Moderators: LyricalRico, nate33, montestewart
nate33 wrote:Fair enough. I'm not really in love with Fears either. I just think he has enough promise to be worth inviting him to a workout and seeing what makes him tick. The bottom line is that all the guys available at #6 have real weaknesses that cast doubt on their ability to become stars. Scouting is a matter of figuring out who is most likely to overcome their weaknesses.
The turnovers issue is indeed a big red flag.
doclinkin wrote:Adidas Eurocamp starts Saturday in Treviso Italy. We’ll get measurements for Euro players there. Particularly curious about Essengues purported 9’1” standing reach.
Some random troll wrote:Not to sound negative, but this team is owned by an arrogant cheapskate, managed by a moron and coached by an idiot. Recipe for disaster.
closg00 wrote:I am a little puzzled why Fears is now being mocked to Utah (us in other mocks), Collier was edged by 1 vote to make the 2nd rookie team, how would Utah use Fears?
TGW wrote:doclinkin wrote:Adidas Eurocamp starts Saturday in Treviso Italy. We’ll get measurements for Euro players there. Particularly curious about Essengues purported 9’1” standing reach.
Essengue was measure last year: 6'11 wingspan, 9"3.25 standing reach.
tontoz wrote:closg00 wrote:I am a little puzzled why Fears is now being mocked to Utah (us in other mocks), Collier was edged by 1 vote to make the 2nd rookie team, how would Utah use Fears?
Collier had the worst BPM in the league at -5.3.
There were 5 wizards in the bottom 10.
https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2025_advanced.html#advanced_stats::bpm
Projection
Bailey’s size and shooting ability immediately bring Kevin Durant (6-foot-11, 240), Michael Porter (6-foot-10, 218), Brandon Miller (6-foot-7, 200) and Jabari Smith (6-foot-10, 220) to mind. Similar to Porter and Miller, Bailey could immediately be a solid third offensive option for a team with a great playmaker already, but it’ll take a couple of years before he’s developed into a polished offensive product. While there are visions of Durant when watching Bailey play, Durant’s development coming into the league was well ahead of where Bailey is now. Smith had a promising start to his career, but his development was put on hold when the Rockets emerged as contenders this season.
Projection
Bryant’s floor appears to be a quality 3-and-D player. However, if he can tap into self-creation and utilize his passing vision more on offense, there’s untapped upside. The potential for development gives him a range of player comparisons, including Josh Smith, Gerald Wallace and OG Anunoby.
Projection
Even in the small sample size from 2024-25, Coward looks and plays like a prototypical 3-and-D wing in the modern NBA. He has the size, athleticism, length and a proven ability to knock down shots from behind the arc, something that has become pivotal in today’s game. Any team could use his jolt of shooting and the willingness to do whatever it takes to help his squad win. Coward’s versatile game resembles something of a connector role, similar to guys like Derrick White, Aaron Wiggins, Max Strus and Aaron Nesmith.
Projection
Demin projects as a floor general at the NBA level, someone who can organize the offense and set up his teammates. How far he can go beyond that will depend on his shooting development. His size will always be an advantage, however, and other players have made it work despite minimal 3-point skills. Comparisons can be drawn to a player like Josh Giddey and Anthony Black
Projection
It’s hard to predict what kind of player Essengue will become in the future, because his upside and true value will end up being tied to whether his jumper ever becomes a reliable weapon. He’s a player with enough tools to be an asset in the right system and has elite defensive potential. If his shooting develops as expected, then he could be compared to someone like Nicolas Batum. If it doesn’t, however, then a more accurate comparison could be Al-Farouq Aminu.
Projection
When looking at Fears’ stats and watching him play at Alabama, it’s hard not to see a slender version of New York’s Josh Hart (6-foot-4, 216 pounds). Detroit’s Jaden Ivey (6-foot-4, 200 pounds) and Sacramento’s Markelle Fultz (6-foot-4, 209 pounds) are also fine comparisons and both of whom went very early in their respective drafts (but struggled to be stars at the NBA level). Fears doesn’t have as high of a draft pedigree as Ivey or Fultz, but he could easily be a more impactful player if he harnesses a role similar to Hart.
Jakucionis projects as a combo guard in the NBA, though one who may be more comfortable as a passer than a scorer out of the gate. That gives him a high floor as a potential sixth man early on, if not a starter. In terms of play style, he shares similarities with players like Austin Reaves and Goran Dragic.
