2025 NBA Draft Thread: Detroit Pick Edition

[winforlose]

I talked about the is elsewhere but here is our roster situation heading into next season

Guaranteed contracts

1. Ant
2. Rudy
3. Jaden
4. DDV
5. Mike
6. Dilly
7. TSJ
8. Clark

Non guaranteed contracts
9. Minott
10. Garza
11. Miller

UFAs
12. Randle
13. NAW
14. Naz

Picks

15. Detroit first
16. Pick 31 from Utah (not guaranteed, but likely a Hinkie special.)

Even if we drop Garza and trade Minott for picks (a risky move given that he has shown flashes of a legit NBA player,) we don’t have room for moves to balance the roster, we don’t have room for a tax payer MLE, or even for our 2nd. Either we are going to consolidate the picks, or make roster room for at least 2.

I hate to break it to you but no other team wants Miller or Minott and the fact that neither could get a single minute on the court when both Gobert and Randle were out speaks volumes about their future here.

One of Randle/NAW/NAZ will probably not be back.
With glaring holes at backup center and backup PG, we probably add one veteran free agent at each position.

IMHO at least 2 of 3 of Minott/Garza/Miller will not be back and we will replace them with more talented players at 17 and 31.
With 3 projects already in Dilly/TSJ/Clark, plus 2 draft picks, we aren't going to carry 2 more in Minott and Miller who don't have the BBIQ to stay on the court.

Depending on a Randle deal if you bring Randle back you probably lose both Naz and NAW. Bringing in Vets sounds nice. In practice you have the tax payer MLE and minimums. You have no other means of replacing anyone. As for cutting Minott and Miller, that is certainly an option. But, if they get picked up elsewhere and play well, that is a huge black eye for the coaches and FO that let them walk. That says you either cannot evaluate or develop your talent properly, and you lost very cheap contracts at a time when you were seriously salary crunched. You are talking very high risk with very limited reward moves. For instance keeping Garza and dumping Miller is embarrassing if Miller is even a backup for a decent team while Garza is an unplayable cheerleader for the Wolves. As for Minott, he dropped 10 points in 12 minutes against Denver. His overall minutes this year have been positive, and again it is a great chance for Chris Finch to be shown to be a poor development coach and poor minute/rotation manager.

[shrink]

As for cutting Minott and Miller, that is certainly an option. But, if they get picked up elsewhere and play well, that is a huge black eye for the coaches and FO that let them walk. That says you either cannot evaluate or develop your talent properly, and you lost very cheap contracts at a time when you were seriously salary crunched.

I think I may have figured out why you have such a different opinion than most people on this.

In every draft, 30 teams are taking gambles on 60 players, often as young as 19. They WILL NOT ALL BECOME PLAYERS. We do not see these 60 automatically displacing 60 vets every year, as each one turns into an NBA starter. If we did, the 450 NBA players would all be under 27. Some ARE going to fail. Tim Connelly specifically has a history of his picks beating expectations, but they all don’t, and he says himself that every pick is a risk. Not getting an NBA player with EVERY pick is not a failure. It’s reality.

You also seem to put 100% of the responsibility on the coaching staff if a player doesn’t develop. But do you remember being 19? Were you ready for success? At 23? Kids are kids, and GMs are making projections, not just on them physically maturing, but them maturing intellectually and emotionally as well. Plus, when we give young kids contracts for a $1 mil or more, and many just aren’t ready, or never will be, regardless of coaching. The athletes themselves need to bear some responsibility,

( .. particularly the one that choose to tweet from the bench during a live game. Finch didn’t make him do that)

[younggunsmn]

1. You dont keep guys who can't play because of sunk costs.
2. Failed 2nd round picks are a dime a dozen.
3. A team that wants to contend for the playoffs isn't going to carry 7 projects with "potential".

Minott is not a rotation player. End of story.
Replacing him with even a Jordan McLaughlin or Bismack Biyombo waiver wire bouncing caliber player would be a boon to this year's team.
If we want to be better next year we are going to have to add a couple of playable vets via trade or free agency.
Guys who are more than cheerleaders or emergency inbound passers (looking at you Joe Ingles).

