2025 Draft Thread - Part 3

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Fck!!!!!!!! Draft day needs to come, like, tomorrow!!!!!!!

Yeah, I'm sick of all the speculation.

It can't be over soon enough.

[NatP4]

I think you can tell from his Rutgers' clips that Ace loves to shoot it even when guarded tightly. Better coaching with better players surrounding him would help solve that or he's a selfish MFer.

His shot selection in games 10-20 was far better than his first 10 games. Early on he was taking a lot of crazy fadeaways and would get trapped trying to drive baseline all the time. Those episodes decreased a lot by midseason which makes me think he is coachable.

Also he struggled on open catch and shoot 3s similar to Bub which i am confident will get worked out over time. He shot better when contested.

Numbers back this up:

1st half per36:
20.2 points
8.2 rebounds
0.8 assists
2.1 turnovers
1.0 steals
1.39 blocks

35% 3pt
48% 2pt
69% FT
52.7% TS

2nd half per36:
17.5 points
7.1 rebounds
1.85 assists
2.1 turnovers
0.98 steals
1.3 blocks

30% 3pt
52.5% 2pt
85% FT
55.6% TS

looks like his 3pt shot fell off a cliff, but the game slowed down in terms of his finishing and A/TO. Also took 3 less shots per game, the chucking wasn't nearly as bad. Still only 18, imagine what a good NBA player development program/coaching staff can continue to do with that kind of talent.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

The Wizards are not interested in Derik Queen at #6

The Pelicans are at #7

https://www.totalprosports.com/nba/2025-nba-draft-who-could-the-new-orleans-pelicans-target-with-their-no-seven-overall-pick/

The Trailblazers have #11. They worked out Queen Friday

https://therookiewire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/rookie/2025/06/14/maryland-derik-queen-nba-draft-workout-trail-blazers/84204528007/

Chicago has an interest in Queen at #12

https://sports.yahoo.com/article/bulls-rumors-derik-queen-buzz-155547676.html

“Queen has been linked the most to the Chicago Bulls with the 12th pick, yet league sources indicate that the Bulls are still evaluating a few other names in this spot to provide more athleticism and length to their roster.”

“Egor Demin, Carter Bryant, and Asa Newell are three players who have also come up in conversations about the Bulls,” Siegel added

I doubt Queen falls lower than #12, but this is a wide-open draft.

You know how I feel about Derik Queen.

[dobrojim]

Maybe the highlights/scouting vids only show the
makes, but he (Ace) and Tre seem similar in that when they
shoot, you expect a make.

[The Consiglieri]

Fck!!!!!!!! Draft day needs to come, like, tomorrow!!!!!!!

Yeah, I'm sick of all the speculation.

It can't be over soon enough.

Unless it's a disappointing let down.

[9 and 20]

Can't remember when or where but I suggested a trade of our two first round picks for Utah's two first round picks. We move up one spot for Ace, move down a few spots for the later first round pick.

Utah gets something in exchange for not drafting Ace, who they don't want and who doesn't want them, but they also don't lose out on who they actually want, while moving up a handful of spots later in the first.

Still think that makes sense. Hopefully the trade is with them and not with Philly - I'd rather not give up 18 in a trade for Ace and moving up to 3 would require that. Not really sure who fits in Philly though - maybe Kon? I'm sure Philly wants us or Brooklyn to go all in on a trade with them.

Maxey
McCain
Kon
PG?
Embiid

Not a great team, even in the East, unless Embiid can roll back the clock and wear and tear on his body.

[JAR69]

In addition to Ace's talent and ceiling (both of which I buy), I love the attitude. He thinks he can be a franchise savior. He wants the last shot, is certain he can hit it. We haven't had that kind of swagger in a long time. Hopefully it's justified, if we can get him.

[tontoz]

Maybe the highlights/scouting vids only show the
makes, but he and Tre seem similar in that when they
shoot, you expect a make.

