2025 NBA Draft Thread, part 1 – Capture the Flagg

[165bows]

You look at Ryan Kalbrenner from Creighton, a seven-footer with a 7-5 wingspan, moving up to #31 on Ersins big board, and that makes sense with big men making a comeback in NBA schemes. You look at how Zach Edey was a projected 2nd round pick at this time last year and he ends up drafted top 10, makes me think Kalbrenner has a good chance to rise. I think in the last ten drafts, the only collegiate 7-footers with a BPM > 13 who weren’t 1st round selections was Bol Bol who went 2nd round but he had fit, injury & character concerns.

Kalbrenner is coming off a 35pt game and his BMP is, at this time, 14.4 … I bet he ends up goin first round.

Ersin Big Board, Feb 2025

https://edemirnba.substack.com/p/2025-nba-draft-big-board-30

Agreed, seems like his real weakness is on the boards for a guy his size. Thought it made sense he was in the top-35 or so, even if you land Luke Kornet part 2 that’s worth it and it’s possible he has a little more upside.

[redslastlaugh]

Agreed, seems like his real weakness is on the boards for a guy his size. Thought it made sense he was in the top-35 or so, even if you land Luke Kornet part 2 that’s worth it and it’s possible he has a little more upside.

Yea, I’m realizing Kalkbrenner could be a target for the C’s I think, and I haven’t really been thinking about him for us.

But then I realized:
Porzingis, aside from the injury issues, is making $30 million on his last year next year, can we retain him after that with the tax/apron?
Horford is age 40 next year and a free agent
Luke is a free agent and for how long does he turn down better money offers from other teams?
Tillman is a tray of baked ziti at this point
And that leaves Queta, as the only big signed for a couple of seasons.

Makes me think, maybe Kalkbrenner will get a look from Brad.

[Hal14]

You look at Ryan Kalbrenner from Creighton, a seven-footer with a 7-5 wingspan, moving up to #31 on Ersins big board, and that makes sense with big men making a comeback in NBA schemes. You look at how Zach Edey was a projected 2nd round pick at this time last year and he ends up drafted top 10, makes me think Kalbrenner has a good chance to rise. I think in the last ten drafts, the only collegiate 7-footers with a BPM > 13 who weren’t 1st round selections was Bol Bol who went 2nd round but he had fit, injury & character concerns.

Kalbrenner is coming off a 35pt game and his BMP is, at this time, 14.4 … I bet he ends up goin first round.

Ersin Big Board, Feb 2025

https://edemirnba.substack.com/p/2025-nba-draft-big-board-30

Agreed, seems like his real weakness is on the boards for a guy his size. Thought it made sense he was in the top-35 or so, even if you land Luke Kornet part 2 that’s worth it and it’s possible he has a little more upside.

His main weakness is that he's old. And old (age 22+) bigs have a really low hit rate.

Read on Twitter

His next weakness is that he's slow and unathletic, lacks strength too, which coincides with his other weakness that because of the limited quickness, he struggles to defend out on the perimeter.

He's kind of like Kornet but I think Kornet is a bit quicker. Like if Luke was slower than he is, I don't know how good he would play. Plus Kornet has this really innate, unique ability to seemingly never make mistakes out there, always be in the right spots at the right time, makes the right, smart basketball plays, moves the ball, knows his role, really understands the game, how to play which is partly because he has outlier basketball IQ and unselfishness but partly due to being in the league for like 8 years so over time you learn and pick up on all of that stuff. So it's hard to say that Kalkbrenner would be able to come in and be that type of player for us as a rookie or even as a 2nd year player.

Wouldn't mind if we took a look at Kalkbrenner but not until like the 45-60 range at the earliest or as an UDFA guy..

[Bill Lumbergh]

Is Danny Wolf any kin to Joe Wolf (former Tarheel), or Peter Wolf ("This is wooba gooba with the green teeth, let me in!" )?

[165bows]

You look at Ryan Kalbrenner from Creighton, a seven-footer with a 7-5 wingspan, moving up to #31 on Ersins big board, and that makes sense with big men making a comeback in NBA schemes. You look at how Zach Edey was a projected 2nd round pick at this time last year and he ends up drafted top 10, makes me think Kalbrenner has a good chance to rise. I think in the last ten drafts, the only collegiate 7-footers with a BPM > 13 who weren’t 1st round selections was Bol Bol who went 2nd round but he had fit, injury & character concerns.

