’s the point of trading down to 12 for example to pick a guy who could have just picked at 9? Would the player’s salary be cheaper at 12 than 9 or something? And to me trading down is a big risk because what is the player you want is no longer there. Might as well just take the player you want at 9 bc there isn’t much difference is talent from 9-12 from everything I’ve read. But someone please explain what I’m missing.

Maybe we like a range of players one of whom will be available. And we trade down maybe we can pick up an extra asset

[Psubs]

That's another year without a 5
That would also be a yr of Raptors development vs another yr in college for Thiam
We are also risking the possibility of not being a position to land Thiam next yr
I like both prospects tho but I'd take Maluach at 9 & be super ecstatic we get to trot out one of the biggest players in the NBA who isn't a slouch

Trade Agbaji and #39 for a 1st pick as high as possible. Teams can now use their MLE as trade exemptions. With that pick, draft Yang or Fleming.

That amount of savings should free up our MLE to use on Luke Kornet. Problem solved.

Who are 9 do you like? None of the players really impress me, outside the top 5 & Khaman / after that it's a few trade down candidates I like

Carter Bryant and he might be around at #13.

[Yeezus_]

We have to draft Kon regardless of how much wing depth we have if he falls that far

[earthtone]

Can someone please explain to me what the reason for trading down would be? Honest question. Why wouldn’t we just draft who we like most at 9. Like what’s the point of trading down to 12 for example to pick a guy who could have just picked at 9? Would the player’s salary be cheaper at 12 than 9 or something? And to me trading down is a big risk because what is the player you want is no longer there. Might as well just take the player you want at 9 bc there isn’t much difference is talent from 9-12 from everything I’ve read. But someone please explain what I’m missing.

I think it mainly comes down to teams having different valuations on players and having enough knowledge to move around on the draft board.

2017 is a pretty good example. If you’re Boston with the #1 pick and have Tatum top of your board but you know the league values Markelle Fultz as the consensus #1, getting assets for moving down to #3 while still getting the guy you internally had as #1 is tidy business.

It’s an intel game and pretty much rests on GMs having knowledge of what other teams are planning to do and who they like. That’s why these trades aren’t made before draft night, its all about how the board plays out and being sure you can still get your guy a few spots later.

[DG88]

Could Fears drop to 9? Kinda seems like his buzz has worn off.. Kon and Tre are trending and Bailey dropping out of the top 5 might help us

I think the Nets snap him up immediately if he's there at 8.

What if he and Essengue are there?

I mean it's possible everything is fluid by the 3rd pick. If what Shams and Windy are saying about this will be an active offseason starting at the draft, certain players might fall that we thought would be gone before our pick.

[Mark_83]

If Atlanta is offering 13 + 22 for 9 you gotta take it imo. You can get one of Bryant/Coward/Richardson/Jak/Essengue at 13 and then Yang/Wolf/Sorber/Beringer/Kalkbrenner at 22. I'd rather have that than Maluach.

[dkb964]

Could Fears drop to 9? Kinda seems like his buzz has worn off.. Kon and Tre are trending and Bailey dropping out of the top 5 might help us

I could easily see him drop out of the top 10. Small and frail guard that shot under 30% from three last season. Cool name but not sure about his game.

[WuTang_OG]

Barlow says ATL wants KM so they'll do the deal with TOR at 9 if hes there. But I guess TOR takes him if he falls there

I don’t think there’s any way we pass on him at 9 if he’s there.

Have you heard anything about him refusing to work out for us?

I haven’t. I heard he did on a podcast forget which one

[WuTang_OG]

Can someone please explain to me what the reason for trading down would be? Honest question. Why wouldn’t we just draft who we like most at 9. Like what’s the point of trading down to 12 for example to pick a guy who could have just picked at 9? Would the player’s salary be cheaper at 12 than 9 or something? And to me trading down is a big risk because what is the player you want is no longer there. Might as well just take the player you want at 9 bc there isn’t much difference is talent from 9-12 from everything I’ve read. But someone please explain what I’m missing.

Have ur cake and eat it too type thing. If the risk is only 4 picks back and they like for example Wolf/Asa and have them ranked #2 for centres, they’ll likely be there + pick up an asset

[GLF]

Thanks everyone for your responses. So my other question is, would they be getting another pick if they were to move down to 12 for example? Does the team at 12 have multiple picks? Also do you guys really think Masai would want 2-3 more rookies to bring to this team when we are trying to win next season and rookies usually are net negatives when they play? But the report says they are willing to move down so I guess they do. Idk. I doubt we actually end up moving down, but what do I know

[WuTang_OG]

Thanks everyone for your responses. So my other question is, would they be getting another pick if they were to move down to 12 for example? Does the team at 12 have multiple picks? Also do you guys really think Masai would want 2-3 more rookies to bring to this team when we are trying to win next season and rookies usually are net negatives when they play? But the report says they are willing to move down so I guess they do. Idk. I doubt we actually end up moving down, but what do I know

If you look at the teams in the finals, OKC and Indy have loaded up on young talented depth and it's clearly one of the reasons why they've made it to the finals. Bobby mentioned this too in the interview. Toronto is trending this way. I don't think they'd be opposed bringing 2 rookies. Fischer says we've made calls trying to get another lotto pick fwiw. The more talent the better IMO. This front office biggest strength is the draft. Let them cook.

[NotMyKawhi]

Thanks everyone for your responses. So my other question is, would they be getting another pick if they were to move down to 12 for example? Does the team at 12 have multiple picks? Also do you guys really think Masai would want 2-3 more rookies to bring to this team when we are trying to win next season and rookies usually are net negatives when they play? But the report says they are willing to move down so I guess they do. Idk. I doubt we actually end up moving down, but what do I know

Ofc they get more. Imo unless a guy falls to 9, its way more intelligent to trade back. I think theres at least 13 who can make a case for 9th overall or higher.

Trading back to 12 or 13 guarantees you 1 while gaining more assets.

[Godaddycurse]

Thanks everyone for your responses. So my other question is, would they be getting another pick if they were to move down to 12 for example? Does the team at 12 have multiple picks? Also do you guys really think Masai would want 2-3 more rookies to bring to this team when we are trying to win next season and rookies usually are net negatives when they play? But the report says they are willing to move down so I guess they do. Idk. I doubt we actually end up moving down, but what do I know

Chicago has POR 2026 LP x3 yrs 1st to trade to move up and/or a young player like dosunmu to attach as extra value

[WuTang_OG]

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=benpfeifer

[Psubs]

Thanks everyone for your responses. So my other question is, would they be getting another pick if they were to move down to 12 for example? Does the team at 12 have multiple picks? Also do you guys really think Masai would want 2-3 more rookies to bring to this team when we are trying to win next season and rookies usually are net negatives when they play? But the report says they are willing to move down so I guess they do. Idk. I doubt we actually end up moving down, but what do I know

|Jakobe and Shead looks just as good as the other players. That's why sell on Agbaji and #39 for a pick in the teens.

Also make another consolidating trade with RJ Barrett.