2025 Draft Prospect Thread

[Braggins]

I think Bailey will go #3 or #2. I would not blame the Hornets if they drafted him at those spots (I still prefer Harper at #2), but he still scares me. He doesn't have an assist in his last three games. It also seems like most of his offense comes from hitting contested shots and he doesn't really create good looks for himself or others. He has too many good traits to pass on at the same time, though.

Here my attempt at a Hornets based mock top 10. Basically, who I would take at each spot if I were the Hornets. This is just based of stats, measurables, and vibes, and not meant to be too serious (I also haven't looked at international prospects at all).

1 ~ Cooper Flagg
2 ~ Dylan Harper
3 ~ Ace Bailey
4 ~ VJ Edgecombe
5 ~ Kasparas Jakucionis
6 ~ Egor Demin
7 ~ Jeremiah Fears
8 ~ Tre Johnson
9 ~ Asa Newell
10 ~ Rasheer Fleming

[JDR720]

Is Bailey a Cam Thomas type? All scoring, no passing?

[Braggins]

Is Bailey a Cam Thomas type? All scoring, no passing?

Hes averaging 1.0 assists and 2.5 turnovers per 70 possessions (0.4 ast/tov).

His scoring style doesn't seem similar to Cam Thomas to me and they generally have vastly different tools, but he does seem to severely lack playmaking at this point. He doesn't 19 til after the draft and his team is really bad, though. Harper is a PnR/iso guy and all of their other guys aren't threats. You wouldn't expect him to get a lot of assists in this context, but his playmaking numbers are very far underwater.

[Braggins]

Rasheer Fleming seems like hes probably a reach in the Hornets likely draft range, but they could use someone like him on this roster so bad. If he ends up making it to the middle of the 1st round or later Id be cool with them trying to trade back into the 1st to take him. He seems like a more athletic and developed version of what people are hoping Salaun can eventually be.

[MasterIchiro]

Is Bailey a Cam Thomas type? All scoring, no passing?

Hes averaging 1.0 assists and 2.5 turnovers per 70 possessions (0.4 ast/tov).

His scoring style doesn't seem similar to Cam Thomas to me and they generally have vastly different tools, but he does seem to severely lack playmaking at this point. He doesn't 19 til after the draft and his team is really bad, though. Harper is a PnR/iso guy and all of their other guys aren't threats. You wouldn't expect him to get a lot of assists in this context, but his playmaking numbers are very far underwater.

Hate this archetype.

In modern NBA offense you either need to excel as a facilitator or score in isolation off shot creation. Otherwise your value is highly contingent on your teammates having those skills. You're asking them to space with their isolation games by drawing defenders/coverage, and find you when you're open with passes to your sweet spot.

Maybe the Miami Heat can turn you into something, but not this system, not this group, not this coach.

I think if you take a player who's the end point of a possession (and nothing in between) with a top pick, you're squandering value to the team in the name of value in the individual player.

Like Jabari Smith.

Does it change the Rockets trajectory if they just bench Jabari Smith for Tari Eason?

Nope.

If he just disappeared, they would hardly feel it.

[MasterIchiro]

All that said, I concede my focus on this draft is narrow.

1-Harper
2-Flagg
3-Jakucionis
4-Trade out

I'm serious about exiting the perennial Tankathon contest. This starts with bold win-now moves for young established quality starters and bench players to build out this roster, and exchanging some draft capital for wins.

I'm not at all wanting to add a prospect who needs X number of years to fill in the holes in his game. We have that player in Salaün (instead of Avdija or someone comparable). I hereby revoke Peterson's privilege.

This is not stage 1 rebuild here. We have LaMelo, Miller, Miles, Mark, Mann. This group combined with surplus draft capital in the form of (16) 2nd round picks plus (4) Hornets 1sts plus lottery pick looks to me like end phase rebuild.

Time to exit.

[EmpireFalls]

All that said, I concede my focus on this draft is narrow.

1-Harper
2-Flagg
3-Jakucionis
4-Trade out

I'm serious about exiting the perennial Tankathon contest. This starts with bold win-now moves for young established quality starters and bench players to build out this roster, and exchanging some draft capital for wins.

I'm not at all wanting to add a prospect who needs X number of years to fill in the holes in his game. We have that player in Salaün (instead of Avdija or someone comparable). I hereby revoke Peterson's privilege.

