2025 NBA Draft Thread, part 1 – Capture the Flagg

[165bows]

Comparing a bunch of the big men that are near the Celtics draft range.

https://tankathon.com/players/compare?players=alex-condon--rasheer-fleming--ryan-kalkbrenner--yaxel-lendeborg--maxime-raynaud--danny-wolf

They don’t have Victor Lakhin as an option but he’s pretty favorable compared to these guys.

[Gant]

Bub Carrington just hit a game winner for Washington with no time left, giving the Wizards a win over Miami and a better record than the Jazz. Barring a miracle in the Minny/Utah game, the Celtics will get the 32nd pick, not the 31st.

Heat culture has failed.

[phincsfan]

Bub Carrington just hit a game winner for Washington with no time left, giving the Wizards a win over Miami and a better record than the Jazz. Barring a miracle in the Minny/Utah game, the Celtics will get the 32nd pick, not the 31st.

Heat culture has failed.

If they finished tied for the worst record wouldn't it have been a coin flip?

I like even numbers anyway.

[phincsfan]

I'm done with the tanking BS.

Give the bottom 14 teams a 6% chance each of getting the #1 pick and give the other 16 teams a 1% chance of getting it.

No backroom shenanigans, have the lottery ping pong televised live.

[Gant]

Bub Carrington just hit a game winner for Washington with no time left, giving the Wizards a win over Miami and a better record than the Jazz. Barring a miracle in the Minny/Utah game, the Celtics will get the 32nd pick, not the 31st.

Heat culture has failed.

If they finished tied for the worst record wouldn't it have been a coin flip?

I like even numbers anyway.

Yes, it'd be a coin flip if Utah somehow wins today against the Wolves.

[redslastlaugh]

Heat with an embarrassing display today. Heat were up 4 with 9 seconds to go. They give up a quick 3, they immediately commit a backcourt violation to turn it over, and then Carrington hits the walkoff runner. lol, Heat, what you good for????

Okay, and now Utah is going down to Minny. Jazz down 18 with 5 minutes left. So safe to say, the dream of #31 pick is lost. But, on the plus side, #32 pick is very strong.

I looked up the history of the #32 pick to see what great players were selected there. And surprisingly the pickings were very slim, #32 has rarely resulted in a productive pro.
https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/32nd-overall-draft-picks-nba

Ivica Zubac probably the best #32 pick of the 21st century. Have to go back to Rashard Lewis in 1998 to find an AllStar selected with the 32nd pick. Still... Great GM work by Brad to get us this #32 pick which is functionally a late first with better contract terms. Great work Brad Stevens!

So, it's settled. We are going into the draft with #28 + #32 picks.

Bub Carrington just hit a game winner for Washington with no time left, giving the Wizards a win over Miami and a better record than the Jazz. Barring a miracle in the Minny/Utah game, the Celtics will get the 32nd pick, not the 31st.

Heat culture has failed.

[Hal14]

Lakhin is kind of interesting. But he's really old..23.8 yrs old on draft day. Very low hit rate for bigs who are that old.

And not sure how much we can buy the shooting. Shot 37.5% from 3 this season but on low volume (under 2 attempts/game) and had low FT%. For his career, just 31% from 3, 1.0 attempts per game and 59% FT. Which are poor numbers.

If he gets drafted, I would think it'd be a late 2nd round pick at the highest.

The combination of size, rim protection, shooting potential and rebounding could be enough to get him draft, idk..

But likely not a guy we would be targeting in the late 1st/early 2nd round.

Will be interesting to see if soon we start hearing about guys like Broome, Fleming, Lendeborg, Markovic, Raynaud, Wolf, etc. (maybe Sorber?) being brought in for workouts with the C's..

[Hal14]

For the first time this draft I have a leader for our Pick at 28.. D Wolf. I want a 7fter with skills. Think his creativity would make the team flow so well together. Think about Rico's playmaking combined with a 7fter that probably knows how to exploit mismatches. How many 7fters can create?

