2025 NBA Draft Thread, part 1 – Capture the Flagg

[Celts17Pride]

Cooper wants to be a Celtic.

Who doesn't?

[redslastlaugh]

A safe space to discuss all the 2025 draft prospects from Cooper Flagg to whomever gets picked last.

Celtics picks
First round - own
Second round - the best out of the Washington, Detroit, Golden State and Dallas secound round pick

Currently there is a six way tie for worst Vegas odds for next years title, and both DET and WAS are among the six. I agree with prognosticators who say our most likely draft position next year is pick #30 and then a second between #31-35.

[Hal14]

The next Israeli sensation?

Dude is only 17 yrs old on most of these clips..eligible for 2025 draft..

Watch on YouTube

[shackles10]

The next Israeli sensation?

Dude is only 17 yrs old on most of these clips..eligible for 2025 draft..

Watch on YouTube

Who were the other Israeli sensations for reference sake?

[redslastlaugh]

Omri Caspi ??

The next Israeli sensation?

Dude is only 17 yrs old on most of these clips..eligible for 2025 draft..

Watch on YouTube

Who were the other Israeli sensations for reference sake?

[Hal14]

The next Israeli sensation?

Dude is only 17 yrs old on most of these clips..eligible for 2025 draft..

Watch on YouTube

Who were the other Israeli sensations for reference sake?

Ah, it's just a saying. I would have said Mexican sensation if he was from Mexico..just to have some fun.

But since you ask, I guess Deni Avdija and Yam Madar are other players who perhaps at one time could have been called Israeli sensations.

This guy Saraf has a chance to be better than Madar. Perhaps not as good as Avdija but could at least be close to that level..

[arusinov]

The next Israeli sensation?

Dude is only 17 yrs old on most of these clips..eligible for 2025 draft..

Watch on YouTube

Who were the other Israeli sensations for reference sake?

Ah, it's just a saying. I would have said Mexican sensation if he was from Mexico..just to have some fun.

But since you ask, I guess Deni Avdija and Yam Madar are other players who perhaps at one time could have been called Israeli sensations.

This guy Saraf has a chance to be better than Madar. Perhaps not as good as Avdija but could at least be close to that level..

Saraf will play for Ulm next season. He basically will replace Juan Nunez which was selected with 36th pick in last draft (whether Nunez signs with Spurs or stay in Europe - probably with Barcelona, he is not expected to be in Ulm next year).

Now... Saraf is very quick, tall (over 6'5"), athletic, can pass (he's more combo-guard, than classic PG), drive and shoot. He can create his shot pretty well. He's somewhat strong hand (left in his case) dominant (while not as bad as Avdija or another former Ulm player Killian Hayes) In 2022 he was leading scorer of Euro U16 with 24.3 ppg (I think some 3 pts more than second best scorer)

The problem is efficiency. This year he averaged 10.5 ppg for Kiryat Ata which totally unexpectedly got to Israeli league semifinals (and even led 1 : 0 in semi-final series against Hapoel Tel-Aviv which mostly looked not bad in EuroCup). And he was in rotation not only in regular season but also in play-offs (played 20+ minutes per game averaging 9.3 pts). And all this sounds pretty good - but his efficiency was woeful... 47.5 ts%

I'm not sure he will declare for draft in 2025. If he's not making jump in efficiency I would expect him stay in Ulm for two seasons and try chances in draft when he's 20 - like Nunez did.

[Hal14]

You might be right but he was only 17 yrs old, playing in a pro league. The efficiency is never good when that's the case - especially for a guard.

You look at Scoot's efficiency his 1st season with Ignite or Wemby's during the 21-22 season or Dink Pate on Ignite last season, they were all bad efficiency..

[threrf23]

Not that familiar with the Israeli league, but quickly comparing Saraf's stats to ex NBA prospects playing over there right now, it seems he is really skilled from a defense + passing standpoint. I notice that he chooses to wear Luka's #77.

