2025 NBA Draft Thread, part 1 – Capture the Flagg

[Dogen]

I'm digging what I see of Sion James. With all the lotto level talent on Duke, he's under the radar.

[brackdan70]

JT Toppin. Big game with 5 blocks. Moving on to the Elite 8

[Larry_Russell]

I'm digging what I see of Sion James. With all the lotto level talent on Duke, he's under the radar.

Caleb Love looked really good yesterday too.

[165bows]

I'm digging what I see of Sion James. With all the lotto level talent on Duke, he's under the radar.

Love that guy, didn't see the game but saw he had a great night. I think he's a great archetype for this team, a big ball handler that could play off the bench with both White and Pritchard once the Jrue era has (triumphantly) peaked.

[Dogen]

I'm digging what I see of Sion James. With all the lotto level talent on Duke, he's under the radar.

Love that guy, didn't see the game but saw he had a great night. I think he's a great archetype for this team, a big ball handler that could play off the bench with both White and Pritchard once the Jrue era has (triumphantly) peaked.

That's exactly what I see. He fits in with the ethos of the team, can either distribute or shoot, and is built like a bull. Nice compliment to the bench with Pritchard, Hauser, Scheierman as he brings an added dimension of strength, which will come in handy for certain matchups. And he has enough experience to possibly play spot minutes in the first year.

Not super exciting, but we just need solid. Possibly can trade down and still get him in mid second.

[Dogen]

I'm digging what I see of Sion James. With all the lotto level talent on Duke, he's under the radar.

Caleb Love looked really good yesterday too.

He could be a great heat check guy, a microwave. He played his heart out against Duke, gotta love it. Might have a hard time finding a home, ala Lonnie Walker. Looks like he needs to ball and isn't the best decision maker, but then again a solid college pro and could be a Jordan Crawford type that can go off when a team needs a bucket.

[Dogen]

Joan Beringer second round pick and stash? High upside rim protector, a few years away.

[redslastlaugh]

Sam Vecenie said Beringer has elite hands. Catches everything. Hands like a Karl Malone or Elton Brand (my comps not his). Great finisher, great motor.
But he doesnt shoot the 3-ball ...

Joan Beringer second round pick and stash? High upside rim protector, a few years away.

[djFan71]

Joan Beringer second round pick and stash? High upside rim protector, a few years away.

Trade down, do that at 31, James a little later. Get a future 2nd. Pretty solid draft, imo.

[djFan71]

I still would prefer a trade up for Fleming. I just don't know how feasible that is. We can't get to lotto even with Hauser, 28, 31, and he could go by then. But if he's still around in the late teens/early 20s, I'd do what I can to get up there.

[Dogen]

Joan Beringer second round pick and stash? High upside rim protector, a few years away.

Trade down, do that at 31, James a little later. Get a future 2nd. Pretty solid draft, imo.

I also like JT Toppin and Yaxel Lendeborg as potential picks for the rangy PF/C help, but the team still has enough front court depth, and neither of those guys will likely be able to step right away into KP or Horf's shoes if they are out. So the Beringer pick is a decent risk if he can play overseas and then in Maine. He could move up, but likely will be there at 32 unless one of those teams with multiple picks wants to take a flyer on him now.

Sion, OTOH, yeah, maybe it's possible to trade #28 and get two mid seconds. Washington and Brooklyn have a bunch of picks -- too many -- so possible trade partners.

Tankathon's new mock has C's taking Philon at 28 and Beringer at 32. I like Philon a lot and think he could take a 2-Way spot if taken in the second, maybe replacing Davison and Madar in the pipeline. Huge potential, very unique game with very uncertain 3 ball.

It's unlikely that Brad even uses both current picks, but this is also a good year to start developing some replacements and fill out the bench, so stacking some 2nds as affordable talent is a need.

Assuming all three are in the 2nd round, if Brad can get Sion James for 15th roster spot (strong and steady), Labaron Philon for a 2-Way in Maine (mercurial and raw), and Joan Beringer as an overseas stash (high upside big), that would be a nice haul. I know it's more likely that Brad trades into a future pick, but I'm biased to the current draft as I don't follow college much and this year seems to have decent depth from what I've seen.

[djFan71]

Joan Beringer second round pick and stash? High upside rim protector, a few years away.

Trade down, do that at 31, James a little later. Get a future 2nd. Pretty solid draft, imo.

