2025 Draft Thread - Part 3

[WizarDynasty]

If somehow they managed to get Bailey and Queen out of this draft, after getting screwed by the basketball gods, I would bow to the throne of Dawkins.

Who would not be happy getting two top 10 talents in the same draft. Just shows the other GM's in the league are horrible. Guess it would be similar to Pippen and Grant in the chicago draft in the 1987 draft. Formed their dynasty after they had Jordan as their engine.

[The Consiglieri]

Interesting note that I haven't seen mentioned in here from the athletic:

".....A team source said the Wizards’ draft board is similar to Vecenie’s. In Vecenie’s third tier of “high-leverage starters,” he has identified four players: Duke wing Kon Knueppel, Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe, Texas wing Tre Johnson and Rutgers wing Ace Bailey.

In their third tier, the source said, the Wizards likely have six players, listed here in alphabetical order: Bailey, Edgecombe, Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears, Johnson, Knueppel and Duke big man Khaman Maluach....."


Pretty awesome article if you have a sub.....:

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6430577/2025/06/17/washington-wizards-rebuild-strategy/

[doclinkin]

Stein says Maluach has visited us. And the Jazz shortly.

Also developing is what I’m calling The Center Vortex at the back end of the lottery. Beginning with New Orleans at No. 7, there are plenty of teams that have been linked to centers. The top-rated prospect, Maluach, has visited with the Pelicans, Wizards and Hawks, sources say. The Duke product is also expected to meet with the Jazz before next Wednesday’s Round 1. Does that mean Maluach can go as high as No. 5? The mere question has only added to the skepticism that he will make it to the Raptors at No. 9. 20

Adding another way Ace could slip to us. Or if not, we go large and get the Watchman.

[dckingsfan]

How is this guy not a 1st round pick?

Yeah, I don't think he falls to 40 and I don't think he gets picked earlier than say 26.

If you believe he is your guy, then you trade down with Brooklyn or OKC or...

[Rafael122]

I realize local Wizards beat coverage has always been terrible, but Troy Haliburton mentioned Johnson and Fears have already come in. Stein says Maluach came in, yet nothing being reported locally. Just odd.

[closg00]

Stein says Maluach has visited us. And the Jazz shortly.

Also developing is what I’m calling The Center Vortex at the back end of the lottery. Beginning with New Orleans at No. 7, there are plenty of teams that have been linked to centers. The top-rated prospect, Maluach, has visited with the Pelicans, Wizards and Hawks, sources say. The Duke product is also expected to meet with the Jazz before next Wednesday’s Round 1. Does that mean Maluach can go as high as No. 5? The mere question has only added to the skepticism that he will make it to the Raptors at No. 9. 20

Adding another way Ace could slip to us. Or if not, we go large and get the Watchman.

I wouldn’t be shocked to see Charlotte take the Big man.

[NatP4]

How is this guy not a 1st round pick?

Yeah, I don't think he falls to 40 and I don't think he gets picked earlier than say 26.

If you believe he is your guy, then you trade down with Brooklyn or OKC or...

Yeah, trade down with Brooklyn for 8&26.
8: CMB
18: Richardson/Traore (torn between the two)
26: Toohey

[pcbothwel]

How is this guy not a 1st round pick?

Yeah, I don't think he falls to 40 and I don't think he gets picked earlier than say 26.

If you believe he is your guy, then you trade down with Brooklyn or OKC or...

Yeah, trade down with Brooklyn for 8&26.
8: CMB
18: Richardson/Traore (torn between the two)
26: Toohey

For us... Traore.
Richardson is a high IQ player that will be a solid bench piece for a contender, but he doesn't have the vision, athleticism, size, or creativity to be more than that and we need to take bigger swings.
Poole, Jared Butler, Monk, Rozier, etc Solid players that will play for a decade, but just arent worth a pick in the top 20 to a rebuilding team.

[Gig18]

Could be the Gen X in me, but I can't help but see Rod Strickland in Fears. A point guard that just controls the flow of the game, disrupts and collapses the defense, and creates buckets for his guys. After the lottery travesty, I'd be happy to have him. Don't quote me on this if AJ Johnson becomes Westbrook though, or if Bub becomes Derrick White.

And like Strickland, Fears just cannot be kept out of the lane.

[AFM]

Strickland was one of the biggest packages of empty stats that I can remember. Numbers looked like impact, but rarely were. Normally I like high assist, reasonably efficient guards with size but he was an exception.

Sorry you didn't like him, but he was still a terrific player. & there are literally no such things as "empty stats." Period. It's a make-believe idea.

Team wins are directly correlated to team stats. Teams with better stats win more games. But team stats are nothing but individual player stats added up.

If player A puts up better stats than usual in a game, he helps us have a better chance to win that game. Period. "Empty stats" are a myth.

Str


Strickland had one or two years where he approached .50 percent shooting but his max volume ever was 1,400. Nothing close to being an engine. He was never efficient when volume increased except for one year in portland where he dropped 1,400 points at .48 Percent. It pretty much goes down hill from there.

Thoughts on ace bailey?

[closg00]

Could be the Gen X in me, but I can't help but see Rod Strickland in Fears. A point guard that just controls the flow of the game, disrupts and collapses the defense, and creates buckets for his guys. After the lottery travesty, I'd be happy to have him. Don't quote me on this if AJ Johnson becomes Westbrook though, or if Bub becomes Derrick White.

My gut is saying go with Fears? I like his personality/temperament > Ace (not knocking his potential) The PG position is the most important to secure for a team, preferably a Star PG.
https://www.paraballnotes.com/blog/what-is-the-most-important-position-in-basketball

[WizarDynasty]

Sorry you didn't like him, but he was still a terrific player. & there are literally no such things as "empty stats." Period. It's a make-believe idea.

