2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 6

[WuTang_CMB]

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

[WuTang_CMB]

Read on Twitter

[DreamTeam09]

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

then it would be an absolute waste of a top-10 pick. I'm not really certain, but I don't think he's even be eligible for an O1 visa because the current administration's stance on South Sudan. Which really sucks, we should be able to debate whether or not to select players on their merits, not their passports.

Can we give him canadian citizenship lol

It's not funny it's the likely outcome, maybe not a full citizenship, but some kinda residential status that lets him enter & leave the US freely / stupid trump administration

[aminiaturebuddha]

I don't get the love with Sorber all of sudden....I have many bigs over him....Asa Newell/Khaman/Queen/Flemming are all better than Sorber.....Sorber is the same height as Queen/Newell....But also less skilled....Sorber is the definition of an old school big man....I would like him if we were in the 17-22 range but at 9 there will be better bigs on the board....Is it just the wingspan? Because skill wise i think hes a tier below the bigs up top...

I think it's because he doesn't have the glaring weaknesses of a bunch of those guys. He probably doesn't have the outlier potential of some of them (isn't as skilled as Queen, doesn't have the size of Maluach), so his upside is likely lower, but he probably has a higher floor than all of them.

And I'm not sure I'd say that those guys are "better" than him. He's way more skilled than Maluach at the moment, and given the measurements we're seeing, I'm not sure that Newell will ever really be able to be a full time center. Sorber doesn't have the footspeed of Newell, but I think he's actually more skilled at the moment in terms of positioning and footwork. He's also better defensively than Queen.

I'm not sure he's who I'd target, but I like him, and can see the appeal as a "safer" pick at #9 if people think most of the star potential players are gone. I think that's why he's being mentioned now.

[BoyzNTheHood]

Read on Twitter

9. TORONTO RAPTORS — Carter Bryant | F | Arizona
Profile: 6’8”, 214

Year: Freshman (19)

6.5 PTS | 4.1 REB | 1.0 AST | 0.9 STL | 1 BLK

46.0 FG% | 37.1 3P% | 69.5 FT%

37 Games | 19.3 MIN

Rucker: Raptors fans were hoping for some lottery magic last night. Instead, they find themselves falling to the ninth spot. This is where things could get interesting for a number of teams, as it could be where the “should we keep it or move it” debate begins. For a team like the Toronto Raptors, they could be in a sweet spot to take a bit of a swing. Toronto would most likely love for Khaman Maluach to be on the board, but he went one pick earlier to the Nets. While South Carolina sophomore Collin Murray-Boyles could be another option, Arizona freshman forward Carter Bryant gets the nod here. Bryant is a high upside offensive weapon who knows how to make winning plays and has taken huge strides forward with his development. Bryant continues to show a high work ethic to unlock levels with his game. He showed some fantastic growth defensively as a freshman and ended up as one of the top perimeter defensive prospects in this class. The three-point shot has taken a huge step as well, and Bryant has the athleticism and power to go with anyone. If the handle continues to develop, he’s going to be a heck of a get for his next franchise. For the Raptors, it’s another high-level type of wing that you would love to have at your disposal.

[Yallbecrazy]

I don't know if the French league has changed, but I'm a little skeptical of players putting up stats in that league as defense seems to be optional.

I don't know enough about Traore or Essengue, but they are options.
With Sorber the stats were great, but sample size was small and against poor competition and with the foot injury I'm not comfortable taking him top 10. Fleming and Bryant seem like they will be decent pros, but I'm not sure on the upside.
I am very meh on Queen, a lot of things have to go right for him to be a good player in the league in my opinion and he's at least semi likely to be flawed on the defensive end (there's some hope).

I can't get behind Malauch at all, and don't want Tre Johnson either as the defense and rebounding are so bad.

Jak had an injury, but he fell apart late in the year and it's hard to put all the blame on the injury.

No thanks to Demin in the lottery either.

I was intrigued by Jase, but a 6'1 guard that isn't really a point guard?

Fears is okay as he's young, but the defense, turnovers, and lack of shooting scare me a lot.


That leaves it as potential picks for us:
CMB - dream scenario (excellent fit for our style)
Traore and Essengue - if Masai likes them (mystery boxes for me)
Bryant and Fleming - sure, but not excited
Fears- Risky pick and does he fit our identity/ structure
Sorber - is the foot okay? Probably can't work out I assume so how much can Masai gather? Another mystery box for me.
Jak- don't really like it

[aminiaturebuddha]

Is Essengue still playing right now in Germany? Is that why there aren't measurements for him yet?

He's one of the guys that I'm really intrigued to see how he measures out and does in the agility drills.

[Rodrickle]

I'm coming around to CMB, and have faith that our staff can get his shot going like they are somewhat with Mogbo. I think he can be a much better version of Mogbo that can finish around the basket, and is a little tougher. Can guard anyone, with lots of intagnibles. He has flaws yes, but I think he's going to have such huge impact on the game and is probably worth it at 9. I wouldn't bet against someone with that BBIQ

[WuTang_CMB]

Is Essengue still playing right now in Germany? Is that why there aren't measurements for him yet?

