2024/25 College basketball / NBA draft thread

[Grang33r]

I've not been high on Broome?

theAthletic's combine article knocks him. not tall. not a jumper.

No, he is not. lol

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[Grang33r]

What about Maxime Raynaud? Seems like a interesting player. Kevin O'Connor has him mocked to the Pacers in his latest mock.

[JMaster5K]

What about Maxime Raynaud? Seems like a interesting player. Kevin O'Connor has him mocked to the Pacers in his latest mock.

I like Raynaud,... He seems like a good fit as a backup 5. I've got him early in the second. Not sure he is a first round talent,.. or contract?

Maxime Raynaud
hand length 9.00
hand width 10.25
Ht no shoes 7' 0.25''
standing reach 9' 2.00''
Wt 236.8
wingspan 7' 1.25''
Lane Agility 11.31
Shuttle run 3.16
3/4 court sprint 3.23
no step vertical 28.0
Max vertical 31.5

From an earlier post:

Reynaud, I like,... he quick enough & fast enough to get up & down the floor. He can put on some rim pressure. He's got good movement skills & a surprisingly good handle for a 7'0" guy. Again,.. he isn't very vertical? He's got the same standing reach as Stix,.... but not as good a no-step vertical or max vertical? Can he defend the rim? idk? If so,... he could be a good backup.

Current post:

I don't think Raynaud makes it into the first round,... at least 'normally' he wouldn't. This draft has seen almost all the draftees that can play the 5 significantly underperform in some way,.... the only guys that have held constant were guys that were considered true 'first rounders' to begin with?

I would take Raynaud early in the 2nd? but I think there are too many players in this draft who should have a first round grade to pick him at 23? Even if we had to take another guard & look at potential trades later.

[JMaster5K]

From Mike Scotto on BlueSky:

International NBA Draft prospects Noa Essengue, Nolan Traore, Ben Saraf, Hugo Gonzalez, Joan Beringer, Noah Penda and Bogoljub Markovic are not at the combine while playing with their professional clubs, but they're expected to complete their pre-draft activities at a later date.

Whats going on with this Hugo Gonzalez kid? I remember peaking at some early mocks throughout the last year and he was usually a top-12 pick. Now they're saying maybe second round.

Great value and stash him in the G League.

https://www.si.com/nba/draft/newsfeed/hugo-gonzalez-not-thriving-nba-draft-stock

Short Version,... He's young,... hasn't gone out & earned more time with his play against true pro's,... which to be fair, was kinda expected? Before this year, he dominated his age group competition,... playing on a true A level pro team, he's getting like 10-12 minutes a night & not able to overpower guys like he did in his own age group.

If he is true to his tape,... he should still be a NBA + level athlete, with legit guard skills at 6'6" 200#? IMO, the early hype was bit too much,... but to drop him to the 2nd is a bit too much the other way? I think he goes late 1st?

[JMaster5K]

76er's willing to trade down from 3?...

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/280480/Sixers-Willing-To-Listen-To-Trade-Down-Offers-For-No-3

[Wizop]

I've seen this guy mocked near the bottom of the 2nd round but his guy would consider hm at 23,

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[8305]

I’m wondering if Ryan Kulkbrenner could be a quick study like Shepherd and Nembhard? I think I read that he measured and shot well at the combine. Kind of a high floor guy. The other prospect I like is Cedrick Coward. Watching his highlight reel project a Jalen Wiiiams vibe.

Also wonder how many slots the Pacers could move up if they packaged Mathurin and pick 23? Pacers would clearly like Mathurin to be a meaningful contributor but, positive impact metric is clearly being won by Ben Shepherd.

[Wizop]

I’m wondering if Ryan Kulkbrenner could be a quick study like Shepherd and Nembhard? I think I read that he measured and shot well at the combine. Kind of a high floor guy. The other prospect I like is Cedrick Coward. Watching his highlight reel project a Jalen Wiiiams vibe.

Also wonder how many slots the Pacers could move up if they packaged Mathurin and pick 23? Pacers would clearly like Mathurin to be a meaningful contributor but, positive impact metric is clearly being won by Ben Shepherd.

Kulkbrenner is interesting. Real size.

I'd consider Mathurin and the pick for a lower 25 pick plus a 26 FRP.

[8305]

I’m wondering if Ryan Kulkbrenner could be a quick study like Shepherd and Nembhard? I think I read that he measured and shot well at the combine. Kind of a high floor guy. The other prospect I like is Cedrick Coward. Watching his highlight reel project a Jalen Wiiiams vibe.

Also wonder how many slots the Pacers could move up if they packaged Mathurin and pick 23? Pacers would clearly like Mathurin to be a meaningful contributor but, positive impact metric is clearly being won by Ben Shepherd.

Kulkbrenner is interesting. Real size.

I'd consider Mathurin and the pick for a lower 25 pick plus a 26 FRP.

I’ve considered that too. Would be nice to get back into 2026 draft.
Might be able to trade down and still get Kulkbrenner?

[Wizop]

Might be able to trade down and still get Kulkbrenner?