This is not stage 1 rebuild here. We have LaMelo, Miller, Miles, Mark, Mann. This group combined with surplus draft capital in the form of (16) 2nd round picks plus (4) Hornets 1sts plus lottery pick looks to me like end phase rebuild.

Time to exit.

You should really give VJ a chance.

[MasterIchiro]

All that said, I concede my focus on this draft is narrow.

1-Harper
2-Flagg
3-Jakucionis
4-Trade out

I'm serious about exiting the perennial Tankathon contest. This starts with bold win-now moves for young established quality starters and bench players to build out this roster, and exchanging some draft capital for wins.

I'm not at all wanting to add a prospect who needs X number of years to fill in the holes in his game. We have that player in Salaün (instead of Avdija or someone comparable). I hereby revoke Peterson's privilege.

This is not stage 1 rebuild here. We have LaMelo, Miller, Miles, Mark, Mann. This group combined with surplus draft capital in the form of (16) 2nd round picks plus (4) Hornets 1sts plus lottery pick looks to me like end phase rebuild.

Time to exit.

You should really give VJ a chance.

I believe another team earlier in their rebuild should. And I would gladly take that win-now piece for him with no regrets.

[Snidely FC]

While some of us fans appear skeptical of Bailey you've got a 6'10 18yo now shooting 41% from 3 while making Kobe-esque mid range moves and blocking shots (watch the last minute of the video link to see a pupu platter of what he can do) so I can't imagine a GM on the planet who doesn't have Bailey as Tier 2 with Harper after Flagg.

https://youtu.be/MCfAhtHc2fI?si=rxZg_pJtEPmUtX0L&t=127

[Rich4114]

While some of us fans appear skeptical of Bailey you've got a 6'10 18yo now shooting 41% from 3 while making Kobe-esque mid range moves and blocking shots (watch the last minute of the video link to see a pupu platter of what he can do) so I can't imagine a GM on the planet who doesn't have Bailey as Tier 2 with Harper after Flagg.

https://youtu.be/MCfAhtHc2fI?si=rxZg_pJtEPmUtX0L&t=127

I agree, I think he's being over analyzed and we're missing the fact that he could be an elite scorer with his size, shooting mechanics and ability to just score over people. His game is far from perfect and a little redundant to Miller, but at the end of the day we need talent above all.

[JustBuzzin]

Is Bailey a Cam Thomas type? All scoring, no passing?

Bailey is Miller with a better post game.

I was high on Miller, but Bailey might be even better because of his size.


Right now I would be just as happy to have the #3 pick as I would the #1 pick.

Flagg/Bailey/Harper are the superstars of this class. We get one of those and we are gonna be a problem.

[JustBuzzin]

I'm shocked more people aren't on the Bailey bandwagon considering he's scoring effortlessly with a raw handle. Once again if you can shoot you will have a role at the next level. There is no bust potential with Bailey at worst he's just another Brandon Miller.

[JustBuzzin]

Is Bailey a Cam Thomas type? All scoring, no passing?

Hes averaging 1.0 assists and 2.5 turnovers per 70 possessions (0.4 ast/tov).

His scoring style doesn't seem similar to Cam Thomas to me and they generally have vastly different tools, but he does seem to severely lack playmaking at this point. He doesn't 19 til after the draft and his team is really bad, though. Harper is a PnR/iso guy and all of their other guys aren't threats. You wouldn't expect him to get a lot of assists in this context, but his playmaking numbers are very far underwater.

Hate this archetype.

In modern NBA offense you either need to excel as a facilitator or score in isolation off shot creation. Otherwise your value is highly contingent on your teammates having those skills. You're asking them to space with their isolation games by drawing defenders/coverage, and find you when you're open with passes to your sweet spot.

Maybe the Miami Heat can turn you into something, but not this system, not this group, not this coach.

I think if you take a player who's the end point of a possession (and nothing in between) with a top pick, you're squandering value to the team in the name of value in the individual player.

Like Jabari Smith.

Does it change the Rockets trajectory if they just bench Jabari Smith for Tari Eason?

Nope.

If he just disappeared, they would hardly feel it.

