2025 NBA Draft

[Skybox]

It's scary because the Magic have made a couple awful picks that were reaches in this range. There were like 20 picks better than Jett when he was picked. They just threw away the pick because he went to Michigan, and they knew his dad.

Camara from Portland got picked 53.

No mock had Jett in the top 20.

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i can't fault the michigan connection Moe and Franz went there.....and wolf plays there and i like him quite a bit sort of like a guilty pleasure.....i get why we shouldn't pick him but for me i think if he hits, wolf would be like another sengun.....sengun-like player with paolo and franz? i like that

Check out Reynaud from Stanford and the Chinese kid, Hanson? Both 7’ kids with big offensive games. Raynaud putting up big stats…not necessarily starters, but solid (inexpensive) rotation potentially from srps. Locked on draft prospects podcast pretty high on them as underrated. I’d really like to upgrade starting C, but equally important to “downgrade” our expensive 3rd string at that spot.

[yoyojw17]

https://youtu.be/cRi-e47u6n8?si=j5uUmIuMhyoftLYB

Carter Bryant .... My new infatuation off of a couple YouTube videos. Totally a guy I can see weltman go for. Hahah.... Even at 16.... Wouldn't be surprised.

But a combination of big and Bryant at the second pick would be!!!

[Idiosyncratic]

https://youtu.be/cRi-e47u6n8?si=j5uUmIuMhyoftLYB

Carter Bryant .... My new infatuation off of a couple YouTube videos. Totally a guy I can see weltman go for. Hahah.... Even at 16.... Wouldn't be surprised.

But a combination of big and Bryant at the second pick would be!!!

I like him as well.

[KillMonger]

It's scary because the Magic have made a couple awful picks that were reaches in this range. There were like 20 picks better than Jett when he was picked. They just threw away the pick because he went to Michigan, and they knew his dad.

Camara from Portland got picked 53.

No mock had Jett in the top 20.

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using RealGM mobile app

i can't fault the michigan connection Moe and Franz went there.....and wolf plays there and i like him quite a bit sort of like a guilty pleasure.....i get why we shouldn't pick him but for me i think if he hits, wolf would be like another sengun.....sengun-like player with paolo and franz? i like that

Check out Reynaud from Stanford and the Chinese kid, Hanson? Both 7’ kids with big offensive games. Raynaud putting up big stats…not necessarily starters, but solid (inexpensive) rotation potentially from srps. Locked on draft prospects podcast pretty high on them as underrated. I’d really like to upgrade starting C, but equally important to “downgrade” our expensive 3rd string at that spot.

i strongly feel we should come away with a big from this draft, someone who might be ready to contribute or we'll put him on a program and have him developing in osceola if he can't get minutes here depending of what moves we make.....i like the kid from stanford, reminds me of a more mobile brook lopez playstyle....because i think we need a true stretch with some size....we're kind of stuck in the middle, because goga has enough size and athleticism but he doesn't stretch the floor.....and dell CAN stretch the floor but he struggles at times vs bigs with size...i'm tired of giving up second chance opportunities because dell can't grab the rock....the possession battle is just as important as rim protection, get the board and limit them to one and dones DO NOT GIVE THEM SECOND CHANCE OPPORTUNITIES

[yoyojw17]

i can't fault the michigan connection Moe and Franz went there.....and wolf plays there and i like him quite a bit sort of like a guilty pleasure.....i get why we shouldn't pick him but for me i think if he hits, wolf would be like another sengun.....sengun-like player with paolo and franz? i like that

Check out Reynaud from Stanford and the Chinese kid, Hanson? Both 7’ kids with big offensive games. Raynaud putting up big stats…not necessarily starters, but solid (inexpensive) rotation potentially from srps. Locked on draft prospects podcast pretty high on them as underrated. I’d really like to upgrade starting C, but equally important to “downgrade” our expensive 3rd string at that spot.

i strongly feel we should come away with a big from this draft, someone who might be ready to contribute or we'll put him on a program and have him developing in osceola if he can't get minutes here depending of what moves we make.....i like the kid from stanford, reminds me of a more mobile brook lopez playstyle....because i think we need a true stretch with some size....we're kind of stuck in the middle, because goga has enough size and athleticism but he doesn't stretch the floor.....and dell CAN stretch the floor but he struggles at times vs bigs with size...i'm tired of giving up second chance opportunities because dell can't grab the rock....the possession battle is just as important as rim protection, get the board and limit them to one and dones DO NOT GIVE THEM SECOND CHANCE OPPORTUNITIES

Sometimes I don't know if it's the role the try to put dell in as a we want you to stretch the floor ... Or if it's a fear of injuries... But before Paolo came ... Wendell was walking double double in just under 30 min. 6'10" 270 is not small by any means.

