2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 5

[WuTang_CMB]

French guard Nolan Traore, a projected top-20 pick, will enter the 2025 NBA draft, he told ESPN Thursday.

"I'm excited to take the next step in my career and declare for the NBA Draft," Traore told ESPN. "I still have many goals with my team, to finish the regular season strong, make the playoffs and then have a great draft process. I want to be drafted to the best situation with a pathway to earn playing time right away. I'm ready for that challenge."

Traore, ESPN's No. 18-ranked draft prospect, plays for Saint-Quentin in France, which competes in both the domestic Pro A league and the intercontinental Basketball Champions League. The 6-foot-4 point guard averages 11.5 points and 4.9 assists in 23 minutes per game through 35 games.

"It has been a challenging year in France that has made me a much better and tougher player," Traore said. "The NBA is not going to be easy, and I think that this season will help me a lot I that regard."

Traore made a name for himself at last year's Nike Hoop Summit, posting 18 points and four assists in an impressive showing against projected top five picks Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey, and Dylan Harper. He broke the ANGT Finals scoring record at the Euroleague Final Four with an exhilarating 45-point outing in an overtime win over European powerhouse Barcelona.

The 18-year-old's season in France has been uneven, as he's struggled with scoring efficiency, turnovers, and the overall physicality of the first division, playing an outsized role ranking No. 2 in the league with a 29% usage rate. No teenager in French history, outside Victor Wembanyama in 2023, has ever carried such a heavy offensive load as Traore.

Nevertheless, his talent has been fully displayed every time he steps on the court. His ability to get to spots on the floor with outstanding ball-handling, playmaking creativity, and difficult shot-making prowess gives him a high ceiling to grow into long-term.

With the college basketball season over, NBA teams will now focus en masse on international prospects like Traore. He is in the final games of his team's regular season, attempting to secure a playoff berth, starting mid-May.

The NBA draft combine will be held May 11-18 in Chicago, and the draft will be June 25-26 in New York.

[WuTang_CMB]

https://youtu.be/dVkKe1CBBKg?t=880

[DG88]

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[Spates]

https://youtu.be/dVkKe1CBBKg?t=880

I have not been impressed with Queen's motor. It's a huge red flag if you ask me

[LoveMyRaps]

French guard Nolan Traore, a projected top-20 pick, will enter the 2025 NBA draft, he told ESPN Thursday.

"I'm excited to take the next step in my career and declare for the NBA Draft," Traore told ESPN. "I still have many goals with my team, to finish the regular season strong, make the playoffs and then have a great draft process. I want to be drafted to the best situation with a pathway to earn playing time right away. I'm ready for that challenge."

Traore, ESPN's No. 18-ranked draft prospect, plays for Saint-Quentin in France, which competes in both the domestic Pro A league and the intercontinental Basketball Champions League. The 6-foot-4 point guard averages 11.5 points and 4.9 assists in 23 minutes per game through 35 games.

"It has been a challenging year in France that has made me a much better and tougher player," Traore said. "The NBA is not going to be easy, and I think that this season will help me a lot I that regard."

Traore made a name for himself at last year's Nike Hoop Summit, posting 18 points and four assists in an impressive showing against projected top five picks Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey, and Dylan Harper. He broke the ANGT Finals scoring record at the Euroleague Final Four with an exhilarating 45-point outing in an overtime win over European powerhouse Barcelona.

The 18-year-old's season in France has been uneven, as he's struggled with scoring efficiency, turnovers, and the overall physicality of the first division, playing an outsized role ranking No. 2 in the league with a 29% usage rate. No teenager in French history, outside Victor Wembanyama in 2023, has ever carried such a heavy offensive load as Traore.

Nevertheless, his talent has been fully displayed every time he steps on the court. His ability to get to spots on the floor with outstanding ball-handling, playmaking creativity, and difficult shot-making prowess gives him a high ceiling to grow into long-term.

With the college basketball season over, NBA teams will now focus en masse on international prospects like Traore. He is in the final games of his team's regular season, attempting to secure a playoff berth, starting mid-May.