Team wins are directly correlated to team stats. Teams with better stats win more games. But team stats are nothing but individual player stats added up.

If player A puts up better stats than usual in a game, he helps us have a better chance to win that game. Period. "Empty stats" are a myth.

Str


Strickland had one or two years where he approached .50 percent shooting but his max volume ever was 1,400. Nothing close to being an engine. He was never efficient when volume increased except for one year in portland where he dropped 1,400 points at .48 Percent. It pretty much goes down hill from there.

Thoughts on ace bailey?

I am cool with Ace if we get him. His 2PT% passes the test for me. I think he fits the wiz better than any other g/f. Queen would be my selection after him.

[nate33]

Could be the Gen X in me, but I can't help but see Rod Strickland in Fears. A point guard that just controls the flow of the game, disrupts and collapses the defense, and creates buckets for his guys. After the lottery travesty, I'd be happy to have him. Don't quote me on this if AJ Johnson becomes Westbrook though, or if Bub becomes Derrick White.

My gut is saying go with Fears? I like his personality/temperament > Ace (not knocking his potential) The PG position is the most important to secure for a team, preferably a Star PG.
https://www.paraballnotes.com/blog/what-is-the-most-important-position-in-basketball

I’d apply Doc’s strategic tanking philosophy here. Acquire the primary scorers and defenders at the wing and big positions first, while intentionally leaving a hole at PG to make sure nobody maximizes their talent just yet, to ensure the tank. THEN, we acquire the game manager PG who can put all the pieces together.

I think it’s also relevant the Fears looks like he has a fundamental flaw in that he is too small. Even if he works out, he will be a Jeff Teague type of player who will be hunted in the playoffs.

I’d rather fill other positions and wait for next year to draft a PG. I’m also willing to see if Bub can evolve into a primary PG. At least he has the size to defend.

[BMagic]

Could be the Gen X in me, but I can't help but see Rod Strickland in Fears. A point guard that just controls the flow of the game, disrupts and collapses the defense, and creates buckets for his guys. After the lottery travesty, I'd be happy to have him. Don't quote me on this if AJ Johnson becomes Westbrook though, or if Bub becomes Derrick White.

My gut is saying go with Fears? I like his personality/temperament > Ace (not knocking his potential) The PG position is the most important to secure for a team, preferably a Star PG.
https://www.paraballnotes.com/blog/what-is-the-most-important-position-in-basketball

Read on Twitter

The hot takes will be flying if the FO were to select Fears with Ace still on the board.

Ace reminds me of Michael Porter Jr. in that he's a tall shooter who doesn't drive all that much, but is a flamethrower when he's on.

One thing I can say is both Fears and Ace have the "dog" in them that I see in Bub and Kyshawn.

Dylan Harper is the guy I coveted as much as Flagg since he's so hyper efficient. I see SGA/Cade all over again with him.

[AFM]

I trust Dawkins as a memeber of his cult, but I would be a little disappointed if he took Fears over Bailey. So what, Bailey would drop to 7? That seems unreal.

[Rafael122]

Yeah if Fears were like 3 inches taller, I'd be fine with it, but the kid is small. My hope is this is a smokescreen whereby the Nets will try and move up and they'll offer up 8 and 19.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Could be the Gen X in me, but I can't help but see Rod Strickland in Fears. A point guard that just controls the flow of the game, disrupts and collapses the defense, and creates buckets for his guys. After the lottery travesty, I'd be happy to have him. Don't quote me on this if AJ Johnson becomes Westbrook though, or if Bub becomes Derrick White.

My gut is saying go with Fears? I like his personality/temperament > Ace (not knocking his potential) The PG position is the most important to secure for a team, preferably a Star PG.
https://www.paraballnotes.com/blog/what-is-the-most-important-position-in-basketball

I’d apply Doc’s strategic tanking philosophy here. Acquire the primary scorers and defenders at the wing and big positions first, while intentionally leaving a hole at PG to make sure nobody maximizes their talent just yet, to ensure the tank. THEN, we acquire the game manager PG who can put all the pieces together.

I think it’s also relevant the Fears looks like he has a fundamental flaw in that he is too small. Even if he works out, he will be a Jeff Teague type of player who will be hunted in the playoffs.

I’d rather fill other positions and wait for next year to draft a PG. I’m also willing to see if Bub can evolve into a primary PG. At least he has the size to defend.

I just don’t get this constant narrative that Fears is too small. Since when is 6’4 too small for a PG? Was John Wall too small? Not to mention he’s 18 and could very well grow another inch.

People still like Jase Richardson and he’s 2 inches shorter and a SG.

[Kanyewest]

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.

Looking at the Maryland Rutgers box score now.

Queen had 29 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block.

Ace Bailey had 4 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals (only 1 personal foul) in 24 minutes. (turns out he was sick)

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/boxscore/_/gameId/401721417

[80sballboy]

Read on Twitter

[DCZards]

I trust Dawkins as a memeber of his cult, but I would be a little disappointed if he took Fears over Bailey. So what, Bailey would drop to 7? That seems unreal.

I've been gradually climbing on to the Fears bandwagon. His handle, speed, and ability to get to the rim are elite. For me, those things trump his size. (He's only 1.5 inches shorter than VJ.)

Fears shot fairly well from the midrange and shot 85% from the FT line. So I think his 3pt shooting might come around.

But I'd also be disappointed if the Zards picked Fears over Bailey.