2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 5

[TNRaps4life]

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[Clutch0z24]

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Thunder are blessed ....Potentially a 7th pick as well.

[S.W.A.N]

My tier list for raps
Flagg
Harper
VJ
Ace, Queen, fears, Tre Johnson

I'd be happy with any of those. Too much of a bust potential for Maluach.

Good list thats my first tier as well thing is i could see all 7 being gone if we move down to 8/9th....And then you have to look at the 2nd tier guys which is

Maluach
Kon
CMB
Jase
Newell
Carter Bryant
Jak
Demin

At that point id be fine with W/E Masai goes with.

Pretty good list. I'm higher on Maluach than most, but I'm totally content with whoever we pick from that group. Or even if we trade down. Theres a lot of intriguing guys in this draft

[BoyzNTheHood]

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Thunder are blessed ....Potentially a 7th pick as well.

Presti collects picks like Thanos collects infinity stones. A GM after my own heart

[arbsn]

The amount of Pro Maluach talk on this forum is really worrying

It makes me feel like it’s inevitable.

I just don’t see the comp for Maluach as a winner in today’s NBA. Even Rudy Gobert with a Jump shot is his absolute 110% upside and Gobert gets played off the floor regularly. That being said, I don’t even think Maluach is better than Kel Ware.

So many more interesting guys in the top of the lottery.

[Jcity08]

The amount of Pro Maluach talk on this forum is really worrying

It makes me feel like it’s inevitable.

I just don’t see the comp for Maluach as a winner in today’s NBA. Even Rudy Gobert with a Jump shot is his absolute 110% upside and Gobert gets played off the floor regularly. That being said, I don’t even think Maluach is better than Kel Ware.

So many more interesting guys in the top of the lottery.

Too much focus on filling a need, I prefer BPA and at 7th/8th I just feel like there are more talented players than him.

[BoyzNTheHood]

The amount of Pro Maluach talk on this forum is really worrying

It makes me feel like it’s inevitable.

I just don’t see the comp for Maluach as a winner in today’s NBA. Even Rudy Gobert with a Jump shot is his absolute 110% upside and Gobert gets played off the floor regularly. That being said, I don’t even think Maluach is better than Kel Ware.

So many more interesting guys in the top of the lottery.

He’s not close to Ware, and since when has talk on this board amounted to anything? Going back to Ed O’Bannon when have Raptors fans gotten what they wanted?

[Indeed]

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Teams with multiple 1st (not including player salary with team option):
Brooklyn: 6, 20, 26, 27 [133m before tax, 5 players]
San Antonio: 8, 14 [45m before tax, 10 players]
Atlanta: 13, 22 [43m before tax, 10 players]
Orlando: 16, 24 [13m before tax, 11 players]
OKC: 15, 25 [13m before tax, 14 players]
Washington: 2, 19 [30m before tax, 14 players]
Utah: 1, 21 [35m before tax, 15 players]

Those with 14 or more players salary, maybe they can waive a min contract, or they take an Europe player and stash them. They may want to trade up (with existing player or 2nd round pick for Washington and Utah, no way they trade their top 3 overall pick).

[Clutch0z24]

The amount of Pro Maluach talk on this forum is really worrying

It makes me feel like it’s inevitable.

I just don’t see the comp for Maluach as a winner in today’s NBA. Even Rudy Gobert with a Jump shot is his absolute 110% upside and Gobert gets played off the floor regularly. That being said, I don’t even think Maluach is better than Kel Ware.

So many more interesting guys in the top of the lottery.

I feel its the Masai connection more than anything....I think the board already feels its Masai pick so everyone is just on board with it....I won't lie he is intriguing off first glance....If your someone who doesn't really follow college ball and you look up videos on youtube of him....You see the hype and the highlights of him blocking shots and catching lobs and he could wow you...

You have to kind of do a deeper dive into his game and realize hes not all that skilled on the offensive end and could be bust material because of how raw he is as a player.

