2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 8

[RoteSchroder]

He's not a good finisher, has a poor midrange game, below average 3pt shooter for his position, finishes with his predictable (left) hand, below average defender, below average FT shooter. RJ is an overpaid 6th-man or the type of guy teams like Washington, Sacramento and their ilk trade for and add into their starting lineup. He was the 3rd best player (sorry Precious) in that 3 player trade. If he wasn't Canadian this wouldn't be such an issue (with some people). If you're serious about winning you exclude RJ Barrett from your NBA roster.

People get enamoured with his counting numbers.

It’s a pretty poor use of statistics and fairly misleading.

Claxton, for example, is 0 on pull up 3’s, which is average. He also barely takes any C&S threes. On this list, you would expect the worst shooters to be a list of centers to start off. Just by not taking shots, you can boost yourself up the ranking.

On the other hand, RJ has a very high frequency on drives, averaging 12.6 per game. Meanwhile, there are like >100 players averaging 0.8-3 drives per game, which includes starting wings and guards. FT’s seem to be hurting him in this category too. So basically he got listed in both “worst shooting” and “worst finishing” categories due to FT’s.

Thirdly, context is not given, in 2024-2025, RJ basically took on a lead guard role for a chunk of the season. He’s more effective if he plays off-ball more and is a tertiary playmaker/ball-handler.

Not that I’m against trading RJ as we need a defensive guard (e.g. Nembhard) alongside IQ/Ingram, it’s just a bad statistic.

[WuTang_OG]

I was thinking the other day that Carter Bryant's game actually feels quite similar to Ace. Carter just didn't have someone press the ball into his hands and say do whatever you want with it.

Carters high school highlights are a lot of him knocking down smooth pull up jumpers, just like Ace. Neither has the handle to get to the rim by themselves, but they are good athletes who finish above the rim within the flow of the offense. Carter is an inch and a half shorter but his wingspan is better in relation to his height. Carter also has the more NBA ready body. Both these guys look smooth as can be, but they both need to figure out a handle to really become on ball players and hit their ceilings.

Carter just feels like that diamond in the rough, someone who is sort of like Ace on offense and maybe comparable to VJ on defense, while being in-between size wise. If he had been used in the way Ace and VJ were in college, I believe he has the skills to have solidified himself into being in the top 5 just like the other two. He doesn't have Ace's downside, if he never figures out how to create offense, then he's just going to be a prototypical 3+D wing. He doesn't have VJ's downside of being on the smaller side for a wing.

Could really be the steal of this draft, looks like a guy who will thrive in the NBA game.

big sleeper

[Mark_83]

I was thinking the other day that Carter Bryant's game actually feels quite similar to Ace. Carter just didn't have someone press the ball into his hands and say do whatever you want with it.

Carters high school highlights are a lot of him knocking down smooth pull up jumpers, just like Ace. Neither has the handle to get to the rim by themselves, but they are good athletes who finish above the rim within the flow of the offense. Carter is an inch and a half shorter but his wingspan is better in relation to his height. Carter also has the more NBA ready body. Both these guys look smooth as can be, but they both need to figure out a handle to really become on ball players and hit their ceilings.

Carter just feels like that diamond in the rough, someone who is sort of like Ace on offense and maybe comparable to VJ on defense, while being in-between size wise. If he had been used in the way Ace and VJ were in college, I believe he has the skills to have solidified himself into being in the top 5 just like the other two. He doesn't have Ace's downside, if he never figures out how to create offense, then he's just going to be a prototypical 3+D wing. He doesn't have VJ's downside of being on the smaller side for a wing.

Could really be the steal of this draft, looks like a guy who will thrive in the NBA game.

I see that as well. Carter has the same or similar "tough shot-making" ability that Ace has from both mid range and distance, but he has more shot discipline where he'll only really do that late in the clock. Like Ace, he takes a lot of those shots because his handle isn't there yet to attack the rim. But his ability to be able to hit well-defended off-balance jump shots off two or three dribbles, tells me that he's going to be much more than a catch and shoot guy he currently is once he improves the handles. Some of his fadeaway jumpers look almost Kobe-esque, though that's more of an aesthetic comparison.

That's why I've been saying he's one of the rare prospects with a high floor, and potentially high ceiling. He already has a lot to work with, and given his age and work ethic, his development curve under pro coaching and training could be exponential.

Watch on YouTube

[WuTang_OG]

barlow on essengue
https://youtu.be/kz3ZsRAz9FE?t=2437

[Indeed]

And post suggest he isn't even being interested

Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if they were. Harper is redundant with Fox. Maluach and Wemby playing together would be a ridiculous amount of size. If they can get good enough assets to trade back, I could see it.

Aaaaah, Chicago or Atlanta might need to take Maluach so San Antonio doesn't get him at #14, should he slide out of the top 10.

