2025 Draft Thread - Part 2

[dobrojim]

Forget a HOF thread. We need a thread for REALGM LEGENDS, sort of like a Mount Rushmore, or the Vietnam Memorial Wall if you prefer gallows humor.

Hands11
WizDynasty
Pineappleheadindc
Fishercob
TSW

I’m sure I’m missing more…

Still Droppin 20 was my favorite.

Induveca
Barelyawake
Hoopalotta

I always like when Ed Wood pops back in.

Scabs/moto disciple of Laron Profit.

FWIW, I remember all these folks. And Scabs wasn't the only MXer here although
by the time this was going strong I had largely stopped racing MX.

One of my fav posters since I started coming here has been Doc.

I still remember a post in which you observed and lamented the fact that the Bullets/Zards
fan base has never been nearly as rabid on the same scale as some other teams. You described
the fans of these other teams in very colorful descriptive language. It was a long time ago. Early days.

[Dat2U]

Hoopalotta is like my long lost brother from another mother. If I remember correctly, we shared the same birthday and birth place. I hope he and the rest of the realgm alum are doing well!

[tontoz]

Watching Steven Adams with Houston in the playoffs i couldn't help but think of WizD who had a major man crush on Adams during that draft. He had some of the best lines ever. See my sig lol.

[Dat2U]

Wildly enough, Ace is starting to grow on me. I think he fits well with this core.

C Sarr / Vukcevic
F Coulibaly
F Bailey / Ju. Champagnie
G Ky. George / C. Jones
G Carrington / A. Johnson

The lineup definitely needs shot creation and shooting. Theoretically he provides that without sacrificing length & defensive focus. Get him working on his handle which will be the key to unlocking his offensive upside as a creator.

[machu46]

Any chance Traore plays himself to #6 before the draft? I remember before the year hoping we'd end the year with him; what would he have to show to to make up for the poor start? Or is Bub too similar that it's not worth it?

I have Tony Parker as a comp for Traore, so I would happily take him in the top 10. That said, I would feel much better if we dropped down and garnered another asset in doing so.
Send 6 => Brooklyn for 8 & 26.
8: Traore
18: Bryant, Essengue, Beringer, Sorber, Wolf, Lendeborg, Fleming
26: Clayton, Hugo, Miles Byrd
40: Thiero, Powell, Coward, Penda, Toohey

Question: is there someone that Brooklyn would be targeting for #6? It seems like with only 9 on the payroll they are looking forward to bringing in 4 new rookies.

Maybe a team like OKC? 15, 24 & 44?

From talking to some Nets fans in my life, it seems like they're currently hoping for Tre Johnson (almost certainly out of reach at 8) or Fears (more of a possibility).

[dckingsfan]

I have Tony Parker as a comp for Traore, so I would happily take him in the top 10. That said, I would feel much better if we dropped down and garnered another asset in doing so.
Send 6 => Brooklyn for 8 & 26.
8: Traore
18: Bryant, Essengue, Beringer, Sorber, Wolf, Lendeborg, Fleming
26: Clayton, Hugo, Miles Byrd
40: Thiero, Powell, Coward, Penda, Toohey

Question: is there someone that Brooklyn would be targeting for #6? It seems like with only 9 on the payroll they are looking forward to bringing in 4 new rookies.

Maybe a team like OKC? 15, 24 & 44?

From talking to some Nets fans in my life, it seems like they're currently hoping for Tre Johnson (almost certainly out of reach at 8) or Fears (more of a possibility).

Brooklyn is going to be really interesting, IMO. Under contract they have

Code: Select all

Nic Claxton       26   $25,352,272
Cameron Johnson   29   $20,543,478
Noah Clowney      20    $3,398,640
Dariq Whitehead   20    $3,262,560
Keon Johnson      23    $2,349,578
Jalen Wilson      24    $2,221,677
Maxwell Lewis     22    $2,221,677
Tyrese Martin     26    $2,191,897
Drew Timme        24    $1,955,377

Johnson, Wilson, Martin and Timme are club options.

And they still need to figure out who they want to extend their RFAs.

Code: Select all

Ziaire Williams   23
Cam Thomas        23
Day'Ron Sharpe    23

So, they have tremendous flexibility on who to draft, FAs to chase and who to resign. And if they want, to package a player with picks to move WAY up in the draft. Honestly, I don't see them getting above 3 (I think 1 & 2 are out of their reach). I also don't think they will be interested in moving up under 4 (I have been wrong before).

[dckingsfan]

Wildly enough, Ace is starting to grow on me. I think he fits well with this core.

