2025 NBA Draft Class

[babyjax13]

It is too bad Traore fell off so hard. Had he continued to play well we would be having a fun conversation about who should go #2 out of he and Harper. The bad season by him really makes this draft feel like it falls off hard. Once you get past the top 2, this draft really doesn't seem much better than last year. Maybe a few more guys with some high-end upside, but certainly no more depth. But, that clear 1/2 at least makes this an averageish looking draft (and the fact that Flagg is so excellent).

Ya outside the Top-2 I dont see much of a talent difference between this class and last years.

Like, to me Clingan was a much better prospect than Malauch and we are talking about them going around the same range. Matas is a guy that I would seriously taking #3 in this draft (Albeit I am a huge stan for Matas). Castle as well is comparable talent wise to VJ and Ace IMO. Much better intangibles than either as well.

The real draft with a unique talent base is actually 2026 IMO. We have 2 absolute studs in this years but the Top-8 or so in 2026 to me looks much jucier.

2026 way better. Top 4 is much better as is Top 8.

We said that last year about this year because Traore looked so good and we assumed one of Bailey/Harper would challenge him for 2. Obviously 2026 has been nuts in international games, but I'm not ready to proclaim it an incredible class till we see them a level up.

[Catchall]

Declarations are staring to roll in. Time for a Draft Entry thread.

So far: Tre Johnson, Adou Thiero, Jase Richardson, Noah Penda, Boogie Fland, Egor Demin...

[bravor]

The international class has been quiet but if they can get some late steam it would take this draft to another level. Two guys pushing the top 10-12 picks would make it feel a lot deeper. As it stands now it levels off fast once you get outside of the lottery.

It is too bad Traore fell off so hard. Had he continued to play well we would be having a fun conversation about who should go #2 out of he and Harper. The bad season by him really makes this draft feel like it falls off hard. Once you get past the top 2, this draft really doesn't seem much better than last year. Maybe a few more guys with some high-end upside, but certainly no more depth. But, that clear 1/2 at least makes this an averageish looking draft (and the fact that Flagg is so excellent).

Ya outside the Top-2 I dont see much of a talent difference between this class and last years.

Like, to me Clingan was a much better prospect than Malauch and we are talking about them going around the same range. Matas is a guy that I would seriously taking #3 in this draft (Albeit I am a huge stan for Matas). Castle as well is comparable talent wise to VJ and Ace IMO. Much better intangibles than either as well.

The real draft with a unique talent base is actually 2026 IMO. We have 2 absolute studs in this years but the Top-8 or so in 2026 to me looks much jucier.

I actually feel the opposite.

Except Risacher who was nba ready despite his lack of weight (compare to avg nba player), last season did not have any int player really showing an above average level except Buzelis. Most were 'just' good to high potential (and playing in development league/low minutes pro level).

This year there are plenty of young prospects who ARE already producing at the pro level, from Ben Saraf to Penda passing by Traore (yes, he had a disappointing year but he was running the point at 18 y old against grown men, the hype was just too high, dude is still legit esp in nba rules context), i don't see major failure in this year's crop. In the sense that they are not hypothetical project, most are already solid pro players.
Something some keep forgetting here is that at the int level, when they play with the top team, all games matter esp. with their league (from the qualifying games for the european cups to the relegation process)

The main difference with last year has to do with the level of the top american players, who are way more consistent this year (and next), which is why the top int have to be really top players to scratch the top of the lottery (or the lottery).

Next year should be worst for int crop imo (at least there are less top players/1st rounder material than this year, we will see if Yimga Monkouri declares for 2026 for our part), but in 2027 we should have plenty of great potential (and not just "potential")

[FarBeyondDriven]

It is too bad Traore fell off so hard. Had he continued to play well we would be having a fun conversation about who should go #2 out of he and Harper. The bad season by him really makes this draft feel like it falls off hard. Once you get past the top 2, this draft really doesn't seem much better than last year. Maybe a few more guys with some high-end upside, but certainly no more depth. But, that clear 1/2 at least makes this an averageish looking draft (and the fact that Flagg is so excellent).

Ya outside the Top-2 I dont see much of a talent difference between this class and last years.

Like, to me Clingan was a much better prospect than Malauch and we are talking about them going around the same range. Matas is a guy that I would seriously taking #3 in this draft (Albeit I am a huge stan for Matas). Castle as well is comparable talent wise to VJ and Ace IMO. Much better intangibles than either as well.

The real draft with a unique talent base is actually 2026 IMO. We have 2 absolute studs in this years but the Top-8 or so in 2026 to me looks much jucier.

I actually feel the opposite.

Except Risacher who was nba ready despite his lack of weight (compare to avg nba player), last season did not have any int player really showing an above average level except Buzelis. Most were 'just' good to high potential (and playing in development league/low minutes pro level).

This year there are plenty of young prospects who ARE already producing at the pro level, from Ben Saraf to Penda passing by Traore (yes, he had a disappointing year but he was running the point at 18 y old against grown men, the hype was just too high, dude is still legit esp in nba rules context), i don't see major failure in this year's crop. In the sense that they are not hypothetical project, most are already solid pro players.
Something some keep forgetting here is that at the int level, when they play with the top team, all games matter esp. with their league (from the qualifying games for the european cups to the relegation process)

The main difference with last year has to do with the level of the top american players, who are way more consistent this year (and next), which is why the top int have to be really top players to scratch the top of the lottery (or the lottery).

