2025 NBA DRAFT PROSPECTS

[Psubs]

I think I like Jeremiah Fears more than Fland. Fears has slowly been moving up my nonexistent draft board.

Agreed...Fears at least theoretically may be able to guard 1-3. I know Fland is actually supposed to be a fairly "solid" defender because he has a good sense of anticipation in general (both offensively & defensively) but 6'2 & skinny is what it is lol. And if we're drafting him to be IQ's replacement then he'd obv be here more so for what he does offensively so he's not even gonna push himself that hard on the defensive end. But Fears also looks like if he cleans up his 3pt shot that there's a chance for him to actually be dynamic as he has a little "Kyrie" to his game.

But the only way I'm looking at any of them is if we fell outta the top 10 and personally I'd also consider Saraf as well. I'm not even sure why he seems to continue to go under the radar all year. If we're outside of the top 10, I'd prob look at Fears, Saraf or Noa then notch below that Traore or Powell. Truth is though I'd be pretty damn pissed if we fall outta the top 8 lol.

When I watch Fears I think his "elite" skills would be his first step and getting consistent paint touches. Which IMO is very much an underappreciated NBA skill. It's also something our teams have lacked for a long time.

Doesn't Fears seem like Tre Mann? Maybe a year ahead in development comparable to Mann's sophomore year.

[Psubs]

Broome reminds me of Sabonis.

He's injured, shoulder...and not the first time. I think he could end up being another pick everyone talks themselves out of.

https://auburnwire.usatoday.com/2024/12/18/auburn-basketball-johni-broome-injury-bruce-pearl/

Facially he is Jared Dudley's son.

Really I think Carlos Boozer.

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[God Squad]

Broome reminds me of Sabonis.

He's injured, shoulder...and not the first time. I think he could end up being another pick everyone talks themselves out of.

https://auburnwire.usatoday.com/2024/12/18/auburn-basketball-johni-broome-injury-bruce-pearl/

I thought he was gonna join the 2024 class. Would have been a great target with one of our many second rounders. But he made a smart decision to return and increase his stock because he'll likely be the favorite for the POY award. I do wonder how much his stock could increase in a stronger class.

[Yallbecrazy]

Exactly.

Think of him as a SF/PF. Shot isn't broken and has improved. He defends the perimeter incredibly well and if his shot comes along then he can be an elite wing who will score at will inside vs other wings in the NBA and hopefully can develop an outside game to score easily vs centres on the perimeter. He reminds me of a college Kawhi. Kawhi developed an elite outside shot and handle, CMB isn't there yet, but has potential because his strengths (inside scoring, rebounding, defending) are pretty elite. He's also a good passer of the ball.

Yes, I don't like saying it because people think you're saying he's the next Kawhi even if you're not, but he does remind me of some blend of Kawhi and Scottie. As you said the shot is not broken, he's shooting 33% from 3 this year, he's also shown an ability to get from the 3 point line to the rim. He's going to cook guys in the post because he has legitimate post moves and he looks like he has a pretty long wingspan.

Anthony Mason might be another comparable, but probably even better defense and unlikely, but still significant upside offensively.

[God Squad]

Agreed...Fears at least theoretically may be able to guard 1-3. I know Fland is actually supposed to be a fairly "solid" defender because he has a good sense of anticipation in general (both offensively & defensively) but 6'2 & skinny is what it is lol. And if we're drafting him to be IQ's replacement then he'd obv be here more so for what he does offensively so he's not even gonna push himself that hard on the defensive end. But Fears also looks like if he cleans up his 3pt shot that there's a chance for him to actually be dynamic as he has a little "Kyrie" to his game.

But the only way I'm looking at any of them is if we fell outta the top 10 and personally I'd also consider Saraf as well. I'm not even sure why he seems to continue to go under the radar all year. If we're outside of the top 10, I'd prob look at Fears, Saraf or Noa then notch below that Traore or Powell. Truth is though I'd be pretty damn pissed if we fall outta the top 8 lol.

