2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 8

[BoyzNTheHood]

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[God Squad]

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This one kinda hurts from a 2nd-round depth perspective. He was definitely one of my options at 39 (if he was there).

[douggood]

john hollinger mentioned that teams are devaluing late picks till 2028ish, when the whole NIL thing reaches an equilibrium.

[OakleyDokely]

You can probably make the draft 1 round now. Anyone half decent will just go back to college if they don't have a 1st round promise.

[BoyzNTheHood]

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This one kinda hurts from a 2nd-round depth perspective. He was definitely one of my options at 39 (if he was there).

NIL is making the 2nd round obsolete. The NBA needs a way to combat NIL.

[Rapsfan07]

Fleming would be a great fit next to Zion. Floor spacer who can play up and down the lineup and doesn't require the ball in the hands. One of the main problems with NO's is that they keep playing Zion next to traditional C's who can't space the floor and clog the lane.

Fleming/Missi
Zion
Murphy
McCollum/Jones
Murray

I would say we have the same problem. Barnes needs a spacer next to him as well and he's only played with non-spacing bigs. Fleming is becoming my choice at 9th, even if Queen/Maluach/Fears/Kon and maybe even Johnson fall. I would still strongly consider him.

In the 2nd it looks like Masai loves Toohey. It makes sense, he played in a strong league and had good stats. We're loaded with forwards but talent should be the priority but second to character/probability of reaching potential.

I sincerely hope he isn't considering Toohey. Last thing this roster needs is another non-shooting forward.

The closer we get to the date I think we should be doing one of two things:

1. Take Jakuciounas
2. Trade down with ATL for #13 & #22. Take Fleming at #13 and Coward at #22.

If you can trade Dick for Kessler, we do that. If not, take Condon, Raynaud or Kalkbrenner at #39.

IQ/Shead
Barrett/Dick/Coward
Ingram/Walter/Agbaji
Barnes/Mogbo/Fleming
Poeltl/#39

That wing rotation is very crowded and we'll need to move at least one of these guys, if not two. I believe that within the next calendar year we'll need to decide which of Barrett or Quickley we're keeping because the minutes and money prevent us from keeping both if we want to continue to move forward, especially since we'll need to pay Dick or Agbaji. Acquiring another PG wouldn't hurt either.

But for now, this should definitely have us in the playoffs.

[WuTang_CMB]

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couldnt get FRP territory

[dohboy_24]

Tre might actually be elite enough offensively to warrant that pick. Kon doesn't suck on defense and probably the safest pick available.

You like to point out he played longer and in weaker conference before moving up. Why is it so hard to think he might be getting overlooked because of that.

Yes, he might be overlooked because of that. Alternatively, if he was/is as good as some here are suggesting, then why didn't he transfer after his first season at Eastern Washington, why didn't he transfer to a better basketball school than Washington State after his junior year, and why isn't he being consistently mocked as a lottery pick in this year's draft?

Coward has a freaking .700 TS a massive wingspan and good counting stats. I don't care if the draft pundits agree, guys like him end up being winning players.

For context, the 6 games he played this year while at Washington State were against Portland State, Bradley, Idaho, Iowa, Northern Colorado, and Eastern Washington.

Prior to this year at Washington State, the games he played while at Eastern Washington were against the likes of Utah, Ole Miss, Cincinnati, Stanford, Walla Walla, Washington State, Southern California, Air Force, Portland Bible, Cal Poly, Washington, Portland State, Sacramento State, South Dakota, North Dakota State, Idaho, Weber State, Idaho State, Northern Colorado, Northern Arizona, Montana State, Montana.

Considering his physical profile (wingspan, standing reach, vertical, etc) and the strength of competition he's played during the past two (2) years, he should be able to efficiently score over defenders who aren't as long, wiry, or athletically gifted as himself.

Does that mean he's going to be able to find the same level of success when playing against NBA-caliber opponents who are just as long, wiry, and athletically gifted as he is or is it not reasonable to except he's going to struggle when facing much stronger opposition?

tier 1:... Flagg
tier 2:... Harper
tier 3:... VJ
tier 4:... Khaman, Carter, Fears, Ace, Tre, Kon,

tier 5:... Jak, Demin, CMB, Jace, Coward, Fleming
tier 6:... Sorber, Asa,
tier 7:... Queen

There will be 1, maybe 2 guys from my top 9 available for raps on draft night. The question is are any of my tier 5 guys good enough to warrant 9th pick. probably not but i'm going to give them a hard look.

