2025 NBA Draft Thread, part 1 – Capture the Flagg

[Larry_Russell]

Feel like team is getting COoper Flagg this offseason............

[Hal14]

Feel like team is getting COoper Flagg this offseason............

Whoever gets the no. 1 pick is not trading it.

[ThePigeon]

CBS Sports mock has Clayton Jr. going to Spurs in lotto at #14: https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/2025-nba-mock-draft-cooper-flagg-khaman-maluach-kon-knueppel-give-duke-three-freshmen-in-top-six-selections/

That's pretty high, but that's a nice fit for the Spurs. I could also see Orlando snagging him in the first round to add some needed shooting.

Celtics are tagged to Philon at #28. Not that it really means anything, but Vecenie makes that association too. Philon definitely worth bringing in for a workout to see how that shot looks. He's a guy that has enough length that you can put him on the floor with Payton, giving us a defender with ability to handle and distribute the ball. Just needs to fill out a bit and work on the three ball.

As currently constructed, Philon would not be high on my wish list. But with Jrue's age and potential Cap casualty/trade etc, it makes sense to draft a player who is "Jrue like ". This is one where I will just trust Stevens and that he has both short- and long-term reasons to draft him.

But.. another guard for Alabama??? It will give me draft PTSD as well.

Another cbs reporter (this time, Adam Finkelstein) released a mock today that also has Philon to Boston
https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/2025-nba-mock-draft-dukes-cooper-flagg-goes-no-1-arizonas-carter-bryant-surges-into-top-10/

Labaron Philon is maybe an outlier from the shooters Joe loves, but I'd be excited with a Philon selection. He didn't shoot it great (31%) but more concerning is he's really light (listed 177lbs) but his selling point is that he's just very fidgety & unpredictable with the ball, like less athletic Rondo but with an elite touch on floaters. Floater-Rondo sounds fun to me, so sign me up, lol!!!

It doesn't matter - Joe will not play a rookie if his life depends on it

[redslastlaugh]

Hoopshype has unveiled the 2025 nba predraft workout tracker

https://hoopshype.com/lists/2025-nba-draft-workout-tracker-where-are-prospects-working-out/

Celtics have already worked out 4 or 5 prospects

[Dogen]

Feel like team is getting COoper Flagg this offseason............

Hoopshype has unveiled the 2025 nba predraft workout tracker

https://hoopshype.com/lists/2025-nba-draft-workout-tracker-where-are-prospects-working-out/

Celtics have already worked out 4 or 5 prospects

Something must be wrong with that list. I don't see Cooper Flagg with the rest of the Celtics workouts. What gives?

[phincsfan]

Hoopshype has unveiled the 2025 nba predraft workout tracker

https://hoopshype.com/lists/2025-nba-draft-workout-tracker-where-are-prospects-working-out/

Celtics have already worked out 4 or 5 prospects

Joson Sanon is a local Mass kid

[Smart2Nesmith43]

Feel like team is getting COoper Flagg this offseason............

Hoopshype has unveiled the 2025 nba predraft workout tracker

https://hoopshype.com/lists/2025-nba-draft-workout-tracker-where-are-prospects-working-out/

Celtics have already worked out 4 or 5 prospects

Something must be wrong with that list. I don't see Cooper Flagg with the rest of the Celtics workouts. What gives?

Teams usually work out guys that are on the bubble of getting drafted first because those guys need the workouts to have some feedback on whether they should stay in the draft or not. I'm sure he'll swing by later.

[Shamrock23]

Feel like team is getting COoper Flagg this offseason............

Whoever gets the no. 1 pick is not trading it.

We can offer them Tatum. Seriously, trade him while his value is still high. Cooper would be smarter, stronger and doesn’t do unexplainable clown moves..

[redslastlaugh]

DRAFT LOTTERY is Monday 7 EST before Celtics/Knicks game 4
so... draft lottery then immediately we'll get hit with some mock drafts from the big outlets... then C's game

gonna be fun!

[Hal14]

In no particular order, I like Raynaud for us. I like Broome. I like Markovic. Fleming and Wolf are interesting. I wouldn't hate Sorber in like the 30-36 range.

Some interesting options. Will be interesting to see if we bring any of these guys in for a workout. The first 4 guys we've worked out have all been guards..

[Dogen]

In no particular order, I like Raynaud for us. I like Broome. I like Markovic. Fleming and Wolf are interesting. I wouldn't hate Sorber in like the 30-36 range.

Some interesting options. Will be interesting to see if we bring any of these guys in for a workout. The first 4 guys we've worked out have all been guards..

So you think the Celtics might go big. That's a good list, some of those guys WILL be available. Condon too if he stays in.

Brad doesn't seem to go big in the draft. I think he prefers to get bigs after they have a couple years in the league. He's only picked Robert Williams, Žižić, and Olynyk. Not a stellar track record overall.

I'd guess that they'll try to replace Horford, and perhaps KP, via trade.

I'm not convinced any of those guys will be starter material in a couple years. Fleming and Wolf certainly are interesting, for different reasons, as bench help as they fit a need.

A Fleming and Philon draft would not fill a need at center, but would be good picks. I'd probably take Philon if he's there at 28. He can be groomed as a Jrue replacement. Fleming probably won't last to the second, so best shooting big available at 32. Raynaud might be there.

