2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 5

[CazOnReal]

What would it take for us to get Zion Williamson? If we stay at 7 I’d be open to give up that pick, Gradey and another young prospect/pick.

Did we not learn from the past few years that Zion + BI doesn't work?

[Clutch0z24]

Queen Vs CMB would be alot closer if CMB was tall....It is what it is....Size does matter....Both are skilled players but CMB is not worlds better to say he should be picked 100 percent over Queen....Its more preference....CMB has alot of questions because if his jump shot doesn't translate to the NBA and he struggles in the NBA against stronger, Bigger defenders....Who he can't bully in the paint compared to college....Could be easy to defend him....Where as Queen is bigger, And has the more offensive moves to beat players....Better footwork as well...

[bballsparkin]

Queen Vs CMB would be alot closer if CMB was tall....It is what it is....Size does matter....Both are skilled players but CMB is not worlds better to say he should be picked 100 percent over Queen....Its more preference....CMB has alot of questions because if his jump shot doesn't translate to the NBA and he struggles in the NBA against stronger, Bigger defenders....Who he can't bully in the paint compared to college....Could be easy to defend him....Where as Queen is bigger, And has the more offensive moves to beat players....Better footwork as well...

I agree with the poster who said, if CMB is truly your guy. Trade Scottie. At some point you have to have players who can make shots; especially in this era.

[Yallbecrazy]

Queen Vs CMB would be alot closer if CMB was tall....It is what it is....Size does matter....Both are skilled players but CMB is not worlds better to say he should be picked 100 percent over Queen....Its more preference....CMB has alot of questions because if his jump shot doesn't translate to the NBA and he struggles in the NBA against stronger, Bigger defenders....Who he can't bully in the paint compared to college....Could be easy to defend him....Where as Queen is bigger, And has the more offensive moves to beat players....Better footwork as well...

I agree with the poster who said, if CMB is truly your guy. Trade Scottie. At some point you have to have players who can make shots; especially in this era.

That's not a decision that needs to be made this offseason.

[bballsparkin]

yallbecrazy. knew you was gonna quote that. lol

[Rodrickle]

is the defense from Poeltl that good?

I think Queen already has the skill to play like Poeltl, he can come off the bench and play behind Poeltl for the same role.

Meanwhile, Maluach will probably playing in the g-league on his first year if not second, and the roster may change, so I am unsure we should discuss him fitting with anyone.

You indeed would be mistaken, Khaman is playing right away for us, and it's not like we're asking him to do a lot for us yr 1. We are asking him to do things he already does well, set screens, roll hard, catch lobs, and be 7'2 and mobile

He is going to get fouled out in 5 mins or less.
He wasn't better than Chomche last year against the USA team in the Nike Hoop Summit, and you think he can play in the NBA right away? You must be dreaming.

There are likely going to be games where he fouls out in his first year. Hell Poeltl had a high foul rate as a rookie and has fouled out THIS year in games. Not a huge deal. But Khaman is a much better prospect than Chomche and far ahead of him at the same age. Not to mention the size difference and standing reach. Who cares about one nike hoop summit game? You think Chomche could have started for Duke? They just don't hand out that starting position. I'd expect Maluach to contribute in his rookie season, although he'll have his ups and downs, like any rookie center. His offense, specifically his catch radius/lobs and rim running should translate immediately imo.

[DreamTeam09]

lol lol trade Scottie for Giannis, now it's trade Scottie for CMB, gosh I hate the offszn for RGM rap fans lol, especially draft/prospect time

[Indeed]

You indeed would be mistaken, Khaman is playing right away for us, and it's not like we're asking him to do a lot for us yr 1. We are asking him to do things he already does well, set screens, roll hard, catch lobs, and be 7'2 and mobile

He is going to get fouled out in 5 mins or less.
He wasn't better than Chomche last year against the USA team in the Nike Hoop Summit, and you think he can play in the NBA right away? You must be dreaming.

There are likely going to be games where he fouls out in his first year. Hell Poeltl had a high foul rate as a rookie and has fouled out THIS year in games. Not a huge deal. But Khaman is a much better prospect than Chomche and far ahead of him at the same age. Not to mention the size difference and standing reach. Who cares about one nike hoop summit game? You think Chomche could have started for Duke? They just don't hand out that starting position. I'd expect Maluach to contribute in his rookie season, although he'll have his ups and downs, like any rookie center. His offense, specifically his catch radius/lobs and rim running should translate immediately imo.

