2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 7

[WuTang_CMB]

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[WuTang_CMB]

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Every scout likely saw the tape of Hansen Yang dominating in China, but the Combine gave them a chance to watch him perform against a higher level of competition in the 2025 NBA draft pool.

Yang looked like he belonged, playing with swagger and confidence and scoring instincts. He delivered a number of wow-factor plays, including a three-pointer, some fancy footwork from the post and a few beautiful dimes that highlighted obvious passing IQ and quick processing.

There are still some questions about how he'll be able to guard away from the basket in the NBA. But for a 19-year-old who's 7'1" barefoot with the class' second-largest hands, Yang showed enough physicality, skill and feel to look like a worthwhile gamble in the second round.

[WuTang_CMB]

Noa at 8

https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/nba-mock-draft-20-which-players-are-on-the-rise-after-the-draft-combine-the-latest-projections-for-every-pick-165027293.html

[bboyskinnylegs]

Noa is this year's Coulibaly

[Dalek]

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Every scout likely saw the tape of Hansen Yang dominating in China, but the Combine gave them a chance to watch him perform against a higher level of competition in the 2025 NBA draft pool.

Yang looked like he belonged, playing with swagger and confidence and scoring instincts. He delivered a number of wow-factor plays, including a three-pointer, some fancy footwork from the post and a few beautiful dimes that highlighted obvious passing IQ and quick processing.

There are still some questions about how he'll be able to guard away from the basket in the NBA. But for a 19-year-old who's 7'1" barefoot with the class' second-largest hands, Yang showed enough physicality, skill and feel to look like a worthwhile gamble in the second round.

I listened to the Chucking Darts podcast that did a post Combine mock and they had us taking Yang at 9. He has size and feel for the game and may rise up. He does a lot like Danny Wolf but is less mobile.

[Indeed]

I very much doubt Kalkbrenner will be able to guard in space in the NBA, which is why he is projected much lower than Maluach. Another reason being that he's turning 24 (!) midway through his rookie season. He better be a better shooter than an 18 year old considering the age difference.

Kalkbrenner has the same lane agility than Maluach (they are both bottom 2 with Queen behind), while only 2 inch short on his standing reach and less than an inch short on wingspan.

As for shooting, Maluach isn't shooting well with very low volume, it is all potential, lol. Check the stats.

I mean, that's why you draft an 18 year old over a 23 year old. Potential.

I mean, that's why there are so many bust, and people (eg. Vecenie) talked about it when you can have 4 years of data, yet, GMs still fall for the hype.

[grant101]

Noa is this year's Coulibaly

He's this year's Tidjane Salaun - all projection. Coulibaly at least came in a NBA-level defender and showed more on ball flashes than Noa.

[Indeed]

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Every scout likely saw the tape of Hansen Yang dominating in China, but the Combine gave them a chance to watch him perform against a higher level of competition in the 2025 NBA draft pool.

Yang looked like he belonged, playing with swagger and confidence and scoring instincts. He delivered a number of wow-factor plays, including a three-pointer, some fancy footwork from the post and a few beautiful dimes that highlighted obvious passing IQ and quick processing.

There are still some questions about how he'll be able to guard away from the basket in the NBA. But for a 19-year-old who's 7'1" barefoot with the class' second-largest hands, Yang showed enough physicality, skill and feel to look like a worthwhile gamble in the second round.

I listened to the Chucking Darts podcast that did a post Combine mock and they had us taking Yang at 9. He has size and feel for the game and may rise up. He does a lot like Danny Wolf but is less mobile.

Vecenie has Yang at 2nd round, because he was holding the ball a bit longer before swinging. Unsure if he is just not used to the speed of the game and people around, or if his processing is slow.

[ATLTimekeeper]

Noa is this year's Coulibaly

I think Coulibaly was a really late riser, whereas Essengue has been firmly in the top 20 all year. Coulibaly would be more like Joan Beringer going top 10.

[grant101]

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Every scout likely saw the tape of Hansen Yang dominating in China, but the Combine gave them a chance to watch him perform against a higher level of competition in the 2025 NBA draft pool.

Yang looked like he belonged, playing with swagger and confidence and scoring instincts. He delivered a number of wow-factor plays, including a three-pointer, some fancy footwork from the post and a few beautiful dimes that highlighted obvious passing IQ and quick processing.

