2025 Draft Prospect Thread

[wilson115]

Just found this, makes it easy to see why someone like Cooper's so valuable:

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[Jstock12]

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[wilson115]

Noah Penda, 19 y.o. 6'8" wing with an NBA body and an intriguing skillset. Plays in the same pro league that gave us Tidjane so maybe someone in the FO's paying attention.

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[GiggitySmalls]

Noah Penda, 19 y.o. 6'8" wing with an NBA body and an intriguing skillset. Plays in the same pro league that gave us Tidjane so maybe someone in the FO's paying attention.

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Big No for any player connected by any degree to tidjane. We will end up will Harper are Bailey at the rate we are going. No need project that low in the draft. We are like 10 games out from just flat out tanking. To be honest it should be apparent that we will not make up any ground and doing so to move back to 6,7,8,or 9 should be discouraged. We are between 3 and 4 right now and the pels and jazz could win more then us. Let's get one of those big 3 in Flagg/Harper/Bailey

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[Liver_Pooty]

Noah Penda, 19 y.o. 6'8" wing with an NBA body and an intriguing skillset. Plays in the same pro league that gave us Tidjane so maybe someone in the FO's paying attention.

Watch on YouTube

Big No for any player connected by any degree to tidjane. We will end up will Harper are Bailey at the rate we are going. No need project that low in the draft. We are like 10 games out from just flat out tanking. To be honest it should be apparent that we will not make up any ground and doing so to move back to 6,7,8,or 9 should be discouraged. We are between 3 and 4 right now and the pels and jazz could win more then us. Let's get one of those big 3 in Flagg/Harper/Bailey

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What is wrong with Salaun?

[GiggitySmalls]

Noah Penda, 19 y.o. 6'8" wing with an NBA body and an intriguing skillset. Plays in the same pro league that gave us Tidjane so maybe someone in the FO's paying attention.

Watch on YouTube

Big No for any player connected by any degree to tidjane. We will end up will Harper are Bailey at the rate we are going. No need project that low in the draft. We are like 10 games out from just flat out tanking. To be honest it should be apparent that we will not make up any ground and doing so to move back to 6,7,8,or 9 should be discouraged. We are between 3 and 4 right now and the pels and jazz could win more then us. Let's get one of those big 3 in Flagg/Harper/Bailey

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What is wrong with Salaun?

His only skill is launching a 3. He's not particularly good at anything. Decent rebounder. Horrible finisher for his size, can't dribble, No in-between game, maybe projects to possibly be average at defense. Not many positives. Still would rather of had clingan.

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[Jstock12]

I haven't see much Rocco Zikarsky, he seems like a solid 7'1 dude, but nothing blew my hair back.

I want Danny Wolf. The Jewish Jokic

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I just love smart big men who can create with the ball.

Heard about this guy a few days ago for the first time, and he's definitely intriguing. I don't know much about his overall defense, but judging from highlights, he stays pretty alert and can provide some nice help defense. Gets a nice amount of blocks and steals this way. I guess the main question marks for me are his 3PT shooting (30-32% isn't super inspiring over a 3 year sample, not much improvement there) and his absurdly high turnover rate (averaging 3.9 TOVs to 2.9 APG right now). If he doesn't improve these areas, he might end up being a Jewish Luke Sikma instead (still, a pretty decent Euroleague player).

[wilson115]

Big No for any player connected by any degree to tidjane. We will end up will Harper are Bailey at the rate we are going. No need project that low in the draft. We are like 10 games out from just flat out tanking. To be honest it should be apparent that we will not make up any ground and doing so to move back to 6,7,8,or 9 should be discouraged. We are between 3 and 4 right now and the pels and jazz could win more then us. Let's get one of those big 3 in Flagg/Harper/Bailey

Wemby got drafted #1 overall out of that league, but my point is we know JPete at least paid enough attention to it to go out and draft Tidjane so it's a reasonable guess to say the FO's maybe still in the loop. Also, except for a few outliers most mocks have Penda going in the 2nd round next year and we've got multiple picks in that range (thanks to trades).

Given that, Penda's skillset speaks for itself watching the clip. With Grant out and everyone calling Miles a trade chip, we're very thin on thicker, bully-ball type wings and finding one in the 2nd who can pass, handle, shoot, and switch on D as a 19 y.o. looks like a bet worth taking.

And what's wrong with the FO playing the long game with Salaun? Really liked Clingan myself but I was also wary of drafting someone at #6 who could look great in the regular season (and thus get paid down the line and eat up a chunk of the cap) and then get consistently schemed off the court in the playoffs.

