2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 5

[Psubs]

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Carter Bryant

An assistant coach told HoopsHype on Bryant: “This kid came out of nowhere this season – total surprise package. Mostly coming off the bench but he’s been absolutely lights out as a floor spacer, knocking down threes at a crazy clip. What I love is that Tommy Lloyd trusts him defensively too. At 6-foot-8 with that wingspan, he’s got perfect modern wing size – can guard multiple positions and stretch the floor. Sneaky good find.”

This is the kind of comment that is wild to me, for the record Bryant shot 37% from 3 in his freshman season on a tiny sample size of 105 total attempts in 37 games but that is somehow "knocking down threes at a crazy clip". If he had missed even 3 of the 39 3s he made in 37 games he would have been shooting 34.3%, below NBA league average 3 point percentage. Literally the difference between average shooter and "knocking down threes at a crazy clip" is 2-3 made 3 pointers in a season.

Everyone should remember Anthony Bennett, first pick in the 2013 draft who the Cavs took because he shot 37.5% in one season at UNLV on 96 attempts, got to the NBA and shot a career 26.1%. It's really small sample sizes when you look at these one and done players.

Ya, it's a little much. I take away from it that he could hit with inconsistent playing time. Really though he seems like a ball hawk like Ochai/Davion Mitchell at the POA but with Scottie size. At 6'8, 225 lbs, I think he can guard 1-4.

Give Carter Bryant 1 more year like Collin Murray-Boyles and wouldn't Bryant be more versatile with better shooting?

Oh wait Bryant is already 19 like old freshman Queen.

[Indeed]

All this DPOY talk about Mobley makes me want CMB more as the pick. His defense is unreal, very Kawhi like.

I don't know how it all works with Scottie and Mogbo but it would be hard to score on Toronto with Scottie and CMB.

I see a little Jimmy Butler in CMB with his face up game, middy, and foul drawing. He is similarly strong too.

It is unlikely CMB will be in the DPOY conversation, he is not 7' with 7'4 wingspan or greater who can play C and block shots.
There is no way CMB will be Jimmy Bulter with lack of guard level explosiveness. He is more into bully ball for drawing foul, not someone who has the quickness and craft/ball handling skill.

[PhilBlackson]

All this DPOY talk about Mobley makes me want CMB more as the pick. His defense is unreal, very Kawhi like.

I don't know how it all works with Scottie and Mogbo but it would be hard to score on Toronto with Scottie and CMB.

I see a little Jimmy Butler in CMB with his face up game, middy, and foul drawing. He is similarly strong too.

It is unlikely CMB will be in the DPOY conversation, he is not 7' with 7'4 wingspan or greater who can play C and block shots.
There is no way CMB will be Jimmy Bulter with lack of guard level explosiveness. He is more into bully ball for drawing foul, not someone who has the quickness and craft/ball handling skill.

CMB’s offence reminds so much of Randle/Draymond can get down hill, pass and play some bully ball, far more of a PF style of game than Jimmy who plays far more like SF.

[Indeed]

All this DPOY talk about Mobley makes me want CMB more as the pick. His defense is unreal, very Kawhi like.

I don't know how it all works with Scottie and Mogbo but it would be hard to score on Toronto with Scottie and CMB.

I see a little Jimmy Butler in CMB with his face up game, middy, and foul drawing. He is similarly strong too.

It is unlikely CMB will be in the DPOY conversation, he is not 7' with 7'4 wingspan or greater who can play C and block shots.
There is no way CMB will be Jimmy Bulter with lack of guard level explosiveness. He is more into bully ball for drawing foul, not someone who has the quickness and craft/ball handling skill.

CMB’s offence reminds so much of Randle/Draymond can get down hill, pass and play some bully ball, far more of a PF style of game than Jimmy who plays far more like SF.

PJ Washington

[Bruin]

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[Tha Cynic]

https://hoopshype.com/lists/aggregate-2025-nba-mock-draft-5-0-top-5-solidifies-walter-clayton-jr-rises/

CMB

Scout’s Notes:

An Eastern Conference scout told HoopsHype on Murray-Boyles: “I don’t like his game at all. The fact that people even think he’s going to be a lottery pick is crazy. He can’t even play the three – he moves slowly. And sure, he’s a great defender, but honestly, Grant Williams had more offensive talent coming out of college than this guy.”

