2025 NBA Draft Thread: Detroit Pick Edition

[Neeva]

Queen is talented but seems like a lazy type of player.

[cmoss84]

More talented...Queen or Clifford?

[minimus]

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I feel like MIN is one of a few teams that can surround Queen or Wolf with good perimeter defense.

[minimus]

Is Egor Demin a bigger version of Austin Reaves? Less scoring proficiency but similar level of pick-n-roll play?

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Would you draft him with DET pick?

[Klomp]

More talented...Queen or Clifford?

I love both of them!

I believe in the potential continued physical development of Queen. If he keeps getting his body in better shape, he has the skill to be a Naz Reid type player. My biggest question right now is if he could play next to Gobert in his current form. That might determine how high he is on Connelly's board.

Clifford doesn't have crazy potential, but he is SOLID. Reminds me a lot of a DiVincenzo, who has very few holes in his game and is good in a lot of areas where he could help a team.

[Klomp]

JT Toppin would be a really interesting fit here. I wish he was just a little bit bigger, but otherwise I think he has the skill set we'd be looking for at PF/C.

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[minimus]

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I know that MIN need a bigman, but I wonder if a versatile big wing like Jalen Williams can help us to re-activate our defensive identity?

6'6", 220lbs, wingspan: 7' 2.25" (Williams's wingspan was the longest among guards who participated in the 2022 NBA Draft Combine) Other physical attributes: He also came in second in standing vertical leap (33.5 inches), fourth in max vertical leap (40 inches) and fourth in the three-quarter sprint (3.11 seconds). So basically A+ tier athletically: quick, strong and long.

Carter Bryant might be the closest prospect to Jalen Williams in terms of architype (6-8, 220, 7' wingspan), but he might be out of reach.

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The next guy is Adou Thiero (6-8, 220, 7' wingspan). Less offense, more defense

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The next guy is Noah Penda (6-8, 220, 7' wingspan). Less athletic, but more finesse skills

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[cmoss84]

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I know that MIN need a bigman, but I wonder if a versatile big wing like Jalen Williams can help us to re-activate our defensive identity?

6'6", 220lbs, wingspan: 7' 2.25" (Williams's wingspan was the longest among guards who participated in the 2022 NBA Draft Combine) Other physical attributes: He also came in second in standing vertical leap (33.5 inches), fourth in max vertical leap (40 inches) and fourth in the three-quarter sprint (3.11 seconds). So basically A+ tier athletically: quick, strong and long.

Carter Bryant might be the closest prospect to Jalen Williams in terms of architype (6-8, 220, 7' wingspan), but he might be out of reach.

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The next guy is Adou Thiero (6-8, 220, 7' wingspan). Less offense, more defense

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The next guy is Noah Penda (6-8, 220, 7' wingspan). Less athletic, but more finesse skills

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Is CB worth giving up both picks to move up and get? I think so.

[Klomp]

I know that MIN need a bigman, but I wonder if a versatile big wing like Jalen Williams can help us to re-activate our defensive identity?

6'6", 220lbs, wingspan: 7' 2.25" (Williams's wingspan was the longest among guards who participated in the 2022 NBA Draft Combine) Other physical attributes: He also came in second in standing vertical leap (33.5 inches), fourth in max vertical leap (40 inches) and fourth in the three-quarter sprint (3.11 seconds). So basically A+ tier athletically: quick, strong and long.

He doesn't really have the measurements of Williams, but I think Nique Clifford might have the closest skill set to him in this draft class.

[shangrila]

I know that MIN need a bigman, but I wonder if a versatile big wing like Jalen Williams can help us to re-activate our defensive identity?

6'6", 220lbs, wingspan: 7' 2.25" (Williams's wingspan was the longest among guards who participated in the 2022 NBA Draft Combine) Other physical attributes: He also came in second in standing vertical leap (33.5 inches), fourth in max vertical leap (40 inches) and fourth in the three-quarter sprint (3.11 seconds). So basically A+ tier athletically: quick, strong and long.

He doesn't really have the measurements of Williams, but I think Nique Clifford might have the closest skill set to him in this draft class.

