2025 Draft Thread

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

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Whoever he is, that big kid is pretty good.

[dckingsfan]

Watch on YouTube

Whoever he is, that big kid is pretty good.

He needs to luck out and go to the Heat.

[AFM]

Kids got Nene level footwork, can finish with either hand (pause), hook shot, use the glass, spin cycle, hesitation, euro step, back to the basket game, little floater, stop and pop jumper, fella got a full bag of party tricks, but lets draft a sudanese guy who's about to get deported because he's tall

[Rafael122]

I mean the 8th pick in the draft right now has 33 wins. I would love to make the playoffs next season, but if we went from 17 to wins to 30 and still keep our pick, that's OK with me. We almost double our win total from the previous year, our youngsters took a step up to get us to this point and we have another shot at the apple to get a blue chip prospect.

I mean looking at the lottery now, I think the only three teams who would look to continue the tank next season would be Washington, Utah, and Brooklyn. Utah because of AJ but if they got Flagg, I think their tanking is done. Brooklyn has a ton of cap room, free agency stinks this year, and they have 4 FRPs this year. They could just say screw it and just play all young kids next season.

[The Consiglieri]

Kids got Nene level footwork, can finish with either hand (pause), hook shot, use the glass, spin cycle, hesitation, euro step, back to the basket game, little floater, stop and pop jumper, fella got a full bag of party tricks, but lets draft a sudanese guy who's about to get deported because he's tall

Nobody's criticizing the set of offensive skills and tools he has, the concern is defense, and maybe to a lesser degree, fitness.

Everyone here would I think agree that if you drafted him, he'd be a legit offensive weapon, but if he's as big a liability on the defensive end as some think, it's just a non-starter. I would not take him, period. The deported stuff strikes me as ridiculous. Trump's got zero principles and has always loved sports, if there's any sport that should be concerned about deportation risk, it would be baseball, and I hear no discussion of it whatsoever.

All this being said, if we got hosed in the lottery, ended up 1.06, I wouldn't mind trading down for him, I'm just not taking him under any circumstances at 1.05 or 1.06.

[dckingsfan]

Kids got Nene level footwork, can finish with either hand (pause), hook shot, use the glass, spin cycle, hesitation, euro step, back to the basket game, little floater, stop and pop jumper, fella got a full bag of party tricks, but lets draft a sudanese guy who's about to get deported because he's tall

And needs to go to the Heat where they will develop his body so that he can play hard all the time. And... have someone like Bam next to him on the defensive end of the court.

My take, no to both (for the Wizards) UNLESS, we can trade down and still get him. OR we can trade Sarr because that combo isn't gonna hunt.

[payitforward]

Curious -- who's a good comp for Queen in the league?

[doclinkin]

Alright, well that settles it, then we definitely need to fall in the top 4 crap teams to ensure we keep it, top 5 to logically almost certainly keep it (somewhere around 1 in 150 chance of losing it, technically possible but highly unlikely). I was wondering if we could basically say to the Knicks post lottery:

We fall to 1.09, we generate pick swap with the Suns who jumped to 3, that's the Suns pick, our pick, at 9, stays at 9, knicks use it. But it doesn't work that, way, I guess the protection runs to 8 and nothing can be done ex-post facto, like running the swap (would that mean the knicks could use the swap though? since its their pick?).

No the swap is an agreement between teams, it is not attached to a pick. It does not confer. If we don't have a pick, we don't have a swap. NY gets to do whatever they want with our pick. But our agreement with the Suns does not confer.

So bizarre, I hate how this league pretty much runs everything lol, apron this, apron that, mid level exception, yada yada, its just feels like the insane tax code we have, why not just set up a simple cap structure like the NFL? Maybe there's a good reason, but it just gives me a migraine.

The swap thing is kinda new. Its a way to dodge the rule that says you can't trade consecutive 1st round draft picks and leave your fanbase zero hope due to crappy management. PHX managed to make a mockery of that since technically they have 1st round picks, they have just promised to swap all of them. They went all in on NOW. And predictably nosedived. But in theory it is to preserve competitive balance since the league is no fun if only 2 teams win all the time. Boston and LA.