KM

Scout’s Notes:

A scout told HoopsHype: “Maluach is raw but huge and super athletic. Hands aren’t great, though. One guy I know called him a lankier DeAndre Jordan. But maybe Rudy Gobert’s hands? Yeah, and not the same instincts as Gobert. DJ was also underrated in terms of feel. And Maluach isn’t some elite rim protector. I see the appeal, but he has a ways to go. Starting center? Probably. Star? I’m not sold.”

Queen

Scout’s Notes:

A coach told HoopsHype on Queen: “I don’t think that Derik Queen is the best big in the draft. That’s basically the argument, he is also going to be 21 during his rookie season. He’s a grown man out there. Yeah, he’s the safe pick –polished, strong in the post, but doesn’t have a ton of upside.”

Edge

Scout’s Notes:

A pro scout told HoospHype on Edgecombe: “VJ’s measurements worry me, though. 6-foot-3.5 barefoot, 6-foot-6 wingspan – undersized for a combo guard. Reminds me of Malik Monk but with better defense. Yeah, he’s left-hand dominant, not a pure playmaker. But that first step… explosive as hell. If he develops a reliable jumper, he’s a problem.”

Harper

Scout’s Notes:

A pro scout told HoospHype: “Gives me lefty Cade Cunningham vibes –plays at his own pace, lulling defenders to sleep before turning it on. Might have the highest creation ceiling in this class, even over Flagg. Not a freak athlete but so crafty finishing through contact. That jumper’s the big question – if it comes around, we’re talking All-NBA potential.”

Fleming

Scout’s Notes:

An Eastern Conference scout told HoopsHype on Fleming: “That’s my guy, I love his game. Just perfect for what we need. A 6-foot-9 forward that’ll stretch the floor and be able to guard in space as a day one role player is a steal for any team. I just don’t think he will fall to us, he’s on a lot of people’s boards.”

Noa Ess

Scout’s Notes:

An international scout told HoopsHype on Essengue: “Insane physical tools – 7-foot-pliswingspan and explosive off two feet. Raw offensively and everything defensively. His hands have improved and he’s starting to show touch around the rim. A year away from being a year year away, but the ceiling is a uber athletic tweener combo foward.”

Nolan T

Scout’s Notes:

An international scout told HoopsHype on Traore: “French guard with an NBA-ready playmaking and potential to be a floor-spacer. Shooting is behind the ballhandling, playmaking and fluid athleticism is what intrigues people. If he develops even an average three, he’s a rotation player at least. I find him less intriguing than Killian Hayes was.”

Carter Bryant

An assistant coach told HoopsHype on Bryant: “This kid came out of nowhere this season – total surprise package. Mostly coming off the bench but he’s been absolutely lights out as a floor spacer, knocking down threes at a crazy clip. What I love is that Tommy Lloyd trusts him defensively too. At 6-foot-8 with that wingspan, he’s got perfect modern wing size – can guard multiple positions and stretch the floor. Sneaky good find.”

This goes back to how I feel about this draft. The guys in the top 10 outside of the top pick or two have major flaws that can break them including size. Then there are guys in the mid lottery range who looks like they could be elite role players and someone in that 10-15 range is going to surprise people

I would love a Mid lottery pick.

Also France is going to pass Canada as the nation with the players in the NBA outside of the US. What’s with the sudden influx? Tony Parker influence?

[mademan]

You cant convince me that Malauch>Beringer. Beringer has real NBA level functional athleticism, is a top tier shotblocker, has good hands and reads the game surprisingly well for an 18 year old.

I didnt know if he was gonna declare, but now that he did, i do hope we find a pick in the teens. I'd give up a swap for OKC's Heat pick to grab him

[WuTang_OG]

You cant convince me that Malauch>Beringer. Beringer has real NBA level functional athleticism, is a top tier shotblocker, has good hands and reads the game surprisingly well for an 18 year old.

I didnt know if he was gonna declare, but now that he did, i do hope we find a pick in the teens. I'd give up a swap for OKC's Heat pick to grab him

Height: 6-11 | Age: 18.4 | TS%: 60.8% | PR: 17

Beringer is in the final games of his regular season in the Adriatic League with Cedevita, with some important games scheduled before the playoffs start in mid-May. The Slovenian league playoffs will also be conducted between May 7 and June 3, creating a busy calendar for someone who has already played 51 games and counting.

Beringer has been more impactful for Cedevita than his raw numbers would suggest. He leads the Adriatic League in block percentage by a wide margin and has the best on/off numbers of any of his team's big men.