Khaman or Carter Bryant is my desired outcome outside the top guys.

Same. I would be happy with either Khaman Maluach or Carter Bryant at #9 and hope both of them are available to choose from when it's our turn to pick.

[earthtone]

This one kinda hurts from a 2nd-round depth perspective. He was definitely one of my options at 39 (if he was there).

NIL is making the 2nd round obsolete. The NBA needs a way to combat NIL.

2nd round picks have always been a bit of a crapshoot, and the most successful ones have pretty much always been four-year seniors anyway.

It'll weaken the depth of drafts a bit, but at the end of the day only around 20 guys each draft make it to any sort of meaningful second contract and I think that'll stay the same. Only now guys don't feel the pressure to declare early for financial reasons when they can make a good amount of money by staying or entering the portal.

[Lord_Zedd]

You can probably make the draft 1 round now. Anyone half decent will just go back to college if they don't have a 1st round promise.

Once they're all 5th year seniors, it'll all work itself out somehow......

Though taking a quick peek, other than Collin Murray Boyles, I don't see another sophmore other than Byrd who's in the 2nd round in some mock drafts. Now that Condon dropped out

And not surprising to see Brooklyn trying to package all its later picks + Cam Johnson to get a potential lottery pick now

[WuTang_CMB]

This one kinda hurts from a 2nd-round depth perspective. He was definitely one of my options at 39 (if he was there).

NIL is making the 2nd round obsolete. The NBA needs a way to combat NIL.

2nd round picks have always been a bit of a crapshoot, and the most successful ones have pretty much always been four-year seniors anyway.

It'll weaken the depth of drafts a bit, but at the end of the day only around 20 guys each draft make it to any sort of meaningful second contract and I think that'll stay the same. Only now guys don't feel the pressure to declare early for financial reasons when they can make a good amount of money by staying or entering the portal.

Yeah, I see it the same way as you.

I honestly think NIL is positive for the NBA. The guys who are ready for the NBA will enter. The guys on the cusp will likely lean to go back (if they dont get strong engagements from teams) and season/develop more. It will only benefit the NBA as the talent entering will be higher than previous years (in theory). NCAA will now have some continuity with guys staying plus with the NIL money, they will be getting more international players which is already starting to happen.

Win Win

[JCP11]

Fleming would be a great fit next to Zion. Floor spacer who can play up and down the lineup and doesn't require the ball in the hands. One of the main problems with NO's is that they keep playing Zion next to traditional C's who can't space the floor and clog the lane.

Fleming/Missi
Zion
Murphy
McCollum/Jones
Murray

I would say we have the same problem. Barnes needs a spacer next to him as well and he's only played with non-spacing bigs. Fleming is becoming my choice at 9th, even if Queen/Maluach/Fears/Kon and maybe even Johnson fall. I would still strongly consider him.

In the 2nd it looks like Masai loves Toohey. It makes sense, he played in a strong league and had good stats. We're loaded with forwards but talent should be the priority but second to character/probability of reaching potential.

I sincerely hope he isn't considering Toohey. Last thing this roster needs is another non-shooting forward.

The closer we get to the date I think we should be doing one of two things:

1. Take Jakuciounas
2. Trade down with ATL for #13 & #22. Take Fleming at #13 and Coward at #22.

If you can trade Dick for Kessler, we do that. If not, take Condon, Raynaud or Kalkbrenner at #39.

IQ/Shead
Barrett/Dick/Coward
Ingram/Walter/Agbaji
Barnes/Mogbo/Fleming
Poeltl/#39

That wing rotation is very crowded and we'll need to move at least one of these guys, if not two. I believe that within the next calendar year we'll need to decide which of Barrett or Quickley we're keeping because the minutes and money prevent us from keeping both if we want to continue to move forward, especially since we'll need to pay Dick or Agbaji. Acquiring another PG wouldn't hurt either.