Kalbrenner is coming off a 35pt game and his BMP is, at this time, 14.4 … I bet he ends up goin first round.

Agreed, seems like his real weakness is on the boards for a guy his size. Thought it made sense he was in the top-35 or so, even if you land Luke Kornet part 2 that’s worth it and it’s possible he has a little more upside.

His main weakness is that he's old. And old (age 22+) bigs have a really low hit rate.

Read on Twitter

His next weakness is that he's slow and unathletic, lacks strength too, which coincides with his other weakness that because of the limited quickness, he struggles to defend out on the perimeter.

He's kind of like Kornet but I think Kornet is a bit quicker. Like if Luke was slower than he is, I don't know how good he would play. Plus Kornet has this really innate, unique ability to seemingly never make mistakes out there, always be in the right spots at the right time, makes the right, smart basketball plays, moves the ball, knows his role, really understands the game, how to play which is partly because he has outlier basketball IQ and unselfishness but partly due to being in the league for like 8 years so over time you learn and pick up on all of that stuff. So it's hard to say that Kalkbrenner would be able to come in and be that type of player for us as a rookie or even as a 2nd year player.

Wouldn't mind if we took a look at Kalkbrenner but not until like the 45-60 range at the earliest or as an UDFA guy..

Ironically Kornet was also a senior but didn’t get drafted at all which is looking like a mistake at this point.

[winsomme2]

anybody have a good list of players who are on the fence about returning to school.

Our first round pick IMO is a good "draft promise" pick that is low enough to take a risk but high enough to possibly convince a player to take the guaranteed contract on a top tier team.

Boogie Fland
Danny Wolf

Others?

Wolf has obvious NBA skills. The highlights of Boogie are super tantalizing. I know he's smallish but he is a legit three level scorer with pretty elite ball handling skills.

[Hal14]

Mentioned this before, but if we go for a wing, Neoklis Avdalas would be near the top of my target list:

Read on Twitter

How well our other wings (Hauser, Peterson, Scheierman, Walsh) play - and how much they play for the big club - over the rest of the season I think will tell is quite a bit when it comes to whether we should target a wing in the draft.

[snowman]

With Porzingis' health in question (I still would have no problem extending Porzingis contract for another two years) over an 82-game season plus playoffs, and Horford being up there in age, I would make it a point to resign Kornet to as team friendly contract as possible. I would also resign Horford on one-year deals for as long as he wanted to play. I would also get Queta as many minutes as possible.

With that being said, If Kalbrenner or Wolf is there when our first-round pick comes up I snag one of them and let them spend a year in Maine to learn our system. Now that I went to Tankathon and looked at the numbers, I like Kalbrenner better than Wolf based on FT%. In my mind, if a player can shoot FTs at a decent clip, then his 3 pt shot is teachable. 71.8% for Kalbrenner vs 63.3 for Wolf is a sizable difference. However, if Kalbrenner is gone I would still take Wolf.

[Curmudgeon]

When you have a championship caliber team you take the best player available. Position doesn't mattter.

[redslastlaugh]

Givony/Woo ESPN Mock Draft dropped today:

Celtics take Rasheer Fleming & Ryan Kalkbrenner

First Round

Cooper Flagg - Washington Wizards
Dylan Harper - New Orleans Pelicans
Ace Bailey - Utah Jazz
VJ Edgecombe - Charlotte Hornets
Kasparas Jakucionis - Toronto Raptors
Kon Knueppel - Brooklyn Nets
Khaman Maluach - Chicago Bulls
Egor Demin - Portland Trail Blazers
Jeremiah Fears - SA Spurs
Derik Queen - OKC Thunder
Tre Johnson - Houston Rockers
Joan Beringer - SA Spurs
Liam McNeeley - Atlanta Hawks
Nolan Traore - Dallas Mavericks
Hugo Gonzalez - OKC Thunders
Danny Wolf - Minnesota Timberwolves
Ben Saraf - Orlando Magic
Collin Murray-Boyles - Miami Heat
Noa Essengue - Utah Jazz
Will Riley - Brooklyn Nets
Asa Newell - OKC Thunder
Drake Powell - Indiana Pacers
Carter Bryant - Brooklyn Nets
Thomas Sorber - Brooklyn Nets
Adou Thiero - Orlando Magic
Alex Condon - Atlanta Hawks
Noah Penda - Washington Wizrads
Rasheer Fleming - Boston Celtics
Alex Karaban - Phoenix Suns
Jase Richardson - LA Clippers