Next year should be worst for int crop imo (at least there are less top players/1st rounder material than this year, we will see if Yimga Monkouri declares for 2026 for our part), but in 2027 we should have plenty of great potential (and not just "potential")

Buzelis isn't an int though. He was born and raised in Chicago

Last year's international class is maybe the best ever. Besides Risacher there was Sarr, Salaun, Topic, Missi, Bona, Furphy, Klintman, Larsson, Djurisic, Dadiet, Ajinca, Post, Nunez, da Silva, Chomche, Hukporti. The difference between Traore and Saraf and most of these guys is these guys chose to spend time in the states playing in college for NIL money instead of overseas. Sarr didn't have great numbers but that's because they barely play young players in the NBL.

[bravor]

Except Risacher and Larson, almost none are lock to play with their NT team in the future.

It was one of the weakest int class despite the numbers and their ranking... We will see how many of them are still in the nba in 3/4 years (if not less).

[greg4012]

I agree that this year's international class is getting underrated right now. IMO each of the following players should end up as solid first round picks.

Noa Essengue (better prospect than Salaun)
Sergio de Larrea (better prospect than Topic)
Noah Penda
Hugo Gonzalez
Nolan Traore
Ben Saraf

I bet Noa Essengue ends up in the lotto and maybe another international prospect like Penda.

[FarBeyondDriven]

Except Risacher and Larson, almost none are lock to play with their NT team in the future.

It was one of the weakest int class despite the numbers and their ranking... We will see how many of them are still in the nba in 3/4 years (if not less).

bruh lmao

[peZt]

Except Risacher and Larson, almost none are lock to play with their NT team in the future.

It was one of the weakest int class despite the numbers and their ranking... We will see how many of them are still in the nba in 3/4 years (if not less).

There are already more NT players than those two RIGHT NOW, let alone the future lmao. And we haven't even seen Topic yet. To claim its one of the weakest int class has to be trolling

[bravor]

Playing significant minutes ? Who ? Or with better words, who is not a future role player with his NT in that list ? Who's a potential 'star' of his NT ? I like laughing too, go ahead.
Just for the sake of this discussion, we should make a bet (naming the players) on who will remain in the nba (first) and who will be a real nt player (not the guy you ask to play because some are injured or not available).

In the recent past, int players were for the most lock to play with their NT, playing a major role. I dont know who's trolling here.

I generally agree with some of your takes, but in this case i stand to my point without blinking.

[peZt]

Nobody said that 2024 is one of the best international classes ever. But excluding Canadians and internationals that grew up in the US (like Buzelis) I can already name you 3-4 classes from the last decade that were worse than 2024. That's why its laughable, when its already clear now that it won't even be bottom 3 class from the last 10 years.

Even a guy like Adem Bona I can guarantee you will be a starter for a country like Turkey for many years. If Wemby didn't exist, Sarr would also be France's C for the next decade and might still start alongside him. Risacher you named yourself. Topic I'm very high on. Tristan da Silva will be a regular for Germany. Kyshawn George will be a star for Switzerland. Johnny Furphy will probably make the Australian Team. Then Larsson, Yves Missi. Juan Nunez and Durisic might not make it in the NBA, but are among the best talents of the last years in Spain and Serbia and have even already played for the national team. I can guarantee you they will be in the spanish and serbian rotation for many years.


Does this class have a roster full of stars? No, but how many "stars" do other draft classes have? If you say that this is one of the worst of all time even despite guys like Risacher and Sarr, then the other draft classes must be completely full of these international star players.

Also your argument went from "nobody is a lock to play for their NT" to "nobody will become a star". Talk about moving goalposts

[babyjax13]

I agree that this year's international class is getting underrated right now. IMO each of the following players should end up as solid first round picks.

Noa Essengue (better prospect than Salaun)
Sergio de Larrea (better prospect than Topic)
Noah Penda
Hugo Gonzalez
Nolan Traore
Ben Saraf

I bet Noa Essengue ends up in the lotto and maybe another international prospect like Penda.

I liked Penda last year as an early second round flier, but I don't see how he jumps all the way to the lottery. I also don't love Essengue when I watch him. The skill and body are interesting, but his motor seems really, really low. Gonzalez I think is being really underrated, along with Saraf.

[bravor]

@Pezt

My last post on the subject (next will be in mp, i dont want to pollute the discussion abt 2025 prospects).

Abt Sarr, sorry but even with the arrival of Fauthoux and even if Gobert is skipping the nt this year, i highly doubt he is a lock for us (at least unless he improves the dirty work part of his game). Knowing we are talking abt Fiba bball here. He's more of a pf at this point even if he had to play at the C spot (and was dominated by Almansa btw when younger) during last tournament.

