2025 NBA Draft Thread, part 1 – Capture the Flagg

[djFan71]

Just looked up Joan Beringer. Has somewhere between a 7'3"- 7'5" wingpsan, so of course, I'm in.
And, he's French, so you can't go wrong at this point. Traore and Beringer, lol. Smart2Nesmith will be in heaven.

[redslastlaugh]

Well, you may not want to draft a player if the player absolutely doesn’t want to be there because who wants an unhappy employee. But the phenomenon of “players pick their destination” at the end of the draft is players choosing between teams offering two ways. You can draft a player and offer him a roster contract, and then that’s that. Doesn’t matter what another destination is offering. Problem is Brad, outside of Walsh, hasn’t given a 2nd rounder a roster offer, tho Danny gave roster contracts to second round picks all time.

I think part of Brad deemphasizing the draft is that he was driven mad by all the flotsam Danny drafted, put on the roster and then Brad had to coach them. That’s a a theory anyway. Because if you look at the 2nd round picks Danny took after Brad became coach, from Colton Iverson to Tremont Waters, literally zero of those guys had meaningful NBA careers. If Danny had drafted even ONE Norm Powell, Dorian FinneySmith, or Ivica Zubac, I think Brad would have a whole different perspective on 2nd round picks. But instead it was Jordan Mickey after Jabari Bird after Semi Ojeye after Demetrius Jackson and Brad is over there doing deep breathing like, “get me some actual NBA players” lol or that’s my theory.

That late in the draft, the players are basically like free agents. The good ones get to pick their destination. The Pistons were gonna draft Reaves at 42, but Reaves told them not to, forcing his way to LA as an UDFA:

https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2023/07/20/lakers-austin-reaves-explained-why-he-chose-not-to-be-picked-in-nba-draft

Trayce Jackson-Davis was projected to go in like the 28-38 range in 2023. But the teams in the 2nd round were asking him to sign a 2-way contract. Golden State was willing to offer him a standard contract and was offering him a bigger role, more playing time so he told the other teams to not draft him, so GS could pick him at 57.

Of course, politics were also involved in the Lakers drafting Bronny at 55.

Politics and behind the scenes stuff, agents pulling strings has a lot to go with who goes where with 2nd round picks and undrafted free agents.

I'd also add that in general, 2nd round picks (and even picks as late in the 1st round as pick 30) are kind of a crap shoot. The higher the draft pick, the less of a crap shoot and the higher the confidence level you can have in your evaluation of that prospect. Point being, we shouldn't be too hard on Brad since he hasn't had any high (like top 20) picks yet..and in order to really tell how good he is at drafting, we'd need to see him have a few of those picks..and we'd need to wait a few years to have a better understanding of how well those picks ended up performing.

Mitchell has been better so far, but we're less than halfway through their rookie years. It's way too soon to tell how good either of them will be long term. Chris Duarte was on the all-rookie 2nd team, and what's he doing now? Nothing. Derrick White (1st round pick), Sam Hauser, Max Strus, Caleb Martin, Fred VanVleet, etc. all older guys as rookies, all were on g league most of their rookie year but all turned out better than guys like Duarte, Bones Hyland or Jae'Sean Tate, who all made the all-rookie team.

I feel like if we did draft Mitchell at 30, half the board would have been complaining and be all like, "oh, why him? He's not gonna get any playing time behind, Jrue, White, JB and Pritchard.." And he'd probably just be riding the bench if he was here.

I agree that 2nd round picks are a crap shoot. But when a player majorly outperforms the expected production level of his draft slot, the benefit is tremendous. If you look at all the teams to win the title since MJ 1st retirement, almost all of them had a hugely impactful player taken in the 20s - Undrafted. I’m talking Kukoc, Manu, Draymond, Caruso, FVV, etc.

The payout for getting an impact player at a low cost, like a 2nd round pick, should not be overlooked or discounted as too rare to be worthwhile, imo

[Jstock12]

But Ersin's mocks are just his own personal opinion.

