2024-2025 College Basketball / NBA Draft

[Arsenal]

If we get stuck at #3-6, I'm all about a trade down to around #10 then a home run swing on Maluach, Essengue, CMB or Queen.

[76ciology]

Someone in the game thread mentioned that Justin Edwards is 6’6” with a 6’10” wingspan—the same measurements as Tre Johnson.

[Negrodamus]

6’6 without shoes, right? I feel pretty confident that Edwards is bigger than Tre.

[HotelVitale]

6’6 without shoes, right? I feel pretty confident that Edwards is bigger than Tre.

He looked enormous in HS, caught him at state his last couple years. Bigger than all the other team's centers usually (though he generally played way out on the perimeter).

[Arsenal]

6’6 without shoes, right? I feel pretty confident that Edwards is bigger than Tre.

Yeah one inch taller. Edwards is 6’7” in shoes while Tre is 6’6” in shoes. Same wingspan though.

[stormi]

As is currently stands I would take Murray-Boyles as early as #3 and I love his theoretical fit alongside an aging Joel Embiid and McCain/Maxey/Grimes/PG.

His self creation game took a leap this year and the defensive versatility is only comparable in this class to Cooper. I hate likening players to ATGs but he's Draymond.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

As is currently stands I would take Murray-Boyles as early as #3 and I love his theoretical fit alongside an aging Joel Embiid and McCain/Maxey/Grimes/PG.

His self creation game took a leap this year and the defensive versatility is only comparable in this class to Cooper. I hate likening players to ATGs but he's Draymond.

I like him too. I watched quite a bit of him last year. He looked like a player that was going to take a big step forward if he stayed in school. If we're going with a big guy, it's between him and Queen for me personally.

[sodmoraes]

I´m kinda torn between Edgecombe and Tre. Edgecombe has that outlier athletic ability, but i dont know if he can be a big time scorer in the league, and he seems small( i think hes 6.3 or 6.2 without shoes). Tre seems like he can be a great scorer, with a great 3 pt stroke, and hes bigger, but he seems like a cone on defense.

[76ciology]

I’ve gone through most of the prospects projected to be available at our draft spot, and many look like they could be productive if given the right opportunity.

Right now, I’m really intrigued by Khaman Maluach. I’ve watched a lot of his film, from NBA Academy Africa to his time at Duke, and I think he’s undervalued due to his role and Duke’s defensive scheme.

Offensively, Duke has simplified his game to being mostly a lob threat. Defensively, their switch-heavy scheme limits his rebounding and block numbers, stats that would likely be higher if he played more drop coverage. On the bright side, it highlights his defensive mobility.

Initially, I wasn’t high on him because lob-finishing bigs are fairly common, and I tend to think they should be taken later in the first round. But after watching his NBA Academy Africa tape, I saw real upside. He has great hands, solid touch from the perimeter (around 30% from 3), and flashes of ball-handling, moving more like a big forward. And he was doing this at just 17 years old. He also has a lot of experience under his belt at his age with olympics and FIBA World. And I love players who have exposure in international basketball, these guys know how to play and what it takes to win.

At worst, he’s an elite lob threat, a strong rim protector, and a mobile defender who can switch onto smaller players. But his ball-handling and shooting touch suggest he could develop into much more.

He’s one of those prospects whose role is dictated by the team’s system, similar to Jared McCain last season with Duke, prioritizing efficiency over showcasing their full skill set. With an NBA offseason and strong work ethic, there’s a chance he has more to his game than what we’ve seen.

Maluach will still be just 18 on draft night. If we need him to contribute immediately, he can play a similar role to his Duke days. But if we take a long-term approach, stash him, and let him develop, he might become something close to what rookie Embiid was in a few years or atleast be someone like Porzingis or Brook Lopez.

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[76ciology]

Right now, I have Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, and VJ Edgecombe as the clear top three picks. I think they have the highest chance to reach that star to superstar upside.

After that, I have Khaman Maluach and Tre Johnson leading the next tier. Their size, positional skill set, mobility, and athleticism should translate well from the amateur level to the NBA. They are just a level below Flagg, Harper and Edgecombe in terms of chance to reach star to superstar upside.

Below them, I have Kasparas Jakucionis, Collin Murray-Boyles, Derrik Queen, Kon Kneuppel and Asa Newell. I usually like these types of prospects when we’re outside the lottery—they’re the kind of players the Warriors and Grizzlies target, like Podziemski, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Xavier Tillman, Brandon Clarke, and Scottie Pippen Jr. They may not have that high chance to reach that star to superstar upside, but they’ll be very productive if given the opportunity.

