2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 7

[OakleyDokely]

What I like about Coward is that even if you disregard his 6 games this year, he still scored it efficiently in his first two college seasons.

Over his college career, spanning 72 games including 40 starts, he has a .697 TS%!

[XTC]

If Maluach is gone, I'd be very split between Bryant and Fleming.

I think CB has greater offensive upside but Fleming's additional size could just make him as impactful (possibly more) overall. Fleming does just seem like an ideal piece within the rotation. But on the flip side what if Bryant can be somewhat of a 2-way star?!

Maybe not amongst the true elite superstars but what if he ended up being a Jaylen Brown LEVEL (not play style) of player & you passed on him for Fleming who I think is a slightly bigger Eason?! I obviously don't think you'd be disappointed per say BUT I think if you had a bigger Eason, that would certainly make us better...but if you had something like a Brown type of player that puts you into contention (assuming you can further retain a hopefully fairly healthy BI). It's not just that Carter seems like a really smart kid but he also expresses the desire to want to be one of the best players in the league which is just important for me, that the kid actually wants that for themselves, it's what drives the habits, the workouts, the development. I haven't caught anything yet where Fleming has expressed the same.

Fleming seems like a guy who's just ready to play his role which is obv perfectly fine, fantastic to have within your rotation. But I just wonder if that mentality will limit his upside as I think it does Scottie.

For that reason, I VERY, very slightly favour Bryant.

My honest assesment of Carter Bryant. I've actually watched full game tape on him. He's a fun player to fantasize about because of his physical tools, but he's a super limited player. He does however make a great highlight reel.

I'd honestly say 70% of his field goal attempts where three pointers, and this is no joke I'd wager 80-90 percent of his three 3's where assisted.

He doesn't have ANY self creation, he struggled from midrange. I don't have the stats to back it up, but I'd say he didn't attemp more than 30 mid range jumpers all year, and he made less than 10.

I do like his ability to cut, most of his rim attempts where from cuts, and again I'd be shocked if he was assisted on less than 70 percent of buckets he made at the rim. He really struggles to get to the rim, because he has a very poor handle. In the NBA once shooters run him off the line, I think he's really going to struggle if he doesn't find other ways to score.

Jaylen Brown was a much more different story. He was creating his own shot in college, and he was a free throw merchant. With him it was always about how far his handle and jumper developed. I don't see his potential being anywhere close to Jaylen Brown. With that being said... I do like Bryant's potential defensively, and the stats do say he was a very good at catching and shooting. I think if you're looking for a comparision, I'd say he's more Trevor Ariza than a guy who can break down a defense.

[JCP11]

If Maluach is gone, I'd be very split between Bryant and Fleming.

I think CB has greater offensive upside but Fleming's additional size could just make him as impactful (possibly more) overall. Fleming does just seem like an ideal piece within the rotation. But on the flip side what if Bryant can be somewhat of a 2-way star?!

Maybe not amongst the true elite superstars but what if he ended up being a Jaylen Brown LEVEL (not play style) of player & you passed on him for Fleming who I think is a slightly bigger Eason?! I obviously don't think you'd be disappointed per say BUT I think if you had a bigger Eason, that would certainly make us better...but if you had something like a Brown type of player that puts you into contention (assuming you can further retain a hopefully fairly healthy BI). It's not just that Carter seems like a really smart kid but he also expresses the desire to want to be one of the best players in the league which is just important for me, that the kid actually wants that for themselves, it's what drives the habits, the workouts, the development. I haven't caught anything yet where Fleming has expressed the same.

Fleming seems like a guy who's just ready to play his role which is obv perfectly fine, fantastic to have within your rotation. But I just wonder if that mentality will limit his upside as I think it does Scottie.

For that reason, I VERY, very slightly favour Bryant.

Just an honest question. Where do you see Bryant's offensive upside? I don't see it personally. He barely gets to the rim nor can he can't get past his defender. He shot the 3 well but on low volume. I see the defensive upside it's as clear as day he's going to be a great defender.

I don't see it with Carter Bryant either.

In the middle of the draft, sure. But I don't see the skills or production that would warrant a lottery pick. I see a lot of Josh Hart there as his potential upside and while Hart isn't garbage, I do think we should have our sights set a little higher than that at #9.

Josh Hart could at least put the ball on the floor and get to the rim, we don't even know if Bryant can dribble at all. I love Bryant's athletic profile but he's so hard to project, he hasn't shown much outside of his shot and athletic abilities. If Masai wants him I'm on board but I wouldn't pick him at 9.

