2025 Draft Prospect Thread

[wilson115]

Impressive. Getting pre-draft Ant Edwards vibes here, sure hope the FO does their homework on this kid.

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[Snidely FC]

seemingly every year the Hornets start atrociously and just when fans consider a Top pick within reach team health and form improve and you get win streaks like the 3-0 one they are on now and the pick drops just out of reach of the franchise altering players

caution: improved play incoming

[JustBuzzin]

If we draft Bailey we absolutely have to sign Lonzo in FA.

I view Bailey and Miller as basically the same kind of player. Neither have great handles, but both can shoot. This offense needs a guy who can facilitate and help Melo create shots for others.

My top 3 right now is Flagg/Harper/Bailey

[wilson115]

Won the lottery on my first try

[Braggins]

Bailey had 0 assists and 0 free throw attempts in the game last night, so those aspect of his game is still worrying, but the shooting efficiency and general impact is getting there.

[MasterIchiro]

Still have Jakucionis over Bailey. NBA defenses will play him to shoot. Can't pass. Can't get to the line. Those are tough asks of him to learn at the NBA level.

[JustBuzzin]

The thing with Bailey is he's 6'10 and can shoot. You're possibly looking at a KD kind of player if he ever improves those handles.

Sure he can't pass, but this is why you sign Lonzo to play that connector role.

Miller/Bailey on the wings would be deadly given they both can shoot.

[MasterIchiro]

The thing with Bailey is he's 6'10 and can shoot. You're possibly looking at a KD kind of player if he ever improves those handles.

Sure he can't pass, but this is why you sign Lonzo to play that connector role.

Miller/Bailey on the wings would be deadly given they both can shoot.

I don't believe in specialization of roles like Green starting for defense, or signing Lonzo for playmaking because our top 3 pick is not a connector. The more versatility and more well-rounded each player on the roster is, the better it will function, and perform through slumps, losing streaks, close games, and injuries.

I don't want to target a player where if you remove their best trait, they lose most of their value and can't really contribute in other ways.

Jabari Smith is kind of similar that way. He shoots, plus length, defends well. That's it. He's never going to be a #1 or #2 option or go-to scorer in crunch time if you take away the three-point line.

It's easy to scout and neutralize him. That's why drafting Salaün has me confused. They should've known defenses would play him to put the ball on the floor, and from there we lose any size or shooting advantage. He's not at all well-rounded.

[EmpireFalls]

Ace is significantly ahead of Salaun in all areas of the game. Lets not make that comparison.

[MasterIchiro]

Ace is significantly ahead of Salaun in all areas of the game. Lets not make that comparison.

Definitely a huge advantage for Ace between their floor games.

But then no comparison between floor games between Ace and Jakucionis. Kasparas has superior feel, IQ and is more well-rounded where he's always going to contribute something no matter if you play him to pass, dribble, or shoot.

[JustBuzzin]

The thing with Bailey is he's 6'10 and can shoot. You're possibly looking at a KD kind of player if he ever improves those handles.

Sure he can't pass, but this is why you sign Lonzo to play that connector role.

Miller/Bailey on the wings would be deadly given they both can shoot.

I don't believe in specialization of roles like Green starting for defense, or signing Lonzo for playmaking because our top 3 pick is not a connector. The more versatility and more well-rounded each player on the roster is, the better it will function, and perform through slumps, losing streaks, close games, and injuries.

I don't want to target a player where if you remove their best trait, they lose most of their value and can't really contribute in other ways.

Jabari Smith is kind of similar that way. He shoots, plus length, defends well. That's it. He's never going to be a #1 or #2 option or go-to scorer in crunch time if you take away the three-point line.

It's easy to scout and neutralize him. That's why drafting Salaün has me confused. They should've known defenses would play him to put the ball on the floor, and from there we lose any size or shooting advantage. He's not at all well-rounded.

I don't see Jabari Smith with Bailey.

I see Bailey as more of a Brandon Miller type player. If you telling me Flagg and Harper are off the board I don't see another prospect who has a higher ceiling than Bailey.

[KembaWalker]

The thing with Bailey is he's 6'10 and can shoot. You're possibly looking at a KD kind of player if he ever improves those handles.

Sure he can't pass, but this is why you sign Lonzo to play that connector role.

Miller/Bailey on the wings would be deadly given they both can shoot.