Likewise the 'apron' thing is meant to make it difficult for the haves to dominate the have-nots. The NBA doesn't want a NY Yankees type team to simply buy all the best players just because they have a market advantage. The more expensive your team, the harder it will be to keep it all together over time. The penalties become truly brutal, and at least the lesser teams get to profit off of it since the tax penalties are distributed to all teams who are not paying it. So long as they are paying at least 90% of the cap. They don't want freeloaders fielding non-competitive teams just to hoover up the extra funds from the cap abusers.

So every few years the best of the best will have bloated contracts and need to dismantle it to start over. And there will be a feeding frenzy of parity for a few years of one-trophy champions before the next generational player is drafted and a team is build around them etc. Or that's the idea anyway.

It still doesn't work. LA manages to draw players on the cheap, or somehow get them basically for free like Luka. They don't mind paying the tax because they can charge Hollywood star prices for suites etc.

Ultimately the draft is the great leveler. In theory everyone has a chance. San Antonio is a small market. Nobody wants to move to Cleveland or Milwaukee. But a lucky bounce or a smart draft pick can change the fortunes of a franchise. One guy is all it takes to build around. If he's the right guy.

The thing that OKC and now the Wiz are doing is to collect all of the lucky bounces that other teams are not properly valuing. Most teams undervalue the future. Here we profit by being enablers for bad management. We help out the cap abusers by playing the long game. We have control over 10 first round draft picks over the next 5-7 years. In that time we also have 16 second round picks. While other teams are focused on the 'now', the Wiz are poised to follow the OKC dynasty with a 2nd dynasty of our own --if we can scout smart and draft lucky. And we can do so on the cheap, and renewably.

Because the only place where salaries are really controlled is for rookie draft picks. If you catch a superstar early you can keep realistically them for their first 2 contracts. If you are constantly refreshing your talent pool with extra draft picks, especially from shortsighted 'win now' teams, then you have the ability to get good on the cheap and stay cheap. The damage only shows up when you have a team that wins long for a few years in a row, and your stars require higher cost to retain. One of them good problems to have. If you play it right though, with all these extra draft picks and swaps, you may have drafted the next star, or the next behind them. Trade out good players before they become too pricey, if you know their understudy is coming up behind them.

This is why the smartest things we have done in the past few years is hire Michael Winger. He's the cap svengali who is looking at the long term and picking the quantum timeline where we may sustainably win for a long time. The team is investing heavily in Player Development over everything else.

I think we luck out in that Ted took a hit in caring so much about player 'loyalty' that it bit him in the butt a couple times. He has backed away from the Wizards and seems like he's given the team more time. The fact that he has a building to re-construct and other distractions may mean we have a little time to grow and develop. The metaphor is right there. He wanted to 'pull a geographic' as the addicts say, where you just pick up and move to a new place hoping for a fresh start, but still carry all your problems with you. Instead he is required to do some careful re-building from within. Thoughtfully. And not be greedy for wins to try to justify a huge new sportsing complex with gambling and bells and whistles and whee... No. Winger said it. We have to deconstruct the team. Then very intentionally build a foundation. Some part of that means carefully taking out the last of the team's old bad habits. Like trading away draft picks for a one year rental of Westbrook.

As soon as that is done, we can make all of our own decisions.

[doclinkin]

Curious -- who's a good comp for Queen in the league?

Randle on the Twolves. Minus the one year he shot 40% from 3. Face up skilled true big, with iffy defense. Undersized center but toolsy if slower forward if he can convert to the position.

That said if the team thinks they can speed up his feet on defense with conditioning and core strength, then I don't hate him at #4 or 5. He's an older freshman, but there's upside with nutrition and training. Focus.

