2025 Draft prospects - thread 2

[Jcool0]

AK did at 4.

Hence Pwon’t

I would hope he has learned his lesson. But with AK you never know...

I understand the PTSD, but IMO Bryant has the highest ceiling of anyone expected to be left. I'm not drafting in the lotto for a high floor. Queen gives me McDermott flashbacks.

Carter Bryant is projected to be a 3-D guy. i wouldn't say that is a high ceiling. If are going on unrealistic ceilings... CMB could be Green 2.0 which would be a pretty high ceiling.

[Chi town]

I would hope he has learned his lesson. But with AK you never know...

I understand the PTSD, but IMO Bryant has the highest ceiling of anyone expected to be left. I'm not drafting in the lotto for a high floor. Queen gives me McDermott flashbacks.

Carter Bryant is projected to be a 3-D guy. i wouldn't say that is a high ceiling. If are going on unrealistic ceilings... CMB could be Green 2.0 which would be a pretty high ceiling.

Agree. CB didn’t show much juice at Zona.

This whole projection is what their most likely outcome will be.

If we are going for ceiling and draft for a top 3 player on a playoff team CB ain’t it. CMB could be as a 3rd best player but he’d have to be an average shooter and Draymond like on D.

This is why I like Noa. What he’s showing at 18 off ball with his unique two way play is high. His length is a big advantage. If his shot is average he becomes an elite two way 3D player with his prototype. If he adds anything on ball you are looking at a top 2 player profile due to his FT rate.

I think Coward has 2b ceiling and only gets there as a movement shooter.

Demin probably only 3rd best player due to defensive limits. He’d have to become elite movement shooter.

[2weekswithpay]

Read on Twitter

[burlydee]

Usually im a big proponent of Arizona guys and I thought he deserved more minutes at the UofA and probably should have started. Having said that, I don't see the upside because he lacks 3 things imo

1. The ability to operate in isolation. He had a very low usage for a top prospect primarily because he has zero 1 on 1 game. No post ups, no pick and rolls, no dribble drive moves. In college he operated exclusively as someone who other people curated shots for. That severely limits his upside imo.

2. He's a lousy playmaker. 36 assists in 36 games. No clever passes. Just perfunctory stuff. AZ was a team that played through the post or out of pnr. He just stood in the corner. He lacked opportunity but was that bc he lacked skill?

3. No dribble drive game. Not pushing on the break, no attacks of close outs. He's got some much to learn.

On the positive side he's a great athlete, I think the shot is real (high release, fairly quick trigger), good kid seemingly. The D is a bit overrated - he started coming on towards end of season and he's not slouch but he wasn't ever asked to guard opposing teams best guy. There will be a learning curve.

I think he has a high floor but a low ceiling. As currently constructed i don't see how he breaks 20 pts in a game unless the opposing team just leaves him wide open.

Having said that, if he is like a ROY candidate than Tommy Lloyd, the UofA coach has a lot of explaining to do. Bc he never played him that way.

[Red Larrivee]

I understand the PTSD, but IMO Bryant has the highest ceiling of anyone expected to be left. I'm not drafting in the lotto for a high floor. Queen gives me McDermott flashbacks.

It's not a bad approach though. How many players in the lottery actually reach their ceiling or best case scenario? Especially when you're talking the late lottery. I get people want any slither of chance that they can imagine someone being a Giannis type of steal, but you have to be realistic too.

I don't think Queen is necessarily that player though, because we don't even know what position he can defend with confidence. Give me a player whose high floor could actually end up being high upside. That's how players like Haliburton end up being steals.

[BullsSD]

Post 2025 NBA Combine Lottery Mock

Mavs: Cooper Flagg
Spurs: Dylan Harper
Sixers: Ace Bailey
Hornets: VJ Edgecombe
Jazz: Tre Johnson
Wizards: Derik Queen
Pelicans: Kon Knueppel
Nets: Jeremiah Fears
Raptors: Khaman Maluach
Rockets: Kasparas Jakucionis
Blazers: Cedric Coward
Bulls: Thomas Sorber
Hawks: Rasheer Fleming
Spurs: Collin Murray-Boyles

I think Sorber would be a great fit, though he kind of reminds me of Wendall Carter, slightly short for center, but a massive wing span, and not overly athletic. I think he has better IQ than Carter though, and has better feel.

