2025 NBA Draft Prospect Part 3

[MessiahUjiri]

This happens every year.

The year before people hype up in the incoming class and then when that class plays collegiate ball, we realize everyone is not what they seem. Then we say wait for the next class. Rinse, wash, repeat.

The truth is no one knows how good a class is going to be until its their draft year and we get to see them against top tier competition. I would say let's pray for a top 5 pick. Anyone of those guys would make us better than we are right now

I agree.

The other point is that next year we are almost guaranteed to be better than this year.

We would have been a playin team already this year, and next year we can already expect organic improvement from the young guys, plus adding in Ingram (who may be the leading scorer).

[Los_29]

This happens every year.

The year before people hype up in the incoming class and then when that class plays collegiate ball, we realize everyone is not what they seem. Then we say wait for the next class. Rinse, wash, repeat.

The truth is no one knows how good a class is going to be until its their draft year and we get to see them against top tier competition. I would say let's pray for a top 5 pick. Anyone of those guys would make us better than we are right now

Every year without fail. 2023 is a great example. Aside from Wemby there is no one else. Amen Thompson looks like he can be a great player but will likely never be a superstar given his limitations. It’d be shocking if he did. Miller won’t be a superstar. Scoot looks very mediocre. Hard to see anyone breaking out. Even a guy like Cason who I was super high on doesn’t look great.

[Indeed]

2026 class in theory right now should be way better at the top. Peterson is an animal, has all the tools you want on offense, good rebounder and a stock machine. 6'5 w 6'10 WS. He does everything and had runs with like high 80s shooting from stripe. Ftr in high 400s. Recently has been dropping dimes all over. He's a stud.

VJ is nice but he's a role player. Peterson has the body, WS and skill to be two way 3 level threat and has the bag and more advanced dribble J. VJ is hopefully going to become something near a Derrick White level role player in 4-5 years. I also worry about injury stuff given how rim heavy he is and how he often ends up on the floor. But you can't let something like that factor in the evaluation, had the same thoughts about Topic last year.

So many guys this year are heavily flawed.

This class is already (way) better than last 2 years, and the raw talent is there, just that they have not performed well to be ranked in the top 10, and more being C.
I would not mind trading down, but trading out might miss some good prospects.

I still believe some of the freshmen down in the 2nd can be sleepers, such as Kanon Catchings, etc. are still young and have upside to them for being steals.

Watch on YouTube

Almost 0 chance this class ends up better than 2023 class.

Out side of Wemby, I think we have to see.

[RoteSchroder]

This happens every year.

The year before people hype up in the incoming class and then when that class plays collegiate ball, we realize everyone is not what they seem. Then we say wait for the next class. Rinse, wash, repeat.

The truth is no one knows how good a class is going to be until its their draft year and we get to see them against top tier competition. I would say let's pray for a top 5 pick. Anyone of those guys would make us better than we are right now

It’s the opposite of what you’re saying. I wanna trade for more picks cause this draft is so good. I wouldn’t mind drafting 2-6 either, but I just want multiple shots in the first round.

I only knew Cooper and Ace (also heard of, but didn’t pay attention to Maluach, Tre and Essengue too) heading into this year and I didn’t even like Cooper. So this class has exceeded the hype for me.

Last year, I hated practically every player. There were only 6 players I liked (Castle, Edey, Clingan, McCain, Devin Carter, Mogbo@31). This year, there are around 20 players I want.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

To put it into perspective the top 8 players from 23 class are on pace to give back more VORP than top 8 from 22 class. Lively, Wallace, Thompsons, Podz, TJD are all studs and Wemby is legit generational. There are more guys from 23 lurking in the shadows.

You can't factor injuries into this because injuries are tied at the hip with career outcomes.

24 is gonna be total **** unless McCain becomes mid level all-star which could happen.