But for now, this should definitely have us in the playoffs.

The more I watch Kasp the more I like him, he's a very talented ball handler and knows how to exploit a Defense. He plays with pace and he's not afraid to shoot. The shot fell off towards the end of the season but I think he can be above average in the NBA. Raptors need more talented and smart ball handlers to open up their offense and create advantages and he fits that bill.

[WuTang_CMB]

If all bigs available, this guy taking Sorber over anyone else at 9

https://youtu.be/B1eBcPlmD0M?t=870

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Winners
Drake Powell, North Carolina Fr.
Delivered the most impressive athletic testing performance of the week. He led the entire Combine in both no-step vertical (37.5”) and max vertical (43.0”), while measuring 6’5.25” barefoot with a 7’0” wingspan, a 10” hand width, and an excellent 8’8” standing reach—outstanding for his height and well above average for a wing. That rare blend of vertical explosiveness and elite length solidifies him as a high-level two-way prospect. Already praised for his defensive versatility, intangibles, and motor, Powell’s tools offer a clear translation to guarding multiple positions and impacting the game above the rim. The numbers only reinforced what scouts saw during the season—he’s a premium athlete with real NBA wing intrigue.

Cedric Coward, Washington St. Jr.
Measured 6’5.25” barefoot with a staggering 7’2.25” wingspan and 8’10” standing reach. His +9 inch ape index ranked among the highest at the event, and he backed it up with a 32.5” no-step and 38.5” max vertical. Physically, Coward checks every box as a long, bouncy wing. However, he played just six games this past season, and his choice to sit out scrimmages raised some quiet eyebrows—fueling tongue-in-cheek remarks about his surname and perceived hesitation. But apparently when you interview this well and measure even better, who needs to play? His articulate, thoughtful media sessions combined with elite physical tools and shooting left a strong impression about his potential.

Tamar Bates, Missouri Sr.
Impressed with a +6.5” wingspan differential (6’10.25” wingspan at 6’3.75” barefoot) and a 9.75” hand length—the same size as 7-footer Khaman Maluach. Those numbers reflect big-guard measurables. Combined with his fluidity and solid frame, Bates looked the part of a potential two-way NBA contributor—even if his current offensive role has been modest. He built momentum as the week progressed, turning in a very strong second day and delivering the dunk of the camp, rising up and flushing over a big in traffic—an emphatic exclamation point on an impressive all-around Combine showing.

Carter Bryant, Arizona Fr.
Helped himself by posting a 39.5” max vertical and a 30.5” no-step at 6’6.5” barefoot. His 6’11.75” wingspan and large 9.5” hands further elevate his profile. Few wings at the Combine brought his blend of size, leaping ability, and length.

Rasheer Fleming, St. Joseph’s Jr.

Fleming stood out as one of the biggest physical winners at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine. Measuring 6’8.25″ barefoot and confirming a massive 7’5.25″ wingspan and 9’1″ standing reach, he displayed elite length to go along with a strong 232-pound frame. His quickness also showed up in testing, where he excelled in the agility drills—an impressive blend of size and mobility. Add in a solid 27.0″ no-step and 32.5″ max vertical, and Fleming showcased the kind of tools that can translate to versatile, switchable defense and rebounding and rim running dominance at the next level.

Sion James, Duke Sr.
Quietly had one of the most explosive vertical performances—32.0” no-step and 39.5” max—while measuring 6’4.5” barefoot with a 217.6-pound frame, 8’4” standing reach, and +2” wingspan. He also recorded the fastest three-quarter court sprint at the Combine (2.97 seconds), showing surprising top-end speed for his size. He’s a physically imposing wing who plays above the rim, defends with force, and continues to boost his case as a strong two-way contributor.

Chaz Lanier, Tennessee Sr.
Tested better than expected with a 39.0” max vertical and a +5.25” wingspan differential (6’9” wingspan at 6’3.75”). That level of bounce paired with his shooting enhances his standing in late first- to early second-round conversations.