Ball movement is and always will be my favorite type of offense. Feel the ball becomes less stagnant with players like Wolf. Think Kornet with greater versatility.

His defense seems similar to the other Big options around our pick so no advantage or disadvantage.

Wolf also easily has a better Ceiling and possible floor to Kornet in skill abilities and far better "feel for the game" in Queta. Tillman is already washed, and Al is of course older than our coach.

My only question is, will we need to trade up for him? Probably. How high?? I don't know. But easily would like to offer 28+31 at this point. 2 young players will not crack our rotation, maybe for years. Wolf can and wood. IMO.

I reserve the right to change my mind since many more prospects I need to actually look at.

* However, one knock I find is he doesn't really look 7ft tall. And though I find wingspan overrated, not so much for my Big men. Feel for the game is Bigtime IMO.

Yeah, some sites list him at 6'10" or 6'11". I'm not sure he's really 7 feet either. We'll find out for sure after the draft combine, assuming he declares for the draft and stays in it..

[165bows]

Lakhin is kind of interesting. But he's really old..23.8 yrs old on draft day. Very low hit rate for bigs who are that old.

And not sure how much we can buy the shooting. Shot 37.5% from 3 this season but on low volume (under 2 attempts/game) and had low FT%. For his career, just 31% from 3, 1.0 attempts per game and 59% FT. Which are poor numbers.

If he gets drafted, I would think it'd be a late 2nd round pick at the highest.

The combination of size, rim protection, shooting potential and rebounding could be enough to get him draft, idk..

But likely not a guy we would be targeting in the late 1st/early 2nd round.

Will be interesting to see if soon we start hearing about guys like Broome, Fleming, Lendeborg, Markovic, Raynaud, Wolf, etc. (maybe Sorber?) being brought in for workouts with the C's..

Other thing on top of the $ considerations for the Celtics is they have to find guys that are willing to be developed, ie not necessarily get much playing time outside of a G league environment for awhile.

[playa-hater]

For the first time this draft I have a leader for our Pick at 28.. D Wolf. I want a 7fter with skills. Think his creativity would make the team flow so well together. Think about Rico's playmaking combined with a 7fter that probably knows how to exploit mismatches. How many 7fters can create?

Ball movement is and always will be my favorite type of offense. Feel the ball becomes less stagnant with players like Wolf. Think Kornet with greater versatility.

His defense seems similar to the other Big options around our pick so no advantage or disadvantage.

Wolf also easily has a better Ceiling and possible floor to Kornet in skill abilities and far better "feel for the game" in Queta. Tillman is already washed, and Al is of course older than our coach.

My only question is, will we need to trade up for him? Probably. How high?? I don't know. But easily would like to offer 28+31 at this point. 2 young players will not crack our rotation, maybe for years. Wolf can and wood. IMO.

I reserve the right to change my mind since many more prospects I need to actually look at.

* However, one knock I find is he doesn't really look 7ft tall. And though I find wingspan overrated, not so much for my Big men. Feel for the game is Bigtime IMO.

Yeah, some sites list him at 6'10" or 6'11". I'm not sure he's really 7 feet either. We'll find out for sure after the draft combine, assuming he declares for the draft and stays in it..

He would definitely lose some value in my eyes if it turns out He is nowhere near seven foot. I don't mind undersized like robert williams, who clearly made up for his size with so many other good attributes,

[djFan71]

New Ersin big board: https://edemirnba.substack.com/p/2025-nba-draft-big-board-40

[djFan71]

I really hop it doesn't go like that, lol. We'd miss all the bigs. But if it did we could end up with a few of Penda, Hugo, Sion, Darrion, Byrd or Condon (not on his board).

EDIT: just noticed no Wolf on there either. Interesting.

[redslastlaugh]

New Ersin big board: https://edemirnba.substack.com/p/2025-nba-draft-big-board-40

Thanks!