[dohboy_24]

Combine Measurements:
Fleming: 6'8.25 height, 7'5.25 wingspan, 9.50 hand length, 232.4 lbs
Anunoby: 6'8.75 height, 7'2.25 wingspan, 9.25 hand length, 232.4 lbs

Soph stats:
Fleming: 26.8 MIN, 10.7 PPG, 7.4 REB, 0.8 AST, 0.8 STL, 1.5 BLK, .528 FG, .324 3PT, .612 FT, .600 TS, 18.9 USG, 4.6 BPM
Anunoby: 25.1 MIN, 11.1 PPG, 5.4 REB, 1.4 AST, 1.3 STL, 1.3 BLK, .557 FG, .311 3PT, .563 FT, .611 TS, 20.8 USG, 8.9 BPM

Jr Stats:
Fleming: 31.3 MIN, 14.7 PPG, 8.5 REB, 1.3 AST, 1.4 STL, 1.5 BLK, .531 FG, .390 3PT, .743 FT, .638 TS, 21.2 USG, 7.7 BPM
Anunoby: N/A

Fleming also has a 9-1.5 standing reach, while OG had a 8-11.5 standing reach. Fleming is a modern day 4, who can play small ball 5, and he's going to be able to switch onto the perimeter. This is such a valuable commodity in the current NBA landscape... with that being said, I don't think he's available at #9.

Who do you think is going to pick Fleming before the Raptors have the chance to select him? Which player is going to drop as a result of Fleming moving up in the draft?

[DG88]

Tankathon updated their mock
https://www.tankathon.com/mock_draft

Still has us taking Maluach

[dohboy_24]

Tankathon updated their mock
https://www.tankathon.com/mock_draft

Still has us taking Maluach

Good. There are a couple of teams selecting before the Raptors would could take him off the board before we get the chance to take him, but hopefully he's still available when we pick at #9. He's exactly what we need and would be a good long-term fit with Ulrich Chomche in the frontcourt.

[Psubs]

Just an honest question. Where do you see Bryant's offensive upside? I don't see it personally. He barely gets to the rim nor can he can't get past his defender. He shot the 3 well but on low volume. I see the defensive upside it's as clear as day he's going to be a great defender.

I don't see it with Carter Bryant either.

In the middle of the draft, sure. But I don't see the skills or production that would warrant a lottery pick. I see a lot of Josh Hart there as his potential upside and while Hart isn't garbage, I do think we should have our sights set a little higher than that at #9.

Josh Hart could at least put the ball on the floor and get to the rim, we don't even know if Bryant can dribble at all. I love Bryant's athletic profile but he's so hard to project, he hasn't shown much outside of his shot and athletic abilities. If Masai wants him I'm on board but I wouldn't pick him at 9.

Did you not watch any of his HS videos? He's bringing the ball up at times.

[Psubs]

What I like about Coward is that even if you disregard his 6 games this year, he still scored it efficiently in his first two college seasons.

Over his college career, spanning 72 games including 40 starts, he has a .697 TS%!

He's pretty much the SG/SF version of Rasheer Fleming. Small school, good height, great wingspan.

[OakleyDokely]

Sorta how I see things beyond the top 2 picks.

Safe bets to be solid starters or rotation players:
V.J. Edgecombe
Kon Knueppel
Kasparas Jakucionis
Collin Murray-Boyles
Derik Queen
Rasheer Fleming
Jase Richardson

High upside but high bust potential:
Ace Bailey
Jeremiah Fears
Noa Essengue
Carter Bryant
Egor Demin
Nolan Traore


There are two guys not on these lists who I think have both a high floor and a high ceiling. Maluach already has a base NBA package as a mobile drop defender who can defend the rim, guard a bit on the perimeter and score it efficiently inside. But he's also an upside play if the shooting/creation comes around. The other guy is Tre who should be able to score it at the NBA level as a 6th man type, but the skillset/size ratio is there to be an elite scorer.

[niQ]

Tankathon updated their mock
https://www.tankathon.com/mock_draft

Still has us taking Maluach

I believe they previously had Maluach going to Brooklyn and Queen going to Toronto.

[dohboy_24]

Tankathon updated their mock
https://www.tankathon.com/mock_draft

Still has us taking Maluach

I believe they previously had Maluach going to Brooklyn and Queen going to Toronto.

You are correct...

https://web.archive.org/web/20250515133228/https://www.tankathon.com/mock_draft

[dohboy_24]

Other than being selected at #9 by the Raptors, which teams do you think could be interested in Khaman Maluach before we'd have the chance to select him?

Would anyone be willing/able to trade up into one of the top 8 picks to choose him ahead of us?

[Dalek]

Tankathon updated their mock
https://www.tankathon.com/mock_draft

Still has us taking Maluach

I believe they previously had Maluach going to Brooklyn and Queen going to Toronto.

Read on Twitter

I am good with Khaman even if his shooting load up is slow, he offers what we need.

I'd worry about Brooklyn since I am not a huge believer in their frontcourt, so we may want to make a deal with the Wiz. They draft Maluach at 6 and we draft Queen at 9. We might offer some money or a future second or two to get it done. They save money on the contract as a result.

[ImaBeatDatAzz]

Tankathon updated their mock
https://www.tankathon.com/mock_draft

Still has us taking Maluach

I believe they previously had Maluach going to Brooklyn and Queen going to Toronto.

Read on Twitter

I am good with Khaman even if his shooting load up is slow, he offers what we need.