His tremendous physical tools, combined with his ability to cover ground on the perimeter, switch onto smaller players and protect the rim, give him significant upside, especially since he has been playing basketball for only three years. -- Givony

[WuTang_OG]

https://hoopshype.com/lists/aggregate-2025-nba-mock-draft-5-0-top-5-solidifies-walter-clayton-jr-rises/

CMB

Scout’s Notes:

An Eastern Conference scout told HoopsHype on Murray-Boyles: “I don’t like his game at all. The fact that people even think he’s going to be a lottery pick is crazy. He can’t even play the three – he moves slowly. And sure, he’s a great defender, but honestly, Grant Williams had more offensive talent coming out of college than this guy.”

KM

Scout’s Notes:

A scout told HoopsHype: “Maluach is raw but huge and super athletic. Hands aren’t great, though. One guy I know called him a lankier DeAndre Jordan. But maybe Rudy Gobert’s hands? Yeah, and not the same instincts as Gobert. DJ was also underrated in terms of feel. And Maluach isn’t some elite rim protector. I see the appeal, but he has a ways to go. Starting center? Probably. Star? I’m not sold.”

Queen

Scout’s Notes:

A coach told HoopsHype on Queen: “I don’t think that Derik Queen is the best big in the draft. That’s basically the argument, he is also going to be 21 during his rookie season. He’s a grown man out there. Yeah, he’s the safe pick –polished, strong in the post, but doesn’t have a ton of upside.”

Edge

Scout’s Notes:

A pro scout told HoospHype on Edgecombe: “VJ’s measurements worry me, though. 6-foot-3.5 barefoot, 6-foot-6 wingspan – undersized for a combo guard. Reminds me of Malik Monk but with better defense. Yeah, he’s left-hand dominant, not a pure playmaker. But that first step… explosive as hell. If he develops a reliable jumper, he’s a problem.”

Harper

Scout’s Notes:

A pro scout told HoospHype: “Gives me lefty Cade Cunningham vibes –plays at his own pace, lulling defenders to sleep before turning it on. Might have the highest creation ceiling in this class, even over Flagg. Not a freak athlete but so crafty finishing through contact. That jumper’s the big question – if it comes around, we’re talking All-NBA potential.”

Fleming

Scout’s Notes:

An Eastern Conference scout told HoopsHype on Fleming: “That’s my guy, I love his game. Just perfect for what we need. A 6-foot-9 forward that’ll stretch the floor and be able to guard in space as a day one role player is a steal for any team. I just don’t think he will fall to us, he’s on a lot of people’s boards.”

Noa Ess

Scout’s Notes:

An international scout told HoopsHype on Essengue: “Insane physical tools – 7-foot-pliswingspan and explosive off two feet. Raw offensively and everything defensively. His hands have improved and he’s starting to show touch around the rim. A year away from being a year year away, but the ceiling is a uber athletic tweener combo foward.”

Nolan T

Scout’s Notes:

An international scout told HoopsHype on Traore: “French guard with an NBA-ready playmaking and potential to be a floor-spacer. Shooting is behind the ballhandling, playmaking and fluid athleticism is what intrigues people. If he develops even an average three, he’s a rotation player at least. I find him less intriguing than Killian Hayes was.”

Carter Bryant

An assistant coach told HoopsHype on Bryant: “This kid came out of nowhere this season – total surprise package. Mostly coming off the bench but he’s been absolutely lights out as a floor spacer, knocking down threes at a crazy clip. What I love is that Tommy Lloyd trusts him defensively too. At 6-foot-8 with that wingspan, he’s got perfect modern wing size – can guard multiple positions and stretch the floor. Sneaky good find.”

This goes back to how I feel about this draft. The guys in the top 10 outside of the top pick or two have major flaws that can break them including size. Then there are guys in the mid lottery range who looks like they could be elite role players and someone in that 10-15 range is going to surprise people

I would love a Mid lottery pick.

Also France is going to pass Canada as the nation with the players in the NBA outside of the US. What’s with the sudden influx? Tony Parker influence?

I know this wont be popular but I would support trading down in this draft and picking up Atlanta's 13 and 22 if we stay at 7

[ciueli]

You cant convince me that Malauch>Beringer. Beringer has real NBA level functional athleticism, is a top tier shotblocker, has good hands and reads the game surprisingly well for an 18 year old.

I didnt know if he was gonna declare, but now that he did, i do hope we find a pick in the teens. I'd give up a swap for OKC's Heat pick to grab him

He's 6'9.5" barefoot and weighs 230lbs. But somehow he's better than Maluach who is legit 7'+ and 250lbs with insane wingspan? I really am trying to understand all the Maluach hate people have on here.