The NBA draft combine will be held May 11-18 in Chicago, and the draft will be June 25-26 in New York.

That's my guy.

Hope we buy the dip.

[Tripod]

https://youtu.be/dVkKe1CBBKg?t=880

I have not been impressed with Queen's motor. It's a huge red flag if you ask me

Didn't Ware have the same red flag last draft?

If you draft Queen it's because you believe you can get him more focused on fitness, defense, and not taking plays off.

[Rodrickle]

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

That's ridiculous if you think Chomche would have started in arguable the best team in college basketball. Maliq would have. He wouldn't be able to finish hardly any of those lobs that Maluach can. His offensive game is terrible at the moment although not saying he can't improve. Maluach is not an offensive savant by any means but he has his size/catch radius and can finish at an absurd rate at the rim with a 9'8 standing reach. Khaman's foul rate is not even that bad. And bringing JT thor into this when he was alraedy an NBA player and over 4 years older is a terrible argument. Maluach was still just 17 at the Olympics.

[ciueli]

It's interesting looking at Masai's historical draft picks.

https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/nba/news/masai-ujiri-complete-nba-draft-trade-history-raptors/ztucupkdc1iayfdvoszg7bwo

The take home thing here is that he doesn't use high draft picks on players without great size for their position, the highest pick he's used on a "small" player for their position was Malachi Flynn at 29, a barely first round pick. This is why I don't see him taking Queen or Fears because neither of them have great measurements for their position, Fears is 6'4" with a 6'3" wingspan, Queen is 6'10" with a 7'0" wingspan.

[DreamTeam09]

French guard Nolan Traore, a projected top-20 pick, will enter the 2025 NBA draft, he told ESPN Thursday.

"I'm excited to take the next step in my career and declare for the NBA Draft," Traore told ESPN. "I still have many goals with my team, to finish the regular season strong, make the playoffs and then have a great draft process. I want to be drafted to the best situation with a pathway to earn playing time right away. I'm ready for that challenge."

Traore, ESPN's No. 18-ranked draft prospect, plays for Saint-Quentin in France, which competes in both the domestic Pro A league and the intercontinental Basketball Champions League. The 6-foot-4 point guard averages 11.5 points and 4.9 assists in 23 minutes per game through 35 games.

"It has been a challenging year in France that has made me a much better and tougher player," Traore said. "The NBA is not going to be easy, and I think that this season will help me a lot I that regard."

Traore made a name for himself at last year's Nike Hoop Summit, posting 18 points and four assists in an impressive showing against projected top five picks Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey, and Dylan Harper. He broke the ANGT Finals scoring record at the Euroleague Final Four with an exhilarating 45-point outing in an overtime win over European powerhouse Barcelona.

The 18-year-old's season in France has been uneven, as he's struggled with scoring efficiency, turnovers, and the overall physicality of the first division, playing an outsized role ranking No. 2 in the league with a 29% usage rate. No teenager in French history, outside Victor Wembanyama in 2023, has ever carried such a heavy offensive load as Traore.

Nevertheless, his talent has been fully displayed every time he steps on the court. His ability to get to spots on the floor with outstanding ball-handling, playmaking creativity, and difficult shot-making prowess gives him a high ceiling to grow into long-term.

With the college basketball season over, NBA teams will now focus en masse on international prospects like Traore. He is in the final games of his team's regular season, attempting to secure a playoff berth, starting mid-May.

The NBA draft combine will be held May 11-18 in Chicago, and the draft will be June 25-26 in New York.

That's my guy.

Hope we buy the dip.

Nolan over Fears that's for sure

[Indeed]

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.

No way Barnes is a better defender than Anunoby, and I dont think they are in the same tier.

[Dalek]

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There is just something off with this kid. He is playing on a weak team buried France and not producing from any side of the floor. I think Givony uses the term "up and down year" but he has only really showed his passing ability and no improvement shooting whatsoever. If he was a college player he would be returning, but some NBA will end up drafting him based on scoring 45 at ANGT last year.

