2025 NBA Draft Prospect Part 3

[Indeed]

amen is incredibly close to producing like a low level all-star already at 22
lively is producing like an all-star at 20
wemby is goated

i don't know what amen or lively did to you they are clearly special players.

25 class is lacking juice if we're going by production markers and athleticism. the big hope for 25 was cmb but his shooting markers stink. kasparas stinks. bailey isn't even shooting 70% from stripe, harper hasn't improved his shooting and rutgers is awful. egor demin proved he is a wing being forcefed lead guard role and stinks. fears isn't ready. queen has had a ton of games doing nothing. traore showed the world he's not good. philon fell off cliff. even guys like mark sears regressed, payton sandfort regressed. it's a dumpster fire. if anything there might be something behind guys like danny wolf and condon. but overall it's a very disappointing class to me. but that's because i'm not high on harper, kasparas, demin, etc.. whereas a lot of people are thinking we're talking about the potential next james harden, luka doncic and rich man's giddey.

This is wild. You have to look past the dunks assisted by a generational talent in Luka to realize that there is nothing special about Derrick Lively. He’s a 9/7 player who can’t shoot. Not only is he not an all-star caliber player now, but I’m confident in saying that he will never sniff an all-star game in his career. To say he’s producing like an all-star is insulting to the players nominated to the all-star game. lol.

I don't really care who does and who doesn't sniff an all-star game based on fan votes and public perception, Lively undoubtedly is on a trajectory to become one of the top 24 players in the league given his production and competency at his age. Whether or not you agree or disagree is irrelevant, the data not only shows significant jumps in production from yr 1 to yr 2 but yr 2 production that meets the treshhold of an all-star caliber player. The only thing holding him back from a volume standpoint is an extra 6 minutes a night on the court. This is a sport in which casual fans don't give much weight to defense or efficiency when determining the top players in the league all that matters to them is is PPG and flashiness and the NBA rolls with it because that's what sells tickets and jerseys, not what leads to team wins.

I dont think Lively is at the tier of Embiid, Jokic, Towns where they can create their own shot. He is not having the wingspan of Gobert.

Lively would be in the range of Allen. A good starting C, but no way an all-star.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

Let's see Jaxson Hayes average almost 4 assists per 36 now.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

This is wild. You have to look past the dunks assisted by a generational talent in Luka to realize that there is nothing special about Derrick Lively. He’s a 9/7 player who can’t shoot. Not only is he not an all-star caliber player now, but I’m confident in saying that he will never sniff an all-star game in his career. To say he’s producing like an all-star is insulting to the players nominated to the all-star game. lol.

I don't really care who does and who doesn't sniff an all-star game based on fan votes and public perception, Lively undoubtedly is on a trajectory to become one of the top 24 players in the league given his production and competency at his age. Whether or not you agree or disagree is irrelevant, the data not only shows significant jumps in production from yr 1 to yr 2 but yr 2 production that meets the treshhold of an all-star caliber player. The only thing holding him back from a volume standpoint is an extra 6 minutes a night on the court. This is a sport in which casual fans don't give much weight to defense or efficiency when determining the top players in the league all that matters to them is is PPG and flashiness and the NBA rolls with it because that's what sells tickets and jerseys, not what leads to team wins.

I dont think Lively is at the tier of Embiid, Jokic, Towns where they can create their own shot. He is not having the wingspan of Gobert.

Lively would be in the range of Allen. A good starting C, but no way an all-star.

Jarrett Allen was an all-star and should have been one this year too. Siakam had no business in that game this year.

[Spates]

Two-way talent not exactly scarce, just that offensive is over looked and ranked at the top.
Thiero, Lendeborg, Miles Byrd, etc. would rank higher in the previous drafts.

That's more of what I meant. Lack of two-way in the mid to late lottery range by mock drafts. I really like Byrd and Lendeborg.

2-Way Players
Khaman Maluach
Collin Murray-Boyles
Rasheer Fleming
Alex Condon
Jase Richardson
Thomas Sorber
Adou Thiero
JT Toppin

Most of these guys are mocked in the late first round.

