2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 7

[WuTang_CMB]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=0YpMScWXY2zRUqR8fH-usg

[WuTang_CMB]

Watch on YouTube

16:40

A scout rep from one of the top 5 teams in the draft told him Queen is a top 5 pick

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised. His BestRank on Aggregate 5.0 is 4, and his WorstRank is 16.

Wide range of outcomes for pretty much everyone in this draft outside of Flagg, Harper, and IMO Edgecombe and Bailey as well (for both of them their BestRank is 3 and WorstRank is 5).

Jerry can u post updated list of masai prospects now with measurements out

[Jerry Lucas]

16:40

A scout rep from one of the top 5 teams in the draft told him Queen is a top 5 pick

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised. His BestRank on Aggregate 5.0 is 4, and his WorstRank is 16.

Wide range of outcomes for pretty much everyone in this draft outside of Flagg, Harper, and IMO Edgecombe and Bailey as well (for both of them their BestRank is 3 and WorstRank is 5).

Jerry can u post updated list of masai prospects now with measurements out

I already did in the last thread before it locked.

https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?p=118532108#p118532108

There are a few Masai-type FRPs from the more detailed list that I left off the linked post, but that's because there's no way these guys would be in play as high as the lottery range:

Alex Condon
Adou Thiero
PJ Haggerty

Everyone else either didn't make the cut, went back to school, or isn't a NCAA prospect so I can't evaluate them properly.

[OakleyDokely]

Your main big plays such a important role in team defense in the modern NBA, and that's why I'm weary about Queen. It's not that he's not big enough, but I don't think he's good enough to anchor a team defense as the lone big. You'd have to play him with a good defensive big in double big lineups in order to be a passable defense. And if he doesn't develop a consistent 3, unless your other big can hit 3s, there becomes so many spacing issues with these type of lineups.

[WuTang_CMB]

So much better how all these prospects had to participate in drills and measurements

[Clutch0z24]

Your main big plays such a important role in team defense in the modern NBA, and that's why I'm weary about Queen. It's not that he's not big enough, but I don't think he's good enough to anchor a team defense as the lone big. You'd have to play him with a good defensive big in double big lineups in order to be a passable defense. And if he doesn't develop a consistent 3, unless your other big can hit 3s, there becomes so many spacing issues with these type of lineups.

Yeah i think if you were to draft him that would be the ideal plan....You would prolly play him as a backup C for now and over the years try and find a Rim protecting C to pair him with.....I believe his shot will translate because he already hit alot of mid range jumpers and proved he can hit shots already....But yeah the 3 pointer will have to develop....But hes too skilled all around as a basketball player for me to want to pass on him if he drops to you at 9....Just too much talent to pass on for another player who is prolly not as talented....And where we are as a team we need the most talent as possible....

[PhilBlackson]

Said it awhile ago but a dream draft imo would be…

9 - Maluach - rim protector
16 - Fleming (trade Gradey to ORL) - guard big wings & smallball C
39 - Byrd - POA defender on wings & guards

We’d easily become one of the top defensive teams and we add some much needed shooting from the forward and center positions. We’d be a very complete team…I’m not saying quite OKC level but we’d be able to really get after teams all game and season long, plus be able to give guys like BI and Scottie periodic rest to keep them a little fresher for the postseason.

[SpezNc]

If you go back to the beginning of the year I'm posting how Riley will be our pick and is probably a lock lol. That was well before we had BI,. He was the first prospect I discovered because I was looking at SFs. I like Flemming or taking a flyer on Noa before I go to Will, too much skill not enough Will in his game imo

At this stage it’s still possible to see someone usually mock in the early 20’s to jump into the end of the top10.

Like Coulibaly by instance who jumped from late 1st round to the teens to 7. Or a bit like Zach Edey who jumped from the teens to 9 last year.

I guess we will see if Riley continue to rise or maintain his current “mocking spot”.

A lot can change between now and draft day .

[mtcan]

Said it awhile ago but a dream draft imo would be…

9 - Maluach - rim protector
16 - Fleming (trade Gradey to ORL) - guard big wings & smallball C
39 - Byrd - POA defender on wings & guards

We’d easily become one of the top defensive teams and we add some much needed shooting from the forward and center positions. We’d be a very complete team…I’m not saying quite OKC level but we’d be able to really get after teams all game and season long, plus be able to give guys like BI and Scottie periodic rest to keep them a little fresher for the postseason.

I like the Gradey for #16 idea.

I think Rasheer is definitely on Masai's radar. Maluach is my guy if he falls to 9.

