NBA Draft Thread 2025

[Upperclass]

The Warriors passing on Tonje and taking Will Richard made zero sense.. He's a starting SG eventually and an immediate bench contributor

Your boy Kon went top 5

Wait till you see what he puts up in summer league..

[knicksfan974]

Why ain't the Knicks trying to trade into this draft ? I find it a bit odd

Stacked roster with championship aspirations. No need for rookies, rather pick up a few vets that fit.

[falcolombardi]

Why ain't the Knicks trying to trade into this draft ? I find it a bit odd

Stacked roster with championship aspirations. No need for rookies, rather pick up a few vets that fit.

Picking up older rookies ready to contribute off the bench for cheap could do a lot for a thin knicks roster

[knicksfan974]

Back-to-back years French picks for the Knicks, Knicks fans in France approve this.

[Optms]

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He looks thrilled to be a raptor

By not smiling, shaking his head and cursing under his breath? Is that what the new kids are doing now to reveal excitement?

[OxAndFox]

LONG NBA Draft Broadcast rant. LOL.

If the NBA doesn't revamp the NBA draft they're missing out on potentially millions of dollars. They can still make it a commercially driven product, but do it so it needs to change to get information correct. Secondly with the broadcast, put the entire draft on. Do it on a Saturday and who cares, start it at 3-4pm and go as late as you want. Between each and every pick should be information about the player and the team they're being drafted to. More information on screen about measurables etc. Have a pre programmed break for ads after every 10 picks. Under no circumstance can a player be selected during an ad break.

Put the NBA draft on after the first 5 days of FA. This is the period where the big names have signed (typically) and you have a lull for a handful of days. Update the team names on the draft boards and then on draft day, stay up to date with the picks on the board so it gets activated as soon as it happens. There is technology that might help you out with this Adam.
So when a team trades a pick the commissioner can say the correct team name and importantly the player is in the team hat they're going to.
Like literally they have dozens of caps, how moronic are they that it's too difficult to keep up and switch a hat out, change the team logo and the already pre scripted video of the team.

Put rules in place that when a team trades players currently under contract they do so with the full knowledge that they waive the medical of said player(s). If they don't like that, then don't trade. In reality most of these trades, like a hugely high percentage have been of just picks and cash. This allow the previous items to happen quicker to become official.

I'm sure I'm not covering everything there, but its not hard to have work arounds. It's completely unacceptable for a multi billion (trillion?) company to have something so embarrassing happen year after year and not fix it.

[azcatz11]

2 way deals:

Caleb Love - Blazers
Chucky Hepburn - Raptors
Eric Dixon - Lakers
Hunter Sallie - 76ers
Mark Sears - Bucks
Vlad Goldin - Heat
Hunter Dickinson - Pelicans
RJ Luis - Jazz
RJ Davis - Lakers
Oumar Ballo - Heat

[doogie_hauser]

https://awfulannouncing.com/nba/kendrick-perkins-bill-simmons-criticize-espn-draft-broadcast.html
Perk throwing the shade at Bill Simmons.

Got to admit I am with BS on the issue of ESPN's NBA Draft coverage.

It was diabolically poor, amateurish and took way too long

[Sealab2024]

https://awfulannouncing.com/nba/kendrick-perkins-bill-simmons-criticize-espn-draft-broadcast.html
Perk throwing the shade at Bill Simmons.

Got to admit I am with BS on the issue of ESPN's NBA Draft coverage.

It was diabolically poor, amateurish and took way too long

ESPN is terrible at seeing the forest through the trees. It's the draft. It isnt for casual fans who will never, ever give a crap about draft prospects so stop trying to make it a presentation based on personalities like you're trying to entertain sitcom fans. I don't care about your banter, I don't wanna hear your social media bait takes, I don't care about the latest gossip, and I'm not trying to hear about back in your day.

Give me 3 people who know the game, the prospects and NBA rosters. Put them on a set that doesn't look like the better part of the budget was laundered into someone's pocket. Use graphics that are prepared beyond basic measurements that expand on what's happening AND TALK ABOUT THE GODDAMN PLAYERS BEING DRAFTED!!!

[Barnzy]

why would lakers not select Raynaud, center is the priority smh

He's literally the opposite of what a Luka C should be. Do people just see highish ranked C and think he's a must draft because they lack a C right now? He is 7'1 with a 7'1 wingspan. His wingspan is actually less than his height so it's a negative wingspan. His vertical is not that good and he's not a great lob threat or leaper.

The C prospects available just weren't a good fit. The wing has better upside with a 41 inch inch and is a good defender. He is probably a better lob threat than any C that was available lol.

C is also the hardest spot to have a positive impact as a rookie. They're the centrepiece of the defense and offense in P&R so any mistakes are amplified. I doubt Reddick would be a rookie C on the floor if he did not play Koloko. They hopefully trade for one and get a vet in FA as backup.

[SkyBill40]

why would lakers not select Raynaud, center is the priority smh

He's literally the opposite of what a Luka C should be. Do people just see highish ranked C and think he's a must draft because they lack a C right now? He is 7'1 with a 7'1 wingspan. His wingspan is actually less than his height so it's a negative wingspan. His vertical is not that good and he's not a great lob threat or leaper.

The C prospects available just weren't a good fit. The wing has better upside with a 41 inch inch and is a good defender. He is probably a better lob threat than any C that was available lol.

C is also the hardest spot to have a positive impact as a rookie. They're the centrepiece of the defense and offense in P&R so any mistakes are amplified. I doubt Reddick would be a rookie C on the floor if he did not play Koloko. They hopefully trade for one and get a vet in FA as backup.

