2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 8

[RoteSchroder]

In no particular order these guys will go top 8:

1. Flagg
2. Harper
3. Bailey
4. VJ
5. Johnson
6. Fears
7. Kon
8. Maluach

Which means we'll be left with: Kasp, Demin, Essengue, Traore, CMB, Newell, Queen, Bryant

Not ideal.

Queen and Bryant will be nice pick ups IMo. Even if we don’t like Queen, some team out there does and may trade for him. It will be fine.

which team would love a non-shooting big with sub-par defense and a poor athletic profile though

[Pericles]

9th is a tough spot to pick in this draft. Maluach is
an easy pick in this draft for us, in my opinion, due to him providing a high ceiling and a great team fit. I’ll just be
surprised, and delighted, if he’s on the board at 9.

After that, do we reach for team fit, for a number of intriguing prospects, don’t get me wrong - Rasheer Fleming,
CMB, Noa Essengue, or Carter Fleming? These guys have high
end wing defensive potential, but, in my opinion, I struggle to
see these guys as two way stars.

If the draft holds to media consensus form we’ll see-
Flagg
Harper
Bailey
Edgecombe
Johnson
- all gone.

And we should be left with one of Maluach, Fears, Knueppel, and Jakucionis.

I want one of these guys. I think Jakucionis may be best available for us. He is a savvy, smooth operator which would give us a long term backcourt partner with Shead. We’d have a defensive gem with a smooth European operator. A pretty nice combo.

[MEDIC]

3 months ago still a good breakdown

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Not gonna lie, his second half of the season turned me off so much but if Masai drafts him I'll throw all my doubts out the window.

I am not big on those high difficulty shots. Those step back 3's don't look like they will ever be an efficient shot. There aren't many players in the league that can pull those off with an accrptable level of efficiency.

[WuTang_CMB]

3 months ago still a good breakdown

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=NoCeilingsNBA

Not gonna lie, his second half of the season turned me off so much but if Masai drafts him I'll throw all my doubts out the window.

I am not big on those high difficulty shots. Those step back 3's don't look like they will ever be an efficient shot. There aren't many players in the league that can pull those off with an accrptable level of efficiency.

yeah you're right they aren't ideal shots. He's not a perfect guard by any means.

But I think if we take a step back on Jak, on the whole, he's a talented guard who's strengths actually fit a major hole for our team. The tough shots and turnovers I think can be sniffed out by Darko over time.

He can really manipulate pick and rolls and seems to make the correct decisions. Crafty. His head is on swivel and being a bigger guard he can pass over top. He showed he can shoot it .. and it seems that injury hindered him last season.

The Gordan Dragic comp is a good one IMO. If he ever hit that ceiling at pick #9, that's tremendous value. Dragic was fkin good.

[JCP11]

Not gonna lie, his second half of the season turned me off so much but if Masai drafts him I'll throw all my doubts out the window.

I am not big on those high difficulty shots. Those step back 3's don't look like they will ever be an efficient shot. There aren't many players in the league that can pull those off with an accrptable level of efficiency.

yeah you're right they aren't ideal shots. He's not a perfect guard by any means.

But I think if we take a step back on Jak, on the whole, he's a talented guard who's strengths actually fit a major hole for our team. The tough shots and turnovers I think can be sniffed out by Darko over time.

He can really manipulate pick and rolls and seems to make the correct decisions. Crafty. His head is on swivel and being a bigger guard he can pass over top. He showed he can shoot it .. and it seems that injury hindered him last season.

The Gordan Dragic comp is a good one IMO. If he ever hit that ceiling at pick #9, that's tremendous value. Dragic was fkin good.

He's a floor general, he can set the tempo, get the offense in advantages situations each posessions...we need that in this offense. The only question will be the shot creation and shot consistency. He could get this offense to another level.

[WuTang_CMB]

I am not big on those high difficulty shots. Those step back 3's don't look like they will ever be an efficient shot. There aren't many players in the league that can pull those off with an accrptable level of efficiency.

yeah you're right they aren't ideal shots. He's not a perfect guard by any means.