I would be very happy with Sorber, HOWEVER, in our range, if available, I take a swing on Cedric Coward. Yes, small sample size, but great NBA body, athletic, and a solid shooter. I think he will go top 10 but if he falls for whatever reason, at our range, I think he is the only player with star potential.

I would love for Cedric Coward to be available at 12. Looking at the Blazers roster, I just don't know how they pass him up.

If these 3 guys are on the board at 12, we will be just fine. Would love if it if the Blazers take CMB and give us the selection though. Still have Fleming and Coward as options 1a & 1b.

Blazers: Cedric Coward
Bulls: Thomas Sorber
Hawks: Rasheer Fleming

[Jcool0]

I understand the PTSD, but IMO Bryant has the highest ceiling of anyone expected to be left. I'm not drafting in the lotto for a high floor. Queen gives me McDermott flashbacks.

It's not a bad approach though. How many players in the lottery actually reach their ceiling or best case scenario? Especially when you're talking the late lottery. I get people want any slither of chance that they can imagine someone being a Giannis type of steal, but you have to be realistic too.

I don't think Queen is necessarily that player though, because we don't even know what position he can defend with confidence. Give me a player whose high floor could actually end up being high upside. That's how players like Haliburton end up being steals.

The best one of those is Kon Knueppel who could go as high as 5. There is a chance Kasparas Jakucionis could fall but i dont think as far as 12. Jase Richardson kind of fit that but when he measured in at 6 foot that killed his momentum. Collin Murray-Boyles & Egor Demin are the closet you will get in the Bulls range. Liam McNeeley, who looked like a poor mans Doug McDermott when i watched him at UConn, could fit that if you really believe he was in the wrong role in college.

[kodo]

KOC:

"talking and meeting with people around the league. Arguably the biggest combine loser according to teams is Derik Queen. I now have him going #12 to the Bulls.

...he was last in max vertical leap. Last in standing vertical leap. Last in lane agility. 2nd to last in 3/4 sprint. 2nd to last in shuttle run. Didn't shoot well. One of the worst shooters there. He had a very noticeable pause/hitch in his jumper.

There's a lot of criticisms of Queen.

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

[Repeat 3-peat]

Queen would be my pick of the "lottery prospect" that falls on draft night.

[Jcool0]

KOC:

"talking and meeting with people around the league. Arguably the biggest combine loser according to teams is Derik Queen. I now have him going #12 to the Bulls.

...he was last in max vertical leap. Last in standing vertical leap. Last in lane agility. 2nd to last in 3/4 sprint. 2nd to last in shuttle run. Didn't shoot well. One of the worst shooters there. He had a very noticeable pause/hitch in his jumper.

There's a lot of criticisms of Queen.

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

Only thing that ever comes to mind with KOC is him having Killian Hayes as the #1 player in 2020 over Anthony Edwards.

[CobysHairpick]

KOC:

"talking and meeting with people around the league. Arguably the biggest combine loser according to teams is Derik Queen. I now have him going #12 to the Bulls.

...he was last in max vertical leap. Last in standing vertical leap. Last in lane agility. 2nd to last in 3/4 sprint. 2nd to last in shuttle run. Didn't shoot well. One of the worst shooters there. He had a very noticeable pause/hitch in his jumper.

There's a lot of criticisms of Queen.

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

I'm fairly certain that Jokic would finish close to last in all those drills too. Bottom line is that DQ has an impressive feel for the game on offense and is highly, highly skilled. He could easily be the "top 5" prospect that falls to 12 much like Matas did. I'll be happy if he's the pick.

[Jcool0]

KOC:

"talking and meeting with people around the league. Arguably the biggest combine loser according to teams is Derik Queen. I now have him going #12 to the Bulls.

...he was last in max vertical leap. Last in standing vertical leap. Last in lane agility. 2nd to last in 3/4 sprint. 2nd to last in shuttle run. Didn't shoot well. One of the worst shooters there. He had a very noticeable pause/hitch in his jumper.

There's a lot of criticisms of Queen.

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

I'm fairly certain that Jokic would finish close to last in all those drills too. Bottom line is that DQ has an impressive feel for the game on offense and is highly, highly skilled. He could easily be the "top 5" prospect that falls to 12 much like Matas did. I'll be happy if he's the pick.

He wont be a top 6 guy come draft time so if anything 12 could be seen as to early for him.

