2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 5

[DreamTeam09]

I've probably narrowed myself down to
ACE at 3 or 4
Khaman at 7 or 8
If Ace is gone then VJ
If Khaman is gone then Queen
If both C's are gone I'm trading down for two of
Traore/Noa/Asa/Flemming/Bryant/Riley

[Dalek]

I am shifting away from Khaman. My heart tells me to stick it out with the 7'2 guy who can move so well, but my head is full of doubt with his defensive playmaking. I don't know if he really blows up plays on defense and he doesn't show any instinct there.

Noa Essengue is officially the guy I am highest on in our range. Just watching how he loves to dunk the ball and his pursuit on both ends is special. I am thinking we value motor a lot and you don't worry about that with Noa. Look at how he is constantly getting fouled - no fear.

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[Psubs]

I am shifting away from Khaman. My heart tells me to stick it out with the 7'2 guy who can move so well, but my head is full of doubt with his defensive playmaking. I don't know if he really blows up plays on defense and he doesn't show any instinct there.

Noa Essengue is officially the guy I am highest on in our range. Just watching how he loves to dunk the ball and his pursuit on both ends is special. I am thinking we value motor a lot and you don't worry about that with Noa. Look at how he is constantly getting fouled - no fear.

Read on Twitter

Noa vs Bryant... That's a nice decision to make. I just know more about Carter Bryant.

[BoyzNTheHood]

I am shifting away from Khaman. My heart tells me to stick it out with the 7'2 guy who can move so well, but my head is full of doubt with his defensive playmaking. I don't know if he really blows up plays on defense and he doesn't show any instinct there.

Noa Essengue is officially the guy I am highest on in our range. Just watching how he loves to dunk the ball and his pursuit on both ends is special. I am thinking we value motor a lot and you don't worry about that with Noa. Look at how he is constantly getting fouled - no fear.

Read on Twitter

Noa vs Bryant... That's a nice decision to make. I just know more about Carter Bryant.

I’m going to start selling Carter Bryant kool aid if we stay at 7, or drop. If there’s one prospect we didn’t get to properly evaluate it’s him. Arizona had him standing in the corner all season while Caleb Love chucked up shots from everywhere else. Imagine sending your kid to school to showcase their abilities and some upperclassman future NBA or Euroleague journeyman thinks it’s his time to shine.

Hypothetically, what if Carter Bryant is the hidden guy? We think he’s 3+D, but what if there’s more talent hidden under that laid back demeanour?

I’m referring to the Devin Booker’s and Jimmy Butler’s of the world. What if Carter Bryant is the next hidden star?

[Jcity08]

Why Carter Bryant at 7th when he's projected to go way later?

[Dalek]

I am shifting away from Khaman. My heart tells me to stick it out with the 7'2 guy who can move so well, but my head is full of doubt with his defensive playmaking. I don't know if he really blows up plays on defense and he doesn't show any instinct there.

Noa Essengue is officially the guy I am highest on in our range. Just watching how he loves to dunk the ball and his pursuit on both ends is special. I am thinking we value motor a lot and you don't worry about that with Noa. Look at how he is constantly getting fouled - no fear.

Read on Twitter

Noa vs Bryant... That's a nice decision to make. I just know more about Carter Bryant.

Arizona is a bit an annoying place to evaluate players. Carter Bryant probably should have had more run and same with big man Henri Veesar who recently portaled to play on UNC.

Carter might be underrated given that Arizona capped his minutes but I think he has some worries on his foul rate. I love that he has a 8.5 boards per 40 mins.

[BoyzNTheHood]

Why Carter Bryant at 7th when he's projected to go way later?

I think he’s going to kill it in workouts.

[TimeForChange]

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It's CMB guys

[Duffman100]

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It's CMB guys

We've been saying it for a while now. I think it's why they weren't too concerned with dropping.

[PhilBlackson]

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It's CMB guys

Could just as easily be…

Khaman
Bryant
Fleming

Personally I’ll be surprised if they draft CMB. Not because I don’t like him as a player but his lack of shooting is a problem, he shoots UNDER 30%, that won’t work with Scottie & Yak.

[Clutch0z24]

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It's CMB guys

Could just as easily be…

Khaman
Bryant
Fleming

Personally I’ll be surprised if they draft CMB. Not because I don’t like him as a player but his lack of shooting is a problem, he shoots UNDER 30%, that won’t work with Scottie & Yak.

