2025 Draft Thread

[AFM]

Just because you think a guy should be picked later than 4 or 5 doesn't mean you don't think he's going to be a good player!

If that's directed @ me, I have no problem trading back to 10 to nab queen + pick up some other assets. That's the PIF formula, am I right?

What does #5 get us roughly--#10 and what else?

[The Consiglieri]

Dude, he's too fat, and probably lazy, and he's born in December, and he's a turnstyle on defense-- DO NOT DRAFT!!!!!

Now you're getting it

Only thing I'll note, unless we land a top 2 pick people should not get obsessed about any particular player. Other than Flagg, or Harper, I don't think fixation on anyone makes much sense, it's just a road to disappointment. I have no idea who they will draft if we don't land 1 or 2, none whatsoever, we only have hints (they don't seem to take any prospects over age 21 through 2 drafts for instance, they do seem to target positional size/length as others have said, and athleticism at least with early picks), but in truth, as the draft gets really, really hard to parse (around slot 5), it's damn near impossible for me to figure which direction they'd go. If we land a top 3 or 4 pick we can be pretty sure generally whose targeted, top 2, damn near positive, after that, no idea whatsoever. Maluach this, Queen that, Tre Johnson this, please god no Kasparas that etc, no idea whatsoever. I'd like to think the age and positional length thing is a clue, but who knows.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I just saw him literally come up short against taller players this year and it made me wonder how his skill set would translate.

Which game?

Indiana played 40 minutes of 7' Oumer Ballo who shot 50% on him. Queen went 3-8.

Michigan State. Rotates in three 7 footers. Queen went 2-11 FG, made all his points at the line.

Michigan plays 2 seven footers Goldin and Wolf. Queen rebounded well, but shot poorly: 5-14. Made up for it at the line 7-11. But Goldin and Wolf both had 20 on solid percentages, scoring above their season averages.

Queen can rebound on anybody, and is a load to handle and keep off the line. In the NBA he is going to see 7 footers every night so his low-post skill set will be challenged more often.

I remember that game. Ballo did look significantly stronger and more explosive than Queen or Reese. It was easily DQ's worst game. Queen also had a poor game against Michigan when Wolf killed him on the boards and got multiple layups.

OTOH Queen had 29/15/5 against Rutgers. DQ also had 20/20 his first NCAA game. Maryland rarely just cleared out for Queen, but almost every time they did, he either got a bucket or he got fouled.

Queen would have had twice as many assists with Gapare playing instead of Reese. People talk about his defense but never praise his passing.

Queen will be like Rip Hamilton when he first got to the NBA. He's a winner. He's a scorer. His defense will evolve to where it's adequate.

I hope the Wizards don't draft him. This team wants to tank.

I hope San Antonio or Detroit gets him. No one will mention his defense if he becomes Wembegyana's lob facilitator. He can become a HOF player there because Castle is a winner. Queen needs to go to a good organization. I hope he doesn't go to the Wizards, 76ers, or Nets.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Queen is going to be in that Sabonis mold. Great productiion but not going to be a difference maker or suitable on the defensive end.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/sabondo01.html

Could that have anything to do with Sabonis' teammates or coaches on the Pacers or the Kings?

Sabonis is highly effective.

[The Consiglieri]

Some minor bits of note:

Utah vs Washington battle for 1.01 pre lottery slot:

Utah: Hosting OKC, and visiting Minnesota

We are on the road in Chicago and Miami to wrap it up.


Memphis pick:

Memphis travels to Denver today
Hosts Dallas on Sunday

Minnesota: Hosting Brooklyn and Utah to wrap things up

Golden State travels to Portland and hosts LA.

With that knowledge in tow, it does look like Minnesota will win out, meaning Memphis has a good chance of falling behind them, Golden State is more nebulous.