But I think if we take a step back on Jak, on the whole, he's a talented guard who's strengths actually fit a major hole for our team. The tough shots and turnovers I think can be sniffed out by Darko over time.

He can really manipulate pick and rolls and seems to make the correct decisions. Crafty. His head is on swivel and being a bigger guard he can pass over top. He showed he can shoot it .. and it seems that injury hindered him last season.

The Gordan Dragic comp is a good one IMO. If he ever hit that ceiling at pick #9, that's tremendous value. Dragic was fkin good.

He's a floor general, he can set the tempo, get the offense in advantages situations each posessions...we need that in this offense. The only question will be the shot creation and shot consistency. He could get this offense to another level.

Also turning 19 in a few days. His game is advanced compared to his peers. Below the rim guy but also finished 67% at the rim. 26% assist rate.

[RoteSchroder]

I am not big on those high difficulty shots. Those step back 3's don't look like they will ever be an efficient shot. There aren't many players in the league that can pull those off with an accrptable level of efficiency.

yeah you're right they aren't ideal shots. He's not a perfect guard by any means.

But I think if we take a step back on Jak, on the whole, he's a talented guard who's strengths actually fit a major hole for our team. The tough shots and turnovers I think can be sniffed out by Darko over time.

He can really manipulate pick and rolls and seems to make the correct decisions. Crafty. His head is on swivel and being a bigger guard he can pass over top. He showed he can shoot it .. and it seems that injury hindered him last season.

The Gordan Dragic comp is a good one IMO. If he ever hit that ceiling at pick #9, that's tremendous value. Dragic was fkin good.

He's a floor general, he can set the tempo, get the offense in advantages situations each posessions...we need that in this offense. The only question will be the shot creation and shot consistency. He could get this offense to another level.

If he could hit those step backs all season long, including against better teams, he definitely should be in consideration. However, it didn't happen..whether it's because of his nagging forearm injury on his off-hand or because he regressed to the mean. His three point shooting pre-college was a bit shaky. The drop off in his shooting/scoring also affected his team's W/L.

Considering his athletic and defensive profile isn't that strong, we don't need a guy who can't hit shots at an elite level. Being a passer and floor general seems quite useless to me unless he's able to be a serious scoring threat. After his injury, he averaged 39 FG% from the floor, albeit, I think his 2P% was still ok (~54-55%).

[JCP11]

yeah you're right they aren't ideal shots. He's not a perfect guard by any means.

But I think if we take a step back on Jak, on the whole, he's a talented guard who's strengths actually fit a major hole for our team. The tough shots and turnovers I think can be sniffed out by Darko over time.

He can really manipulate pick and rolls and seems to make the correct decisions. Crafty. His head is on swivel and being a bigger guard he can pass over top. He showed he can shoot it .. and it seems that injury hindered him last season.

The Gordan Dragic comp is a good one IMO. If he ever hit that ceiling at pick #9, that's tremendous value. Dragic was fkin good.

He's a floor general, he can set the tempo, get the offense in advantages situations each posessions...we need that in this offense. The only question will be the shot creation and shot consistency. He could get this offense to another level.

If he could hit those step backs all season long, including against better teams, he definitely should be in consideration. However, it didn't happen..whether it's because of his nagging forearm injury on his off-hand or because he regressed to the mean. His three point shooting pre-college was a bit shaky. The drop off in his shooting/scoring also affected his team's W/L.

Considering his athletic and defensive profile isn't that strong, we don't need a guy who can't hit shots at an elite level. Being a passer and floor general seems quite useless to me unless he's able to be a serious scoring threat. After his injury, he averaged 39 FG% from the floor, albeit, I think his 2P% was still ok (~54-55%).

Yeah this is not ideal but what he showed pre injury was really good. I guess the workouts will tell if he was really bothered by the injury. I see a lot of people giving some love to JFears but Kasp deserve consideration also and I think he's a better fit imo.