Not to mention hes 6 foot 7 and plays like a big man....He does not have much guard like skills for that size is concerning to me.

[Jcity08]

Why Carter Bryant at 7th when he's projected to go way later?

I think he’s going to kill it in workouts.

Ah okay, I was thinking that maybe we could find a way to get into the 20s pre draft and select him with that pick if he's that good but I guess thats wishful thinking in that he jumps up into the lottery come draft night.

[PhilBlackson]

Why Carter Bryant at 7th when he's projected to go way later?

I think he’s going to kill it in workouts.

Queen, Fears & Maluach (in that order) have been my favourites for our pick but I just can’t see them taking Fears (which sucks) because of all the money tied into IQ and Shead’s emergence sooooo…I’m kinda with you in that Bryant will sort of take Fears’ spot on my list since I just can’t envision them actually doing it.

While the “Booker” comparison may be a stretch in terms of talent level, I do see the parallel in terms of how he was restricted both by role & playing time that he could be a hidden gem. I seen some criticism that he’s supposedly just a catch n shoot 3+D player but I thought he actually showed a ton of flashes off the dribble and even some signs of being a good passer which again might have been limited by the coaching staff.

I won’t lie I’d definitely feel a bit uneasy about the selection because we got to see so little of him to know for certain BUT maybe that’s the blessing in disguise that allows him to be a steal/available when we pick. I still have Queen ahead of him but I’ve been warming up more & more to the idea of potentially “reaching” (pause lol) on Carter.

[BoyzNTheHood]

Why Carter Bryant at 7th when he's projected to go way later?

I think he’s going to kill it in workouts.

Queen, Fears & Maluach (in that order) have been my favourites for our pick but I just can’t see them taking Fears (which sucks) because of all the money tied into IQ and Shead’s emergence sooooo…I’m kinda with you in that Bryant will sort of take Fears’ spot on my list since I just can’t envision them actually doing it.

While the “Booker” comparison may be a stretch in terms of talent level, I do see the parallel in terms of how he was restricted both by role & playing time that he could be a hidden gem. I seen some criticism that he’s supposedly just a catch n shoot 3+D player but I thought he actually showed a ton of flashes off the dribble and even some signs of being a good passer which again might have been limited by the coaching staff.

I won’t lie I’d definitely feel a bit uneasy about the selection because we got to see so little of him to know for certain BUT maybe that’s the blessing in disguise that allows him to be a steal/available when we pick. I still have Queen ahead of him but I’ve been warming up more & more to the idea of potentially “reaching” (pause lol) on Carter.

Okay, so let me ask you this. Hypothetically, high school players are available to be picked in the draft so let’s say every freshman is a high schooler. We won’t consider guys from next year. How much higher is Carter on your board without the year of stifling he got at Zona?

[Raptors Realtor]

I've probably narrowed myself down to
ACE at 3 or 4
Khaman at 7 or 8
If Ace is gone then VJ
If Khaman is gone then Queen
If both C's are gone I'm trading down for two of
Traore/Noa/Asa/Flemming/Bryant/Riley

Yep, if we stay at 7, unless someone falls to us, I think I'm between Khaman or Queen.

[WuTang_OG]

Carter Bryant has all the tools especially defensively. He looks every bit of 6'8" too. If there's one player that is closest to body and activeness defensively to OG, it's him.

[RealFaction]

I've probably narrowed myself down to
ACE at 3 or 4
Khaman at 7 or 8
If Ace is gone then VJ
If Khaman is gone then Queen
If both C's are gone I'm trading down for two of
Traore/Noa/Asa/Flemming/Bryant/Riley

I'm not a big believer in Ace, but his size and shooting (when he's on) would look incredible in our lineup. Whichever team that gets the 3rd pick will definitely be enticed by his length and potential scoring ability.

Not a fan of Traore and Newell, but if we trade down, getting two of Essengue/Fleming/Bryant/Riley would be a nice haul. All have good wing size.

I agree with the rest though. Maluach first, then Queen.

[PhilBlackson]

I think he’s going to kill it in workouts.

