2025 Draft Prospect Thread

[Jstock12]

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.

I'm not doubting Flagg is a more rare prospect. He's the Ben Simmons type build. Right now that shot better improve because he looks more like Ben Simmons did at LSU.

I'm just putting the hype to the side. Harper looks like a better pro prospect as of now. He's giving me Harden vibes.

I know everyone hates Ben Simmons now, but he was a fantastic prospect. He didn't fail because of talent/basketball reasons. If you tell me there's a guy in the draft who's a Ben Simmons level prospect but with a better head on his shoulders and more love for the game, I'm taking him with the #1 overall pick and not even looking at what else is available.

[KembaWalker]

Seems weird you are dragging him down and saying he is overhyped, but you still have #2 on your board. Which I assume is more so that you just like Harper more, who by all accounts has been very good as well.

Chet Holmgren is a 3rd option on a contender and went 2nd overall. Was he overhyped and been a guy we should have been more down on? What about Evan Mobley, 3rd option on a contender and went 3rd overall. Should we have been lower on him?

Chet was nowhere hyped like Flagg coming out of highschool.

Hell I didn't hear about Chet until he showed up at Gonzaga. We have heard the Flagg hype years in advance.

The only thing is weird is people getting upset because they view Harper as a better prospect. Nothing weird about it if you actually judging them with their on court play. Harper without a doubt has been the best freshman in college basketball so far.

Flagg also went to college a year early, he will be 18.5 when drafted. Both Chet and Mobley for example were 20 yrs old on draft night. He is also almost a full year younger than Harper.. I would bet Sophomore Cooper would be massively better than all three of those guys as freshman.

this line of thinking is reasonable to me but its hard to ignore our existence on the other side of the coin with taking Brandon Miller as a nearly 21 year old freshman against Scoot the 17 year old multiyear professional. i dont like putting blind faith in NBA2k style "number go up every year until 25" claims of development much these days. we saw Thor not improve a lick from 18-22.

For Flagg I would need to look at an actual roadmap that gets him to NBA superstar level of scoring before I'm just gonna say that its a time-release inevitability. Its going to be hard if he can't shoot the 3 and is a 72% FT shooter. And its not just the %s, he needs to be better than sub 4 attempts per game, he's coming into a league where in his prime in 8-10 years, if nothing changes in the league rules, high >40%% 12-15+ 3PA scorers will be a dime a dozen. so he better get on board or be Zion-esque transcendent inside in the line

as far as defensively, idk. I don't really care about defense when I'm drafting at the tip top. To me, Flagg obviously looks really good but I'm not sure if he's a team carrying defensive force with his physical tools. he's certainly not Anthony Davis or even Chet as far as that goes to me. but i don't doubt he'll be good there

[JDR720]

Flagg will probably be a point forward in the NBA. So even if he may not score a ton, he'll still score enough to make regular All-Star teams. Just about anyone can average 15ppg today, so Flagg will probably be in the 20-23 range.

[Jstock12]

Flagg will probably be a point forward in the NBA. So even if he may not score a ton, he'll still score enough to make regular All-Star teams. Just about anyone can average 15ppg today, so Flagg will probably be in the 20-23 range.

Agreed. I remember Emmanuel Mudiay averaged 15ppg one season in New York, then went to Euroleague and wasn't good enough to even last the entire year before getting cut by a below average Euroleague team (averaged 7 points on 37/23/73 splits). Luka also said that scoring in the NBA is much easier than it was in the Euroleague. All you need really is a big enough role/minutes, and assuming you aren't Bronny, you should be able to put up some points.

[JustBuzzin]

I guess this is Miller 2.0 for me.

Everybody on the Flagg train. I'm going with Dylan Harper as the best player in this draft.

I have seen enough he's like Harden 2.0 and he's clutch!

[MasterIchiro]

I guess this is Miller 2.0 for me.

Everybody on the Flagg train. I'm going with Dylan Harper as the best player in this draft.

I have seen enough he's like Harden 2.0 and he's clutch!

I was all over Harden after watching his handling skills and ability to level a defense with his dribble at ASU.

Does Dylan Harper handle anywhere near that?

[JustBuzzin]

I guess this is Miller 2.0 for me.

Everybody on the Flagg train. I'm going with Dylan Harper as the best player in this draft.

I have seen enough he's like Harden 2.0 and he's clutch!

I was all over Harden after watching his handling skills and ability to level a defense with his dribble at ASU.

