2025 Draft Thread - Part 2

[SUPERBALLMAN]

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Looking at the pick at 18....

I could see us moving up, maybe package 18 with the late 2026 1st we got from Philly...

Deal that to ATL for 13, or San Antonio for 14?

If there's a player they want to make sure they get, like Sorber for example.

[doclinkin]

Still waiting on all the official numbers. Still pissed at NBA.com at how slow they are to update them, but I think they have gotten stung in the past putting up the wrong data and getting reamed for it. But still, the early returns have shuffled the board a little I think. We just may be looking at something like this:

1. Cooper.
2. Harper.
3. Edge. 40" vert. Motor. Nice touch on his shooting.
4. Tre. 37.5" vert was a surprise. Measured big. Teams can project him to defend better when he is not the sole offense.
5. Ace. Slipped a little at only 6'7.5" instead of 6'10" . Still nice standing reach but his degree of difficulty in shooting makes his prospects look dimmer if he is unable to simply shoot over all opponents.

I still think it possible Maluach climbs into one of the spots above. Could the 6ers tire of Embiid's constant injuries and unavailability? The Hornets tried to dump Mark Willams, do they take the healthier upgrade? Does a team offer enough picks to Utah to jump into the 5th spot? His agility scores are shrug, but measurements are huge. I think he showed enough of his mobility in college and in Africa. A team may try to actually slim him down instead of asking him to build muscle. If so Ace slips down to us and Dawkins snatches him.

Myself I was disappointed Maluach didn't post the purported 9'8" standing reach. (Wemby +1" instead of the Wemby -1" he did post). But I'm not really all that surprised. At each point I've said *IF* his measurements are accurate. I'm not terribly upset at his lane agility numbers. Players train specifically for that drill, he may not have, but he has shown sufficient movement in games to prove himself to me.

6. Maluach. Sorber. Are the guys I'd be most interested in. Still looking at Fears, who grew an inch in the last year and is one of the younger players in the draft.

I disagree with any who think Sorber is somehow automatically a lower pick and a reach at this spot. Understand this: the mocks mean nothing. We had to trade UP for Bilal, who was mocked in the 20's. And with players like Queen falling (among others) a player like Sorber will look better and better to many.

Especially since Sorber is one of the few players whose stock has climbed by his measurements alone. Legitimately massive, tremendous wingspan, just solid physically and mentally. He is clearly able to play center. His defense is rock solid. A flexible 4/5 with a veteran game is a desired player. His skill set is simply not flashy. He does not put up eye-boggling offensive numbers, which is what most often inflates a player's value. But as a true freshman he had outsized effect on the games he played, in the 3rd toughest conference in the NCAA. He will not be available at 18. Just a fact. If you want him you will have to trade up from there, or pick him at 6. I don't see a trade down option, unless there is someone at 6 that Brooklyn wants enough to swap the 8 + 27 if we steal their guy? Who. Fears? They have too many holes to fixate on any one player, and if they are trading up it is to get into the 3-5 spots instead. Maybe OKC wants to jump up from 15 + 24, but my read is Sorber is gone top 10.

Jeremiah Fears grew an inch in the last year. Quick, fearless. I don't like his 3FG% but his FT% is good. I think the league is going away from small quick guards, but he did manage to get into the lane at will. Force fouls on opponents. I dunno. Still looking, I don't have a 3rd guy yet. Or a trade I like.

[Jay81]

Kon would be a super boring pick but I guarantee you he makes 1st team all rookie

[Northwest Roddy]

Every year i read Shakespeare’s four great tragedies, i listen to Motzart’s symphonies, look at Michelangelo’s sculptures, and pine over Dat2U’s draft tiers.

I’m on board for whatever Dat2U says but leaning towards Maluach because he gas big upside and offers the synergy of putting Sarr into his proper PF position. A two for one like the Commanders did with the OT 1st round pick.

[dobrojim]

Just started watching LockedOn Wizards and SMH at
how off these guys are. Maybe they recorded this
before the combine measurements came out.
They're saying DQ has highest ceiling. They saying
our 2nd FRP is #19. They're talking like the Wiz
want to win next year as if there wasn't a FRP to
be lost. Talking trades to get Zion or Trae. I'd be
shocked if they turned out to be right about any of this stuff.