Second round

31. Boston Celtics (via Washington) - Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Creighton, super senior
32. Charlotte Hornets (via New Orleans) - Michael Ruzic, PF, Joventut (Spain)
33. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah) - Ian Jackson, SG, North Carolina, freshman
34. Charlotte Hornets - Sergio De Larrea, PG/SG, Valencia ACB (Spain)
35. Detroit Pistons (via Toronto) - Maxime Raynaud, C, Stanford, senior
36. Brooklyn Nets - Alex Toohey, SF/PF, Sydney (Australia)
37. Sacramento Kings (via Chicago) - Boogie Fland, PG, Arkansas, freshman
38. Toronto Raptors (via Portland) - Miles Byrd, SG, San Diego State, sophomore
39. San Antonio Spurs - Chaz Lanier, SG, Tennessee, super senior
40. Philadelphia 76ers - Tyrese Proctor, PG, Duke, junior
41. Washington Wizards (via Phoenix) - Johni Broome, C, Auburn, super senior
42. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Atlanta) - Dink Pate, SG/SF, Mexico City Capitanes (G League)
43. Chicago Bulls (via Sacramento) - Darrion Williams, SF/PF, Texas Tech, junior
44. Utah Jazz (via Dallas) - Eric Dixon, C, Villanova, super senior
45. Golden State Warriors (via Miami) - Kam Jones, PG/SG, Marquette, senior
46. Washington Wizards (via Detroit) - Sion James, SF, Duke, super senior
47. Orlando Magic - Johann Grunloh, C, Vechta (Germany)
48. Washington Wizards (via Golden State) - Joseph Tugler, PF/C, Houston, sophomore
49. LA Clippers (via Miami) - Nique Clifford, SG, Colorado State, super senior
50. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Milwaukee) - Isaiah Evans, SG/SF, Duke, freshman
51. Utah Jazz (via LA Clippers) - Rocco Zikarsky, C, Brisbane (Australia)
52. Indiana Pacers - Bogoljub Markovic, PF/C, Mega MIS Adriatic (Serbia)
53. Memphis Grizzlies (via Houston) - Mouhamed Faye, C, Reggio Emilia (Italy)
54. Phoenix Suns (via Denver) - Cedric Coward, SF, Washington State, senior
55. Los Angeles Lakers - Yaxel Lendeborg, PF/C, UAB, senior
56. New York Knicks (via Memphis) - Zvonimir Ivisic, PF/C, Arkansas, sophomore
57. Orlando Magic (via Boston) - JT Toppin, PF, Texas Tech, sophomore
58. Cleveland Cavaliers - Koby Brea, SG/SF, Kentucky, super senior
59. Houston Rockets (Oklahoma City) - Malique Lewis, SF/PF, South East Melbourne (Australia)

[djFan71]

Givony/Woo ESPN Mock Draft dropped today:

Celtics take Rasheer Fleming & Ryan Kalkbrenner

Spoiler:

First Round

Cooper Flagg - Washington Wizards
Dylan Harper - New Orleans Pelicans
Ace Bailey - Utah Jazz
VJ Edgecombe - Charlotte Hornets
Kasparas Jakucionis - Toronto Raptors
Kon Knueppel - Brooklyn Nets
Khaman Maluach - Chicago Bulls
Egor Demin - Portland Trail Blazers
Jeremiah Fears - SA Spurs
Derik Queen - OKC Thunder
Tre Johnson - Houston Rockers
Joan Beringer - SA Spurs
Liam McNeeley - Atlanta Hawks
Nolan Traore - Dallas Mavericks
Hugo Gonzalez - OKC Thunders
Danny Wolf - Minnesota Timberwolves
Ben Saraf - Orlando Magic
Collin Murray-Boyles - Miami Heat
Noa Essengue - Utah Jazz
Will Riley - Brooklyn Nets
Asa Newell - OKC Thunder
Drake Powell - Indiana Pacers
Carter Bryant - Brooklyn Nets
Thomas Sorber - Brooklyn Nets
Adou Thiero - Orlando Magic
Alex Condon - Atlanta Hawks
Noah Penda - Washington Wizrads
Rasheer Fleming - Boston Celtics
Alex Karaban - Phoenix Suns
Jase Richardson - LA Clippers

