2025 Blazer Draft Prospects

[dckingsfan]

Note: DBPM, WS48 and DRTG are all constructed to favor Cs. I can give you anecdotal links to this if you would like. But... figure you can just peruse basketball-reference to see what I am talking about. Notwithstanding this comment, I really liked how Clingan played as a rookie. One thing to mention is that bigs and PGs generally take longer to develop and Clingan is only 20. Also, we should note one of his weaknesses. His FT% is an abysmal .596 - he will need to fix that if he is going to stay on the court in the playoffs (it is also why his TS% is low for a C). So, no he wasn't the most impactful player on the team on either side of the court - I don't think that is arguable. Now, if you want to say he has the highest ceiling of any of the Blazers - okay.

I agree on those advanced metrics favoring bigs. And I dont think he was the most impactful player this year. But end of the day all metrics show the team as a whole was better with him on the floor than off - and thats huge for a rookie.

I also agree on the FT shooting. His form looks good, I am hoping its a issue w/ conditioning (IE tired legs more or less - an issue with alot of bigs that dont have great conditioning).

This. And that can't be understated - at 20!

And I see some things that will improve next year regardless on the defensive end. He lost in the rotations early in the season and progressed in what seemed like game over game. He is going to develop into his body and be able to challenge bigger Cs. If he gets stronger but not too much heavier he can be even better on switches and handling pick 'n rolls. That alone is a pretty good defensive player. And he emphasized this in his exit interview - good for him!

In his exit interview he also emphasized that he would work on his low-post moves and 3-point shot. Guessing there will be a lot of shooting drills at the FT line and 3-point lines respectively. He only needs to take his FT% up to .700 to be really impactful in the low-post - he had .583 FT% in his last year in college - that worries me a bit.

[Walton1one]

ESPN dropped a new Big Board yesterday:

https://archive.is/20250424191637/https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/41662748/2025-nba-draft-big-board-rankings-top-100-prospects-players

1-2-3
Flagg - Harper - Bailey
Flex is b\t 3/4 Bailey\Edgecombe

Where Bailey gets picked will come down in large part to how the lottery shapes up, as he is a little more polarizing than some of the other prospects currently slated for the top of this draft class...Regardless, teams will have to think twice about passing up a big, explosive wing in his mold who offers All-Star potential with exceptional shot-making prowess and overall scoring instincts.

4-5-6
Edgecombe - Fears - Johnson
Fears consistently moving up on draft boards, this would seem to be his ceiling

Fears moves up two spots on our board from our last check-in as he has created significant buzz in NBA circles, based on conversations we've had with scouts and executives at recent events such as the Nike Hoop Summit, NCAA Final Four and Portsmouth Invitational...NBA teams say Fears' star power will be hard to pass up in the middle portion of the lottery, even for teams that have established point guard options in place. His combination of size, speed, pace, shot creation, shotmaking and scoring instincts make him one of the draft's most talented prospects.

Edgecombe

NBA teams will want to get a better feel for what position he best projects to play in the long term, and just how good a shot creator and shotmaker he can become. Nonetheless, scouts are bullish on what they saw during both his season at Baylor and with the Bahamas senior national team in the FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament in Spain last summer.

Johnson moved the needle quite a bit for NBA front offices this season, coupling high-level shotmaking ability with solid positional tools and a strong competitive nature...How he handles the interview and workout circuit will be an important factor in determining whether he can move into the top five.

7-8-9
Jakucionis - Maluach - Knueppel

Although Jakucionis' individual play tailed off a bit as the season went on, NBA teams remain quite interested in everything he brings to the table as one of the more polished playmakers in the class... it's not easy to find young lead guards with his mix of size, feel, vision and toughness -- traits that have kept him in the lottery mix.

His ability to anchor a defense with his 7-foot-6 wingspan and provide vertical spacing as a roller and cutter while sprinting the floor aggressively in transition will be attractive to any team looking for a center to build around long-term...one of the draft's youngest prospects, turning 19 in September, and has considerable room for growth both physically and skill-wise. He plays with tremendous intensity and is beloved by coaches and teammates alike thanks to the unique off-court intangibles he offers, which leaves room for optimism regarding his ability to reach his potential.