He's one of the guys that I'm really intrigued to see how he measures out and does in the agility drills.

normally they get measured at adidas euro camp. i think its first week of june

[ATLTimekeeper]

I don't know if the French league has changed, but I'm a little skeptical of players putting up stats in that league as defense seems to be optional.

I don't know enough about Traore or Essengue, but they are options.
With Sorber the stats were great, but sample size was small and against poor competition and with the foot injury I'm not comfortable taking him top 10. Fleming and Bryant seem like they will be decent pros, but I'm not sure on the upside.
I am very meh on Queen, a lot of things have to go right for him to be a good player in the league in my opinion and he's at least semi likely to be flawed on the defensive end (there's some hope).

I can't get behind Malauch at all, and don't want Tre Johnson either.

Jak had an injury, but he fell apart late in the year and it's hard to put all the blame on the injury.

No thanks to Demin in the lottery either.

I was intrigued by Jase, but a 6'1 guard that isn't really a point guard?

Fears is okay as he's young, but the defense, turnovers, and lack of shooting scare me a lot.

Essengue played in Germany. It's a much worse league than the one Traore played in, and he was more of a role player for them. Traore will retain a lot of hype because of his ranking earlier in the year and that he was given a lot of responsibility at his age, which is rare.

Of the 3 French players that Grange cited we looked at, I think Beringer is the most interesting. He hadn't even touched a basketball in 2021. One month older than Flagg and Essengue. Looks like he can think the game and pick up skill.

[PhilBlackson]

I don't get the love with Sorber all of sudden....I have many bigs over him....Asa Newell/Khaman/Queen/Flemming are all better than Sorber.....Sorber is the same height as Queen/Newell....But also way less skilled....Sorber is the definition of an old school big man....I would like him if we were in the 17-22 range but at 9 there will be better bigs on the board....Is it just the wingspan? Because skill wise i think hes a tier below the bigs up top...

I don’t like Newell over him but everybody else, yes.

If we really liked him that much we better trade down with ORL for their picks and they’ll take Kon. But honestly I think I’d just begrudgingly draft one of Bryant, Fleming or Traore if neither of Queen or Malauch are available. Sucks that we just so happened to slide to point where there is a significant chance we miss out on both bigs.

[WuTang_CMB]

“When you go into these things, just everything that comes out at you — hey, this is luck. It's a lottery,” said Ujiri just off the stage in a ballroom turned into a TV set. “It can go every way. You put yourself in position to think every single way. But before it happens, most of it is you hope … you just hope that you get it (the No.1 pick). I'm one of those people, people that when these kind of things come, I've just been through so much, there's no high or low. I know exactly how to feel."

Which is, on to the next: “Honestly, it doesn't (change anything). We have all our picks going forward. I think we continue this rebuild and grow as a team. And honestly, I'm as optimistic as I was earlier,” Ujiri said.

“You hope and pray that you, you get a No. 1 or No. 2 or you jump. (But) if there's one thing I'm confident about, it's us picking in the draft. I'm very, very confident. This draft is a good draft. From three to about 12, it's who you like or how you like it. So we'll figure out how we like it and how to manoeuvre.”

As i said earlier, after the first few guys, theres that next tier all bunched up. We will either pick from someone who falls like a KM or choose from Bryant, Noa, Fleming

[Indeed]

I don't get the love with Sorber all of sudden....I have many bigs over him....Asa Newell/Khaman/Queen/Flemming are all better than Sorber.....Sorber is the same height as Queen/Newell....But also less skilled....Sorber is the definition of an old school big man....I would like him if we were in the 17-22 range but at 9 there will be better bigs on the board....Is it just the wingspan? Because skill wise i think hes a tier below the bigs up top...

Newell with a short wingspan may not be effective at C nor enough skill to be PF, so I have him lower.
It depends if you project Sorber to shoot the 3, which would be a tier above Flemming due to better passing / read.
Queen is definitely above him with self creation, while Sorber is the next tier in terms of passing big.

[Syd-TK3]

He’s still so intriguing

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=iDergfyDJveIq9pY2qCCBQ

I've said all year that he is the typa player masai likes, regardless of how he fell off a bunch i would not be suprised at all with him being the pick

[God Squad]

I don't know if the French league has changed, but I'm a little skeptical of players putting up stats in that league as defense seems to be optional.

I don't know enough about Traore or Essengue, but they are options.
With Sorber the stats were great, but sample size was small and against poor competition and with the foot injury I'm not comfortable taking him top 10. Fleming and Bryant seem like they will be decent pros, but I'm not sure on the upside.
I am very meh on Queen, a lot of things have to go right for him to be a good player in the league in my opinion and he's at least semi likely to be flawed on the defensive end (there's some hope).

I can't get behind Malauch at all, and don't want Tre Johnson either.