I don't believe in specialization of roles like Green starting for defense, or signing Lonzo for playmaking because our top 3 pick is not a connector. The more versatility and more well-rounded each player on the roster is, the better it will function, and perform through slumps, losing streaks, close games, and injuries.

I don't want to target a player where if you remove their best trait, they lose most of their value and can't really contribute in other ways.

Jabari Smith is kind of similar that way. He shoots, plus length, defends well. That's it. He's never going to be a #1 or #2 option or go-to scorer in crunch time if you take away the three-point line.

It's easy to scout and neutralize him. That's why drafting Salaün has me confused. They should've known defenses would play him to put the ball on the floor, and from there we lose any size or shooting advantage. He's not at all well-rounded.

I don't see Jabari Smith with Bailey.

I see Bailey as more of a Brandon Miller type player. If you telling me Flagg and Cooper are off the board I don't see another prospect who has a higher ceiling than Bailey.

You must be really down bad on Harper now if your big board is 1. Flagg 2. Cooper

[Goodecharlotte]

What do people think about Danny Wolf, he seems an interesting prospect at 7ft who can shoot the 3 and can handle the ball

[JustBuzzin]

I don't believe in specialization of roles like Green starting for defense, or signing Lonzo for playmaking because our top 3 pick is not a connector. The more versatility and more well-rounded each player on the roster is, the better it will function, and perform through slumps, losing streaks, close games, and injuries.

I don't want to target a player where if you remove their best trait, they lose most of their value and can't really contribute in other ways.

Jabari Smith is kind of similar that way. He shoots, plus length, defends well. That's it. He's never going to be a #1 or #2 option or go-to scorer in crunch time if you take away the three-point line.

It's easy to scout and neutralize him. That's why drafting Salaün has me confused. They should've known defenses would play him to put the ball on the floor, and from there we lose any size or shooting advantage. He's not at all well-rounded.

I don't see Jabari Smith with Bailey.

I see Bailey as more of a Brandon Miller type player. If you telling me Flagg and Cooper are off the board I don't see another prospect who has a higher ceiling than Bailey.

You must be really down bad on Harper now if your big board is 1. Flagg 2. Cooper

Flagg been so good I think there is 2 of him.

[JMAC3]

My apologies but this just came to mind as to why I posted a lot of players...

Some might think I post a lot of players but to be honest the only ones that have ever done something were the ones I PREDICTED WOULD... The only one who I casually posted ONCE who did something was AUSTIN REEVES.

The players who I just CASUALLY POST "NEVER" make it. I just post them to show whats BEST AVAILABLE after the players I WANT
are gone... Kinda like what a GM would do...

All these guys I predicted would do something I posted a lot pre draft that were late or not on mocks...

PG - Ajay Mitchell, Craig Porter JR, Ayo Dosunmu, Jared Butler, Tre Mann, Scottie Pippen JR

SG - Dyson Daniels, Josh Primo, Shaedon Sharpe, Isiah Joe, Bub Carrington, Grady Dick, Dalton Knect,

SF - Aaron Wiggins, Trey Murphy, Andre Jackson, Ben Sheppard,

PF - YuTa Watanabe, Toumani Camara, Jalen McDaniels

C - Jericho Simms, Christian Wood, Branden Carlson - I didn't post Carlson much but imo he will be solid

I think what you do is cool, but I also would say you are the last person in the thread trying to brag on how GOOD your draft history, just because you wrote their name down doesn't mean you had some awesome big board or draft history.

For 1. Each one of these 23 guys (some aren't even good) there is easily 75-150 guys you claimed were the next big thing that were terrible. I mean there is already 12+ guys (Kam Jones, Zeke Mayo, Chase Hunter, Walter Clayton Jr, Maxime Raynaud, Will Richard, Alijah Martin, Kanon Catchings, Braeden Shrewsberry, Andrej Stojakovic, Clifford Omoruyi) you have flag planted in this thread in the last 15 days, that is half of the amount you have listed above from the previous 6+ years. And it is 5 months from draft season. These 12 names will be 4x that amount by draft night.

Secondly, most of these guys listed came with ridiculous comps/claims that basically ruined any type of validity to them becoming a useful 13th guy in the league and you saying they were lottery talents. McDaniels>Zion. Guys like Josh Primo, Craig Porter, Tyrell Terry, Grant Riller, Tubelis, Djurisic were all sold as stars by you that we should trade up to #1 to draft.