When I watch Fears I think his "elite" skills would be his first step and getting consistent paint touches. Which IMO is very much an underappreciated NBA skill. It's also something our teams have lacked for a long time.

Doesn't Fears seem like Tre Mann? Maybe a year ahead in development comparable to Mann's sophomore year.

I honestly didn't watch Mann at Florida, so I'm not educated enough to make any proclamations. But the advanced stats favor Fears across the board for a freshman. In terms of Manns sophomore year they do look much better in terms of BPM, DBPM and OPM.

I'll have to watch more.

[Reeko]

How do people feel about Labaron? Haven’t seen him discussed much.

[Clutch0z24]

I don't like the thought of drafting bigs with high draft picks....2nd round picks or late firsts fine...But if you have a high pick you need to avoid the big men....Because more than likely they have the highest bust potential....Good guards or talented wings....Also this draft does not really have a big man that has superstar potential imo....Good role players but not no Jokics , Wembys or Embiids here...

[Psubs]

Think of him as a SF/PF. Shot isn't broken and has improved. He defends the perimeter incredibly well and if his shot comes along then he can be an elite wing who will score at will inside vs other wings in the NBA and hopefully can develop an outside game to score easily vs centres on the perimeter. He reminds me of a college Kawhi. Kawhi developed an elite outside shot and handle, CMB isn't there yet, but has potential because his strengths (inside scoring, rebounding, defending) are pretty elite. He's also a good passer of the ball.

Yes, I don't like saying it because people think you're saying he's the next Kawhi even if you're not, but he does remind me of some blend of Kawhi and Scottie. As you said the shot is not broken, he's shooting 33% from 3 this year, he's also shown an ability to get from the 3 point line to the rim. He's going to cook guys in the post because he has legitimate post moves and he looks like he has a pretty long wingspan.

Anthony Mason might be another comparable, but probably even better defense and unlikely, but still significant upside offensively.

Maybe young Charles Oakley? Jumper looks similar too.

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[Psubs]

I don't like the thought of drafting bigs with high draft picks....2nd round picks or late firsts fine...But if you have a high pick you need to avoid the big men....Because more than likely they have the highest bust potential....Good guards or talented wings....Also this draft does not really have a big man that has superstar potential imo....Good role players but not no Jokics , Wembys or Embiids here...

Agreed. They also would take longer to develop.

[Brinbe]

I don't like the thought of drafting bigs with high draft picks....2nd round picks or late firsts fine...But if you have a high pick you need to avoid the big men....Because more than likely they have the highest bust potential....Good guards or talented wings....Also this draft does not really have a big man that has superstar potential imo....Good role players but not no Jokics , Wembys or Embiids here...

Yep, agreed. There's a lot of possible developmental bigs they can snag with that Portland pick.

[Psubs]

I don't like the thought of drafting bigs with high draft picks....2nd round picks or late firsts fine...But if you have a high pick you need to avoid the big men....Because more than likely they have the highest bust potential....Good guards or talented wings....Also this draft does not really have a big man that has superstar potential imo....Good role players but not no Jokics , Wembys or Embiids here...

Yep, agreed. There's a lot of possible developmental bigs they can snag with that Portland pick.

Need more for a complete re-stock. Draft both Ivisic brothers as they are slightly different on offense and defense like the Lopez twins. Use for different lineups and situations. They'll be better than the Plumlee's.

[Ell Curry]

In the NBA the one skill that keeps you on the court is key. Sometimes we get enamoured with potential but without that one playable skill it's hard to give playing time and no playing time stunts growth. In the past Masai's picks have have all had some form of that single core skill:

Dick: Shooting
Shead: Man defense
Chomche: Rim protection
Walter: 3+D
Mogbo: Defensive versatility

In the draft outside of the obvious 3 of Bailey, Harper, and Flagg.

Jakunionis: Guard skills Potential: Perimeter scorer/creator
Johnson: Creation Potential: 3 level scorer if he can finish at the rim in the NBA
Maluach: Rim protection Potential: Stretch Potential: DPOTY

These are the only 3 I can see outside the top 3 who don't have any glaring issues and will be immediately playable but also a decent degree of potential.