I tend to think Memphis and Golden state will go down to the wire. Regardless it looks like the opponents will be Sacramento, and Dallas. While it's not guaranteed yet, I tend to think the Memphis pick will sit around 19 pending results of the play in. 7 Spots higher than it seemed two months ago, so long as it holds up. Not bad at all (assuming it holds up).

[AFM]

Queen is also a Sagittarius and his skull diameter is 1 cm too small. DO NOT DRAFT!!!!

[The Consiglieri]

Neanderthals laugh with great jocularity at such lilliputian skulls.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

I like this guy Hoop Intellect, here's his new Big Board just posted...

Watch on YouTube

[SUPERBALLMAN]

I listened to The Locked On Wizards Podcast today, and according to that guy the Wizards are guaranteed a top 3 pick!

He said we don't have to worry about top 5 because the Wizards are definitely getting Flagg, Harper or Bailey in the draft because they can't fall to 5, they are GUARANTEED a top 3 pick.

Watch on YouTube

[AFM]

I listened to The Locked On Wizards Podcast today, and according to that guy the Wizards are guaranteed a top 3 pick!

He said we don't have to worry about top 5 because the Wizards are definitely getting Flagg, Harper or Bailey in the draft because they can't fall to 5, they are GUARANTEED a top 3 pick.

Watch on YouTube

Leave big Brandon alone. That’s my guy. Ok maybe he doesn’t have a IQ of 150. He should have Nate or Dat on his show tbh.

[dcPress]

I’m reminded of John Williams, wasn’t that his name? Something about a hot lunch…

I’m sure it’s nothing

[DCZards]

I’m reminded of John Williams, wasn’t that his name? Something about a hot lunch…

I’m sure it’s nothing

It was John “Hot Plate” Williams.

He was destined to be a star…until he blew out his knee and was a fat boy post-injury.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Here's a pretty good breakdown of the top 10...

Watch on YouTube

[tontoz]

I can't listen to the locked on wizards guy. The locked on commanders guy is pretty good i check him out occasionally.

[dobrojim]

Queen is also a Sagittarius and his skull diameter is 1 cm too small. DO NOT DRAFT!!!!

Hopefully you are not serious.

But if you were, according to Tank, his BD is Xmas
which would make him a goat.

[doclinkin]

Which game?

Indiana played 40 minutes of 7' Oumer Ballo who shot 50% on him. Queen went 3-8.

Michigan State. Rotates in three 7 footers. Queen went 2-11 FG, made all his points at the line.

Michigan plays 2 seven footers Goldin and Wolf. Queen rebounded well, but shot poorly: 5-14. Made up for it at the line 7-11. But Goldin and Wolf both had 20 on solid percentages, scoring above their season averages.

Queen can rebound on anybody, and is a load to handle and keep off the line. In the NBA he is going to see 7 footers every night so his low-post skill set will be challenged more often.

I remember that game. Ballo did look significantly stronger and more explosive than Queen or Reese. It was easily DQ's worst game. Queen also had a poor game against Michigan when Wolf killed him on the boards and got multiple layups.

OTOH Queen had 29/15/5 against Rutgers. DQ also had 20/20 his first NCAA game. Maryland rarely just cleared out for Queen, but almost every time they did, he either got a bucket or he got fouled.

Queen would have had twice as many assists with Gapare playing instead of Reese. People talk about his defense but never praise his passing.

Queen will be like Rip Hamilton when he first got to the NBA. He's a winner. He's a scorer. His defense will evolve to where it's adequate.

I hope the Wizards don't draft him. This team wants to tank.

I hope San Antonio or Detroit gets him. No one will mention his defense if he becomes Wembegyana's lob facilitator. He can become a HOF player there because Castle is a winner. Queen needs to go to a good organization. I hope he doesn't go to the Wizards, 76ers, or Nets.

Me I don’t mind if the Wizards brain trust takes DQ. Especially on a trade back. Here he’d get all the minutes and help he needs to develop.