Teams will be intrigued to see how Knueppel measures physically at the draft combine, with concerns about his projection stemming largely from his average athletic profile on the wing...lacks ideal agility and length by NBA standards. He'll also have an opportunity to showcase the breadth of his offensive skills and long-term upside as a scorer in workouts, something that wasn't always obvious at Duke because of his role within the offense.

10-11-12
Queen - Murray Boyles - Demin

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.

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

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.

13-14-15
Richardson - Essengue - McNeeley

There is a range of opinions on Richardson around the league -- not everyone views him as a strong lottery candidate -- but his heady, efficient backcourt play has earned him looks early in the draft...Teams will want to get a better feel for his creation skills and ability to play on the ball in upcoming workouts, to assess whether he projects as a starter or as more of a utility combo guard in the long run.

Essengue creates matchup problems every time he steps on the floor, showing impressive speed, covering ground fluidly, getting off the floor quickly for dunks and offensive rebounds, and often being tasked with guarding point guards thanks to his quick feet and outstanding length. He draws fouls prolifically, finishes effectively around the rim despite his slight frame, and shows a good feel for cutting, leaking out in transition and finding teammates with intelligent passes.

McNeeley enters the predraft process needing to solidify his perimeter shooting in workouts...NBA teams appreciate McNeeley's feel and toughness, but without exceptional physical tools for a wing, making shots at a high level (something he often did in high school) is imperative to him carving out a solid role at the next level. This is something he'll have an opportunity to address as he looks to firm up his candidacy in the late lottery, with some teams viewing him as more of a late-first-round option.

16-17-18
Riley - Beringer - Traore

Riley is viewed by NBA teams as a significant long-term talent. He is a versatile scorer with outstanding shot-making prowess from all over the floor who shows impressive flashes of ability creating shots for himself and others. He also has polished scoring instincts and creativity as a passer, which is highly intriguing at his age.

Beringer

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.

The 18-year-old has been up and down all season, struggling with turnovers, inconsistent defense, streaky shooting, and finishing prowess, but also shows flashes of brilliance with his ballhandling, passing and all-around creativity...Few players in this class can manipulate ball-screens and make pick-and-roll reads like Traore can at his size, and the fact that he makes 3s at solid volume and has made strides defensively leaves room for optimism regarding how he'll continue to evolve.

19-20-21
Wolf - Bryant - Newell

Wolf established himself as one of the most unique players in the college game this season, shouldering significant playmaking responsibilities for his size, sliding between the point guard, power forward and center positions...Wolf's skill level, creativity and versatility stood out to NBA scouts all season -- raising his standing considerably as a pro prospect...Private workouts will now help determine just how high he ends up being drafted, but he has quite a few fans both among analytics-oriented evaluators, as well as traditional eye-test scouts who appreciate his intriguing skill set.

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...he has plenty of fans in front offices and could work his way closer to the lottery with a strong predraft process.

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.

22-23-24
Gonzalez - Saraf - Sorber

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.

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.

At this stage, it appears unlikely Sorber will participate in on-court workouts during the process as he recovers from a foot injury...At this stage, it appears unlikely Sorber will participate in on-court workouts during the process as he recovers from a foot injury...it could feasibly take some type of first-round assurance to keep him in the draft.

25-26-27
Clifford - Thiero - Lendeborg

Clifford appears well-positioned going into the predraft process and should be a popular workout target for NBA teams in need of plug-and-play depth...stands to benefit from what could be a thin mix of late-first and early-second-round candidates, with teams bracing for a wave of players in that range potentially opting to return to college for potentially major NIL earnings...Clifford should be able to contribute defensively, knock down open shots, and scale down into a useful role on his rookie contract, and the dearth of reliable two-way wings in this class adds to his appeal.

