2025 NBA Draft Thread, part 1 – Capture the Flagg

[threrf23]

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

This is also what people had said about Kawhi back in the day, I believe. There are parallels.

He's a sophomore, but he's only 19. IMO he has ridiculously high upside, with a floor to the effect of Thad Young, so even if you don't hit a home run you're still gonna get on first.

[playa-hater]

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

This is also what people had said about Kawhi back in the day, I believe. There are parallels.

He's a sophomore, but he's only 19. IMO he has ridiculously high upside, with a floor to the effect of Thad Young, so even if you don't hit a home run you're still gonna get on first.

Did not realize he was only nineteen. Very physically mature for that age. If brad stevens brought him in twice, I certainly would consider him a prospect for us.

[redslastlaugh]

Cooper Flagg should be a Boston Celtic.
If you really think about it,
Cooper Flagg should be a Boston Celtic
I’m just saying.

[redslastlaugh]

No Ceilings does a "stock watch" on the top 75 draft prospects.
https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/march-2025-top-75-nba-drft-stock
I like that they're tracking 75 slots because in this draft the 45th best prospect and the 75th best prospect really depends on the eye of the beholder.

EDIT:
I looked at all 75 players and, exlcuding the top 20, there are 21 guys (at this point) who I'd be happy to draft, perhaps trade down for some.

Rasheer Fleming - motor, defense, dunks, potential fit
Nique Clifford - Colorado glue guy, 6-5, swiss army knife
Joan Beringer - Upside athletic big, potential fit
Labaron Philon - fidgety guard, crafty change-of-pace, potential fit
Miles Byrd - tough end to the year, still upside as high level defender on Brunson/Mitchell types
Yaxel Lendeborg - All around PF with floor game, Grant Williams with dribbling
Ryan Kalkbrenner - Rim protector, developing 3pt shot, potential fit
Maxime Raynaud - Offensive big man, 20-10 at Stanford. Lesser Ryan Anderson or greater Nik Fazekas. Potential fit
Alex Toohey - head down Aussie forward. Lesser Deni Avdjia.
Sergio deLarria - Spanish PG flare who can also shoot. Athetlci limitations.
JT Toppin - super productive college forward. tweener risk if shot doesn't improve.
Walter Clayton - winning, college shooting PG, Pritchard 2
Bogo Markovic - shooting Serbian floorgame big wing/forward. lesser Matas Buzelis but with better jumpshot
Cedric Coward - missed season w/ shoulder. silky floor game, smooth release, moves like Joe Johnson
JoJo Tugler - elite defensive wing. 7-6 wingspan. not a Mazzulla type player but provides change-up look
Johann Grunloh - 6-10 German big, nice release, potential fit, Daniel Theis 2
Xaivian Lee - super crafty offensive point guard, maybe lacks base/strength to compete against NBA athletes
Sion James - heady, built 5th starter on a winner. Derek Fisher potential.
Dailyn Swain - defensive wing, moves well, steal machine, +80% FT, no 3pt shot, Dyson Daniels type
Wesley Yates - strong, shoot first guard with a janky jumper that goes in ALOT
Bennett Stirtz - crafty white point guard with great feel.

[BigTrade92]

Must draft Johni Broome

[playa-hater]

Why don't I see any Love for Caleb Love??

Not necessarily for Boston but I haven't seen him mocked yet.

[Dogen]

Paul Pierce approves of this Johni Broome move! : )

[playa-hater]

For the record as I start looking closer at prospects (still very early for me) I am starting to really Like Wolfe. Don't know if I like him enough to trade up both our picks (if possible) but I am intrigued. Offensively he would be great for us. Defensively worries me a Bit. Fleming as of now is still my wish list for a potential trade up.

[playa-hater]

Must draft Johni Broome

Broome or JT Topin? Broome more polished, But JT slightly better upside perhaps?

[threrf23]

Four #1 seeds in the final four, for the first time since 2008.

[165bows]

Must draft Johni Broome

Broome or JT Topin? Broome more polished, But JT slightly better upside perhaps?

I have a weird bias against Broome because he reminds me of a cross between a poor man’s Carlos Boozer and a poor man’s LeBron James and that just seems like a guy that plays for a different team.

[redslastlaugh]

Must draft Johni Broome

Broome or JT Topin? Broome more polished, But JT slightly better upside perhaps?

I have a weird bias against Broome because he reminds me of a cross between a poor man’s Carlos Boozer and a poor man’s LeBron James and that just seems like a guy that plays for a different team.

I see that poorman’s Carlos Boozer comp. he also just looks like Jared Dudley in the face, which isn’t good, lol… but the reason I’m not that high on him is he just seems a little undersized for the NBA level but without the length to overcome it… maybe I’m underselling him, but I think a Glen Davis or Tyler Hansbrough type career as a bench big is Broome’s best case outcome, probably. And maybe not that good if he’s a 30ish shooter from 3 and 60ish shooter from FT

[165bows]

Broome or JT Topin? Broome more polished, But JT slightly better upside perhaps?

I have a weird bias against Broome because he reminds me of a cross between a poor man’s Carlos Boozer and a poor man’s LeBron James and that just seems like a guy that plays for a different team.

I see that poorman’s Carlos Boozer comp. he also just looks like Jared Dudley in the face, which isn’t good, lol… but the reason I’m not that high on him is he just seems a little undersized for the NBA level but without the length to overcome it… maybe I’m underselling him, but I think a Glen Davis or Tyler Hansbrough type career as a bench big is Broome’s best case outcome, probably. And maybe not that good if he’s a 30ish shooter from 3 and 60ish shooter from FT

Yes true that’s another bias of mine directed towards inefficient college upper class men that dominate the ball and also great defenders.