I guess it depends on the cost of trading up and the talent available.
I personally don't see Wemby pairing with a drop big, instead would be more a mobile big to compensate for the mobility (eg. running out and contest corner 3). CMB might be worth the gamble for them to me, even Fleming could be considered as well.

[Indeed]

I was thinking the other day that Carter Bryant's game actually feels quite similar to Ace. Carter just didn't have someone press the ball into his hands and say do whatever you want with it.

Carters high school highlights are a lot of him knocking down smooth pull up jumpers, just like Ace. Neither has the handle to get to the rim by themselves, but they are good athletes who finish above the rim within the flow of the offense. Carter is an inch and a half shorter but his wingspan is better in relation to his height. Carter also has the more NBA ready body. Both these guys look smooth as can be, but they both need to figure out a handle to really become on ball players and hit their ceilings.

Carter just feels like that diamond in the rough, someone who is sort of like Ace on offense and maybe comparable to VJ on defense, while being in-between size wise. If he had been used in the way Ace and VJ were in college, I believe he has the skills to have solidified himself into being in the top 5 just like the other two. He doesn't have Ace's downside, if he never figures out how to create offense, then he's just going to be a prototypical 3+D wing. He doesn't have VJ's downside of being on the smaller side for a wing.

Could really be the steal of this draft, looks like a guy who will thrive in the NBA game.

I see that as well. Carter has the same or similar "tough shot-making" ability that Ace has from both mid range and distance, but he has more shot discipline where he'll only really do that late in the clock. Like Ace, he takes a lot of those shots because his handle isn't there yet to attack the rim. But his ability to be able to hit well-defended off-balance jump shots off two or three dribbles, tells me that he's going to be much more than a catch and shoot guy he currently is once he improves the handles. Some of his fadeaway jumpers look almost Kobe-esque, though that's more of an aesthetic comparison.

That's why I've been saying he's one of the rare prospects with a high floor, and potentially high ceiling. He already has a lot to work with, and given his age and work ethic, his development curve under pro coaching and training could be exponential.

Watch on YouTube

I see the same, which is why I think they are closer in terms of tiers. And I think Bryant has a better leaping measurement?

[NotMyKawhi]

There's multiple guys like carter Bryant projected in the 2nd. You won't find someone like Ace in the 2nd round.

[BoyzNTheHood]

There's multiple guys like carter Bryant projected in the 2nd. You won't find someone like Ace in the 2nd round.

“Multiple guys like Carter Bryant in the 2nd”

[NotMyKawhi]

There's multiple guys like carter Bryant projected in the 2nd. You won't find someone like Ace in the 2nd round.

“Multiple guys like Carter Bryant in the 2nd”

Cedric and powell. Adou.

[BoyzNTheHood]

There's multiple guys like carter Bryant projected in the 2nd. You won't find someone like Ace in the 2nd round.

“Multiple guys like Carter Bryant in the 2nd”

Cedric and powell. Adou.

[Mark_83]

I was thinking the other day that Carter Bryant's game actually feels quite similar to Ace. Carter just didn't have someone press the ball into his hands and say do whatever you want with it.

Carters high school highlights are a lot of him knocking down smooth pull up jumpers, just like Ace. Neither has the handle to get to the rim by themselves, but they are good athletes who finish above the rim within the flow of the offense. Carter is an inch and a half shorter but his wingspan is better in relation to his height. Carter also has the more NBA ready body. Both these guys look smooth as can be, but they both need to figure out a handle to really become on ball players and hit their ceilings.

Carter just feels like that diamond in the rough, someone who is sort of like Ace on offense and maybe comparable to VJ on defense, while being in-between size wise. If he had been used in the way Ace and VJ were in college, I believe he has the skills to have solidified himself into being in the top 5 just like the other two. He doesn't have Ace's downside, if he never figures out how to create offense, then he's just going to be a prototypical 3+D wing. He doesn't have VJ's downside of being on the smaller side for a wing.

Could really be the steal of this draft, looks like a guy who will thrive in the NBA game.

I see that as well. Carter has the same or similar "tough shot-making" ability that Ace has from both mid range and distance, but he has more shot discipline where he'll only really do that late in the clock. Like Ace, he takes a lot of those shots because his handle isn't there yet to attack the rim. But his ability to be able to hit well-defended off-balance jump shots off two or three dribbles, tells me that he's going to be much more than a catch and shoot guy he currently is once he improves the handles. Some of his fadeaway jumpers look almost Kobe-esque, though that's more of an aesthetic comparison.

That's why I've been saying he's one of the rare prospects with a high floor, and potentially high ceiling. He already has a lot to work with, and given his age and work ethic, his development curve under pro coaching and training could be exponential.

Watch on YouTube

I see the same, which is why I think they are closer in terms of tiers. And I think Bryant has a better leaping measurement?

Bailey
6'7.5" 202lbs (7'0.50" wingspan)
No step vert: 27.5
Max vert: 34.5

Bryant
6'6.50" 215lbs (6'11.75" wingspan)
No step vert: 30.5
Max vert: 39.5

[YogurtProducer]

We literally just tried to trade him at the trade deadline and a team like the poverty Pelicans said nah I’m good on RJ.