Does Dylan Harper handle anywhere near that?

Not quite, but damn close!

Did you see the move he hit the defender with to hit the GW shot?

Had dude turning around lol. Harper is legit.

[MasterIchiro]

I guess this is Miller 2.0 for me.

Everybody on the Flagg train. I'm going with Dylan Harper as the best player in this draft.

I have seen enough he's like Harden 2.0 and he's clutch!

I was all over Harden after watching his handling skills and ability to level a defense with his dribble at ASU.

Does Dylan Harper handle anywhere near that?

Not quite, but damn close!

Did you see the move he hit the defender with to hit the GW shot?

Had dude turning around lol. Harper is legit.

That's what made Harden legit - combo of strength to bulldoze players when he gets downhill, but the shiftiness with the ball in hand that allows him to break ankles.

Harden was incredible creating rim pressure and has made a living getting to the free throw line.

Not getting my hopes up after finishing bottom 4 last season and drafting into a lower tier of talent let alone a lower pick than 1 overall or 2 overall which is where Harper will go.

He is a perfect fit but JP has to be feeling burned by starting 4 (Rookie Of Year frontrunner Stephon Castle) and finishing 6 at Gleague starter. Don't tank for some uncertainty. The lottery can be a tragedy.

[JustBuzzin]

I was all over Harden after watching his handling skills and ability to level a defense with his dribble at ASU.

Does Dylan Harper handle anywhere near that?

Not quite, but damn close!

Did you see the move he hit the defender with to hit the GW shot?

Had dude turning around lol. Harper is legit.

That's what made Harden legit - combo of strength to bulldoze players when he gets downhill, but the shiftiness with the ball in hand that allows him to break ankles.

Harden was incredible creating rim pressure and has made a living getting to the free throw line.

Not getting my hopes up after finishing bottom 4 last season and drafting into a lower tier of talent let alone a lower pick than 1 overall or 2 overall which is where Harper will go.

He is a perfect fit but JP has to be feeling burned by starting 4 (Rookie Of Year frontrunner Stephon Castle) and finishing 6 at Gleague starter. Don't tank for some uncertainty. The lottery can be a tragedy.

This draft is much deeper.

I also like the kid from Illinois Jakucionis. He might challenge Ace for that 3rd spot when all is said and done.

[wilson115]

Jakucionis playing amazing against Tennessee. Went 1 for 7 in the first half, up to 21 points now with 5 minutes to go.

Read on Twitter

[Liver_Pooty]

I guess this is Miller 2.0 for me.

Everybody on the Flagg train. I'm going with Dylan Harper as the best player in this draft.

I have seen enough he's like Harden 2.0 and he's clutch!

There were a lot of people on here that wanted Miller that draft. Even before you were on him. Lol

[JustBuzzin]

I guess this is Miller 2.0 for me.

Everybody on the Flagg train. I'm going with Dylan Harper as the best player in this draft.

I have seen enough he's like Harden 2.0 and he's clutch!

There were a lot of people on here that wanted Miller that draft. Even before you were on him. Lol

Just saying I like going against the grain. Everyone loves Flagg, I think Harper is just the better player. We shall see how it plays out.

[JMAC3]

I guess this is Miller 2.0 for me.

Everybody on the Flagg train. I'm going with Dylan Harper as the best player in this draft.

I have seen enough he's like Harden 2.0 and he's clutch!

There were a lot of people on here that wanted Miller that draft. Even before you were on him. Lol

Just saying I like going against the grain. Everyone loves Flagg, I think Harper is just the better player. We shall see how it plays out.

I just think all in all it is way too early to fall in love with someone this much. That is how you get married to a take and before you know it you are so against Flagg and so for Harper there is no pivoting.

I think both are really strong prospects and haven't seen any reason to start to pick sides, we aren't even halfway through the college season and half of the games that have been played are vs meaningless competition.

[Liver_Pooty]

There were a lot of people on here that wanted Miller that draft. Even before you were on him. Lol

Just saying I like going against the grain. Everyone loves Flagg, I think Harper is just the better player. We shall see how it plays out.

I just think all in all it is way too early to fall in love with someone this much. That is how you get married to a take and before you know it you are so against Flagg and so for Harper there is no pivoting.

I think both are really strong prospects and haven't seen any reason to start to pick sides, we aren't even halfway through the college season and half of the games that have been played are vs meaningless competition.