Jak had an injury, but he fell apart late in the year and it's hard to put all the blame on the injury.

No thanks to Demin in the lottery either.

I was intrigued by Jase, but a 6'1 guard that isn't really a point guard?

Fears is okay as he's young, but the defense, turnovers, and lack of shooting scare me a lot.

Essengue played in Germany. It's a much worse league than the one Traore played in, and he was more of a role player for them. Traore will retain a lot of hype because of his ranking earlier in the year and that he was given a lot of responsibility at his age, which is rare.

Of the 3 French players that Grange cited we looked at, I think Beringer is the most interesting. He hadn't even touched a basketball in 2021. One month older than Flagg and Essengue. Looks like he can think the game and pick up skill.

But I've seen Essengue play in pre-season a year ago, and he looks very promising for a 17year old (at the time).

Watch on YouTube

[Dalek]

I still am in awe of Jaku's numbers:
6’4 ¾ barefoot, 205.2 lbs with a 6’7 ¾" wingspan and 8’4" standing reach

Dylan's Harper by comparison:
6’4 1/2 barefoot, 213.2 lbs with a 6’10 ½" wingspan and 8’6" standing reach

Considering he shot similarly on threes and is likely a better passer it isn't a terrible fallback at 9.

My guy Will Riley gained weight since last year. Riley at 6’8 ¼ barefoot, 185.6 lbs with a 6’8 ¾" wingspan and 8’8” standing reach is gaining momentum for me. He has star upside if he can add the weight to his frame. If we trade out of 9 he is a worthy pick.

[WuTang_CMB]

“When you go into these things, just everything that comes out at you — hey, this is luck. It's a lottery,” said Ujiri just off the stage in a ballroom turned into a TV set. “It can go every way. You put yourself in position to think every single way. But before it happens, most of it is you hope … you just hope that you get it (the No.1 pick). I'm one of those people, people that when these kind of things come, I've just been through so much, there's no high or low. I know exactly how to feel."

Which is, on to the next: “Honestly, it doesn't (change anything). We have all our picks going forward. I think we continue this rebuild and grow as a team. And honestly, I'm as optimistic as I was earlier,” Ujiri said.

“You hope and pray that you, you get a No. 1 or No. 2 or you jump. (But) if there's one thing I'm confident about, it's us picking in the draft. I'm very, very confident. This draft is a good draft. From three to about 12, it's who you like or how you like it. So we'll figure out how we like it and how to manoeuvre.”

As i said earlier, after the first few guys, theres that next tier all bunched up. We will either pick from someone who falls like a KM or choose from Bryant, Noa, Fleming

As for the Raptors?

There is no doubt Toronto will consider trade options with the No. 9, pick but any chance they might have had at working their way into the conversations around Antetokounmpo likely hinged on them being able to include a top-four pick as part of the deal.

That the Raptors are picking in the back half of the lottery makes it more likely that they keep the pick, in part because the trade value isn’t as high.

“In terms of trades, I can't comment on anything,” said Ujiri. “… You just wait for your turn. It will come. (Stay) patient and see if that (trade) is the way. But I think for this team, we're just going to keep growing and [we have] young players. We'll be fine adding another one.”

The Raptors track record at picking ninth is pretty impressive: Tracy McGrady in 1997, DeMar DeRozan in 2009 and Jakob Poeltl in 2016.

The Raptors would sign that scorecard right now if they could guarantee adding a player of that quality next month.

But on a night when teams allow themselves to dream just a little bit, moving back in the draft order instead of all the way up to the top was like a hitting a cold floor after getting out of a warm bed: a little jolt of reality and evidence that a dream was done.

[Clutch0z24]

I don't get the love with Sorber all of sudden....I have many bigs over him....Asa Newell/Khaman/Queen/Flemming are all better than Sorber.....Sorber is the same height as Queen/Newell....But also way less skilled....Sorber is the definition of an old school big man....I would like him if we were in the 17-22 range but at 9 there will be better bigs on the board....Is it just the wingspan? Because skill wise i think hes a tier below the bigs up top...

I don’t like Newell over him but everybody else, yes.

If we really liked him that much we better trade down with ORL for their picks and they’ll take Kon. But honestly I think I’d just begrudgingly draft one of Bryant, Fleming or Traore if neither of Queen or Malauch are available. Sucks that we just so happened to slide to point where there is a significant chance we miss out on both bigs.

I think one of Queen/Maluach are possibly on the board at 9....Either one of them or Kon/Tre/Fears fell to you....I think the top 9 is pretty solid and no need to go off board if you don't have too...I always liked 9 players in this draft as BPA....Asssuming Masai Stays true to going BPA i think there is a clear cut top 9 but i think that top 9 could be jumbled up in many diff ways...Where any of Kon/Mal/Queen/Fears are there at 9...

[WuTang_CMB]

I urge people to watch Embiid in college and first year with Sixers

Read on Twitter

[WuTang_CMB]

Read on Twitter