2025 Draft Thread - Part 3

[Dat2U]

Can someone explain to me why Queen has a better DBPM, DRTG, and DWS/40 than Maluach? He’s the worst defender of all time.

Queen has a better feel for the game and was probably the more impactful defender of the two. Queen's hands are elite but Queen also has more bad tape of him not moving his feet or ocassionally checking out. Maluach is a projection and while he showed flashes in his willingness to switch, he was a step slow to me in his reactions.

[dckingsfan]

I predict Queen will go 10th to San Antonio. With Wemby, he will have a good chance at being the third-straight Spurs Rookie of the Year.

That would be an optimal outcome for Queen, a defensive stopper behind him that is also a stretch big. And three guards that can get him the ball in the right place. I am trying to figure out a better place for him to land and can't think of one.

[closg00]

I predict Queen will go 10th to San Antonio. With Wemby, he will have a good chance at being the third-straight Spurs Rookie of the Year.

That would be an optimal outcome for Queen, a defensive stopper behind him that is also a stretch big. And three guards that can get him the ball in the right place. I am trying to figure out a better place for him to land and can't think of one.

TM “Derik Queen, he turns the low post into a scary scene”

[AFM]

I predict Queen will go 10th to San Antonio. With Wemby, he will have a good chance at being the third-straight Spurs Rookie of the Year.

That would be an optimal outcome for Queen, a defensive stopper behind him that is also a stretch big. And three guards that can get him the ball in the right place. I am trying to figure out a better place for him to land and can't think of one.

TM “Derik Queen, he turns the low post into a scary scene”

Footwork very mean, pockets fatter than Dairy Queen, he turn the low post to a scary scene

I should sell T shirts

[AFM]

Just imagine Ted giving these out

[closg00]

Philly is ready for that future nastiness
https://www.rightstorickysanchez.com/p/why-you-should-believe-in-derik-queen

[Frichuela]

I could see this draft scenario…

Read on Twitter

?s=46

[closg00]

ESPN’s new mock with a twist
https://youtu.be/F0qemEEDEXg?feature=shared
Big Board w/ ceiling Comps 2025-
1. Cooper Flagg (LeBronlite)
2. Dylan Harper (Pre-MVP Harden +D)
3. Tre Johnson (Tyler Herro/Ray Allen)
4. VJ Edgecombe (Oladipo/Suggs hybrid)
5. Jeremiah Fears (D Fox/ D Roselite)
6. Kon Knueppel (Reaves/Ingles hybrid)
7. Ace Bailey (Rashard Lewis/Rudy Gay)
8. Cedric Coward (JDub/Wiggins hybrid)
9. Collin Murray-Boyles (Anthony Mason/Draymond)
10. Khaman Maluach (Modern Bynum)
11. Kasparas Jakucionis (Dragic/Reaves hybrid)
12. Carter Bryant (Ariza/Gerald Wallace)
13. Derik Queen (Cousins/Diaw hybrid)
14. Noa Essengue (McDaniels/Siakam Hybrid)
15. Thomas Sorber (Jarrett Allen)
16. Rasheer Fleming (Modern PJ Brown)
17. Joan Beringer (Walmart Mobley)
18. Jase Richardson (Immanuel Quickley)
19. Walter Clayton Jr. (Bibbylite)
20. Drake Powell (Nesmith&Herbhybrid)
21. Adou Thiero (OG Anunoby)
22. Nique Clifford (Will Barton+)
23. Egor Demin (Josh Giddey +D?)
24. Noah Penda (Kenrich Williams+)
25. Will Riley (Cam Johnson)
26. Danny Wolf (Kelly Olynyk)
27. Maxime Raynaud (Kristapslite)
28. Nolan Traore (George Hill)
29. Asa Newell (PJ Washington)
30. Liam McNeeley (Kevin Huerter+)

[TGW]

I think there’s a distinct possibility they draft Kneuppel. Where theres smoke theres fire, and several different mocks have KK going to the Wiz.

The collective meltdown would be epic.

[tontoz]

I think there’s a distinct possibility they draft Kneuppel. Where theres smoke theres fire, and several different mocks have KK going to the Wiz.

The collective meltdown would be epic.

I really havent seen any rumors coming out about the Wizards FO preferences though. I think this is just a case of mock drafts gone wild.

I went to the Hornets board and apparently there is some legit smoke that they are considering Kon at 4.

[AFM]

Watch on YouTube

Didn't know Haliburton had a podcast

[DCZards]

These rankings really have been all over the place. The fall of Maluach (10) and the continued rise of Coward (8) in this latest ESPN ranking is interesting.

Sorber and Richardson, two of my favorite candidates for the Zards at 18, are in a sweet spot in this ranking.