Him putting Demin higher and higher despite there appearing more and more red flags with every new data point... Jakucionis getting undrafted... I don't know, Ersin feels like someone who does mocks in a way to maximize/farm engagement.

[Jstock12]

It’s nuts that the best basketball player in the world not currently in the NBA is probably a 18 year old white kid who grew up in the state of Maine. That’s so crazy when you think about it.

You actually blew my mind just now... Nikola Mirotic is only 18 years old? And he grew up in Maine?

[redslastlaugh]

It’s nuts that the best basketball player in the world not currently in the NBA is probably a 18 year old white kid who grew up in the state of Maine. That’s so crazy when you think about it.

You actually blew my mind just now... Nikola Mirotic is only 18 years old? And he grew up in Maine?

lol, if Cooper Flagg isn’t as good as Mirotic is right now, I want my money back, lol

[redslastlaugh]

Just looked up Joan Beringer. Has somewhere between a 7'3"- 7'5" wingpsan, so of course, I'm in.
And, he's French, so you can't go wrong at this point. Traore and Beringer, lol. Smart2Nesmith will be in heaven.

Vecenie also dropped his mock today over at the Athletic. He was us taking Johni Broome and Alex Toohey.

Picks are pasted on Reddit:
https://www.reddit.com/r/NBA_Draft/comments/1hxibgl/vecenie_new_mock_draft_on_the_athletic/

[Jstock12]

It’s nuts that the best basketball player in the world not currently in the NBA is probably a 18 year old white kid who grew up in the state of Maine. That’s so crazy when you think about it.

You actually blew my mind just now... Nikola Mirotic is only 18 years old? And he grew up in Maine?

lol, if Cooper Flagg isn’t as good as Mirotic is right now, I want my money back, lol

Yeah it was somewhat tongue in cheek, but Mirotic is still pretty darn good tbf... Obviously on defense its not close, but offensively Miro still cooking up 20ppg seasons on 50/40/90 splits. He'd win the national player of the year if they let him compete in college.

[djFan71]

You actually blew my mind just now... Nikola Mirotic is only 18 years old? And he grew up in Maine?

lol, if Cooper Flagg isn’t as good as Mirotic is right now, I want my money back, lol

Yeah it was somewhat tongue in cheek, but Mirotic is still pretty darn good tbf... Obviously on defense its not close, but offensively Miro still cooking up 20ppg seasons on 50/40/90 splits. He'd win the national player of the year if they let him compete in college.

I'm sure we can at least all agree he was the best player to ever wear a Bulls uniform.

[Fierce1]

Mirotic always reminds me of Portis.

[Half-Full]

Just looked up Joan Beringer. Has somewhere between a 7'3"- 7'5" wingpsan, so of course, I'm in.
And, he's French, so you can't go wrong at this point. Traore and Beringer, lol. Smart2Nesmith will be in heaven.

Vecenie also dropped his mock today over at the Athletic. He was us taking Johni Broome and Alex Toohey.

Picks are pasted on Reddit:
https://www.reddit.com/r/NBA_Draft/comments/1hxibgl/vecenie_new_mock_draft_on_the_athletic/

After seeing this, I went looking for info on Broome. Came across this article:

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6043554/2025/01/08/nba-draft-2025-prospects-johni-broome-kam-jones/

[Jstock12]

lol, if Cooper Flagg isn’t as good as Mirotic is right now, I want my money back, lol

Yeah it was somewhat tongue in cheek, but Mirotic is still pretty darn good tbf... Obviously on defense its not close, but offensively Miro still cooking up 20ppg seasons on 50/40/90 splits. He'd win the national player of the year if they let him compete in college.

I'm sure we can at least all agree he was the best player to ever wear a Bulls uniform.