Watch on YouTube

[Dat2U]

The C group is really deep this year and has a couple of sleepers. Its also pretty damn easy to find a drop coverage big albeit not one as big as Maluach.

As I mentioned in reference to Queen, I think there's better C value at 18 and in the 2nd roiund.

Joan Beringer is just as young and raw as Maluach but a freaky athlete at 6-10 and truly switchable. Ryan Kalkbrenner has the size, hands & offensive efficiency of Maluach and he may be available in the 2nd. Hansen Yang is a sneaky good looking prospect who could surpriae.

[dobrojim]

Just started watching LockedOn Wizards and SMH at
how off IMO these guys are. Maybe they recorded this
before the combine measurements came out.
They're saying DQ has highest ceiling. They saying
our 2nd FRP is #19. They're talking like the Wiz
want to win next year as if there wasn't a FRP to
be lost. Talking trades to get Zion or Trae. I'd be
shocked if they turned out to be right about any of this stuff.

Watch on YouTube

[Northwest Roddy]

The C group is really deep this year and has a couple of sleepers. Its also pretty damn easy to find a drop coverage big albeit not one as big as Maluach.

As I mentioned in reference to Queen, I think there's better C value at 18 and in the 2nd roiund.

Joan Beringer is just as young and raw as Maluach but a freaky athlete at 6-10 and truly switchable. Ryan Kalkbrenner has the size, hands & offensive efficiency of Maluach and he may be available in the 2nd. Hansen Yang is a sneaky good looking prospect who could surpriae.

Do you think that Tre Johnson is our best hope for the 6th pick? and then maybe Sorber or another big like Newel at 18?

[gambitx777]

Kon would be a super boring pick but I guarantee you he makes 1st team all rookie

I really like kon and believe he's be too 5 if he didn't have to play with the second coming of Jesus lol I think kinda gonna fall. If we can trade in or up and some how get queen and kon **** me that he decent.

Both of their combines didn't too to much to help them so some of the freaks might jump them making them available


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[Northwest Roddy]

The C group is really deep this year and has a couple of sleepers. Its also pretty damn easy to find a drop coverage big albeit not one as big as Maluach.

As I mentioned in reference to Queen, I think there's better C value at 18 and in the 2nd roiund.

Joan Beringer is just as young and raw as Maluach but a freaky athlete at 6-10 and truly switchable. Ryan Kalkbrenner has the size, hands & offensive efficiency of Maluach and he may be available in the 2nd. Hansen Yang is a sneaky good looking prospect who could surpriae.

And do you think there’s no chance he’s more than just a drop big and lob threat? Admittedly, he failed my eye test. Slow to jump with little lift. Reactive as a shot blocker with poor anticipation and an overall lack of feel for the game. Plus, Duke really limited his minutes. Or is he so young there is time for him to develop some of those offensive skills he showed in Africa?

[9 and 20]

I'm no expert, more of an anti-expert, but Maluach looks pretty good to me. Definitely looks like an outlier on size and mobility.

Talking myself into being OK with 6. Seems like it's shaping up that the there are two top guys, then Ace and Edgecomb, then everyone else. At 6, we might even have Ace slide down, and then we'd land with whichever of Johnson, Ace, and Maluach makes it to us, and I think I'd be good with that.

Hopefully the French guard or the French forward make it to 18 after that.

[doclinkin]

I'm no expert, more of an anti-expert, but Maluach looks pretty good to me. Definitely looks like an outlier on size and mobility.

Talking myself into being OK with 6. Seems like it's shaping up that the there are two top guys, then Ace and Edgecomb, then everyone else. At 6, we might even have Ace slide down, and then we'd land with whichever of Johnson, Ace, and Maluach makes it to us, and I think I'd be good with that.

Hopefully the French guard or the French forward make it to 18 after that.

I think this is our draft. One of those 3. Then a young frenchie. Unless we trade up from 18.

I bet they try to trade up from 6 for one of Edge Ace or Tre, but are outbid by Brooklyn.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they offer a package to the Spurs on the hush hush that includes Bilal and the 6. Wemby plus Maluach would be monstrous. Or Sorber if he climbs the mocks. Plus the Frenchman’s good friend. With upside and defense of his own. But I bet the Spurs get better offers.