Topic and Bona are interesting names, but on one side, Serbia keeps producing high level prospects which is why i dont necessary think they cant do without him, and for Turkey even if they had nba failures in a recent past, we know that Sengun will be taking the main minutes inside for them and they would look for a better overall player to complement him.

I did not change my argument, i clearly used other words to explain what i meant. I never said all would be bad players (hence their draft) but when i compare to this year's international prospects, you gonna have to bring solid argument to convince me that the respective nt coach will consider the 2024 ones as untouchable in their list (except Risacher for us, Larsson for swede who are bound to be major player for their nt).

Just this year for us, Traore and Penda are almost lock to play in the very next future, even if Kouakou Heugue/HYM prove to be big things (or some other wings) very soon.

[FarBeyondDriven]

Nobody said that 2024 is one of the best international classes ever. But excluding Canadians and internationals that grew up in the US (like Buzelis) I can already name you 3-4 classes from the last decade that were worse than 2024. That's why its laughable, when its already clear now that it won't even be bottom 3 class from the last 10 years.

Even a guy like Adem Bona I can guarantee you will be a starter for a country like Turkey for many years. If Wemby didn't exist, Sarr would also be France's C for the next decade and might still start alongside him. Risacher you named yourself. Topic I'm very high on. Tristan da Silva will be a regular for Germany. Kyshawn George will be a star for Switzerland. Johnny Furphy will probably make the Australian Team. Then Larsson, Yves Missi. Juan Nunez and Durisic might not make it in the NBA, but are among the best talents of the last years in Spain and Serbia and have even already played for the national team. I can guarantee you they will be in the spanish and serbian rotation for many years.


Does this class have a roster full of stars? No, but how many "stars" do other draft classes have? If you say that this is one of the worst of all time even despite guys like Risacher and Sarr, then the other draft classes must be completely full of these international star players.

Also your argument went from "nobody is a lock to play for their NT" to "nobody will become a star". Talk about moving goalposts

actually, I did

[FarBeyondDriven]

Playing significant minutes ? Who ? Or with better words, who is not a future role player with his NT in that list ? Who's a potential 'star' of his NT ? I like laughing too, go ahead.
Just for the sake of this discussion, we should make a bet (naming the players) on who will remain in the nba (first) and who will be a real nt player (not the guy you ask to play because some are injured or not available).

In the recent past, int players were for the most lock to play with their NT, playing a major role. I dont know who's trolling here.

I generally agree with some of your takes, but in this case i stand to my point without blinking.

Still in the NBA past their rookie deals and on their NT if they choose to. Sometimes they choose not to play due to rest or developing their games stateside:

Sarr
Risacher
George
Edey
Salaun
Bona
Larsson
Furphy
Topic
da Silva
Missi
Dadiet
Mitchell
Post
Chomche

[FrodoBaggins]

What Dylan Harper comparisons do we like best? I've seen Cade Cunningham, (a bigger) Jalen Brunson, James Harden, and Tyreke Evans mentioned. I assume the Cade comp is with better finishing inside. Three of those guys are competent pull-up shooters; can we expect Harper to develop into one? And what of his playmaking? Is he a legit PG floor general like Harden or Cade? Or is he an above-average passing, drive-and-kick artist like Evans?

[Upperclass]

What Dylan Harper comparisons do we like best? I've seen Cade Cunningham, (a bigger) Jalen Brunson, James Harden, and Tyreke Evans mentioned. I assume the Cade comp is with better finishing inside. Three of those guys are competent pull-up shooters; can we expect Harper to develop into one? And what of his playmaking? Is he a legit PG floor general like Harden or Cade? Or is he an above-average passing, drive-and-kick artist like Evans?

Dylan Harper reminds me of Kevin Porter Jr.

[ReggiesKnicks]

What Dylan Harper comparisons do we like best? I've seen Cade Cunningham, (a bigger) Jalen Brunson, James Harden, and Tyreke Evans mentioned. I assume the Cade comp is with better finishing inside. Three of those guys are competent pull-up shooters; can we expect Harper to develop into one? And what of his playmaking? Is he a legit PG floor general like Harden or Cade? Or is he an above-average passing, drive-and-kick artist like Evans?

James Harden is my favorite.

Not sure I see Cade exactly. I see more true PG skills with Harper and a better handle.

[SeattleJazzFan]

i think tyreke evans is an underrated comp for Harper - but if Tyreke had built on his rookie season rather than regressing every year. Both tall lead guards who could really get to the basket, but weren't great shooters or facilitators. Big scoring PGs who could get to the basket. I mean, Tyreke averaged 20, 5 and 6 as a rookie. If Harper does that, everybody will be elated with his rookie season.

[Cammo101]

What Dylan Harper comparisons do we like best? I've seen Cade Cunningham, (a bigger) Jalen Brunson, James Harden, and Tyreke Evans mentioned. I assume the Cade comp is with better finishing inside. Three of those guys are competent pull-up shooters; can we expect Harper to develop into one? And what of his playmaking? Is he a legit PG floor general like Harden or Cade? Or is he an above-average passing, drive-and-kick artist like Evans?

Harden before he became a strictly iso player and a deadeye outside shooter.

[Upperclass]

Harper isnt as quick as a 35 y/o Harden..