2025 Draft Thread

[AFM]

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[Dat2U]

Carter Bryant

He's not listed on Tankathon but his YouTube highlight look really good (who's don't?)

What's his story? Age, height etc

Looks like a strong solid PF frame with all the accoutrements. I'm not sure why
a guy as impressive as he seems to be wasn't on Tank.

4 stocks per 40 and can shoot 3s. Good size. He will definitely be on the radar. Tankathon has him at 26 currently.

He didn't play a lot for whatever reason so I didn't pay any attention to him. Watching his highlights I keep thinking this guy is big. I think he could certainly play some 4.

Watch on YouTube

He reminded me of Tidjane Salaun in the clips I've seen him. Great frame, good athlete, decen5 shooting potential and raw as hell. Tidjane was somehow the 6th pick last year. Carter seems more properly ranked as late teens/20s.

[The Consiglieri]

My focus would be on ceiling right now, I would worry about fit in '27, draft for ceiling and upside, trade and sign FA's for fit and need. We simply don't have enough talent, to me, to worry about fit with guys, particularly when we don't even know what we'll end up thinking the core is by July '26-July '27. I'd draft exclusively for upside.

I'm not them though, so I am curious how they will play it, and as I mentioned earlier, will the lottery have an impact on how they see utilizing the second 1st rounder? If we get hosed, will they look for ceiling w/the later pick, and just draft the best talent on the board at 6 (most of which is more high floor, moderate ceiling types, than blow the doors off high ceilings with risky floors), would they draft more for fit and need with the later pick if we get the dream scenario at 1.01 or 1.02? Would they look to draft more project player with 18 or below to ensure we keep our first in '26?

I'm curious what they're thought process is. Will anything impact their decision making with the second first, or will they just be trying to get the best player on their board? I have no idea. The only thing I noticed, which I posted about before is that they've yet to draft or trade for a young prospect who was older than 21 at the time of their respective draft class, the vast bulk of guys are 18, 19, 20 and 21, and mostly 18-20. So for me, that's not proven that they're fixated in part on youth, but it does suggest they are drafting for guys earlier in their development and not finished product seniors and juniors etc.

Anyway, how I'd handle the 2nd first:

Tier 1 w/second pick, aiming for ceiling via shock falls or trade up:
1.K. Maluach-Big with limitless ceiling and disappointing floor.
2. Tre Johnson-Bucket machine w/issues elsewhere.
3. J. Fears-If he can find his 3 ball, holy ----.
4. D. Queen-He's got the offensive side down.
5. Jase Richardson-Maybe Dat and a bunch of other analysts are right about this guy?

Players slotted just before, around or after our pick that I just take at slot:
1. Joan Beringer-Sounds like the most long term upside of guys likely to be taken 12-22 or so.
2. Noa Essengue-I have a hard time choosing between him and Beringer, but Beringer sounds like has a slightly higher ceiling.
3.Thomas Sorber-I normally would expect him to be a value steal in that 20-35 area but it sounds like teams fell in love with him, injury or not and he won't fall. I'm not sure where I should rank him on our list, he seems like a much higher floor than Beringer and Essengue, but probably a lower ceiling.
4.Noah Penda-Hmmmmm, compared to Essengue, with a higher perceived floor.
5. Rasheer Fleming: Seems a good floor and ceiling bet.
6. Carter Bryant-Interesting guy with lots of ceiling but a low floor.
7. Ben Saraf-Horrific floor if he can't get his shooting going, if he can, exciting (or so it sounds).

As others have said, I'd probably stay at slot entirely unless something weird happened and Maluach, Tre Johnson, Fears or Queen, fall to within say 5 slots or so of our pick, at which point trying to figure out how to move up makes a lot of sense, otherwise, there's a good like 8-10 guys most of us like ranked between 14 and around 28 who'd be fine (admittedly we'd all hate some, like others, and love a few).

[9 and 20]

Ace Bailey highlights look great but I'd be nervous about taking him, tbh. Maybe a hot take, but too many flashbacks to Kuz - it looks great when it's all working but it's not always all working. Bailey could make up for it on defense though. I'm probably horribly wrong and Ace Bailey is the next Durant.

