2025-26 NBA Rookie Discussion Thread

[basketballRob]

Penda looks solid. He can handle the ball well for a 6'8" player. He only got 12 minutes but was +24.

https://youtu.be/DicCtp4U2Bs?si=UwxgLeeYoN6fP0Bp

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I like the way he plays, but what is he eating? He looks out of shape, is he on that Boris Diaw croissant diet? I compared to summer league and he visibly looks fatter/at a too high body fat % now, and this obviously makes him a worse athlete. He looks pretty soft in the u20 FIBA games in 2024 as well, so I just think he has a terrible diet. French are known for a lot of white carbs, so easy to put on weight eating croissant and baguettes all day.

So that's a big question mark for me, coming into your first NBA season overweight is certainly a choice. The talent is there though.

He's only 2 lbs heavier than Collin Murray Boyles, even though he's .75" taller. He's just a naturally big guy, and he bullies people.

https://youtube.com/shorts/Plms6OPiYhE?si=F8C_h7HKVa56X4JT

https://youtube.com/shorts/d7P_o8AWNws?si=NAZL_A9lkpMHOhlW



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[Bornstellar]

Carter Bryant has some serious hops

[Syd-TK3]

Why have the Wizards played 0 preseason games when some teams have played 4?

[MalonesElbows]

Bailey's ability to knock those jumpers down off the dribble is insane for a 19 year old. He does lack the strength to get by NBA defenders and finish strongly at the rim right now.

[bisme37]

Why have the Wizards played 0 preseason games when some teams have played 4?

Teams make their own preseason schedule. They just have to play between 3-6 games at some point between October 2-17.

[MMyhre]

Penda looks solid. He can handle the ball well for a 6'8" player. He only got 12 minutes but was +24.

https://youtu.be/DicCtp4U2Bs?si=UwxgLeeYoN6fP0Bp

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I like the way he plays, but what is he eating? He looks out of shape, is he on that Boris Diaw croissant diet? I compared to summer league and he visibly looks fatter/at a too high body fat % now, and this obviously makes him a worse athlete. He looks pretty soft in the u20 FIBA games in 2024 as well, so I just think he has a terrible diet. French are known for a lot of white carbs, so easy to put on weight eating croissant and baguettes all day.

So that's a big question mark for me, coming into your first NBA season overweight is certainly a choice. The talent is there though.

He's only 2 lbs heavier than Collin Murray Boyles, even though he's .75" taller. He's just a naturally big guy, and he bullies people.

https://youtube.com/shorts/Plms6OPiYhE?si=F8C_h7HKVa56X4JT

https://youtube.com/shorts/d7P_o8AWNws?si=NAZL_A9lkpMHOhlW



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https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2239834996/de/foto/philadelphia-pa-noah-penda-of-the-orlando-magic-shoots-a-three-point-basket-during-the-game.jpg?s=612x612&w=gi&k=20&c=nyYV8dhJ64mPNE6hiCcSCa-QsSt_b_za6YThb-6BHFM=
He is at too high body fat %, he has a little soft belly and some love handles. You can be big, strong and muscular without having unnecessary body fat. He just needs to clean up his diet and count calories.

[Catchall]

I think Bailey is really good, probably the best prospect we have drafted since I have followed the NBA seriously (03-04). Thrilled he dropped, hoping what he is doing now translates, I think a lot of it will.

His efficiency has been surprising. He's currently at 68% FG and 40% 3FG.

[sikma42]

I think Bailey is really good, probably the best prospect we have drafted since I have followed the NBA seriously (03-04). Thrilled he dropped, hoping what he is doing now translates, I think a lot of it will.

Gordan Hayward, Deron Williams?


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[babyjax13]

I think Bailey is really good, probably the best prospect we have drafted since I have followed the NBA seriously (03-04). Thrilled he dropped, hoping what he is doing now translates, I think a lot of it will.

Gordan Hayward, Deron Williams?


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Hayward doesn't belong in a conversation with Bailey/Williams/Mitchell. But yah, I can see an argument for Deron.

[Handlez]

Bailey will have far more opportunity playing for a bad team.

He may get ROY and then everyone will call Cooper a bust.

[amcoolio]

It appears Charlotte is going to start Kalkbrenner at center this season, he is playing well with the first unit

[johannking]

Great elevation on Cooper's middy. Him Bailey can be reliable mid-range options.

[MMyhre]

Bailey will have far more opportunity playing for a bad team.

He may get ROY and then everyone will call Cooper a bust.

Interesting to see Flagg with 4 assists but 5 turnovers, when Russell has 5 assists and 0 turnovers. So they might decide to lose games this season by letting Flagg develop? Or just letting him get experience in preseason? Will be interesting to watch who they run the offense through more.

[MMyhre]

It appears Charlotte is going to start Kalkbrenner at center this season, he is playing well with the first unit

Did not see this coming, we might have another rookie contributing good numbers this season then.

[MMyhre]

So we got some potential steals who were undrafted and very late round guys playing, Taelon Peter popped off for the Pacers, a 6-4 combo guard. And the brother of Andrew Nembhard, Ryan Nembhard had a positive impact in 9 min, a pure point guard type which went undrafted surprisingly.

Taelon Peter shot 45.3 % from three off the bench in college, and may have become underrated because of that bench role. 27 min, 18 pts, 6-11 fg, 4-8 3pt, 2-3 ft, 5 reb 5 ast/1 to, 1 stl +3. The scouting report said his playmaking was questionable, and he delivers 5 assists and 1 turnover in his second game, while still showcasing elite shooter potential, could beat his man off the dribble and create a little bit. Reportedly has a 40 inch vertical, looks like a decent athlete, shot 76 % on 2pters, and you can't even find info on his wingspan because he was so unknown. To me he looks like a same wingspan as his height +/- type of guy, so a poor wingspan but is listed 6-4 at least so okay combo guard. Lower wingspan players typically are better shooters or have an easier time mastering shooting, so that seems to have translated well here. And because he is so athletic he can still get to the rim and finish, and get steals even if his arms aren't long for his size, but he probably will not be an elite disruptor.