[pancakes3]

Some off the cuff comps

Flagg: Paolo
Harper: Lamelo Ball
Ace Bailey: Tatum
VJ: Cason Wallace
Tre Johnson: Trey Murphy
Kon Knueppel: Aaron Nesmith/Luke Kennard
Maluach: Jalen Duren
Derik Queen: Thomas Bryant
Collin Murray-Boyles: Jalen Williams
Jase Richardson: Norm Powell
Asa Newell: Toumani Camara

Miles Byrd (Tankathon assigned 2nd round pick): Dyson Daniels
Kam Jones (I hope we can get him with the 2nd rounder, currently projected as late 1st rounder): Isaiah Collier

[Zonkerbl]

Why is everyone named Jalen a good basketball player

[TheBlackCzar]

Some off the cuff comps

Flagg: Paolo
Harper: Lamelo Ball
Ace Bailey: Tatum
VJ: Cason Wallace
Tre Johnson: Trey Murphy
Kon Knueppel: Aaron Nesmith/Luke Kennard
Maluach: Jalen Duren
Derik Queen: Thomas Bryant
Collin Murray-Boyles: Jalen Williams
Jase Richardson: Norm Powell
Asa Newell: Toumani Camara

Miles Byrd (Tankathon assigned 2nd round pick): Dyson Daniels
Kam Jones (I hope we can get him with the 2nd rounder, currently projected as late 1st rounder): Isaiah Collier

Why is everyone named Jalen a good basketball player

Here's another for you...

Harper - Lamelo is not a comp (Melo shoots way more outside shots, and didn't drive nearly as much).... 6'6' Jalen Brunson or Hardenesque makes more sense....

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Thomas Sorber is consistently being mocked in the later part of the 1st round, and could legitimately be available to the Wizards with their 2nd pick. Sorber would allow the Wizards to move Sarr to PF in a role similar to that of Evan Mobley in Cleveland.


NBA Draft Room: Current Big Board Position #22
Thomas Sorber C – Georgetown – HT: 6-10 – WT: 255 – WING: NA – Fr – NBA Comp: Jarrett Allen
A big-bodied center who impacts both ends and rebounds the heck out of the ball. A breakout star for the Hoyas who showed some really nice stretches of play. He’s got a nice combination of size, scoring touch and passing vision. He’s a NBA level rebounder and a really good rim protector. He’s got decent feet for a player his size and does a decent job of defending the pick and roll and guarding in space. He’s not a major threat from outside but he can hit the mid range and is a solid FT shooter. His 3pt shot looks like it’ll develop in time and become a bigger part of his game. His rate of improvement over the past year is impressive and the sky seems to be the limit for him.


Bleacher Report: Current Mock Position #22
Thomas Sorber (Georgetown, C)
Previous Mock Position: No. 24
Size: 6’10”, 255 lbs
Age: 19
Nationality: USA
Pro Comparison: Onyeka Okongwu
His finishing tools, post skill and passing were noticeably advanced throughout the season. He was disruptive defensively (2.0 blocks, 1.5 steals) and despite poor jump-shooting percentages, the confidence/comfort he showed to keep taking mid-range shots and threes was still encouraging.


YAHOO SPORTS: Current Mock Position #25
Sorber has a brick-house frame and the throwback skill set to match with strong screens, soft-touch finishes and gritty drop-coverage instincts.

Watch on YouTube

[prime1time]

Curious -- who's a good comp for Queen in the league?

Randle on the Twolves. Minus the one year he shot 40% from 3. Face up skilled true big, with iffy defense. Undersized center but toolsy if slower forward if he can convert to the position.

That said if the team thinks they can speed up his feet on defense with conditioning and core strength, then I don't hate him at #4 or 5. He's an older freshman, but there's upside with nutrition and training. Focus.

He's way more skilled than Randle at the same age. Did you watch Randle at Kentucky? Queen also averaged over 2+ stocks a game. Randle average 1.3.

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=SachinC
Look at how often Randle finishes with his left. Imo, the challenge for Randle is that he often resorted to bully ball. This is why he initially struggled in the NBA. He could only go left and bully ball as a dominant offensive strategy doesn't work. In the conference tourney and NCAA tourney Randle shot only 43.6^ from the field and averaged only 13.6 ppg. Queen, on the other hand, shot 53.6% from the field and 21.2 ppg. People are really underselling Queen's offensive ability. If a team believes in his 3-point shot I can see an argument for him going 4th. He's going to come in and score day 1. The defensive issues are overhyped. He's not going to be elite, but there's a large gap between not being elite and being bad.