There is a reason the coaching staff at Duke only played him 21 mins off the bench and why they never let him do much on the offensive end but catch lobs....They know more about him than we do and its because he does not have much skills yet...

But if Masai Drafts him ill be rooting for him. Just hope he can develop...

[MainEvent]

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Thunder are blessed ....Potentially a 7th pick as well.

they are so stacked, I wonder if some players will skip their workout.

gonna be hard to get playing time

[Grew]

I tuned in to a couple Illinois games. Tomislav looked like he couldn't guard a 5th grader on the perimeter. Wouldn't use the 39th on him.

Isn't he returning to Illinois and joining his brother on transfer?

I don't know, that would be cool to see the brothers play together. Probably a good idea for both of them to go back to school.

[Psubs]

The amount of Pro Maluach talk on this forum is really worrying

It makes me feel like it’s inevitable.

I just don’t see the comp for Maluach as a winner in today’s NBA. Even Rudy Gobert with a Jump shot is his absolute 110% upside and Gobert gets played off the floor regularly. That being said, I don’t even think Maluach is better than Kel Ware.

So many more interesting guys in the top of the lottery.

He’s not close to Ware, and since when has talk on this board amounted to anything? Going back to Ed O’Bannon when have Raptors fans gotten what they wanted?

Also Ware wasn't playing at the end of the game in small ball. Really, watching Okongu develop a passable 3 pt shot at age 24, makes me want to draft Rasheer Fleming more. Bryant and Fleming!

[BoyzNTheHood]

The amount of Pro Maluach talk on this forum is really worrying

It makes me feel like it’s inevitable.

I just don’t see the comp for Maluach as a winner in today’s NBA. Even Rudy Gobert with a Jump shot is his absolute 110% upside and Gobert gets played off the floor regularly. That being said, I don’t even think Maluach is better than Kel Ware.

So many more interesting guys in the top of the lottery.

He’s not close to Ware, and since when has talk on this board amounted to anything? Going back to Ed O’Bannon when have Raptors fans gotten what they wanted?

Also Ware wasn't playing at the end of the game in small ball. Really, watching Okongu develop a passable 3 pt shot at age 24, makes me want to draft Rasheer Fleming more. Bryant and Fleming!

Ware any day, and twice on Sunday over Maluach.

[Grew]

The amount of Pro Maluach talk on this forum is really worrying

It makes me feel like it’s inevitable.

I just don’t see the comp for Maluach as a winner in today’s NBA. Even Rudy Gobert with a Jump shot is his absolute 110% upside and Gobert gets played off the floor regularly. That being said, I don’t even think Maluach is better than Kel Ware.

So many more interesting guys in the top of the lottery.

I feel its the Masai connection more than anything....I think the board already feels its Masai pick so everyone is just on board with it....I won't lie he is intriguing off first glance....If your someone who doesn't really follow college ball and you look up videos on youtube of him....You see the hype and the highlights of him blocking shots and catching lobs and he could wow you...

You have to kind of do a deeper dive into his game and realize hes not all that skilled on the offensive end and could be bust material because of how raw he is as a player.

There is a reason the coaching staff at Duke only played him 21 mins off the bench and why they never let him do much on the offensive end but catch lobs....They know more about him than we do and its because he does not have much skills yet...

But if Masai Drafts him ill be rooting for him. Just hope he can develop...

There are definitely more skilled guys around 7 than Maluach. The problem with trying to gauge Mal vs more skilled prospects, is that pure size and the ability to use it athletically can basically lead to success by itself. If Giannis was 6'6 he would be some type of Pj tucker/Shabazz Muhamad type role player, if Embiid was 6'6 he would be a g league wing player at best. Those guys aren't that skilled, they are just massive and athletic.

So at what point does Khaman's size trump some of these players skills? Is Kas Jak a better prospect because of his high skill level? Or are his athletic deficiencies outweighing Khaman's skill deficiency? Is Tre Johnson a better prospect if he doesn't really make plays for others or defend at a high level? Is Tre so skilled he's Devin Booker level? Or is he a Malik Beasley level offensive talent?