We finally disagree on a draft prospect. I was down on Bailey early, but he's proving he's got effortless scoring ability. He's gonna be the best scorer in this draft imo. He's also only 18 at 6'10. He's a good defender as well. The only thing he needs to improve is his handle. I don't care for his passing when you can score that easily.

I think Harper is still elite and will be a superstar, but a 6'10 wing who can score is going to be hard to pass up imo.

Flagg/Bailey/Harper is my order right now. If Harper starts playing like early season Harper this could change. Either way this is going to be a great draft for us to get a potential superstar. I would be happy if we landed in the top 3.

[JustBuzzin]

While some of us fans appear skeptical of Bailey you've got a 6'10 18yo now shooting 41% from 3 while making Kobe-esque mid range moves and blocking shots (watch the last minute of the video link to see a pupu platter of what he can do) so I can't imagine a GM on the planet who doesn't have Bailey as Tier 2 with Harper after Flagg.

https://youtu.be/MCfAhtHc2fI?si=rxZg_pJtEPmUtX0L&t=127

I can't believe people aren't buying the hype on Bailey. You're not supposed to score like that with no handle. This kid potential is scary and I can see why there was legit talk of him and Flagg fighting for that #1 spot before the season.

I'm always going to be intrigued by a 6'10 wing who can shoot. It's why I was sold on Miller. Bailey arguably looks even more of a natural scorer than Miller.

[GiggitySmalls]

Bailey does seem like a scoring savant at every level. Is he a 3 or 4? I feel like he's a 4. I'd also like to trade the Miami and/or the Dallas pick to okc to get Asa Newell. We need to solve the 4 and 5 problems immediately. We ain't signing Noone so we might aswell go all out and use the extra picks and just keep our own. Even if we drafted 4 or 5 and took Edgecombe or jak. I'd still wanna trade for Asa Newell. We need a deep-impact draft to shift forward and bring hope.

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[JustBuzzin]

Bailey does seem like a scoring savant at every level. Is he a 3 or 4? I feel like he's a 4. I'd also like to trade the Miami and/or the Dallas pick to okc to get Asa Newell. We need to solve the 4 and 5 problems immediately. We ain't signing Noone so we might aswell go all out and use the extra picks and just keep our own. Even if we drafted 4 or 5 and took Edgecombe or jak. I'd still wanna trade for Asa Newell. We need a deep-impact draft to shift forward and bring hope.

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Probably a stretch pf to start off, but if that handle improves just move him to SF because he would be basically KD if he improves the handle.

Right now he's a mix of young Rashard Lewis and KD.

Best scorer in the draft you can't pass that up especially if Flagg or Harper are off the board. This Jaku ahead of Bailey talk has to stop. Jaku even with a all-around game can't touch the potential of a Bailey.

Don't overthink this it's the top 3 and everyone else.

[SWedd523]

I don't trust any "scorer" who can't handle the ball well enough to consistently beat a defender off the dribble

[wilson115]

7 ~ Jeremiah Fears

What's the deal with Fears, why are so many people this high on him? Skinny combo guard, great handles though.

Read on Twitter

[GiggitySmalls]

Bailey does seem like a scoring savant at every level. Is he a 3 or 4? I feel like he's a 4. I'd also like to trade the Miami and/or the Dallas pick to okc to get Asa Newell. We need to solve the 4 and 5 problems immediately. We ain't signing Noone so we might aswell go all out and use the extra picks and just keep our own. Even if we drafted 4 or 5 and took Edgecombe or jak. I'd still wanna trade for Asa Newell. We need a deep-impact draft to shift forward and bring hope.

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Probably a stretch pf to start off, but if that handle improves just move him to SF because he would be basically KD if he improves the handle.

Right now he's a mix of young Rashard Lewis and KD.

Best scorer in the draft you can't pass that up especially if Flagg or Harper are off the board. This Jaku ahead of Bailey talk has to stop. Jaku even with a all-around game can't touch the potential of a Bailey.

Don't overthink this it's the top 3 and everyone else.

I'm not. It's clearly flagg Harper Bailey. 4 and 5 are Edgecombe and Jaku. To me it's obviously that at this point.

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[JustBuzzin]

I don't trust any "scorer" who can't handle the ball well enough to consistently beat a defender off the dribble

So now Brandon Miller is trash?

How quickly the narrative changes...