[Psubs]

2026 class in theory right now should be way better at the top. Peterson is an animal, has all the tools you want on offense, good rebounder and a stock machine. 6'5 w 6'10 WS. He does everything and had runs with like high 80s shooting from stripe. Ftr in high 400s. Recently has been dropping dimes all over. He's a stud.

VJ is nice but he's a role player. Peterson has the body, WS and skill to be two way 3 level threat and has the bag and more advanced dribble J. VJ is hopefully going to become something near a Derrick White level role player in 4-5 years. I also worry about injury stuff given how rim heavy he is and how he often ends up on the floor. But you can't let something like that factor in the evaluation, had the same thoughts about Topic last year.

So many guys this year are heavily flawed.

Agreed. VJ looks like he could be a taller Victor Oladipo. That could be a borderline allstar.

Peterson looks like he could be like Anthony Edwards level player. Dybansta could be TMac and Boozer like Banchero.

[Raptorfan2012]

Plus a reportedly 7-6 wingspan. He plays alot like Al Horford. He's just a solid fundamental player on offense and defense.

I'm a huge fan. I think come draft day, hes going to leap frog many prospects.

if queen is 6'10 and he doesnt look like he has long wingspan, might have trouble going over todays centers that are 7'0 with 7'6 wingspan at least...so does he show that much skills to make up for that size and plus his defense

Queen looks quicker but more doughy. I think Queen needs to quickly get by guys and cram it. Rasheer can dunk over guys.

Queen vs Sorber is like a coin flip. Sorber seems better on defense and Queen much better on offense.

Agreed but Sorber at 19 years old already looks like he has a man's body. Just from a fit perspective, we need defense more than offence from our bigs, but I am sure Queen is going to put up some good numbers in his rookie season (whether it translates to winning will be a different story).

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

Read on Twitter

[LoveMyRaps]

Offensively VJ has always reminded me a lot of Andrew Wiggins (the hang time, body control, unguardable down hill, freakish athleticism), but defensively he's significantly better.

Watch on YouTube

[DreamTeam09]

if queen is 6'10 and he doesnt look like he has long wingspan, might have trouble going over todays centers that are 7'0 with 7'6 wingspan at least...so does he show that much skills to make up for that size and plus his defense

Queen looks quicker but more doughy. I think Queen needs to quickly get by guys and cram it. Rasheer can dunk over guys.

Queen vs Sorber is like a coin flip. Sorber seems better on defense and Queen much better on offense.

Agreed but Sorber at 19 years old already looks like he has a man's body. Just from a fit perspective, we need defense more than offence from our bigs, but I am sure Queen is going to put up some good numbers in his rookie season (whether it translates to winning will be a different story).

Isn't sober like 6'10, I want more height from my bigs

[dTox]

This happens every year.

The year before people hype up in the incoming class and then when that class plays collegiate ball, we realize everyone is not what they seem. Then we say wait for the next class. Rinse, wash, repeat.

The truth is no one knows how good a class is going to be until its their draft year and we get to see them against top tier competition. I would say let's pray for a top 5 pick. Anyone of those guys would make us better than we are right now

Every year without fail. 2023 is a great example. Aside from Wemby there is no one else. Amen Thompson looks like he can be a great player but will likely never be a superstar given his limitations. It’d be shocking if he did. Miller won’t be a superstar. Scoot looks very mediocre. Hard to see anyone breaking out. Even a guy like Cason who I was super high on doesn’t look great.

I have to pushback on this one, I don't recall the 2023 class being referred to as a strong one (by people here or the media), it had a generational superstar at the 1 spot and was always advertised as the Wemby draft, nothing more. The remaining players were fairly under the radar (except Scoot). Last year's draft was advertised as one of the worst in the decades. The last draft class that was advertised as a really strong draft, was the 2021 draft with Scottie et all. Now the Wiggins / Embiid draft, fits the bill of your description.

[ATLTimekeeper]

Queen looks quicker but more doughy. I think Queen needs to quickly get by guys and cram it. Rasheer can dunk over guys.

