2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 6

[WuTang_CMB]

What we're hearing on the Nets: The buzz from rival teams has been the Nets aren't planning for a true long-haul tank, even after reacquiring their own picks last summer. The Nets have the most salary-cap space in the league this offseason, but with a top-heavy 2026 draft on the horizon and a roster in need of major modifications in order to compete for a playoff spot, patience is still a virtue here.

Brooklyn, currently lacking a centerpiece-caliber player, is in position to swing for upside with this pick regardless of where it falls in the lottery as it figures out what the next iteration of its team will look like. The Nets can afford to wait until the right star becomes available to shift gears. -- Woo

[Gavin_TDThree]

Watch on YouTube

I get some young Andre Iguodala vibes from him

[Indeed]

Everyone has us taking Maluach if we stay at 7.

I feel like it’s a little lazy because they all know we need some centre prospect to develop. So there’s a need. It reminds me of the projections having us take Suggs the entire time.

We also have Chomche, so is it true that we need some centre prospect to develop?

[PoundTown]

Watch on YouTube

I get some young Andre Iguodala vibes from him

This guy has all the tools and potential to have an OG like impact on the game. I like him a lot. If we’re picking at 8 or 9 he’s definitely in contention there.

[Pointgod]

They will take BPA but after looking at that lineup my guess is they would want to lean guard. At 6, I think they take Fears if he's available. They have zero guard upside

Yeah Fears makes a lot of sense with that line up but if Johnson is available at 6 the talent might be too much to pass up.

What is the evidence of Johnson has more talent than Fears?

Tre Johnson is one of the best shooters in the draft, can create his own shot and might be the best scorer in the draft depending on who you ask. He has great size for a prototypical 2 guard and is already has an offensive package ready made for the NBA. Fears is a bet on upside and development because he has the raw tools, athleticism and he’s super young but he’s got a lot to work on his game.

[Indeed]

Maluach is a given. There's no way we pass him up.

In the 2nd I'm guessing we go for Thiero. He is similar to OG and could be a good project.

I'm also hoping we trade one of our wings for Fleming, ideally RJ in a salary dump.

This would give us an insane amount of depth, great projects and help us put together at least a first round team for next year. We could sign a stretch forward like Laravia.

Poeltl / Fleming / Maluach
Barnes / Mogbo / Thiero
Ingram / Walter / Lawson
Agbaji / Dick / Battle
Quickley / Shead

I don't see Maluach being drafted by us. He doesn't fit with Darko offense, much like Boucher. Neither being a high ceiling player (only a high end role player).

Also, we are not going to trade Barrett. People are overrating Barnes for that offense. We are top 3 on defense in the last 44 games, while bottom 5 offense in the period (people try to ignore the negative). Ingram isn't going to make a bottom 5 offense into average, particularly, replacing Barrett and with no spacing at PF and C (teams aren't even running to contest Barnes on his 3s).

I might see we draft one of Thiero or Fleming, while hoping Mogbo can take a step (though unlikely, bad positioning and cannot shoot aren't a one year fix).

[Indeed]

Yeah Fears makes a lot of sense with that line up but if Johnson is available at 6 the talent might be too much to pass up.

What is the evidence of Johnson has more talent than Fears?

Tre Johnson is one of the best shooters in the draft, can create his own shot and might be the best scorer in the draft depending on who you ask. He has great size for a prototypical 2 guard and is already has an offensive package ready made for the NBA. Fears is a bet on upside and development because he has the raw tools, athleticism and he’s super young but he’s got a lot to work on his game.

Please reply from this, as I already counted it here:
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=2455600&start=540#p118443250

[dagger]

I have no strong view of Maluach, but he's a young 18 who can still add strength, skills, awareness, etc., who doesn't have to play an awful lot as a rookie.

[WuTang_CMB]

Maluach is a given. There's no way we pass him up.

In the 2nd I'm guessing we go for Thiero. He is similar to OG and could be a good project.

I'm also hoping we trade one of our wings for Fleming, ideally RJ in a salary dump.

This would give us an insane amount of depth, great projects and help us put together at least a first round team for next year. We could sign a stretch forward like Laravia.

