2025 NBA Draft Thread, part 1 – Capture the Flagg

[redslastlaugh]

TRADE IDEA:

Memphis has a great scouting staff and loves acquiring late first rnd picks to snag a player they like at a good cost control (Bane, Aldama were both draft night acquisitions). Memphis traded their 1st to Washington to take Marcus but has #48 and #56 in this draft. They also have tradeable future 2nds: 2027 ATL, 2028 SAC, and 2031 MEM.

Trade idea is Xavier Tillman, #28 to Memphis for #48, 2027 Atlanta 2nd, and 2031 Memphis 2nd.

We send back Tillman and get a pick at #48 we can draft a player to sign with the lesser 2nd round pick exception, a $1.5 million savings versus the first yr of a player picked at #28. We get future 2nds in 2027 from Atlanta and 2031 from Memphis.

[brackdan70]

Not bad for saving a couple bucks, but I personally think we can get a very good player at 28 in this draft so I would pass.

[Hal14]

Yeah, I also don't really see Memphis trying to trade for Tillman after they just traded him away last season.

If anything they have too many bigs (Edey, JJJ, Clarke, Huff, Aldama) so wouldn't want another.

And I'm not sure it's really saving us that much $ since Tillman's contract is so cheap and a 1st round pick makes decent money.

I could see us trading out of the 1st round though..and I could see Tillman getting traded (possibly on draft night) so something along those lines could happen..

[Hal14]

Helpful resource. They update it daily..keeping track of which players are declaring for the draft, who's transferring, who's all in on the draft process vs who is just testing the waters and could withdraw and return to college..

https://www.rookiescale.com/2025-early-entrant-tracker/

Keep in mind, all of the international players can withdraw up until the withdrawal deadline which is in like a few more weeks

So really the only guys we absolutely know for sure who will be eligible to be drafted are the ones with the 100 next to their name. Then there's also the players who are auto eligible which means this is the last year they could be drafted which means they can't withdraw so we know for sure those players will be in the draft eligible pool..

Auto eligible means a college player who has no more eligibility left or an international player who turns 22 during the clendar year of that draft.

[djFan71]

Helpful resource. They update it daily..keeping track of which players are declaring for the draft, who's transferring, who's all in on the draft process vs who is just testing the waters and could withdraw and return to college..

https://www.rookiescale.com/2025-early-entrant-tracker/

Keep in mind, all of the international players can withdraw up until the withdrawal deadline which is in like a few more weeks

So really the only guys we absolutely know for sure who will be eligible to be drafted are the ones with the 100 next to their name. Then there's also the players who are auto eligible which means this is the last year they could be drafted which means they can't withdraw so we know for sure those players will be in the draft eligible pool..

Ugh. Fleming, Thiero, Riley and Clayton Jr (on big board page) are all Klutch.

Not that we can't draft them, but the last Klutch guy we had was Brogdon - who signed with them right before we traded him. Then, Marcus Morris before that. Who also signed right before he left in FA.

It's why I lost interest in Maxey in his draft cycle. Loved everything I saw from him until that point, lol.

[djFan71]

Trade idea is Xavier Tillman, #28 to Memphis for #48, 2027 Atlanta 2nd, and 2031 Memphis 2nd.

Yeah, I also don't really see Memphis trying to trade for Tillman after they just traded him away last season.

If anything they have too many bigs (Edey, JJJ, Clarke, Huff, Aldama) so wouldn't want another.

And I'm not sure it's really saving us that much $ since Tillman's contract is so cheap and a 1st round pick makes decent money.

I could see us trading out of the 1st round though..and I could see Tillman getting traded (possibly on draft night) so something along those lines could happen..

Yeah, it's not so much a MEM trading FOR X scenario, just accepting him back as a dump. It does save us a little more when you compare it against a 2nd round exception salary, and then the multiplier factored in. Like you say, I wouldn't be shocked by something like this happening.

I'd probably like a slightly better asset in there somehow, but 3 2nds and a teeny salary dump ain't horrible. With the way boards are shaping up, most of the guys I like are probably gone early 20s. If that plays out for the Cs board and you can't trade up, something like this could be the route they take. You still get 31 & 48 this year, and have some trade throw in assets for later.

[redslastlaugh]

Ugh. Fleming, Thiero, Riley and Clayton Jr (on big board page) are all Klutch.