Another one, Miles Byrd from one of my favorite teams the SDSU Aztecs has had a good start this year. Going out on a limb here but... "Dyson Daniels with a jump shot".

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[bravor]

Noah Penda, 19 y.o. 6'8" wing with an NBA body and an intriguing skillset. Plays in the same pro league that gave us Tidjane so maybe someone in the FO's paying attention.

Watch on YouTube

Well i spoke about him last year, and he joined my home team this year, so i can confirm he is a good choice.

He was out of mock to begin the year, but he is slowly climbing up for good reasons. First he has nice physical tools, even though he's not super athletic. He has nice body control, and is also used to do the dirty work (screens, box out, denying off the ball move from opponents etc).

Skillwise, he is an all around player. He's been played at the wing (sf or PF depending on opponents and situation, but mostly sf), he has been really clutch for us in the 4th quarter despite an average shooting percentage. But he has clutch defensive plays (he scored some clutch jumpers too), and above all his competitiveness and basket iq is really good.
His size and lack of wingspan could hurt him a bit to rank higher, but he's leading our league in blocks currently (knowing he is well ranked for steals and rebounds).

His main weakness for now is his shooting efficiency (including at the ft line unfortunately, he just had an horrible game for this yesterday) but he still improved his jumper regulary. Especially the 3point jumper, he used to have a flat jumper but he's obviously fixing this (probably asked by his agency among other things).

Basically to sum up his game, he's a tough wing with really good play making ability, that could be basically (to me) an Ingles type of player with much better defense (but less efficiency for the 3 ptr). Maybe he has crash potential, but he would have to work on his handle, but it's hard not to think about Wallace as a comparison.

From Cholet (the team where Salaun is coming from, the one which also developed Seraphin, Beaubois, De Colo, Gelabale among others), they also have some point forward prototype that i talked about last year before, Mohamed diawara. He's stronger with his jumper albeit Penda has a better overall game (better handle, much better at the pnr on both ends) even though Diawara is much more agressive this year.

Both are 19 atm, they should be 20 for next draft.

Not saying they should be picked in the lottery though, it kinda depends on how they will improve during the season. But they are already playable compare to other prospects (almost mature bodies, strong defenders in pro leagues already, and very mature also).
That being said, he's 1st rounder material.

[EmpireFalls]

Big No for any player connected by any degree to tidjane. We will end up will Harper are Bailey at the rate we are going. No need project that low in the draft. We are like 10 games out from just flat out tanking. To be honest it should be apparent that we will not make up any ground and doing so to move back to 6,7,8,or 9 should be discouraged. We are between 3 and 4 right now and the pels and jazz could win more then us. Let's get one of those big 3 in Flagg/Harper/Bailey

Wemby got drafted #1 overall out of that league, but my point is we know JPete at least paid enough attention to it to go out and draft Tidjane so it's a reasonable guess to say the FO's maybe still in the loop. Also, except for a few outliers most mocks have Penda going in the 2nd round next year and we've got multiple picks in that range (thanks to trades).

Given that, Penda's skillset speaks for itself watching the clip. With Grant out and everyone calling Miles a trade chip, we're very thin on thicker, bully-ball type wings and finding one in the 2nd who can pass, handle, shoot, and switch on D as a 19 y.o. looks like a bet worth taking.

And what's wrong with the FO playing the long game with Salaun? Really liked Clingan myself but I was also wary of drafting someone at #6 who could look great in the regular season (and thus get paid down the line and eat up a chunk of the cap) and then get consistently schemed off the court in the playoffs.

Another one, Miles Byrd from one of my favorite teams the SDSU Aztecs has had a good start this year. Going out on a limb here but... "Dyson Daniels with a jump shot".

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Byrd looks great. Absolutely crazy defender and BBIQ. One of those guys I’d bet anything will be a long term rotation guy. Top 5 pick? Probably not, but maybe we won’t pick top 5 anyway.

[JustBuzzin]

Harper would be my pick today if we got the #1 pick.

His ability to get his own offense and create for others is legit. I like Flagg, but this kid Harper has it so far.

Still early but Harper is my #1 prospect as of right now.

[Liver_Pooty]

Harper would be my pick today if we got the #1 pick.

His ability to get his own offense and create for others is legit. I like Flagg, but this kid Harper has it so far.

Still early but Harper is my #1 prospect as of right now.

Hes miles behind Flagg.

[JustBuzzin]

Harper would be my pick today if we got the #1 pick.

His ability to get his own offense and create for others is legit. I like Flagg, but this kid Harper has it so far.

Still early but Harper is my #1 prospect as of right now.

Hes miles behind Flagg.

Are you watching the games or just going off the hype?