Second round

31. Boston Celtics (via Washington) - Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Creighton, super senior
32. Charlotte Hornets (via New Orleans) - Michael Ruzic, PF, Joventut (Spain)
33. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah) - Ian Jackson, SG, North Carolina, freshman
34. Charlotte Hornets - Sergio De Larrea, PG/SG, Valencia ACB (Spain)
35. Detroit Pistons (via Toronto) - Maxime Raynaud, C, Stanford, senior
36. Brooklyn Nets - Alex Toohey, SF/PF, Sydney (Australia)
37. Sacramento Kings (via Chicago) - Boogie Fland, PG, Arkansas, freshman
38. Toronto Raptors (via Portland) - Miles Byrd, SG, San Diego State, sophomore
39. San Antonio Spurs - Chaz Lanier, SG, Tennessee, super senior
40. Philadelphia 76ers - Tyrese Proctor, PG, Duke, junior
41. Washington Wizards (via Phoenix) - Johni Broome, C, Auburn, super senior
42. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Atlanta) - Dink Pate, SG/SF, Mexico City Capitanes (G League)
43. Chicago Bulls (via Sacramento) - Darrion Williams, SF/PF, Texas Tech, junior
44. Utah Jazz (via Dallas) - Eric Dixon, C, Villanova, super senior
45. Golden State Warriors (via Miami) - Kam Jones, PG/SG, Marquette, senior
46. Washington Wizards (via Detroit) - Sion James, SF, Duke, super senior
47. Orlando Magic - Johann Grunloh, C, Vechta (Germany)
48. Washington Wizards (via Golden State) - Joseph Tugler, PF/C, Houston, sophomore
49. LA Clippers (via Miami) - Nique Clifford, SG, Colorado State, super senior
50. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Milwaukee) - Isaiah Evans, SG/SF, Duke, freshman
51. Utah Jazz (via LA Clippers) - Rocco Zikarsky, C, Brisbane (Australia)
52. Indiana Pacers - Bogoljub Markovic, PF/C, Mega MIS Adriatic (Serbia)
53. Memphis Grizzlies (via Houston) - Mouhamed Faye, C, Reggio Emilia (Italy)
54. Phoenix Suns (via Denver) - Cedric Coward, SF, Washington State, senior
55. Los Angeles Lakers - Yaxel Lendeborg, PF/C, UAB, senior
56. New York Knicks (via Memphis) - Zvonimir Ivisic, PF/C, Arkansas, sophomore
57. Orlando Magic (via Boston) - JT Toppin, PF, Texas Tech, sophomore
58. Cleveland Cavaliers - Koby Brea, SG/SF, Kentucky, super senior
59. Houston Rockets (Oklahoma City) - Malique Lewis, SF/PF, South East Melbourne (Australia)

Change Kalkbrenner to Miles Byrd and that's my dream draft right now.

Noceilings dropped theirs today too. Jase Richardson and Karaban.
https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/2025-nba-mock-draft-v4

[djFan71]

Wow, just noticed ESPN mock has Beringer at 12! Highest I've seen him. He's been my "all else fails" pick at 31 after we trade 28 for future seconds. And I'm also getting more into Yaxel lately.

[Bill Lumbergh]

Fleming looks nice. Imo our biggest need is a big forward to come off the bench. He fits the profile. I kind of doubt he will be there when we pick. Doubting we make both selections. Hard to roster a couple more guys, especially since Baylor has a roster spot and doesn't look very good up til now. Walsh is iffy too. There are only so many developmental guys you want to carry on a contender.

https://youtu.be/wmKx6I5akTg?si=ciTE0usuld3yK_tz

[djFan71]

Fleming looks nice. Imo our biggest need is a big forward to come off the bench. He fits the profile. I kind of doubt he will be there when we pick. Doubting we make both selections. Hard to roster a couple more guys, especially since Baylor has a roster spot and doesn't look very good up til now. Walsh is iffy too. There are only so many developmental guys you want to carry on a contender.

https://youtu.be/wmKx6I5akTg?si=ciTE0usuld3yK_tz

Yeah, that's the only mock I've seen recently where he lasts to us.
With 31 and our roster, it just makes too much sense to trade 28, but until we do we can dream, lol.