[closg00]

Just started watching LockedOn Wizards and SMH at
how off these guys are. Maybe they recorded this
before the combine measurements came out.
They're saying DQ has highest ceiling. They saying
our 2nd FRP is #19. They're talking like the Wiz
want to win next year as if there wasn't a FRP to
be lost. Talking trades to get Zion or Trae. I'd be
shocked if they turned out to be right about any of this stuff.

Watch on YouTube

Queen could still make it, he is made for a grinding playoff series thriving in the half-court, his workouts will determine his fate.

[doclinkin]

Just started watching LockedOn Wizards and SMH at
how off these guys are. Maybe they recorded this
before the combine measurements came out.
They're saying DQ has highest ceiling. They saying
our 2nd FRP is #19. They're talking like the Wiz
want to win next year as if there wasn't a FRP to
be lost. Talking trades to get Zion or Trae. I'd be
shocked if they turned out to be right about any of this stuff.

Yeah they’re homers. Enthusiastic with their opinions. But the analysis is off. Occasionally one gets credentials and asks a question in a press conference, though it’s usually more like a rambling statement where he wants to show he knows what hes talking about. I’ll watch sometimes but it’s like listening to a conversation in a bar and wanting to interrupt. But no point. I do think they represent the opinions of a lot of the fan base tho.

[payitforward]

Every year i read Shakespeare’s four great tragedies, i listen to Motzart’s symphonies, look at Michelangelo’s sculptures, and pine over Dat2U’s draft tiers.

I’m on board for whatever Dat2U says but leaning towards Maluach because he has big upside and offers the synergy of putting Sarr into his proper PF position. A two for one like the Commanders did with the OT 1st round pick.

ROFL!

[NatP4]

Would be cool if NBA prospect projections had valuation stuff like transfermarkt for soccer. You could trace where guys were valued over time. Instead I have to go from fuzzy memories, but I'm fairly certain Nolan Traore was rated inside the top 10, maybe even top 6 or 7 last summer, and fell to the bottom of the first round in a lot of projections circa January and February before climbing again the past month or two. I don't think any guy experienced as much volatility other than maybe that Hugo Gonzalez kid from Spain who tumbled a good 15-25 slots in aggregated mocks between 2024 and May 2025.

Yeah he was considered the 5th best prospect after Flagg Harper, Ace, and VJ before the season started. Won’t be that surprised if he manages to make it back to the top once the draft rolls around

A year ago after this game against Jakucionis' Barcelona youth team his stock was rocketing. He showed flashes in the French 1st division and everyone thought he'd have a great season, he didn't. But for me, he has always been the better guard out og him, Kasparas and Demin.

https://youtu.be/BCv1rvLM4tk?si=bTbKmhQZg7jkvGbF

It's funny how going the college path can change the draft expectations for some european players. For exmple, the alpha dog in Madrid's youth team had always been Hguo Gonzalez, not Demin. (i still think Gonzalez is a better prospect, he'll be a steal).
For me it'd be: Traore > Hugo > Demin > Jakucionis

Gonzalez played 59 games this year! Spanish-1 league+playoffs, and 30 Euroleague games. Unreal level of competition for an 18/19 year old. Such a tough evaluation, only played 20+ minutes 5 times.

My gut feeling is that if Traore and Gonzalez played NCAA, they would both be in the top 5 conversation.

[payitforward]

Ok... here's this morning's PIF-plan.

I trade 6, 18, 40 & a future R2 pick to the Nets for 8, 19, 27, & 36.

At 8, I take Maluach if he's there, otherwise I take Sorber.
At 19, I take Nolan Traore.
At 27, I take Yaxel Lendeborg.
At 36, I take Cedric Coward.

Thank you very much.

[Hibachi_0]

Gonzalez played 59 games this year! Spanish-1 league+playoffs, and 30 Euroleague games. Unreal level of competition for an 18/19 year old. Such a tough evaluation, only played 20+ minutes 5 times.

My gut feeling is that if Traore and Gonzalez played NCAA, they would both be in the top 5 conversation.

100% agree

There's 3 games left of RS in ACB and Madrid has already secured the 1st position. He'll probably have a bigger role in these games, if he does well I wouldn't be surprised he jumps back to the middle of the 1st round.

[AFM]

Kind of bad juju to take a guy named Coward. Unless it's like how a tall mobster is always called "Shorty"

[payitforward]

Coward's not going to be there in R2 anyway....