2024-2025 College Basketball / NBA Draft

[Mik317]

been hearing more people putting Maluach at 3 lately.

People **** on guys like Rudy Gobert and his ilk but just having a dude who makes it harder to score at the rim is still very valuable in the modern NBA. If the 3 comes along and perhaps other things...then yeah.

[76ciology]

Kasparas Jakucionis and Quentin Grimes are similarly built, both standing at about 6’5” with wingspans of roughly 6’8”. Grimes is more athletic and is a better defender while Kasparas is better in shotcreation and playmaking.

[Negrodamus]

been hearing more people putting Maluach at 3 lately.

People **** on guys like Rudy Gobert and his ilk but just having a dude who makes it harder to score at the rim is still very valuable in the modern NBA. If the 3 comes along and perhaps other things...then yeah.

I’m definitely out on him. He lacks BLK%, FTr. Extremely low AST%. Not really a shooter. I think people saw the exponential development of Embiid and think he can follow suit, but Maluach doesn’t hold a candle next to Embiid’s college advanced stats

[Negrodamus]

We’re either going to lose the pick or we’re picking third and staring down the barrel of an Ace Bailey selection. It’s going to be horrible.

[76ciology]

We’re either going to lose the pick or we’re picking third and staring down the barrel of an Ace Bailey selection. It’s going to be horrible.

I was about to do an Ace Bailey post which i saved on my notes.

And since you mention it. Here it goes..

In the 2014 draft, I was sounding the alarm on Andrew Wiggins. Not that I hit a home run with this take, I was also high on Jabari Parker, who ended up being a bust. I thought Parker was the better scorer, with a game more suited to a wing, while Wiggins had a limited offensive skill set and moved more like a power forward.

As the draft approached, there was talk that Embiid might be taken before our pick, leaving us with Wiggins. I remember writing that Wiggins should follow a Kawhi-like trajectory, starting as a role player learning the right way to play with Spurs scheme and gradually earning a bigger role. But as we all know, the opposite happened. Wiggins was given the green light to play like a franchise player from day one. And we all saw how that turned out, he was borderline a bust until he landed with the Warriors, where he finally learned how to play winning basketball.

Now, more than a decade later, in 2025, I see the same pattern with Ace Bailey. I think he’d benefit from starting in a smaller role, focusing on defense and efficient offense maybe play that Justin Edwards role, then gradually expanding his game.

He has to master being an efficient shot creator first, and thats the time he can apply it effectively in real games instead of trying to be Carmelo Anthony from day one. But if he never becomes an efficient scorer, he’ll have to embrace a smaller role. And if he refuses, he should take a hard look at how Jonathan Kuminga’s career is unfolding as a cautionary tale.

[Arsenal]

We’re either going to lose the pick or we’re picking third and staring down the barrel of an Ace Bailey selection. It’s going to be horrible.

Trade down if we get stuck at #3-6. I'm not sold on any of those guys after Flagg and Harper.

Drop down to around #10 then take a home run swing, plus add future picks.

May be able to dump contractual deadweight (Drummond & Gordon) in the process.

[Iverson Armband]

Am I crazy for not seeing this generational talent thing with Flagg? I think he deserves to be the #1 pick like Blake Griffin deserved to be the #1 pick. Excellent player, but not generational.

[Negrodamus]

Am I crazy for not seeing this generational talent thing with Flagg? I think he deserves to be the #1 pick like Blake Griffin deserved to be the #1 pick. Excellent player, but not generational.

Statistically, he absolutely is a generational talent. Eye test is subjective. I see an elite player but I’d also listen to any apprehension you’re having on him.

[Negrodamus]

We’re either going to lose the pick or we’re picking third and staring down the barrel of an Ace Bailey selection. It’s going to be horrible.

I was about to do an Ace Bailey post which i saved on my notes.

And since you mention it. Here it goes..

In the 2014 draft, I was sounding the alarm on Andrew Wiggins. Not that I hit a home run with this take, I was also high on Jabari Parker, who ended up being a bust. I thought Parker was the better scorer, with a game more suited to a wing, while Wiggins had a limited offensive skill set and moved more like a power forward.