28-29-30
Clayton Jr - Condon - Fleming

Other notables:
Drake Powell @ #32 - He could likely end up in the 1st round
Noah Penda @ #33- Worked out for POR LY
Tahaad Pettiford @ #39 - Another guy to monitor, if he stays, likely goes in 1st by way of a promise
Miles Byrd @ #51 - I'd be surprised if he does not return to school
Tyrese Proctor @ #53 - Does he stay in draft? Probably not going in R1, could get more from NIL, but also probably not going to improve his stock much.
Boogie Fland @ #53 - I'd be surprised if he stays (w\o a promise)

[Walton1one]

How ESPN rankings match POR condensed list I posted earlier

Jakucionis @ #7 - Last ESPN mock had him going to POR (as did No Ceilings), if he is there POR should take him IMO, does he fit POR profile though? Plus, unless Simons is gone, does not make a ton of sense.

Knueppel @ #9 - Surprisingly he will likely not be there @ #10, but if he is, would seem to be a strong consideration? Just the shooting alone would be a major plus for POR, and he does have other positive aspects of his game.

Murray-Boyles @ #11 - Likeliest pick given analytics, what POR needs, what they like? I would not like this pick

Essengue @ 14 - Out of the players I listed, he is the biggest swing pick

Bryant @ 20 - Definitely a swing pick, but not as much variance as Essengue IMO

Newell @ 21 - Also a swing pick, but also has probably the highest floor out of the forward group?

Clifford @ 25 - Tough time believing he is this low, and if age\upside does not matter as much anymore for POR, would seem to fit all the things POR is looking for?

Fleming @ 30 - Surprised he is this low, age, athletic\offensive shortcomings may be too much to overcome? I mean, when comparing him to Essengue\Newell, how do you pick him over them? His best case might match their worst case?

Players not on my initial breakdown, but could fit POR needs?

Queen @ #10 - Different 4/5, probably should include him, probably does not reach #10. Thing is, his NBA position\strengths\weaknesses do not seem to fit with what POR would need?

Demin @ #12 - He does not fit under Cronin's statement about not feeling pressure to reach for high upside players, he is the "if he hits, could be great, may take time" player in this draft

McNeeley @ #15 - The shooting is there, POR has taken swings before on players like him (Babbit, Layman) that was under different GM\scouting philosophy

Riley @ #16 - I almost included him on initial breakdown. The caveat? He is a long term play or as Cronin put it "pressure to swing and hit on that next up & coming guy". Riley feels like taking a swing

Wolf @ #19 - Offensively could make sense as ying to DC defensive yang. Does not help defensively though when POR needs a player to guard a smaller\quicker team

Sorber @ 24 - Given his injury, the fact he likely won't be working out and probably needs a promise to stay in, and that he is really more of a low post type player, I have a tough time seeing POR drafting him, though some mocks have him in lottery near POR pick

[DeBlazerRiddem]

Murray-Boyles @ #11 - Likeliest pick given analytics, what POR needs, what they like? I would not like this pick

Yeah, he would need a similar role to Deni but wouldn't provide the same shooting. I also am not sure if his bully ball style will translate very well but the ability to draw fouls could be nice if it does. There are worse picks here, I think he will be some kind of player, but this feels like an unnecessary swing for us.

Essengue @ 14 - Out of the players I listed, he is the biggest swing pick

Bryant @ 20 - Definitely a swing pick, but not as much variance as Essengue IMO

Newell @ 21 - Also a swing pick, but also has probably the highest floor out of the forward group?

These three are an interesting comparison who will go where. Bryant seems to have the most upside but all three kind of look like solid but forgettable forwards.

Clifford @ 25 - Tough time believing he is this low, and if age\upside does not matter as much anymore for POR, would seem to fit all the things POR is looking for?

Agreed, and he's kind of my baseline for the draft. I think if we don't pick him we have to come out with someone better. He scores like an NBA player and I could see him being the kind of dynamic scorer we need to replace Ant. Maybe there are better picks but he looks like the safest bet for sure and that's better than whiffing this if a better player is not there for us.

