2025 NBA Draft Thread, Part 2 – Capture the Flagg

[fallguy]

He's ranked 32 on Sam Vecenie's board, from The Athletic.

https://static01.nyt.com/athletic/uploads/wp/2025/06/18185319/2025-NBA-Draft-Guide-Intl-Updates.pdf

Vecenie on his podcast said that some teams like him but others see him as nothing more than a 2-way contract player.

Vecenie also said on his pod that Fleming "has no idea where he is going on defense".

But it's apparently a fireable offense that Brad didn't take him?

I didn't say that.

Wasn't talking about you. Just used your post to make a point.

[playa-hater]

Yes but that fact gets in the way of the rampant negativity.

You say facts and negativity, so what is 24%? Sounds like a facts and negativity to me.

Down to 24% already? It was 27% when he was drafted. This kid must suck.

His three year average was twenty seven percent, according to what they stated, but last season, according to what was just posted was twenty four percent.

[aim2please]

Former Mavs analytics guy Jeremias Engelmann is a great read if you like analytics based approach to the NBA. I am subscribed to his substack.

His 2021 NBA draft board was one for the ages. Sengun, Wagner and Herb Jones in the top 5. Anyways, his board looks nothing like most public boards.

This year, guys he's a lot higher on: Murray-Boyles 3rd, Flemming 5th, Clayton Jr. 8th, Saraf 9th, Proctor 12th.

Guys he's lower on: Bailey 11th, Fears 16th, Maluach 17th, Queen 19th, Demin 22th, Johnson 23rd (his pick for most likely bust at the top of the draft), Coward 25th.

He never had Hugo as a 1st rounder this year.

Obviously, he can wrong on guys, but he's really good at understanding what archetype succeeds in the league.

[Hal14]

One of our main players Brad didn’t name once, even when he went down who’s staying, Hauser. Could mean nothing.

I mean, it's no secret Sam is on the trade block.

[GrandTheftRondo]

I just want to say everyone obsessed with drafting a center is an idiot. You don't draft for need, especially at the ass end of the first round.

Get a goddamn clue.

Exactly.

I’d rather us take a gamble on someone raw with potential than some “ready” big just because they apparently fit the team better right now.

I still have nightmares of us drafting Olynyk and not having the balls to give Giannis a go.

[playa-hater]

But it's apparently a fireable offense that Brad didn't take him?

Why are you being dramatic? No one is calling for Brad to get fired.. My God, if somebody disagrees with a professional. It's like everyone's an idiot. And yet a few years later, these professionals get proven wrong all the time.

Meanwhile, quite a few of us hated that danny traded desmond Bane for nothing.. Danny Ange knows more than us. Of course, and yet the player he just gave away was just traded for 4 first round picks and a swap.

You're just losing your **** constantly and we're barely a few days into this. Calm down. Brad is good at this. Let's see where we are by the end of the summer.

Was danny Ainge good? I mean, at times he was great and then at times he was terrible. Why do you act like that cannot be possible with brad??

[titlebound1]

I'm a fan based on the 8 min highlight video I just watched. Awesome energy and fairly crafty. Why not take a shot?

[Shak_Celts]

One of our main players Brad didn’t name once, even when he went down who’s staying, Hauser. Could mean nothing.

I mean, it's no secret Sam is on the trade block.

Yeah, but that was before the first round. If sam is only bringing 2nds, I hope we’d keep him.

[fallguy]

I just want to say everyone obsessed with drafting a center is an idiot. You don't draft for need, especially at the ass end of the first round.

Get a goddamn clue.

Exactly.

I’d rather us take a gamble on someone raw with potential than some “ready” big just because they apparently fit the team better right now.

I still have nightmares of us drafting Olynyk and not having the balls to give Giannis a go.

Yeah, most of the guys in our range will amount to nothing. But I like the high upside swing.

[winsomme2]

For me, this pick will depend on Hugo’s ball handling. If he can attack the rim without turning the ball over and can beat his man off the dribble, he could be a great addition to the team.

It’s just really hard to tell from his highlights how strong his dribbling skills are… at least for me.

[return2glory]

I just want to say everyone obsessed with drafting a center is an idiot. You don't draft for need, especially at the ass end of the first round.

Get a goddamn clue.

You do take the best player available. Brad is focused on bring back Kornet and Horford. We also have Queta.

But you good? Calling people idiots for not having the same view as you? It's not that serious.

[GrandTheftRondo]

I just want to say everyone obsessed with drafting a center is an idiot. You don't draft for need, especially at the ass end of the first round.

Get a goddamn clue.

Exactly.

I’d rather us take a gamble on someone raw with potential than some “ready” big just because they apparently fit the team better right now.

I still have nightmares of us drafting Olynyk and not having the balls to give Giannis a go.

Yeah, most of the guys in our range will amount to nothing. But I like the high upside swing.

High energy guy who can defend, cut and may have shooting improvement to come seems like the sort of role player that could play solid minutes in 2026-2027 when Tatum is back.

[fallguy]

Why are you being dramatic? No one is calling for Brad to get fired.. My God, if somebody disagrees with a professional. It's like everyone's an idiot. And yet a few years later, these professionals get proven wrong all the time.