Well, Rasheer Fleming just rose on my list... I didn't know he could shoot... Can guard all 5 positions and stiffle everyone. Yikes

Is his shooting real?

[Jerry Lucas]

I like Isaiah Evans but we have total logjam at SG with RJ, JaKobe, Gradey & Ochai (hopefully he's used to trade into mid 1st or so for Rasheer).

With Davion traded away, I think MILES BYRD should be at the top of our board in the 2nd round.

A 6'7 PG who can shoot, play in a similar style to IQ offensively but is a helluva defender!! Watch how this kid defends. Masai has been looking for a taller PG before with LaMelo, Dyson etc. Obviously not the same players, had different strengths and I'll say obv LaMelo is by far the most naturally talented but nonetheless I think it's the most effective use of our 2nd round pick and if we do happen to take a C (or fluke into the top 3 for a SF) with our own pick, we have the potential to have a huge lineup to match up with the top teams in the East.

Watch on YouTube

Man I was waiting for someone else to mention this guy. I thought I was on an island when I brought up his name before. By the way PhilBlackson, are you still a fan of Derik Queen? Me and you were the conductors of that train early in the season but now it seems like I'm on an island with him.

[Psubs]

That's more of what I meant. Lack of two-way in the mid to late lottery range by mock drafts. I really like Byrd and Lendeborg.

2-Way Players
Khaman Maluach
Collin Murray-Boyles
Rasheer Fleming
Alex Condon
Jase Richardson
Thomas Sorber
Adou Thiero
JT Toppin

Most of these guys are mocked in the late first round.

Well, Rasheer Fleming just rose on my list... I didn't know he could shoot... Can guard all 5 positions and stiffle everyone. Yikes

Is his shooting real?

They usually are spread out because of offensive player sprinkle in.

He has improved his shooting each year and more volume. Also his overall FG % has gone up too even with shooting 3's.

[Dalek]

Should go top 10

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=iDergfyDJveIq9pY2qCCBQ

He is productive when he plays and is healthy. I like his competitive fire. I'd say he is intense which is good for the team and can get the crowd into it. Generally, UConn draft picks are pretty great.

I have Liam McNeely in a similar tier as Hugo Gonzalez. I think Gonzales has some defensive juice to him but it's hard to ignore McNeely when he has these big games.

I think Hugo was at one point a top five pick for the 2025 draft, but limited minutes on a veteran team at Real Madrid has hurt his stock. His Adidas tournament showed his versatility.

Watch on YouTube

[Jerry Lucas]

Should go top 10

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=iDergfyDJveIq9pY2qCCBQ

He is productive when he plays and is healthy. I like his competitive fire. I'd say he is intense which is good for the team and can get the crowd into it. Generally, UConn draft picks are pretty great.

I have Liam McNeely in a similar tier as Hugo Gonzalez. I think Gonzales has some defensive juice to him but it's hard to ignore McNeely when he has these big games.

I think Hugo was at one point a top five pick for the 2025 draft, but limited minutes on a veteran team at Real Madrid has hurt his stock. His Adidas tournament showed his versatility.

Watch on YouTube

Yeah I think I know which mock you're referring to. Givony at one point last year posted a "very early 2025 top 5 mock", and I believe he had Flagg, Bailey, Maluach, Hugo and Jalil Bethea as his top 5 at that point.

[Dalek]

2-Way Players
Khaman Maluach
Collin Murray-Boyles
Rasheer Fleming
Alex Condon
Jase Richardson
Thomas Sorber
Adou Thiero
JT Toppin

Most of these guys are mocked in the late first round.

Well, Rasheer Fleming just rose on my list... I didn't know he could shoot... Can guard all 5 positions and stiffle everyone. Yikes

Is his shooting real?

They usually are spread out because of offensive player sprinkle in.

He has improved his shooting each year and more volume. Also his overall FG % has gone up too even with shooting 3's.

It sounds like you watched the No Ceilings pod on Fleming and Carter Bryant. That was a fun comp. I am feeling like Fleming is a can't miss rotation guy. He is 6'9 and 235 lbs of muscle. He really reminds me of a Robert Covington archetype which is the ever-valuable three and d.