Flagg torching team USA in practice was it for me. LeBron and everyone raving about him. He’s the total package and the next Grant Hill. Nothing will change my mind.

And I’m not a homer either. Lol

[JustBuzzin]

There were a lot of people on here that wanted Miller that draft. Even before you were on him. Lol

Just saying I like going against the grain. Everyone loves Flagg, I think Harper is just the better player. We shall see how it plays out.

I just think all in all it is way too early to fall in love with someone this much. That is how you get married to a take and before you know it you are so against Flagg and so for Harper there is no pivoting.

I think both are really strong prospects and haven't seen any reason to start to pick sides, we aren't even halfway through the college season and half of the games that have been played are vs meaningless competition.

I mean yeah it's early, but when the guy continues to show you who he really is you jump on the bandwagon before anyone else. This is no shade to Flagg, but Harper screams franchise player. I view Flagg as more as a all-around talent. Not sure if he will ever be a true #1 guy because that's not his skill set.

I just like to pick my guy early. I did the same thing with Miller. It only took me 10 games to realize outside of Wemby this kid was the next best player. I'm not a hype guy. I like the guy who play speaks for itself. Right now Harper has been the best freshman in the country and it's not really close imo.

[JustBuzzin]

As for needing a entire season to evaluate the top guys I disagree. Usually the top guys stand out immediately. It's why you can already see why guys like Harper/Flagg/Bailey are going to be the top picks. I usually need a full season to determine those next in line prospects. The top guys I already know who will be amongst the elite.

[JMAC3]

Just saying I like going against the grain. Everyone loves Flagg, I think Harper is just the better player. We shall see how it plays out.

I just think all in all it is way too early to fall in love with someone this much. That is how you get married to a take and before you know it you are so against Flagg and so for Harper there is no pivoting.

I think both are really strong prospects and haven't seen any reason to start to pick sides, we aren't even halfway through the college season and half of the games that have been played are vs meaningless competition.

I mean yeah it's early, but when the guy continues to show you who he really is you jump on the bandwagon before anyone else. This is no shade to Flagg, but Harper screams franchise player. I view Flagg as more as a all-around talent. Not sure if he will ever be a true #1 guy because that's not his skill set.

I just like to pick my guy early. I did the same thing with Miller. It only took me 10 games to realize outside of Wemby this kid was the next best player. I'm not a hype guy. I like the guy who play speaks for itself. Right now Harper has been the best freshman in the country and it's not really close imo.

I don’t think you are on Harper island alone, there are a lot of people who are big fans of him and have him #1. This isn’t some wild out off left field take that you stumbled upon, both are really good players. That is why this draft was always viewed this highly.

Personally I’m not drawing lines in the sand yet.

[Braggins]

I just realized their 2nd round pick situation for the 2025 draft is looking a lot better than anyone probably expected. They own Philadelphia and New Orleans 2nd round picks with no protection.

If the season ended today and they didn't move in the lottery they would have picks 5, 32, and 37.

[MasterIchiro]

I just realized their 2nd round pick situation for the 2025 draft is looking a lot better than anyone probably expected. They own Philadelphia and New Orleans 2nd round picks with no protection.

If the season ended today and they didn't move in the lottery they would have picks 5, 32, and 37.

I thought the same but the Sixers pick is the worse of the Nuggets/Sixers.

However, Hornets control their own second rounder which is currently 35.

So Hornets have 5, 32, 35 plus the Nuggets 2nd rounder at 52.

I think we would all sign up for a consolidation move where we bundle 32 & 35 with a rotation player and double dip in the first round, one inside the lottery, one outside the lottery later in the first round.

More important than adding a first round pick is winning the lottery or moving to top-2.

[JustBuzzin]

I just realized their 2nd round pick situation for the 2025 draft is looking a lot better than anyone probably expected. They own Philadelphia and New Orleans 2nd round picks with no protection.

If the season ended today and they didn't move in the lottery they would have picks 5, 32, and 37.

I thought the same but the Sixers pick is the worse of the Nuggets/Sixers.

However, Hornets control their own second rounder which is currently 35.

So Hornets have 5, 32, 35 plus the Nuggets 2nd rounder at 52.

I think we would all sign up for a consolidation move where we bundle 32 & 35 with a rotation player and double dip in the first round, one inside the lottery, one outside the lottery later in the first round.

More important than adding a first round pick is winning the lottery or moving to top-2.

I know it's early, but who is your top 5 from this upcoming draft so far?