Wouldn't Edgecombe's insane stock rate (same blocks as Maluach and Queen, an extra steal per 40 over anyone else in the draft) and Demin's passing (he's at 6.7 assists a game in college is a lot, that's almost double Cade Cunningham's numbers, slightly better than freshman Morant and sophomore Haliburton, to take the last 4 high assist in the NBA guys taken in the draft), assuming it doesn't shrink against good competition, qualify as "playable skills"?

[Brinbe]

I don't like the thought of drafting bigs with high draft picks....2nd round picks or late firsts fine...But if you have a high pick you need to avoid the big men....Because more than likely they have the highest bust potential....Good guards or talented wings....Also this draft does not really have a big man that has superstar potential imo....Good role players but not no Jokics , Wembys or Embiids here...

Yep, agreed. There's a lot of possible developmental bigs they can snag with that Portland pick.

Need more for a complete re-stock. Draft both Ivisic brothers as they are slightly different on offense and defense like the Lopez twins. Use for different lineups and situations. They'll be better than the Plumlee's.

I don't think they'd target both but the running convo on them is gonna be a fun dialogue as we go through this process but I think I'd much rather have Tom even if his upside maybe isn't as high as his bro.

[Ell Curry]

When I watch Fears I think his "elite" skills would be his first step and getting consistent paint touches. Which IMO is very much an underappreciated NBA skill. It's also something our teams have lacked for a long time.

Doesn't Fears seem like Tre Mann? Maybe a year ahead in development comparable to Mann's sophomore year.

I honestly didn't watch Mann at Florida, so I'm not educated enough to make any proclamations. But the advanced stats favor Fears across the board for a freshman. In terms of Manns sophomore year they do look much better in terms of BPM, DBPM and OPM.

I'll have to watch more.

I haven't seen Fears, but my vague memory of Mann is that he was a meh guard (skinny, bit weak, not great at drawing free throws or finishing inside) with a very, very strong off the dribble 3 game (though also seems to have rebounded very well as a sophomore? Looks like a PF's rebound rate). Which seems about consistent with his pro career, though his rebounding hasn't held up, but that could be scheme based.

[Ell Curry]

Broome reminds me of Sabonis.

He's injured, shoulder...and not the first time. I think he could end up being another pick everyone talks themselves out of.

https://auburnwire.usatoday.com/2024/12/18/auburn-basketball-johni-broome-injury-bruce-pearl/

Facially he is Jared Dudley's son.

Really I think Carlos Boozer.

Boozer's touch was better (hit higher percentage of 2s until this year and obviously Broome is older, Boozer had a much higher FT% the whole time) but he also wasn't winning DPOY trophies, blocking shots and rebounding like Broome. I imagine Broome will be a worse scorer but a better guy to have as your 5th best starter kind of guy. Maybe like a Portis/NanceJr kind of dude who makes the MLE and you can play at center next to an above the rim non-shooting 4 type (Giannis and Zion did very well with guys like that as their 3rd bigs) for like 15-20 minutes and they are just good enough at the 4 to grab another 5-10 minutes a night there, and the other backup 4 minutes go to a big SF type.

[Mark_83]

Think of him as a SF/PF. Shot isn't broken and has improved. He defends the perimeter incredibly well and if his shot comes along then he can be an elite wing who will score at will inside vs other wings in the NBA and hopefully can develop an outside game to score easily vs centres on the perimeter. He reminds me of a college Kawhi. Kawhi developed an elite outside shot and handle, CMB isn't there yet, but has potential because his strengths (inside scoring, rebounding, defending) are pretty elite. He's also a good passer of the ball.

Yes, I don't like saying it because people think you're saying he's the next Kawhi even if you're not, but he does remind me of some blend of Kawhi and Scottie. As you said the shot is not broken, he's shooting 33% from 3 this year, he's also shown an ability to get from the 3 point line to the rim. He's going to cook guys in the post because he has legitimate post moves and he looks like he has a pretty long wingspan.