Mocks have him in round 2. Some have Beringer at 23 which sounds good.

[JMaster5K]

I’m wondering if Ryan Kulkbrenner could be a quick study like Shepherd and Nembhard? I think I read that he measured and shot well at the combine. Kind of a high floor guy. The other prospect I like is Cedrick Coward. Watching his highlight reel project a Jalen Wiiiams vibe.

Also wonder how many slots the Pacers could move up if they packaged Mathurin and pick 23? Pacers would clearly like Mathurin to be a meaningful contributor but, positive impact metric is clearly being won by Ben Shepherd.

Kulkbrenner is interesting. Real size.

I'd consider Mathurin and the pick for a lower 25 pick plus a 26 FRP.

I’ve considered that too. Would be nice to get back into 2026 draft.
Might be able to trade down and still get Kulkbrenner?

I gotta think that a good fit for Mathurin might be NOP? They will be desperate for guard help with Dejounte out, and CJ starting to age? Might be able to get our own pick back for 26 and unencumber our 27 pick as a side effect? Mathurin was a 6 pick in what still projects (2 years later) as a really good, talented draft,... who has maintained a career ppg of right at 16 a game,... coming off the bench,... while expanding his skillset & starting to play acceptable, team level defense.

On a team that features an ISO offense,... or P&R into ISO, he could be the face of the franchise,... (Like NOP),... even with an enigmatic star like Zion around. With NOP dropping out of the top 5 in this draft (down to 7),... I could see Buchanan able to get the 7 for him? Depends on how some other things shake out,... but I don't think that's impossible. Even if we could,... I don't think we'd keep it,... would trade it on down the road for future assets, maybe keep a mid to low first for this year,... but start to get some assets for down the road?

Could also see us trading OB1 to BRK? He get to go home,... to a team that needs a real PF that can shoot the 3. They are rebuilding this off season,.. so who knows how it goes,... but if the interview with Sean Marks wasn't just smoke,... they aren't going to look at signing any big name & trying to compete immediately,... not this summer anyway. They are looking at value contracts, to begin building culture, start putting a competitive team on the floor,... draft some guys,.. and look at big, FA signings for next off season.

OB would seem to hit on all his key points,... If Marks statements are true,... OB could actually get a chance to start with BRK? Could probably move from 23 to 19 with OB? or pick up one of the BRK late firsts? (26 & 27), maybe in some combination get their early 2nd (36)?

The other thing,... the first day for signing free agents & completing trades,.etc. is 6 July,... both NOP & BRK have traded player exceptions that would allow them to take these trades without having to send out any cap in exchange. On next seasons cap sheet (effective from 1 July) both of them have the room under the tax to be able to take the salaries without going into the tax. (In BRK's case,... they could actually waive some cap holds & get under the cap if they wanted?)

[JMaster5K]

I’m wondering if Ryan Kulkbrenner could be a quick study like Shepherd and Nembhard? I think I read that he measured and shot well at the combine. Kind of a high floor guy. The other prospect I like is Cedrick Coward. Watching his highlight reel project a Jalen Wiiiams vibe.

Also wonder how many slots the Pacers could move up if they packaged Mathurin and pick 23? Pacers would clearly like Mathurin to be a meaningful contributor but, positive impact metric is clearly being won by Ben Shepherd.

Kulkbrenner is interesting. Real size.

I'd consider Mathurin and the pick for a lower 25 pick plus a 26 FRP.

I’ve considered that too. Would be nice to get back into 2026 draft.
Might be able to trade down and still get Kulkbrenner?

I'm starting to really like Yanic Konan Niederhauser for a second rounder. He's not on most mocks yet,.. but probably will be by draft day?

Yanic Konan Niederhauser
Hand Length 9.50
Hand width 9.00
HT 6' 11.25''
Standing reach 9' 3.00''
Wt 242.6
Wingspan 7' 3.25''
Lane Agility 11.45
Shuttle run 2.84
3/4 court sprint 3.20
Standing Vertical - no jump 33.5
Max vertical 37.0

He's raw,.. but man is he athletic. A legit 7'er with almost I-Jax reach & similar verticals, but heavier & quicker. Played the 4 & 5 in college & was able to guard 4's on the wing,.. and defend the rim at the 5. He's got a bunch of individual skills at the moment,... but they don't all come together into a game yet? He's much more of a defensive player. His shot isn't broken,... but it isn't close to consistent yet. He's older, Swiss, a bit of a late-bloomer. If we are looking for a 2nd or 3rd string 5,... He could play i-Jax role nicely,.. in a year (or 2). LOL

[Grang33r]

The other prospect I like is Cedrick Coward. Watching his highlight reel project a Jalen Wiiiams vibe.

Nice comparison. I've liked Coward quite a bit since the draft process began and been reading about him lately from various online media guys. Interesting prospect.