[Indeed]

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

That's ridiculous if you think Chomche would have started in arguable the best team in college basketball. Maliq would have. He wouldn't be able to finish hardly any of those lobs that Maluach can. His offensive game is terrible at the moment although not saying he can't improve. Maluach is not an offensive savant by any means but he has his size/catch radius and can finish at an absurd rate at the rim with a 9'8 standing reach. Khaman's foul rate is not even that bad. And bringing JT thor into this when he was alraedy an NBA player and over 4 years older is a terrible argument. Maluach was still just 17 at the Olympics.

Or you are being rediculous where most drafting site suggested that Maluach is a project, he is raw. Just because he starts, it doesnt mean most freshman bigs in collage arent raw.

[billy_hoyle]

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There is just something off with this kid. He is playing on a weak team buried France and not producing from any side of the floor. I think Givony uses the term "up and down year" but he has only really showed his passing ability and no improvement shooting whatsoever. If he was a college player he would be returning, but some NBA will end up drafting him based on scoring 45 at ANGT last year.

Have you compared Fears' and Traores' stats? Fears played like ~30% more minutes. Fears didn't shoot well either

One is playing against men, the other college kids.

I think there's a decent chance Nolan is the best pure PG in this class. If we move up to the #3 or #4 pick. I'd seriously consider the trade down for the Spurs or OKC's two picks if we could get Maluach and Traore.

[mademan]

Traore is awesome, and, besides Harper, probably the most difficult guard to keep out of the paint in this draft. A great combination of ball handling, athleticism, length and size...i have no doubt Masai is intrigued by him. But the guy really cant shoot, and he's been playing ball his whole life and has had professional training. Thats gotta be worrisome

But if you think you can fix his shot, he's a top 5 prospect, imo.

[RapsFanInOhio]

I’ve said this for a few months and nothing has really changed my opinion on it - Maluach is almost assuredly the pick if we pick outside the top 4 and he’s on the board. I think Queen is probably the next choice or maybe Knueppel but if Maluach is there when we’re on the clock, he’s the guy. The positional and roster fit, upside, and the African connection just make it a no brainer. If you pick any other position, the guy is probably buried on the bench or in the G League, but with Poeltl established and no clear backup, you could develop him on the fly but also play him backup spot minutes like what we were going to do with Koloko a few years back. It just makes too much sense, even if it isn’t the most exciting outcome.

It’s a bit more interesting to me if we jump into the top 3. We would probably take Harper or Bailey over Maluach given the BPA approach but I think they’d seriously consider taking Maluach over anyone non-Flagg.

Obviously Flagg would be a wayyyy more interesting and exciting scenario and would be truly franchise altering type of thing.

[mademan]

I’ve said this for a few months and nothing has really changed my opinion on it - Maluach is almost assuredly the pick if we pick outside the top 4 and he’s on the board. I think Queen is probably the next choice or maybe Knueppel but if Maluach is there when we’re on the clock, he’s the guy. The positional and roster fit, upside, and the African connection just make it a no brainer. If you pick any other position, the guy is probably buried on the bench or in the G League, but with Poeltl established and no clear backup, you could develop him on the fly but also play him backup spot minutes like what we were going to do with Koloko a few years back. It just makes too much sense, even if it isn’t the most exciting outcome.

It’s a bit more interesting to me if we jump into the top 3. We would probably take Harper or Bailey over Maluach given the BPA approach but I think they’d seriously consider taking Maluach over anyone non-Flagg.

Obviously Flagg would be a wayyyy more interesting and exciting scenario and would be truly franchise altering type of thing.

A few here disagree, but Malauch is just not ready for NBA minutes. We may or may not draft him, but i cant believe we would draft him with the belief that he'd be giving us minutes, as we'll be trying to make the playoffs next year. More likely we spend the midlevel/part of the midlevel on a backup (Kornet, Adams?) and make Malauch the third stringer.

[Grew]

It would actually be too funny and too Raptors for us to jump to 4, everyone get soooo excited about edgecomb or bailey and then Masai just drafts Maluach. Scottie over Suggs moment again.

