2025 Draft Thread - Part 2

[Rafael122]

Was listening to the Zach Lowe pod and he had J. Kyle Mann on who does the NBA draft stuff at the Ringer. It sounds like Ace might be 6'8.25 and not the 6'9-6'10 that he's being listed at. Does that drop him down the list for you guys?

[AFM]

6’8.25” barefoot? That’s 6’9 in the NBA so it makes no difference.

[Rafael122]

6’8.25” barefoot? That’s 6’9 in the NBA so it makes no difference.

He didn't specify but Lowe made it seem like it makes a difference if he's 6'10 or 6'8 per the scouts he was talking to.

[AFM]

This is from today’s athletic:

There’s an obvious reason for that: Expanding NIL money. While it was a factor in the past two drafts, this is the first one where the money has become huge enough that it radically alters the calculus for all but the top 15-20 picks. For anyone else, it would be extremely unwise to turn down a multi-million-dollar NIL check for the uncertainty of being a second-round pick in the NBA.

Thus, the 2025 NBA Draft looks like a completely normal one at the top half of the first round, then has the bottom fall out once we get into the second. Get used to this for the next year or two, until around 2028 or so, when we get enough of a wave of talented fifth-year seniors coming into the league that it offsets the lack of sophomores and juniors. In the meantime, NBA scouts and execs have taken note. Expect late first-round and early second-round picks to carry less trade value than in other years.

[J-Ves]

Was listening to the Zach Lowe pod and he had J. Kyle Mann on who does the NBA draft stuff at the Ringer. It sounds like Ace might be 6'8.25 and not the 6'9-6'10 that he's being listed at. Does that drop him down the list for you guys?

That height alone wouldn’t drop him down for me but it would make me extra interested in his wingspan, standing reach, and athletic testing numbers. I personally believe Ace will be a big winner at the combine but if he’s not then I don’t think he’s a top 5 pick anymore

[Tyrone Messby]

Massive, massive day for the franchise. 1 or 2, let’s go!

[payitforward]

This is from today’s athletic:

There’s an obvious reason for that: Expanding NIL money. While it was a factor in the past two drafts, this is the first one where the money has become huge enough that it radically alters the calculus for all but the top 15-20 picks. For anyone else, it would be extremely unwise to turn down a multi-million-dollar NIL check for the uncertainty of being a second-round pick in the NBA.

Thus, the 2025 NBA Draft looks like a completely normal one at the top half of the first round, then has the bottom fall out once we get into the second. Get used to this for the next year or two, until around 2028 or so, when we get enough of a wave of talented fifth-year seniors coming into the league that it offsets the lack of sophomores and juniors. In the meantime, NBA scouts and execs have taken note. Expect late first-round and early second-round picks to carry less trade value than in other years.

We'll know something about this when we know something about it.
For the moment, there has been no massive surge of kids returning for another year of college.

[Rafael122]

This is from today’s athletic:

There’s an obvious reason for that: Expanding NIL money. While it was a factor in the past two drafts, this is the first one where the money has become huge enough that it radically alters the calculus for all but the top 15-20 picks. For anyone else, it would be extremely unwise to turn down a multi-million-dollar NIL check for the uncertainty of being a second-round pick in the NBA.

Thus, the 2025 NBA Draft looks like a completely normal one at the top half of the first round, then has the bottom fall out once we get into the second. Get used to this for the next year or two, until around 2028 or so, when we get enough of a wave of talented fifth-year seniors coming into the league that it offsets the lack of sophomores and juniors. In the meantime, NBA scouts and execs have taken note. Expect late first-round and early second-round picks to carry less trade value than in other years.

There is a Kispert to Brooklyn draft night trade right there. You trade Corey, get out of that $13 million contract and perhaps Brooklyn can trade one of their picks and absorb him into their cap space. I don't see how Brooklyn drafts 4 rookies.

[dobrojim]

Many are focused on Flagg/Harper who are both likely
to be solid to excellent NBA players. But which of the
other players drafted after them will be the difference
makers 5 years from now?

[tontoz]

Was listening to the Zach Lowe pod and he had J. Kyle Mann on who does the NBA draft stuff at the Ringer. It sounds like Ace might be 6'8.25 and not the 6'9-6'10 that he's being listed at. Does that drop him down the list for you guys?

That height alone wouldn’t drop him down for me but it would make me extra interested in his wingspan, standing reach, and athletic testing numbers. I personally believe Ace will be a big winner at the combine but if he’s not then I don’t think he’s a top 5 pick anymore

It was obvious that Bailey wasn't 6'10 just like it's obvious Harper isn't 6'6. I don't see an issue here.

[The Consiglieri]

Had a hilarious tankathon run after reading the recent Wiz Draft article on scenarios.
Spin 1: 6
Spin 2: 6
Spin 3: 5
Spin 4: 5
Spin 5: 6

Holy mother of god, if that's the kind of luck we bring monday, I'd walk out the lobby and not check back in again until May '26. Just, gtfo with that horse ----. A reminder of how insanely stupid the current lottery set up is.

Do not - I repeat - DO NOT tune into the draft. Don't even look at the results for an entire week. Don't think about the draft and do not show up with Bub!!!!

I have had some bad tankathon spins - but this, smh!

I know, I couldn't believe it, and started wondering if the thing wasn't working properly because the odds of that are so tiny. Yes, technically, I think the odds of 4-5-6 playing out are basically about 60%, but the odds of 5/6 are around 48% if memory serves, I couldn't believe it kept happening. I saw the Bill Simmons Lottery Podcast piece from last night, and decided to avoid listening to it for now considering the jinx factor. i can't decide if listening would jinx, or not lol. Paranoid for no reason I know, but man. I keep trying to envision card flips at 6 and 5 that don't have the Wizards logo, trying to manifest the good fortune. Clearly didn't work with those spins lol.