Queen vs Sorber is like a coin flip. Sorber seems better on defense and Queen much better on offense.

Agreed but Sorber at 19 years old already looks like he has a man's body. Just from a fit perspective, we need defense more than offence from our bigs, but I am sure Queen is going to put up some good numbers in his rookie season (whether it translates to winning will be a different story).

Isn't sober like 6'10, I want more height from my bigs

They say he has a 7"6 wingspan. With JP we already have one of the bigger Cs in the NBA. Having a smaller more mobile C allows the team to play more disruptive D. I'm sure that's the idea with a pick like Chomche. Teams usually have one big big and one smaller big.

[Son Goku 25]

Wingspan will really dictate if I want to draft VJ tbh. If he has d Wade like measurements then id pick him 2nd or 3rd. Put him on PED's and we're good lol

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

Wingspan will really dictate if I want to draft VJ tbh. If he has d Wade like measurements then id pick him 2nd or 3rd. Put him on PED's and we're good lol

Not even close to D-Wade measurements or strength.

[LoveMyRaps]

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED UPDATED MOCK DRAFT:

Washington Wizards: Cooper Flagg (Duke)

New Orleans Pelicans: Dylan Harper (Rutgers)

Utah Jazz: VJ Edgecombe (Baylor)

Charlotte Hornets: Kasparas Jakucionis (Illinois)

Toronto Raptors: Ace Bailey (Rutgers)

Philadelphia 76ers: Tre Johnson (Texas)

Brooklyn Nets: Asa Newell (Georgia)

Chicago Bulls: Khaman Maluach (Duke)

Portland Trail Blazers: Collin Murray-Boyles (South Carolina)

San Antonio Spurs (via ATL): Kon Knueppel (Duke)

Miami Heat: Liam McNeeley (UConn)

Houston Rockets (via PHX): Noa Essengue (INTL)

Atlanta Hawks (via SAC): Thomas Sorber (Georgetown)

Miami Heat (via GSW): Nolan Traore (INTL)

San Antonio Spurs (via ATL): Jeremiah Fears (Oklahoma)

Orlando Magic: Derik Queen (Maryland)

Minnesota Timberwolves (via DET): Egor Demin (BYU)

Dallas Mavericks: Ben Saraf (INTL)

Brooklyn Nets (via MIL): Will Riley (Illinois)

Utah Jazz (via MIN): Hugo Gonzalez (INTL)

Indiana Pacers: Kanon Catchings (BYU)

OKC Thunder (via LAC): Carter Bryant (Arizona)

Atlanta Hawks (via LAL): Jase Richardson (Michigan State)

Brooklyn Nets (via HOU): Labaron Philon (Alabama)

Oelando Magic (via DEN): Nique Clifford (Colorado State)

Washington Wizards (via MEM): Donnie Freeman (Syracuse)

Brooklyn Nets (via NYK): Rasheer Fleming (St. Joseph's)

Boston Celtics: Alex Karaban (UConn)

LA Clippers (via OKC): Noah Penda (INTL)

Phoenix Suns (via CLE): Danny Wolf (Michigan)

Boston Celtics (via WAS): Ian Jackson (North Carolina)

Charlotte Hornets (via NOP): Dink Pate (G League)

Minnesota Timberwolves (via UTA): Adou Thiero (Arkansas)

Charlotte Hornets: Drake Powell (North Carolina)

Detroit Pistons (via TOR): Mackenzie Mgbako (Indiana)

Brooklyn Nets: JT Toppin (Texas Tech)

Philadelphia 76ers: Kam Jones (Marquette)

Sacramento Kings (via CHI): Johni Broome (Auburn)

Toronto Raptors (via POR): Jamir Watkins (Florida State)

San Antonio Spurs: Milan Momcilovic (Iowa State)

Golden State Warriors (via MIA): Hunter Sallis (Wake Forest)

OKC Thunder (via ATL): Isaiah Evans (Duke)