Carrying that Celtics GOAT Dino Radja's legacy

[Smart2Nesmith43]

Just looked up Joan Beringer. Has somewhere between a 7'3"- 7'5" wingpsan, so of course, I'm in.
And, he's French, so you can't go wrong at this point. Traore and Beringer, lol. Smart2Nesmith will be in heaven.

No way Traoré drops to Boston. NBA front offices aren't that stupid. Right ? I talked about Beringer briefly here: https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2395219&p=115777606&hilit=beringer#p115777606.

[djFan71]

Just looked up Joan Beringer. Has somewhere between a 7'3"- 7'5" wingpsan, so of course, I'm in.
And, he's French, so you can't go wrong at this point. Traore and Beringer, lol. Smart2Nesmith will be in heaven.

No way Traoré drops to Boston. NBA front offices aren't that stupid. Right ? I talked about Beringer briefly here: https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2395219&p=115777606&hilit=beringer#p115777606.

Vive l'incompétence?

I assume Beringer would be a stash for a year or so if we took him at 31? Or do you think he'd come over next season even?

[snowman]

Just looked up Joan Beringer. Has somewhere between a 7'3"- 7'5" wingpsan, so of course, I'm in.
And, he's French, so you can't go wrong at this point. Traore and Beringer, lol. Smart2Nesmith will be in heaven.

Vecenie also dropped his mock today over at the Athletic. He was us taking Johni Broome and Alex Toohey.

Picks are pasted on Reddit:
https://www.reddit.com/r/NBA_Draft/comments/1hxibgl/vecenie_new_mock_draft_on_the_athletic/

I would be very happy with those two picks.

[djFan71]

I'm becoming slightly intrigued by Darrion Williams. Strong/long 6'6" with good, switchable D without fouling. Some passing and good 3 pt shooting on decent number of attempts. Would be great if we had a lower 2nd, but don't think I'd go for him at 31.

[165bows]

Apparently Jase Richardson is Jason Richardson’s son. I had no idea.

[brackdan70]

So if Thomas Sorber is mocked in the second round, this is a pretty damn deep draft right? I can’t recall really liking so many guys in the 25-45 range.

[Hal14]

Just looked up Joan Beringer. Has somewhere between a 7'3"- 7'5" wingpsan, so of course, I'm in.
And, he's French, so you can't go wrong at this point. Traore and Beringer, lol. Smart2Nesmith will be in heaven.

Vecenie also dropped his mock today over at the Athletic. He was us taking Johni Broome and Alex Toohey.

Picks are pasted on Reddit:
https://www.reddit.com/r/NBA_Draft/comments/1hxibgl/vecenie_new_mock_draft_on_the_athletic/

Ohh, now you're talking.

That would be a very nice draft for us if we get both of those guys.

Both top 30 players in this class imo and both could be a really good fit here.

[Hal14]

Apparently Jase Richardson is Jason Richardson’s son. I had no idea.

Indeed. Unfortunately Jase isn't as tall or athletic as his dad. But he is a good shooter..

[Hal14]

I'm becoming slightly intrigued by Darrion Williams. Strong/long 6'6" with good, switchable D without fouling. Some passing and good 3 pt shooting on decent number of attempts. Would be great if we had a lower 2nd, but don't think I'd go for him at 31.

Yeah he's really been playing well lately. Some of his stats this season really jump off the page.

Of course, he is an older prospect though so often times their stats are better. And the main drawback with Darrion is the lack of athleticism. Just doesn't really look like an NBA athlete. But Boston has had success in recent years with turning guys who are limited in terms of some of their physical tools into good role players off the bench (Kornet, Hauser, Pritchard, etc.).

So he is worth keeping an eye on for sure. Especially since we went for a couple of older guys last draft.

Agree that 31 is probably too high. But honestly, anywhere after 35 I think it's reasonable to take Darrion. Watching him closely to see if he can sustain this level of play he's been showing this season so far.

What he lacks in athleticism, foot speed and also not great height for a wing, he seems to make up for with skill, craft, basketball IQ, and competitiveness. Kind of like Pritchard except taller and slower..