I don't quite see a fit for Toronto because we are increasingly looking at frontcourt guys with playmaking capabilities and he hasn't shown much. Fleming is a finisher either dunking the ball or hitting a three.

I also have no clue about his personality/character which is another factor Toronto values.

[Psubs]

Most of these guys are mocked in the late first round.

Well, Rasheer Fleming just rose on my list... I didn't know he could shoot... Can guard all 5 positions and stiffle everyone. Yikes

Is his shooting real?

They usually are spread out because of offensive player sprinkle in.

He has improved his shooting each year and more volume. Also his overall FG % has gone up too even with shooting 3's.

It sounds like you watched the No Ceilings pod on Fleming and Carter Bryant. That was a fun comp. I am feeling like Fleming is a can't miss rotation guy. He is 6'9 and 235 lbs of muscle. He really reminds me of a Robert Covington archetype which is the ever-valuable three and d.

I don't quite see a fit for Toronto because we are increasingly looking at frontcourt guys with playmaking capabilities and he hasn't shown much. Fleming is a finisher either dunking the ball or hitting a three.

I also have no clue about his personality/character which is another factor Toronto values.

He's a hustle guy with no ego, he takes the backseat behind his guards but should be better with teammates that share.

I posted the podcast and now (unless get #1), trade down and even sacrifice Agbaji (since Bryant is taller) to get Fleming, Bryant an Condon.

PG IQ - Shead/Jakobe
SG Barrett - Dick/Jakobe
SF Ingram - Mogbo - Bryant
PF Scottie - Fleming - Battle
C Poeltl - Condon - Chomche

Need consolidating trade.

[Rapsfan07]

That's more of what I meant. Lack of two-way in the mid to late lottery range by mock drafts. I really like Byrd and Lendeborg.

2-Way Players
Khaman Maluach
Collin Murray-Boyles
Rasheer Fleming
Alex Condon
Jase Richardson
Thomas Sorber
Adou Thiero
JT Toppin

Most of these guys are mocked in the late first round.

Well, Rasheer Fleming just rose on my list... I didn't know he could shoot... Can guard all 5 positions and stiffle everyone. Yikes

Is his shooting real?

Of those players, I'm not buying: Maluach, CMB & Toppin
Players I need to watch more: Thiero
Players I am buying: Condon, Richardson, Sorber and Fleming

Just to be clear, I don't think any of these guys are star quality players but I do think that Condon, Richardson, Sorber and Fleming have the best chances at being an impact role player at the next level.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Fleming shoot up into the late lottery by the time the draft comes around.

[WuTang_CMB]

Not really sold on Malauch if we land outside top 5
I think if TOR lands 3, we taking Bailey

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

I don't want anything to do with McNeeley. At face value looking at his stats someone might think he could become Klay-like and then you realize all his shooting is C&S, he's 4-21 on dribble jumpers. Combine that with his horrendous stock rates and it's a hard pass. Oh and he has 2 dunks on the year and is a 52.2% rim finisher.

[Rapsfan07]

They usually are spread out because of offensive player sprinkle in.

He has improved his shooting each year and more volume. Also his overall FG % has gone up too even with shooting 3's.

It sounds like you watched the No Ceilings pod on Fleming and Carter Bryant. That was a fun comp. I am feeling like Fleming is a can't miss rotation guy. He is 6'9 and 235 lbs of muscle. He really reminds me of a Robert Covington archetype which is the ever-valuable three and d.

I don't quite see a fit for Toronto because we are increasingly looking at frontcourt guys with playmaking capabilities and he hasn't shown much. Fleming is a finisher either dunking the ball or hitting a three.

I also have no clue about his personality/character which is another factor Toronto values.

He's a hustle guy with no ego, he takes the backseat behind his guards but should be better with teammates that share.

I posted the podcast and now (unless get #1), trade down and even sacrifice Agbaji (since Bryant is taller) to get Fleming, Bryant an Condon.

PG IQ - Shead/Jakobe
SG Barrett - Dick/Jakobe
SF Ingram - Mogbo - Bryant
PF Scottie - Fleming - Battle
C Poeltl - Condon - Chomche

Need consolidating trade.