[Hal14]

I really hop it doesn't go like that, lol. We'd miss all the bigs. But if it did we could end up with a few of Penda, Hugo, Sion, Darrion, Byrd or Condon (not on his board).

EDIT: just noticed no Wolf on there either. Interesting.

Yeah..no Wolf or Condon in the top 60..but he's got Hicks, Austin, Coward, Degenhert and Diawara top 60, Stojakovic and De Lerrea in the 1st round is well...interesting.

Some of the opinions vary quite a bit which is one of the reasons why draft evaluations are so fun

[Hal14]

If this guy somehow falls to our pick..I'd be very tempted to take him, even though I think we have a greater need for a PF/C type.

Read on Twitter

He's clearly a top 20 prospect in this draft imo with even a case as a tip 15 prospect.

I just don't know if we really need another wing though and not sure he'd get the chance to play much.

But he just turned 19. So he's young..maybe a guy where you're patient and play him in Maine Year 1.

Then starts getting mins in year 2..consistent rotation guy by year 3.

Sure, it hasn't worked out great drafting wings who are really young (Begarin, Walsh) but Riley is a bit different since he's a better shooter.

Riley's upside is very enticing, though. The upside is a 6'8.5" wing who can handle the ball, create off the dribble, drive it to the basket, shoot the 3, run PnR. Off ball can make timely cuts and hit open 3's. On ball gets you another ball handler, creator, shooter, playmaker. And the hope is he eventually can be a neutral (or possibly even slightly better than neutral) defender.

Think we should try and target a PF/C type. But if Riley falls, it's tempting..

[Bill Lumbergh]

I kind of like Haugh around where we're picking. I'd like Raynaud even more, but he might be gone by the time we pick. Not interested in Condon at all (the kid at Utility Sports mocked him to us.) How far up do you think 28 and 32 can get us? Maybe 23ish?

[djFan71]

If this guy somehow falls to our pick..I'd be very tempted to take him, even though I think we have a greater need for a PF/C type.

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

He's clearly a top 20 prospect in this draft imo with even a case as a tip 15 prospect.

I just don't know if we really need another wing though and not sure he'd get the chance to play much.

But he just turned 19. So he's young..maybe a guy where you're patient and play him in Maine Year 1.

Then starts getting mins in year 2..consistent rotation guy by year 3.

Sure, it hasn't worked out great drafting wings who are really young (Begarin, Walsh) but Riley is a bit different since he's a better shooter.

Riley's upside is very enticing, though. The upside is a 6'8.5" wing who can handle the ball, create off the dribble, drive it to the basket, shoot the 3, run PnR. Off ball can make timely cuts and hit open 3's. On ball gets you another ball handler, creator, shooter, playmaker. And the hope is he eventually can be a neutral (or possibly even slightly better than neutral) defender.

Think we should try and target a PF/C type. But if Riley falls, it's tempting..

Agree with all that / thought process and everything. Super tempting, but where/when does he play? You're probably a year or so out from him being ready anyways. Of if a Jrue/JB trade opens time, etc. If he somehow lasts past all the bigs, I'd take him, but I doubt he does.

[Hal14]

If this guy somehow falls to our pick..I'd be very tempted to take him, even though I think we have a greater need for a PF/C type.

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

He's clearly a top 20 prospect in this draft imo with even a case as a tip 15 prospect.

I just don't know if we really need another wing though and not sure he'd get the chance to play much.

But he just turned 19. So he's young..maybe a guy where you're patient and play him in Maine Year 1.

Then starts getting mins in year 2..consistent rotation guy by year 3.

Sure, it hasn't worked out great drafting wings who are really young (Begarin, Walsh) but Riley is a bit different since he's a better shooter.

Riley's upside is very enticing, though. The upside is a 6'8.5" wing who can handle the ball, create off the dribble, drive it to the basket, shoot the 3, run PnR. Off ball can make timely cuts and hit open 3's. On ball gets you another ball handler, creator, shooter, playmaker. And the hope is he eventually can be a neutral (or possibly even slightly better than neutral) defender.