[redslastlaugh]

It'll be good to resolve the lottery order manana.

I don't have much of a preference for what teams wins #1 overall, except I hope it's not Philly.
I can't imagine being Cooper Flagg, lifelong Celtics fan, grows up watching mix tapes of th '86 Celts, and winds up on the Embiid/Paul George/Daryl Morey Sixers .... gross

I guess Toronto would kind of be fun landing spot for Cooper Flagg, partly because they could be an interesting trade partner if they need to move some of their prospects to open up minutes on the wing for Cooper.

But I really don't care who wins #1 pick, no strong preference. Just Philly I hope gets 4,5, or 6... otherwise, no prefernce

Feel like team is getting COoper Flagg this offseason............

Whoever gets the no. 1 pick is not trading it.

[Smart2Nesmith43]

It'll be good to resolve the lottery order manana.

I don't have much of a preference for what teams wins #1 overall, except I hope it's not Philly.
I can't imagine being Cooper Flagg, lifelong Celtics fan, grows up watching mix tapes of th '86 Celts, and winds up on the Embiid/Paul George/Daryl Morey Sixers .... gross

I guess Toronto would kind of be fun landing spot for Cooper Flagg, partly because they could be an interesting trade partner if they need to move some of their prospects to open up minutes on the wing for Cooper.

But I really don't care who wins #1 pick, no strong preference. Just Philly I hope gets 4,5, or 6... otherwise, no prefernce

Feel like team is getting COoper Flagg this offseason............

Whoever gets the no. 1 pick is not trading it.

Any team bad enough to be in the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes doesn't have to worry about having players being good enough to block him from playing.

[Hal14]

So you think the Celtics might go big. That's a good list, some of those guys WILL be available. Condon too if he stays in.

Brad doesn't seem to go big in the draft. I think he prefers to get bigs after they have a couple years in the league. He's only picked Robert Williams, Žižić, and Olynyk. Not a stellar track record overall.

I'd guess that they'll try to replace Horford, and perhaps KP, via trade.

I'm not convinced any of those guys will be starter material in a couple years. Fleming and Wolf certainly are interesting, for different reasons, as bench help as they fit a need.

A Fleming and Philon draft would not fill a need at center, but would be good picks. I'd probably take Philon if he's there at 28. He can be groomed as a Jrue replacement. Fleming probably won't last to the second, so best shooting big available at 32. Raynaud might be there.

Brad didn't draft those guys..he has yet to draft a big..unless you consider Watson a big..which I kind of do..he is like a PF/small ball 5 type, which Fleming is too.

While I think it's possible that we trade for a big and draft a guard/wing, as you imply:
a) Pulling off trades for good players are easier said than done..no guarantee it can happen. We have more control over a draft pick
b) There's a more of a clear path to playing time if we go with a PF/C type, imo

[redslastlaugh]

John Hollinger top 20 player rankings in Athletic today
(Spoiler: Hollinger is super high on Kam Jones, lol)

Tier I - The dude
1. Cooper Flagg

Tier II - Electric guards
2. Dylan Harper
3. V.J. Edgecombe

Tier III - Time to get weird
4. Kon Knueppel
5. Jeremiah Fears
6. Collin Murray-Boyles
7. Noa Essengue
8. Carter Bryant
9. Egor Demin
10. Kam Jones

Tier IV - Huge upside bets
11. Tre Johnson
12. Ace Bailey
13. Derik Queen

Tier V - Some floor less ceiling
14. Jase Richardson
15. Ben Saraf
16. Asa Newell
17. Labaron Philon
18. Kasparas Jakucionis
19. Khaman Maluach

Tier VI - Sleepers
20. Johni Broome
21. Noah Penda
22. Yaxel Lendeborg

[phincsfan]

John Hollinger top 20 player rankings in Athletic today
(Spoiler: Hollinger is super high on Kam Jones, lol)

Tier I - The dude
1. Cooper Flagg

Tier II - Electric guards
2. Dylan Harper
3. V.J. Edgecombe

Tier III - Time to get weird
4. Kon Knueppel
5. Jeremiah Fears
6. Collin Murray-Boyles
7. Noa Essengue
8. Carter Bryant
9. Egor Demin
10. Kam Jones

Tier IV - Huge upside bets
11. Tre Johnson
12. Ace Bailey
13. Derik Queen

Tier V - Some floor less ceiling
14. Jase Richardson
15. Ben Saraf
16. Asa Newell
17. Labaron Philon
18. Kasparas Jakucionis
19. Khaman Maluach

Tier VI - Sleepers
20. Johni Broome
21. Noah Penda
22. Yaxel Lendeborg

I have a feeling Jase Richardson is going to be a very good NBA player. He should go in the lottery, but if he doesn’t he’ll be a steal for someone.

[redslastlaugh]

Measurements coming out from the combine. Some huge wingspan guys (Sorber, Vlad Goldin, Rasheer Fleming) and some disappointing wingspan guys (Asa Newell, Alex Condon)

some Celts affiliated names, if I can find them:

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[djFan71]

Interesting that NOP sends Zion. Would be funny if they send him out due to how this turns out.

[djFan71]

Dallas jumped, whoa.

[Darthlukey]

Everything going to plan for Dallas after giving away Luka