[CobysHairpick]

KOC:

"talking and meeting with people around the league. Arguably the biggest combine loser according to teams is Derik Queen. I now have him going #12 to the Bulls.

...he was last in max vertical leap. Last in standing vertical leap. Last in lane agility. 2nd to last in 3/4 sprint. 2nd to last in shuttle run. Didn't shoot well. One of the worst shooters there. He had a very noticeable pause/hitch in his jumper.

There's a lot of criticisms of Queen.

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

Only thing that ever comes to mind with KOC is him having Killian Hayes as the #1 player in 2020 over Anthony Edwards.

Just another reminder to take all these pre-draft rankings and mock drafts with a grain of salt.

[sco]

KOC:

"talking and meeting with people around the league. Arguably the biggest combine loser according to teams is Derik Queen. I now have him going #12 to the Bulls.

...he was last in max vertical leap. Last in standing vertical leap. Last in lane agility. 2nd to last in 3/4 sprint. 2nd to last in shuttle run. Didn't shoot well. One of the worst shooters there. He had a very noticeable pause/hitch in his jumper.

There's a lot of criticisms of Queen.

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

I'm fairly certain that Jokic would finish close to last in all those drills too. Bottom line is that DQ has an impressive feel for the game on offense and is highly, highly skilled. He could easily be the "top 5" prospect that falls to 12 much like Matas did. I'll be happy if he's the pick.

Yeah, I get your point, but comparing anyone to the exception that is Joker is more than dangerous. One thing that importantly Joker has over Queen is a couple inches on height and wingspan, which have been keep to his ability to get off shots. Unless Queen becomes much quicker and develops a decent 3pt shot, I don't see him as a future NBA starting level player.

[kodo]

This is why I like Noa. What he’s showing at 18 off ball with his unique two way play is high. His length is a big advantage. If his shot is average he becomes an elite two way 3D player with his prototype. If he adds anything on ball you are looking at a top 2 player profile due to his FT rate.

Agreed Noa is my high-risk pick for 12 who will almost certainly still be there. His advanced metrics are sky high.
My only concern is that the last Euro from Ratiopharm Ulm was Killian Hayes. I just don't think the competition that team plays is very good.

[TheJordanRule]

I hate getting obsessed with a draft pick's profile but Nolan Traore just isn't getting enough love. Watch the tape. This kid is such an intelligent natural PG with no weaknesses except an obvious lack of strength. The tape on this kid's court vision is out of this world. He's too brilliant. Let's grab a bigger, more fundamentally sound Tony Parker at age 19.

[CobysHairpick]

KOC:

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

I'm fairly certain that Jokic would finish close to last in all those drills too. Bottom line is that DQ has an impressive feel for the game on offense and is highly, highly skilled. He could easily be the "top 5" prospect that falls to 12 much like Matas did. I'll be happy if he's the pick.

Yeah, I get your point, but comparing anyone to the exception that is Joker is more than dangerous. One thing that importantly Joker has over Queen is a couple inches on height and wingspan, which have been keep to his ability to get off shots. Unless Queen becomes much quicker and develops a decent 3pt shot, I don't see him as a future NBA starting level player.

I get where you're coming from too considering Jokic would probably shoot much, much better than Queen did in the 3pt drills. Still, I don't put too much stock into athletic testing if the tape is as good as Queen's. I don't think quickness matters as much for Queen's game since he creates spacing with his footwork, pump fakes, handle, etc.

I just think he's too skilled a player to pass on if he's there at 12.

[CobysHairpick]

Watch on YouTube

Glad to see Maxime Raynaud get the attention I think he deserves. The media is hearing that he was promised a first round pick and that's why he pulled out of the second game of scrimmages at the Combine. I watched a couple games and could tell he was a first round pick.

Considering that many of the prospects outside of the top 4 are seen on a similar level (much like this year's NFL draft), is there any reason not to consider him at 12? I don't really see one other than a top prospect falling.

[Muzbar]

God I hope the Bulls don't pick Queen. That would be horrendous. 2nd worst possible scenario, IMO.

[sco]

God I hope the Bulls don't pick Queen. That would be horrendous. 2nd worst possible scenario, IMO.

I agree, but tempered my negativity if the Bulls were otherwise considering trading for Sabonis. Would rather piss away the pick than send positive assets out for Sabonis.