If you read my latest reply, you know he is not a NBA player yet, and yes, Chomche would have started.

Again, 2024 Hoop Summit where Chomche out played Maluach. His first touch was inbounding the ball and was a turnover. A few times Newell over position him for rebounds. In 2024 Olympics, JT Thor got more minutes than him. These are g-league players, and Maluach isnt way better after a year in Duke than a bench g-league player in Chomche to be playing any meaningful NBA minutes right away

[BoyzNTheHood]

Speaking of trading Scottie. Let’s say, hypothetically, you want to get into the 2026 draft with all of those young studs. Obviously, we overrate every draft early on, but for the sake of the conversation let’s assume it’s actually as good as we think.

How many firsts do you want for Scottie? Are we talking two top 10’s? Two lotto picks? Two firsts? I haven’t checked out who owns multiple firsts next year, but my belief is those teams could be sitting on gold right now, and if you believe Scottie is great but not the guy to lead us to the promised land maybe you entertain moving him for multiple guys in next years draft.

[HumbleRen]

What would it take for us to get Zion Williamson? If we stay at 7 I’d be open to give up that pick, Gradey and another young prospect/pick.

Did we not learn from the past few years that Zion + BI doesn't work?

They do work. They just can’t stay healthy lol.

[WuTang_OG]

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[HumbleRen]

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Fears went from 14-5 within a 2 month span.

I was hoping he wouldn’t get too much attention, damn.

[HumbleRen]

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[WuTang_OG]

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[mtcan]

lol lol trade Scottie for Giannis, now it's trade Scottie for CMB, gosh I hate the offszn for RGM rap fans lol, especially draft/prospect time

The lust for the mystery box is real.

Dreaming of prospects becoming hall of famers always makes the existing guys on the team seem like yesterday's garbage.

Reality is that that 2nd round pick that is compared to T Mac is bound for China in a few years...lol

[WuTang_OG]

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10. Derik Queen, C, Maryland
Height: 6-10 | Age: 20.3 | TS%: 60.0% | PR: 10

Queen established himself as one of the best freshmen in college basketball, delivering a signature moment in March with his buzzer-beating winner against Colorado State to send Maryland to the Sweet 16. There's little doubt about his offensive talent, with the ability to handle and create mismatches, placing him a cut above the other bigs in this class. He has also demonstrated an ever-improving ability to shoot from long range, something scouts we've spoken with feel he can develop, noting his touch and skill level with the ball.

The biggest question teams have entering the predraft process hinges on whether they can get more out of Queen on the defensive end, where his effort was often selective, and where his size and athletic gifts are below-average by NBA standards. He might need to win some teams over in the interview process, where front offices will want to get a feel for his personality and the likelihood he can improve his habits on that side of the ball and make a sufficient adjustment in the pros.

Teams in search of frontcourt help have to think hard about whether to draft him early on. -- Woo


11. Collin Murray-Boyles, PF/C, South Carolina
Height: 6-8 | Age: 19.8 | TS%: 64.0% | PR: 11

Murray-Boyles will be an interesting case study for teams drafting in the middle part of the first round because the extreme contrasts between his strengths and weaknesses mean he will be a better fit for certain teams.

Analytics-heavy teams will be intrigued by how well he rates in their draft models, with his unique blend of passing, free throw drawing, finishing prowess, and defensive playmaking, especially since he doesn't turn 20 until mid-June.

Others might be concerned about his lack of size and 3-point shooting prowess, as well as the fact his Gamecocks team struggled in SEC play, as they were clearly overmatched from a talent perspective.

Murray-Boyles told ESPN last week that he has focused on improving his 3-point shooting and has made gains in that department, which could alleviate some of the scouts' concerns. -- Givony


12. Egor Demin, PG/SG, BYU
Height: 6-9 | Age: 19.1 | TS%: 51.3% | PR: 12

While there was some talk of Demin staying in college to play with incoming BYU star freshman A.J. Dybantsa, he declared for the draft earlier this month and remains in the lottery mix as the process gets underway.

Demin ultimately helped his draft stock by deciding to test himself at the college level, flashing his high-level passing at his size while playing point guard full time, and helping BYU to the Sweet 16.