Khaman Maluach, Duke Fr.
Makes the winner list for sheer physical intrigue. At 7’0.75” barefoot with a 7’6.75” wingspan, 9’6” standing reach, and 10.25” hand width, his measurables were elite. Though his 30.0” max vertical was just average, he remains projected as a lottery pick in most media mock drafts—highlighting how strongly the hype around his size and long-term potential continues to influence public boards, even amid questions about polish and feel. However, his three-quarter sprint time of 3.50 seconds ranked as the fourth-slowest at the Combine, adding to concerns about his foot speed and fluidity in transition.

Javon Small, Oklahoma St. Sr.
Measured 6’1” barefoot with a 6’4.75” wingspan and 8’0” standing reach, then turned heads by posting a 33.0” no-step and 40.5” max vertical—the third-best max vertical of the entire Combine. He paired that athleticism with strong showings in scrimmage play, where he showcased vision, poise, and sharp passing reads. Though slightly undersized, his decent length for a lead guard and explosive leaping ability helped boost his profile. After a full week of productive testing and competitive play, Small’s odds of hearing his name on draft night have meaningfully improved.

Note:
Three wings—Alijah Martin, Florida Sr. (6’1.5” barefoot), Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois Fr. (6’4.75” barefoot), and Liam McNeeley, UConn Fr. (6’6.75” barefoot)—each posted a standing reach of 8’3.5”, highlighting how wingspan and frame can effectively neutralize height gaps. Despite being separated by over five inches in raw height, all three measured identically in standing reach, showcasing how height and standing reach can vary significantly across prospects.

Losers
Derik Queen, Maryland Fr.
Measured 6’9.25” barefoot with a 7’0.5” wingspan, but posted a 23.5” no-step and 28.0” max vertical. He also recorded the slowest lane agility time of the Combine at 12.45 seconds and the second-slowest three-quarter sprint at 3.52 seconds, underscoring major concerns about his lateral quickness and mobility. Queen’s offensive skill level and feel remain appealing, but the athletic testing painted a worrying picture regarding his ability to defend or move in space at the NBA level.

Ryan Nembhard, Gonzaga Jr.
May have helped himself in scrimmages, but the measurements were less favorable. At just 5’11” barefoot with a 7’10” standing reach, he was among the smallest at the event. Still, his 9.5” hand length stood out for his size. While he’s proven to be efficient and composed, his defensive ceiling and ability to finish inside remain in question against NBA length.

Koby Brea, Kentucky Sr.
Measured 6’5.75” barefoot with a 6’5.25” wingspan and an 8’5” standing reach. While his wingspan was one of the few negative differentials at the Combine, Brea actually performed better than expected in other areas. His 34.0” max vertical was respectable, and his height and frame held up well among wings. Still, without plus length or standout athleticism, he’ll need to continue proving he can shoot at an elite level to carve out a role at the next level.

Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina So.
Measured just 6’6.5” barefoot—undersized for a frontcourt player—but offset that with a strong 8’10” standing reach, a 7’0.75” wingspan, and a sturdy 239.2-pound frame. He posted a 29.5” no-step vertical and 34.5” max vertical, showing solid functional athleticism. While he’s been mentioned in some circles as a possible lottery-level talent, his perimeter shooting remains the primary concern—his college shooting splits were inconsistent, and his performance in Combine drills didn’t ease doubts about his ability to become an efficient jump shooter. Without reliable floor-spacing ability, questions persist about his offensive fit at the NBA level despite his physical strength and scoring ability.

Danny Wolf, Michigan Jr.
Measured 6’10.5” barefoot with a solid 7’2.25” wingspan and 9’1” standing reach—excellent size for a center. However, his vertical testing was disappointing: 24.0” no-step and 30.0” max vertical. He also posted the third-slowest three-quarter sprint time (3.51 seconds) among all participants, compounding concerns about his ability to rebound in traffic or make plays around the rim against NBA-level athletes.

Alex Toohey, Australia (INTL)
Measured 6’7.75” barefoot with a 6’10.75” wingspan and a solid 8’8.5” standing reach, but his vertical numbers were underwhelming—just 26.5” no-step and 31.5” max. Toohey offers intrigue as a potential stretch-four with size and a smooth shooting stroke, but questions persist about his lateral mobility, defensive foot speed, and overall athletic ceiling. While his frame and feel remain intriguing, the limited explosiveness could cap his versatility, especially if he struggles to stay in front of quicker forwards or defend in space at the NBA level.