Last game we saw little bit of a return of the intensity and meanstreak.... Thing is.... We need that Wendell all the time. If you've got a bigger guy you're defending .... Get proper positioning and block out for yourself or for your teammate to get the ball. Not gonna lie.... I would love to see him hit the gym this summer... Work on gaining strength and dropping weight during the season to like 255-260lb.

[yoyojw17]

https://youtu.be/cRi-e47u6n8?si=j5uUmIuMhyoftLYB

Carter Bryant .... My new infatuation off of a couple YouTube videos. Totally a guy I can see weltman go for. Hahah.... Even at 16.... Wouldn't be surprised.

But a combination of big and Bryant at the second pick would be!!!

I like him as well.

Combination of athleticism ... Handling.... Defense.... And shooting. I'm all for it. Legit looks like the type of player that will be great in a switchable defense!

Potentially role for the season has allowed us to even have a chance at him. Calling it now.... He's going to be a riser in the draft.

[OrlandoDream]

Im personally tired of targetting the same mold in the draft. WHile having some of those guys in the roster can be valuable, we need to balance with some guards that can shoot/score. The result is this stagnant offense that goes through scoring droughts of 8pt quarters.

[Idiosyncratic]

https://youtu.be/cRi-e47u6n8?si=j5uUmIuMhyoftLYB

Carter Bryant .... My new infatuation off of a couple YouTube videos. Totally a guy I can see weltman go for. Hahah.... Even at 16.... Wouldn't be surprised.

But a combination of big and Bryant at the second pick would be!!!

I like him as well.

Combination of athleticism ... Handling.... Defense.... And shooting. I'm all for it. Legit looks like the type of player that will be great in a switchable defense!

Potentially role for the season has allowed us to even have a chance at him. Calling it now.... He's going to be a riser in the draft.

Yeah I think I saw a mock that had him 6th recently (I think the Ringer), which is probably ambitious, but he definitely could rise.

My main goal is still hoping a center or guard drop to us, or trading the pick for good value. But if those two things don't come to fruition and they have to take BPA even if it is a wing, he is a guy I would definitely look at. He can play 4 and we don't really have a true backup 4 anyway. Not necessarily ideal, but if like Jakucionis, Sorber, Jase or Fears don't fall and they want to take BPA instead of reaching I wouldn't be mad at it, though I know many would be

[Idiosyncratic]

Im personally tired of targetting the same mold in the draft. WHile having some of those guys in the roster can be valuable, we need to balance with some guards that can shoot/score. The result is this stagnant offense that goes through scoring droughts of 8pt quarters.

Guard production is very likely going to have to come via trade. And that trade very likely could be after the draft. If all highly rated guards are off the board at 16/17 and they can't find a trade for the pick they have to pick someone. Reaching for need vs. BPA is a debate, I think it just depends on who is available.

[Idiosyncratic]

The way I see the guards in this draft.

Clear lottery level PGs- Harper and Fears. Don't think Fears gets to us.

Clear lottery level SGs- VJ, Tre Johnson, Jase, Kasparas (fringe lottery for me but I'll throw him in). I would be comfortable taking Jase and Kasparas at 16/17 but don't think either will make it there. Other two won't.

Then for the rest of the 1st round PGs you have
-Clayton who would be considered a reach at our 1st pick (though I have been thinking it is less and less crazy).
-Philon who I would have above Clayton in a vacuum, but is more of a defender in the Suggs/AB mold with better handle IMO so a worse fit for us.
-Traore- Total lottery ticket, fast with passing chops, questionable shot.

Fland and Kam Jones could be late 1st or early 2nd, I would not consider at our 1st pick. Really not much else at the PG spot IMO. Pettiford late 1st early 2nd maybe if he comes out.

1st round SGs
- Demin Passing chops questionable shot
- Saraf questionable shot
- Miles Byrd project defender
- De Larrea I like him, but a reach at 16/17.

Then you have Ian Jackson who can score but is a late 1st or 2nd. Wouldn't consider with 16/17. Some interesting role player 2nd round types, Lanier, Proctor, Sion, Uzan.