[Slim Tubby]

Walter Clayton Jr. is the only answer with the DET pick IMO despite our need for a backup C. Grab Broome, Sarver or Kalkbrenner at 31 and let's get to work.

I have zero doubt Clayton Jr will be one of the 7 best players to come out of this Draft. His clutch gene is unteachable.

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Tonight's game sure didn't change my mind. The kid is a special player.

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[Neeva]

Well hopefully his age and lack of burst and height keep him out of first round.

[moss_is_1]

Yeah I wanted Clayton with the Utah 2nd but his tourney run might push him into the 1st. Hopefully he gets pushed down though. Sorber and Clayton would be so perfect.

[cmoss84]

Would you give up both picks + (any combo of our young guys) for Knueppel?

[Neeva]

Would you give up both picks + (any combo of our young guys) for Knueppel?

Hell no, he looks like another Reed Sheppard. If wolves want another average athlete that can sort of shoot with high-ish basketball iq , take McNeely at 17’or better yet Clayton Jr at 31.

[minimus]

Latest mock from BR:
https://www.nba.com/news/bleacher-report-2025-nba-mock-draft-final-four

19. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Pistons): Nolan Traore
31. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Jazz): Maxime Raynaud

But I rather take Sorber (22) or Wolf (21) or Rasheer Fleming (25) AND Bennett Stirtz (33) or Milos Uzan (35) or Adou Thiero (40)

I had another thought about this actually, less so about the actual prospects but in the scope of our impending financial crunch.

Taking someone like Traore would allow us to delay the cost of the pick another year as we leave him overseas for next season. Specifically for Traore as well, it allows Mike to play out his last season and then have Nolan come over for a possible backup position behind Dillingham.

I am not familiar with Traore game, because I still have scars after Killian Hayes, Theo Maledon (french PG I was rooting for) failed miserably. But I know he is considered the best passer of the international draft prospects. I just don't see how he is better than Dillingham, who IMO is better passer, better athlete. Dunno. And I like Sergio De Larrea a lot as draft and stash project.

In background I have been really concerned about our bigman rotation next season. Gobert looks healthy in last games but MIN don't lock anyone they kind of cruising by using their talent advantage. Reid has been bad. Randle is healthy and playing with physicality, but you can see his limits. I hoped that they can establish some kind of smallball identity by running hard in transition and playing fast pace in half court by they kind of stacked in the middle. TC really needs to add another bigman in rotation to let this team to build any kind of sustainable offense and defense. Thomas Sorber and Danny Wolf with all their limits at least are two 250lbs bigs with decent mobility, so you can throw them in NBA paint to fight for reboundsand contest some shots on perimeter. Makes too much sense to pass if they fall down to DET pick. If in worst case Sorber will be Wendell Carter Jr, or Wolf will be a Kelly Olynyk - I will be okay with this outcome.

I don't think I'd pencil in anyone at 31 either. There's always someone who drops, like last season with Furphy and Filipowski, so I'd honestly just take whoever that ends up being this year.

Yeah, I would not be surprised if UTAs pick will be more important than DET. Because it will allow to grab however falls out of first round AND negotiate his rookie deal. Here is perfect "draft BPA" situation for TC.

[minimus]

Looking at Sorber, I get Gorgui Dieng vibes from hm. And that's not necessarily a bad thing.

I get Dieng vibes when I look at Maluachi

An athletic, 7 ft 2 in Dieng would have been a very, very different monster.

Yeah, Maluachi is bigger, although Dieng has 7'4" wingspan. But Maluachi reminds me Dieng in other sense. Dieng had only one season when he averaged more than 8RPG. Maluachi sometimes lacks of aggressiveness and energy. Maybe he will improve it by adding more strength.

[shangrila]

I get Dieng vibes when I look at Maluachi

An athletic, 7 ft 2 in Dieng would have been a very, very different monster.