Right now Tre is a much better shooter than Ace.

The thing I liked most about Ace was his motor on defense. He is a high energy guy. There were several times when guys thought they had an open 3 but Ace covered a lot of ground to get the block. I am sure there were guys who were like wtf after getting blocked.

If he made a mistake on D it was generally just lack of awareness, not effort. He was very vocal on D as well

[AFM]

Tre is an elite shooter. Ace looks like one because he shoots like Kobe with one leg kicking out, fade away, with a defenders hand in his face. And if you’re watching highlights you’re watching that shot go in.
That being said, I would still take him at 6 if he falls.

[closg00]

PG? Y’all still sleeping on Bub. But I’ll let his future play speak for him.

Nah, not sleeping on Bub as a useful guard, but you have to be honest about his strengths and weaknesses, and what kind of game he has, even if he improves in all aspects of his current style of play.

[Dat2U]

Am I crazy to think Noah Penda has O.G. Anunoby upside?

I still love the 3-level scoring potential of Will Riley.

Danny Wolf is so unique offensively. I can't help but think he'll carve out a nice role when you consider his +rebounding & respectable effort defensively.

Those are my 3 favs at 18 unless Queen falls. I would even consider a slight trade up fro Queen if he does fall into the mid-1st range using future 2nds.

[NatP4]

Am I crazy to think Noah Penda has O.G. Anunoby upside?

I still love the 3-level scoring potential of Will Riley.

Danny Wolf is so unique offensively. I can't help but think he'll carve out a nice role when you consider his +rebounding & respectable effort defensively.

Those are my 3 favs at 18 unless Queen falls. I would even consider a slight trade up fro Queen if he does fall into the mid-1st range using future 2nds.

Vecenie has Penda at 15

[Dat2U]

At 6, my first preference is to trade up. Harper seems unlikely but I would be open to trading up for VJ who's 3rd on my board. I would be more willing to take on PG's contract than give up any major assets.

Outside of that I hope Tre falls but its beginning to sound like he does not get past Utah.

If Tre is gone, then its Ace. As I mentioned a while back, his background check and feedback from his former teammates and coaches would matter alot to me. If it came back ok, I would be ok with taking the risk, unless a good offer came along.

If Ace & Tre are gone, I'd Iisten to all trade down scenarios. It comes down between a choice of Fears or Queen for me if we stay at 6. I lean Fears because I think he's the safer choice although trading down and getting Queen may be the preferrable option.

[AFM]

If we walk away with Bailey and Queen I will honestly go super saiyan mode

[nate33]

I still love the 3-level scoring potential of Will Riley.

The numbers are not very optimistic on Riley. He has a bad 2P%, 3P% and FT%. He is a mediocre rebounder. His stocks are awful. He has a terrible lane agility and vertical leap. And his wingspan is an inch shorter than his height.

[NatP4]

I really dont see it with Bailey other than the age. Flagg, Tre, VJ, and Fears are clearly the maniacal workers in the top 5, with Bailey being the all hat, no cattle prospect.
If Bailey slips to us, auction that pick off and move on. Send 6 + 40 to the Nets for 8, 19, 36
Essengue/Fears at 8
Sorber/Coward/Fleming/Traore/Wolf/Beringer with 18 & 19
Broome/Penda/Kam Jones/Powell/Gonzalez/Thiero/Toohey at 36.

It’s a coin flip for me. If Bailey really does want to land in Washington, it’s nothing but good for us. Pick him or leverage the increased value of the pick with him on the board.

NOP&BKN both now have multiple 1sts to try and pry away in a trade down. The board from 6-30 is loaded with good players. I still think CMB is a better prospect than Bailey.

HAVE to do their due diligence with the research/interview process if they want to pick him. Get some answers on the self-awareness/work ethic stuff. He seems like a very likeable&motivated kid.

