2025 NBA Draft Thread: Detroit Pick Edition

jpatrick · Post #501 » by **jpatrick** » Sat May 10, 2025 7:07 pm

So, finally got around to looking at some of the international guys. I think my guy is Nolan Traore. Was a top five pick coming into the year but was really inefficient in his first full year in the French Pro League over the first two months. I’m usually not a fan on inefficient PGs, but he’s 18, and over the last two months seems to have really figured it out from a scoring/shooting perspective. 6’4” PG, really quick, but wouldn’t call him an uber NBA athlete. Also one of the best 2-3 passers in this call. Was looking for a comp, at that size, improving shooter, very good passer, I see him as Andrew Nembhard, but Traore’s a bit quicker.

I like that fit next to Ant much more than Dillingham. While Traore is not the score that Dilly is, I think Dilly will always present so many defensive issues that I don’t like the fit. As he ages, I think Traore could be a very switchable guard in the backcourt with his size and BBIQ.

The other two guys I like are Noa Essengue. Second youngest guy in the class. Long, really thin, ultra athletic PF. Needs weight but has a smooth shot, plays hard, and is putting up good numbers in the German league.

Other guy I like is Carter Bryant. Big, long, defensive wing. Decent shooter but not much else on the offensive end. But seems a bigger version of Jaylen Clark, which is a really good player. If you want to think ultimate upside, maybe a slightly not as long OG Anunoby.

cmoss84 · Post #502 » by **cmoss84** » Sat May 10, 2025 7:15 pm

jpatrick wrote:So, finally got around to looking at some of the international guys. I think my guy is Nolan Traore. Was a top five pick coming into the year but was really inefficient in his first full year in the French Pro League over the first two months. I’m usually not a fan on inefficient PGs, but he’s 18, and over the last two months seems to have really figured it out from a scoring/shooting perspective. 6’4” PG, really quick, but wouldn’t call him an uber NBA athlete. Also one of the best 2-3 passers in this call. Was looking for a comp, at that size, improving shooter, very good passer, I see him as Andrew Nembhard, but Traore’s a bit quicker.

I like that fit next to Ant much more than Dillingham. While Traore is not the score that Dilly is, I think Dilly will always present so many defensive issues that I don’t like the fit. As he ages, I think Traore could be a very switchable guard in the backcourt with his size and BBIQ.

The other two guys I like are Noa Essengue. Second youngest guy in the class. Long, really thin, ultra athletic PF. Needs weight but has a smooth shot, plays hard, and is putting up good numbers in the German league.

Other guy I like is Carter Bryant. Big, long, defensive wing. Decent shooter but not much else on the offensive end. But seems a bigger version of Jaylen Clark, which is a really good player. If you want to think ultimate upside, maybe a slightly not as long OG Anunoby.

How does Traore compare to NAW?

shrink · Post #503 » by **shrink** » Sat May 10, 2025 7:18 pm

minimus wrote:P.S. I really like Queen skillset

Quite the gambit.

minimus · Post #504 » by **minimus** » Sun May 11, 2025 9:28 am

Yanic Konan Niederhauser is a full-sized bigman. I would call him in the first second after draft and offer Gupta special, if he gets undrafted

minimus · Post #505 » by **minimus** » Mon May 12, 2025 1:09 pm

Is Carter Bryant a new Aaron Gordon? Or Adou Thiero?

minimus · Post #506 » by **minimus** » Mon May 12, 2025 1:35 pm

Watch on YouTube

Another interesting wing.

Post #507 » by **Klomp** » Mon May 12, 2025 8:17 pm

Anyone see an unpolished Julius Randle?

Read on Twitter

minimus · Post #508 » by **minimus** » Tue May 13, 2025 9:57 am

Read on Twitter

Damn, Yaxel for sure will be in first round

minimus · Post #509 » by **minimus** » Tue May 13, 2025 9:59 am

Read on Twitter

Kalkbrenner is big

minimus · Post #510 » by **minimus** » Tue May 13, 2025 10:06 am

Read on Twitter

TC, please draft Sorber

frankenwolf · Post #511 » by **frankenwolf** » Tue May 13, 2025 1:31 pm

Reading the Athletic this morning and the their projected draft results. Good news, they have MN taking Sorber at 17, but at 31 they have them taking Will Riley out of Illinois. Who is this guy? I don't remember any of you mentioning him.