[Dalek]

That's my guy.

Hope we buy the dip.

Nolan over Fears that's for sure

Really? What do you see in Traore? He is an okay athlete, but is a slight build for a PG and is not capable of any shooting. At least with Fears we know he can attack the hoop and put a lot of pressure on defenses. He's at least a John Wall type guard, but I am not sure what Nolan does at a high level. Maybe I am still feeling the effects of Killian Hayes flop.

[ciueli]

I’ve said this for a few months and nothing has really changed my opinion on it - Maluach is almost assuredly the pick if we pick outside the top 4 and he’s on the board. I think Queen is probably the next choice or maybe Knueppel but if Maluach is there when we’re on the clock, he’s the guy. The positional and roster fit, upside, and the African connection just make it a no brainer. If you pick any other position, the guy is probably buried on the bench or in the G League, but with Poeltl established and no clear backup, you could develop him on the fly but also play him backup spot minutes like what we were going to do with Koloko a few years back. It just makes too much sense, even if it isn’t the most exciting outcome.

It’s a bit more interesting to me if we jump into the top 3. We would probably take Harper or Bailey over Maluach given the BPA approach but I think they’d seriously consider taking Maluach over anyone non-Flagg.

Obviously Flagg would be a wayyyy more interesting and exciting scenario and would be truly franchise altering type of thing.

A few here disagree, but Malauch is just not ready for NBA minutes. We may or may not draft him, but i cant believe we would draft him with the belief that he'd be giving us minutes, as we'll be trying to make the playoffs next year. More likely we spend the midlevel/part of the midlevel on a backup (Kornet, Adams?) and make Malauch the third stringer.

Masai traded down from 20 to the second round to take Christian Koloko and Nurse gave him 19 starts in the first half of 2022-23. Taking Maluach at 7-9 and playing him 10-15 minutes off the bench in year 1 is nowhere remotely close to how insane that was. For reference, when Koloko was Maluach's age he was posting 46.7% True Shooting, Maluach put up 73.6% True Shooting this season.

[mademan]

I’ve said this for a few months and nothing has really changed my opinion on it - Maluach is almost assuredly the pick if we pick outside the top 4 and he’s on the board. I think Queen is probably the next choice or maybe Knueppel but if Maluach is there when we’re on the clock, he’s the guy. The positional and roster fit, upside, and the African connection just make it a no brainer. If you pick any other position, the guy is probably buried on the bench or in the G League, but with Poeltl established and no clear backup, you could develop him on the fly but also play him backup spot minutes like what we were going to do with Koloko a few years back. It just makes too much sense, even if it isn’t the most exciting outcome.

It’s a bit more interesting to me if we jump into the top 3. We would probably take Harper or Bailey over Maluach given the BPA approach but I think they’d seriously consider taking Maluach over anyone non-Flagg.

Obviously Flagg would be a wayyyy more interesting and exciting scenario and would be truly franchise altering type of thing.

A few here disagree, but Malauch is just not ready for NBA minutes. We may or may not draft him, but i cant believe we would draft him with the belief that he'd be giving us minutes, as we'll be trying to make the playoffs next year. More likely we spend the midlevel/part of the midlevel on a backup (Kornet, Adams?) and make Malauch the third stringer.

Masai traded down from 20 to the second round to take Christian Koloko and Nurse gave him 19 starts in the first half of 2022-23. Taking Maluach at 7-9 and playing him 10-15 minutes off the bench in year 1 is nowhere remotely close to how insane that was. For reference, when Koloko was Maluach's age he was posting 46.7% True Shooting, Maluach put up 73.6% True Shooting this season.

Yes. And that was a failure. Why would you repeat it? You paid max money for Ingram, max money for Barnes, big money to Quick, have been out of the playoffs for about half a decade now (play in not included). There exist real C's to get in free agency and we have really nothing else to use our midlevel on as our wings/guards are positions of depth. Malauch has no reason to give us minutes when we can get someone like Luke Kornet for cheap