Not that we can't draft them, but the last Klutch guy we had was Brogdon - who signed with them right before we traded him. Then, Marcus Morris before that. Who also signed right before he left in FA.

It's why I lost interest in Maxey in his draft cycle. Loved everything I saw from him until that point, lol.

Ugghh is right, dang.
And yeah, it’s not that we can’t draft any of them but the front office definitely prefers to steer clear of Klutch sports, understandably IMO.
And, probably the worst Klutch client experience in my opinion was Tristan Thompson that one Covid year, just awful…

[shackles10]

Ugh. Fleming, Thiero, Riley and Clayton Jr (on big board page) are all Klutch.

Not that we can't draft them, but the last Klutch guy we had was Brogdon - who signed with them right before we traded him. Then, Marcus Morris before that. Who also signed right before he left in FA.

It's why I lost interest in Maxey in his draft cycle. Loved everything I saw from him until that point, lol.

Ugghh is right, dang.
And yeah, it’s not that we can’t draft any of them but the front office definitely prefers to steer clear of Klutch sports, understandably IMO.
And, probably the worst Klutch client experience in my opinion was Tristan Thompson that one Covid year, just awful…

Recent villian KCP still a Klutch guy? Again, not that we can't draft them but this playof series probably doesn't make that idea any sweeter for Brad and others.

[165bows]

Ugh. Fleming, Thiero, Riley and Clayton Jr (on big board page) are all Klutch.

Not that we can't draft them, but the last Klutch guy we had was Brogdon - who signed with them right before we traded him. Then, Marcus Morris before that. Who also signed right before he left in FA.

It's why I lost interest in Maxey in his draft cycle. Loved everything I saw from him until that point, lol.

Ugghh is right, dang.
And yeah, it’s not that we can’t draft any of them but the front office definitely prefers to steer clear of Klutch sports, understandably IMO.
And, probably the worst Klutch client experience in my opinion was Tristan Thompson that one Covid year, just awful…

Recent villian KCP still a Klutch guy? Again, not that we can't draft them but this playof series probably doesn't make that idea any sweeter for Brad and others.

Unrelated but I created a free account on CBB analytics and they apparently then give five days of their paid access free. I’m too busy the past week or so to play w it but thought I’d mention it if people wanted to give it a whirl.

[redslastlaugh]

Noceilings mock dropped today.
#28 - Walter Clayton
#32 - Cedric Coward

wow, on Coward jumping up to high 30's on no public news. wonder if that is based on intel?
https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/2025-nba-mock-draft-v6

[165bows]

Noceilings mock dropped today.
#28 - Walter Clayton
#32 - Cedric Coward

wow, on Coward jumping up to high 30's on no public news. wonder if that is based on intel?
https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/2025-nba-mock-draft-v6

Iirc Vecenie said his team sources are fairly high on Coward.

[redslastlaugh]

Cedric Coward moves like a 90s player. Obviously a lot of the competition is trifling, but dude sure moves like an NBA athlete.

Watch on YouTube

Iirc Vecenie said his team sources are fairly high on Coward.

[bigfoot_cryptozoology]

Cedric Coward, LOL.
He's choosing between Duke and Alabama as to which school he wants to transfer to.
So, that's not happening...

[Dogen]

Cedric Coward moves like a 90s player. Obviously a lot of the competition is trifling, but dude sure moves like an NBA athlete.

Watch on YouTube

Iirc Vecenie said his team sources are fairly high on Coward.

Yeah I was also surprised to see him move into the draft and then be connected to the Celtics. He was injured most of this past season so maybe there has been some good news about that. Most of what I'm seeing is connected to the transfer protocol and him possibly going to Duke.

As for his game, he looks like a smooth offensive player that could be groomed into a wing backup, a different look than Walsh -- not as explosive ut with more sophisticated offensive repertoire.

He does have that 90's "throwback" look. Like he's working Kobe-esque mid-range moves in some of the footage. Nice pull up J. Really sweet high release on the 3.

Working man's Joe Johnson. A portrait of T-Mac, running in molasses.

[bigfoot_cryptozoology]

I was just thinking after the issues with Hauser in the Playoffs, that they need to find his more talented replacement in this Draft (someone who can be a Professional Playoff Scorer/Shooter - Walter Clayton Jr. come on down... ) and then move him out sometime between the Off-Season and the Deadline. Dump that tax hit of a salary, but make sure you have an upgrade in the Stevens Pipeline...