Anthony Mason might be another comparable, but probably even better defense and unlikely, but still significant upside offensively.

Mason is a great comp. I think CMB is more versatile defensively though.

[Thaddy]

In the NBA the one skill that keeps you on the court is key. Sometimes we get enamoured with potential but without that one playable skill it's hard to give playing time and no playing time stunts growth. In the past Masai's picks have have all had some form of that single core skill:

Dick: Shooting
Shead: Man defense
Chomche: Rim protection
Walter: 3+D
Mogbo: Defensive versatility

In the draft outside of the obvious 3 of Bailey, Harper, and Flagg.

Jakunionis: Guard skills Potential: Perimeter scorer/creator
Johnson: Creation Potential: 3 level scorer if he can finish at the rim in the NBA
Maluach: Rim protection Potential: Stretch Potential: DPOTY

These are the only 3 I can see outside the top 3 who don't have any glaring issues and will be immediately playable but also a decent degree of potential.

Wouldn't Edgecombe's insane stock rate (same blocks as Maluach and Queen, an extra steal per 40 over anyone else in the draft) and Demin's passing (he's at 6.7 assists a game in college is a lot, that's almost double Cade Cunningham's numbers, slightly better than freshman Morant and sophomore Haliburton, to take the last 4 high assist in the NBA guys taken in the draft), assuming it doesn't shrink against good competition, qualify as "playable skills"?

They leverage physical tools which aren't as immense as someone like Zion. These tools won't be as much of an advantage in the NBA and they will struggle to find other avenues to show value on the court. Demin has been bad against good competition and Edgecombe has serious skill issues when it comes to shooting and ball handling. I can almost definitely say they will be busts at the next level based on the early season alone.

A player like Edgecombe has always been a guard but sucks at handling the ball. What gives?

[Ell Curry]

They leverage physical tools which aren't as immense as someone like Zion. These tools won't be as much of an advantage in the NBA and they will struggle to find other avenues to show value on the court. Demin has been bad against good competition and Edgecombe has serious skill issues when it comes to shooting and ball handling. I can almost definitely say they will be busts at the next level based on the early season alone.

A player like Edgecombe has always been a guard but sucks at handling the ball. What gives?

I guess the Edgecome idea is it's gonna be sort of a Westbrook type thing (off-ball in college, bad stats, more on ball in the pros) with more stocks? Or Derrick White if he learns to shoot?

Demin we gotta see him against pros and see if his shooting is good because I think it was considered bad before he came over.

[Thaddy]

They leverage physical tools which aren't as immense as someone like Zion. These tools won't be as much of an advantage in the NBA and they will struggle to find other avenues to show value on the court. Demin has been bad against good competition and Edgecombe has serious skill issues when it comes to shooting and ball handling. I can almost definitely say they will be busts at the next level based on the early season alone.

A player like Edgecombe has always been a guard but sucks at handling the ball. What gives?

I guess the Edgecome idea is it's gonna be sort of a Westbrook type thing (off-ball in college, bad stats, more on ball in the pros) with more stocks? Or Derrick White if he learns to shoot?

Demin we gotta see him against pros and see if his shooting is good because I think it was considered bad before he came over.

Yeah. Edgecombe needs serious skill work to be considered a starting caliber player in the NBA and his defense is very tool centric. It won't matter in the NBA and won't help him as much. He won't be able to impact athletic freaks like Barnes, Mathurin, or any key star offensive players.

Demin has ball handling issues, shot isn't reliable, and he has a skinny frame. I don't buy him as a "twitchy Josh Giddey", he's shown out against really bad competition. I was a fan early on but not at this time. If he improves and shows out in the tournament I might be onboard closer to the draft. Otherwise he looks like another Poku.

[RomaniaLuvTR]

Flagg looked good last night, he is still the number 1 prospect but I am still going Demin Ace or the Lithuanian guy for us