I'd worry about Brooklyn since I am not a huge believer in their frontcourt, so we may want to make a deal with the Wiz. They draft Maluach at 6 and we draft Queen at 9. We might offer some money or a future second or two to get it done. They save money on the contract as a result.

Malauch is the safer choice, I like what I’m seeing. Queen is risky. So ya that wiz deal could look nice, hope we help each other out.
I don’t want nets taking him

[ciueli]

Tankathon updated their mock
https://www.tankathon.com/mock_draft

Still has us taking Maluach

I believe they previously had Maluach going to Brooklyn and Queen going to Toronto.

Nice to see they've finally come around to my way of thinking. The Nets are taking a PG, it's completely obvious because they have no one good at that position right now (Russell is expiring after a horrible season and Melton is a mediocre backup, neither is under contract going forward). If Fears isn't on board they will just take the next best option in Kasparas Jakucionis, it makes complete sense as he was rated highly before he got injured so the Nets could absolutely end up with the best PG out of this draft if he develops right.

Washington is absolutely taking one of Fears or Knueppel (or Fears/Johnson if Utah takes Knueppel) and then New Orleans is taking whoever is left which leaves Maluach for us. Still possible for one of the teams above us to go off script, but it seems unlikely to me, anyway you slice it we get a good player (probably Kasparas Jakucionis if Maluach is gone).

[DG88]

Other than being selected at #9 by the Raptors, which teams do you think could be interested in Khaman Maluach before we'd have the chance to select him?

Would anyone be willing/able to trade up into one of the top 8 picks to choose him ahead of us?

Both New Orleans or Brooklyn are threats to pick Maluach before us. Brooklyn more so because they're not fully invested in their frontcourt. Both teams will either be looking to fill their guard rotation or big man rotation.

[Pointgod]

Other than being selected at #9 by the Raptors, which teams do you think could be interested in Khaman Maluach before we'd have the chance to select him?

Would anyone be willing/able to trade up into one of the top 8 picks to choose him ahead of us?

New Orleans, Brooklyn, Washington. No way I’d trade up to select Malauch.

[DG88]

Other than being selected at #9 by the Raptors, which teams do you think could be interested in Khaman Maluach before we'd have the chance to select him?

Would anyone be willing/able to trade up into one of the top 8 picks to choose him ahead of us?

New Orleans, Brooklyn, Washington. No way I’d trade up to select Malauch.

I think Queen gets picked by Washington. Hometown kid, can play next to Sarr. Gives them a go to option in the halfcourt and can act as a passing hub. He'd be the best available player at 6 and the best fit.

[niQ]

Other than being selected at #9 by the Raptors, which teams do you think could be interested in Khaman Maluach before we'd have the chance to select him?

Would anyone be willing/able to trade up into one of the top 8 picks to choose him ahead of us?

Honestly, I think any team from 6-8 (Wiz, Pel, Nets) could be in play.

Wizards: I've seen some mocks have them taking Queen as a good fit with Sarr. But I could also see a scenario where they move Sarr to the 4 and have Maluach at the 5. I believe they experimented early season with Sarr at 4 and Valanciunas at the 5.

Pelicans: I've seen a lot of mocks have them taking Kon. There was an article earlier about them wanting to shore up their frontline.
Found it: https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/2025-nba-mock-draft-1-0-who-goes-no-2-after-mavericks-cooper-flagg

7. New Orleans Pelicans

This is also a spot where the Pelicans could look to secure another big man to play alongside Yves Missi. Dumars made it clear when he joined the team that addressing the team's frontcourt would be a priority in the offseason.

I think they view Missi more as a back-up center in the long run.

Brooklyn: Honestly, a lot people see them taking a PG, and I do as well, in either Fears or Kasp. But in that same article above, they mention:

8. Brooklyn Nets – C Khaman Maluach – Duke

As the Nets continue to build for the future, trade rumors surrounding Cam Johnson and Nic Claxton will grow larger. Claxton is much more likely to be moved this offseason, especially since he was high on the Los Angeles Lakers' list of trade targets before the 2025 trade deadline.

That's just speculation but still a possibility. Especially if Fears is off the board and they are not confident in Kasp.

[ciueli]

Other than being selected at #9 by the Raptors, which teams do you think could be interested in Khaman Maluach before we'd have the chance to select him?

Would anyone be willing/able to trade up into one of the top 8 picks to choose him ahead of us?

Both New Orleans or Brooklyn are threats to pick Maluach before us. Brooklyn more so because they're not fully invested in their frontcourt. Both teams will either be looking to fill their guard rotation or big man rotation.

Brooklyn has no quality PG going forward, both PGs they have are expiring and neither are good long term options. Even with a ton of cap space (minus a bunch to Cam Thomas) there are not a lot of good options on the free agency market, basically they need to draft or trade for a PG and it's not clear they have any trade pieces other teams are looking to acquire. Very high chance they draft a PG.

New Orleans is more of a wild card as they don't have obvious needs at any single position but I expect them to take BPA which will probably be one of Fears or Knueppel, or Tre Johnson if he falls.