Think we should try and target a PF/C type. But if Riley falls, it's tempting..

Agree with all that / thought process and everything. Super tempting, but where/when does he play? You're probably a year or so out from him being ready anyways. Of if a Jrue/JB trade opens time, etc. If he somehow lasts past all the bigs, I'd take him, but I doubt he does.

Yeah I think it's possible that by year 2 (26-27 season) some combination of Jrue/JB/Hauser might be gone..Craig will likely be gone by then. Walsh certainly could be gone by then. So maybe in year 2 he's like the 2nd wing off the bench and then by year 3 maybe he's the 1st wing off the bench (think eventually he could pass Scheierman on the depth chart - if he's even still here at that point. A lot could change with the roster 2-4 yrs from now.

With that being said, I think Riley is probably gone by the 25th pick at the latest.

And we probably trade 1 of our 2 picks..and just use 1 pick to grab a PF/C type..

[djFan71]

If this guy somehow falls to our pick..I'd be very tempted to take him, even though I think we have a greater need for a PF/C type.

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

He's clearly a top 20 prospect in this draft imo with even a case as a tip 15 prospect.

I just don't know if we really need another wing though and not sure he'd get the chance to play much.

But he just turned 19. So he's young..maybe a guy where you're patient and play him in Maine Year 1.

Then starts getting mins in year 2..consistent rotation guy by year 3.

Sure, it hasn't worked out great drafting wings who are really young (Begarin, Walsh) but Riley is a bit different since he's a better shooter.

Riley's upside is very enticing, though. The upside is a 6'8.5" wing who can handle the ball, create off the dribble, drive it to the basket, shoot the 3, run PnR. Off ball can make timely cuts and hit open 3's. On ball gets you another ball handler, creator, shooter, playmaker. And the hope is he eventually can be a neutral (or possibly even slightly better than neutral) defender.

Think we should try and target a PF/C type. But if Riley falls, it's tempting..

Agree with all that / thought process and everything. Super tempting, but where/when does he play? You're probably a year or so out from him being ready anyways. Of if a Jrue/JB trade opens time, etc. If he somehow lasts past all the bigs, I'd take him, but I doubt he does.

Yeah I think it's possible that by year 2 (26-27 season) some combination of Jrue/JB/Hauser might be gone..Craig will likely be gone by then. Walsh certainly could be gone by then. So maybe in year 2 he's like the 2nd wing off the bench and then by year 3 maybe he's the 1st wing off the bench (think eventually he could pass Scheierman on the depth chart - if he's even still here at that point. A lot could change with the roster 2-4 yrs from now.

With that being said, I think Riley is probably gone by the 25th pick at the latest.

And we probably trade 1 of our 2 picks..and just use 1 pick to grab a PF/C type..

Yep, agreed again.

I really hop it doesn't go like that, lol. We'd miss all the bigs. But if it did we could end up with a few of Penda, Hugo, Sion, Darrion, Byrd or Condon (not on his board).

EDIT: just noticed no Wolf on there either. Interesting.

Yeah..no Wolf or Condon in the top 60..but he's got Hicks, Austin, Coward, Degenhert and Diawara top 60, Stojakovic and De Lerrea in the 1st round is well...interesting.

Some of the opinions vary quite a bit which is one of the reasons why draft evaluations are so fun

Exactly, that's why I like him. He's a little out there but makes you look at some people you otherwise wouldn't have.

[165bows]

I really hop it doesn't go like that, lol. We'd miss all the bigs. But if it did we could end up with a few of Penda, Hugo, Sion, Darrion, Byrd or Condon (not on his board).

EDIT: just noticed no Wolf on there either. Interesting.

I think he’s a guy that will just leave guys off he hasn’t scouted enough. Not sure if that’s the case here or no.