2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 5

[ciueli]

Does anyone else feel like we're going in circles in this thread? It's the same topics day after day. The lottery, and the draft can't come soon enough.

It's been like this for 20 years

And most of those years we find ourselves just outside the range where the obviously good players get drafted. 30 years for this franchise and we've only drafted top 4 five times (Marcus Camby, Antawan Jamison/Vince Carter, Chris Bosh, Andrea Bargnani, Scottie Barnes) and three of those are the 4th pick in the draft, we've only landed 1 once, 2 once, and 3 zero times.

[BoyzNTheHood]

These are personal affirmations at this point lol

I know in my heart of hearts that my guy, who I suggested before anyone else, will be HIM!

And who is that?!??

It’s a joke. He was talking about personal affirmations.

[PhilBlackson]

I know in my heart of hearts that my guy, who I suggested before anyone else, will be HIM!

And who is that?!??

It’s a joke. He was talking about personal affirmations.

My bad lol although was wondering your top 3 favourites (in order) for our pick?! I obv know Maluach didn’t make the cut lol

[LoveMyRaps]

This is what Traore did with Masai scouting him:

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=PSy3Ch7pvG4ybe2MpvWFcw

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?s=46&t=PSy3Ch7pvG4ybe2MpvWFcw

He then followed up that performance with this:

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?s=46&t=PSy3Ch7pvG4ybe2MpvWFcw

[TNRaps4life]

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/duke-university-warning-international-students-b2737198.html


Maluach ain't coming to Canada for workouts. His workout will likely be at the combines.

[XTC]

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/duke-university-warning-international-students-b2737198.html


Maluach ain't coming to Canada for workouts.

Hes #1 on my do not draft list.

However that doesn't mean he won't workout for us. Masai could go to the US and schedule a workout over there.

[NinjaBro]

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/duke-university-warning-international-students-b2737198.html


Maluach ain't coming to Canada for workouts. His workout will likely be at the combines.

What a disaster. No international players coming here for the next 4 years.

[grant101]

This is what Traore did with Masai scouting him:

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=PSy3Ch7pvG4ybe2MpvWFcw

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?s=46&t=PSy3Ch7pvG4ybe2MpvWFcw

He then followed up that performance with this:

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?s=46&t=PSy3Ch7pvG4ybe2MpvWFcw

Super impressive. This is against grown men on a good team. Reminds me a lot of Tony Parker. The numbers early in the season were really bad for Traore, but like I've said before, I would go with my gut on this one. He's in my top 10.

The shot is not broken (still needs work though), and the pace and shiftiness he plays with at his size is great. He was pre-season top 5 for a reason.

[BoyzNTheHood]

And who is that?!??

It’s a joke. He was talking about personal affirmations.

My bad lol although was wondering your top 3 favourites (in order) for our pick?! I obv know Maluach didn’t make the cut lol

At 7, assuming the Tankathon mock was accurate, I’d go with one of Bryant, Essengue, or Queen. But I have to say, the choices are fairly underwhelming to me. I’m taking Bryant or Essengue hoping they explode and become much more than they currently are.

I’d much rather trade down for 16+25 from ORL, or 13+22 from ATL, or 15+24 from OKC.

[DG88]

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?t=M_oaoWOvO5Oglw1Q1av6-A&s=19

[WuTang_CMB]

This is what Traore did with Masai scouting him:

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=PSy3Ch7pvG4ybe2MpvWFcw

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=PSy3Ch7pvG4ybe2MpvWFcw

He then followed up that performance with this:

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=PSy3Ch7pvG4ybe2MpvWFcw

Nice find.

I dont know what to think of NT. I know he had a tough season but he is playing in a tough league. With the way Darko wants to play he loves an aggressive paint touching guard which will really open up our offense since it can get so stagnant against good defensive clubs. BI will help with creation but to have lead guard constantly paint touch and create for others is something we havent had for years and will help us tremendously. Just think of all the cutting we do, it will just make our offense get better shots when the defense collapses in the paint. Does anyone have his numbers finishing at the rim?