Saw Tamar Bates mocked in the 1st round on NBADraft.net. He was like what 50/40/94. At worst he's one of those bench SG's that has a 10-15 year career, because they can shoot. Though we found one of those as an UDFA in Jameson Battle!

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This one kinda hurts from a 2nd-round depth perspective. He was definitely one of my options at 39 (if he was there).

NIL is making the 2nd round obsolete. The NBA needs a way to combat NIL.

[Psubs]

You can probably make the draft 1 round now. Anyone half decent will just go back to college if they don't have a 1st round promise.

2nd round for international player's rights.

[Brinbe]

Ingram can function as a SG in a lot of line ups. Especially if you have other wing defenders out there like Bryant or Barnes

Yep. Also pushes RJ to the reserve scoring role he should ideally be in like NAW in Minny.

I'm not quite there on that hill yet, especially not for a rookie or Ochai

Not right away but I think Bryant would obviously fill that starting role in time in-between Ingram and Barnes

[Clutch0z24]

Carter Bryants Scouting reports Strengths/Weaknesses

Strengths: Skilled and athletic wing with ideal physical tools for the modern NBA wing … Measured at 6’8” with a smooth shooting stroke and explosive leaping ability … One of the top above-the-rim athletes in his class, showing the ability to finish alley-oops and transition dunks with ease … Possesses good length and lateral agility, giving him upside as a multi-positional defender … Shot the ball well as a freshman, hitting 37.1% from three-point range and 46.0% from the field in limited minutes … Has the fluid mechanics and size to develop into a reliable floor-spacing wing … Shows flashes of being a capable off-ball cutter and catch-and-shoot weapon … Projects as a 3-and-D type at the next level with significant upside … Handles the ball decently for his size and can initiate offense in spurts … Solid instincts in passing lanes (0.9 SPG), and the potential to become an impactful team defender … Plays with a high ceiling, enticing teams looking for athletic, two-way wings … NBA frame and strength is not an issue, should be able to get stronger … The potential is clearly there for him to become a high level pro …

Weaknesses: Still very raw in many aspects of his game … Averaged just 6.5 PPG, 4.1 RPG, and 1.0 APG as a freshman, struggling to carve out consistent playing time … Sample size on his shooting numbers was limited—raises questions about whether his 3-point percentage is sustainable … Lacks consistency in his offensive approach, and can disappear for long stretches … Decision-making and shot selection need refinement … Not a natural playmaker and can force the action when trying to create off the dribble … Ball-handling in traffic is loose and will need to improve to maximize his upside as a shot creator … Free throw percentage (69.5%) is average and suggests there’s still development needed as a pure shooter … Despite his athletic tools, doesn’t always play with the level of intensity and focus needed to dominate … Scouts have noted questions about his toughness, effort, and motor in competitive settings … Needs to show he can impact the game even when not scoring … Some scouts have questioned the level of improvement over the past year or two …

Would he be worth the 9th pick or is there better players at 9th?....I see alot of posters loving him but it is a risky pick if Masai does take that risk....Hope it pays off...

[billy_hoyle]

You can probably make the draft 1 round now. Anyone half decent will just go back to college if they don't have a 1st round promise.

2nd round for international player's rights.

This is brief transitional period. Basically 4 years until all the players that can take NIL and stay in school reach their Senior years. Then you no longer have a buffer.
It's really that simple. 2nd are devalued for short period. Everyone forecasted this. It's not the end of the world haha

[Dalek]

If all bigs available, this guy taking Sorber over anyone else at 9

https://youtu.be/B1eBcPlmD0M?t=870

I really like Sorber but it is a huge risk/red flag to draft a big who just had foot surgery. Not much has been disclosed and he is not able to workout so he is going to be behind other players as I even doubt he will be available this summer. Taking him at 9 is a huge swing especially since he was a more traditional big that didn't show much of a jumper and is now going to be developmentally behind.

A player like Dariq Whitehead was similar being highly touted but injured and he hasn't really got on track. Sorber is way safer as a pick in the 20s.