As the draft approached, there was talk that Embiid might be taken before our pick, leaving us with Wiggins. I remember writing that Wiggins should follow a Kawhi-like trajectory, starting as a role player learning the right way to play with Spurs scheme and gradually earning a bigger role. But as we all know, the opposite happened. Wiggins was given the green light to play like a franchise player from day one. And we all saw how that turned out, he was borderline a bust until he landed with the Warriors, where he finally learned how to play winning basketball.

Now, more than a decade later, in 2025, I see the same pattern with Ace Bailey. I think he’d benefit from starting in a smaller role, focusing on defense and efficient offense maybe play that Justin Edwards role, then gradually expanding his game.

He has to master being an efficient shot creator first, and thats the time he can apply it effectively in real games instead of trying to be Carmelo Anthony from day one. But if he never becomes an efficient scorer, he’ll have to embrace a smaller role. And if he refuses, he should take a hard look at how Jonathan Kuminga’s career is unfolding as a cautionary tale.

I feel like Wiggins was an analytical plus at KU while Ace has been garbage. I remember watching games and Wiggins was deferring to the other guards and shooting spoon fed corner threes every game. Somehow he generated a fairly elite FTr while looking like a passive chud out there. I was off him too.

The Oubre comparison for Ace resonates more to me. A blind gunner who didn’t/doesn’t care about efficiency or distributing the ball. Took a decade for him to learn how to be a high energy rebounder in order to offset the mistakes and bad shots.

More than anything, it appears Bailey is a gigantic wuss and avoids contact while being in favor of difficult mid range shots. At #3, I need a more complete package than that.

[Iverson Armband]

Am I crazy for not seeing this generational talent thing with Flagg? I think he deserves to be the #1 pick like Blake Griffin deserved to be the #1 pick. Excellent player, but not generational.

Statistically, he absolutely is a generational talent. Eye test is subjective. I see an elite player but I’d also listen to any apprehension you’re having on him.

I guess I’m not seeing the ability to get his shot when he wants at the next level. To me, that’s what separates the generational guys. I don’t see the ball handling and shot creation. He’s got a Scottie Barnes-ish offensive package.

[mjkvol]

Am I crazy for not seeing this generational talent thing with Flagg? I think he deserves to be the #1 pick like Blake Griffin deserved to be the #1 pick. Excellent player, but not generational.

I share your opinion on Flagg as "generational", if by generational we're talking Jordan, Kobe, James, Zion, and Wemby. He appears to me to be the type of player who will thrive on a good team in a solid system and make that team exponentially better with his elite all-around skill set. I see a more disciplined, fundamentally sound player than Griffin, and one who will likely be a better pro.

Flagg isn't necessarily a "take over the game" type player, but more of a "make everyone around him better" guy, at least that's how he looks to me. The worst thing that could happen to him is to go to a directionless losing franchise, but he could immediately elevate a team like Charlotte if LaMelo is healthy, with Bridges, Miller, and Williams forming a solid young core.

[Snotbubbles]

Am I crazy for not seeing this generational talent thing with Flagg? I think he deserves to be the #1 pick like Blake Griffin deserved to be the #1 pick. Excellent player, but not generational.

Statistically, he absolutely is a generational talent. Eye test is subjective. I see an elite player but I’d also listen to any apprehension you’re having on him.

Flagg actually reclassified. He should be in high school right now, instead, he's the best player in college basketball. To me, he's Ben Simmons with a jump shot.

[Iverson Armband]

Am I crazy for not seeing this generational talent thing with Flagg? I think he deserves to be the #1 pick like Blake Griffin deserved to be the #1 pick. Excellent player, but not generational.

I share your opinion on Flagg as "generational", if by generational we're talking Jordan, Kobe, James, Zion, and Wemby. He appears to me to be the type of player who will thrive on a good team in a solid system and make that team exponentially better with his elite all-around skill set. I see a more disciplined, fundamentally sound player than Griffin, and one who will likely be a better pro.

