2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 8

[WuTang_OG]

oronto Raptors: Loading Up on Complementary Shooters

Trading for Brandon Ingram arms the Toronto Raptors with a neat bundle of on-ball decision-makers. They now need the orbiting floor-spacers to optimize that dynamism.

Ingram, Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley are all capable of playing away from the ball to varying degrees. Quickley is the only one of them, though, who qualifies as a lethal long-range threat.

The urgency to increase three-point-shooting ranks is heightened even further by having Jakob Poeltl at center. For all his high-IQ utility, he's no floor-spacer.

Toronto has some in-house options it can turn to—most notably Gradey Dick, Ochai Agbaji and even Jamison Battle. But the offense last season ranked 29th in three-point-attempt rate and 22nd in overall outside shooting, including 24th in spot-up efficiency.

Counting on internal development—and the integration of the No. 9 pick—isn't enough. Whether it's by trade or free agency, the Raptors need to reel in upgrades from the outside.

[Yallbecrazy]

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Some of the commentary is so frustrating because his impact and usage in the NCAA is a piss poor reflection of the NBA reality. A quick glance at some defensive tape and you'll see he has many possessions where he doesn't set foot out of the paint. Or, is in a DEEP drop. He's tasked with responsibilities and positioning that isn't tenable in the NBA.for a variety of reasons. Therefore some of these defensive stats don't apply.

His numbers early vs out of conference opponents were legit outstanding, then as the competition grew the stats started coming back to Earth quickly. I wish I could have seen more to determine if it was simply a bad stretch or indicative of his inability to defend against better players.
Also, was the foot injury impacting him in the bad stretch before he was shut down and it wasn't just the better teams?
So many question marks, quite the mystery box.

[BoyzNTheHood]

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Some of the commentary is so frustrating because his impact and usage in the NCAA is a piss poor reflection of the NBA reality. A quick glance at some defensive tape and you'll see he has many possessions where he doesn't set foot out of the paint. Or, is in a DEEP drop. He's tasked with responsibilities and positioning that isn't tenable in the NBA.for a variety of reasons. Therefore some of these defensive stats don't apply.

You can make that argument for a lot of players. I prefer to go with the eye test tells me and the numbers back up.

[WuTang_OG]

stepped up when flagg went down during acc tourney
averaged 21.0 points per game on 48.6% field goal shooting, with 5.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.3 steals

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[Brinbe]

Wouldn't be upset if they picked Bryant at 9 and then went with a big like Raynaud/Kalkbrenner/Yang or Markovic/Ruzic with the 2nd.

But based on who they've brought in for workouts (and the chatter we've seen) so far I think they're maybe likely to go Maluach/Queen and then go for a wing later.

[Spates]

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Some of the commentary is so frustrating because his impact and usage in the NCAA is a piss poor reflection of the NBA reality. A quick glance at some defensive tape and you'll see he has many possessions where he doesn't set foot out of the paint. Or, is in a DEEP drop. He's tasked with responsibilities and positioning that isn't tenable in the NBA.for a variety of reasons. Therefore some of these defensive stats don't apply.

You can make that argument for a lot of players. I prefer to go with the eye test tells me and the numbers back up.

Me too.

[BoyzNTheHood]

Some of the commentary is so frustrating because his impact and usage in the NCAA is a piss poor reflection of the NBA reality. A quick glance at some defensive tape and you'll see he has many possessions where he doesn't set foot out of the paint. Or, is in a DEEP drop. He's tasked with responsibilities and positioning that isn't tenable in the NBA.for a variety of reasons. Therefore some of these defensive stats don't apply.

You can make that argument for a lot of players. I prefer to go with the eye test tells me and the numbers back up.

Me too.

Best big in the draft.

[Spates]

You can make that argument for a lot of players. I prefer to go with the eye test tells me and the numbers back up.

Me too.

Best big in the draft.

Only time will tell

[BoyzNTheHood]

Me too.

Best big in the draft.

Only time will tell

Duh? No prospect is a guarantee.

[ArthurVandelay]

oronto Raptors: Loading Up on Complementary Shooters

Trading for Brandon Ingram arms the Toronto Raptors with a neat bundle of on-ball decision-makers. They now need the orbiting floor-spacers to optimize that dynamism.

Ingram, Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley are all capable of playing away from the ball to varying degrees. Quickley is the only one of them, though, who qualifies as a lethal long-range threat.

The urgency to increase three-point-shooting ranks is heightened even further by having Jakob Poeltl at center. For all his high-IQ utility, he's no floor-spacer.

Toronto has some in-house options it can turn to—most notably Gradey Dick, Ochai Agbaji and even Jamison Battle. But the offense last season ranked 29th in three-point-attempt rate and 22nd in overall outside shooting, including 24th in spot-up efficiency.