A bench unit of:
Shead
Walter
Agbaji
Fleming or Mogbo
Maluach

Is very solid defensively.

[OakleyDokely]

You obviously go for best player available, but ideally I want some size/length from this draft.

The Raps have a lot of smaller guards / wings already -- IQ, Shead, Walter, Dick, RJ, Ochai, Battle. I'd love another big as we've seen what the team looks like with and without Poeltl and Maluach would be a great fit if he's available. Otherwise I like the idea of going for a long, versatile wing who can defend and can shoot it (or could evolve into a shooter), since we haven't replaced OG. Guys like Carter, Fleming, Lendeborg, Coward, Essengue all intrigue me.

[Rapsfan07]

Cedric Coward won the combine IMO.

Amazing measurements(+9 height to wingspan), shooting, athletic, defense, and he has shown shot creation.

Hes going to go alot higher than people realize. I would not be surprised if be goes top 10, and if he's a guy Masai is looking at. Very typical Masai type pick, and I see some hidden upside. He could one of those guys who keeps improving and ends up being a star IMO.

Wouldn't surprise me if he ends up in the lottery but I'm hoping this is not the case because I want to grab him late.

He looks like he could at least be the next Trey Murphy.

[WuTang_CMB]

Kon likely goes before us from all podcasts im hearing

Which will make someone drop

[Clutch0z24]

Does anyone think Maluach will get past the Pelicans at 7? I seen some sites saying they could be interested .....I feel they are going to select him....Since they have 36 year old dead weight Olynyk as the only back up big on that roster....Assuming Wizards go with Queen at 6....I would pray Fears falls past Nets at 8 at that point....

[WuTang_CMB]

42 min
Jak to raps. We were one if the worst pick and role teams
Chau wants KM

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-ringers-nba-draft-show/id1652760062?i=1000708340661

[Clutch0z24]

Kon likely goes before us from all podcasts im hearing

Which will make someone drop

Hope some how its Fears....Who is taking Kon though in the top 8?...Will the Jazz really take Kon over Tre?...Prolly not....Wizards may go Kon that would mean Queen could drop....It would be between the Pelicans and what big they take because for sure they pick one of the bigs as they have a bundant of guards and wings....At 8 Fears is prolly picked by the Nets if he falls that far...

You have either Khaman/Queen depending on what big the Pelicans like more...

[MEDIC]

42 min
Jak to raps. We were one if the worst pick and role teams
Chau wants KM

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-ringers-nba-draft-show/id1652760062?i=1000708340661

Ew. Worst possible outcome.

I think there will be more impactful talent available at 9.

[WuTang_CMB]

Kon likely goes before us from all podcasts im hearing

Which will make someone drop

Hope some how its Fears....Who is taking Kon though in the top 8?...Will the Jazz really take Kon over Tre?...Prolly not....Wizards may go Kon that would mean Queen could drop....It would be between the Pelicans and what big they take because for sure they pick one of the bigs as they have a bundant of guards and wings....At 8 Fears is prolly picked by the Nets if he falls that far...

You have either Khaman/Queen depending on what big the Pelicans like more...

I think Fears’ floor is BRK. Perfect fit and they get an upside guard. Dumars in NO not sure what he’s thinking they are a wild card. Ya they could go KM or grab Kon

[MEDIC]

I keep thinking that Riley is going to be one of those players that gets picked in the late teens or 20's, then goes on to develop into an allstar level.scorer.

He is very skilled, yet still raw in many ways. I think there is a lit of growth potential there.

He was the guy on my radar since U17. He blew up in an EYBL game and I was convinced this kid has star potential. He is just held back by his skinny frame. They said he gained 15 lbs since last year and he is still only 185. Once he hit 200 watch out.

Watch on YouTube

He looked a bit outmatched to start the NCAA season. As the season went on, he got more comfortable & became.a more.reliable scorer.

Even though he could shoot and score, you could see that he was very inexperienced & raw compared to some.of.his teammates. Kind of gave me TMac vibes. Not saying he is as good as Tmac.......just the skinny lankiness & the rawness about his game.

So.much room for growth.

[OakleyDokely]

I don't think teams will worry too much about fit if they believe Maluach has much more offensive upside than he showed in Duke. Like Ainge ain't going to avoid him because he has Kessler and Filipowski. Even PHI is an option if they don't believe Embiid has a long term (healthy) future.

[Yeezus_]

If the 5 - 15th best prospects are interchangeable, thats great for us. I trust Masai and Dan to find the best talent in that bunch.