2024-2025 College Basketball / NBA Draft

[Foshan]

Maybe Eric Dixon goes undrafted and he's our next Edwards?

Couple guys i'd be fine with at the top of 2nd, Adou, Yaxel, Evans, Byrd, hoping Broome drops, i wouldn't mind taking a big in the 2nd.

[Negrodamus]

Listening to the PHLY podcast and the guys all ranging from indifferent to disliking Derik Queen makes me so excited to be back at the top of the draft and liking someone that most people hate again. And it's for the worst position for me, PF/C tweener. Dedric Lawson definitely burns bright in my head. But I think I'm right this time on Queen. He's too talented with the ball in his hands.

[Kobblehead]

Derik Queen can probably put up Cousins numbers in the NBA on a team that gives him the reigns. It's just a matter if he can link up with a coach that can harness his individual talent into a structured system that works.

[Kobblehead]

Alex Condon continues to impress me.

Now there's no way Nurse would play him at PF so he be stuck playing backup C minutes, but I like him a lot.

[Arsenal]

Alex Condon continues to impress me.

Now there's no way Nurse would play him at PF so he be stuck playing backup C minutes, but I like him a lot.

Can he learn to shoot?

[76ciology]

Now that I’m starting to buy into Grimes and Maxey as our starting backcourt—and with no high-upside player available at the 5th or 6th pick—I’m considering drafting either Asa Newell or Noa Essengue.

Newell leans more toward a PF, while Essengue is more of an SF. Both project as solid 3 point shooters in a season or 2 and capable rim protectors, but Essengue appears to be the better ball handler and transition player, whereas Newell excels as a post scorer and roll man. Upside wise, I prefer Essengue.

What makes them intriguing is their ability to thrive in a double-big lineup. They can space the floor, defend in space like a 3&D forward, and fit alongside Yabu, Embiid, or even Drummond. Rico Hines has experience developing lengthy, versatile forwards from his time with the Raptors, which could be beneficial.

They’re also the best forward prospects available at our pick range. Meanwhile, our backcourt is already stacked with Maxey, Grimes, and McCain. I don’t necessarily consider them untouchable, but I don’t see a significant gap between them and Kneuppel, Kasparas, or Tre Johnson—especially since those prospects lack the ability to shoot over defenders, a key skill for elite scorers. The closest one who possess that trait is Tre Johnson. And I dont see any bigs worth selecting with the 5th overall. Maluach is a big you select in the 15th to 20th range.

Given that, why not draft Noa or Asa? Depending on their offseason development, we could either pair them with another big to avoid them getting bullied or take a long-term approach—stashing them like the Warriors did with Kuminga—so they can contribute by 2026-2027 or serve as valuable trade assets.

Isn’t a big who can protect the rim, defend in space, serve as a lob threat, and knock down 3s considered the holy grail of modern NBA bigs? It’s the frontcourt equivalent of having multi-positional guards who can shoot from deep.

Spoiler:

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[Kobblehead]

The problem I have with Newell and Essengue is the same problem I have with Bailey. And that is that you're stuck hoping they develop their ability to playmake at the next level out of thin air. A rough bet to take.

[Kobblehead]

Alex Condon continues to impress me.

Now there's no way Nurse would play him at PF so he be stuck playing backup C minutes, but I like him a lot.

Can he learn to shoot?

He seems comfortable enough shooting from deep. Not the worst form. However, projection models predict him shooting around 32% from three at the NBA level. Obviously not iddeal.

[Slacktard]

Holy ****... did Ben Simmons come in and help both teams practice their 3 point shooting before the game?

2 of 22. 9.1% for St. Johns
2 of 19. 10.5% for Arkansas

Probably the worst three point shooting in a game I've watched in so long I can't remember the last time I saw worse from both teams.

[Kobblehead]

14 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists from Danny Wolf in the Michigan win.

This is a damn good draft for bigs.

[Mik317]

14 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists from Danny Wolf in the Michigan win.

This is a damn good draft for bigs.

I like the way he moves.

[76ciology]

The problem I have with Newell and Essengue is the same problem I have with Bailey. And that is that you're stuck hoping they develop their ability to playmake at the next level out of thin air. A rough bet to take.

Ace needs to develop his playmaking because his true calling in basketball is scoring.

Meanwhile, Noa and Asa fit the mold of modern bigs who can guard in space, protect the rim, shoot threes, and catch lobs—the frontcourt equivalent of multi-positional guards who can defend and shoot from deep. If they can Giannis their way into superstardom, then that’s great.

Furthermore, my point is that instead of using the 5th or 6th pick to draft what could essentially be another Quentin Grimes or Jared McCain, why not take a chance on these frontcourt players—who arguably rarer than Grimes or McCain, in today’s NBA?

[Kobblehead]

I just don't want to roll the dice and stuck with a useless PF like a Zeke Nnaji or something.

Rather take a guy like Collin Murray-Boyles who has a way more well-rounded game and an easier path to being a useful pro.

[Kobblehead]

Darrion Williams from Texas Tech is a sneaky good player. Kinda reminds me of Jaylon Tyson from last year. Well-rounded game with great size at SG/SF. I could see him being a long-tenured NBA role player.

[Arsenal]

Miles Byrd really tanking the end of the season. Would love to snag another 2nd and get him or Darrion Williams. Maybe trade down from #35 with the Wizards for #43 and #47, or with the Jazz for #44 and #49.

[Arsenal]

Alex Toohey's stats look pretty good. Projected mid-2nd round. 6'8" 223 lbs with a 6'11" wingspan. Will only be 21 as a rookie.

Anyone have a scouting report?

https://www.tankathon.com/players/alex-toohey

[Kobblehead]

Miles Byrd really tanking the end of the season. Would love to snag another 2nd and get him or Darrion Williams. Maybe trade down from #35 with the Wizards for #43 and #47, or with the Jazz for #44 and #49.

The Miles Byrd thing is interesting because despite his poor finish and his bad 3 point shooting numbers this year, Tankathon still projects him to shoot 37% from three in the NBA.

With him likely being the best perimeter defender in this class and having a projectable jumper, I still think he deserves to go 1st round.

[Kobblehead]

Noah Penda from France intriques me. Reminds me of Jake Laravia.

[ProcessDoctor]

Edgecombe is a wonderful athlete. That being said, a top-5 pick should not be used on him.

[Kobblehead]

The thing with Edgecombe is that he gets after it defensively and he rebounds. So even if he winds up measuring under 6'4", he plays bigger and is very physical. I think he can be uber-Jaden Ivey in the NBA.