[PhilBlackson]

I hope the Nets take Kasp so we don't have to worry about it lol

[WuTang_CMB]

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[OhCanada]

In no particular order these guys will go top 8:

1. Flagg
2. Harper
3. Bailey
4. VJ
5. Johnson
6. Fears
7. Kon
8. Maluach

Which means we'll be left with: Kasp, Demin, Essengue, Traore, CMB, Newell, Queen, Bryant

Not ideal.

We don't know that for sure. We also don't know whats ideal. Its a waiting game just enjoy the ride.

[S.W.A.N]

The Coward stuff is sort of funny to me because without the draft hype and sheen all I see is an Alan Anderson sort of scoring guard. Not to say he won't be vastly better or is more athletic but people always sort of overhype scoring guards to a degree. The stuff he was doing against that quality of competition looked good aesthetic-wise but most 2guards in the league can score and are athletic so those things won't be anywhere near pronounced. So what are you left with once reality hits and he's just a 21-year-old rookie who isn't really doing anything that special?

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Well, if he's a better Alan Anderson that's a good player. What if he's more Kris Middleton than Alan Anderson?

Sample size is small but here's the college stats for Anderson Vs Coward

26.6 4.5 8.1 .556 0.8 2.0 .385 3.8 6.2 .611 .603 3.5 3.9 .877 1.8 3.7 5.6 1.7 1.0 0.2 1.6 2.7 13.2
33.0 5.7 10.2 .557 2.0 5.0 .400 3.7 5.2 .710 .656 4.3 5.2 .839 1.8 5.2 7.0 3.7 0.8 1.7 2.2 2.7 17.7

for apples to apples here is the per40 numbers

MP FG FGA FG% 3P 3PA 3P% 2P 2PA 2P% eFG% FT FTA FT% ORB DRB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS
877 6.8 12.2 .556 1.1 3.0 .385 5.7 9.3 .611 .603 5.2 5.9 .877 2.8 5.6 8.4 2.6 1.5 0.3 2.5 4.1 19.9
198 6.9 12.3 .557 2.4 6.1 .400 4.4 6.3 .710 .656 5.3 6.3 .839 2.2 6.3 8.5 4.4 1.0 2.0 2.6 3.2 21.4

Actually fairly similar. Coward had the better shooting numbers, assists and blocks. Everything else similar. Worth noting, Coward significantly higher volume 3 point shooter.

[Psubs]

I hope the Nets take Kasp so we don't have to worry about it lol

Agreed. Same for a team taking Maluach.

I would say to wait until next year and draft Sergio de Larrea instead of Jakucionus this year. When he starts and gets more mins, I don't think he'll be able to keep up the 50/48/80 shooting but 48/42/80 might be realistic. Sergio is just tall enough to be a better finisher at the rim with dunks than Jaku.

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[DreamTeam09]

Noa Essengue as a Jeremi Grant comp makes sense as I saw. Similar numbers from Grant at Cuse as Noa this year. I like the fact that he's gotten better month after month over the last two years. His measurements are longboi worthy and fits a need on our bench as a tall wing/fwd

[SpezNc]

Damn man, some pretty solid options dropped out of the draft today.

I could be wrong, but I wonder if the plan is to draft a player who’s willing to accept the absolute minimum salary for a second-rounder.

Last year, we got Shead at 45 because we were willing to offer him a typical multi-year rookie deal.
Other teams likely tried to offer him the second-round minimum or a two-way, which is probably why we were able to get him.

If RJ is traded, this point becomes moot. But otherwise, having a player making around $1M instead of closer to $2M could help us avoid the luxury tax while keeping RJ.

Obviously, that might mean not drafting the BPA at 39.

It’s just one possible path the Raptors could take with their second-rounders but if the depth of the 2nd thin out …

[SpezNc]

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I think this is a double edge sword.

The more lottery players a team in the lottery is able to work out the more their hands are hidden.

I mean the more but you try to hide it the more it’s suspicious. The more you make it look like it’s no big deal or you invite the media and camera and generate contents for your fans the less it’s look like the work out is a big deal.

As for a player , yes working out the Celtics could make it looks like you are going end of lottery or it could look like even a contender teams is interested in you .