[Grang33r]

I gotta think that a good fit for Mathurin might be NOP? They will be desperate for guard help with Dejounte out, and CJ starting to age? Might be able to get our own pick back for 26 and unencumber our 27 pick as a side effect? Mathurin was a 6 pick in what still projects (2 years later) as a really good, talented draft,... who has maintained a career ppg of right at 16 a game,... coming off the bench,... while expanding his skillset & starting to play acceptable, team level defense.

On a team that features an ISO offense,... or P&R into ISO, he could be the face of the franchise,... (Like NOP),... even with an enigmatic star like Zion around. With NOP dropping out of the top 5 in this draft (down to 7),... I could see Buchanan able to get the 7 for him? Depends on how some other things shake out,... but I don't think that's impossible. Even if we could,... I don't think we'd keep it,... would trade it on down the road for future assets, maybe keep a mid to low first for this year,... but start to get some assets for down the road?

Mathurin for the 7th pick would be pretty wild draft night. lol

Could also see us trading OB1 to BRK? He get to go home,... to a team that needs a real PF that can shoot the 3. They are rebuilding this off season,.. so who knows how it goes,... but if the interview with Sean Marks wasn't just smoke,... they aren't going to look at signing any big name & trying to compete immediately,... not this summer anyway. They are looking at value contracts, to begin building culture, start putting a competitive team on the floor,... draft some guys,.. and look at big, FA signings for next off season.

What could they offer for Obi?

[JMaster5K]

I gotta think that a good fit for Mathurin might be NOP?

Mathurin for the 7th pick would be pretty wild draft night. lol

Could also see us trading OB1 to BRK?

What could they offer for Obi?

Yeah,... I don't think it's 'likely' we could get 7 for Mathurin,... but I think it could be possible? Since NOP fell out of the top 5,... you look at the players available to them at 7? the fit is questionable, at best; none of the draftees available can have the immediate impact that Benn is almost certain to give them; & they don't lose anything on potential ceiling by trading for Benn? He has shown a lot in his first 2 years, but he is by no means a finished product.

So, for me, it makes sense,... Don't get me wrong,.. I know that is a high price, but it doesn't seem impossibly out of scope?

I think it's way more likely that we could get our own 26 pick back & a much later, protected 1st,... or maybe work our way into NOP's already existing pick swap,... that we could get the best pick from NOP, MIL, & IND (second best to NOP, worst pick to MIL); again with an out years protected first?

For Ob1,... I would suspect that we could move from 23 to 19? One of the 'drop off' points in this draft is right around 19, 20. That small movement should make a larger difference in the players that could be available? I would also suspect that we might, maybe get 36 as well?.....

[JMaster5K]

I gotta think that a good fit for Mathurin might be NOP?

Mathurin for the 7th pick would be pretty wild draft night. lol

Could also see us trading OB1 to BRK?

What could they offer for Obi?

Yeah,... I don't think it's 'likely' we could get 7 for Mathurin,... but I think it could be possible? Since NOP fell out of the top 5,... you look at the players available to them at 7? the fit is questionable, at best; none of the draftees available can have the immediate impact that Benn is almost certain to give them; & they don't lose anything on potential ceiling by trading for Benn? He has shown a lot in his first 2 years, but he is by no means a finished product.

So, for me, it makes sense,... Don't get me wrong,.. I know that is a high price, but it doesn't seem impossibly out of scope? Maybe even be able to get our own 26 back? as right now it forecasts as a bottom 4-5 pick in next years draft? So, it's value right now isn't that high,... even in a good draft.

I think it's way more likely that we could get our own 26 pick back & a much later, protected 1st,... or maybe work our way into NOP's already existing pick swap,... that we could get the best pick from NOP, MIL, & IND (second best to NOP, worst pick to MIL); again with an out years protected first?

For Ob1,... I would suspect that we could move from 23 to 19? One of the 'drop off' points in this draft is right around 19, 20. That small movement should make a larger difference in the players that could be available? I would also suspect that we might, maybe get 36 as well?.....

[Scoot McGroot]

If Indy’s goal is to not return salary for Obi, I see it more likely we’d have to slide down a little bit in the 1st moreso than we’d be able to move up.

Also, I doubt Mathurin and 23 could get us up to 7. For all his talent, he’s still a bit of an unknown defensively, and he’s basically needing to be extended immediately. Those generally don’t carry a lot of value.

[Wizop]

I think if we win the series, we bring everyone back and pay the tax. But I'd trade Mathurin and the 23 for a pick high enough to get the backup center we like best. Sorber. Maluach. Beringer

[Grang33r]

What do you guys think of RJ Luis? Saw today he's keeping his name in the draft. Sounds like a great second round pick. I saw him few times (one of my only basketball friends here is a huge St John's fan.

Big east player of the year. 6'7 wing, defense is his calling card. Good size and reflexes. Loves to play physical (sometimes a issue bc he gets in foul trouble). He has versatility and toughness. Averaged 7.2 rebounds per game last season.

Offensively he won't "wow" you, but he has a improving 3 point shot (37%), a solid mid range and last season averaged 18.2 ppg.

[Wizop]

Don't know Luis. I like Nembhard 2.0 late in the second.