Poeltl / Fleming / Maluach
Barnes / Mogbo / Thiero
Ingram / Walter / Lawson
Agbaji / Dick / Battle
Quickley / Shead

I don't see Maluach being drafted by us. He doesn't fit with Darko offense, much like Boucher. Neither being a high ceiling player (only a high end role player).

Also, we are not going to trade Barrett. People are overrating Barnes for that offense. We are top 3 on defense in the last 44 games, while bottom 5 offense in the period (people try to ignore the negative). Ingram isn't going to make a bottom 5 offense into average, particularly, replacing Barrett and with no spacing at PF and C (teams aren't even running to contest Barnes on his 3s).

I might see we draft one of Thiero or Fleming, while hoping Mogbo can take a step (though unlikely, bad positioning and cannot shoot aren't a one year fix).

I don't think KM is the pick either, unless they think they are drafting the next prime Brook Lopez. I just don't like the rebounding or block numbers as a freshman for a guy that size.

As for RJ, I hope they trade him. With BI in the fold, we have that scoring punch now - we need to better balance the roster finding an OG type 3 and D in order to compliment BI and Scottie. RJ is not that player. I also think Scottie needs a break on defense in order for his offense to better come alive. Getting a guy like Carter Bryant would be the perfect fit for our team

[ATLTimekeeper]

It's notable that the Raptors are leaking that Scottie's 3PT shot is a concern and that fit is going to be carefully looked at. To me that would seem to take Maluach out of the picture, but maybe they buy his range extending?

[PushDaRock]

What is the evidence of Johnson has more talent than Fears?

High school consensus and freshman scoring numbers?

Guy put up 20 a game as a freshman in the SEC. That's atypical.

Only Jamal Murray has done it (I think). Ant Edwards didn't even do it.

Define scoring. Pure points per game (more minutes, less passing the better)?
OBPM and shooting wise, Tre Johnson is better.
Free throw rate and passing wise, Fears is much better.

I am a believer that Fears can improve his shooting, while for Johnson, what would he be improving at the next level?
I can't say Fears has a higher ceiling, because Johnson has the size and length, but offensively, their ceiling are pretty much on par to me, so I am not surprised they take Fears with them already have C to make use from.

I would opt for Jase over both of them

[PushDaRock]

Maluach is a given. There's no way we pass him up.

In the 2nd I'm guessing we go for Thiero. He is similar to OG and could be a good project.

I'm also hoping we trade one of our wings for Fleming, ideally RJ in a salary dump.

This would give us an insane amount of depth, great projects and help us put together at least a first round team for next year. We could sign a stretch forward like Laravia.

Poeltl / Fleming / Maluach
Barnes / Mogbo / Thiero
Ingram / Walter / Lawson
Agbaji / Dick / Battle
Quickley / Shead

I don't see Maluach being drafted by us. He doesn't fit with Darko offense, much like Boucher. Neither being a high ceiling player (only a high end role player).

Also, we are not going to trade Barrett. People are overrating Barnes for that offense. We are top 3 on defense in the last 44 games, while bottom 5 offense in the period (people try to ignore the negative). Ingram isn't going to make a bottom 5 offense into average, particularly, replacing Barrett and with no spacing at PF and C (teams aren't even running to contest Barnes on his 3s).

I might see we draft one of Thiero or Fleming, while hoping Mogbo can take a step (though unlikely, bad positioning and cannot shoot aren't a one year fix).

I don't think KM is the pick either, unless they think they are drafting the next prime Brook Lopez. I just don't like the rebounding or block numbers as a freshman for a guy that size.

As for RJ, I hope they trade him. With BI in the fold, we have that scoring punch now - we need to better balance the roster finding an OG type 3 and D in order to compliment BI and Scottie. RJ is not that player. I also think Scottie needs a break on defense in order for his offense to better come alive. Getting a guy like Carter Bryant would be the perfect fit for our team

If you're watching the Playoffs, you need multiple scorers and guys that can manufacture a bucket when it gets bogged down. Not saying RJ is amazing at this, but he's still a lot better than the rest of our roster at it outside of BI.

[Indeed]

Maluach is a given. There's no way we pass him up.

In the 2nd I'm guessing we go for Thiero. He is similar to OG and could be a good project.

I'm also hoping we trade one of our wings for Fleming, ideally RJ in a salary dump.

This would give us an insane amount of depth, great projects and help us put together at least a first round team for next year. We could sign a stretch forward like Laravia.