It’s also possible for team that is certain of a player of not even wanting to interview or work out a player . In the NHL it’s very common.

When the player is selected and the player is asked if had an idea , often would reply “not at all, that team never come see me , didn’t interview me . I was sure they were not interested but obviously I was wrong …”.

In the same time while I am saying I do realize and understand why teams or players may want to hid it .

I am just thinking the narrative could go both ways

[SpezNc]

In no particular order these guys will go top 8:

1. Flagg
2. Harper
3. Bailey
4. VJ
5. Johnson
6. Fears
7. Kon
8. Maluach

Which means we'll be left with: Kasp, Demin, Essengue, Traore, CMB, Newell, Queen, Bryant

Not ideal.

I still there is a possibility that Maluach or Knueppel going to be available at 9.

At this moment I think it’s 50-50 for one of them

If that’s the case it would be curious to see what we do.

If Maluach is there I think that’s a wrap. But if it’s Knueppel that is available then it’s anybody’s guess.

[SkywalkerAC]

Fears’ floor is brk for me

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Unless some drops that's higher than BRK board, I agree with you.

So really it's only the Pelicans at 7 who might wanna take Maluach, I don't see that personally happening but some posters said Pelicans front office mentioning bigs.

Dal-Cooper
SA-Harper
Phi-Ace
Cha-VJ
Utah-Tre
Wash-Queen
Pels-Kon
BK-Fears
Tor-Maluach

Please-please-please

[RoteSchroder]

Noa Essengue as a Jeremi Grant comp makes sense as I saw. Similar numbers from Grant at Cuse as Noa this year. I like the fact that he's gotten better month after month over the last two years. His measurements are longboi worthy and fits a need on our bench as a tall wing/fwd

A couple of the more reliable realgm draft guys don’t like Noa.

He’s my pick at the moment for various reasons, but he does have quite a few yellow flags. I would be banking on him improving to certain extents at nearly every facet of the game.

With Maluach, I don’t see huge two-way upside, but he would fill a back-up C role atm where he just plays D and is a lob threat. I would hope that his length makes him a nuisance/distraction for opposing teams..basically why I was interested in Edey last year.

[S.W.A.N]

The Coward stuff is sort of funny to me because without the draft hype and sheen all I see is an Alan Anderson sort of scoring guard. Not to say he won't be vastly better or is more athletic but people always sort of overhype scoring guards to a degree. The stuff he was doing against that quality of competition looked good aesthetic-wise but most 2guards in the league can score and are athletic so those things won't be anywhere near pronounced. So what are you left with once reality hits and he's just a 21-year-old rookie who isn't really doing anything that special?

Watch on YouTube

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Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Well, if he's a better Alan Anderson that's a good player. What if he's more Kris Middleton than Alan Anderson?

Sample size is small but here's the college stats for Anderson Vs Coward

26.6 4.5 8.1 .556 0.8 2.0 .385 3.8 6.2 .611 .603 3.5 3.9 .877 1.8 3.7 5.6 1.7 1.0 0.2 1.6 2.7 13.2
33.0 5.7 10.2 .557 2.0 5.0 .400 3.7 5.2 .710 .656 4.3 5.2 .839 1.8 5.2 7.0 3.7 0.8 1.7 2.2 2.7 17.7

for apples to apples here is the per40 numbers

MP FG FGA FG% 3P 3PA 3P% 2P 2PA 2P% eFG% FT FTA FT% ORB DRB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS
877 6.8 12.2 .556 1.1 3.0 .385 5.7 9.3 .611 .603 5.2 5.9 .877 2.8 5.6 8.4 2.6 1.5 0.3 2.5 4.1 19.9
198 6.9 12.3 .557 2.4 6.1 .400 4.4 6.3 .710 .656 5.3 6.3 .839 2.2 6.3 8.5 4.4 1.0 2.0 2.6 3.2 21.4

Actually fairly similar. Coward had the better shooting numbers, assists and blocks. Everything else similar. Worth noting, Coward significantly higher volume 3 point shooter.

Watching Game Theory tonight... Guess who Sam is considering putting in his top 10!