The early-season buzz around Demin cooled because of his struggles as a perimeter shooter and on the defensive end, issues that he'll need to address on the workout circuit. But he still has fans in front offices drawn to the mix of skills and versatility he might provide over time, and the allure of developing a big playmaker who can play multiple positions will keep him front of mind in the early-to-middle part of the first round. -- Woo

20. Carter Bryant, SF/PF, Arizona
Height: 6-8 | Age: 19.3 | TS%: 59.9% | PR: 20

Bryant is well-positioned as a potential riser over the next couple months, with the type of profile that tends to fare well in workout settings. He is an above-average athlete with a strong frame for his position, has promise as a 3-point shooter, and had some strong moments in the second half of the season in a low-usage off-ball role that showcased his improving feel and defensive versatility.

It might take him some time to become a positive contributor in the NBA, but he has plenty of fans in front offices and could work his way closer to the lottery with a strong predraft process. -- Woo

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21. Asa Newell, PF/C, Georgia
Height: 6-11 | Age: 19.5 | TS%: 62.0% | PR: 21

Following a productive season at Georgia that helped showcase his motor, Newell will have an opportunity to move up the board via his upcoming workouts. Newell was confined to more of an interior role in college, leading the Bulldogs in scoring and rebounding, but he will likely be best suited physically for power forward in the NBA.

Becoming more comfortable on the perimeter and improving his outside shooting (29% from 3) will be important areas for him in the predraft process, where teams will want to get a better feel for the versatility he might develop. -- Woo


22. Hugo Gonzalez, SG/SF, Real Madrid (Spain)
Height: 6-7 | Age: 19.2 | TS%: 51.5% | PR: 22



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Gonzalez has seen an uptick in minutes in the ACB in recent weeks, just as Real Madrid enters the playoff portion of the EuroLeague schedule. He has looked the part when given the opportunity, but playing time has been difficult to come by as a whole this season for the teenager on one of the most ambitious teams in European basketball.

It's not difficult to see what made Gonzalez such a highly regarded prospect, helping him build a résumé as one of the top prospects in international basketball in FIBA youth competitions and junior club competition.

He is an explosive athlete with a strong frame who brings defensive versatility, high-level intensity and winning qualities on both ends of the floor. He wreaks havoc in passing lanes and as a rim protector while moving the ball unselfishly and flying out energetically in transition.

It's unclear when Gonzalez will be able to complete the mandatory portions of the NBA draft combine with the way Real Madrid's schedule is shaping up, as his team could be playing up until days before the draft on June 25. -- Givony


23. Ben Saraf, PG/SG, Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)
Height: 6-6 | Age: 19.0 | TS%: 52.0% | PR: 23

With four games remaining, Ulm and Saraf are attempting to secure first place in the BBL standings as well as home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. Finishing on a strong note would be helpful for Saraf, who has had an up-and-down season, struggling at times with turnovers and scoring efficiency against higher-level competition.

Saraf nevertheless brings an impressive combination of size, scoring instincts, feel for the game, aggressiveness and playmaking, showing supreme timing and creativity operating in the pick-and-roll. His sharp basketball instincts manifest themselves in every part of the game.

With the college basketball season in the rearview, NBA scouts will turn their attention to international prospects such as him, especially when the playoffs in the European leagues start in mid-May. -- Givony

[Psubs]

Speaking of trading Scottie. Let’s say, hypothetically, you want to get into the 2026 draft with all of those young studs. Obviously, we overrate every draft early on, but for the sake of the conversation let’s assume it’s actually as good as we think.

How many firsts do you want for Scottie? Are we talking two top 10’s? Two lotto picks? Two firsts? I haven’t checked out who owns multiple firsts next year, but my belief is those teams could be sitting on gold right now, and if you believe Scottie is great but not the guy to lead us to the promised land maybe you entertain moving him for multiple guys in next years draft.

Scottie at least gets a Rudy Gobert haul. To me, he should be 1st team all defense. His offense continues to develop. Maybe by his prime he shoots the 3 above 33%.

As for CMB, I would trade Ochai Agbaji, Gradey Dick or Mogbo.

[NinjaBro]

You guys are turning on scottie faster than I anticipated.

[DreamTeam09]

You guys are turning on scottie faster than I anticipated.

Rinse and repeat, GD is now a bum & worthless

[WuTang_OG]

IF we stay at 7 or 8, its going to be interesting which way Masai goes

probably moreso than in previous years since theres a wide range of guys in our range and they all have their list of issues

we can definitely reach from the consensus guys (since we never really trade down)

If Queen had better defensive numbers, I'd say def him
If CMB was taller, I'd say him
If Maluach wasn't so raw, I'd say him

etc