These skill guys have to be elite to move the needle on a team like ours. How much better are Tre/Jak/Kon/Jase than Gradey and Jakobe? Do any of those guys have the potential to supplant RJ? I'm not so sure that next group of skill players will end up being more valuable than even a poorman's Rudy Gorbert with the chance to add some shooting/skill.

I might be warming up to the idea of Carter Bryant or Essengue if we miss out on the top 4/Queen/Fears. This draft has a lot of really good options in the 7-15 range. Tough to say which one will be the guy everyone wishes they took out of that group. Good problem to have, feels like a really strong draft.

[Clutch0z24]

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Thunder are blessed ....Potentially a 7th pick as well.

they are so stacked, I wonder if some players will skip their workout.

gonna be hard to get playing time

Idk about that....Any young player would like to go to OKC because even if they are stacked right now they could use these draft picks as high end role players in the near future when they have to shed some salary....These young draft picks they are getting on cheap contracts could contribute to this team continuing to be a dynasty for years to come....They can just develop them and keep a adding legit players to the big 3 they have.

[Psubs]

The amount of Pro Maluach talk on this forum is really worrying

It makes me feel like it’s inevitable.

I just don’t see the comp for Maluach as a winner in today’s NBA. Even Rudy Gobert with a Jump shot is his absolute 110% upside and Gobert gets played off the floor regularly. That being said, I don’t even think Maluach is better than Kel Ware.

So many more interesting guys in the top of the lottery.

I feel its the Masai connection more than anything....I think the board already feels its Masai pick so everyone is just on board with it....I won't lie he is intriguing off first glance....If your someone who doesn't really follow college ball and you look up videos on youtube of him....You see the hype and the highlights of him blocking shots and catching lobs and he could wow you...

You have to kind of do a deeper dive into his game and realize hes not all that skilled on the offensive end and could be bust material because of how raw he is as a player.

There is a reason the coaching staff at Duke only played him 21 mins off the bench and why they never let him do much on the offensive end but catch lobs....They know more about him than we do and its because he does not have much skills yet...

But if Masai Drafts him ill be rooting for him. Just hope he can develop...

There are definitely more skilled guys around 7 than Maluach. The problem with trying to gauge Mal vs more skilled prospects, is that pure size and the ability to use it athletically can basically lead to success by itself. If Giannis was 6'6 he would be some type of Pj tucker/Shabazz Muhamad type role player, if Embiid was 6'6 he would be a g league wing player at best. Those guys aren't that skilled, they are just massive and athletic.

So at what point does Khaman's size trump some of these players skills? Is Kas Jak a better prospect because of his high skill level? Or are his athletic deficiencies outweighing Khaman's skill deficiency? Is Tre Johnson a better prospect if he doesn't really make plays for others or defend at a high level? Is Tre so skilled he's Devin Booker level? Or is he a Malik Beasley level offensive talent?

These skill guys have to be elite to move the needle on a team like ours. How much better are Tre/Jak/Kon/Jase than Gradey and Jakobe? Do any of those guys have the potential to supplant RJ? I'm not so sure that next group of skill players will end up being more valuable than even a poorman's Rudy Gorbert with the chance to add some shooting/skill.

I might be warming up to the idea of Carter Bryant or Essengue if we miss out on the top 4/Queen/Fears. This draft has a lot of really good options in the 7-15 range. Tough to say which one will be the guy everyone wishes they took out of that group. Good problem to have, feels like a really strong draft.

Giannis would be Cam Whitmore if 6'6.

Watching Risacher wants me to stay away from Essengue. Also Tijane Salaun.

[Clutch0z24]

I feel its the Masai connection more than anything....I think the board already feels its Masai pick so everyone is just on board with it....I won't lie he is intriguing off first glance....If your someone who doesn't really follow college ball and you look up videos on youtube of him....You see the hype and the highlights of him blocking shots and catching lobs and he could wow you...

