2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 9

[PushDaRock]

CMB would only be the pick if they think his upside is that of an All-NBA level player which would be too much to pass up or see Scottie, Mogbo and him as interchangeable and being able to play together in various lineups in the future.

[grant101]

Not a conventional comparison, but I see shades of Demar in CMB's offensive game. The way he moves and absorbs contact, his finishing and footwork. I think there's a chance he becomes a big mismatch problem for opposing defences. Of course his outside jumper is obviously a major hurdle, and I'm not sure I'd draft him (for the record) but I think his offensive upside is being slept on a bit.

He scores in different ways to demar, but I agree that his offensive game is hugely slept on and his strength and driving ability make him a mismatch

[Altern8]

I shared my initial list of top prospects just before the draft combine in May, but there are a couple of changes, with Georgetown’s Thomas Sorber rising into my top 10.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6445611/2025/06/24/nba-draft-2025-top-prospects-cooper-flagg-bailey/

[Psubs]

CMB shooting form is ugly. I don't get the appeal of this type of player. Too small for that style in NBA. I only saw him a couple of times but I'm concerned about playoff matchups. If he doesn't project as a starter, you pass.

CMB (34.5" vert) plays like Zion (45" vert) without the insane hops and shoots the 3 worse. He plays bullyball but without the hops, the NBA length and speed will affect him, unlike Zion.

[OakleyDokely]

There is merit to loading up on defense and trying to win that way. Defense is half the game and if you're elite at that, you can win a lot of games.

[WuTang_CMB]

Read on Twitter

The next order of business in Boston is trading Kristaps Porzingis, sources said. As he enters the final year of his contract, Porzingis has drawn interest from several teams in both conferences. The Pelicans, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Atlanta Hawks, and Toronto Raptors are a few of the 10-12 teams that have been in contact with the Celtics on Porzingis and others, sources said.

Boston is remaining aggressive and searching for ways to continue adding cost-effective talent to their roster in what will be a retooling season.

Toronto is an interesting team to discuss entering the NBA Draft. After having interest in Durant, Masai Ujiri is expected to remain aggressive in his hunt for more talent and to get the Raptors back in a playoff-contending position.

As a result, the Raptors have continued to dangle RJ Barrett in trade discussions with multiple teams, sources said. Talk of Barrett being on the move has widely been reported by Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Where Barrett could end up is a mystery at this time, but league sources have indicated Brooklyn's desire to acquire another lottery pick.

Is there a potential trade brewing between the Nets and Raptors that could see Barrett and the ninth pick go to Brooklyn? This is something many around the league are keeping an eye on, as there is no guarantee Toronto will keep the ninth pick in this year's draft.

[Clutch0z24]

I’m persuaded. I’m now a CMB guy.
The Raptors have always believed they can teach players how to shoot.

Yup, just look at Scottie now

Watch on YouTube

;t

40 seconds into this video.....Scottie Barnes could SHOOT in an open gym....CMB can't....Scotties jumpshot was NEVER broken like CMBs....

[OakleyDokely]

Read on Twitter

The next order of business in Boston is trading Kristaps Porzingis, sources said. As he enters the final year of his contract, Porzingis has drawn interest from several teams in both conferences. The Pelicans, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Atlanta Hawks, and Toronto Raptors are a few of the 10-12 teams that have been in contact with the Celtics on Porzingis and others, sources said.

Boston is remaining aggressive and searching for ways to continue adding cost-effective talent to their roster in what will be a retooling season.

Toronto is an interesting team to discuss entering the NBA Draft. After having interest in Durant, Masai Ujiri is expected to remain aggressive in his hunt for more talent and to get the Raptors back in a playoff-contending position.

As a result, the Raptors have continued to dangle RJ Barrett in trade discussions with multiple teams, sources said. Talk of Barrett being on the move has widely been reported by Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Where Barrett could end up is a mystery at this time, but league sources have indicated Brooklyn's desire to acquire another lottery pick.

Is there a potential trade brewing between the Nets and Raptors that could see Barrett and the ninth pick go to Brooklyn? This is something many around the league are keeping an eye on, as there is no guarantee Toronto will keep the ninth pick in this year's draft.

Ace better start house shopping in Utah

[Altern8]

https://www.nbadraft.net/2025-nba-draft-top-10-centers/

[Indeed]

Columnists are speculating on Cs anticipating the Raptors will take one and assuming Maluach is gone so that is why you’re going to see names like Sorber, Queen and Wolf tied but I still think CMB is the name we are gonna hear tomorrow night.