Poeltl / Fleming / Maluach
Barnes / Mogbo / Thiero
Ingram / Walter / Lawson
Agbaji / Dick / Battle
Quickley / Shead

I don't see Maluach being drafted by us. He doesn't fit with Darko offense, much like Boucher. Neither being a high ceiling player (only a high end role player).

Also, we are not going to trade Barrett. People are overrating Barnes for that offense. We are top 3 on defense in the last 44 games, while bottom 5 offense in the period (people try to ignore the negative). Ingram isn't going to make a bottom 5 offense into average, particularly, replacing Barrett and with no spacing at PF and C (teams aren't even running to contest Barnes on his 3s).

I might see we draft one of Thiero or Fleming, while hoping Mogbo can take a step (though unlikely, bad positioning and cannot shoot aren't a one year fix).

I don't think KM is the pick either, unless they think they are drafting the next prime Brook Lopez. I just don't like the rebounding or block numbers as a freshman for a guy that size.

As for RJ, I hope they trade him. With BI in the fold, we have that scoring punch now - we need to better balance the roster finding an OG type 3 and D in order to compliment BI and Scottie. RJ is not that player. I also think Scottie needs a break on defense in order for his offense to better come alive. Getting a guy like Carter Bryant would be the perfect fit for our team

I like Bryant and I am high on him.

As for Ingram and Barnes, Quickley is supposed to be a good fit with Barnes, but the result has been the opposite, so the claim that Ingram and Barnes are good, that is just in theory. Result matters.

Same thing that Ingram and Barrett are not a good pair, yet, I disagree, particularly, people are overrating Ingram and Barnes on offense. I do not see we our offense being that good without Barrett (rim pressure). We saw it last season, how stagnant our offense was, and Ingram isn't such a player to break down the defense, more in the lines of Quickley with the mid range / long range.

[WuTang_CMB]

I don't see Maluach being drafted by us. He doesn't fit with Darko offense, much like Boucher. Neither being a high ceiling player (only a high end role player).

Also, we are not going to trade Barrett. People are overrating Barnes for that offense. We are top 3 on defense in the last 44 games, while bottom 5 offense in the period (people try to ignore the negative). Ingram isn't going to make a bottom 5 offense into average, particularly, replacing Barrett and with no spacing at PF and C (teams aren't even running to contest Barnes on his 3s).

I might see we draft one of Thiero or Fleming, while hoping Mogbo can take a step (though unlikely, bad positioning and cannot shoot aren't a one year fix).

I don't think KM is the pick either, unless they think they are drafting the next prime Brook Lopez. I just don't like the rebounding or block numbers as a freshman for a guy that size.

As for RJ, I hope they trade him. With BI in the fold, we have that scoring punch now - we need to better balance the roster finding an OG type 3 and D in order to compliment BI and Scottie. RJ is not that player. I also think Scottie needs a break on defense in order for his offense to better come alive. Getting a guy like Carter Bryant would be the perfect fit for our team

If you're watching the Playoffs, you need multiple scorers and guys that can manufacture a bucket when it gets bogged down. Not saying RJ is amazing at this, but he's still a lot better than the rest of our roster at it outside of BI.

I would take a 3 and D archetype over RJ every day of the week. It's one of the reasons why NY and Toronto went in opposite directions for winning and losing. OG types impact winning. If RJ was a can't miss player on offense who also initiates then its a different story - but he's not that guy. One thing these playoffs have also shown is defense, length and height usually wins or push the limits on opposing teams just as Houston did to GS. Raps need to get bigger and better balance this roster out.

[PushDaRock]

I don't think KM is the pick either, unless they think they are drafting the next prime Brook Lopez. I just don't like the rebounding or block numbers as a freshman for a guy that size.

As for RJ, I hope they trade him. With BI in the fold, we have that scoring punch now - we need to better balance the roster finding an OG type 3 and D in order to compliment BI and Scottie. RJ is not that player. I also think Scottie needs a break on defense in order for his offense to better come alive. Getting a guy like Carter Bryant would be the perfect fit for our team

If you're watching the Playoffs, you need multiple scorers and guys that can manufacture a bucket when it gets bogged down. Not saying RJ is amazing at this, but he's still a lot better than the rest of our roster at it outside of BI.