There are still some questions about how he'll be able to guard away from the basket in the NBA. But for a 19-year-old who's 7'1" barefoot with the class' second-largest hands, Yang showed enough physicality, skill and feel to look like a worthwhile gamble in the second round.

I listened to the Chucking Darts podcast that did a post Combine mock and they had us taking Yang at 9. He has size and feel for the game and may rise up. He does a lot like Danny Wolf but is less mobile.

Similar court vision, and while definitely less mobile, I like that Hansen know how to play as a big. I didn't see much from Wolf in the post at either end. Could be that he was deferring to Goldin, but I was often left wishing he played with more force down low instead of floating around the perimeter. Wolf reminded me of Sandro Mamukelashvili. Not sure I can get behind Yang in the lottery even if he has the potential to return high-lottery value (it would be a huge reach from a ballsy exec), but I definitely see a case for drafting him in the early 20s.

[RoteSchroder]

https://www.reddit.com/r/NBA_Draft/comments/1kpook9/hansen_yang_2025_cba_highlights/

2025 Yang highlights..f*** it, take him with 9. Some Hawk fans want him with 13 and Joe Tsai is gonna draft him with one of the Net's picks.

Gotta admit, he looks like a faster more fluid Yak who could also shoot a 3. Re-signing Yak and having Yang work with him the next 3-4 years would be a nice. And Chomche churning along slowly learning from both, and our outcome for our C position would be set for the next decade+

Not that I see our FO doing it but if Maluach is off the board, part of me would love to see them do this lol just to see/read the reactions both from the media and fan base

Personally I loved Yang last year but went cool on him because someone in here was saying he was looking slower etc. But if he’s able to move well enough to not be run off the court then as crazy as it may sound they really should look deeper into him and even consider it because he could be a massive steal for someone and if you’re right about him you look like a genius lol

That was me, there were a couple of games where he looked awful, was a bit slow and getting out hustled.

I still have concerns about him in transition, stamina issues, and what not. Another concern is that he’s not dominating the CBA.

But looking at slower guys like Clingan, Edey or offensive bigs with poor D like Olynyk, I think his floor may be acceptable (20 min/game offensive big off the bench with some interior D). I’m thinking a mid-level outcome would be Marc Gasol on offense (15 PPG/7-8 REB/5 AST) with around Edey level defense.

Would be interesting to see him get some NBA training, catching up to the pacing and polishing up his shooting + touch

[RoteSchroder]

Noa is this year's Coulibaly

He's this year's Tidjane Salaun - all projection. Coulibaly at least came in a NBA-level defender and showed more on ball flashes than Noa.

I think Noa has solid role player potential, especially if he gets that shot going. I’d put him above Saluan and a bit closer to Coulibaly

Salaun I think I was overly harsh on last off-season:

viewtopic.php?f=32&p=113650399

Saluan's scouting report:
- sucks at basketball, can't rebound, can't defend, can't finish, can't shot create, low efficiency, non-existent playmaker
- doesn't know how to move his feet, should probably stay out of sports

dis gunna end well

[pilkoids]

Anyone else seeing rookie Pascal Siakam in Rasheer Flemmings game?

[Psubs]

Both will be available at 9. Are you vying for a trading for another 1st while dangling Ochai/Gradey or u want to draft them with #9?

I think Yang is a must draft, despite having higher bust potential. He's not a Raptors-type pick though.

I'm just assuming that trading 9 for 13 and 22 is a no-brainer.

Yes, I would trade Ochai and #39 for a 1st pick in the teens. Would Ochai on his own be enough? I don't think that RJ would fetch a pick in the teens.

You are not getting a better player in the teens than Barrett.
Do you really think that Dick and Walter can be a better player than Barrett? They will need to work really hard to be at that level, let alone better. You are more comparing Knuppell to Barrett at that talent level, as if Knuppell plans out in the NBA.

The over $20 million in savings would allow you to use the full MLE and steal away Luke Kornet. I'm not saying Luke will have a Hartenstein level emergence but even on a lessor scale to get a C that can spot start for Poeltl would be welcome.

Even if they take back an expiring but like 75% of the salary would allow a FA signing of maybe slightly over the tax payer MLE. Like it $8 million per year with max raises enough to get Kornet.

[Psubs]

Anyone else seeing rookie Pascal Siakam in Rasheer Flemmings game?

Pascal has even gotten his 3pt % above average! Had he shown that in Toronto, I would've been okay to re-sign him for $40 million.

Rasheer is actually taller with a bigger wingspan too so able to finish stronger with dunks from standstill. Can you imagine a mix of Pascal and Duren?