Demin @ #12 - He does not fit under Cronin's statement about not feeling pressure to reach for high upside players, he is the "if he hits, could be great, may take time" player in this draft

I want to like him but what really is his role. He isn't quick enough to really be a primary ball handler, he isn't a good enough scorer to give him a featured role. I think he could be a really solid connecting piece for the right team next to a big star type player but more likely he spends his time leading bench units.

Sorber @ 24 - Given his injury, the fact he likely won't be working out and probably needs a promise to stay in, and that he is really more of a low post type player, I have a tough time seeing POR drafting him, though some mocks have him in lottery near POR pick

Its a shame about the foot and we don't really need a long-shot defensive big but he really has some things to like. He is so mobile, active, long and takes up a ton of space and with good hands, just potentially a really disruptive defender. His FT isn't too bad and he has good touch so him improving his shooting is not totally impossible. He has low turnovers for a big and also has decent assist numbers, he gets a good block and steal rate with a low foul rate, little things but nice to see out of a freshman big. Obviously the shooting and injury are a huge problem for us but he does have some things going for him, wouldn't be too surprised to see him boost his stock with another year in college.

[GEE]

Khaman Maluach
7-2, 250 Center
Duke Freshman

I saw that he is slotted to go around 20th and we will obviously pick before that, but my gut says that one of the smart GMs from one of the smart teams in the league will snatch him before the lottery is over. I just think that we may have plenty of guards and wings (maybe one too many) and it's been since Plumlee that we've had a Duke C. Blue Devil love aside... I think we could do far worse. Personally I love this kid and think his potential is through the freakin' roof. And the fit with our currnt roster with a long future of Maluach and D.C. down in the paint makes me giddy. It also makes all of our current older bigs even more tradable. I'll just end by pointing out that OKC is the current beast in the West and they have a guy named Chet, and the best player in the WC is obviously Big Honey. Having the verstile combo of both D.C. and Maluach would be pretty smart IMO.

[dckingsfan]

Khaman Maluach
7-2, 250 Center
Duke Freshman

I saw that he is slotted to go around 20th and we will obviously pick before that, but my gut says that one of the smart GMs from one of the smart teams in the league will snatch him before the lottery is over. I just think that we may have plenty of guards and wings (maybe one too many) and it's been since Plumlee that we've had a Duke C. Blue Devil love aside... I think we could do far worse. Personally I love this kid and think his potential is through the freakin' roof. And the fit with our currnt roster with a long future of Maluach and D.C. down in the paint makes me giddy. It also makes all of our current older bigs even more tradable. I'll just end by pointing out that OKC is the current beast in the West and they have a guy named Chet, and the best player in the WC is obviously Big Honey. Having the verstile combo of both D.C. and Maluach would be pretty smart IMO.

You only take him if you can move Ayton, no? It is tough to figure out the team that would want him. Basically, an expiring, IMO.

I wouldn't hate a 24-minute rotation of both Clingan and Maluach.

https://www.rookiescale.com/2025-consensus-board/

[dckingsfan]

Spoiler:

ESPN dropped a new Big Board yesterday:

https://archive.is/20250424191637/https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/41662748/2025-nba-draft-big-board-rankings-top-100-prospects-players

1-2-3
Flagg - Harper - Bailey
Flex is b\t 3/4 Bailey\Edgecombe

Where Bailey gets picked will come down in large part to how the lottery shapes up, as he is a little more polarizing than some of the other prospects currently slated for the top of this draft class...Regardless, teams will have to think twice about passing up a big, explosive wing in his mold who offers All-Star potential with exceptional shot-making prowess and overall scoring instincts.

4-5-6
Edgecombe - Fears - Johnson
Fears consistently moving up on draft boards, this would seem to be his ceiling

Fears moves up two spots on our board from our last check-in as he has created significant buzz in NBA circles, based on conversations we've had with scouts and executives at recent events such as the Nike Hoop Summit, NCAA Final Four and Portsmouth Invitational...NBA teams say Fears' star power will be hard to pass up in the middle portion of the lottery, even for teams that have established point guard options in place. His combination of size, speed, pace, shot creation, shotmaking and scoring instincts make him one of the draft's most talented prospects.

