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2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 7

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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 7 

Post#1781 » by Dalek » Thu May 22, 2025 2:07 pm

Psubs wrote:
God Squad wrote:
Tripod wrote:So...did every 3+D guy just see their value rise after tonight's game?

Lol

We have Neismith at home in JaKobe Walter (I think/hope).


No, Ja'Kobe is SGA. :D

Battle is our Nesmith.


I remember Nesmith's draft year. He was an automatic three point scorer coming in but I did not see him being such a dog on defense. Here he is guarding Brunson in the playoffs. Every tough assignment.

I don't see the shooting volume but Sion James is a similar type of defender. Great athlete and has the size and strength to be a POA defender.
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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 7 

Post#1782 » by Rapsfan07 » Thu May 22, 2025 2:07 pm

DG88 wrote:I think right now these are the player I've narrowed things down to for me.

Jase Richardson
Cedric Coward
Kasparas Jakucionis
Rasheer Fleming
Carter Bryant

This may expand but I'm out on Traore, just doesn't do enough defensively and Essengue, just too much jack of all trades master of none.

Richardson to me has the most upside while also providing 3 level scoring. It would be great if he was a few inches taller and longer, but he still produced at a high level as a freshman for Tom Izzo of all coaches.


This is the first time I've seen a board that I agree with so much. I have a slightly different order but these are the player I'm watching as well.
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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 7 

Post#1783 » by BoyzNTheHood » Thu May 22, 2025 2:09 pm

RoteSchroder wrote:
BoyzNTheHood wrote:Probably the guy I covet the most, but we can’t take him at 9. That’s just bad asset management. Those Brooklyn picks are enticing

Read on Twitter
?s=46&t=iDergfyDJveIq9pY2qCCBQ


Might need to get a top 15 for Yang. Hawks, Nets, Houston and maybe even Chicago are threats to take him. Hawks desperately need a big and they have 13.

Houston has 10. They’ve got the Yao connection and they took a similar archetype in Sengun

I don’t think 9 is the best spot for us at all. Unless we think Kon is the next 20-25 ppg guy for us, I think we’re better off moving down with ATL, ORL, OKC, or BKN.
deeps6x wrote:I guarantee you that (Jaylen) Brown and (Kris) Dunn are drafted OUT of the top 5.
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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 7 

Post#1784 » by Pointgod » Thu May 22, 2025 2:14 pm

PhilBlackson wrote:
DG88 wrote:I think right now these are the player I've narrowed things down to for me.

Jase Richardson
Cedric Coward
Kasparas Jakucionis
Rasheer Fleming
Carter Bryant

This may expand but I'm out on Traore, just doesn't do enough defensively and Essengue, just too much jack of all trades master of none.

Richardson to me has the most upside while also providing 3 level scoring. It would be great if he was a few inches taller and longer, but he still produced at a high level as a freshman for Tom Izzo of all coaches.


I have such a hard time getting on the Jase wagon...I get it, he's good at shooting but he can barely dribble using his right hand and of course he's small. People have thrown out Brunson's name but the reason why Brunson can be as effective as he is, is that he both has a better handle and more importantly his strength which is obv a result of his thick frame. Jalen is able to use that strength to bump back defenders and his handle to work his way into whatever area of the court he's trying to get to for his shot. Maybe I need to see more footage of Jase but all I had seen was a kid that was really good at finding angles and taking a few dribbles before he pulls up.

For context...

IQ is listed at 6'3 with a 6'8 wingspan
Jase is 6'1 3/4 with a 6'6 wingspan

Brunson is listed at 198 pounds
Jase is 178 pounds

To me he seems substantially smaller than I think many people realize and if he doesn't have an elite handle or extra strength that's where my doubts come in that he'll ever be good enough to become an all-star level player. Not to say he can't be a good player but I'm not sure I see the same level of upside others do.

Him and Tahaad Pettiford are basically the same size but Tahaad actually scored at a slightly higher clip and was a better passer with Jase being a slightly better rebounder. So idk what to think of Jase personally. I'm not hating, I'm just a little skeptical.