The stat of IQ (who i like) only assisting on 4 layups this season on his drives is concerning but i know his game is more suited to outside shooting and play off ball (so far its trending that way).

[grant101]

This is what Traore did with Masai scouting him:

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=PSy3Ch7pvG4ybe2MpvWFcw

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=PSy3Ch7pvG4ybe2MpvWFcw

He then followed up that performance with this:

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=PSy3Ch7pvG4ybe2MpvWFcw

Nice find.

I dont know what to think of NT. I know he had a tough season but he is playing in a tough league. With the way Darko wants to play he loves an aggressive paint touching guard which will really open up our offense since it can get so stagnant against good defensive clubs. BI will help with creation but to have lead guard constantly paint touch and create for others is something we havent had for years and will help us tremendously. Just think of all the cutting we do, it will just make our offense get better shots when the defense collapses in the paint. Does anyone have his numbers finishing at the rim?

The stat of IQ (who i like) only assisting on 4 layups this season on his drives is concerning but i know his game is more suited to outside shooting and play off ball (so far its trending that way).

According to this article (good read btw), its 57.2% on lay-ups

https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/buying-the-dip-with-nolan-traore

[WuTang_CMB]

Point Guard — 6’4.5” — 184 pounds — 2006
Link to Team Bio
I’ve been skeptical of Traoré translating to the NBA before, and a few months into the season, he’s fallen victim to playing in a role that’s too big for him at a pro setting, with a bad context at his current team, and where his peers are surrounded by luxury, his team has a tight budget, and are thus forced to travel in rough circumstances. Regardless, the long-term potential is clear. Against his age at the Adidas Next Generation Tournament and Nike Hoops Summit, Traore outplayed the competition and has shown he’s one of the most high IQ prospects in recent years. His ability to execute playmaking reads with much comfort will translate in the NBA.

However, he’s turnover-prone in a European game where more experienced teams put more pressure on him while closing angles. On a better-spaced NBA floor, he’ll play with much more comfort and freedom. The area that made him lose his lottery status is the non-improving jumper, where the closer he gets to the rim, the less effective he gets. He’s not a good leaping threat, with average touch at the rim. That puts more pressure on his shot, which is simply below average thus far. Context matters, and for Traoré, despite his young age, efficiency from the field while reducing turnovers is what NBA scouts need to focus on most throughout the season.

[WuTang_CMB]

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[WuTang_CMB]

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[WuTang_CMB]

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[Jerry Lucas]

I usually like to use HoopsHype's aggregate mock as a rough guide for which prospects should be available in certain ranges, because of the high quantity of mocks they compile for their aggregates:

HoopsHype has updated the list of the top prospects for the 2025 NBA Draft by compiling 10 mock drafts from ESPN, CBS Sports, The Athletic, Bleacher Report, Babcock Hoops, USA Today, NBAdraft.net, SB Nation and FTW.

For this year, realistically the Raptors will fall no further than pick 9 post-lottery. They have a higher chance of winning the 1st overall pick than dropping 3 spots to pick 10. For now I'll use Aggregate 4.0 which was right before March Madness but they'll probably come out with a 5.0 at some point.

Tier 1) Only available if we win one of the top 4 picks (Worst rank no lower than 6):
Cooper Flagg
Dylan Harper
VJ Edgecombe
Ace Bailey

Tier 2) Could be available in the 7-9 range but not guaranteed (Best rank no lower than 6 and Worst rank is lower than 6):
Tre Johnson
Kasparas Jakucionis
Kon Knueppel
Derik Queen
Jeremiah Fears
Asa Newell
Khaman Maluach
Boogie Fland

Tier 3) Other 7-9 range possibilities (Best rank no lower than 9):
Egor Demin
Liam McNeeley
Noa Essengue
Collin Murray-Boyles
Jase Richardson

I highlighted names in green if they produced like Masai-type FRPs, and red if they did not produce like Masai-type FRPs. The non-highlighted names I'm still unsure about. For Fears and Knueppel I'm waiting on their combine measurements to see what their wingspan-to-height ratios are, and for Essengue and any other non-NCAA prospect, I can't evaluate with any degree of confidence because these Masai-type FRP queries only work with NCAA prospects.