Again, no issue with your posts but also if you want to come around bragging on how good you've done then that is where I will step in provide real context. No hard feelings but also let's try to not live in fantasy land when pressed about your claims.

[JustBuzzin]

I forgot to include that I also wanted us to draft ZO as well, but I was a bit dissapointed cause we didn't get Shaq. I also felt we were secondary to the Magic then. and I wanted Lillard over MKG. I was a huge Lillard fan that year but not fair to include him since he was never a HORNET

I do not remember us drafting LG, I was very young, I just remember LJ a little in college and LJ as a HORNET. I started watching college then I just remember bits and pieces, Tar Heels, Duke, UNLV, Rameel Robinson, Charlie Ward, who I was a HUGE fan of and Hank Gathers death, thats all that I really remember. I was a HORNETS fan from year one but not day one from a know whos on the roster standpoint. I also don't remember us drafting Mugsy, Curry, Gill or Crash.

Not sure about Eddie Jones, Baron, and J Richardson but I was a fan of theirs but I wont include them since I am kinda drawing blank there...

Thoughts on Ian Jackson?

[wilson115]

What do people think about Danny Wolf, he seems an interesting prospect at 7ft who can shoot the 3 and can handle the ball

Just watched some old tape of Miles and saw how the offense was cooking with the offensive maestro Plumlee in the mix. Maybe trade up for a late first to get this guy? Like, do we really need two more second-rounders?

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[Snidely FC]

For those paying attention Diop posted way back on page 2 of this thread that he wants "the Jewish Jokic". Wolf is on my Top 10 wish list. But with his terrific play Wolf is no longer flying under the radar and has entered the lottery convo. ESPN has him ranked #15 this week and featured him in this week's Risers column:

There isn't another player in college basketball like him with his ability to push off the defensive glass, creativity operating out of pick-and-roll handling, passing and finishing skillfully with both hands, and finding teammates off a live dribble. College bigs often have no idea how to defend his ball-screen actions with 7-foot-1 center Vlad Goldin, with Wolf's ability to play off crossovers and hesitation moves, reject screens, dish on the move and throw in 3-pointers pulling up against unders or ducking behind handoffs. He has improved his rebounding, finishing and defensive versatility from last season, showing a strong motor and sharp instincts recovering for blocks and steals while being in the right spots off the ball and generally holding his own.

What scouts are saying: "I can't remember the last time I saw a college big play that loose and free as a ball handler and passer. Some of the s--- he's doing; right hand, left hand. He's highly, highly skilled. ... He has a skill set that everyone is trying to find."

[Bassman]

For those paying attention Diop posted way back on page 2 of this thread that he wants "the Jewish Jokic". Wolf is on my Top 10 wish list. But with his terrific play Wolf is no longer flying under the radar and has entered the lottery convo. ESPN has him ranked #15 this week and featured him in this week's Risers column:

There isn't another player in college basketball like him with his ability to push off the defensive glass, creativity operating out of pick-and-roll handling, passing and finishing skillfully with both hands, and finding teammates off a live dribble. College bigs often have no idea how to defend his ball-screen actions with 7-foot-1 center Vlad Goldin, with Wolf's ability to play off crossovers and hesitation moves, reject screens, dish on the move and throw in 3-pointers pulling up against unders or ducking behind handoffs. He has improved his rebounding, finishing and defensive versatility from last season, showing a strong motor and sharp instincts recovering for blocks and steals while being in the right spots off the ball and generally holding his own.

What scouts are saying: "I can't remember the last time I saw a college big play that loose and free as a ball handler and passer. Some of the s--- he's doing; right hand, left hand. He's highly, highly skilled. ... He has a skill set that everyone is trying to find."

If our pick slides down below top 4, we should seriously consider Wolf. His size and skill set are amazing. His athleticism is relative to NBA play for his size. The comparisons to Jokic are spot on.

[Goodecharlotte]

It's not good that he's been compared to Jokic, well not if you want to draft him late 1st round. I can really see him be this years draft darling where he flies up the draft board.
I can totally see the comparison though his passing for a big man is unique he'd be great in a Hornets uniform next to Lamello, Mark, Brandon and at the 4 dare I say it Flagg, and maybe Lonzo coming off the bench, wow what a passing team that would be.
Anyway I digress Wolf would fit In nicely with what Lee is trying to do, 4 out on the perimeter stretching the floor and he strokes the 3 ball well.