Edgecombe

NBA teams will want to get a better feel for what position he best projects to play in the long term, and just how good a shot creator and shotmaker he can become. Nonetheless, scouts are bullish on what they saw during both his season at Baylor and with the Bahamas senior national team in the FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament in Spain last summer.

Johnson moved the needle quite a bit for NBA front offices this season, coupling high-level shotmaking ability with solid positional tools and a strong competitive nature...How he handles the interview and workout circuit will be an important factor in determining whether he can move into the top five.

7-8-9
Jakucionis - Maluach - Knueppel

Although Jakucionis' individual play tailed off a bit as the season went on, NBA teams remain quite interested in everything he brings to the table as one of the more polished playmakers in the class... it's not easy to find young lead guards with his mix of size, feel, vision and toughness -- traits that have kept him in the lottery mix.

His ability to anchor a defense with his 7-foot-6 wingspan and provide vertical spacing as a roller and cutter while sprinting the floor aggressively in transition will be attractive to any team looking for a center to build around long-term...one of the draft's youngest prospects, turning 19 in September, and has considerable room for growth both physically and skill-wise. He plays with tremendous intensity and is beloved by coaches and teammates alike thanks to the unique off-court intangibles he offers, which leaves room for optimism regarding his ability to reach his potential.

Teams will be intrigued to see how Knueppel measures physically at the draft combine, with concerns about his projection stemming largely from his average athletic profile on the wing...lacks ideal agility and length by NBA standards. He'll also have an opportunity to showcase the breadth of his offensive skills and long-term upside as a scorer in workouts, something that wasn't always obvious at Duke because of his role within the offense.

10-11-12
Queen - Murray Boyles - Demin

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.

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

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.

13-14-15
Richardson - Essengue - McNeeley

There is a range of opinions on Richardson around the league -- not everyone views him as a strong lottery candidate -- but his heady, efficient backcourt play has earned him looks early in the draft...Teams will want to get a better feel for his creation skills and ability to play on the ball in upcoming workouts, to assess whether he projects as a starter or as more of a utility combo guard in the long run.

Essengue creates matchup problems every time he steps on the floor, showing impressive speed, covering ground fluidly, getting off the floor quickly for dunks and offensive rebounds, and often being tasked with guarding point guards thanks to his quick feet and outstanding length. He draws fouls prolifically, finishes effectively around the rim despite his slight frame, and shows a good feel for cutting, leaking out in transition and finding teammates with intelligent passes.

McNeeley enters the predraft process needing to solidify his perimeter shooting in workouts...NBA teams appreciate McNeeley's feel and toughness, but without exceptional physical tools for a wing, making shots at a high level (something he often did in high school) is imperative to him carving out a solid role at the next level. This is something he'll have an opportunity to address as he looks to firm up his candidacy in the late lottery, with some teams viewing him as more of a late-first-round option.

16-17-18
Riley - Beringer - Traore

Riley is viewed by NBA teams as a significant long-term talent. He is a versatile scorer with outstanding shot-making prowess from all over the floor who shows impressive flashes of ability creating shots for himself and others. He also has polished scoring instincts and creativity as a passer, which is highly intriguing at his age.

Beringer

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.

The 18-year-old has been up and down all season, struggling with turnovers, inconsistent defense, streaky shooting, and finishing prowess, but also shows flashes of brilliance with his ballhandling, passing and all-around creativity...Few players in this class can manipulate ball-screens and make pick-and-roll reads like Traore can at his size, and the fact that he makes 3s at solid volume and has made strides defensively leaves room for optimism regarding how he'll continue to evolve.

19-20-21
Wolf - Bryant - Newell

Wolf established himself as one of the most unique players in the college game this season, shouldering significant playmaking responsibilities for his size, sliding between the point guard, power forward and center positions...Wolf's skill level, creativity and versatility stood out to NBA scouts all season -- raising his standing considerably as a pro prospect...Private workouts will now help determine just how high he ends up being drafted, but he has quite a few fans both among analytics-oriented evaluators, as well as traditional eye-test scouts who appreciate his intriguing skill set.