You hit the nail on the head with your assessment of why Brunson is successful. He might truly be a 1:1 with his physical build, skill set and development opportunities. The NBA has certainly trended toward bigger guards and wings as lead initiators. That’s why I’m highly skeptical of small guards without an elite skill set succeeding in the NBA.
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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 7 

Post#1785 » by Sandman88 » Thu May 22, 2025 2:28 pm

If tre or Kon falls to 9, highway robbery
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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 7 

Post#1786 » by grant101 » Thu May 22, 2025 2:30 pm

When thinking about who's most likely to become a solid pro outside the top 10, I keep returning to Yaxel Lendeborg. I like others like Markovic, Broome, Yang, Coward, etc., but I feel like I must be missing something with Lendeborg because the eye-test, measurements and stats all suggest he might be the most well-rounded prospect outside of Flagg. He looks and plays with the poise of a 16-game player. Am I crazy? Is his age really THAT big a factor?

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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 7 

Post#1787 » by Jtoneller1 » Thu May 22, 2025 2:32 pm

grant101 wrote:When thinking about who's most likely to become a solid pro outside the top 10, I keep returning to Yaxel Lendeborg. I like others like Markovic, Broome, Yang, Coward, etc., but I feel like I must be missing something with Lendeborg because the eye-test, measurements and stats all suggest he might be the most well-rounded prospect outside of Flagg. He looks and plays with the poise of a 16-game player. Am I crazy? Is his age really THAT big a factor?

I love him too. I would definitely look at trading one of our guards to pick him in the mid-late first

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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 7 

Post#1788 » by OakleyDokely » Thu May 22, 2025 2:41 pm

Aaron Nesmith, 6'6 ht, 6'10 w/s, 215 lbs (drafted 14th)
Colin Coward, 6'5 ht, 7'2 w/s, 213 lbs

Draft year:
Nesmith: 35.7 MIN, 23.0 PPG, 4.9 REB, 0.9 AST, 1.4 STL, 0.9 BLK, .512 FG, .522 3PT, .825 FT, .685 TS, 9.7 BPM
Coward: 33.0 MIN, 17.7 PPG, 5.2 REB, 3.7 AST, 0.8 STL, 1.7 BLK, .557 FG, .400 3PT, .839 FT, .700 TS, 9.3 BPM
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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 7 

Post#1789 » by RoteSchroder » Thu May 22, 2025 2:51 pm

BoyzNTheHood wrote:
RoteSchroder wrote:
BoyzNTheHood wrote:Probably the guy I covet the most, but we can’t take him at 9. That’s just bad asset management. Those Brooklyn picks are enticing

Read on Twitter
?s=46&t=iDergfyDJveIq9pY2qCCBQ


Might need to get a top 15 for Yang. Hawks, Nets, Houston and maybe even Chicago are threats to take him. Hawks desperately need a big and they have 13.

Houston has 10. They’ve got the Yao connection and they took a similar archetype in Sengun

I don’t think 9 is the best spot for us at all. Unless we think Kon is the next 20-25 ppg guy for us, I think we’re better off moving down with ATL, ORL, OKC, or BKN.


After a much deliberation, I’m on board with Essengue at 9, so dangling Dick in front of other front offices and seeing who bites is my main wish towards getting Yang.

I would move on from Ochai for Yang too, and I like Ochai’s fit here..we need someone who’s reliable and consistent from 3.

Orlando is our best bet imo, considering they need the shooting. KCP is crap. Masai/Bobby need to be in Weltman’s ear 24/7.
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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 7 

Post#1790 » by MEDIC » Thu May 22, 2025 2:58 pm

djsunyc wrote:
Psubs wrote:
OhCanada wrote:I disagree with just about everything you said here. Heres what I can offer you. The assumed "talent gap" you keep proposing is more of a consensus opinion on these players projected impact in the NBA. So my point is we currently do not know how any of these players will do in the NBA, especially the bigs. Everybody's opinion is different.