Personally, I’d have Ace at a 50% Rui Hachimura outcome(check his freshman Gonzaga stats), 30% chance at a Rudy Gay/MPJR/Wiggins, 20% chance at a Tatum/impact player outcome.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Where there's smoke...

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[SUPERBALLMAN]

NBA Draft expert dissects Wizards' options in 2025 class | Monumental Sports Network

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[The Consiglieri]

Maybe the highlights/scouting vids only show the
makes, but he and Tre seem similar in that when they
shoot, you expect a make.

Right now Tre is a much better shooter than Ace.

The thing I liked most about Ace was his motor on defense. He is a high energy guy. There were several times when guys thought they had an open 3 but Ace covered a lot of ground to get the block. I am sure there were guys who were like wtf after getting blocked.

If he made a mistake on D it was generally just lack of awareness, not effort. He was very vocal on D as well

I wish there was a way to see the high school #'s, but the fact that Ace Bailey was nearly always the #2 ranked recruit in the class over Harper, Edgecombe and Tre (generally those were 3 of the top 5 guys on most lists) makes me tend to think that one season of college basketball might make him look like a worse shooter than he actually is. I don't know.

Some interesting notes from high school:
*Gatorade Player of the year
*Rivals #2 ranked recruit (ranked #2 by pretty much everyone)
*33.4-15.5-3.9 and 2.1 blocks per game his senior year.
*Maintained a 3.00+ GPA
*McDonalds All America/Nike Summit Team
*Jordan Brand Classic Squad (what's that?)
*Volunteered with an Elementary School Literacy Program, at the Food Bank, and as a Youth Camp Basketball Camp Counselor

I'm not fixated on him or anything, I just happen to think there's good evidence that his High School CV should be looked at a bit more closely. It looks damn good, and with the college season for Rutgers basically all of 4 months long, and his high school career, 4 YEARS long, I like to pay some degree of attention to that too (and ftr, Queen was very, very highly ranked as a recruit too, so as a Queen doubter, I have to acknowledge that. He was typically in that 5-8 area in the recruiting wars, and I would guess from memory, his ADP so to speak amongst recruiting websites was probably 6th overall).

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Maybe the highlights/scouting vids only show the
makes, but he and Tre seem similar in that when they
shoot, you expect a make.

Right now Tre is a much better shooter than Ace.

The thing I liked most about Ace was his motor on defense. He is a high energy guy. There were several times when guys thought they had an open 3 but Ace covered a lot of ground to get the block. I am sure there were guys who were like wtf after getting blocked.

If he made a mistake on D it was generally just lack of awareness, not effort. He was very vocal on D as well

I wish there was a way to see the high school #'s, but the fact that Ace Bailey was nearly always the #2 ranked recruit in the class over Harper, Edgecombe and Tre (generally those were 3 of the top 5 guys on most lists) makes me tend to think that one season of college basketball might make him look like a worse shooter than he actually is. I don't know.

Some interesting notes from high school:
*Gatorade Player of the year
*Rivals #2 ranked recruit (ranked #2 by pretty much everyone)
*33.4-15.5-3.9 and 2.1 blocks per game his senior year.
*Maintained a 3.00+ GPA
*McDonalds All America/Nike Summit Team
*Jordan Brand Classic Squad (what's that?)
*Volunteered with an Elementary School Literacy Program, at the Food Bank, and as a Youth Camp Basketball Camp Counselor

I'm not fixated on him or anything, I just happen to think there's good evidence that his High School CV should be looked at a bit more closely. It looks damn good, and with the college season for Rutgers basically all of 4 months long, and his high school career, 4 YEARS long, I like to pay some degree of attention to that too (and ftr, Queen was very, very highly ranked as a recruit too, so as a Queen doubter, I have to acknowledge that. He was typically in that 5-8 area in the recruiting wars, and I would guess from memory, his ADP so to speak amongst recruiting websites was probably 6th overall).

High School Ace...

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