He actually produced 10 pts, 4-8 fg, 2-6 3pt, 5 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl, 1 blk, 2 to, -4 in 28 minutes in the first preseason game against the Wolves as well. He had one good game in SLeague but was not as good there as he looks here.

To be fair he has played some minutes against third stringers, but that's where you start. Always interesting to monitor the potential late round or undrafted steals.

Knueppel 1 ast 5 to, 5-11 fg. 12 pts, but had a lot of usage, not the best production.

[basketballRob]

So we got some potential steals who were undrafted and very late round guys playing, Taelon Peter popped off for the Pacers, a 6-4 combo guard. And the brother of Andrew Nembhard, Ryan Nembhard had a positive impact in 9 min, a pure point guard type which went undrafted surprisingly.

Taelon Peter shot 45.3 % from three off the bench in college, and may have become underrated because of that bench role. 27 min, 18 pts, 6-11 fg, 4-8 3pt, 2-3 ft, 5 reb 5 ast/1 to, 1 stl +3. The scouting report said his playmaking was questionable, and he delivers 5 assists and 1 turnover in his second game, while still showcasing elite shooter potential, could beat his man off the dribble and create a little bit. Reportedly has a 40 inch vertical, looks like a decent athlete, shot 76 % on 2pters, and you can't even find info on his wingspan because he was so unknown. To me he looks like a same wingspan as his height +/- type of guy, so a poor wingspan but is listed 6-4 at least so okay combo guard. Lower wingspan players typically are better shooters or have an easier time mastering shooting, so that seems to have translated well here. And because he is so athletic he can still get to the rim and finish, and get steals even if his arms aren't long for his size, but he probably will not be an elite disruptor.

He actually produced 10 pts, 4-8 fg, 2-6 3pt, 5 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl, 1 blk, 2 to, -4 in 28 minutes in the first preseason game against the Wolves as well. He had one good game in SLeague but was not as good there as he looks here.

To be fair he has played some minutes against third stringers, but that's where you start. Always interesting to monitor the potential late round or undrafted steals.

Knueppel 1 ast 5 to, 5-11 fg. 12 pts, but had a lot of usage, not the best production.

I think Nembhard fell because of his measurements. He's 5'11" w/o shoes.

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[UcanUwill]

I think Nembhard fell because of his measurements. He's 5'11" w/o shoes.

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Thats definitely why he was not drafted, but as we already discussed, sometimes teams (and all of us) overthink this. It was clear guy can play basketball.

[MMyhre]

So we got some potential steals who were undrafted and very late round guys playing, Taelon Peter popped off for the Pacers, a 6-4 combo guard. And the brother of Andrew Nembhard, Ryan Nembhard had a positive impact in 9 min, a pure point guard type which went undrafted surprisingly.

Taelon Peter shot 45.3 % from three off the bench in college, and may have become underrated because of that bench role. 27 min, 18 pts, 6-11 fg, 4-8 3pt, 2-3 ft, 5 reb 5 ast/1 to, 1 stl +3. The scouting report said his playmaking was questionable, and he delivers 5 assists and 1 turnover in his second game, while still showcasing elite shooter potential, could beat his man off the dribble and create a little bit. Reportedly has a 40 inch vertical, looks like a decent athlete, shot 76 % on 2pters, and you can't even find info on his wingspan because he was so unknown. To me he looks like a same wingspan as his height +/- type of guy, so a poor wingspan but is listed 6-4 at least so okay combo guard. Lower wingspan players typically are better shooters or have an easier time mastering shooting, so that seems to have translated well here. And because he is so athletic he can still get to the rim and finish, and get steals even if his arms aren't long for his size, but he probably will not be an elite disruptor.

He actually produced 10 pts, 4-8 fg, 2-6 3pt, 5 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl, 1 blk, 2 to, -4 in 28 minutes in the first preseason game against the Wolves as well. He had one good game in SLeague but was not as good there as he looks here.

To be fair he has played some minutes against third stringers, but that's where you start. Always interesting to monitor the potential late round or undrafted steals.

Knueppel 1 ast 5 to, 5-11 fg. 12 pts, but had a lot of usage, not the best production.

I think Nembhard fell because of his measurements. He's 5'11" w/o shoes.

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Wingspan is more important and he has a 6'2.5 one. That plus his playmaking skill, odd decisions. People are just crazy for athleticism and size, almost like this is a skill sport. One of the hardest in the world to master at that..

[MMyhre]

A terrible first half from Tre Johnson, looked scared. Gave the ball to two of the worst offensive players in the NBA in Kyshawn George and Carrington, who of course did nothing of value because they suck. Together they went 1-11 fg and 0-7 from 3pt, Carrington 1 ast - 4 to - 23 in 12 min looks like easily the worst starting pg in the league.

Sarr and the defense looks better, and the veterans can score. It's just not a well organized offense..

[shotsquatch]

I'm not sold on Ace Bailey. I don't trust him to make good decisions when the defense isn't leaving him open. Plus his lack of professionalism during the draft process was a red flag.

He's going to be chucking garbage shots all season on a terrible Jazz team, not a great situation for an offensively talented rookie with maturity issues.

Really smooth jumpshot though, love watching him shoot.