Probably preferred the cap space and picks. Who knows what our offer with RJ was.

Knicks immediately went from a play in team to winning at a 80% rate by simply replacing him with OG in the starting line up.

Knicks were 15-11 with RJ in the lineup, and 2-4 in games he missed pre-trade in 2023/24 as well.

Knicks also didn't win at an 80% rate this year lol. They went 20-3 in a super small sample after the trade before coming back down to earth thisyear.

It turns out that it’s probably a wise idea to upgrade on a guy that’s on both these lists and is a weak defender too.

Sure - if we could find a clear upgrade we would take it

Masai will trade him as soon as he can find a team that wants him.

Doubt it. Odds are we hold onto him unless its a clear upgrade. We're not salary dumping the guy ffs

Masai would salary dump him, just not for the 19th pick.

Masai will not field a luxury tax team for an entire season for a 6-8th seed caliber team. If we do not get Giannis or any star in the off season, he’ll get rid of him by the trade deadline.

i think you’re entirely out to lunch here.

On one hand he will salary dump him; but getting back Cam Johnson and dropping 10 picks is too much?

Sounds a lot to me like he won’t salary dump him.

We’re also not a luxury tax team.

[NotMyKawhi]

“Multiple guys like Carter Bryant in the 2nd”

Cedric and powell. Adou.

What do you know? I swear last year this dude was like, Tyler Smith, Furphy, Antonio reeves, Ajay Mitchell, Freeman lol

You know nothing lmao

[BoyzNTheHood]

Cedric and powell. Adou.

What do you know? I swear last year this dude was like, Tyler Smith, Furphy, Antonio reeves, Ajay Mitchell, Freeman lol

You know nothing lmao

[S ID]

https://databallr.com/NBADraft/BigBoard

[Pointgod]

That’s only because RJ would be on a rookie deal lol.

RJ is just not a winning player. I get that he’s Canadian and all that stuff but this is the same trap a lot of Demar fans fell for.

He will always be a guy that every single team wants to upgrade on when they go from a middling team to a team that’s serious about winning.

Knicks won’t be first team, we won’t be the last team, this will be his legacy for every team that he lands on.

There’s not a single playoff team that would take RJ over Johnson.

I don’t believe that for a second. And who are you for me to believe. Opinions are like ****. We all have one. Why should we care about yours?

We literally just tried to trade him at the trade deadline and a team like the poverty Pelicans said nah I’m good on RJ.

Knicks immediately went from a play in team to winning at a 80% rate by simply replacing him with OG in the starting line up.





It turns out that it’s probably a wise idea to upgrade on a guy that’s on both these lists and is a weak defender too.

Masai will trade him as soon as he can find a team that wants him.

ROFL how do we have four players in the bottom 15 of finishing? And two of our starters on the worst shooting list?

[Grew]

I don’t believe that for a second. And who are you for me to believe. Opinions are like ****. We all have one. Why should we care about yours?

We literally just tried to trade him at the trade deadline and a team like the poverty Pelicans said nah I’m good on RJ.

Knicks immediately went from a play in team to winning at a 80% rate by simply replacing him with OG in the starting line up.





It turns out that it’s probably a wise idea to upgrade on a guy that’s on both these lists and is a weak defender too.

Masai will trade him as soon as he can find a team that wants him.

ROFL how do we have four players in the bottom 15 of finishing? And two of our starters on the worst shooting list?

It's almost like we don't have enough shooting or rim pressure. Or a true go to player.

Or like we have a super young team that was riddled with injuries, with a focus on letting guys grow by doing things they aren't necessarily proven at yet.

I dislike stats without context like this. It's a chain reaction that is more about the team as a whole than the individual.

It's harder to hit shots when the defense doesn't have to play half the lineup honestly. It's harder to finish at the rim when the defense isn't worried about you kicking it out.

Also as good as Yak is at what he does... It really hurts this team that he can't catch a lob or shoot the 3. When you're biggest pick and roll threat is a 10 foot push shot... The most utilized play in the league isn't scary for teams to defend our version of it.

[Mark_83]

Read on Twitter

[NoBias]

I think raptors go for Jak here, he’s a Darko type player... Assuming Maluach is off the board of course.

[Mark_83]

Cedric and powell. Adou.

What do you know? I swear last year this dude was like, Tyler Smith, Furphy, Antonio reeves, Ajay Mitchell, Freeman lol

You know nothing lmao

AJ Mitchell is actually a really good player. He's getting playoff minutes on a championship team that already has a lot of guard depth, even though he's a rookie 2nd round pick. It's a limited sample but on the season he shot an efficient 49.5/38.3/82.9 and has been even better in the playoffs at 53.6/45.5/66.7. I was not tracking him much last draft, but in retrospect he'd look great on our roster right now.