[Hal14]

Not that familiar with the Israeli league, but quickly comparing Saraf's stats to ex NBA prospects playing over there right now, it seems he is really skilled from a defense + passing standpoint. I notice that he chooses to wear Luka's #77.

Yeah Israeli league is a good league but a step down from some of the other top pro leagues overseas like Turkey, Spain and Germany.

The film and some of the stats he had last season looked pretty good for a 17 yr old kid in a league like that. Next season he'll be playing in the German league, so a step up. Will be interesting to see how he does..

[bigfoot_cryptozoology]

Generally, I'm a BPA Drafting type of guy, but with the Celtics in GFIN Mode for the next few seasons,
I'd like to see them with their Late First and Early Second, grab an NBA ready PG and Big.
Two players who can contribute right away...

[phincsfan]

Who's the best ranked college senior right now? Hunter Sallis? I'll take it.

He'll be young at 22 when Stevens takes him though.

[Hal14]

Who's the best ranked college senior right now? Hunter Sallis? I'll take it.

He'll be young at 22 when Stevens takes him though.

Sallis is in the conversation.

Another one I like is Keshon Gilbert. He's pretty similar to Springer. But a) he could end up being better than Springer and b) Springer might not be here beyond this season

So I guess Gilbert is a possibility:

Watch on YouTube

;t=874s

He's a DOG..kind of reminds me of Marcus Smart..

[phincsfan]

Who's the best ranked college senior right now? Hunter Sallis? I'll take it.

He'll be young at 22 when Stevens takes him though.

Sallis is in the conversation.

Another one I like is Keshon Gilbert. He's pretty similar to Springer. But a) he could end up being better than Springer and b) Springer might not be here beyond this season

So I guess Gilbert is a possibility:

Watch on YouTube

;t=874s

He's a DOG..kind of reminds me of Marcus Smart..

He's from the Lou. I wonder if JT ever mentioned him?

[Smart2Nesmith43]

Maxime Raynaud looks like a Brad Stevens type of big.

[playa-hater]

Maxime Raynaud looks like a Brad Stevens type of big.

Never heard of him .. looked him up.. Agree with your assessment. Although his appearance resembles Luke Kornet.. debating if that's a positive or not

[Hal14]

Good chance that this guy is on Brad's radar. He played at Notre Dame last season as a freshman - for head coach Micah Shrewsberry - a former Celtics assistant coach for 6 seasons, under Brad Stevens.

Booth wasn't ready to go pro after his freshman season. Was too raw, inconsistent and needs to get stronger. But he's a guy who I could see really making a leap this season as a sophomore, if he improves in those areas.

Watch on YouTube

He's also son of Calvin Booth, the GM of the nuggets..

[ConstableGeneva]

Read on Twitter

One of the leading contenders for Koopahhh!

[arusinov]

Not that familiar with the Israeli league, but quickly comparing Saraf's stats to ex NBA prospects playing over there right now, it seems he is really skilled from a defense + passing standpoint. I notice that he chooses to wear Luka's #77.

Yeah Israeli league is a good league but a step down from some of the other top pro leagues overseas like Turkey, Spain and Germany.

The film and some of the stats he had last season looked pretty good for a 17 yr old kid in a league like that. Next season he'll be playing in the German league, so a step up. Will be interesting to see how he does..

Well. Here's his first game's on Euro U18 highlights..

Read on Twitter

31 pts (12/24 FG, 2/6 3P, 5/6 FT), 8 ast (2 tov), 3 rbs, 2 stl, 2 blk...
Started game with 1/5 FG and 0/3 3P but wasn't distracted by it... Led Israel to 90 : 86 over Latvia

[redslastlaugh]

Really early 2025 mock from Wasserman to start the upcoming draft cycle.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10127809-way-too-soon-2025-nba-mock-draft-a-clear-top-pick-awaits-next-years-luckiest-loser

Outside of the lottery, I’m pretty intrigued by Kwame Evans if he develops his outside shot a bit.