Yeah, Maluachi is bigger, although Dieng has 7'4" wingspan. But Maluachi reminds me Dieng in other sense. Dieng had only one season when he averaged more than 8RPG. Maluachi sometimes lacks of aggressiveness and energy. Maybe he will improve it by adding more strength.

Realistically, adding muscle won't improve aggressiveness or energy issues.

I think the Dieng comp is a good one for another reason; I'm sure everyone remembers how he wasn't much of a shotblocker despite his size and reputation? How he'd be on the guards hip most, if not all, of the way to the rim but seemingly give them no resistance? Maluach is in a similar boat right now. A 6% block rate is bad for a shotblocker, let alone just a guy his size.

[Slim Tubby]

An athletic, 7 ft 2 in Dieng would have been a very, very different monster.

Yeah, Maluachi is bigger, although Dieng has 7'4" wingspan. But Maluachi reminds me Dieng in other sense. Dieng had only one season when he averaged more than 8RPG. Maluachi sometimes lacks of aggressiveness and energy. Maybe he will improve it by adding more strength.

Realistically, adding muscle won't improve aggressiveness or energy issues.

I think the Dieng comp is a good one for another reason; I'm sure everyone remembers how he wasn't much of a shotblocker despite his size and reputation? How he'd be on the guards hip most, if not all, of the way to the rim but seemingly give them no resistance? Maluach is in a similar boat right now. A 6% block rate is bad for a shotblocker, let alone just a guy his size.

Agreed. Also, Maluach played 21 minutes against a small HOU team and didn't manage to grab a single rebound.

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[FrenchMinnyFan]

Latest mock from BR:
https://www.nba.com/news/bleacher-report-2025-nba-mock-draft-final-four



But I rather take Sorber (22) or Wolf (21) or Rasheer Fleming (25) AND Bennett Stirtz (33) or Milos Uzan (35) or Adou Thiero (40)

I had another thought about this actually, less so about the actual prospects but in the scope of our impending financial crunch.

Taking someone like Traore would allow us to delay the cost of the pick another year as we leave him overseas for next season. Specifically for Traore as well, it allows Mike to play out his last season and then have Nolan come over for a possible backup position behind Dillingham.

I am not familiar with Traore game, because I still have scars after Killian Hayes, Theo Maledon (french PG I was rooting for) failed miserably. But I know he is considered the best passer of the international draft prospects. I just don't see how he is better than Dillingham, who IMO is better passer, better athlete. Dunno. And I like Sergio De Larrea a lot as draft and stash project.

In background I have been really concerned about our bigman rotation next season. Gobert looks healthy in last games but MIN don't lock anyone they kind of cruising by using their talent advantage. Reid has been bad. Randle is healthy and playing with physicality, but you can see his limits. I hoped that they can establish some kind of smallball identity by running hard in transition and playing fast pace in half court by they kind of stacked in the middle. TC really needs to add another bigman in rotation to let this team to build any kind of sustainable offense and defense. Thomas Sorber and Danny Wolf with all their limits at least are two 250lbs bigs with decent mobility, so you can throw them in NBA paint to fight for reboundsand contest some shots on perimeter. Makes too much sense to pass if they fall down to DET pick. If in worst case Sorber will be Wendell Carter Jr, or Wolf will be a Kelly Olynyk - I will be okay with this outcome.

I don't think I'd pencil in anyone at 31 either. There's always someone who drops, like last season with Furphy and Filipowski, so I'd honestly just take whoever that ends up being this year.

Yeah, I would not be surprised if UTAs pick will be more important than DET. Because it will allow to grab however falls out of first round AND negotiate his rookie deal. Here is perfect "draft BPA" situation for TC.

Was a cpl of Traore game. Pretty good passer, better than Rob on my opinion, better defender too (even not good), Shooting is decent. How this will be translate in NBA level? no idea. but if we can have it, i will go for it.