Personally I have Raynuad going 14th to the Spurs. Hansen Yang probably goes 1st round as well. And you wanna talk about "talent" Kalkbrenner is a 4x Defensive Player of the Year in the Big East, he only missed 5 of his 143 games in the past 4 seasons and has a 2 to 1 block to foul ratio with only 1.4 fouls playing 35 minutes per game. So he plays the entire game and doesn't even average 2 fouls yet still managed to be the defensive player of the conference 4 times. Look I'm a supporter of Maluach and actually hope we draft him but in reality Khaman Maluach is not that good and he might never be.

So as far as talent gaps go and whos available at 39, listen I doubt any of those guys are available at 39 and the "skill gap" between Maluach and Kalkbrenner, Yang, Raynaud and Broome is 100% not in Maluach's favor.

And your assuming that Pettiford has already been selected in the 2nd round and Richardson in the lottery. I agree there is no talent gap between those two, but don't assume Pettiford isn't gonna be picked top 20 just because the mock drafts arent saying that. If your able to tell the talent gap is very small between those two you can also probably tell he wont fall to the 2nd round.


I agree.

Pre-season Maluach was in a battle for #1 with Flagg. As they played games, Maluach dropped to top 5 then top 10 only.

I will say it again, if the big isn't good enough to be a top 5 pick then you might as well get a C in the late teens or 20's. GS got post in the late 2nd round. Raptors got Chomche at the end of the 2nd.


but who are post and chomche? they may be nobodies. can't point to them as examples. i will repeat this, if the realistic expectation is solid rotation player at the 9th pick, then using that for a center is perfectly fine.


Like Jacob Poeltl? 9th pick & turned out to be good one. Good thing our biggest position of need is C.

All of these 7 foot C's are going in the 1st round. People thinking we will be able to get Yang or Kalk in the 2nd round......not happening. Elite length, plus mobility generally equals 1st round. Plus, bigs seem to be desirable in the NBA once again.
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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 7 

Post#1791 » by Jtoneller1 » Thu May 22, 2025 3:01 pm

I'm going to go on record saying that Yaxel is my sleeper pick this year and I'm hoping for a Agbaji + #39 for a pick in the 20s to take him. His statistical profile and background are eerily similar to Mogbo but with a little more size and significantly better touch/ball-handling. Like Mogbo, he'll be turning 23 in his rookie year and he had a long and winding collegiate career. He had trouble academically but if you listen to his combine interviews, he sounds very intelligent, self-aware and humble.

He's a late-bloomer type who hasn't been playing organized basketball for that long and has shown consistent improvement from year to year. His defensive play-making and passing in general are excellent for his size, showing a high level BBIQ. His shooting has rapidly improved and his form looks good to my eye. He's not terribly athletic but his handle/strength combo is very functional for his position as a 4/5. He's equally adept using either hand and is just nifty and nimble as a ball handler overall. I also love the emotion he plays with as he frequently gets amped up over big plays and carries himself like a leader.

I see Yaxel as an elite 7th guy on a good team, kind of like a bigger Josh Hart.

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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 7 

Post#1792 » by Mark_83 » Thu May 22, 2025 3:04 pm

RoteSchroder wrote:After a much deliberation, I’m on board with Essengue at 9, so dangling Dick in front of other front offices and seeing who bites is my main wish towards getting Yang.

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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 7 

Post#1793 » by MEDIC » Thu May 22, 2025 3:08 pm

Sandman88 wrote:If tre or Kon falls to 9, highway robbery


Agree. If either of them fall.......you kind of have to take them. Both players have skills that contending teams could use.

That's the way I look at prospects now.

1. Do you have superstar potential?

If not

2. Do you have skills that would improve a team in a deep playoff run?

A lot of that is dependent on having 2+ elite skills and/or basketball IQ & processing speed.
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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 7 

Post#1794 » by Son Goku 25 » Thu May 22, 2025 3:12 pm

BoyzNTheHood wrote:Probably the guy I covet the most, but we can’t take him at 9. That’s just bad asset management. Those Brooklyn picks are enticing

Read on Twitter
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Chinese poor man's Jokic?
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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 7 

Post#1795 » by dohboy_24 » Thu May 22, 2025 3:18 pm

PhilBlackson wrote:
DG88 wrote:
Him and Tahaad Pettiford are basically the same size but Tahaad actually scored at a slightly higher clip and was a better passer with Jase being a slightly better rebounder. So idk what to think of Jase personally. I'm not hating, I'm just a little skeptical.