I also like JT Toppin and Yaxel Lendeborg as potential picks for the rangy PF/C help, but the team still has enough front court depth, and neither of those guys will likely be able to step right away into KP or Horf's shoes if they are out. So the Beringer pick is a decent risk if he can play overseas and then in Maine. He could move up, but likely will be there at 32 unless one of those teams with multiple picks wants to take a flyer on him now.

Sion, OTOH, yeah, maybe it's possible to trade #28 and get two mid seconds. Washington and Brooklyn have a bunch of picks -- too many -- so possible trade partners.

Tankathon's new mock has C's taking Philon at 28 and Beringer at 32. I like Philon a lot and think he could take a 2-Way spot if taken in the second, maybe replacing Davison and Madar in the pipeline. Huge potential, very unique game with very uncertain 3 ball.

It's unlikely that Brad even uses both current picks, but this is also a good year to start developing some replacements and fill out the bench, so stacking some 2nds as affordable talent is a need.

Assuming all three are in the 2nd round, if Brad can get Sion James for 15th roster spot (strong and steady), Labaron Philon for a 2-Way in Maine (mercurial and raw), and Joan Beringer as an overseas stash (high upside big), that would be a nice haul. I know it's more likely that Brad trades into a future pick, but I'm biased to the current draft as I don't follow college much and this year seems to have decent depth from what I've seen.

I have faith in the Wiz to get us 31. So imma keep calling it that til I can't.

I like Toppin/Yaxel as well. I'm unsure on Philon - I can handle bad shooting defensive swings/bigs (esp if they have Walshian wingspan) and hope they develop a shot (hello Adou!), but guards is harder. If they can't shoot it just really hurts.

Sion has a nice stroke, physical D is great. Quickness and ballhandling aren't quite where I'd love them to be, but passable on a team like ours. I thought he was their 2nd best player last night, even though Kon and Khaman had a few nice stretches each.

[reload141]

I reckon we trade up for that Flagg guy from Duke, this years 1st rounder and a top 55 protected 2nd round future pick should do it.

[ryan in Maine]

Sign Ace to get Cooper.

[165bows]

I reckon we trade up for that Flagg guy from Duke, this years 1st rounder and a top 55 protected 2nd round future pick should do it.

Maybe his parents want to work in tech investing

[phincsfan]

I just don’t see Toppin available at 28.

[phincsfan]

Nothing against the international prospects because I know very little to none about them, but I hope their draft projections hold and get drafted before the C's pick. If they start to fall, the C's may lose out on a very good college player who could have fell into their lap.

[bigfoot_cryptozoology]

I accidentally clicked on the TV and there was the Florida - Texas Tech game, first Tourney game I've seen so far.

Walter Clayton Jr. Seems like everything the Celtics wanted in Carson Edwards, yet a 6-3 Carson Edwards, who can actually be a microwave scorer off the bench in the NBA and contribute immediately to a good team.

Meanwhile, Texas Tech's JT Toppin seems solid and with a high floor, but not exactly a court spacer...

[Dogen]

Nothing against the international prospects because I know very little to none about them, but I hope their draft projections hold and get drafted before the C's pick. If they start to fall, the C's may lose out on a very good college player who could have fell into their lap.

Yeah, this year has a lot of solid, if unspectacular, college prospects in the late first/early second. If Brad can find a big with a few years college experience, it would be a nice follow up to the Scheierman pick. Broome, Yendeborg, Toppin, Wolf, maybe even Sorber will be there at #28. Outside of the college picks, Beringer could be the 2nd round option for a guy if they go the Euro route and stash for a year; would need to be there at #32.

If the team wants to bring in some pg help to develop more long term, Fland or Philon are college freshmen and both very intriguing at #28 if available.

[Dogen]

I accidentally clicked on the TV and there was the Florida - Texas Tech game, first Tourney game I've seen so far.

Walter Clayton Jr. Seems like everything the Celtics wanted in Carson Edwards, yet a 6-3 Carson Edwards, who can actually be a microwave scorer off the bench in the NBA and contribute immediately to a good team.

Meanwhile, Texas Tech's JT Toppin seems solid and with a high floor, but not exactly a court spacer...

Clayton was about as clutch as possible, great game. That was the first time I saw him too. But, he was already a top 25 pick and playing himself up the chart, not down.