His advanced stats scream Raptor...the fact he can't shoot doesn't hurt either lol

His advanced stats. The fact he was counted out. The fact he met with the team at the combine and knew about the team and felt he’d fit in with how we play. The fact that he’s got the long arms and positional versatility long term. The fact that everyone else is prioritizing the search for offence so they see an opportunity to grab the draft’s best defender and a potential elite defender in the league. The fact that his 3 pointer will feel fixable to them. The fact that they don’t mind him playing off the bench in a variety of roles while he learns and adapts. The fact he helps them get more out of their jump shooting draft picks from the last 2 drafts prior.

Heck, he’s not even that much of a reach at 9. He’s been mocked 10-14 most places. He gives similar stuff on O that Queen does but with way better D.


Add that all up and I think he’s our pick.

Not exactly similar to Queen, but defense would be way better for CMB.

Queen is a much better passer with a guard handle, while CMB relies on bullying (Siakam skill base offense vs Barnes bully base offense). The result in college level maybe similar, but I don't think CMB will transition that to NBA, which means offensive floor is higher for Queen, and the reason he is higher.

Of course, the game plays both ends, so that is up to the team rank the pros of a player.

[Indeed]

https://www.nbadraft.net/2025-nba-draft-top-10-centers/

Said it many times, nbadraft.net is not something you want to reference.

[PushDaRock]

I’m persuaded. I’m now a CMB guy.
The Raptors have always believed they can teach players how to shoot.

Yup, just look at Scottie now

Watch on YouTube

;t

40 seconds into this video.....Scottie Barnes could SHOOT in an open gym....CMB can't....Scotties jumpshot was NEVER broken like CMBs....

The mechanics aren't bad at all for Scottie, he really shouldn't be the brick layer that he is from 3.

[WuTang_CMB]

There is merit to loading up on defense and trying to win that way. Defense is half the game and if you're elite at that, you can win a lot of games.

ORL banked on defense and got out of the bottom of the East with it .. then went to go buy Bane (didn't like the price) but that's a recipe for building out of the bottom for sure.

Let's be real

Whether it's KM, Bryant, Essengue, CMB - none of these guys are shooters... so there will have to be development either way

[Yallbecrazy]

If CMB could already hit 3s he’d he a consensus top 6 pick. He is that level of defensive prospect.

I think he'd probably go 2nd if he had a 3, but most likely 3rd.

If you think he's going to be able to shoot it at some point, he will be a steal where he's drafted.

I think he's going #2 and he's closer to #1 than #3. There would be discussion of him at #1 if he wasn't 18 months older than Flagg.

[WuTang_CMB]

KM was +220 this morning

moving towards TOR

I still think he's there at 9

[Clutch0z24]

CMB will be a defensive specialist role player.....He will never be a guy that will make an all star team.....He will be a career glue guy....Udonis Haslem type player....Will stick around....I think hes a good defender....But hes not on the level of a Draymond/Rodman on the defensive end (Which is what the posters that like him think)....He may have that ceiling but if he doesn't reach that level on the defensive end hes just an average joe....

[WuTang_CMB]

Read on Twitter

[PushDaRock]

There is merit to loading up on defense and trying to win that way. Defense is half the game and if you're elite at that, you can win a lot of games.

ORL banked on defense and got out of the bottom of the East with it .. then went to go buy Bane (didn't like the price) but that's a recipe for building out of the bottom for sure.

Let's be real

Whether it's KM, Bryant, Essengue, CMB - none of these guys are shooters... so there will have to be development either way

Nobody we draft at 9 is guaranteed a rotation spot next season. I would anticipate G League time for all of them.

[ArthurVandelay]

KM was +220 this morning

moving towards TOR

I still think he's there at 9

I wouldn’t be surprised if Raptors get him at 9 and auction him. I believe Atlanta is drooling for him.

[Clutch0z24]

Yup, just look at Scottie now

Watch on YouTube

;t

40 seconds into this video.....Scottie Barnes could SHOOT in an open gym....CMB can't....Scotties jumpshot was NEVER broken like CMBs....

The mechanics aren't bad at all for Scottie, he really shouldn't be the brick layer that he is from 3.

Yep now imagine a guy with bad mechanics who can't shoot in an open gym....How his shot will look in game....You will be holding your breath anytime he shoots it.