[redslastlaugh]

He also declared for the draft, so he's weighing his options evidently.
He has until June 15th to withdraw, but he declared.

Per his representation speaking with Jon Rothstein at CBS Sports, Coward is down to Alabama and Duke. That said, his focus remains on the 2025 NBA Draft with the Crimson Tide and Blue Devils being his choices if he were to come back to college basketball next season.

https://www.on3.com/news/washington-state-cougars-transfer-portal-cedric-coward-cuts-list-to-alabama-crimson-tide-duke-blue-devils/

Cedric Coward, LOL.
He's choosing between Duke and Alabama as to which school he wants to transfer to.
So, that's not happening...

[Hal14]

Cedric Coward, LOL.
He's choosing between Duke and Alabama as to which school he wants to transfer to.
So, that's not happening...

He's also testing the NBA draft waters. You can do both - test the draft waters and transfer portal.

That's what Yaxel Lendeborg is doing (also RJ Luis, Boogie Fland, Jamir Watkins, many others). Lendeborg already announced he's transferring to Michigan - but his name is also in the draft pool. Lendeborg, Coward and all these other guys have till May 28 to withdraw their name from the draft in order to maintain their college eligibility.

Until then, they are draft eligible..but there's a possibility they could withdraw prior to the deadline.

This site shows who is doing what and they update it very frequently:
https://www.rookiescale.com/2025-early-entrant-tracker/

[Hal14]

I was just thinking after the issues with Hauser in the Playoffs, that they need to find his more talented replacement in this Draft (someone who can be a Professional Playoff Scorer/Shooter - Walter Clayton Jr. come on down... ) and then move him out sometime between the Off-Season and the Deadline. Dump that tax hit of a salary, but make sure you have an upgrade in the Stevens Pipeline...

You do know how small Clayton is, right? He wouldn't be a Hauser replacement. He'd be a Pritchard replacement. Clayton is basically like a Pritchard clone..except he's maybe an inch taller.

Hauser played solid D in last year's playoffs while shooting 38% from 3 in 15 MPG..solid numbers from your 8th man..especially for a guy who was in his first ever postseason where he was in the rotation every game.

He's not doing much this series so far but it's only been 2 games. And we just don't need much from an 8th man, with how good our other guys are, and how teams go with a tighter bench in the playoffs.

If we need to replace Hauser eventually though, Scheierman is already in place and looks like he could possible fill that role.

I think the bigger need is for a big..ideally one who can shoot and ideally one who has the versatility to play both the 4 and the 5..and ideally who can defend.

[shi-woo]

Noceilings mock dropped today.
#28 - Walter Clayton
#32 - Cedric Coward

wow, on Coward jumping up to high 30's on no public news. wonder if that is based on intel?
https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/2025-nba-mock-draft-v6

That would be a solid draft, and I like the write up.

I find it interesting that he also brings up Walsh. A bunch of the guys on the Ringer also think very highly of him, and a lot of people think he will be a solid bench guy one day. I've never seen so much love for a 2nd round pick who really hasn't even played...

This draft truly is fantastic, and that 2nd round looks deep. This author makes it seem like we are 100% trading back or out of the first round, but I hope we don't. Someone is going to fall to that pick, and there are going to be a bunch of solid starter level players taken in the 20-40 range.

I would love Clayton on this team, even if we already have the best guard rotation in the NBA. He's another instant offense guy, and another dude that has shown to have a fighting spirit and winning mindset.

Coward would also be a dream pick, as outside of injury concerns the dude can just flat out play. NBA body, fantastic shooter, and looks ready to contribute day one.

Celtic's need to find a rotation player with one of these picks for sure, and there are going to be so many upperclassman that get overlooked this draft. Celtics need to ID them and get their guy. Someone is getting a Jimmy Butler/Dray this draft in my opinion and we are in the perfect spot for this type of draft to find them

[playa-hater]

Noceilings mock dropped today.
#28 - Walter Clayton
#32 - Cedric Coward

wow, on Coward jumping up to high 30's on no public news. wonder if that is based on intel?
https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/2025-nba-mock-draft-v6

I like Clayton. But If Boston grabs two more smaller players, it will make me go crazy. I want more positional size and length. still hoping a BIG 4 or 5 man or at the very least a much taller Wing type. Still love versatility and switch-ability.

Though Clayton may be too good to pass up.