The guards that I would prefer to trading the pick are basically not going to fall to us. It's like hope Jase or Kasparas fall or reach for Clayton. That is why I moved more into the trade the pick camp, but again if they don't find anything that makes sense in a trade then taking BPA may be smarter than taking a risk on a Traore just because he plays PG.

*Also for the record I am considering Kon and Nique Clifford as 3s*

[VFX]

This roster already has a lot of guys that are 2's that pretend to be 1's
I dont think we need more of those guys combined with the facts:

-KCP is solidly a "2".
-AB isn't a "point guard" 90% of the time.
-Suggs best year statistically was at "2"

If Orlando is actually looking at POINT GUARDS they need to be able to to POINT GUARD things.

I like Fears, but hes going top 10. A lot of his numbers dont WOW me, but he knows how to move the ball and operate a pnr.

Kasparas is great in theory, but Is he a starting nba point guard? Probably not. His A/TO ratio isn't appealing and he's known for passing. How is that good?

Demin has a extremely appealing A/TO at 7.3/3.8, but his shooting numbers are trash. Not interested really, but sounds like a Magician.

I know close to nothing about Traore other than he has good playmaking skills primarily in transition and uses his speed to do anything. Those guys dont last long if they dont have other elite qualities.

Ben Saraf is the opposite. He's a half court playmaker that uses pick and rolls and court vision. Unfortunately he is bad from 3. Another Magician.

Kam Jones and Walter Clayton are the same age as Franz. I'm going with Clayton over Jones because he's a better shooter and even though Kam has a better A/TO ratio by +2. Moving the ball is important, but we already have 3+ guys that only finish at the rim and have a difficult time stretching the floor.

I dont love a lot of the options this year at point guard. They all have glaring weaknesses. I'm more sold on moving the picks and acquiring Clayton later even though he has a limited potential ceiling. I also question if hes even a true point guard or if he's just a small shooting guard because he isnt a facilitator. We already have those guys.

[Skybox]

This roster already has a lot of guys that are 2's that pretend to be 1's
I dont think we need more of those guys combined with the facts:

-KCP is solidly a "2".
-AB isn't a "point guard" 90% of the time.
-Suggs best year statistically was at "2"

If Orlando is actually looking at POINT GUARDS they need to be able to to POINT GUARD things.

I like Fears, but hes going top 10. A lot of his numbers dont WOW me, but he knows how to move the ball and operate a pnr.

Kasparas is great in theory, but Is he a starting nba point guard? Probably not. His A/TO ratio isn't appealing and he's known for passing. How is that good?

Demin has a extremely appealing A/TO at 7.3/3.8, but his shooting numbers are trash. Not interested really, but sounds like a Magician.

I know close to nothing about Traore other than he has good playmaking skills primarily in transition and uses his speed to do anything. Those guys dont last long if they dont have other elite qualities.

Ben Saraf is the opposite. He's a half court playmaker that uses pick and rolls and court vision. Unfortunately he is bad from 3. Another Magician.

Kam Jones and Walter Clayton are the same age as Franz. I'm going with Clayton over Jones because he's a better shooter and even though Kam has a better A/TO ratio by +2. Moving the ball is important, but we already have 3+ guys that only finish at the rim and have a difficult time stretching the floor.

I dont love a lot of the options this year at point guard. They all have glaring weaknesses. I'm more sold on moving the picks and acquiring Clayton later even though he has a limited potential ceiling. I also question if hes even a true point guard or if he's just a small shooting guard because he isnt a facilitator. We already have those guys.

Agree with all of this, except...

-I'd say Suggs ONLY (not just best) good statistical year was last season (as a SG)...he's scored a lot more this year, only 35 games, but far less efficiently.

Even a promising guy like Fears, IF he dropped, is probably years away from contributing as a true PG, and his 3pt shooting and ast/to ratio are very suspect...he's young and might deliver long-term, but I'd much prefer trading for a guy (even if he's got a lower ceiling overall) that could help now. I DO like the idea of grabbing prospects (at any spot) in the second and planting them in Osceola, unless they show out in camp and reveal themselves as undervalued gems. Bottom line, I don't see PGs for us at #16 and anyone at the DEN pick is probably a long-shot that shouldn't preclude us from making a separate deal, IMO.