You have to kind of do a deeper dive into his game and realize hes not all that skilled on the offensive end and could be bust material because of how raw he is as a player.

There is a reason the coaching staff at Duke only played him 21 mins off the bench and why they never let him do much on the offensive end but catch lobs....They know more about him than we do and its because he does not have much skills yet...

But if Masai Drafts him ill be rooting for him. Just hope he can develop...

There are definitely more skilled guys around 7 than Maluach. The problem with trying to gauge Mal vs more skilled prospects, is that pure size and the ability to use it athletically can basically lead to success by itself. If Giannis was 6'6 he would be some type of Pj tucker/Shabazz Muhamad type role player, if Embiid was 6'6 he would be a g league wing player at best. Those guys aren't that skilled, they are just massive and athletic.

So at what point does Khaman's size trump some of these players skills? Is Kas Jak a better prospect because of his high skill level? Or are his athletic deficiencies outweighing Khaman's skill deficiency? Is Tre Johnson a better prospect if he doesn't really make plays for others or defend at a high level? Is Tre so skilled he's Devin Booker level? Or is he a Malik Beasley level offensive talent?

These skill guys have to be elite to move the needle on a team like ours. How much better are Tre/Jak/Kon/Jase than Gradey and Jakobe? Do any of those guys have the potential to supplant RJ? I'm not so sure that next group of skill players will end up being more valuable than even a poorman's Rudy Gorbert with the chance to add some shooting/skill.

I might be warming up to the idea of Carter Bryant or Essengue if we miss out on the top 4/Queen/Fears. This draft has a lot of really good options in the 7-15 range. Tough to say which one will be the guy everyone wishes they took out of that group. Good problem to have, feels like a really strong draft.

Giannis would be Cam Whitmore if 6'6.

Watching Risacher wants me to stay away from Essengue. Also Tijane Salaun.

I get that big players are hard to pass up on and you can be in awe of their size/measurements and all that and you can pick that over their actual basketball skills....But i would disagree with you on the skill part of Giannis/Embiid....These guys are actually very skill full and its not just their size that plays the part...For every big body with good measurements very few are gonna be on the level of a Giannis or Embiid....Because they possess rare skill set for their sizes....Giannis runs like a gazelle, Can finish at the rim better than anyone, Has amazing footwork and so on, Embiid has a guard like skill set for his size....And he uses his body to get anywhere he wants on the court and can score at ease....

I get their size plays a factor in their success...But not all players who have measurements and size are gonna end up as good as these guys...In fact way more likely they are busts.

Just because they have the size and measurements does not mean success....Thabeet, Sam Bowie (Got drafted over MJ due to his size), Darko (Drafted over Melo/Wade) Biyombo, Wiseman, There are many who got drafted off their size alone and what they could become vs what they are and many have become bad draft picks....

Like i said if we draft Maluach im rooting for him...But at 7 if we stay i think we pick a better player thats OTB.

[Grew]

I feel its the Masai connection more than anything....I think the board already feels its Masai pick so everyone is just on board with it....I won't lie he is intriguing off first glance....If your someone who doesn't really follow college ball and you look up videos on youtube of him....You see the hype and the highlights of him blocking shots and catching lobs and he could wow you...

You have to kind of do a deeper dive into his game and realize hes not all that skilled on the offensive end and could be bust material because of how raw he is as a player.

There is a reason the coaching staff at Duke only played him 21 mins off the bench and why they never let him do much on the offensive end but catch lobs....They know more about him than we do and its because he does not have much skills yet...

But if Masai Drafts him ill be rooting for him. Just hope he can develop...

There are definitely more skilled guys around 7 than Maluach. The problem with trying to gauge Mal vs more skilled prospects, is that pure size and the ability to use it athletically can basically lead to success by itself. If Giannis was 6'6 he would be some type of Pj tucker/Shabazz Muhamad type role player, if Embiid was 6'6 he would be a g league wing player at best. Those guys aren't that skilled, they are just massive and athletic.