I would take a 3 and D archetype over RJ every day of the week. It's one of the reasons why NY and Toronto went in opposite directions for winning and losing. OG types impact winning. If RJ was a can't miss player on offense who also initiates then its a different story - but he's not that guy. One thing these playoffs have also shown is defense, length and height usually wins or push the limits on opposing teams just as Houston did to GS. Raps need to get bigger and better balance this roster out.

This team was 25th in scoring. Replacing RJ with a 3 & D guy isn't helping that.

If we had a Superstar or at least a bunch of legit #2 options, we can worry about balancing with 3 & D guy, but that's not the case.

And Houston lost because they couldn't score the ball

[ATLTimekeeper]

The Raptors sucked when they traded OG. They didn't go in the opposite direction. It would be a significant waste of a pick to take a 3&D player in the top 10.

[WuTang_CMB]

If you're watching the Playoffs, you need multiple scorers and guys that can manufacture a bucket when it gets bogged down. Not saying RJ is amazing at this, but he's still a lot better than the rest of our roster at it outside of BI.

I would take a 3 and D archetype over RJ every day of the week. It's one of the reasons why NY and Toronto went in opposite directions for winning and losing. OG types impact winning. If RJ was a can't miss player on offense who also initiates then its a different story - but he's not that guy. One thing these playoffs have also shown is defense, length and height usually wins or push the limits on opposing teams just as Houston did to GS. Raps need to get bigger and better balance this roster out.

This team was 25th in scoring. Replacing RJ with a 3 & D guy isn't helping that.

If we had a Superstar or at least a bunch of legit #2 options, we can worry about balancing with 3 & D guy, but that's not the case.

And Houston lost because they couldn't score the ball

Houston got to 7 because they relied on defense and length. Adding RJ to that squad would not have gotten them further. They won because of their bigs and Amen playing full tilt on both ends. I understand what you are trying to say but RJ isn't that guy. As I mentioned before, if he was lights out on offense and someone who could also initiate then yes that's valuable in the playoffs and for a team like ours - but that isn't him. Plus in back to back years he's shooting 60% from the line.

[Indeed]

High school consensus and freshman scoring numbers?

Guy put up 20 a game as a freshman in the SEC. That's atypical.

Only Jamal Murray has done it (I think). Ant Edwards didn't even do it.

Define scoring. Pure points per game (more minutes, less passing the better)?
OBPM and shooting wise, Tre Johnson is better.
Free throw rate and passing wise, Fears is much better.

I am a believer that Fears can improve his shooting, while for Johnson, what would he be improving at the next level?
I can't say Fears has a higher ceiling, because Johnson has the size and length, but offensively, their ceiling are pretty much on par to me, so I am not surprised they take Fears with them already have C to make use from.

I would opt for Jase over both of them

I am high on Jase as well. Afterall it is good if they are taking a guard, as we have no minutes at the guard spots.

[WuTang_CMB]

The Raptors sucked when they traded OG. They didn't go in the opposite direction. It would be a significant waste of a pick to take a 3&D player in the top 10.

Lost.

Raps have gone 43-89 since RJ / OG trade
NY has gone 84-48.
Ask yourself where OG would go in a re-draft.

[PushDaRock]

I would take a 3 and D archetype over RJ every day of the week. It's one of the reasons why NY and Toronto went in opposite directions for winning and losing. OG types impact winning. If RJ was a can't miss player on offense who also initiates then its a different story - but he's not that guy. One thing these playoffs have also shown is defense, length and height usually wins or push the limits on opposing teams just as Houston did to GS. Raps need to get bigger and better balance this roster out.

This team was 25th in scoring. Replacing RJ with a 3 & D guy isn't helping that.

If we had a Superstar or at least a bunch of legit #2 options, we can worry about balancing with 3 & D guy, but that's not the case.

And Houston lost because they couldn't score the ball

Houston got to 7 because they relied on defense and length. Adding RJ to that squad would not have gotten them further. They won because of their bigs and Amen playing full tilt on both ends. I understand what you are trying to say but RJ isn't that guy. As I mentioned before, if he was lights out on offense and someone who could also initiate then yes that's valuable in the playoffs and for a team like ours - but that isn't him. Plus in back to back years he's shooting 60% from the line.

And they lost Game 7 because they couldn't score the ball