UNC fans use to joke that the only person who could slow down MJ was Dean Smith. The same could be said for Derik Queen. Derik is such a gifted scorer. Some players take over games because their shot is falling. I'd put Ace Bailey in this category. Other players are so good offensively that they can just flip a switch, and take over a game. Utilizing a combination of physical ability, skill and b-ball iq, they are able to generate great looks and convert them at high rates consistently. This is where Derik Queen is. And also where Dylan Harper is.

Queen's 3-point shot is his swing skill. In post season play he went 5/11. Very small sample size. If he's able to be a solid 3-point shooter on good volume you're looking at a top 10 scorer in the NBA. And while he's not the rebounder or passer Jokic is, from a scoring perspective they would be very similar. People on this board don't like him but based on the film I think he has to be in the convo starting at 3. Just watch the tape.

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=NoCeilingsNBA

[AFM]

Curious -- who's a good comp for Queen in the league?

Randle on the Twolves. Minus the one year he shot 40% from 3. Face up skilled true big, with iffy defense. Undersized center but toolsy if slower forward if he can convert to the position.

That said if the team thinks they can speed up his feet on defense with conditioning and core strength, then I don't hate him at #4 or 5. He's an older freshman, but there's upside with nutrition and training. Focus.

He's way more skilled than Randle at the same age. Did you watch Randle at Kentucky? Queen also averaged over 2+ stocks a game. Randle average 1.3.

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=SachinC
Look at how often Randle finishes with his left. Imo, the challenge for Randle is that he often resorted to bully ball. This is why he initially struggled in the NBA. He could only go left and bully ball as a dominant offensive strategy doesn't work. In the conference tourney and NCAA tourney Randle shot only 43.6^ from the field and averaged only 13.6 ppg. Queen, on the other hand, shot 53.6% from the field and 21.2 ppg. People are really underselling Queen's offensive ability. If a team believes in his 3-point shot I can see an argument for him going 4th. He's going to come in and score day 1. The defensive issues are overhyped. He's not going to be elite, but there's a large gap between not being elite and being bad.

UNC fans use to joke that the only person who could slow down MJ was Dean Smith. The same could be said for Derik Queen. Derik is such a gifted scorer. Some players take over games because their shot is falling. I'd put Ace Bailey in this category. Other players are so good offensively that they can just flip a switch, and take over a game. Utilizing a combination of physical ability, skill and b-ball iq, they are able to generate great looks and convert them at high rates consistently. This is where Derik Queen is. And also where Dylan Harper is.

Queen's 3-point shot is his swing skill. In post season play he went 5/11. Very small sample size. If he's able to be a solid 3-point shooter on good volume you're looking at a top 10 scorer in the NBA. And while he's not the rebounder or passer Jokic is, from a scoring perspective they would be very similar. People on this board don't like him but based on the film I think he has to be in the convo starting at 3. Just watch the tape.

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=NoCeilingsNBA

Well said. Kid is going to be a beast.

[Benjammin]

Flagg is a much better prospect than Paolo as his game is much more complete, even at his young age.

Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro XL using Tapatalk

[DCZards]

It’s not that some of us here don’t like Queen. He clearly looks like he’ll be an awesome offensive weapon and is hands down a top 8-12 pick.

It’s just that some of us have serious and legitimate questions about his defense. For me, from what I’ve seen, I question both his ability and his effort on D.

In all the posts I’ve seen by those who think the Zards should seriously consider Queen with their FRP I have yet to see those posters say anything even remotely positive about his defense.

[doclinkin]

Curious -- who's a good comp for Queen in the league?

Randle. Minus the one year he shot 40% from 3. Face up skilled true big, with iffy defense. Undersized center but toolsy if slower forward if he can convert to the position.

That said if the team thinks they can speed up his feet on defense with conditioning and core strength, then I don't hate him at #4 or 5. He's an older freshman, but there's upside with nutrition and training. Focus.