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...he has plenty of fans in front offices and could work his way closer to the lottery with a strong predraft process.

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.

22-23-24
Gonzalez - Saraf - Sorber

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.

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.

At this stage, it appears unlikely Sorber will participate in on-court workouts during the process as he recovers from a foot injury...At this stage, it appears unlikely Sorber will participate in on-court workouts during the process as he recovers from a foot injury...it could feasibly take some type of first-round assurance to keep him in the draft.

25-26-27
Clifford - Thiero - Lendeborg

Clifford appears well-positioned going into the predraft process and should be a popular workout target for NBA teams in need of plug-and-play depth...stands to benefit from what could be a thin mix of late-first and early-second-round candidates, with teams bracing for a wave of players in that range potentially opting to return to college for potentially major NIL earnings...Clifford should be able to contribute defensively, knock down open shots, and scale down into a useful role on his rookie contract, and the dearth of reliable two-way wings in this class adds to his appeal.

28-29-30
Clayton Jr - Condon - Fleming

Other notables:
Drake Powell @ #32 - He could likely end up in the 1st round
Noah Penda @ #33- Worked out for POR LY
Tahaad Pettiford @ #39 - Another guy to monitor, if he stays, likely goes in 1st by way of a promise
Miles Byrd @ #51 - I'd be surprised if he does not return to school
Tyrese Proctor @ #53 - Does he stay in draft? Probably not going in R1, could get more from NIL, but also probably not going to improve his stock much.
Boogie Fland @ #53 - I'd be surprised if he stays (w\o a promise)

I think if Queen or Richardson drop to us we should be really happy.

IF Queen can play PF (which I think he can), he will be a really nice player. I don't think he is as bad on D as folks make out and he played with another big at Maryland. His handles are tight, his passing is really good - he could become a legit #1 option. Hence, I don't think he falls to 10.

I think that Richardson can become a really good primary scoring guard. His passes are tight as well. I want to see the draft measurements. If he is a legit 6'3 without shoes then okay. Worried about the wingspan but he seems to be able to stay in front of quick guards.

[tester551]

Khaman Maluach
7-2, 250 Center
Duke Freshman

I saw that he is slotted to go around 20th and we will obviously pick before that, but my gut says that one of the smart GMs from one of the smart teams in the league will snatch him before the lottery is over. I just think that we may have plenty of guards and wings (maybe one too many) and it's been since Plumlee that we've had a Duke C. Blue Devil love aside... I think we could do far worse. Personally I love this kid and think his potential is through the freakin' roof. And the fit with our currnt roster with a long future of Maluach and D.C. down in the paint makes me giddy. It also makes all of our current older bigs even more tradable. I'll just end by pointing out that OKC is the current beast in the West and they have a guy named Chet, and the best player in the WC is obviously Big Honey. Having the verstile combo of both D.C. and Maluach would be pretty smart IMO.

Where did you see him at 20?

Most of the reputable scouting sites have him in the 6-10 range....

[oldfishermen]

If our pick stays in the #10 range.

Trade our FRP to the Pistons for Marcus Sasser.

Sasser has been stuck behind Cade for two seasons.. But, I like his game @ PG better rhan any PG available at #10 in this draft. Sasser is an elite shooter, decent defender, and developing as a playmaker. AKA, a two way player.

Pistons do not have a FRP in this draft.

[Walton1one]

I would not be in favor of trading #10 for Sasser, however, there was a rumor before the season started that DET was looking at Simons

I would be ok with some sort of deal netting back Sasser and salary. I just think there are going to be good players at #10 worth drafting & POR should keep that pick, especially since it is likely sometime inthe next two years (26/27) POR loses their pick to CHI. Better to get some more talent now.

[oldfishermen]

I would not be in favor of trading #10 for Sasser, however, there was a rumor before the season started that DET was looking at Simons

I would be ok with some sort of deal netting back Sasser and salary. I just think there are going to be good players at #10 worth drafting & POR should keep that pick, especially since it is likely sometime inthe next two years (26/27) POR loses their pick to CHI. Better to get some more talent now.