[dohboy_24]

I know this wont be popular but I would support trading down in this draft and picking up Atlanta's 13 and 22 if we stay at 7

Yep and I would even be okay swapping picks with OKC (15, 24) or Orlando (16, 25) in exchange for the #7 pick.

At the end of the lottery (#13-#16) we can choose from among players like Asa Newell, Nolan Traore, Noa Essengue, Joan Beringer, Egor Demin, and Thomas Sorber.

At the end of the first round (#22, #24, #25) we can choose from among any of the above who drop as well as players like Carter Bryant, Will Riley, Ben Saraf, Nique Clifford, Alex Condon, Danny Wolf, Adou Thiero, Labaron Philon, Noah Penda, Hugo Gonzalez, and Miles Byrd.

Given the relative strength of this draft, we could walk away with any 2 of the following:
a tall, pass-first guard (Traore, Demin, Saraf, Philon)
a 3+D wing/forward (Bryant, Riley, Essengue, Clifford, Thiero, Penda, Gonzalez, Byrd)
a big man (Newell, Beringer, Sorber, Condon, Wolf)

[mademan]

You cant convince me that Malauch>Beringer. Beringer has real NBA level functional athleticism, is a top tier shotblocker, has good hands and reads the game surprisingly well for an 18 year old.

I didnt know if he was gonna declare, but now that he did, i do hope we find a pick in the teens. I'd give up a swap for OKC's Heat pick to grab him

He's 6'9.5" barefoot and weighs 230lbs. But somehow he's better than Maluach who is legit 7'+ and 250lbs with insane wingspan? I really am trying to understand all the Maluach hate people have on here.

Size isnt everything. He has real actual NBA athleticism and knows how to read a game. He's currently far more skilled and this is a skill league.

[ciueli]

You cant convince me that Malauch>Beringer. Beringer has real NBA level functional athleticism, is a top tier shotblocker, has good hands and reads the game surprisingly well for an 18 year old.

I didnt know if he was gonna declare, but now that he did, i do hope we find a pick in the teens. I'd give up a swap for OKC's Heat pick to grab him

He's 6'9.5" barefoot and weighs 230lbs. But somehow he's better than Maluach who is legit 7'+ and 250lbs with insane wingspan? I really am trying to understand all the Maluach hate people have on here.

Size isnt everything. He has real actual NBA athleticism and knows how to read a game. He's currently far more skilled and this is a skill league.

He has the size of an SF or maybe PF but the skills of a C, there's no way Masai would draft him over Maluach I don't even know why you're suggesting it when you know it won't happen.

[ciueli]

I know this wont be popular but I would support trading down in this draft and picking up Atlanta's 13 and 22 if we stay at 7

Yep and I would even be okay swapping picks with OKC (15, 24) or Orlando (16, 25) in exchange for the #7 pick.

At the end of the lottery (#13-#16) we can choose from among players like Asa Newell, Nolan Traore, Noa Essengue, Joan Beringer, Egor Demin, and Thomas Sorber.

At the end of the first round (#22, #24, #25) we can choose from among any of the above who drop as well as players like Carter Bryant, Will Riley, Ben Saraf, Nique Clifford, Alex Condon, Danny Wolf, Adou Thiero, Labaron Philon, Noah Penda, Hugo Gonzalez, and Miles Byrd.

Given the relative strength of this draft, we could walk away with any 2 of the following:
a tall, pass-first guard (Traore, Demin, Saraf, Philon)
a 3+D wing/forward (Bryant, Riley, Essengue, Clifford, Thiero, Penda, Gonzalez, Byrd)
a big man (Newell, Beringer, Sorber, Condon, Wolf)

We spent the entire year trying to move up by intentionally losing games and now people want LOWER picks? What is with this board. I see this every year with people here falling in love with some end of first round prospect, let me tell you about the year everyone here fell in love with Roko Ukić and wanted us to use our first round pick on him. His entire career was 85 games in the NBA after he stayed overseas for 3 years and he exited with a negative VORP and negative Win Shares. But one offseason everyone here was massively excited for us to draft him, let me tell you!

[mademan]

He's 6'9.5" barefoot and weighs 230lbs. But somehow he's better than Maluach who is legit 7'+ and 250lbs with insane wingspan? I really am trying to understand all the Maluach hate people have on here.