[Bill Lumbergh]

Fleming looks nice. Imo our biggest need is a big forward to come off the bench. He fits the profile. I kind of doubt he will be there when we pick. Doubting we make both selections. Hard to roster a couple more guys, especially since Baylor has a roster spot and doesn't look very good up til now. Walsh is iffy too. There are only so many developmental guys you want to carry on a contender.

https://youtu.be/wmKx6I5akTg?si=ciTE0usuld3yK_tz

Yeah, that's the only mock I've seen recently where he lasts to us.
With 31 and our roster, it just makes too much sense to trade 28, but until we do we can dream, lol.

True. I don't think we're keeping 28 either. I am just now starting to look at guys. Today, actually. Just watched some Fland highlights. Really like what I see. Would not mind having a PG in the pipeline who can get to wherever he wants to and break guys down off the bounce. I suspect we're done with Davison after this year.

Edit: At his size he's gonna get hunted on D, but he sure is skilled on offense. Where we're picking everybody's gonna have some warts.

[playa-hater]

Givony/Woo ESPN Mock Draft dropped today:

Celtics take Rasheer Fleming & Ryan Kalkbrenner

Spoiler:

First Round

Cooper Flagg - Washington Wizards
Dylan Harper - New Orleans Pelicans
Ace Bailey - Utah Jazz
VJ Edgecombe - Charlotte Hornets
Kasparas Jakucionis - Toronto Raptors
Kon Knueppel - Brooklyn Nets
Khaman Maluach - Chicago Bulls
Egor Demin - Portland Trail Blazers
Jeremiah Fears - SA Spurs
Derik Queen - OKC Thunder
Tre Johnson - Houston Rockers
Joan Beringer - SA Spurs
Liam McNeeley - Atlanta Hawks
Nolan Traore - Dallas Mavericks
Hugo Gonzalez - OKC Thunders
Danny Wolf - Minnesota Timberwolves
Ben Saraf - Orlando Magic
Collin Murray-Boyles - Miami Heat
Noa Essengue - Utah Jazz
Will Riley - Brooklyn Nets
Asa Newell - OKC Thunder
Drake Powell - Indiana Pacers
Carter Bryant - Brooklyn Nets
Thomas Sorber - Brooklyn Nets
Adou Thiero - Orlando Magic
Alex Condon - Atlanta Hawks
Noah Penda - Washington Wizrads
Rasheer Fleming - Boston Celtics
Alex Karaban - Phoenix Suns
Jase Richardson - LA Clippers

Second round

31. Boston Celtics (via Washington) - Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Creighton, super senior
32. Charlotte Hornets (via New Orleans) - Michael Ruzic, PF, Joventut (Spain)
33. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah) - Ian Jackson, SG, North Carolina, freshman
34. Charlotte Hornets - Sergio De Larrea, PG/SG, Valencia ACB (Spain)
35. Detroit Pistons (via Toronto) - Maxime Raynaud, C, Stanford, senior
36. Brooklyn Nets - Alex Toohey, SF/PF, Sydney (Australia)
37. Sacramento Kings (via Chicago) - Boogie Fland, PG, Arkansas, freshman
38. Toronto Raptors (via Portland) - Miles Byrd, SG, San Diego State, sophomore
39. San Antonio Spurs - Chaz Lanier, SG, Tennessee, super senior
40. Philadelphia 76ers - Tyrese Proctor, PG, Duke, junior
41. Washington Wizards (via Phoenix) - Johni Broome, C, Auburn, super senior
42. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Atlanta) - Dink Pate, SG/SF, Mexico City Capitanes (G League)
43. Chicago Bulls (via Sacramento) - Darrion Williams, SF/PF, Texas Tech, junior
44. Utah Jazz (via Dallas) - Eric Dixon, C, Villanova, super senior
45. Golden State Warriors (via Miami) - Kam Jones, PG/SG, Marquette, senior
46. Washington Wizards (via Detroit) - Sion James, SF, Duke, super senior
47. Orlando Magic - Johann Grunloh, C, Vechta (Germany)
48. Washington Wizards (via Golden State) - Joseph Tugler, PF/C, Houston, sophomore
49. LA Clippers (via Miami) - Nique Clifford, SG, Colorado State, super senior
50. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Milwaukee) - Isaiah Evans, SG/SF, Duke, freshman
51. Utah Jazz (via LA Clippers) - Rocco Zikarsky, C, Brisbane (Australia)
52. Indiana Pacers - Bogoljub Markovic, PF/C, Mega MIS Adriatic (Serbia)
53. Memphis Grizzlies (via Houston) - Mouhamed Faye, C, Reggio Emilia (Italy)
54. Phoenix Suns (via Denver) - Cedric Coward, SF, Washington State, senior
55. Los Angeles Lakers - Yaxel Lendeborg, PF/C, UAB, senior
56. New York Knicks (via Memphis) - Zvonimir Ivisic, PF/C, Arkansas, sophomore
57. Orlando Magic (via Boston) - JT Toppin, PF, Texas Tech, sophomore
58. Cleveland Cavaliers - Koby Brea, SG/SF, Kentucky, super senior
59. Houston Rockets (Oklahoma City) - Malique Lewis, SF/PF, South East Melbourne (Australia)