Flagg has red flags with his 3pt shooting. Tonight he had 6 points and 8 rebounds vs a scrub team. I like his playmaking ability and defense, but he hasn't shown he can be that #1 scoring option. He has had trouble keeping his dribble in crunch time. He's not living up to the hype from what I have seen so far.

Again I'm not writing him off, but if you asked me today who I would take it is Harper without a doubt.

This is no longer the Flagg or bust draft.

[Diop]

Harper would be my pick today if we got the #1 pick.

His ability to get his own offense and create for others is legit. I like Flagg, but this kid Harper has it so far.

Still early but Harper is my #1 prospect as of right now.

Hes miles behind Flagg.

Are you watching the games or just going off the hype?

Flagg has red flags with his 3pt shooting. Tonight he had 6 points and 8 rebounds vs a scrub team. I like his playmaking ability and defense, but he hasn't shown he can be that #1 scoring option. He has had trouble keeping his dribble in crunch time. He's not living up to the hype from what I have seen so far.

Again I'm not writing him off, but if you asked me today who I would take it is Harper without a doubt.

This is no longer the Flagg or bust draft.

Pooty is a big Duke fan, so I'd bet he's watched every game

[Liver_Pooty]

Harper would be my pick today if we got the #1 pick.

His ability to get his own offense and create for others is legit. I like Flagg, but this kid Harper has it so far.

Still early but Harper is my #1 prospect as of right now.

Hes miles behind Flagg.

Are you watching the games or just going off the hype?

Flagg has red flags with his 3pt shooting. Tonight he had 6 points and 8 rebounds vs a scrub team. I like his playmaking ability and defense, but he hasn't shown he can be that #1 scoring option. He has had trouble keeping his dribble in crunch time. He's not living up to the hype from what I have seen so far.

Again I'm not writing him off, but if you asked me today who I would take it is Harper without a doubt.

This is no longer the Flagg or bust draft.

I watch all the games. I said this 2 nights ago. Harper might and probably will be the better college player but Flagg will easily be the better pro. Flagg can't even buy nicotine products yet.

[Liver_Pooty]

Do i watch the games. Lol.

[JustBuzzin]

Hes miles behind Flagg.

Are you watching the games or just going off the hype?

Flagg has red flags with his 3pt shooting. Tonight he had 6 points and 8 rebounds vs a scrub team. I like his playmaking ability and defense, but he hasn't shown he can be that #1 scoring option. He has had trouble keeping his dribble in crunch time. He's not living up to the hype from what I have seen so far.

Again I'm not writing him off, but if you asked me today who I would take it is Harper without a doubt.

This is no longer the Flagg or bust draft.

Pooty is a big Duke fan, so I'd bet he's watched every game

So he's a homer. Got it.

I like Flagg overall, but man the dude got over hyped if you ask me. I'm just browsing around other draft boards and people are legit saying Harper should be the #1 pick.

My eyes tell me Harper just looks like the better pro. We shall see how Flagg looks the rest of the season.

[JustBuzzin]

Do i watch the games. Lol.

My question is if you are watching the Duke and Rutgers games how on earth did you come to the conclusion that Flagg is Miles better than Harper.

I'm watching both teams and Harper is without a doubt the best freshman in the country. Even the analyst calling the games are saying the same thing.

What are you seeing from Flagg that makes him better?

[Snidely FC]

Cooper Flagg size mobility handle playmaking defense rebounding 3 level scoring maximum versatility all at 6'9 and not yet 18

provides roster balance to a team that already has the likes of LaMelo + Brando

I'd take Cooper Flagg 10/10

[JMAC3]

Flagg has red flags with his 3pt shooting. Tonight he had 6 points and 8 rebounds vs a scrub team. I like his playmaking ability and defense, but he hasn't shown he can be that #1 scoring option. He has had trouble keeping his dribble in crunch time. He's not living up to the hype from what I have seen so far.

What crunch time? They played Incarnate Word and won by 26 pts, Flagg played 22 mins because the game didn't matter.

I don't need to see him score 30 pts every game to see if he will be a good scorer in the NBA. He has shown up bigtime in everyone of Dukes big games, if you are nitpicking him because he hasn't made every single play in crunch time as a 17 yr old vs top 25 teams then you need to re-evaluate your scouting process.

Dylan Harper is the straw that stirs the drink for Rutgers, who are now 6-4. Are we going to pretend he is playing perfect winning basketball?

I like both guys, but Flagg is a much more rare prospect as a 6-8 forward who impacts the game on both ends and is showcasing an elite playmaking ability at his age. He is averaging close to 4 assists, most forwards who are picked top 5 are lucky to average 2.2 apg.