So at what point does Khaman's size trump some of these players skills? Is Kas Jak a better prospect because of his high skill level? Or are his athletic deficiencies outweighing Khaman's skill deficiency? Is Tre Johnson a better prospect if he doesn't really make plays for others or defend at a high level? Is Tre so skilled he's Devin Booker level? Or is he a Malik Beasley level offensive talent?

These skill guys have to be elite to move the needle on a team like ours. How much better are Tre/Jak/Kon/Jase than Gradey and Jakobe? Do any of those guys have the potential to supplant RJ? I'm not so sure that next group of skill players will end up being more valuable than even a poorman's Rudy Gorbert with the chance to add some shooting/skill.

I might be warming up to the idea of Carter Bryant or Essengue if we miss out on the top 4/Queen/Fears. This draft has a lot of really good options in the 7-15 range. Tough to say which one will be the guy everyone wishes they took out of that group. Good problem to have, feels like a really strong draft.

Giannis would be Cam Whitmore if 6'6.

Watching Risacher wants me to stay away from Essengue. Also Tijane Salaun.

Haha fair enough, but just cause their all lightskinned frenchmen doesn't mean they are all the same. Risacher with the first pick was crazy though. I think Essengue is more physical than Risacher and way higher BBIQ than Salaun. I would take Carter over him but he's still somewhat intriguing.

[Grew]

There are definitely more skilled guys around 7 than Maluach. The problem with trying to gauge Mal vs more skilled prospects, is that pure size and the ability to use it athletically can basically lead to success by itself. If Giannis was 6'6 he would be some type of Pj tucker/Shabazz Muhamad type role player, if Embiid was 6'6 he would be a g league wing player at best. Those guys aren't that skilled, they are just massive and athletic.

So at what point does Khaman's size trump some of these players skills? Is Kas Jak a better prospect because of his high skill level? Or are his athletic deficiencies outweighing Khaman's skill deficiency? Is Tre Johnson a better prospect if he doesn't really make plays for others or defend at a high level? Is Tre so skilled he's Devin Booker level? Or is he a Malik Beasley level offensive talent?

These skill guys have to be elite to move the needle on a team like ours. How much better are Tre/Jak/Kon/Jase than Gradey and Jakobe? Do any of those guys have the potential to supplant RJ? I'm not so sure that next group of skill players will end up being more valuable than even a poorman's Rudy Gorbert with the chance to add some shooting/skill.

I might be warming up to the idea of Carter Bryant or Essengue if we miss out on the top 4/Queen/Fears. This draft has a lot of really good options in the 7-15 range. Tough to say which one will be the guy everyone wishes they took out of that group. Good problem to have, feels like a really strong draft.

Giannis would be Cam Whitmore if 6'6.

Watching Risacher wants me to stay away from Essengue. Also Tijane Salaun.

I get that big players are hard to pass up on and you can be in awe of their size/measurements and all that and you can pick that over their actual basketball skills....But i would disagree with you on the skill part of Giannis/Embiid....These guys are actually very skill full and its not just their size that plays the part...For every big body with good measurements very few are gonna be on the level of a Giannis or Embiid....Because they possess rare skill set for their sizes....Giannis runs like a gazelle, Can finish at the rim better than anyone, Has amazing footwork and so on, Embiid has a guard like skill set for his size....And he uses his body to get anywhere he wants on the court and can score at ease....

Just because they have the size and measurements does not mean success....Thabeet, Sam Bowie (Got drafted over MJ due to his size), Darko (Drafted over Melo/Wade) Biyombo, Wiseman, There are many who got drafted off their size alone and what they could become vs what they are and many have become bad draft picks....

Like i said if we draft Maluach im rooting for him...But at 7 if we stay i think we pick a better player thats OTB.

I do think Mal is going to be better than Wiseman and Thabeet. Not too high on Tre or Kas being someone I'm worried I passed over like Dwade and MJ were.