The player I’m keeping my eye on is Drake Powell, who is up to 20. I like him a lot and wouldn’t rule him out at 18.

[NatP4]

I could see this draft scenario…

Read on Twitter

?s=46

I think I’ve moved Maluach out of the “do not draft” category. Age/size/upside makes it an okay pick. I’d be fine with it, mostly because the other options at 6 are pretty brutal. Don’t think they will have any interest in CMB, Essengue, or Jase Richardson, unfortunately.

Want no part of Bailey, Fears, Johnson, Queen, Newell. Knueppel and Jakucionis would be about as meh as Maluach, minus the upside.

[DCZards]

I could see this draft scenario…

Read on Twitter

?s=46

More…

“Can see a situation where the Washington Wizards take Khaman Maluach at 6 to pair with Alex Sarr to be the Jarrett Allen to Sarr’s Mobley

Maluach has elite interior protection upside, plus a projectable shooting form that I’ve very high on

Sarr has the lateral quickness and passing ability, plus a developing perimeter game with his shooting & ball-handling to syngerize well with Maluach

From there, the Wizards stay aggressive and consolidate some assets to trade up from 18 (if needed) and swing on Traore’s upside at Point Guard, who has the length and measurables that Dawkins love, plus innate abilities in his lightning quick first step and playmaking.”

[AFM]

Watch on YouTube

[closg00]

I think there’s a distinct possibility they draft Kneuppel. Where theres smoke theres fire, and several different mocks have KK going to the Wiz.

The collective meltdown would be epic.

Some analysts have him as a Top-5 pick, I just don’t see the Wiz taking him at 6 with Ace/Maluach available, you take Ace and start another timeline.

[Rafael122]

I'm high as hell on Coward. I feel like his measurements fit what Dawkins is looking for, his production went up at every level, and I get the sense because he's such an unknown, Dawkins will more than happily take him and bank on the unknown upside. I would take him at 6 at this point. I could see the Thunder drafting him.

[AFM]

Watch on YouTube

These guys are delusional btw

[TGW]

I'm high as hell on Coward. I feel like his measurements fit what Dawkins is looking for, his production went up at every level, and I get the sense because he's such an unknown, Dawkins will more than happily take him and bank on the unknown upside. I would take him at 6 at this point. I could see the Thunder drafting him.

No way they take Coward at 6. He’s almost 22, and his production was moderate in college. At his age, you wonder if theres going to be that much improvement in his game.

[pcbothwel]

ESPN’s new mock with a twist
https://youtu.be/F0qemEEDEXg?feature=shared
Big Board w/ ceiling Comps 2025-
1. Cooper Flagg (LeBronlite)
2. Dylan Harper (Pre-MVP Harden +D)
3. Tre Johnson (Tyler Herro/Ray Allen)
4. VJ Edgecombe (Oladipo/Suggs hybrid)
5. Jeremiah Fears (D Fox/ D Roselite)
6. Kon Knueppel (Reaves/Ingles hybrid)
7. Ace Bailey (Rashard Lewis/Rudy Gay)
8. Cedric Coward (JDub/Wiggins hybrid)
9. Collin Murray-Boyles (Anthony Mason/Draymond)
10. Khaman Maluach (Modern Bynum)
11. Kasparas Jakucionis (Dragic/Reaves hybrid)
12. Carter Bryant (Ariza/Gerald Wallace)
13. Derik Queen (Cousins/Diaw hybrid)
14. Noa Essengue (McDaniels/Siakam Hybrid)
15. Thomas Sorber (Jarrett Allen)
16. Rasheer Fleming (Modern PJ Brown)
17. Joan Beringer (Walmart Mobley)
18. Jase Richardson (Immanuel Quickley)
19. Walter Clayton Jr. (Bibbylite)
20. Drake Powell (Nesmith&Herbhybrid)
21. Adou Thiero (OG Anunoby)
22. Nique Clifford (Will Barton+)
23. Egor Demin (Josh Giddey +D?)
24. Noah Penda (Kenrich Williams+)
25. Will Riley (Cam Johnson)
26. Danny Wolf (Kelly Olynyk)
27. Maxime Raynaud (Kristapslite)
28. Nolan Traore (George Hill)
29. Asa Newell (PJ Washington)
30. Liam McNeeley (Kevin Huerter+)

I disagree with the rankings, but the comps are pretty good. That said, here are a couple changes:
Flagg - Pippen/PG-13...Not LBJ
Tre - More Booker, less Herro
Fears - Dinwiddie /Jamal Murray
Traore - Deron Williams / Arenas
Sorber - Okongwu/Zubac
Demin - Shaun Livingston
Coward - Mikal Bridges
Maluach - Myles Turner
Powell - Caruso
Wolf - Naz Reid
Clifford - Josh Hart