You may be correct. But I believe Sasser has NBA skills now.

Sasser does everything as good as, or better than Simons, at 10.6% of the cost.

Sasser does have warts, but all the players in this draft after 3rd, have larger warts. I do not like this draft class.

[zzaj]

I would not be in favor of trading #10 for Sasser, however, there was a rumor before the season started that DET was looking at Simons

I would be ok with some sort of deal netting back Sasser and salary. I just think there are going to be good players at #10 worth drafting & POR should keep that pick, especially since it is likely sometime inthe next two years (26/27) POR loses their pick to CHI. Better to get some more talent now.

I do not like this draft class.

I'm with you on this class...it got a lot of hype, but the more I dig into it...outside of Flagg and Harper, I think it's about comparable (if not worse in some ways) than last year.

Next year is a different story. I think next year may go down as one of the great draft classes of all time. Likely top 3.

[dckingsfan]

I would not be in favor of trading #10 for Sasser, however, there was a rumor before the season started that DET was looking at Simons

I would be ok with some sort of deal netting back Sasser and salary. I just think there are going to be good players at #10 worth drafting & POR should keep that pick, especially since it is likely sometime inthe next two years (26/27) POR loses their pick to CHI. Better to get some more talent now.

I do not like this draft class.

I'm with you on this class...it got a lot of hype, but the more I dig into it...outside of Flagg and Harper, I think it's about comparable (if not worse in some ways) than last year.

Next year is a different story. I think next year may go down as one of the great draft classes of all time. Likely top 3.

Interesting. I think this draft class has a lot of depth compared to last year's draft and as you point out, it has a higher top end in Flagg and Harper.

I also think there are a lot of PGs in this class that are indeed equal to Sasser right now. I also would not be in favor of trading 10 for Sasser.

Having said that, if you want Sasser make a trade with Detroit. What does Detroit need? The other question is - does Detroit even want to move Sasser given that he is on an inexpensive contract for the minutes he plays at backup PG? I would think no.

And yeah, sadly next year's draft class is going to be really good when we aren't drafting

[zzaj]

I do not like this draft class.

I'm with you on this class...it got a lot of hype, but the more I dig into it...outside of Flagg and Harper, I think it's about comparable (if not worse in some ways) than last year.

Next year is a different story. I think next year may go down as one of the great draft classes of all time. Likely top 3.

Interesting. I think this draft class has a lot of depth compared to last year's draft and as you point out, it has a higher top end in Flagg and Harper.

I also think there are a lot of PGs in this class that are indeed equal to Sasser right now. I also would not be in favor of trading 10 for Sasser.

Having said that, if you want Sasser make a trade with Detroit. What does Detroit need? The other question is - does Detroit even want to move Sasser given that he is on an inexpensive contract for the minutes he plays at backup PG? I would think no.

And yeah, sadly next year's draft class is going to be really good when we aren't drafting

Don't worry too much...Blazers might not be in the running for a top 5 pick, but if Deni goes down for any length of time and the Blazers rid themselves of Simons or Ayton the Blazers could be worse than this past year.

Remember the win streak was built on beating bad teams or good teams minus 1-2 of their best players, and that one streak made the difference between picking 5th and picking 10th. Also some teams like San Antonio are likely to be much better next year...

[oldfishermen]

I do not like this draft class.

I'm with you on this class...it got a lot of hype, but the more I dig into it...outside of Flagg and Harper, I think it's about comparable (if not worse in some ways) than last year.

Next year is a different story. I think next year may go down as one of the great draft classes of all time. Likely top 3.

Having said that, if you want Sasser make a trade with Detroit. What does Detroit need? The other question is - does Detroit even want to move Sasser given that he is on an inexpensive contract for the minutes he plays at backup PG? I would think no.

g

If I could predict the moves the gms will make, and why.. i would be a much better poker player.

[tester551]

If our pick stays in the #10 range.