Projection
Jordan Clarkson (6-5), Cam Thomas (6-3) and CJ McCollum (6-3) are good examples of bigger, score-first guards who developed into solid playmakers at the NBA level. Johnson also shares a lot of similarities with Terrence Shannon (6-6), but Johnson spent only one year in college, while Shannon was a 24-year-old rookie in 2024-25. Johnson has a similar frame to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (6-6, 200), but SGA was more of a true point guard coming out of Kentucky. Clarkson is the most likely comparison for Johnson, but the Texas product has immense upside if he lands in the right spot.
Projection
Knueppel’s combination of size and shooting is reminiscent of Gradey Dick, Doug McDermott, Corey Kispert and Sam Hauser. It’s safe to say Knueppel, who has a higher upside than the aforementioned sharpshooters due to his playmaking ability, will be taken early in the 2025 Draft, especially given the importance of 3-point shooting in today’s NBA. However, Knueppel will likely need an ideal organizational fit to reach his full potential.
Projection
Donovan Clingan (7-2, 280) is the most recent player who shares similarities with Maluach, but the Duke product also draws comparisons to Hassan Whiteside (7-0, 265) and Mo Bamba (7-0, 231). Zach Edey (7-4, 305) is much bigger than Maluach, but it’s worth noting that some scouts believe Maluach could develop a 3-point shot very quickly post-college like Edey did last season, which vaulted his draft stock. Maluach is a developmental project with a high floor given his defensive projections.
Projection
Queen’s upside could rival Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper, but the Maryland product is a riskier selection. Queen isn’t a true center, which isn’t a dealbreaker in today’s NBA, but it does raise questions: Which position will he play, and who will he be able to guard at the next level? Given his size, strength and face-up game, the easiest comparison to make is Zach Randolph, who excelled as an undersized big for the Grizzlies. Julius Randle (6-9, 249) and Alperen Sengun (6-11, 243) are two current players who have similar builds to Queen, but they have drastically different styles. Queen has the skills and potential to develop into either of those players, but it’s unclear what skill set he’ll prioritize at the next level.
Projection
Traore has plenty of potential but may need reps in an NBA offense to get more comfortable. With his speed and upside as a passer, he can draw comparisons to Scoot Henderson and John Wall. He could earn backup reps to start his career before transitioning into a bigger role.
Projection
Wolf may be able to take on some secondary playmaking responsibility at the NBA level and potentially act as a sixth man in the frontcourt, especially if he becomes a strong stand-still 3-point shooter. There are shades of Houston’s Alperen Sengun and Toronto’s Kelly Olynyk in Wolf’s game, though he likely won’t be as post-centric as those players.
Queen’s upside could rival Cooper Flagg
Dat2U wrote:If it appears Tre Johnson will fall to 6 with Utah leaning Fears at 5, then I'm comfortable staying there and selecting him. He fits the front office theory of drafting for very young, lengthy guys that can shoot, pass & dribble.
At 18 so far I got in order:
1. C Derik Queen
2. C Danny Wolf
3. F Will Riley
4. C Khaman Maluach* - probably not draftable except by TOR unless he's not at risk of deportation unfortunately.
5. F Carter Bryant
6. C Thomas Sorber
7. F Noah Penda
8. G Walter Clayton Jr
9. G Nolan Traore
10. C Maxime Raynaud
TGW wrote:doclinkin wrote:Adidas Eurocamp starts Saturday in Treviso Italy. We’ll get measurements for Euro players there. Particularly curious about Essengues purported 9’1” standing reach.
Essengue was measure last year: 6'11 wingspan, 9"3.25 standing reach.
doclinkin wrote:TGW wrote:doclinkin wrote:Adidas Eurocamp starts Saturday in Treviso Italy. We’ll get measurements for Euro players there. Particularly curious about Essengues purported 9’1” standing reach.
Essengue was measure last year: 6'11 wingspan, 9"3.25 standing reach.
If so there is zero chance this front office passes him up. LOL. Youngest player in the draft, with a center's reach? That's Giannis potential.
Some random troll wrote:Not to sound negative, but this team is owned by an arrogant cheapskate, managed by a moron and coached by an idiot. Recipe for disaster.
closg00 wrote:I am a little puzzled why Fears is now being mocked to Utah (us in other mocks), Collier was edged by 1 vote to make the 2nd rookie team, how would Utah use Fears?