Counting on internal development—and the integration of the No. 9 pick—isn't enough. Whether it's by trade or free agency, the Raptors need to reel in upgrades from the outside.

Raptors shot 34% from 3 on the season.

In their wins, they shot 38-39%...and that included some very poor 3 point shooting games at the end of the season against some really awful tankers.

There is no question the Raptors need to improve their 3 point shooting if wins matter next season (and they will).

[Psubs]

Egor Demin -250 to get drafted top 10

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I think the combine showed he has good form and people view that his shot will probably get better like the beginning of the season.

Comp would be Giddey with more STOCKS.

[SpezNc]

Wouldn't be upset if they picked Bryant at 9 and then went with a big like Raynaud/Kalkbrenner/Yang or Markovic/Ruzic with the 2nd.

But based on who they've brought in for workouts (and the chatter we've seen) so far I think they're maybe likely to go Maluach/Queen and then go for a wing later.

We don’t have much information on who they brought in for a workout .

But I also get a feeling that Maluach (if available) and Queen (if Maluach is gone) are two very possible options.

[Jerry Lucas]

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IMO Newell could be a dark horse big man pick at 9 for the Raptors.

[WuTang_OG]

oronto Raptors: Loading Up on Complementary Shooters

Trading for Brandon Ingram arms the Toronto Raptors with a neat bundle of on-ball decision-makers. They now need the orbiting floor-spacers to optimize that dynamism.

Ingram, Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley are all capable of playing away from the ball to varying degrees. Quickley is the only one of them, though, who qualifies as a lethal long-range threat.

The urgency to increase three-point-shooting ranks is heightened even further by having Jakob Poeltl at center. For all his high-IQ utility, he's no floor-spacer.

Toronto has some in-house options it can turn to—most notably Gradey Dick, Ochai Agbaji and even Jamison Battle. But the offense last season ranked 29th in three-point-attempt rate and 22nd in overall outside shooting, including 24th in spot-up efficiency.

Counting on internal development—and the integration of the No. 9 pick—isn't enough. Whether it's by trade or free agency, the Raptors need to reel in upgrades from the outside.

Raptors shot 34% from 3 on the season.

In their wins, they shot 38-39%...and that included some very poor 3 point shooting games at the end of the season against some really awful tankers.

There is no question the Raptors need to improve their 3 point shooting if wins matter next season (and they will).

All i know is the top teams in the east cleveland boston indiana are all firepower from 3. Its not a coincidence. If they truly want to be fully optimal with Scottie leading the way then they need to keep surrounding him with shooters. I always thought that was the plan.

[BoyzNTheHood]

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IMO Newell could be a dark horse big man pick at 9 for the Raptors.

He’s been overlooked a lot, but he’s another guy that wouldn’t be a surprising pick. Just like CMB, they’re underwhelming, but as long as we get the best guy left im good with whoever it is.

[Brinbe]

Wouldn't be upset if they picked Bryant at 9 and then went with a big like Raynaud/Kalkbrenner/Yang or Markovic/Ruzic with the 2nd.

But based on who they've brought in for workouts (and the chatter we've seen) so far I think they're maybe likely to go Maluach/Queen and then go for a wing later.

We don’t have much information on who they brought in for a workout .

But I also get a feeling that Maluach (if available) and Queen (if Maluach is gone) are two very possible options.

https://hoopshype.com/lists/2025-nba-draft-workout-tracker-where-are-prospects-working-out/

All we really know so far in terms of workouts but Marc Stein/Jake Fischer (who does have a good source connected with the team based on past reporting) has said they're looking for a big early and I'm inclined to believe it. I think Fears and Bryant are both gonna be considerations as well, but Fears will be most likely gone before us.

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If both bigs are gone it's gonna be between Kon and Bryant or maybe they trade back then.

[MEDIC]

Drafting a big might be a necessity at this point. Poeltl is getting older, plus his next contract might be pricey. C is without a doubt the position that they are most vulnerable.

I am hoping Kon drops if that big isn't available.

[Psubs]

Me too.

Best big in the draft.

Only time will tell

I would say you could find a Jarrett Allen level player later in the draft and that Maluach may not be that much better to spend #9 on him.

[Psubs]

Drafting a big might be a necessity at this point. Poeltl is getting older, plus his next contract might be pricey. C is without a doubt the position that they are most vulnerable.

I am hoping Kon drops if that big isn't available.

Just sign Luke Kornet. He's a solid backup C that is an analytics darling that can spot start and not lose a beat from Poeltl.

This is probably the best route as to not gamble on a rookie C if they want to compete next season. Already have Chomche.

No more cheap options like Robinson and Castleton please.

[WuTang_OG]