Measurements are very often overrated. Living strictly by the numbers or basing someone's effectiveness solely on them is not only shortsighted but often ignorant.

Sent from my SM-F936U using RealGM mobile app

[Sofia]

It's interesting how much of a flop the G-Ignite program was. The last two alums of that program Izan Almansa and Dink Pate went undrafted (both guys are still young). In hindsight, going to college would have helped them more.

Players looking to avoid college should just head down under for the NBL Next Stars program

2020 NBA Draft
• LaMelo Ball – Pick 3 (Charlotte Hornets)
• RJ Hampton – Pick 24 (Milwaukee Bucks; traded to Nuggets)

2021 NBA Draft
• Josh Giddey – Pick 6 (Oklahoma City Thunder)

2022 NBA Draft
• Ousmane Dieng – Pick 11 (New York Knicks; traded to Oklahoma City Thunder)

2023 NBA Draft
• Rayan Rupert – Pick 43 (Portland Trail Blazers)

2024 NBA Draft
• Alex Sarr – Pick 2 (Washington Wizards)
• AJ Johnson – Pick 23 (Portland Trail Blazers)
• Bobi Klintman – Pick 37 (Minnesota Timberwolves)
• Ariel Hukporti – Pick 58 (New York Knicks)

2025 NBA Draft
• Rocco Zikarsky – Pick 45 (Minnesota Timberwolves)
• Alex Toohey – Pick 52 (Golden State Warriors)

2026 Mocks:
#6 Dash Daniels
#8 Karim Lopez

[Barnzy]

raynaud is one of the most athletic centers in the draft and can catch lob and we choose a wing....

He's not that athletic.

[MrTribbiani]

It's interesting how much of a flop the G-Ignite program was. The last two alums of that program Izan Almansa and Dink Pate went undrafted (both guys are still young). In hindsight, going to college would have helped them more.

Players looking to avoid college should just head down under for the NBL Next Stars program

2020 NBA Draft
• LaMelo Ball – Pick 3 (Charlotte Hornets)
• RJ Hampton – Pick 24 (Milwaukee Bucks; traded to Nuggets)

2021 NBA Draft
• Josh Giddey – Pick 6 (Oklahoma City Thunder)

2022 NBA Draft
• Ousmane Dieng – Pick 11 (New York Knicks; traded to Oklahoma City Thunder)

2023 NBA Draft
• Rayan Rupert – Pick 43 (Portland Trail Blazers)

2024 NBA Draft
• Alex Sarr – Pick 2 (Washington Wizards)
• AJ Johnson – Pick 23 (Portland Trail Blazers)
• Bobi Klintman – Pick 37 (Minnesota Timberwolves)
• Ariel Hukporti – Pick 58 (New York Knicks)

2025 NBA Draft
• Rocco Zikarsky – Pick 45 (Minnesota Timberwolves)
• Alex Toohey – Pick 52 (Golden State Warriors)

2026 Mocks:
#6 Dash Daniels
#8 Karim Lopez

The NBL appears to be a very solid league in terms of getting players drafted.

[Sofia]

It's interesting how much of a flop the G-Ignite program was. The last two alums of that program Izan Almansa and Dink Pate went undrafted (both guys are still young). In hindsight, going to college would have helped them more.

Players looking to avoid college should just head down under for the NBL Next Stars program

2020 NBA Draft
• LaMelo Ball – Pick 3 (Charlotte Hornets)
• RJ Hampton – Pick 24 (Milwaukee Bucks; traded to Nuggets)

2021 NBA Draft
• Josh Giddey – Pick 6 (Oklahoma City Thunder)

2022 NBA Draft
• Ousmane Dieng – Pick 11 (New York Knicks; traded to Oklahoma City Thunder)

2023 NBA Draft
• Rayan Rupert – Pick 43 (Portland Trail Blazers)

2024 NBA Draft
• Alex Sarr – Pick 2 (Washington Wizards)
• AJ Johnson – Pick 23 (Portland Trail Blazers)
• Bobi Klintman – Pick 37 (Minnesota Timberwolves)
• Ariel Hukporti – Pick 58 (New York Knicks)

2025 NBA Draft
• Rocco Zikarsky – Pick 45 (Minnesota Timberwolves)
• Alex Toohey – Pick 52 (Golden State Warriors)

2026 Mocks:
#6 Dash Daniels
#8 Karim Lopez

The NBL appears to be a very solid league in terms of getting players drafted.

Excludes Olbrich too because he wasn’t a Next Star.

Also goes back to the likes of Joe Ingles, Mitch Creek, Jack McVie, and Xavier Cokes uh I mean Cooks

[OxAndFox]

I wonder how much Bogut had to do with Warriors landing on Toohey. He did seem to play well at the Combine, however Bogues does still keep in contact with the Warriors.

[Sofia]

I wonder how much Bogut had to do with Warriors landing on Toohey. He did seem to play well at the Combine, however Bogues does still keep in contact with the Warriors.

**** Bogut.

[OxAndFox]

I wonder how much Bogut had to do with Warriors landing on Toohey. He did seem to play well at the Combine, however Bogues does still keep in contact with the Warriors.

**** Bogut.

I think your keyboard is broken. It keeps on typing asterisk instead of the first name.

[scrabbarista]

Bro.

I just watched the Yang Hansen highlights, and there's zero question why someone would take him that high.

I apologize, Hansen. I was not familiar with your game.

[MagicMamba88]

Adou Thiero

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