Personally, we'd need to fall out of the Top 5 for me to feel comfortable moving off of this pick but I would love to acquire another pick in the later part of the first round. I do agree a consolidation deal is necessary as we already have a glut of wings and not enough capable bigs.

Ideally, I'd like to walk away with one of Flagg, Harper or Edgecombe in the top 5, Fleming/Wolf/Richardson (via a Dick trade) and Condon

[Rapsfan07]

Not really sold on Malauch if we land outside top 5
I think if TOR lands 3, we taking Bailey

That means we'd be taking him over one of Edgecombe, Harper or Flagg, which is a big no-go for me.

[Rapsfan07]

I like Isaiah Evans but we have total logjam at SG with RJ, JaKobe, Gradey & Ochai (hopefully he's used to trade into mid 1st or so for Rasheer).

With Davion traded away, I think MILES BYRD should be at the top of our board in the 2nd round.

A 6'7 PG who can shoot, play in a similar style to IQ offensively but is a helluva defender!! Watch how this kid defends. Masai has been looking for a taller PG before with LaMelo, Dyson etc. Obviously not the same players, had different strengths and I'll say obv LaMelo is by far the most naturally talented but nonetheless I think it's the most effective use of our 2nd round pick and if we do happen to take a C (or fluke into the top 3 for a SF) with our own pick, we have the potential to have a huge lineup to match up with the top teams in the East.

Watch on YouTube

Man I was waiting for someone else to mention this guy. I thought I was on an island when I brought up his name before. By the way PhilBlackson, are you still a fan of Derik Queen? Me and you were the conductors of that train early in the season but now it seems like I'm on an island with him.

I like Byrd. I need to look more into him but he seems to solid option if you're looking for a 3+D wing. Not sure he can play PG.

[WuTang_CMB]

Not really sold on Malauch if we land outside top 5
I think if TOR lands 3, we taking Bailey

That means we'd be taking him over one of Edgecombe, Harper or Flagg, which is a big no-go for me.

Naw. Lands at 3.

1. Flagg
2. Harper

We are not taking Ace over Flagg or Harper.

[Rapsfan07]

Not really sold on Malauch if we land outside top 5
I think if TOR lands 3, we taking Bailey

That means we'd be taking him over one of Edgecombe, Harper or Flagg, which is a big no-go for me.

Naw. Lands at 3.

1. Flagg
2. Harper

We are not taking Ace over Flagg or Harper.

That's the thing - I don't think we should be taking him over Edgecombe either

[MEDIC]

It sounds like you watched the No Ceilings pod on Fleming and Carter Bryant. That was a fun comp. I am feeling like Fleming is a can't miss rotation guy. He is 6'9 and 235 lbs of muscle. He really reminds me of a Robert Covington archetype which is the ever-valuable three and d.

I don't quite see a fit for Toronto because we are increasingly looking at frontcourt guys with playmaking capabilities and he hasn't shown much. Fleming is a finisher either dunking the ball or hitting a three.

I also have no clue about his personality/character which is another factor Toronto values.

He's a hustle guy with no ego, he takes the backseat behind his guards but should be better with teammates that share.

I posted the podcast and now (unless get #1), trade down and even sacrifice Agbaji (since Bryant is taller) to get Fleming, Bryant an Condon.

PG IQ - Shead/Jakobe
SG Barrett - Dick/Jakobe
SF Ingram - Mogbo - Bryant
PF Scottie - Fleming - Battle
C Poeltl - Condon - Chomche

Need consolidating trade.

Personally, we'd need to fall out of the Top 5 for me to feel comfortable moving off of this pick but I would love to acquire another pick in the later part of the first round. I do agree a consolidation deal is necessary as we already have a glut of wings and not enough capable bigs.

Ideally, I'd like to walk away with one of Flagg, Harper or Edgecombe in the top 5, Fleming/Wolf/Richardson (via a Dick trade) and Condon

I could see Masai doing that. I think there will be other allstars outside of the top 5 though. This draft seems to be opposite of last years. Last years was deep/ bottom heavy. This years is top heavy for sure.

[LoveMyRaps]

Kasp stock down again.