There are three guys, just on WAS that might be ready to contribute at PG- even though two of them are just rookies...Poole, Bub, and AJJ. Not sure what Brogdon's physical status is...but, if he could play, I can't imagine why they let him expire rather than collect a pick or two for him. I keep coming back to WAS, because they are near the bottom of a rebuild and that's the right place for a team we want to make a deal with.

[VFX]

This roster already has a lot of guys that are 2's that pretend to be 1's
I dont think we need more of those guys combined with the facts:

-KCP is solidly a "2".
-AB isn't a "point guard" 90% of the time.
-Suggs best year statistically was at "2"

If Orlando is actually looking at POINT GUARDS they need to be able to to POINT GUARD things.

I like Fears, but hes going top 10. A lot of his numbers dont WOW me, but he knows how to move the ball and operate a pnr.

Kasparas is great in theory, but Is he a starting nba point guard? Probably not. His A/TO ratio isn't appealing and he's known for passing. How is that good?

Demin has a extremely appealing A/TO at 7.3/3.8, but his shooting numbers are trash. Not interested really, but sounds like a Magician.

I know close to nothing about Traore other than he has good playmaking skills primarily in transition and uses his speed to do anything. Those guys dont last long if they dont have other elite qualities.

Ben Saraf is the opposite. He's a half court playmaker that uses pick and rolls and court vision. Unfortunately he is bad from 3. Another Magician.

Kam Jones and Walter Clayton are the same age as Franz. I'm going with Clayton over Jones because he's a better shooter and even though Kam has a better A/TO ratio by +2. Moving the ball is important, but we already have 3+ guys that only finish at the rim and have a difficult time stretching the floor.

I dont love a lot of the options this year at point guard. They all have glaring weaknesses. I'm more sold on moving the picks and acquiring Clayton later even though he has a limited potential ceiling. I also question if hes even a true point guard or if he's just a small shooting guard because he isnt a facilitator. We already have those guys.

Agree with all of this, except...

-I'd say Suggs ONLY (not just best) good statistical year was last season (as a SG)...he's scored a lot more this year, only 35 games, but far less efficiently.

Even a promising guy like Fears, IF he dropped, is probably years away from contributing as a true PG, and his 3pt shooting and ast/to ratio are very suspect...he's young and might deliver long-term, but I'd much prefer trading for a guy (even if he's got a lower ceiling overall) that could help now. I DO like the idea of grabbing prospects (at any spot) in the second and planting them in Osceola, unless they show out in camp and reveal themselves as undervalued gems. Bottom line, I don't see PGs for us at #16 and anyone at the DEN pick is probably a long-shot that shouldn't preclude us from making a separate deal, IMO.

There are three guys, just on WAS that might be ready to contribute at PG- even though two of them are just rookies...Poole, Bub, and AJJ. Not sure what Brogdon's physical status is...but, if he could play, I can't imagine why they let him expire rather than collect a pick or two for him. I keep coming back to WAS, because they are near the bottom of a rebuild and that's the right place for a team we want to make a deal with.

Agree..

But again.. This is leaning on the idea that Weltman makes trades.

[yoyojw17]

I like him as well.

Combination of athleticism ... Handling.... Defense.... And shooting. I'm all for it. Legit looks like the type of player that will be great in a switchable defense!

Potentially role for the season has allowed us to even have a chance at him. Calling it now.... He's going to be a riser in the draft.

Yeah I think I saw a mock that had him 6th recently (I think the Ringer), which is probably ambitious, but he definitely could rise.

My main goal is still hoping a center or guard drop to us, or trading the pick for good value. But if those two things don't come to fruition and they have to take BPA even if it is a wing, he is a guy I would definitely look at. He can play 4 and we don't really have a true backup 4 anyway. Not necessarily ideal, but if like Jakucionis, Sorber, Jase or Fears don't fall and they want to take BPA instead of reaching I wouldn't be mad at it, though I know many would be

For me I was like ... "Man.... If we came out with Sorber and Bryant ... That would be an awesome draft for me"

He gives me .... Tracy mcgrady vibes with his size, shooting, decent handles... Defensive capability... tracy McgradyToronto before he became T-Mac Orlando... Before people start losing their s***. Haha

[basketballRob]

Bryant is everything they hoped Jett would be. He probably really is 6'8" and not 6'5".

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using RealGM mobile app

[Idiosyncratic]

This roster already has a lot of guys that are 2's that pretend to be 1's
I dont think we need more of those guys combined with the facts:

-KCP is solidly a "2".
-AB isn't a "point guard" 90% of the time.
-Suggs best year statistically was at "2"

If Orlando is actually looking at POINT GUARDS they need to be able to to POINT GUARD things.