C Sarr / Vukcevic
F Coulibaly
F Bailey / Ju. Champagnie
G Ky. George / C. Jones
G Carrington / A. Johnson

The lineup definitely needs shot creation and shooting. Theoretically he provides that without sacrificing length & defensive focus. Get him working on his handle which will be the key to unlocking his offensive upside as a creator.

I think there are some bigs that are going to fall in the draft as well, both PFs and Cs. So, it could work...

[payitforward]

...Send 6 => Brooklyn for 8 & 26....

A dream come true, but def. a dream: I can't see anyone giving 26 for the sole return of moving up two spots from 8 to 6. Not in this draft at least.

[Kanyewest]

Regarding the results of the draft lottery, sometimes it is better to be lucky than good and end up with the number 1 pick in great drafts like the Spurs. Even though they found gems later like Parker and Manu, they had a head start in getting Hall of Fame players in their respective drafts.

That being said, the odds are what they were given that the owners (except OKC) voted for the new reformed lottery odds. It is why a complete rebuild may have been stalled for so long anyways (the Wizards were a lottery ball away from getting Wemby IIRC)- and poor performing teams are not guaranteed anything.

Wizards may have used up their relative lottery luck in getting the #2 pick in last years draft. Even though by all accounts it was a weaker draft in the sense of not knowing who the studs were going to be.

Anyways we will find out how bad the results will be. Chris Vernon recalled the 2007 draft when he was upset when the Grizzlies missed out on the #1 pick and the Grizzlies ended up taking Mike Conley, who ended up turning out as a much better player than Greg Oden.

I believe the Hornets have had pretty good lottery luck in getting Ball and Miller, yet they are still in the rebuilding stages (and somehow didn't beat the Wizards last season).

The blessing in disguise is that we will find out how good the front office is in identifying talent sooner rather than later. Cooper Flagg would have been similar skill level required by Grunfeld when he selected Wall (and to some extent Bradley Beal). This will prove to be a test for the front office to see if they can identify talent.

In the meantime, the Wizards still have several holes to fill. And we still have to see if any of the young guys like Sarr, Carrington, George, Bilal, and AJ Johnson develop.

[closg00]

Let’s face it. We got the 6th pick in a 2 man draft plus 3

This ^comment is haunting my dreams:
1. Flagg
2. Harper
3. Ace
4. VJ
5. Johnson

I am hoping Utah does something dumb and take Kon at 5, otherwise I don’t see any of the Top-5 falling to us, hence my Fears back-up plan.

[nate33]

Let’s face it. We got the 6th pick in a 2 man draft plus 3

This ^comment is haunting my dreams:
1. Flagg
2. Harper
3. Ace
4. VJ
5. Johnson

I am hoping Utah does something dumb and take Kon at 5, otherwise I don’t see any of the Top-5 falling to us, hence my Fears back-up plan.

Nobody is ever right about the draft. The odds are very very high that someone picked in the 6-12 range is going to be a lot better than one or two of the guys picked in the 3-5 range.

[Dat2U]

Regarding the results of the draft lottery, sometimes it is better to be lucky than good and end up with the number 1 pick in great drafts like the Spurs. Even though they found gems later like Parker and Manu, they had a head start in getting Hall of Fame players in their respective drafts.

That being said, the odds are what they were given that the owners (except OKC) voted for the new reformed lottery odds. It is why a complete rebuild may have been stalled for so long anyways (the Wizards were a lottery ball away from getting Wemby IIRC)- and poor performing teams are not guaranteed anything.

Wizards may have used up their relative lottery luck in getting the #2 pick in last years draft. Even though by all accounts it was a weaker draft in the sense of not knowing who the studs were going to be.

Anyways we will find out how bad the results will be. Chris Vernon recalled the 2007 draft when he was upset when the Grizzlies missed out on the #1 pick and the Grizzlies ended up taking Mike Conley, who ended up turning out as a much better player than Greg Oden.

I believe the Hornets have had pretty good lottery luck in getting Ball and Miller, yet they are still in the rebuilding stages (and somehow didn't beat the Wizards last season).

The blessing in disguise is that we will find out how good the front office is in identifying talent sooner rather than later. Cooper Flagg would have been similar skill level required by Grunfeld when he selected Wall (and to some extent Bradley Beal). This will prove to be a test for the front office to see if they can identify talent.

In the meantime, the Wizards still have several holes to fill. And we still have to see if any of the young guys like Sarr, Carrington, George, Bilal, and AJ Johnson develop.

The only difference b/w this years and last years class in the lottery is Cooper Flagg & Dylan Harper. Maybe this one is deeper in terms of finding quality role players in the mid/late 1st.

