2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 6

[Clutch0z24]

"Khaman Maluach's visa situation, currently impacted by a recent government policy that revoked visas for South Sudanese passport holders, presents a significant challenge for the Raptors if he is drafted. Unless this situation is resolved before the draft, he will be unable to leave the United States for pre-draft workouts in Toronto or, potentially, even to join the Raptors if drafted. "

From google ^ ...This could really screw us over....I doubt hes even on the board at 9 anyways because i could see his workouts being really good and a team falling in love with him...But if this were the case it takes off a player on the board for us at 9....Cause no way do we draft him if he can't even come here lol...

[ATLTimekeeper]

When was the last time a college had 3 of its players go top 10 in a single draft?

2019, Zion, RJ, Cam Reddish

[Dennis 37]

Blake Griffin will be forever linked to that rigged dunk contest where he won because he jumped over the sponsor's car.

I know it won't happen, but I wonder if Flagg is considering dropping out of the draft and returning to college. Does he really want the narrative that his draft will be forever looked on as rigged? This is worse that Knicks getting Ewing or Cleveland getting LeBron. None of those teams had a narrative that it looked like they dumped a superstar for a peanut butter and jam sandwich, due to league direction, and were rewarded.

[Landomar]

After looking at whose likely to be available at #9, the most Raptors type guy is Thomas Sorber.

He's good analytically, especially on defense, with excellent stock rates and DBPM. He's a very good athlete, and has a 7'6" wingspan. Despite not being a good three point shooter in college, his form looks great and there is a development opportunity there.

From a team fit perspective, our biggest need is a young backup C to develop behind Poeltl. Unless somebody unexpected falls to us, or our scouting staff goes to bat for Traore or Essengue, I predict that we will take Sorber.

[God Squad]

Slightly hot take. Depending on where we land (top 4), I'm locking in on Noa Essengue. I've liked him for too long, and can't find a reason why we shouldn't just take him.

So after a swift kick in the dic (post lottery), I'm still taking Noa Essengue, but open to other options such as Maluach, Traore and maybe Bryant.

[BoyzNTheHood]

We’re probably zeroing in on a small group of guys. I’d bet the pick is one of Bryant, Maluach, Fleming, Essengue, or Demin.

[Duffman100]

After looking at whose likely to be available at #9, the most Raptors type guy is Thomas Sorber.

He's good analytically, especially on defense, with excellent stock rates and DBPM. He's a very good athlete, and has a 7'6" wingspan. Despite not being a good three point shooter in college, his form looks great and there is a development opportunity there.

From a team fit perspective, our biggest need is a young backup C to develop behind Poeltl. Unless somebody unexpected falls to us, or our scouting staff goes to bat for Traore or Essengue, I predict that we will take Sorber.

And you know masai is never in line with mocks.

I think the two "surprise picks" are sorbet or Fleming.

[ATLTimekeeper]

We’re probably zeroing in on a small group of guys. I’d bet the pick is one of Bryant, Maluach, Fleming, Essengue, or Demin.

Why? We're in a draft slot where reaching is perfectly acceptable. We should be casting a wide-a** net all the way to the late first.

[BoyzNTheHood]

We’re probably zeroing in on a small group of guys. I’d bet the pick is one of Bryant, Maluach, Fleming, Essengue, or Demin.

Why? We're in a draft slot where reaching is perfectly acceptable. We should be casting a wide-a** net all the way to the late first.

Because they fit what we usually look for.

[PhilBlackson]

What happens if they draft Maluach and he ends up being unable to leave and re-enter the US?

I doubt we draft him if that happens....His camp , He himself, and i doubt Masai would do that to him....If he needs to stay in US and can't travel to Canada he would only miss a few games a year....If he was drafted here and stuck in Canada he would miss majority of games....Lets just hope something gets resolved...

I really think this is or would be a complete non issue.

I’m sure they’d find some way to get Khaman his Canadian citizenship which should help them bypass this. For example, personally I doubt they’ve been making Chomche go around everywhere with a Cameroonian passport.

[Rodrickle]

After looking at whose likely to be available at #9, the most Raptors type guy is Thomas Sorber.

He's good analytically, especially on defense, with excellent stock rates and DBPM. He's a very good athlete, and has a 7'6" wingspan. Despite not being a good three point shooter in college, his form looks great and there is a development opportunity there.

From a team fit perspective, our biggest need is a young backup C to develop behind Poeltl. Unless somebody unexpected falls to us, or our scouting staff goes to bat for Traore or Essengue, I predict that we will take Sorber.

I like Sorber, but I don't think he's a very good athlete. He has a high BBIQ and he gives it his all, and most of all, he playes excellent D. But he has trouble finishing on the pick and roll , mostly due to his lack of pop. And he's not that great moving on the perimeter. He did weigh in at 263, so maybe its conditioning however.

[ATLTimekeeper]

We’re probably zeroing in on a small group of guys. I’d bet the pick is one of Bryant, Maluach, Fleming, Essengue, or Demin.

Why? We're in a draft slot where reaching is perfectly acceptable. We should be casting a wide-a** net all the way to the late first.

Because they fit what we usually look for.