Clifford is more in the vein of Podz from GSW.

He's a safe bet all things considered, as elite rebounding for a guard is usually an excellent indicator of NBA success.

[BlacJacMac]

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[Klomp]

I know that MIN need a bigman, but I wonder if a versatile big wing like Jalen Williams can help us to re-activate our defensive identity?

6'6", 220lbs, wingspan: 7' 2.25" (Williams's wingspan was the longest among guards who participated in the 2022 NBA Draft Combine) Other physical attributes: He also came in second in standing vertical leap (33.5 inches), fourth in max vertical leap (40 inches) and fourth in the three-quarter sprint (3.11 seconds). So basically A+ tier athletically: quick, strong and long.

He doesn't really have the measurements of Williams, but I think Nique Clifford might have the closest skill set to him in this draft class.

Clifford is more in the vein of Podz from GSW.

He's a safe bet all things considered, as elite rebounding for a guard is usually an excellent indicator of NBA success.

The other guy who I've thought to compare him to is actually Donte. Not the elite shooting, but everything else. I think he would work his way into Finch's rotation quite quickly if he had the opportunity.

[BlacJacMac]

He doesn't really have the measurements of Williams, but I think Nique Clifford might have the closest skill set to him in this draft class.

Clifford is more in the vein of Podz from GSW.

He's a safe bet all things considered, as elite rebounding for a guard is usually an excellent indicator of NBA success.

The other guy who I've thought to compare him to is actually Donte. Not the elite shooting, but everything else. I think he would work his way into Finch's rotation quite quickly if he had the opportunity.

How many SGs can we play?

[Neeva]

Yeah I don’t see it with Clifford looks like a future g league player.

[Klomp]

Yeah I don’t see it with Clifford looks like a future g league player.

That's wild...he doesn't have superstar upside, but his floor feels very safe.

[Klomp]

How many SGs can we play?

Have you seen the Oklahoma City Thunder? Outside of Holmgren and Hartenstein, everyone in the rotation is between 6-foot-4 and 6-foot-8. Boston Celtics are built very similarly, with only Porzingis, Horford, and Pritchard as regulars outside of that size range. I could continue with teams like the Warriors, Knicks, and more.

We need more guys in the 6-foot-8 range, but I also don't think it's smart to reach if a guy two inches shorter plays bigger than his size.

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[BlacJacMac]

How many SGs can we play?

Have you seen the Oklahoma City Thunder? Outside of Holmgren and Hartenstein, everyone in the rotation is between 6-foot-4 and 6-foot-8. Boston Celtics are built very similarly, with only Porzingis, Horford, and Pritchard as regulars outside of that size range. I could continue with teams like the Warriors, Knicks, and more.

We need more guys in the 6-foot-8 range, but I also don't think it's smart to reach if a guy two inches shorter plays bigger than his size.

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Fine. I'll rephrase.

How many SG's will Finch play?

[Neeva]

Demin and Queen have talent on offensive side but they are basically lost causes on defense. Queen can maybe improve like Naz and be not a total turnstile if he can give more effort.

[minimus]

How many SGs can we play?

Have you seen the Oklahoma City Thunder? Outside of Holmgren and Hartenstein, everyone in the rotation is between 6-foot-4 and 6-foot-8. Boston Celtics are built very similarly, with only Porzingis, Horford, and Pritchard as regulars outside of that size range. I could continue with teams like the Warriors, Knicks, and more.

We need more guys in the 6-foot-8 range, but I also don't think it's smart to reach if a guy two inches shorter plays bigger than his size.

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Yes, Jimmy Butler is a perfect example how an undersized wing without gigantic wingspan (6'7 with a 6'7 wingspan) can be a star and play PF/SF position, by playing physical and smart. Maybe TJ can be such wing. It just easier to project success for such wings if they have next level of physical tools. Latest example is Ryan Dunn from PHO: 6'9 with a 7'1 wingspan)

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[Klomp]

At last year's NBA combine, Nique measured at 6-foot-5 with a 6-foot-8 wingspan. For comparison, TJ Shannon measured 6-foot-5.75 and 6-foot-8.75.

This is a fun breakdown from January 2024.

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