Washington Wizards (via PHX): Alex Toohey (INTL)

Orlando Magic: Ryan Kalkbrenner (Creighton)

Washington Wizards (via GSW): Boogie Fland (Arkansas)

Chicago Bulls (via SAC): Karter Knox (Arkansas)

Washington Wizards (via DET): Miles Byrd (San Diego State)

Utah Jazz (via DAL): Bogoljub Markovic (INTL)

Cleveland Cavaliers (via MIL): Rocco Zikarsky (INTL)

LA Clippers (via MIN): Joson Sanon (Arizona State)

Indiana Pacers: Johann Grunloh (INTL)

Utah Jazz (via LAC): Xaivian Lee (Princeton)

Los Angeles Lakers: Tomislav Ivisic (Illinois)

Memphis Grizzlies (via HOU): John Mobley Jr. (Ohio State)

Phoenix Suns (via DEN): KJ Lewis (Arizona)

---New York Knicks (FORFEITED)---

56. New York Knicks (via MEM): Sergio De Larrea (INTL)

57. Orlando Magic (via BOS): Payton Sandfort (Iowa)

58. Cleveland Cavaliers: Michael Ruzic (INTL)

59. Houston Rockets (via OKC): Zvonimir Ivisic (Arkansas)

[BoyzNTheHood]

Wingspan will really dictate if I want to draft VJ tbh. If he has d Wade like measurements then id pick him 2nd or 3rd. Put him on PED's and we're good lol

Not even close to D-Wade measurements or strength.

Yeah, DWade had basically a 6’11” wingspan. I think VJ is closer to 6’7”.

With that said, I’m still all in on VJ. I have him tied for 2 with Harper now.

1) Flagg
2) Harper/Edgecombe
4) Bailey
5) Jak

[BoyzNTheHood]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=iDergfyDJveIq9pY2qCCBQ

[Psubs]

Queen looks quicker but more doughy. I think Queen needs to quickly get by guys and cram it. Rasheer can dunk over guys.

Queen vs Sorber is like a coin flip. Sorber seems better on defense and Queen much better on offense.

Agreed but Sorber at 19 years old already looks like he has a man's body. Just from a fit perspective, we need defense more than offence from our bigs, but I am sure Queen is going to put up some good numbers in his rookie season (whether it translates to winning will be a different story).

Isn't sober like 6'10, I want more height from my bigs

Ya, Sorber and Queen could use an extra inch. Take Condon at 6'11.

They say he has a 7"6 wingspan. With JP we already have one of the bigger Cs in the NBA. Having a smaller more mobile C allows the team to play more disruptive D. I'm sure that's the idea with a pick like Chomche. Teams usually have one big big and one smaller big.

Then draft Condon or Fleming at 6'9 with 7'5 wingspan.

[RoteSchroder]

To put it into perspective the top 8 players from 23 class are on pace to give back more VORP than top 8 from 22 class. Lively, Wallace, Thompsons, Podz, TJD are all studs and Wemby is legit generational. There are more guys from 23 lurking in the shadows.

You can't factor injuries into this because injuries are tied at the hip with career outcomes.

24 is gonna be total **** unless McCain becomes mid level all-star which could happen.

What kind of buffoonery is this?

VORP is affected by number of games played. Most of the guys you mentioned are role players or bench players. They’re not better than Banchero and Chet, even if their VORPs are higher.

Chet, Banchero, Jalen Williams are better than all the guys you mentioned outside of Wemby.

Kessler, Eason, Christian Braun, Mark Williams, Dyson Daniels, Duren have better VORP than half the guys you mentioned. These guys are all at or over 1 VORP whereas Podz, TJD, Ausar, Wallace are all under 1.

Other players from the 22 class like Ochai, Nikola match Podz at 0.5 VORP

[Psubs]

Read on Twitter

The whole Auburn team is on there. Arguably Condon at #19 outplayed Broome as they got the upset win.