I admit two of the games I cited were ones that I saw. Didn’t watch the Terps whole season so it may have clouded my vision.

I agree his passing is advanced for a big. And he shores up our rebounding. I can make a case for him next to Sarr. But for some reason when I put him up against CMB or Sorber the question of Defense tilts the decision for me.

[doclinkin]

[
You're cherry picking.
…

The problem is that you seem to think that a bad game is more important/cancels out a player taking over a game. It does not. Vast majority of players in college will never take over a game offensively. A bad game here or there is expected. But what you're looking for is flashes of brilliance that can be built upon. Regardless, the mere way you're talking about him let's me know where you stand. The only thing I'd say is don't compare Queen to some perfect ideal. Compare him to the other players on the draftboard. Compare him to Edgecombe, Jakucionis, Fears, Bailey, Knueppel and Johnson. Every one of those players have had bad games. And every one of those players have question marks. Would you be shocked if Queen ended up having a better career than everyone listed?

Less cherry picking more biased by limited eyes-on experience. I saw the Indiana game and the Michigan game and saw some vulnerabilities in his game. On defense in general and vs Bigs in particular.

Then wonder if he has upside if he can transform a weakness to strength. Though since he’s a little older and they’ve been saying it for a while I wonder if that’s just a thing you won’t change much. What you see is what you get. Then wonder if that makes him vulnerable based on other guys of his type having issues in the NBA. Injuries or conditioning as well as matchup question marks.

Whoever picks him gets a good offensive player. True.

Talking top 5 means you absolutely should nitpick. Try and get the best you can get. I’m not comparing him to Jakucionas and them. But to other bigs and frontcourt players. CMB. Sorber. Maluach. Yaxel. Fleming. And the role they play.

As a front court guy defense is more important than offense to me. Queen has two key vulnerabilities on defense. He’s footslow and not a rim protector on height. He does defend with smarts and anticipation. He does rebound. Ok He gets scored on by bigs who play over his head. However he also gets bigs in foul trouble. Give away / take away.

I like Maluachs upside over him. Due to youth and learning curve and size. It’s a gamble because Queen has a far more advanced understanding of the game. But Khaman can be more effective by accident on Defense than Queen with intention. Simply by natural advantage. Reports says he’s smart. Can he learn quick?

I have Queen about even with Sorber and CMB. Though the combine may change that. And if players change or add a thing to their game before draft day. Physical or jumpshots etc.

As of today I have Sorber ahead of those two based on youth + size + fit for the position.

Due to mobility on defense I think I have CMB a hair in front of DQ since we’ve seen undersized strong defenders have long careers in the league. And this team needs a defensive boost. CMBs game smarts translate on Defense and his feet can keep up with his brain. Though yeah his team had a truly ugly losing streak. So maybe he slides down the board to the Griz pick if we get it.

The CMB vs DQ question may come down to which one adds a reliable jumper before the combine.

But all of that ^^^ is balanced on if we could trade back or up and still get a guy we want. I like DQ on a trade back.

I have Flagg Harper Ace and Edge over DQ. Not necessarily in how they play today. He’s 21. They’re young. Maluach, same deal. I’d take Sorber as high as 6. Debate myself on him vs Edge and Ace even. Edge will measure short. Sorber has game smarts and size to be more solidly effective over a long career if Ace isn’t TMac or KD-lite. DQ is in the mix but keeps slipping into the next bunch for me.

I know DQ will be good on one side of the ball. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s ROTY. Since voters love offense. But if I’m picking for a guys whole career I’m okay if I miss out on instant production from an older rookie and bet on long term upside. Shrug. That’s my reasoning.

[Jay81]

We are one upset from losing the Memphis draft pick

[nate33]

We are one upset from losing the Memphis draft pick

We are two upsets from losing that pick. Memphis needs to lose twice in the play-in round before they're eliminated.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Here's a new Big Board just posted by Floor and Ceiling....

Watch on YouTube