[winforlose]

Pistons are 2 losses ahead of Bucks for 17. 16 and 19 are impossible either way. The pick will be 17 or 18. The Pistons have lost twice to the Bucks so far this season. We are obviously hoping to add a loss to the Bucks tomorrow, but any further winning beyond that point (especially against the Pistons who they play twice to end the season,) and 17 is ours.

[Neeva]

Man Clayton Jr is choking big time. Think he might be there at 31.

[Klomp]

Pistons are 2 losses ahead of Bucks for 17. 16 and 19 are impossible either way. The pick will be 17 or 18. The Pistons have lost twice to the Bucks so far this season. We are obviously hoping to add a loss to the Bucks tomorrow, but any further winning beyond that point (especially against the Pistons who they play twice to end the season,) and 17 is ours.

I'm 99.9% sure they don't use head-to-head tiebreakers for draft order (can't tell or sure, but seems like you might think they do). If teams are at the same record, it goes to a coin flip.

[winforlose]

Pistons are 2 losses ahead of Bucks for 17. 16 and 19 are impossible either way. The pick will be 17 or 18. The Pistons have lost twice to the Bucks so far this season. We are obviously hoping to add a loss to the Bucks tomorrow, but any further winning beyond that point (especially against the Pistons who they play twice to end the season,) and 17 is ours.

I'm 99.9% sure they don't use head-to-head tiebreakers for draft order (can't tell or sure, but seems like you might think they do). If teams are at the same record, it goes to a coin flip.

I have literally 0% idea. I trust you much more than me on this.

Edit to add: I googled it, the AI said “ For teams outside the NBA Draft Lottery (picks 15-30 and the second round), draft order is determined by reverse order of regular season record, with tiebreakers decided by head-to-head record, point differential, and total points scored.”

[Neeva]

I hate this draft class I am wishing the wolves got the Pistons pick next year instead but guess I should be happy it conveyed as a first round pick at all since the Pistons have been so hapless for so long.

[Klomp]

Pistons are 2 losses ahead of Bucks for 17. 16 and 19 are impossible either way. The pick will be 17 or 18. The Pistons have lost twice to the Bucks so far this season. We are obviously hoping to add a loss to the Bucks tomorrow, but any further winning beyond that point (especially against the Pistons who they play twice to end the season,) and 17 is ours.

I'm 99.9% sure they don't use head-to-head tiebreakers for draft order (can't tell or sure, but seems like you might think they do). If teams are at the same record, it goes to a coin flip.

I have literally 0% idea. I trust you much more than me on this.

Edit to add: I googled it, the AI said “ For teams outside the NBA Draft Lottery (picks 15-30 and the second round), draft order is determined by reverse order of regular season record, with tiebreakers decided by head-to-head record, point differential, and total points scored.”

Ties for playoff positioning are determined by a number of tiebreakers that take into account head-to-head records, divisional records, conference records, etc. But for draft position, ties are decided by a coin flip.

https://sports.yahoo.com/article/explaining-nba-draft-lottery-odds-170000066.html

[winforlose]

I'm 99.9% sure they don't use head-to-head tiebreakers for draft order (can't tell or sure, but seems like you might think they do). If teams are at the same record, it goes to a coin flip.

I have literally 0% idea. I trust you much more than me on this.

Edit to add: I googled it, the AI said “ For teams outside the NBA Draft Lottery (picks 15-30 and the second round), draft order is determined by reverse order of regular season record, with tiebreakers decided by head-to-head record, point differential, and total points scored.”

Ties for playoff positioning are determined by a number of tiebreakers that take into account head-to-head records, divisional records, conference records, etc. But for draft position, ties are decided by a coin flip.

https://sports.yahoo.com/article/explaining-nba-draft-lottery-odds-170000066.html

Your article is about lottery odds. We are talking non lottery positioning. While a coin flip only resolves 2 teams they do a mini lottery for the non lotto teams.

I dug deeper and found this

https://www.blazersedge.com/2024/4/10/24125981/nba-draft-lottery-tiebreaker-rules-blazers-spurs

This also shows it. https://www.nba.com/news/ties-broken-for-order-of-selection-in-2024-nba-draft-presented-by-state-farm