2025 Draft Thread - Part 3

[Gig18]

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.

One other thing to consider with Fears is it's been reported he's a gym rat who works hard. I've also heard that about Knueppel and Maluach. I don't remember reading that about Ace, but don't know for sure.

This from nbadraft.net
Outlook: Described by coaches as a “gym rat” with elite poise and leadership skills … Fears projects as a dynamic scoring guard with combo versatility, high feel, and room to grow into a lead guard role long-term …

[80sballboy]

It would probably take 6, 18, '26 OKC first and probably Bilal to get Harper. Would you do that?

Edit: Mind you, I absolutely hate the basketball fit for Harper in San Antonio. Spurs shouldn't be so closed off on making a move.

If you think he can be a star, you do whatever it takes because we're not going to get "lucky" enough to draft one. I don't know if they'd give up on Bilal, but I'd probably do that.

[AFM]

It would probably take 6, 18, '26 OKC first and probably Bilal to get Harper. Would you do that?

Edit: Mind you, I absolutely hate the basketball fit for Harper in San Antonio. Spurs shouldn't be so closed off on making a move.

Not in a million years.

I'd rather take Ace, keep Bilal, and use 18 + 2nds + Kispert to move up to 12 and take Queen (or insert other board favorite here).

[80sballboy]

Read on Twitter

[Gig18]

It would probably take 6, 18, '26 OKC first and probably Bilal to get Harper. Would you do that?

Edit: Mind you, I absolutely hate the basketball fit for Harper in San Antonio. Spurs shouldn't be so closed off on making a move.

Not in a million years.

I'd rather take Ace, keep Bilal, and use 18 + 2nds + Kispert to move up to 12 and take Queen (or insert other board favorite here).

It's such a hard call. IF you think that Harper, or the guy you think will be picked #2 ABSOLUTELY IS a player who could be a GREAT---not good---player, then yeah. It's so hard to get one. Who was the last one we had? Wall was close. Some people would say Gil, but he was SUCH a knucklehead it blew up. Maybe Webber? But that was nearly 30 years ago. And teams that win it all? they have one of those.
Maybe it's better to sit at six and hope for the best. But...

[Rafael122]

It will never happen, but this is what I would do:

Trade #6, Middleton and Holmes to Philly for #3 and George. This would be a pre-draft trade.

Then trade #3 and what else? to Spurs for the 2nd pick.

[nate33]

Read on Twitter

Translation:
Charlotte doesn’t want to draft Bailey and is trying to entice a team to trade up for him.

[tontoz]

I like Ace but trading up for him is a much tougher call than trading up for Harper. With Harper i would give up whatever but with Ace i would be much more stingy.

[nate33]

I like Ace but trading up for him is a much tougher call than trading up for Harper. With Harper i would give up whatever but with Ace i would be much more stingy.

Absolutely!

I might be talked into trading the 2026 OKC pick, but that’s about as much as I would give.

[AFM]

Giving up Bilal is too much.
I’d be more willing to part with 6 and Carrington.

[nate33]

Giving up Bilal is too much.
I’d be more willing to part with 6 and Carrington.

Me too. The problem is that San Antonio doesn’t need Carrington. They need a defensive wing like Bilal.

Ultimately, I don’t think San Antonio trades the #2. They’ll probably trade Fox eventually. Something like Fox and a pick for Trey Murphy makes a lot of sense.

[tontoz]

My guess is that Philly takes Tre, Hornets take VJ and then we trade something to Utah to prevent someone from jumping in front of us.

[Jay81]

Giving up Bilal is too much.
I’d be more willing to part with 6 and Carrington.

Me too. The problem is that San Antonio doesn’t need Carrington. They need a defensive wing like Bilal.

Ultimately, I don’t think San Antonio trades the #2. They’ll probably trade Fox eventually. Something like Fox and a pick for Trey Murphy makes a lot of sense.

Who are wizards taking if draft is 1 Flagg 2 Harper 3 vj 4 maluch 5 kon

[NatP4]

My guess is that Philly takes Tre, Hornets take VJ and then we trade something to Utah to prevent someone from jumping in front of us.

Yep, I would assume Brooklyn is the biggest threat/fit for Ace.

Philly might be striking out in finding a partner to move down and take Tre if we like Ace at 6, Charlotte likes VJ at 4, Utah would take Tre(probably settle for Kon/Maluach).

NOP probably wants Fears, but now has the ammo with 7&23 to jump us if Ace is willing to go there.

I would NOT give up 6+18 for Ace. No chance. Let BKN or NOP make the gamble of multiple firsts.

[PaulinVA]

Read on Twitter

Translation:
Charlotte doesn’t want to draft Bailey and is trying to entice a team to trade up for him.

How absurd is that the two of the teams holding top 3 picks have no need for a top 3 pick?

[NatP4]

If the board falls like this, who do we take?

Dallas: Flagg
SAS: Harper
Philly: Tre Johnson
Charlotte: Edgecombe
BKN via trade(8+19 for 5): Bailey
Washington ???

I would argue you have to go Knueppel or trade down over Maluach/Fears.

[nate33]

If the board falls like this, who do we take?

Dallas: Flagg
SAS: Harper
Philly: Tre Johnson
Charlotte: Edgecombe
BKN via trade(8+19 for 5): Bailey
Washington ???

I would argue you have to go Knueppel or trade down over Maluach/Fears.

I’d say the board consensus on this question is Fears or Maluach, with a few holdouts for Queen.

[AFM]

Giving up Bilal is too much.
I’d be more willing to part with 6 and Carrington.

Me too. The problem is that San Antonio doesn’t need Carrington. They need a defensive wing like Bilal.

Ultimately, I don’t think San Antonio trades the #2. They’ll probably trade Fox eventually. Something like Fox and a pick for Trey Murphy makes a lot of sense.

Who are wizards taking if draft is 1 Flagg 2 Harper 3 vj 4 maluch 5 kon

Johnson or Fears?

[AFM]

If the board falls like this, who do we take?

Dallas: Flagg
SAS: Harper
Philly: Tre Johnson
Charlotte: Edgecombe
BKN via trade(8+19 for 5): Bailey
Washington ???

I would argue you have to go Knueppel or trade down over Maluach/Fears.

I’d say the board consensus on this question is Fears or Maluach, with a few holdouts for Queen.

I don't even think I would take Queen at 6. Assuming hes slated to go around 12th I'd expect Dawkins to work his magic like he did to get Bilal. But I don't think the Wizards would draft him in any case.

[closg00]

I hope we don't use 6 & 18 to leap Utah, if all else fails, we will draft Fears or Maluach.