[closg00]

Let’s face it. We got the 6th pick in a 2 man draft plus 3

This ^comment is haunting my dreams:
1. Flagg
2. Harper
3. Ace
4. VJ
5. Johnson

I am hoping Utah does something dumb and take Kon at 5, otherwise I don’t see any of the Top-5 falling to us, hence my Fears back-up plan.

Nobody is ever right about the draft. The odds are very very high that someone picked in the 6-12 range is going to be a lot better than one or two of the guys picked in the 3-5 range.

You’re right, I do like the Top-5, and more

[pcbothwel]

...Send 6 => Brooklyn for 8 & 26....

A dream come true, but def. a dream: I can't see anyone giving 26 for the sole return of moving up two spots from 8 to 6. Not in this draft at least.

You dont know the tiers of other peoples draft board.
You have Flagg & Harper, but then it appears the next tier is some Ace, VJ, and Tre.
I see a very clear scenario where 1 of those 3, plus 1 of Maluach/Fears are available at 6 and teams see another drop off after.

[dckingsfan]

Regarding the results of the draft lottery, sometimes it is better to be lucky than good and end up with the number 1 pick in great drafts like the Spurs. Even though they found gems later like Parker and Manu, they had a head start in getting Hall of Fame players in their respective drafts.

That being said, the odds are what they were given that the owners (except OKC) voted for the new reformed lottery odds. It is why a complete rebuild may have been stalled for so long anyways (the Wizards were a lottery ball away from getting Wemby IIRC)- and poor performing teams are not guaranteed anything.

Wizards may have used up their relative lottery luck in getting the #2 pick in last years draft. Even though by all accounts it was a weaker draft in the sense of not knowing who the studs were going to be.

Anyways we will find out how bad the results will be. Chris Vernon recalled the 2007 draft when he was upset when the Grizzlies missed out on the #1 pick and the Grizzlies ended up taking Mike Conley, who ended up turning out as a much better player than Greg Oden.

I believe the Hornets have had pretty good lottery luck in getting Ball and Miller, yet they are still in the rebuilding stages (and somehow didn't beat the Wizards last season).

The blessing in disguise is that we will find out how good the front office is in identifying talent sooner rather than later. Cooper Flagg would have been similar skill level required by Grunfeld when he selected Wall (and to some extent Bradley Beal). This will prove to be a test for the front office to see if they can identify talent.

In the meantime, the Wizards still have several holes to fill. And we still have to see if any of the young guys like Sarr, Carrington, George, Bilal, and AJ Johnson develop.

The only difference b/w this years and last years class in the lottery is Cooper Flagg & Dylan Harper. Maybe this one is deeper in terms of finding quality role players in the mid/late 1st.

That seems like a pretty big difference? I am guessing there will be at least a 5-10 players better than this year's ROY Stephon Castle? I also think the depth of bigs in this year's draft is very underrated?

[tontoz]

The combine numbers are up. Below are the top sprint times. Check out the guys right below Fears.

Ace up there too.

[payitforward]

I'm completely sold on Maxime Raynaud. Gonna have a long, successful NBA career.

Watch on YouTube

[payitforward]

Let’s face it. We got the 6th pick in a 2 man draft plus 3

This ^comment is haunting my dreams:
1. Flagg
2. Harper
3. Ace
4. VJ
5. Johnson....

Thing is... I don't think this is ever true. Over the last, say, 20 years how often have the top 2 players been the best in the draft, & how often have the top 5 players been the best.

I can't think of a single case, which makes me pretty sure it is not going to be true this year either.

So, it's about using 6, 18 & 40 well -- do that & we'll be just fine.

[The Consiglieri]

Watch on YouTube

Starting at 28:00 minute mark...

Best shooter in the draft?

Kon Knueppel


Highest defensive upside?

Khaman Maluach


Biggest red flag in the draft?

Derik Queen

"if he finds that extra gear with his motor and his conditioning, the guy's an All-Star, like there's no doubt about it..."


The non-lottery pick most likely to end up the best player in the class?

"I'm intrigued with Carter Bryant... I mean just the tools, and the defensive versatility, and the feel for the game, and the shooting, the body, the character... Everybody's looking for that player in today's NBA..."

This is a must watch! Do not miss.

That guy, no matter how knowledgeable, has no place on TV. He's so boring and robotic. I remember it on ESPN last year, and this interview shows he hasnt grown whatsoever in that area

You talking about the old ringer dude O'Connor who I think ended up on yahoo?

[daoneandonly]

This is a must watch! Do not miss.

That guy, no matter how knowledgeable, has no place on TV. He's so boring and robotic. I remember it on ESPN last year, and this interview shows he hasnt grown whatsoever in that area

You talking about the old ringer dude O'Connor who I think ended up on yahoo?

No I mean Giovany