Flagg obviously great but I keep imagining how Harper would help unlock some of the young guys even more than Flagg. I remember Westbrook throwing up lobs to Gaff and I'd like to see that with Sarr. I'm not sure Bub or AJ has it in them to be that guy on offense. They also won't make the boneheaded Westbrook plays either though, lol.

Glad we got the Grizz draft pick. I was expecting #6 and 2 2nd rounders. Hoping for another big forward - one that can shoot and rebound.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Carter Bryant

He's not listed on Tankathon but his YouTube highlight look really good (who's don't?)

What's his story? Age, height etc

Looks like a strong solid PF frame with all the accoutrements. I'm not sure why
a guy as impressive as he seems to be wasn't on Tank.

4 stocks per 40 and can shoot 3s. Good size. He will definitely be on the radar. Tankathon has him at 26 currently.

He didn't play a lot for whatever reason so I didn't pay any attention to him. Watching his highlights I keep thinking this guy is big. I think he could certainly play some 4.

Watch on YouTube

He reminded me of Tidjane Salaun in the clips I've seen him. Great frame, good athlete, decen5 shooting potential and raw as hell. Tidjane was somehow the 6th pick last year. Carter seems more properly ranked as late teens/20s.

NBA DRAFT ROOM now has Carter Bryant mocked at #10.

This is what they say about him:

Bryant hasn’t been the biggest name this draft cycle but man is he good. He’s got an awesome frame, a smooth offensive game and impacts both ends. He tends to get mocked outside of the lottery but he keeps moving up my board and may end up in the top 10.

Watch on YouTube

The issue with some of these players, including 2 of my favorite prospects Carter Bryant and Thomas Sorber, is they are testing the NBA waters but also keeping the option of returning to school for their Sophomore season , and have the lure of NiL money in the range of 5 Mil +.

So there's the risk they could withdraw from the draft. I think they'll stay in, but its not a guarantee. Then there's also the potential for other players to pull out which thins out the talent pool, and players that might be projected in the 15-20 range now are suddenly in the 10-15 range.

[tontoz]

Flagg declared for the draft. Color me shocked.

[closg00]

Flagg to Utah, there will be no denying The Tres Leches from happening:

Flag
Kessler
Markkanen

[Zonkerbl]

Flagg to Utah, there will be no denying The Tres Leches from happening:

Flag
Kessler
Markkanen

"tres leches" lol

[Rafael122]

Just an FYI, there will be a coin toss at 3 PM today to determine if we get Memphis' 18th, 19th or 20th pick in the draft.

[FAH1223]

Flagg to Utah, there will be no denying The Tres Leches from happening:

Flag
Kessler
Markkanen

Utah can't be rewarded!!!

[nate33]

Flagg to Utah, there will be no denying The Tres Leches from happening:

Flag
Kessler
Markkanen

Portland could win the pick and have:
Flagg
Avdija
Clingan

[doclinkin]

Flagg to Utah, there will be no denying The Tres Leches from happening:

Flag
Kessler
Markkanen

Portland could win the pick and have:
Flagg
Avdija
Clingan

The Spurs have their pick and the Hawks pick.
Castle
Flagg
Wemby


And DQ. Or CMB. Or Rasheer since they’d need shooting.

[closg00]

Flagg to Utah, there will be no denying The Tres Leches from happening:

Flag
Kessler
Markkanen

Portland could win the pick and have:
Flagg
Avdija
Clingan

You’re right, that would be awesome for Deni and the franchise, they are due Basketball Gods blessings.

[gesa2]

It’s after 3, have they announced the 18-20 pick order yet?

[tontoz]

It’s after 3, have they announced the 18-20 pick order yet?

Apparently there is a legal process they have to go through before the results are announced.

[nate33]

Flagg to Utah, there will be no denying The Tres Leches from happening:

Flag
Kessler
Markkanen

Portland could win the pick and have:
Flagg
Avdija
Clingan

You’re right, that would be awesome for Deni and the franchise, they are due Basketball Gods blessings.

If they could somehow merge with OKC, they could put together the greatest All-White-Guy defensive lineup of all time:

PG Caruso
SG Avdija
SF Flagg
PF Holmgren
C Hartenstein

[PaulinVA]

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[FAH1223]

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[tontoz]

[tontoz]

Looking at the Smart trade again, the Grizzlies got our 2nd rounder this year. They must have thought at the time that there wouldn't be much difference between our 2nd and their 1st. Oops.