Meanwhile, quite a few of us hated that danny traded desmond Bane for nothing.. Danny Ange knows more than us. Of course, and yet the player he just gave away was just traded for 4 first round picks and a swap.

You're just losing your **** constantly and we're barely a few days into this. Calm down. Brad is good at this. Let's see where we are by the end of the summer.

Was danny Ainge good? I mean, at times he was great and then at times he was terrible. Why do you act like that cannot be possible with brad??

Yes, Brad can make mistakes. But I am not going to go berserk on June 25 because we can't see the full picture yet. I am also not going to pass judgement on a 19-year-old that Brad likes when I - like you - know nothing about him.

[VeryMuchWoke]

I just want to say everyone obsessed with drafting a center is an idiot. You don't draft for need, especially at the ass end of the first round.

Get a goddamn clue.

Exactly.

I’d rather us take a gamble on someone raw with potential than some “ready” big just because they apparently fit the team better right now.

I still have nightmares of us drafting Olynyk and not having the balls to give Giannis a go.

Yeah, most of the guys in our range will amount to nothing. But I like the high upside swing.

At 28 you generally are taking either a project, someone with big red flags (injury or personality), or someone that is an end of the bench guy at best.

[fallguy]

Exactly.

I’d rather us take a gamble on someone raw with potential than some “ready” big just because they apparently fit the team better right now.

I still have nightmares of us drafting Olynyk and not having the balls to give Giannis a go.

Yeah, most of the guys in our range will amount to nothing. But I like the high upside swing.

High energy guy who can defend, cut and may have shooting improvement to come seems like the sort of role player that could play solid minutes in 2026-2027 when Tatum is back.

What intrigues me is Givony's line about 'special feel for the game'. I like that a lot.

[1st banana]

Maybe just wishful green team ball washing but his form is good. Needs to clean up his lower half lots of inconsistencies in his stance.

Looks off balance at times and feet aren’t getting set somehow on set shots.

His release and follow through look promising and hopefully with some more practice, reps and direction he can be consistent.

[redslastlaugh]

I'm fine with the pick. I want the GM to take risks.
But other than being really hyped as teenaged prospect and having high motor, I dont see what this dude is projected to be. Doesn't really shoot it or play make. Our coach is known for burying guys who don't hit 3 pointers -- so how is the dude gonna play this yr?

If Hugo Gonzalez is a successful NBA player, what is a good comp for him if he hits his absolute ceiling in 7 years. Is he Alex Caruso?

I dont mind the pick. But this seems like an anti-mazzulla ball pick and a dude that is just unlikely to succeed and his curve is likely gonna mirror Jordan Walsh's development curve. This sounds like Im down on the pick, but I'm not that down on it, but it seems like a pick when the GM and coach are NOT on the same page. So Im not understanding it really

I just don't see the vision and I want to see the vision

Former Mavs analytics guy Jeremias Engelmann is a great read if you like analytics based approach to the NBA. I am subscribed to his substack.

His 2021 NBA draft board was one for the ages. Sengun, Wagner and Herb Jones in the top 5. Anyways, his board looks nothing like most public boards.

This year, guys he's a lot higher on: Murray-Boyles 3rd, Flemming 5th, Clayton Jr. 8th, Saraf 9th, Proctor 12th.

Guys he's lower on: Bailey 11th, Fears 16th, Maluach 17th, Queen 19th, Demin 22th, Johnson 23rd (his pick for most likely bust at the top of the draft), Coward 25th.

He never had Hugo as a 1st rounder this year.

Obviously, he can wrong on guys, but he's really good at understanding what archetype succeeds in the league.

[playa-hater]

I just want to say everyone obsessed with drafting a center is an idiot. You don't draft for need, especially at the ass end of the first round.

Get a goddamn clue.

You do take the best player available. Brad is focused on bring back Kornet and Horford. We also have Queta.

But you good? Calling people idiots for not having the same view as you? It's not that serious.

Agreed and the best player of available combined with a need is always the best option. Who's to say one of the three remaining bigs aren't also the best player available?

[VeryMuchWoke]

Former Mavs analytics guy Jeremias Engelmann is a great read if you like analytics based approach to the NBA. I am subscribed to his substack.

His 2021 NBA draft board was one for the ages. Sengun, Wagner and Herb Jones in the top 5. Anyways, his board looks nothing like most public boards.

This year, guys he's a lot higher on: Murray-Boyles 3rd, Flemming 5th, Clayton Jr. 8th, Saraf 9th, Proctor 12th.

Guys he's lower on: Bailey 11th, Fears 16th, Maluach 17th, Queen 19th, Demin 22th, Johnson 23rd (his pick for most likely bust at the top of the draft), Coward 25th.

He never had Hugo as a 1st rounder this year.

Obviously, he can wrong on guys, but he's really good at understanding what archetype succeeds in the league.

If his base is analytics, it may be hard for him to evaluate someone getting limited minutes overseas....

[GrandTheftRondo]

I like Gonzalez’s form from the footage I’ve seen and he shoots 77% from the FT.

Don’t think it’s wild to think he could be a good shooter at NBA level after some training