[threrf23]

On paper, I actually think Al Horford makes a decent comp for Broome. At the same ages, stats and scouting capsules were fairly comparable.

As an underclassman, Broome's A/TO numbers suggest he was a bit more raw than Al at the same age, tho he was a primary scorer in a lower division, and has greatly improved in that capacity.

Interestingly, nbadraft.net had dropped Carlos Boozer...as a comp for Al back in the day.

Broome's a five year guy, but has been an elite-ish rebounder (and a competent interior scorer) all five years, which tends to be a solid omen.

[redslastlaugh]

Admittedly, Im lower on Broome, but I think Florida Gators Al Horford was just a different level of athlete than Broome. Al had more explosion, speed, power, etc. I mean Al was 6-10, 250lbs and went 3rd overall in a draft with Oden and Durant. Thats a different level from Broome... even if there are legit similarities as winning upperclass bigs with BBIQ...

On paper, I actually think Al Horford makes a decent comp for Broome. At the same ages, stats and scouting capsules were fairly comparable.

As an underclassman, Broome's A/TO numbers suggest he was a bit more raw than Al at the same age, tho he was a primary scorer in a lower division, and has greatly improved in that capacity.

Interestingly, nbadraft.net had dropped Carlos Boozer...as a comp for Al back in the day.

Broome's a five year guy, but has been an elite-ish rebounder (and a competent interior scorer) all five years, which tends to be a solid omen.

[threrf23]

Admittedly, Im lower on Broome, but I think Florida Gators Al Horford was just a different level of athlete than Broome. Al had more explosion, speed, power, etc. I mean Al was 6-10, 250lbs and went 3rd overall in a draft with Oden and Durant.

Probably. I'm not that familiar with Al from his college days. Obviously, he was recruited (I presume) by Florida, whereas Broome initially ended up at Morehead. Al was also 20 years old throughout his final (junior) season of college. Broome was 20 throughout his first season at Auburn, and probably could have been drafted if he declared.

But the point is more, they are in a similar mold and there are several parallels, including build. Broome is listed by nbadraft.net at 6'10 240 and from what I can gather his wingspan is 7' (versus 7'1 for Al).

So perhaps he is Al - just a bit shorter and a bit less explosive.

[Dogen]

Admittedly, Im lower on Broome, but I think Florida Gators Al Horford was just a different level of athlete than Broome. Al had more explosion, speed, power, etc. I mean Al was 6-10, 250lbs and went 3rd overall in a draft with Oden and Durant.

Probably. I'm not that familiar with Al from his college days. Obviously, he was recruited (I presume) by Florida, whereas Broome initially ended up at Morehead. Al was also 20 years old throughout his final (junior) season of college. Broome was 20 throughout his first season at Auburn, and probably could have been drafted if he declared.

But the point is more, they are in a similar mold and there are several parallels, including build. Broome is listed by nbadraft.net at 6'10 240 and from what I can gather his wingspan is 7' (versus 7'1 for Al).

So perhaps he is Al - just a bit shorter and a bit less explosive.

I see the similarities, but can't underestimate the differences in physical attributes. Broome is a solid pick in late first or in the second round as a guy that is ready to play. For the Celtics, can he switch out on the perimeter like Al can without being hunted? I have doubts.

[redslastlaugh]

If Giannis leaves Milwaukee this summer and reconstitutes himself on another eastern conf. team with a proper supporting cast, we're gonna need another physical, competitive defender if we meet again Giannis in a playoff series. I think Giannis is only 30. And when we faced them in '22 we had Al, Grant and Marcus. Jrue somewhat took the Marcus role but now Jrue is most likely to be traded to get under the apron. And imo its too much injury risk to put KP on Giannis.

I think Broome, with his size and physicality, is appealing with his Horford-like frame to matchup against Giannis or any other super physical frontcourt star. We need that type of player on the roster. Thats a selling point to me on Broome. And also Fleming. And, to a lesser degree, Lendeborg.

Admittedly, Im lower on Broome, but I think Florida Gators Al Horford was just a different level of athlete than Broome. Al had more explosion, speed, power, etc. I mean Al was 6-10, 250lbs and went 3rd overall in a draft with Oden and Durant.

Probably. I'm not that familiar with Al from his college days. Obviously, he was recruited (I presume) by Florida, whereas Broome initially ended up at Morehead. Al was also 20 years old throughout his final (junior) season of college. Broome was 20 throughout his first season at Auburn, and probably could have been drafted if he declared.

But the point is more, they are in a similar mold and there are several parallels, including build. Broome is listed by nbadraft.net at 6'10 240 and from what I can gather his wingspan is 7' (versus 7'1 for Al).

So perhaps he is Al - just a bit shorter and a bit less explosive.

[phincsfan]

Duke should have 3 lottery picks this draft (Flagg, Kon and Maluach) .

Last team to make the final 4 and have that many lottery picks was the 15' Wildcats. (Kat, WCS, Lyles and Booker). They didn't win it all though.

The last team to have at least 3 lottery picks AND win the national championship??? If you googled it you lose

This easy hint should give it away = Another back to back for a certain player is very possible ALmost 20 years later

[165bows]

Haha that Brewer name is one I hadn't thought of in awhile lol.

Anyways here's a perhaps low-ish ceiling but surprisingly well rounded big guy I think they'd be interested in. Would need his shooting to come through but in a later second round pick or udfa 2-way I think he's a potential great back up guy to have in the pipeline. Glimpses of shooting, strong, good rebounder on both ends, has some good passing chops, Theis' like effective shot blocker (but bigger), really good steal rates for any player let alone a big man. Elite angry face game as well, second vid where he sticks it in Cooper Flagg's neck going to the rim is a good one. Seems like a really hard nosed guy that plays hard and would fit on the bench.

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