He's way more skilled than Randle at the same age. Did you watch Randle at Kentucky? Queen also averaged over 2+ stocks a game. Randle average 1.3.

No comp is perfect. Both Randle and Queen have difficulty defending in space and come up small against players with real size. Both are skilled and able to bully smaller players. Both have some face up skill.

I do think Queen is going to be a player in this league. I don’t think his effectiveness hinges solely on extending his range. I think it has more to do with his defense. If he can get better on this end then he can stay on the floor long enough to demonstrate his offensive tools. If not then he’s at best a Julius Randle type. That’s not a bad player. Just limited top end.

[prime1time]

Randle on the Twolves. Minus the one year he shot 40% from 3. Face up skilled true big, with iffy defense. Undersized center but toolsy if slower forward if he can convert to the position.

That said if the team thinks they can speed up his feet on defense with conditioning and core strength, then I don't hate him at #4 or 5. He's an older freshman, but there's upside with nutrition and training. Focus.

He's way more skilled than Randle at the same age. Did you watch Randle at Kentucky? Queen also averaged over 2+ stocks a game. Randle average 1.3.

No comp is perfect. Both Randle and Queen have difficulty defending in space and come up small against players with real size. Both are skilled and able to bully smaller players. Both have some face up skill.

I do think Queen is going to be a player in this league. I don’t think his effectiveness hinges solely on extending his range. I think it has more to do with his defense. If he can get better on this end then he can stay on the floor long enough to demonstrate his offensive tools. If not then he’s at best a Julius Randle type. That’s not a bad player. Just limited top end. At worst yeah that’s Thomas Bryant.

I think for me the difference is that the way I see the game, there's a big difference between solid offensive players (i.e. Randle) and players that I believe can take over a game offensively. If Queen's scoring output is going to match Randle then I wouldn't draft him. But if Queen is able to take over games offensively than I draft him top 5.

Randle has really good offensive games every now and then. And it's because of how he attacks the game. He can bully smaller defenders. He's had to work really hard to add a right hand and add more offensive dimensions to his game. Queen is a vastly superior offensive talent. Imo, what we dismiss as minor differences is going to be the difference between a guy that can take over a game offensively and a guy that can't. Queen is a 3-point shot away from doing that.

[Dat2U]

Thomas Sorber is consistently being mocked in the later part of the 1st round, and could legitimately be available to the Wizards with their 2nd pick. Sorber would allow the Wizards to move Sarr to PF in a role similar to that of Evan Mobley in Cleveland.


NBA Draft Room: Current Big Board Position #22
Thomas Sorber C – Georgetown – HT: 6-10 – WT: 255 – WING: NA – Fr – NBA Comp: Jarrett Allen
A big-bodied center who impacts both ends and rebounds the heck out of the ball. A breakout star for the Hoyas who showed some really nice stretches of play. He’s got a nice combination of size, scoring touch and passing vision. He’s a NBA level rebounder and a really good rim protector. He’s got decent feet for a player his size and does a decent job of defending the pick and roll and guarding in space. He’s not a major threat from outside but he can hit the mid range and is a solid FT shooter. His 3pt shot looks like it’ll develop in time and become a bigger part of his game. His rate of improvement over the past year is impressive and the sky seems to be the limit for him.


Bleacher Report: Current Mock Position #22
Thomas Sorber (Georgetown, C)
Previous Mock Position: No. 24
Size: 6’10”, 255 lbs
Age: 19
Nationality: USA
Pro Comparison: Onyeka Okongwu
His finishing tools, post skill and passing were noticeably advanced throughout the season. He was disruptive defensively (2.0 blocks, 1.5 steals) and despite poor jump-shooting percentages, the confidence/comfort he showed to keep taking mid-range shots and threes was still encouraging.


YAHOO SPORTS: Current Mock Position #25
Sorber has a brick-house frame and the throwback skill set to match with strong screens, soft-touch finishes and gritty drop-coverage instincts.

Watch on YouTube

A young, spry Kevon Looney?