I like Fears, but hes going top 10. A lot of his numbers dont WOW me, but he knows how to move the ball and operate a pnr.

Kasparas is great in theory, but Is he a starting nba point guard? Probably not. His A/TO ratio isn't appealing and he's known for passing. How is that good?

Demin has a extremely appealing A/TO at 7.3/3.8, but his shooting numbers are trash. Not interested really, but sounds like a Magician.

I know close to nothing about Traore other than he has good playmaking skills primarily in transition and uses his speed to do anything. Those guys dont last long if they dont have other elite qualities.

Ben Saraf is the opposite. He's a half court playmaker that uses pick and rolls and court vision. Unfortunately he is bad from 3. Another Magician.

Kam Jones and Walter Clayton are the same age as Franz. I'm going with Clayton over Jones because he's a better shooter and even though Kam has a better A/TO ratio by +2. Moving the ball is important, but we already have 3+ guys that only finish at the rim and have a difficult time stretching the floor.

I dont love a lot of the options this year at point guard. They all have glaring weaknesses. I'm more sold on moving the picks and acquiring Clayton later even though he has a limited potential ceiling. I also question if hes even a true point guard or if he's just a small shooting guard because he isnt a facilitator. We already have those guys.

Agree with all of this, except...

-I'd say Suggs ONLY (not just best) good statistical year was last season (as a SG)...he's scored a lot more this year, only 35 games, but far less efficiently.

Even a promising guy like Fears, IF he dropped, is probably years away from contributing as a true PG, and his 3pt shooting and ast/to ratio are very suspect...he's young and might deliver long-term, but I'd much prefer trading for a guy (even if he's got a lower ceiling overall) that could help now. I DO like the idea of grabbing prospects (at any spot) in the second and planting them in Osceola, unless they show out in camp and reveal themselves as undervalued gems. Bottom line, I don't see PGs for us at #16 and anyone at the DEN pick is probably a long-shot that shouldn't preclude us from making a separate deal, IMO.

There are three guys, just on WAS that might be ready to contribute at PG- even though two of them are just rookies...Poole, Bub, and AJJ. Not sure what Brogdon's physical status is...but, if he could play, I can't imagine why they let him expire rather than collect a pick or two for him. I keep coming back to WAS, because they are near the bottom of a rebuild and that's the right place for a team we want to make a deal with.

Agree with both of you. There are a few players that I would actually prefer drafting more than the trade options, but I don't see them making it to us anyway. And none of them are current solutions to PG.

Best case is finding a trade that makes sense and using the later picks to take guys who could be in the rotation in a couple of years with luck.

I do think they are going to bring a new guard in somehow. But I do also think there is a world where it happens with future picks or they somehow can swap Goga or Caldwell-Pope straight up to fill the need or use 2nds + Cole or Jett in a simple sign and trade or something. So in that case it is still interesting to consider draft prospects in the scenario where they make both picks. Not saying it would be ideal, but as of now it is still possible.

I also think trading down from the 1st pick if who they like is gone will be on the table. Pick up extra assets for future trades plus later pick= less salary. I suppose trading up could happen as well if they really like someone. Who knows.

[Skybox]

Bryant is everything they hoped Jett would be. He probably really is 6'8" and not 6'5".

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using RealGM mobile app

Slow down...Bryant's reel is nice-especially on defense, but he looks a lot more like Ryan Dunn than the high-volume sniper Jett was supposed to be.

Bryant scored only 6.5 ppg, shot 37% on less than 3 attempts from 3, and hit just under 70% from the FT line...very interesting prospect, but doesn't look like an offensive force and we've seen how iffy "development" of skills not yet displayed can be.

[eyriq]

I'm officially on the McNeeley/Clayton draft train

[basketballRob]

I'm officially on the McNeeley/Clayton draft train

McNeely would probably be better than playing Gary at the 3 off the bench. He'll probably be gone at 15 unless the Spurs take the French player Essengue.

https://youtu.be/TxJ4BXlmN2k?si=kiVYFR54hi8OzukW

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

[Skybox]

McNeely looks like he's wearing cement shoes...Middleton would kill him in a footrace, even with crutches. I'd say Kispert is his upside - which is nice but I wouldn't take TdS or even Caleb out of the rotation for him. Trade it or pick an athlete.