[Brinbe]

latest wasserman mock from yesterday
https://www.nba.com/news/bleacher-report-latest-mock-draft-after-lottery-odds-announced-and-cooper-flagg-declares

While the NBA lottery odds are set, the pingpong balls rarely give teams their projected order.

Bleacher Report simulated this week’s mock draft order. It resulted in the Charlotte Hornets landing the No. 1 pick

1. Hornets: Flagg
2. 76ers: Harper
3. Nets: Edgecombe
4. Jazz: Bailey
5. Wiz: Fears
6. Pels: Queen

7. Toronto Raptors: Khaman Maluach (Duke, C)
Odds to win lottery: 7.5 percent
Odds for top four: 31.9 percent
Size: 7’2″, 250 lbs
Age: 18
Nationality: South Sudan
Pro Comparison: Mark Williams
WIthout room for any young wings to play and develop, the Toronto Raptors could be higher on Khaman Maluach than most.

He was having a strong NCAA tournament before running into Houston. In 21 minutes, he converted one basket, grabbed zero rebounds and picked up four fouls.

It wasn’t the type of performance that’s going to help convince NBA teams that he’s going to be ready for regular minutes next season.

Rebuilding or patient teams won’t likely be bothered. There is still plenty of optimism out there in the long-term potential tied to his 7’2″ size and mobility for finishing, rim protection and shot-contesting.

And given the pre-Duke flashes of shooting range and this year’s 76.6 percent mark from the free-throw line, Maluach may be able to strengthen his case further during workouts.

[Son Goku 25]

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We were fans of Conley in past and he reminds me of him. I think he's def on our list.

I also get this feeling they aren't sold on Quickly being the made PG but he does fit well with Barnes.

[WuTang_CMB]

https://www.nba.com/news/bleacher-report-latest-mock-draft-after-lottery-odds-announced-and-cooper-flagg-declares

7. Toronto Raptors: Khaman Maluach (Duke, C)
Odds to win lottery: 7.5 percent
Odds for top four: 31.9 percent
Size: 7’2″, 250 lbs
Age: 18
Nationality: South Sudan
Pro Comparison: Mark Williams
WIthout room for any young wings to play and develop, the Toronto Raptors could be higher on Khaman Maluach than most.

He was having a strong NCAA tournament before running into Houston. In 21 minutes, he converted one basket, grabbed zero rebounds and picked up four fouls.

It wasn’t the type of performance that’s going to help convince NBA teams that he’s going to be ready for regular minutes next season.

Rebuilding or patient teams won’t likely be bothered. There is still plenty of optimism out there in the long-term potential tied to his 7’2″ size and mobility for finishing, rim protection and shot-contesting.

And given the pre-Duke flashes of shooting range and this year’s 76.6 percent mark from the free-throw line, Maluach may be able to strengthen his case further during workouts.

https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/2025-nba-mock-draft-v6

Profile: 6’9”, 190

Year: Freshman (19)

10.6 PTS | 3.9 REB | 5.5 AST | 1.2 STL | 0.4 BLK

41.2 FG% | 27.3 3P% | 69.5 FT%

33 Games | 27.5 MIN

Corey: With the #7 pick, the Toronto Raptors select Egor Demin out of BYU. True to form, the Raptors stay on-brand by targeting a big, versatile prospect with tantalizing upside, even if the jumper remains a work in progress. At 6’9”, the Russian-born guard/wing flashes mesmerizing passing ability, elite court vision, and a rare feel for the game that makes him one of the most creative playmakers in the class. While his shooting efficiency isn’t there yet, his high-volume willingness and non-broken mechanics give Toronto reason to believe in long-term growth. In Demin, the Raptors see a potential high-level offensive initiator—someone who can elevate teammates and shape the identity of their next era.