2025 NBA Draft Thread, part 1 – Capture the Flagg

[Kalela]

Yaxel Lendeborg looks like a nearly ideal replacement for Al Horford. He may even be from the same country, I think. I was surprised by how tall he actually is. He looked smaller during the tournament. He’s got a solid wingspan and big hands, too. If he stays in the draft, he could end up going earlier than most people expect

[playa-hater]

Maxime Raynaud playing himself out the Celtics range. This is Bilal all over again
https://www.reddit.com/r/NBA_Draft/comments/1kmvdbb/stanfords_maxime_raynaud_performance_in_todays/

I believe you called him out first and I jumped aboard, but with the possibility of so many trades who knows where Boston will be picking. So never say never.

[playa-hater]

Yaxel Lendeborg looks like a nearly ideal replacement for Al Horford. He may even be from the same country, I think. I was surprised by how tall he actually is. He looked smaller during the tournament. He’s got a solid wingspan and big hands, too. If he stays in the draft, he could end up going earlier than most people expect

He is the exact prototypical type I want Boston to get. 3-4 combo type. It seems like he does everything well but at what level??

[Dogen]

This guy worked out for the Celtics the other day:

Read on Twitter

Now THAT is wet!

Nice form -- if I had a criticism on the mechanics, the gather is a little slow. Fine for open 3's, but I wonder what contested shots looked like in his workouts.

But 46! can't argue with the sheer numbers!

[Dogen]

I want the C's to do everything they can to get in the lottery this draft. I can't see getting in the top 3, but every other spot is possible. I think players like Richardson, Newell and Sorber could be solid foundational picks for when JT comes back. I think White is the move because I want the Jay's to stay together. Draft one of those 3 and give them heavy minutes next season.

White can get them the 9th or 10th pick.

I want to see White hoisting trophy #20 and eventually retire as a Celtic. Probably rank him slightly above the Jays in terms of my personal all-time favorite Celtics (for the years I've watched games). Bird, Pierce, Garnett... Rondo... McHale... White? He might be top 5.

I'd rather see if Brown can get a top pick plus some auxiliary players. The trade with Spurs for #2/Harper plus Vassell and Barnes. Probably not a popular move now since Brown had a good game, but things will revert to form and people will go back to complaining about him after a couple boneheaded turnovers.

This would mean a mini rebuild and down year while Tatum recovers, which could be OK for the new owners as they probably don't care about keeping the Jays together; will want to get the payroll in order and build their own timeline for the next run.

It's a tough decision, but Brad will need to follow the lead of the new owners. There's much to decide and not much time before the draft.

[redslastlaugh]

Floor and ceiling substack edited together highlights with write-ups/projections from the different prospects who played in the combine scrimmages:
https://floorandceiling.substack.com/p/nba-draft-combine-prospects-sleepers

Maxime Raynaud
Javon Small
Alex Toohey
Kam Jones
Hansen Yang
Neoklis Avdalas
Michael Ruzic
Alijah Martin
Dink Pate
Yaxel Lendeborg
Miles Byrd
Tahaad Pettiford
Sion James
Jamir Watkins

Interesting read. Nice to see some clips broken out without having to sit through the whole scrimmages.

[Hal14]

I want the C's to do everything they can to get in the lottery this draft. I can't see getting in the top 3, but every other spot is possible. I think players like Richardson, Newell and Sorber could be solid foundational picks for when JT comes back. I think White is the move because I want the Jay's to stay together. Draft one of those 3 and give them heavy minutes next season.

White can get them the 9th or 10th pick.

I want to see White hoisting trophy #20 and eventually retire as a Celtic. Probably rank him slightly above the Jays in terms of my personal all-time favorite Celtics (for the years I've watched games). Bird, Pierce, Garnett... Rondo... McHale... White? He might be top 5.

I'd rather see if Brown can get a top pick plus some auxiliary players. The trade with Spurs for #2/Harper plus Vassell and Barnes. Probably not a popular move now since Brown had a good game, but things will revert to form and people will go back to complaining about him after a couple boneheaded turnovers.

This would mean a mini rebuild and down year while Tatum recovers, which could be OK for the new owners as they probably don't care about keeping the Jays together; will want to get the payroll in order and build their own timeline for the next run.

It's a tough decision, but Brad will need to follow the lead of the new owners. There's much to decide and not much time before the draft.

I doubt Brown gets traded.

My guess is that Brad still wants to be competitive next season..not tank.

And with Tatum out all year, JB will be *the* guy, and will finally get a chance to sink or swim as a no. 1 option for a full season.