[dckingsfan]

Had a hilarious tankathon run after reading the recent Wiz Draft article on scenarios.
Spin 1: 6
Spin 2: 6
Spin 3: 5
Spin 4: 5
Spin 5: 6

Holy mother of god, if that's the kind of luck we bring monday, I'd walk out the lobby and not check back in again until May '26. Just, gtfo with that horse ----. A reminder of how insanely stupid the current lottery set up is.

Do not - I repeat - DO NOT tune into the draft. Don't even look at the results for an entire week. Don't think about the draft and do not show up with Bub!!!!

I have had some bad tankathon spins - but this, smh!

I know, I couldn't believe it, and started wondering if the thing wasn't working properly because the odds of that are so tiny. Yes, technically, I think the odds of 4-5-6 playing out are basically about 60%, but the odds of 5/6 are around 48% if memory serves, I couldn't believe it kept happening. I saw the Bill Simmons Lottery Podcast piece from last night, and decided to avoid listening to it for now considering the jinx factor. i can't decide if listening would jinx, or not lol. Paranoid for no reason I know, but man. I keep trying to envision card flips at 6 and 5 that don't have the Wizards logo, trying to manifest the good fortune. Clearly didn't work with those spins lol.

I was just joking of course. There couldn't be a jinx factor... right?

Someone that was really lucky with Tankathon should start a ping-pong ball thread and bring the #1 pick home!

[dobrojim]

I spent a lot of time in college playing backgammon
for fun/bragging rights, not money. A roll of the dice,
just like a lottery draw, is an independent event. Just
because an event is low or high probability, doesn't mean it will or won't happen. This is the main reason
I don't gamble with money. All outcomes are
possible. Many people don't understand or appreciate
the full implications of this.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Was listening to the Zach Lowe pod and he had J. Kyle Mann on who does the NBA draft stuff at the Ringer. It sounds like Ace might be 6'8.25 and not the 6'9-6'10 that he's being listed at. Does that drop him down the list for you guys?

That height alone wouldn’t drop him down for me but it would make me extra interested in his wingspan, standing reach, and athletic testing numbers. I personally believe Ace will be a big winner at the combine but if he’s not then I don’t think he’s a top 5 pick anymore

It was obvious that Bailey wasn't 6'10 just like it's obvious Harper isn't 6'6. I don't see an issue here.

Plus he’s still young enough he may still grow a bit more.

[gesa2]

I spent a lot of time in college playing backgammon
for fun/bragging rights, not money. A roll of the dice,
just like a lottery draw, is an independent event. Just
because an event is low or high probability, doesn't mean it will or won't happen. This is the main reason
I don't gamble with money. All outcomes are
possible. Many people don't understand or appreciate
the full implications of this.

Odds and percentages are really hard to intuitively feel. If I tell someone that there’s a 10% chance they’ll have a side effect of a medicine, many will see that as either 0% or 100%, some as 50/50

[doclinkin]

Many are focused on Flagg/Harper who are both likely
to be solid to excellent NBA players. But which of the
other players drafted after them will be the difference
makers 5 years from now?

Maluach has room to grow. Youth. Upside. Size. Aggression and love of contact. Soccer background to understand spacing. Great hands. Good feet and balance. Unstoppable interior scoring. For most of his rookie contract he will be a project. Won’t look as good on court as his +/- indicates. But when the game slows down for him he will be a problem for opponents to solve. Especially if he’s surrounded by good passers.

To me he’s the one player in the draft that has HOF potential if he simply lives up to his promise. Stays healthy. Other players have a head start and upside based on the chance that they overachieve. Smarts and work ethic. Khaman is a difference maker before he even really knows what he’s doing out there.

I’d take him as high as 3. Personally.

[popper]

Many are focused on Flagg/Harper who are both likely
to be solid to excellent NBA players. But which of the
other players drafted after them will be the difference
makers 5 years from now?

Maluach has room to grow. Youth. Upside. Size. Aggression and love of contact. Soccer background to understand spacing. Great hands. Good feet and balance. For most of his rookie contract he will be a project. Won’t look as good on court as his +/- indicates. But when the game slows down for him he will be a problem for opponents to solve. Especially if he’s surrounded by good passers.

To me he’s the one player in the draft that has HOF potential if he simply lives up to his promise. Stays healthy. Other players have a head start and upside based on the chance that they overachieve. Smarts and work ethic. Khaman is a difference maker before he even really knows what he’s doing out there.

I’d take him as high as 3. Personally.

That's what I've been thinking as well. I wonder what we would do with Holmes if that scenario transpires.

[doclinkin]

That's what I've been thinking as well. I wonder what we would do with Holmes if that scenario transpires.

Play him. Trade him midseason. But that’s probably what we will do anyway, unless he’s a thrown in on a draft day trade.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Read on Twitter

Many are focused on Flagg/Harper who are both likely
to be solid to excellent NBA players. But which of the
other players drafted after them will be the difference
makers 5 years from now?

Jeremiah Fears, Tre Johnson, Ace Bailey, Derik Queen, Kameron Jones

[pcbothwel]

That's what I've been thinking as well. I wonder what we would do with Holmes if that scenario transpires.

Play him. Trade him midseason. But that’s probably what we will do anyway, unless he’s a thrown in on a draft day trade.

What? Wait...why?
Holmes is a solid vet 3rd Center, but he is NOT worth $13M. I assume we will waive him (Pay the 250k)