1- Flagg
2- Harper
3- Edgecombe
4- Maluach
5- Tre Johnson
6- Kasparas
7- Murray Boyles
8- Derik Queen
9- Kon Kneuppel
10- Asa Newell

[76ciology]

Im shorting the Kon Kneuppel’s stock, his defense and assists numbers are inflated because of Maluach and Flagg.

[sodmoraes]

Right now, I have Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, and VJ Edgecombe as the clear top three picks. I think they have the highest chance to reach that star to superstar upside.

After that, I have Khaman Maluach and Tre Johnson leading the next tier. Their size, positional skill set, mobility, and athleticism should translate well from the amateur level to the NBA. They are just a level below Flagg, Harper and Edgecombe in terms of chance to reach star to superstar upside.

Below them, I have Kasparas Jakucionis, Collin Murray-Boyles, Derrik Queen, Kon Kneuppel and Asa Newell. I usually like these types of prospects when we’re outside the lottery—they’re the kind of players the Warriors and Grizzlies target, like Podziemski, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Xavier Tillman, Brandon Clarke, and Scottie Pippen Jr. They may not have that high chance to reach that star to superstar upside, but they’ll be very productive if given the opportunity.

1- Flagg
2- Harper
3- Edgecombe
4- Maluach
5- Tre Johnson
6- Kasparas
7- Murray Boyles
8- Derik Queen
9- Kon Kneuppel
10- Asa Newell

No Bailey?

[76ciology]

No Bailey?

Ace Bailey, Jase Richardson, Jeremy Fears, Noa Essengue would fall just outside the top 10, ranking 11th to 14th on my list.

This group consists of players with upside but lacking statistical proof, relying mostly on the eye test, or those who have the numbers but possess severe physical limitations that raise concerns about their game translating in the NBA.

My big bet in this draft is going long on Maluach and Tre Johnson while shorting Ace Bailey’s stock.

P.S. I think GG Jackson is a good comparison for Ace Bailey

[sodmoraes]

No Bailey?

Ace Bailey, Jase Richardson, Jeremy Fears, Noa Essengue would fall just outside the top 10, ranking 11th to 14th on my list.

This group consists of players with upside but lacking statistical proof, relying mostly on the eye test, or those who have the numbers but possess severe physical limitations that raise concerns about their game translating in the NBA.

My big bet in this draft is going long on Maluach and Tre Johnson while shorting Ace Bailey’s stock.

P.S. I think GG Jackson is a good comparison for Ace Bailey

I´m going long on Tre too, i think he has a lot of potential( maybe the biggest potential beside Flagg and Harper). Maluach not that much. He can be pretty good, but i´m not that excited about drafting centers anymore. I´m not that long on Bailey too, but i think it would be hard to pass him if he´s still there when we pick. He has that physical profile that is hard to pass, of a big wing who can shoot and defend.

[Iverson Armband]

Harper would be a clear #1 in a lot of drafts. He’s basically a quicker, bouncier version of Harden.

[Snotbubbles]

Im shorting the Kon Kneuppel’s stock, his defense and assists numbers are inflated because of Maluach and Flagg.

I have serious concerns with Kneuppel's ability to defend in the NBA. He can shoot the lights out though. I get a JJ Redick vibe with this guy.

[76ciology]

Im shorting the Kon Kneuppel’s stock, his defense and assists numbers are inflated because of Maluach and Flagg.

I have serious concerns with Kneuppel's ability to defend in the NBA. He can shoot the lights out though. I get a JJ Redick vibe with this guy.

He has a good touch on lobs and solid footwork for scoring near the paint.

However, many defenders will be able to stay with him, and I don’t see him shooting over them, which would severely limit him on offense.

He would thrive in an off-screen role, where he can take advantage of trailing defenders, either shooting off movement, curling for a layup, or lobbing it to the big.

Defensively, he plays like a 6’6” version of Dario Saric. He’s smart and mobile, but he’s fun to shoot over for scorers. With enough effort to potentially be a neutral defender at best in the NBA.

[76ciology]

I hope Maluach’s stock stops rising and that he doesn’t impress teams in private workouts, where he can showcase his shooting and ball handling.

[Snotbubbles]

I hope Maluach’s stock stops rising and that he doesn’t impress teams in private workouts, where he can showcase his shooting and ball handling.

I hope the Sixers win the lottery.

[76ciology]

I hope Maluach’s stock stops rising and that he doesn’t impress teams in private workouts, where he can showcase his shooting and ball handling.

I hope the Sixers win the lottery.

Critics will say Cooper Flagg’s chance of being a superstar will depend on Embiid’s health.