I'll hang up and listen

NebWolvesFan · Post #512 » by **NebWolvesFan** » Tue May 13, 2025 2:26 pm

With Randle's postseason play, the chances of him taking a big pay cut - a la Mike and Rudy - have seriously decreased. It looks like Minnesota has enough space to pay Randle 31 million and Naz 24 and still stay under second apron. But that means NAW is gone and there's no money to pay first round pick. Minnesota will either have to trade it or maybe take an international player who is willing to play overseas for another year.

I think we can all stop talking about an American player at 17. Minnesota probably could still draft an American player at 31 and pay them the league minimum - although that means they could walk after 2 seasons.

Neeva · Post #513 » by **Neeva** » Tue May 13, 2025 2:30 pm

I still like Queen, really hope he falls to 17. He has flaws but has real star quality. I like Sorber also but I see him more as a steady starter/role player. Too bad Carter Bryant is only 6’6 without shoes, too small for a PF, wouldn’t mind him at 31 though.

life_saver · Post #514 » by **life_saver** » Tue May 13, 2025 3:04 pm

I think Tim will be looking for finding a long term replacement for Rudy...are there any possible options ?

KGdaBom · Post #515 » by **KGdaBom** » Tue May 13, 2025 4:40 pm

Per Tankathon as of now the Wolves will draft 6'3" 175 pound international PG Nolan Traore. Looking over his profile he seems like a poor man's Rob Dillingham. Can't shoot straight. 41.6% floor, 31.7% from 3 and 72.3% from the line. It's beyond me what they see in him.

life_saver · Post #516 » by **life_saver** » Tue May 13, 2025 5:13 pm

I feel like Tim will be looking to find long term Rudy replacement in this draft...its also easier to find starting Centers than starting PG/Wings outside lottery picks. For draft experts, who would will be the available options for Wolves at 17 & 31 if they are looking for a Center ?

Biff Cooper · Post #517 » by **Biff Cooper** » Tue May 13, 2025 5:23 pm

minimus wrote:

Read on Twitter

Kalkbrenner is big

Those are some nice measurements!

BlacJacMac · Post #518 » by **BlacJacMac** » Tue May 13, 2025 6:08 pm

NebWolvesFan wrote:With Randle's postseason play, the chances of him taking a big pay cut - a la Mike and Rudy - have seriously decreased. It looks like Minnesota has enough space to pay Randle 31 million and Naz 24 and still stay under second apron. But that means NAW is gone and there's no money to pay first round pick. Minnesota will either have to trade it or maybe take an international player who is willing to play overseas for another year.

I think we can all stop talking about an American player at 17. Minnesota probably could still draft an American player at 31 and pay them the league minimum - although that means they could walk after 2 seasons.

24 feels too high for Naz.

KGdaBom · Post #519 » by **KGdaBom** » Tue May 13, 2025 6:44 pm

life_saver wrote:I feel like Tim will be looking to find long term Rudy replacement in this draft...its also easier to find starting Centers than starting PG/Wings outside lottery picks. For draft experts, who would will be the available options for Wolves at 17 & 31 if they are looking for a Center ?

Tankathon has Thomas Sorber from Georgetown going pick 18. 255 pounds and excellent stats. Still young 19.5 years old.

Neeva · Post #520 » by **Neeva** » Tue May 13, 2025 9:06 pm

I thought we already had a draft thread? Anyway say NO to Nolan Traore. I get really bad Killian Hayes flashbacks watching him and his horrible shooting and it just seems like bad juju and a really bad idea to get someone like Hayes with a Detriot pick.

I think Rob, TJ and Jaylen will develop so I think wolves should be taking a big. Queen or Sorber or maybe Essengue/Newell.