Queen, Fears & Maluach (in that order) have been my favourites for our pick but I just can’t see them taking Fears (which sucks) because of all the money tied into IQ and Shead’s emergence sooooo…I’m kinda with you in that Bryant will sort of take Fears’ spot on my list since I just can’t envision them actually doing it.

While the “Booker” comparison may be a stretch in terms of talent level, I do see the parallel in terms of how he was restricted both by role & playing time that he could be a hidden gem. I seen some criticism that he’s supposedly just a catch n shoot 3+D player but I thought he actually showed a ton of flashes off the dribble and even some signs of being a good passer which again might have been limited by the coaching staff.

I won’t lie I’d definitely feel a bit uneasy about the selection because we got to see so little of him to know for certain BUT maybe that’s the blessing in disguise that allows him to be a steal/available when we pick. I still have Queen ahead of him but I’ve been warming up more & more to the idea of potentially “reaching” (pause lol) on Carter.

Okay, so let me ask you this. Hypothetically, high school players are available to be picked in the draft so let’s say every freshman is a high schooler. We won’t consider guys from next year. How much higher is Carter on your board without the year of stifling he got at Zona?

I genuinely don't follow the line of questioning, am I supposed to imagine all the freshman of this class were still in highschool?!?

I'm not really sure how that changes things although it should be mentioned that coming into the college season there were scouts that had Bryant pegged to be a top 10 pick. But when he initially barely got to play and his role was limited his stock plummeted along with other after thoughts like Bethea etc lol. But as the season went on he won some time and showed some serious flashes that are enough to do a double take for me to the point that here I am in a stacked draft class saying I'd be willing to take a HUGE flyer on him by risking a top 10 on him if pushes comes to shove (ie/ the C prospects are gone).

Although I will say if that's their thought then they should try to negotiate with the Heat for them to trade up for Fears and we trade back for their picks and take CB at 11 & Fleming at 18 (which would be fantastic imo) but ofc there's a lot of risk in that as well as you'd almost have to just draft Fears with the idea that you may have to keep him IF Bryant didn't fall to 11. Because I'm not doing that trade unless he's 100% still there and like you said I can see him shooting up draft boards this year ala Bilal.

[Ell Curry]

How high could Walter Clayton Jr realistically go in this draft? Could he sneak into the lottery? I see a lot of Lillard in his game.

Dallas @ 14 - Might need a Kyrie replacement, definitely need some scoring/shooting on the perimeter to go with their bigs. Nico might be desperate to draft someone who can play right away.

Orlando @ 16 - Pure shooting decision, they need 3s badly, they have bigger guards in Suggs and Black to make it work defensively, they tried to stay big and get their 3s from Jett Howard and that failed, might be finally willing to sacrifice a bit on length. Sets up using Cole Anthony's final year (team option after) in a deal for a wing or shooting big, like a KD deal or whatever.

are the 2 teams in the top 20 or so that really stick out to me as fits. Wizards at 17, Brooklyn at 18 could do it too, they have multiple picks and just need to draft whoever they think might be a starting level player.

People sound like Clayton is the only PG.
How certain people are Clayton above Philon or Sergio de Larrea?

Philon is a meh shooter, so I don't think the fit in Orlando works. My guess is he falls just because he's not big or a shooter, but his change of direction and maturity are really good, so maybe he gets there. Just feels like those type of guys haven't been big successes lately.

I basically have no opinion on any international guy, I haven't seen any of them unless they played college ball. If the Raptors pick 8th and surprise everyone and take Bogoljub I'll just be cautiously optimistic and hope Masai/Bobby got it right.

[PhilBlackson]

Carter Bryant has all the tools especially defensively. He looks every bit of 6'8" too. If there's one player that is closest to body and activeness defensively to OG, it's him.

Agreed...and offensively he offers a clear premium over OG as he's FAR more fluid at the same age.

Although we all hate the softie personality of PG, I see some flashes of George in his game and a similar length/frame. Ofc with how limited we've seen him that will seem like bit of a lofty comparison but I did say "flashes" not clone lol. It definitely be seen as a serious gamble although I think given his defensive abilities & shooting touch it's very unlikely that he turns out to be a bust, he should at minimum be a very valuable "3+D wing" as he gets labelled but obviously if we can (and likely should) be able to get more & more out of him offensively he could definitely be a bit of a "steal" in that he could prove to be worthy of the selection again a la Bilal.