Change Kalkbrenner to Miles Byrd and that's my dream draft right now.

Noceilings dropped theirs today too. Jase Richardson and Karaban.
https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/2025-nba-mock-draft-v4

OK so I like those players above, I think they can make solid NBA players. But what a waste at the same time. Take Karaban for example. May be the better version Of Hauser yet we just drafted Scheierman who can never get a chance. Year before we have Walsh. Peterson is already killing the G-League. Queta included. And the we have Joe, he barely used any of the above, even in November and December. Not even Intergrated a single one of those players. Here we are some- time later and we really have almost No idea what does young players can be. How is it even possible we can add 2 more young talents? (even If Jrue gets traded)

I would much rather trade all of our picks this year 28 +31 and even 2026 1st if Necessary to target a much more likely stud player Mid-teens. We do not need more quantity, we need one more high quality player. Forcing Joe to expand his rotation even one more player will be a challenge tough enough.

[djFan71]

Givony/Woo ESPN Mock Draft dropped today:

Celtics take Rasheer Fleming & Ryan Kalkbrenner

Spoiler:

First Round

Cooper Flagg - Washington Wizards
Dylan Harper - New Orleans Pelicans
Ace Bailey - Utah Jazz
VJ Edgecombe - Charlotte Hornets
Kasparas Jakucionis - Toronto Raptors
Kon Knueppel - Brooklyn Nets
Khaman Maluach - Chicago Bulls
Egor Demin - Portland Trail Blazers
Jeremiah Fears - SA Spurs
Derik Queen - OKC Thunder
Tre Johnson - Houston Rockers
Joan Beringer - SA Spurs
Liam McNeeley - Atlanta Hawks
Nolan Traore - Dallas Mavericks
Hugo Gonzalez - OKC Thunders
Danny Wolf - Minnesota Timberwolves
Ben Saraf - Orlando Magic
Collin Murray-Boyles - Miami Heat
Noa Essengue - Utah Jazz
Will Riley - Brooklyn Nets
Asa Newell - OKC Thunder
Drake Powell - Indiana Pacers
Carter Bryant - Brooklyn Nets
Thomas Sorber - Brooklyn Nets
Adou Thiero - Orlando Magic
Alex Condon - Atlanta Hawks
Noah Penda - Washington Wizrads
Rasheer Fleming - Boston Celtics
Alex Karaban - Phoenix Suns
Jase Richardson - LA Clippers