[mtcan]

Anyone else seeing rookie Pascal Siakam in Rasheer Flemmings game?

Pascal has even gotten his 3pt % above average! Had he shown that in Toronto, I would've been okay to re-sign him for $40 million.

Rasheer is actually taller with a bigger wingspan too so able to finish stronger with dunks from standstill. Can you imagine a mix of Pascal and Duren?

The ball handling and creation is the big difference between Fleming and Siakam. Fleming is not an on-ball player on offense.

[OakleyDokely]

Siakam was already a slasher/attacker on ball in college. Fleming isn't that guy, he really needs to improve his handles to get to that point. Fleming's more of a 3+D guy, more similar to a guy like OG out of college than Siakam.

[Yallbecrazy]

I'm happy to see Jase Richardson getting some love. He's been one of my favourites for awhile now, and I'd be thrilled if we drafted him.

The main issue that's affecting Richardson's draft stock is that he's currently a PG sized SG. However, on a team with plenty of ball handling and passing at other positions (like our team), who cares. You can just line him up at PG for defensive purposes, and have everybody share the ball on offense. If his PG skills develop over time, you could easily end up with one of the best players in the draft. If his PG skills don't develop, you still end up with a useful combo guard who can score.

The Raptors like to draft players with plus size for their position, but they also like to draft players who are good analytically. Jase Richardson, as someone mentioned above, has the second best BPM of any Freshman in the draft (behind only Flagg). He is good, analytically, at both offense and defense. His only statistical weaknesses are rebounding (which makes sense given his size) and usage rate (which was due to the team he was on). His shooting, assist to turnover rate, and ability to get to the line are all very impressive.

Another point in Richardson's favor is his age. He's an October 2006 birthday, the same as Jeremiah Fears, which makes him one of the youngest players in the draft. He also is a very good athlete, and has the same standing reach and wingspan as Fears despite being shorter (Jase's wingspan is actually slightly longer). Jase is also an impressive leaper, and is is great at finishing around the rim.

If we draft any guard, we'd likely want to trade one of our existing guards for a backup big (probably Dick or Agbaji). I don't see this as a reason to not take a guard, though. I don't know if Jase will end up being BPA at 9, but he should be on our shortlist and hopefully we're taking a very close look at him.

He's a 2005 birthday so he's an older freshman, still 10 months younger than Queen thougj.

[Psubs]

Chicago and Atlanta have the PG(s) to make use of Maluach.
Which is an idea if Maluach is still available at #9, and Atlanta wants to trade up for him.
Otherwise, I think Maluach will be gone at #12

If Maluach is there at 9 he's retiring a Toronto Raptor

I said it awhile ago, I thought Maluach could be a riser (pause) once he gets into individual workouts and honestly idk how GMs are going to watch this 7'2 guy with a NBA body who projects to be one of the bigger, stronger Cs in the league continue to splash 3s AND showing a level of mobility with the ball in his hands....more and more I think he's taken 6 or 7th *sigh.

I think it might be too tough for the teams between 3-5 to pass on more "sure" things but once that's past, I can EASILY see a GM salivating I thinking the hell with it and roll the dice which obv f'ing sucks because I don't think Maluach has superstar potential or anything BUT he could still be a monster if developed right and his fit would be almost seamless. I'm not joking when I say they not only need to make him a promise (which was already rumored) but some sort of under the table stuff to get him to shut his workouts down and/or telling any non-top 5 team to pass on him because I really do think someone 6-8 takes him if that doesn't happen.

Ya, New Orleans will draft him at #7 then BK will draft Fears.

[Psubs]

Anyone else seeing rookie Pascal Siakam in Rasheer Flemmings game?

Pascal has even gotten his 3pt % above average! Had he shown that in Toronto, I would've been okay to re-sign him for $40 million.

Rasheer is actually taller with a bigger wingspan too so able to finish stronger with dunks from standstill. Can you imagine a mix of Pascal and Duren?

The ball handling and creation is the big difference between Fleming and Siakam. Fleming is not an on-ball player on offense.

Siakam was already a slasher/attacker on ball in college. Fleming isn't that guy, he really needs to improve his handles to get to that point. Fleming's more of a 3+D guy, more similar to a guy like OG out of college than Siakam.

Fleming says that's one aspect of his game that gets overlooked. He's a hard worker. I believe that he played with 2 super ball-dominant guards so really not part of the offense.