Trade our FRP to the Pistons for Marcus Sasser.

Sasser has been stuck behind Cade for two seasons.. But, I like his game @ PG better rhan any PG available at #10 in this draft. Sasser is an elite shooter, decent defender, and developing as a playmaker. AKA, a two way player.

Pistons do not have a FRP in this draft.

I really liked Sasser as a prospect. He was pick #25... what has he done in the NBA to be worth the #10?

[tester551]

I do not like this draft class.

I'm with you on this class...it got a lot of hype, but the more I dig into it...outside of Flagg and Harper, I think it's about comparable (if not worse in some ways) than last year.

Next year is a different story. I think next year may go down as one of the great draft classes of all time. Likely top 3.

Interesting. I think this draft class has a lot of depth compared to last year's draft and as you point out, it has a higher top end in Flagg and Harper.

I also think there are a lot of PGs in this class that are indeed equal to Sasser right now. I also would not be in favor of trading 10 for Sasser.

Having said that, if you want Sasser make a trade with Detroit. What does Detroit need? The other question is - does Detroit even want to move Sasser given that he is on an inexpensive contract for the minutes he plays at backup PG? I would think no.

And yeah, sadly next year's draft class is going to be really good when we aren't drafting

Agreed. This draft is MUCH better than last year's.
I'm excited to see what happens in June

[Village Idiot]

Demin @ #12 - He does not fit under Cronin's statement about not feeling pressure to reach for high upside players, he is the "if he hits, could be great, may take time" player in this draft

I want to like him but what really is his role. He isn't quick enough to really be a primary ball handler, he isn't a good enough scorer to give him a featured role. I think he could be a really solid connecting piece for the right team next to a big star type player but more likely he spends his time leading bench units.

After the consensus top 3 I still have Demin as the guy in this draft with the most upside. If you think about the archetpye of tall, less athletic guards, I would counter that Demin is quite a bit more athletic at the same age than either Doncic or Giddey. Recall also that Doncic only made 30% of his 3's his last season at Real Madrid. It takes time for players to gain strength and maturity as well as experience. What isn't in question is the fact that Demin has sky-high passing and BBIQ. His shot form looks really solid. The kid is baller.

[dckingsfan]

Demin @ #12 - He does not fit under Cronin's statement about not feeling pressure to reach for high upside players, he is the "if he hits, could be great, may take time" player in this draft

I want to like him but what really is his role. He isn't quick enough to really be a primary ball handler, he isn't a good enough scorer to give him a featured role. I think he could be a really solid connecting piece for the right team next to a big star type player but more likely he spends his time leading bench units.

After the consensus top 3 I still have Demin as the guy in this draft with the most upside. If you think about the archetpye of tall, less athletic guards, I would counter that Demin is quite a bit more athletic at the same age than either Doncic or Giddey. Recall also that Doncic only made 30% of his 3's his last season at Real Madrid. It takes time for players to gain strength and maturity as well as experience. What isn't in question is the fact that Demin has sky-high passing and BBIQ. His shot form looks really solid. The kid is baller.

Demin is interesting as possibly the biggest offensive draft steal. And there could be a fit with the team if you let him run the point. With Deni, Thybulle and Camara he isn't going to struggle that much on defense.

For the downside. His FT% is meh which isn't a great indicator. And his TOs were high as well.

So, you are taking a swing that not only will his shot come around but he will be able to initiate an offense in the NBA while cutting down on TOs.

Definitely a reach but...

[HoopsFanAZ]

I favored Amen Thompson over Scoot in that draft. I understood the pick for both Scoot and the team direction.
(I also would have been okay getting Ausar’s D to keep Dame. Wasn’t in the 1-year-earlier-trade-Dame camp.)

Amen is looking good — though the free throws are not there nor drawing them, and the 3’s are a huge work in process. Good rebounding. Maybe he’s best in a Deni-role at the 3 as a secondary playmaker. Nice player for Houston in a one-superstar draft. (Some good young players in that draft. Pending.)

Demin is significantly higher than #10 for me.