Size isnt everything. He has real actual NBA athleticism and knows how to read a game. He's currently far more skilled and this is a skill league.

He has the size of an SF or maybe PF but the skills of a C, there's no way Masai would draft him over Maluach I don't even know why you're suggesting it when you know it won't happen.

6'10 is normal C size, lol.

You are far too attached to this. Nobody knows who we're gonna draft

[ciueli]

Size isnt everything. He has real actual NBA athleticism and knows how to read a game. He's currently far more skilled and this is a skill league.

He has the size of an SF or maybe PF but the skills of a C, there's no way Masai would draft him over Maluach I don't even know why you're suggesting it when you know it won't happen.

6'10 is normal C size, lol.

You are far too attached to this. Nobody knows who we're gonna draft

6'10" 230lbs is absolutely not normal size for a starting C in the NBA. Someone here was claiming that Maluach was going to get pushed around at 7'2" and 250, what do you think will happen if we give minutes to a 6'10" 230 guy?

And I'm too attached to this? I'm just pushing back against seemingly everyone here who thinks Maluach is some high risk fringe draft pick who should be taken later than guys most mocks have as late first rounders. He's a consensus top 10 pick in this draft, he might not even be there if we drop to 8 or 9. I'm totally fine if we go in another direction, I'm just mentally preparing myself for Masai to draft the insane physicals guy from Africa like he pretty much always does.

[MainEvent]

I haven't watched Beringer yet but when reading his draft profile on different sites it's almost identical to Chomche. I've seen he's labeled as raw but they must think he's way less raw than Ulrich if he's in the 1st round

6'10", 7'3-7'4 wingspan
super young, raw, hasn't been playing bbal long
big time athletic tools, rebounds, defends and runs the court like a demon
signs of passing
offense way behind defense
sets hard screens

Chomche more shooting potential. Better passing? rawer?
Beringer more lateral quickness and versatility on defense

can someone who has watched a lot of him please enlighten me. ty ty

[mademan]

He has the size of an SF or maybe PF but the skills of a C, there's no way Masai would draft him over Maluach I don't even know why you're suggesting it when you know it won't happen.

6'10 is normal C size, lol.

You are far too attached to this. Nobody knows who we're gonna draft

6'10" 230lbs is absolutely not normal size for a starting C in the NBA. Someone here was claiming that Maluach was going to get pushed around at 7'2" and 250, what do you think will happen if we give minutes to a 6'10" 230 guy?

And I'm too attached to this? I'm just pushing back against seemingly everyone here who thinks Maluach is some high risk fringe draft pick who should be taken later than guys most mocks have as late first rounders. He's a consensus top 10 pick in this draft, he might not even be there if we drop to 8 or 9. I'm totally fine if we go in another direction, I'm just mentally preparing myself for Masai to draft the insane physicals guy from Africa like he pretty much always does.

6'10, 7'4 wingspan is more than fine for a C. SF size...lmfao

Again, youre too attached to this. Very few guys are consensus top 10, and Malauch isnt one of them (i'd say only like 4 guys in this draft are consensus top 10)

[mademan]

I haven't watched Beringer yet but when reading his draft profile on different sites it's almost identical to Chomche. I've seen he's labeled as raw but they must think he's way less raw than Ulrich if he's in the 1st round

6'10", 7'3-7'4 wingspan
super young, raw, hasn't been playing bbal long
big time athletic tools, rebounds, defends and runs the court like a demon
signs of passing
offense way behind defense
sets hard screens

Chomche more shooting potential. Better passing? rawer?
Beringer more lateral quickness and versatility on defense

can someone who has watched a lot of him please enlighten me. ty ty

He actually knows how to play basketball. He reads the game decently well for an 18 year old, has good hands and strong defensive fundamentals. He's not nearly as raw as Chomche

[Dalek]

I trust the Draft Junkies guys mainly because Raphael Barlowe really digs deep into prospects and scouts them a fair bit. They talked quite a bit about Derik Queen going with the Alperin Sengun comp and running with how he does work well in the modern NBA. I have been watching the Rockets and he isn't being played off the court and is playing the most mins for the Rockets.

More importantly, James talks about the best fit for Derik Queen and that is having a switchable long team around him that can somewhat offset his less than perfect rim protection. HIs perfect team is Toronto!

Watch on YouTube

I don't know if I am definitely onto Queen, as I want to understand who he is as a person/worked, but they made the talent case well and they went easily into drafting him at mid-lotto without question.