Flagg isn't necessarily a "take over the game" type player, but more of a "make everyone around him better" guy, at least that's how he looks to me. The worst thing that could happen to him is to go to a directionless losing franchise, but he could immediately elevate a team like Charlotte if LaMelo is healthy, with Bridges, Miller, and Williams forming a solid young core.

I’d also throw Steph, Luka, Giannis, KD, Jokic and probably Embiid in that list of players you mention. I don’t see Flagg at that level. A better passing AK47 with elite athleticism is my comp.

[Mik317]

Flagg's floor is super high and is at a position that fits into every roster easy. He may not be great at anything but also isn't bad at anything. That with what you hope is just normal development is exactly what you want. If there is outlier development...then yeah you got yourself a stew brewing. He reminds me of Kawhii actually. But even if he is a better shooting Scottie Barnes...thats still worth it imo. A wing that can defend, protect the rim in a pinch, rebound, and hit open shots is such an easy building block...so even if his bag is a bit stiff I don't think you worry about it much.

But as stated, I think we end up with 3 and have to hope our scouts have the guts to either pass on Bailey or think hes the guy. He is the guy I am most scared of. T-Mac is one of my favorite players of all time...and that is my favorite archetype of player. Bailey has a lot of that..but maaaaaan so many much smarter people than me hates his game lol. And a decade of relying on tough shot makers makes me weary of taking a guy who lives off of that alone. I mean we have had one of the best tough shot makers in the league ffs...but it is such a tightrope to have to rely on every single night as other teams get easy open looks lol....but the last guy of this ilk (prospect wise) I was down on was Tatum and yeah. NBA spacing also opens up a lot but maaaaan.

Honestly tho, If we don't get the top pick or lose it...I am not as crushed atm

[76ciology]

Flagg, at just 18, has no weaknesses on the wing. He’s a lock for All-NBA and, with the right team, an MVP finalist.

I think he can be right at the stratosphere with SGA and Luka.

[76ciology]

I have VJ Edgecombe, not Ace, at the third spot.

I haven’t analyzed Edgecombe much because his numbers already check out, and his game translates well to the NBA. His biggest drawback is his size, just 6’3” with a 6’5” wingspan, but his combination of strength and athleticism allows him to play bigger than his frame suggests. He was able to deflect a Maluach lob in March Madness.

I see him as a 20-5-5 player with 2 stocks, resembling a smaller version of Oladipo. His ceiling ranges from Fox to Ja Morant.

Maybe fate brings him to us, letting him be our Iverson 2.0.

[76ciology]

And that’s why you have Maluach at four, not Bailey.
Maluach’s floor is simply higher.

At worst, he’s an elite lob threat and paint protector at the five, both high-impact roles given the efficiency of alley-oop dunks. I think he’s shooting around 80% in the paint. His size, mobility, and athleticism also make him a strong rim protector. I’ve seen several stats showing how teams struggle to score in the paint when he’s on the floor.

Duke already has elite defense, but with him, they would push their defensive rating below 90.

And then there’s the upside, if his development clicks, he could develop into a bigger Porzingis or atleast like Brook Lopez. These type of players make it easy to build teams because it allows 1-2 non shooters on the floor.

He’s just 18. Embiid was running towards outside the court and shooting behind the board at that age.

[Mik317]

watched a vid on Harper.

he made some moves that made me go ooooooh.

that is all

[Iverson Armband]

If we get #2 and draft Harper I will have very irrational, steaming hot takes on how he will be better than Flagg

[76ciology]

If we get #2 and draft Harper I will have very irrational, steaming hot takes on how he will be better than Flagg

Nobody can predict the future, but based on what I see right now, where Harper’s main strengths are scoring and playmaking, and Flagg is already a better scorer (better points per 40) and just as good of a playmaker (around equal assist% and ast per game). So realistically, it’s unlikely that Harper ends up being better than Flagg.