2025 NBA Draft Thread: Detroit Pick Edition

[BlacJacMac]

This is impressive as well:

While from the United States, Wolf’s Jewish background and heritage allow him to compete for team Israel as a naturalized citizen. In his first national-level competition, Wolf represented Israel at the 2023 FIBA U20 European Championship in Greece.

While playing for Israel’s national under-20 team, he averaged 17.7 points (second in the tournament), a tournament-high 12.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 blocks per game (ninth); leading team Israel to a second-place silver medal, and recognized for his stellar play by being named to the all-tournament team.

I've been curious if this kind of thing is worth considering when looking at filling out a roster.

The ability to play for a country gives them additional reps and development opportunities they wouldn't get if they were American, since they wouldn't make that team over the megastars.

It can't hurt. Especially when he played as well as he did over there.

[cmoss84]

Sign me up for drafting Wolf and signing one of Reed/Hayes or even Koloko.

[minimus]

By the way, speaking of Kyle Anderson type of player. I am really impressed with Collin Murray-Boyles. With right development I can see him a successful player in NBA

[thinktank]

Thanks for grouping us all together. I mean there is no possible other reason any of us could like Wolf than his skin color...

On behalf of white people everywhere, I apologize to white people everywhere.

[Slim Tubby]

Im not talking about AJ Johnson. Why are you talking about AJ Johnson?

Of course you aren’t because it doesn’t work for your generalization to knock people for liking a white guy in this draft.

Right. Minnesota fans get obsessed about an obviously pale white guy every year. Not just white. Extremely white. Thanks for pointing that out.

Paul Grant says "hold my beer".

He could get a sunburn from a flashlight.

Sent from my N152DL using RealGM mobile app

[younggunsmn]

Im not talking about AJ Johnson. Why are you talking about AJ Johnson?

Of course you aren’t because it doesn’t work for your generalization to knock people for liking a white guy in this draft.

Right. Minnesota fans get obsessed about an obviously pale white guy every year. Not just white. Extremely white. Thanks for pointing that out.

Wow raw unadulterated unfiltered racism.
Tell us how you really feel about yourself Thinktank.

[minimus]

Quick thought after watching game vs OKC

Can Carter Bryant develop into Jalen Williams type of player?

[thinktank]

Of course you aren’t because it doesn’t work for your generalization to knock people for liking a white guy in this draft.

Right. Minnesota fans get obsessed about an obviously pale white guy every year. Not just white. Extremely white. Thanks for pointing that out.

Wow raw unadulterated unfiltered racism.
Tell us how you really feel about yourself Thinktank.

Your post screams “I’m a Trumper”, FYI.

I speak the truth. It’s been this way from Wolf to Scheierman to Kessler (whom we traded to Utah, which is fitting) all the way back to Kevin Love when he was super overrated.

Last team to start 5 white guys? Your Minnesota Timberwolves.

[Worm Guts]

Right. Minnesota fans get obsessed about an obviously pale white guy every year. Not just white. Extremely white. Thanks for pointing that out.

Wow raw unadulterated unfiltered racism.
Tell us how you really feel about yourself Thinktank.

Your post screams “I’m a Trumper”, FYI.

I speak the truth. It’s been this way from Wolf to Scheierman to Kessler (whom we traded to Utah, which is fitting) all the way back to Kevin Love when he was super overrated.

Last team to start 5 white guys? Your Minnesota Timberwolves.

Let's settle it down. No reason to take it to this place.

[minimus]

Wow raw unadulterated unfiltered racism.
Tell us how you really feel about yourself Thinktank.

Your post screams “I’m a Trumper”, FYI.

I speak the truth. It’s been this way from Wolf to Scheierman to Kessler (whom we traded to Utah, which is fitting) all the way back to Kevin Love when he was super overrated.

Last team to start 5 white guys? Your Minnesota Timberwolves.

Let's settle it down. No reason to take it to this place.

Yes, please. I am sick and tired of reading pointless discussions. Can we keep this place clean, quiet and enjoyable to read?

[Klomp]

I was stunned to check Tankathon today and see Egor Demin down at 15. I know Tankathon doesn't do true prospect evaluations and I haven't seen a lick of college basketball this year, but this screams Tim Connelly target to me considering he was Top 5 at the start of the year.

Watch on YouTube

[Neeva]

Demin has been mid, going to BYU did him no favors but if he’s there at 15-17, wolves should take him.

[shangrila]

I was stunned to check Tankathon today and see Egor Demin down at 15. I know Tankathon doesn't do true prospect evaluations and I haven't seen a lick of college basketball this year, but this screams Tim Connelly target to me considering he was Top 5 at the start of the year.

Watch on YouTube

The issues with Demin are glaring. His shot mechanics need work and when the shot isn't there, like for most of this season, his offence craters because he's not a blow by athlete. His defence is ok, not spectacular, and his overall play seemed to peak early against a non-conference (i.e. weaker) schedule.

His passing is legitimate though, as in actual offensive orchestrator point-wing level. His finishing is great by the numbers (according to Hoop-Math he's at 75% on rim shots, with 0% of his shots recorded as assisted so all self created) and when his shooting is on, like it was early in the season, it opens up his whole game.

Sam Vecenie actually brought up an interesting point on that front; his shot form needs work and early in the season it looked clean but as the season wore on it started to revert back more towards his old form. That indicates good potential for him to improve because it's fair to assume that he just hadn't been able to convert the new form to muscle memory yet. Give him dedicated time in an NBA environment and I'd put money on it improving.

I think the other swing factor for him will also be the position he can play. If he's a 6-9 guard/wing, I'd argue it actually hurts him as his footspeed isn't good enough to keep up with defensively with those guys. But if he's able to bulk up a bit and slide to the 3/4 then his skills become a lot more interesting. And I was able to find an article talking about him having a 7ft wingspan which would help a lot if its true.

He would be more of a long term play but one that could provide an interesting theoretical fit around an Ant-Naz-Jaden trio.

[minimus]

If Edwards and McDaniels are new Jordan and Pippen, then Demin might be a new Kukoc.

[Klomp]

This guys seems really interesting...

Watch on YouTube

[shrink]

DET’s pick is #17, and has separated from the #16 by 2.5 games.

[Klomp]

DET’s pick is #17, and has separated from the #16 by 2.5 games.

More importantly, that 2.5 games is a really nice cushion above the play-in as well.

[shrink]

DET’s pick is #17, and has separated from the #16 by 2.5 games.

More importantly, that 2.5 games is a really nice cushion above the play-in as well.

Great point! I didn’t realize DET was sixth in the Eastern Conference Standings!

[Klomp]

We're currently in line for a Pistons-Knicks first round matchup. Pistons have already won 2 of the first 3, with the last meeting to come in the last week of the season....

[Mattya]

Demin looks like he is really going to struggle to score. He isn’t as bad as Ricky, but he has a lot of those really awkward layup attempts.