[redslastlaugh]

Cyro Asseo had reported Ced Coward likely withdrawing to attend Duke. But Coward measured out well at the combine and now ESPN reporting he's likely moving up into the 1st roundd.

On Monday, he measured at 6-foot-5¼ with a 7-2¼ wingspan, and then was one of the best performers in Tuesday's shooting drills (hitting 72% of his aggregate attempts, tied for sixth best). Despite the fact Coward will not be participating in 5-on-5 scrimmages because of a shoulder injury he sustained in November, there is growing talk about NBA personnel that Coward is going to play himself into the first round. -- Jeff Borzello

Read on Twitter

As others have said, Celts having 28 + 32, it's good for us if pretty much everyone stays in, and i agree. So this is good news about Cedric Coward.

Rumors on hoopshype, not confirmed but the scuttlebutt is that Cedric Coward is going to withdraw from the draft and that the Duke NIL money is $3 million for this upcoming season and Coward is gonna take that Duke coin.

[165bows]

Floor and ceiling substack edited together highlights with write-ups/projections from the different prospects who played in the combine scrimmages:
https://floorandceiling.substack.com/p/nba-draft-combine-prospects-sleepers

Maxime Raynaud
Javon Small
Alex Toohey
Kam Jones
Hansen Yang
Neoklis Avdalas
Michael Ruzic
Alijah Martin
Dink Pate
Yaxel Lendeborg
Miles Byrd
Tahaad Pettiford
Sion James
Jamir Watkins

Interesting read. Nice to see some clips broken out without having to sit through the whole scrimmages.

Cool I haven't gotten to see this at all. Did check the box scores quickly and saw my man Sion James had 4 steals and put up 6 threes in 20ish minutes, so that's pretty much what he was there to do imo.

[Gant]

In the first round, only three teams from draft spots 13 to 30 own their own picks.

[leper-con]

there are lots of teams with multiple picks, I can't see the Nets drafting 3 rookies,, lots of picks are going to get traded.

[playa-hater]

there are lots of teams with multiple picks, I can't see the Nets drafting 3 rookies,, lots of picks are going to get traded.

I think they have four draft pics in round one, so you are correct.

[165bows]

In the first round, only three teams from draft spots 13 to 30 own their own picks.

It's crazy how many of these have been traded.

Don't tell the T+T board that though, first rounders are reserved for guys like uh, I'm not sure actually.

Definitely not Christian Wood and Jamie Jaquez though.

[Dogen]

With the KP situation, plus uncertainty with Horford and Kornet, I'm starting to pivot back to bigs. Raynaud is getting good reviews from the combine. A shooting, passing, mobile big man, possible to be there at 28 or 32, depending on how many players stay in this draft or go back to school.

[djFan71]

Penda is growing on me.

[jonige94]

Maxime Raynaud playing himself out the Celtics range. This is Bilal all over again
https://www.reddit.com/r/NBA_Draft/comments/1kmvdbb/stanfords_maxime_raynaud_performance_in_todays/

I want him.

[165bows]

Floor and ceiling substack edited together highlights with write-ups/projections from the different prospects who played in the combine scrimmages:
https://floorandceiling.substack.com/p/nba-draft-combine-prospects-sleepers

Maxime Raynaud
Javon Small
Alex Toohey
Kam Jones
Hansen Yang
Neoklis Avdalas
Michael Ruzic
Alijah Martin
Dink Pate
Yaxel Lendeborg
Miles Byrd
Tahaad Pettiford
Sion James
Jamir Watkins

Interesting read. Nice to see some clips broken out without having to sit through the whole scrimmages.

Cool I haven't gotten to see this at all. Did check the box scores quickly and saw my man Sion James had 4 steals and put up 6 threes in 20ish minutes, so that's pretty much what he was there to do imo.

James with 12 stocks in 46 total minutes I think that’s pretty good.

He does look like an absolute tank out there though

[playa-hater]

Before Tatum went down I was clamoring for Boston to trade up and get a better step right in player because I wanted someone who could really help in rotation sooner for a continued Title run. But with Tatum going down there is no longer the same need. Combine that with seemingly a lot of similar quality talent from Mid-first on back I want to keep both 28 and 32. But damn If Boston trades a pick away to get under the Cap like with what Danny did with Enes Kanter and bypassing Desmond Bane.

[playa-hater]

I would be happy getting Raynaud and Yaxel barring a slip down from a couple of players I expect not to be close to us at 28.

Wolf who measured reasonably well is my top hopeful and Fleming right behind him.

[playa-hater]

Penda is growing on me.

Not quite the same players, But I am flipping back and forth on Penda and Yaxel if both were to be available.