I think Giannis and Embiid are great athletes at that size but I don't think they have the skills to be all star types if they were 6'6ish. You say Giannis runs like a gazelle and can finish better than everyone because he's that big, at 6'6 he would be far more average at those things. Then you say Embiid has a guard like skillset for his size, if he were guard size he would be closer to flipping burgers with that skillset, not averaging 30 in the league.

It's just so tough for me to say one of the more skilled guys should be the pick, when I'm not sure they make a dent in our roster anyways. If we could identify someone who is for example poised to be better than RJ rather quickly into his career, then we should draft that player. Drafting another wing with the trajectory of Gradey and Jakobe wouldn't be very exciting right now with those two on the roster and needing minutes. I'm looking for someone who can take the ball out of RJ's hands, maybe even Ingram's down the road, or I might as well go with a different architype of player.

Who are your guys at 7? Tre?

[Clutch0z24]

Giannis would be Cam Whitmore if 6'6.

Watching Risacher wants me to stay away from Essengue. Also Tijane Salaun.

I get that big players are hard to pass up on and you can be in awe of their size/measurements and all that and you can pick that over their actual basketball skills....But i would disagree with you on the skill part of Giannis/Embiid....These guys are actually very skill full and its not just their size that plays the part...For every big body with good measurements very few are gonna be on the level of a Giannis or Embiid....Because they possess rare skill set for their sizes....Giannis runs like a gazelle, Can finish at the rim better than anyone, Has amazing footwork and so on, Embiid has a guard like skill set for his size....And he uses his body to get anywhere he wants on the court and can score at ease....

Just because they have the size and measurements does not mean success....Thabeet, Sam Bowie (Got drafted over MJ due to his size), Darko (Drafted over Melo/Wade) Biyombo, Wiseman, There are many who got drafted off their size alone and what they could become vs what they are and many have become bad draft picks....

Like i said if we draft Maluach im rooting for him...But at 7 if we stay i think we pick a better player thats OTB.

I do think Mal is going to be better than Wiseman and Thabeet. Not too high on Tre or Kas being someone I'm worried I passed over like Dwade and MJ were.

I think Giannis and Embiid are great athletes at that size but I don't think they have the skills to be all star types if they were 6'6ish. You say Giannis runs like a gazelle and can finish better than everyone because he's that big, at 6'6 he would be far more average at those things. Then you say Embiid has a guard like skillset for his size, if he were guard size he would be closer to flipping burgers with that skillset, not averaging 30 in the league.

It's just so tough for me to say one of the more skilled guys should be the pick, when I'm not sure they make a dent in our roster anyways. If we could identify someone who is for example poised to be better than RJ rather quickly into his career, then we should draft that player. Drafting another wing with the trajectory of Gradey and Jakobe wouldn't be very exciting right now with those two on the roster and needing minutes. I'm looking for someone who can take the ball out of RJ's hands, maybe even Ingram's down the road, or I might as well go with a different architype of player.

Who are your guys at 7? Tre?

Yes i get their size plays a part in what they do but my point was just because they have good measurements its very rare they end up like a Giannis/Embiid who are 2 of the greats the league seen....More of a chance Maluach ends up either a bust or a backup C if he does not develop the skills he already is lacking....

For me my top 7 in order
Flagg
Harper
Edgecombe
Bailey
Queen
Fears
Tre

Fall to 8th
Maluach
Kon
CMB
Bryant
Jase
Newell
Demin
Traore
Essengue
Fleming
^ Id be fine with W/E Masai picks in that scenario but yes if we stay at 7 im hoping Queen/Fears but i am taking Tre > Maluach because i think he has way less Bust potential and he can contribute next season for us in a big way....Maluach may take a few years to develop....Also im in the camp of trading RJ/Dick for an upgrade somewhere....Package them to add another key player is my thought process....And having Tre would make RJ/Dick expendable for us to move them maybe for an all star big whos already established...

But thats if Tre is the one at 7 would be fine with Queen/Fears as well.