There's a lot of players that fit what we usually look for. Let's see who they bring in, first.

[God Squad]

After looking at whose likely to be available at #9, the most Raptors type guy is Thomas Sorber.

He's good analytically, especially on defense, with excellent stock rates and DBPM. He's a very good athlete, and has a 7'6" wingspan. Despite not being a good three point shooter in college, his form looks great and there is a development opportunity there.

From a team fit perspective, our biggest need is a young backup C to develop behind Poeltl. Unless somebody unexpected falls to us, or our scouting staff goes to bat for Traore or Essengue, I predict that we will take Sorber.

And you know masai is never in line with mocks.

I think the two "surprise picks" are sorbet or Fleming.

I like Sorber, or I did before his injury. At pick 9 seems a tad rich at first, but like you said Masai likes to "surprise". I still think the "surprise" is Noa, but Sorber is better than Maluach right now.

[BoyzNTheHood]

Read on Twitter

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[Clutch0z24]

Is anyone on the "Queen is a star" bandwagon?

and see how he fits on defence in the NBA and with our core specifically?

He's the one shot creating/initiator who atleast has a shot at slipping to 9.

before the dreams were of Tre Johnson, which are dead.

I think he's too small to be a C. It affects rim defense a lot, even Poeltl isn't great there he has a pretty bad standing reach for a 7+ footer. A C with size like Koloko really improved our defense, the physical presence alone has effect.

I would go with the BPA at 9th, I think it's going to be Traore. Strong league, good size, elite quickness, improved shooting, and complete game. I think he's getting overlooked for playing overseas and his draft combine stats aren't out yet. The outlier trait is his size, wingspan, and speed.

In the 2nd round I would swing for Zikarsky. He has better measurements than Maluach. Among the giants like Zikarsky, Kalkbrenner, etc I would look for the best draft combine drill stats.

We could try going small with Scottie at the 5 and Queen at the 4. But man our spacing is awful with RJ, Ingram, Barnes, and Queen on the court together.

Queen would be the backup C and play behind Yak if he were to be drafted to us....He may not be over 7 feet tall but hes the same size as guys like Jarrett Allen, Daniel Gafford, Jalen Duren, Sengun, Nikola Vucevic, Bam, Al Horford,Naz Reid, Clint Capella.....These players all hold their own playing the C spot....Queen could prolly play either PF or C....Most Cs are in that 6"10-7 foot range and then you have your freaks that are 7 ft 2 and beyond but not really that many of them....

Queen is fine height wise to play C....1 inch shorter does not make a whole lot of a difference when you look at his skill level and the things he can do at his size....The versatility/Basketball IQ makes up for the 1 or 2 inches he gives up....

[DG88]

What happens if they draft Maluach and he ends up being unable to leave and re-enter the US?

Fast track him as a Canadian citizen

[pilkoids]

Blake Griffin will be forever linked to that rigged dunk contest where he won because he jumped over the sponsor's car.

I know it won't happen, but I wonder if Flagg is considering dropping out of the draft and returning to college. Does he really want the narrative that his draft will be forever looked on as rigged? This is worse that Knicks getting Ewing or Cleveland getting LeBron. None of those teams had a narrative that it looked like they dumped a superstar for a peanut butter and jam sandwich, due to league direction, and were rewarded.

Counter: Does Flagg want to be the one that screwed over Dallas and messed up an entire draft?

[Indeed]

The main issue with Sorber is that he fails to show up against better competition.

Oh yeah, how so? I haven't followed that closely but I got the feeling he showed up on the radar late to the party. Him getting injured didn't help.

I love Sorber’s game, but the lack of production versus the best opponents is a big red flag. There’s no reason he should be this bad against good teams. He has a really good skill set. It’s disappointing.

Vs Marquette on Jan 7
11 pts on 3-5 shooting

Vs UConn on Jan 11
9 pts on 3-9 shooting

Vs SJU on Jan 14
5 pts on 2-4 shooting

Vs SJU on Jan 28
8 pts on 3-9 shooting

He’s one of those guys that I want to believe in so badly. He looks like a top 5 pick when you watch him play most teams, but then you wonder what he’ll do when the playoffs come around, or if you need him to go head to head with a star. Am I really willing to take that guy? Maybe at 9 the risk is lowered, but I’m not sure I’d choose him over a guy like Queen, or Bryant.

It could be more due to their guards being limited. Sorber isn't someone who can create for himself, so the attempts can be vary.
His DPM is around the same for those games, so his floor would be a defensive PF/C.
https://barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?year=2025&p=Thomas%20Sorber&t=Georgetown

I have Bryant higher, and hard to believe Queen is still on board, so I wouldn't rule out Sorber.

[HumbleRen]

Noa Essengue is my guy.

We need our replacements for RJ and IQ.

[Brinbe]

Yep, no issue going off the board if they think that player is worth it. Masai has had some misses but he's generally a good drafter the higher you go. Maybe he targets one of the Euro prospects he went over to watch that he thinks is undervalued by other teams in Traore, Essengue, Beringer. Maybe he goes for a Fleming. I think the draftniks should like this as the possibilities are wide open at that spot.