Second round

31. Boston Celtics (via Washington) - Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Creighton, super senior
32. Charlotte Hornets (via New Orleans) - Michael Ruzic, PF, Joventut (Spain)
33. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah) - Ian Jackson, SG, North Carolina, freshman
34. Charlotte Hornets - Sergio De Larrea, PG/SG, Valencia ACB (Spain)
35. Detroit Pistons (via Toronto) - Maxime Raynaud, C, Stanford, senior
36. Brooklyn Nets - Alex Toohey, SF/PF, Sydney (Australia)
37. Sacramento Kings (via Chicago) - Boogie Fland, PG, Arkansas, freshman
38. Toronto Raptors (via Portland) - Miles Byrd, SG, San Diego State, sophomore
39. San Antonio Spurs - Chaz Lanier, SG, Tennessee, super senior
40. Philadelphia 76ers - Tyrese Proctor, PG, Duke, junior
41. Washington Wizards (via Phoenix) - Johni Broome, C, Auburn, super senior
42. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Atlanta) - Dink Pate, SG/SF, Mexico City Capitanes (G League)
43. Chicago Bulls (via Sacramento) - Darrion Williams, SF/PF, Texas Tech, junior
44. Utah Jazz (via Dallas) - Eric Dixon, C, Villanova, super senior
45. Golden State Warriors (via Miami) - Kam Jones, PG/SG, Marquette, senior
46. Washington Wizards (via Detroit) - Sion James, SF, Duke, super senior
47. Orlando Magic - Johann Grunloh, C, Vechta (Germany)
48. Washington Wizards (via Golden State) - Joseph Tugler, PF/C, Houston, sophomore
49. LA Clippers (via Miami) - Nique Clifford, SG, Colorado State, super senior
50. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Milwaukee) - Isaiah Evans, SG/SF, Duke, freshman
51. Utah Jazz (via LA Clippers) - Rocco Zikarsky, C, Brisbane (Australia)
52. Indiana Pacers - Bogoljub Markovic, PF/C, Mega MIS Adriatic (Serbia)
53. Memphis Grizzlies (via Houston) - Mouhamed Faye, C, Reggio Emilia (Italy)
54. Phoenix Suns (via Denver) - Cedric Coward, SF, Washington State, senior
55. Los Angeles Lakers - Yaxel Lendeborg, PF/C, UAB, senior
56. New York Knicks (via Memphis) - Zvonimir Ivisic, PF/C, Arkansas, sophomore
57. Orlando Magic (via Boston) - JT Toppin, PF, Texas Tech, sophomore
58. Cleveland Cavaliers - Koby Brea, SG/SF, Kentucky, super senior
59. Houston Rockets (Oklahoma City) - Malique Lewis, SF/PF, South East Melbourne (Australia)

Change Kalkbrenner to Miles Byrd and that's my dream draft right now.

Noceilings dropped theirs today too. Jase Richardson and Karaban.
https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/2025-nba-mock-draft-v4

OK so I like those players above, I think they can make solid NBA players. But what a waste at the same time. Take Karaban for example. May be the better version Of Hauser yet we just drafted Scheierman who can never get a chance. Year before we have Walsh. Peterson is already killing the G-League. Queta included. And the we have Joe, he barely used any of the above, even in November and December. Not even Intergrated a single one of those players. Here we are some- time later and we really have almost No idea what does young players can be. How is it even possible we can add 2 more young talents? (even If Jrue gets traded)

I would much rather trade all of our picks this year 28 +31 and even 2026 1st if Necessary to target a much more likely stud player Mid-teens. We do not need more quantity, we need one more high quality player. Forcing Joe to expand his rotation even one more player will be a challenge tough enough.

It's pretty likely the route. Whether it can happen at draft or not, who knows. Might be a trade for future picks on draft day, then use those future picks to reconfigure things with the cap and getting a solid player back.

EDIT: sorry, saw you said mid-teens. I doubt that happens, though I'd love it. My guess is we get future picks and use them to unload salary and get a younger, cheaper, established guy. Not try to draft one.

[djFan71]

I would much rather trade all of our picks this year 28 +31 and even 2026 1st if Necessary to target a much more likely stud player Mid-teens. We do not need more quantity, we need one more high quality player. Forcing Joe to expand his rotation even one more player will be a challenge tough enough.

I've been toying around with a Jrue/28 for KCP/15-ish type trade if ORL makes the playoffs. Depends on them wanting an experienced vet and wanting off KCP's contract. We might need to help pay a 3rd team to take more ORL salary as well with some 2nds or something.

We'd save $11M next year, get the pick upgrade, and hope KCP shooting bounces back with our spacing. He thrived with Jokic and has stalled this year in ORL offense. Question is whether he's cooked or just needs more spacing to bounce back. If he is cooked, he's a $20M psuedo-expiring at the deadline.

No idea if that's feasible. And I don't wanna trade Jrue if we don't have to (but we will). But I agree with your overall point to not just stack more rookies on what we already have.

[leper-con]

If we have to cut payroll next year, is there a way we can make a trade into the lottery and pick up a future wing.
I don't watch a lot of Collège basketball. Who is any good that might be available at 10-14?

[djFan71]

Tankathon just updated and has a Hal draft for the Cs: Ian Jackson and Noah Penda.
https://tankathon.com/mock_draft