Agreed. I don't see much difference between them and struggle to understand how/why Jase is projected to be a first round pick ahead of Tahaad who is currently mocked to go in the second round.

Tahaad Pettiford scouting report

Physical profile:
Explosive athlete at the point guard position
Strong, compact frame with great burst, leaping ability and a great first step
A blur in every sense of the word who puts points on the board in a hurry
Fiery, fearless competitor
Projects to be an off-ball guard at the next level who can fill in as a lead ball-handler situationally

Scoring touch/shot creation:
Imaginative scorer at all 3 levels
Plants his feet, gets elevation, and curls around the defense for a crafty finish
An asset at the end of the shot clock or in a clutch situation who can create and hit impossible shots
Rarely has any trouble getting his shot off, even inside among the towers
Ambidextrous with a great touch in the midrange
Efficient free throw shooter

3-pt Shooting:
Solid 3pt shooter who can be streaky from outside
Knocked down 70-191 three pointers for a 3pt% of 36.6% on the year
Made 45% of his 3s using handoffs or screens
Effective dribble pull-up shooter from 3 who shot 36.2% percent on 127 attempts

Paint touch/rim attacking:
A dynamo in the open court, can beat everyone up the floor and finish with a dunk or lay in
Thrives in transition, where his vertical athleticism and pace allow him to put pressure on opposing defenses
Can blow-by defenders and get into the lane at will
Has a lethal floater, both with his strong hand as a lefty, and with his right off-hand
While skinny, he has shown an ability to contort, contract, and expand in traffic to get the finishing angle that he needs
Does a good job of penetrating the defense and finding teammates
Puts a lot of pressure on the D and is tough to guard with just one defender

Dribble/ball-handling:
Quick first step, tight handle, and ability to create space off the dribble make him a dangerous offensive weapon
Talented off-the-dribble creator who creates excellent separation, including on the step back
Effortlessly glides around the floor and creates separation at ease
Can play fast or slow and shifts gears with ease
Keeps defenders off-balanced with hesitations, crossovers, in-out dribbles, hang dribbles — and virtually any other move

Passing/reading the defense:
Solid 2:1 assist-to-turnover despite his aggressive and improvisational style of play
Operates well in the pick and roll and is special in iso, making something out of nothing
Manipulative passing feel with his ability to hold defenders with his dribble, then deliver passes to the open man, or by dribbling into the paint, drawing the gaze of a help defender, and then unleashing a wrap-around interior pass
When pressured by two defenders in the pick-and-roll, consistently stayed composed and delivered accurate passes to the open man

Defense:
Always competes hard on defense, despite being undersized
Fights to stay in front of opponents, gets into the ball-handler, and routinely finds himself blowing up plays by staying active off-ball
Doesn’t have ideal size but partially makes up for it with his strength and high-end athleticism
Not a standout defender, but does possess decent timing on defense and on the steal, which he can quickly turn into 2 points
He is remarkably strong for his size and has other gifts that can offset the lack of size

To those posters who are considering Jase at #9, what does Jase do fundamentally better than Tahaad? What can Jase provide on the court that Tahaad cannot?
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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 7 

Post#1796 » by BoyzNTheHood » Thu May 22, 2025 3:21 pm

Son Goku 25 wrote:
BoyzNTheHood wrote:Probably the guy I covet the most, but we can’t take him at 9. That’s just bad asset management. Those Brooklyn picks are enticing

Read on Twitter
?s=46&t=iDergfyDJveIq9pY2qCCBQ


Chinese poor man's Jokic?

Comparing him to Jokic is a trap, but there are similar elements to their games. I see some Jokic, some Marc Gasol, and a little Divac. But again, just little things here and there. Against NBA athletes he might look like Andrew Nicholson for all we know, but I like what I see so far. The kid is skilled, and poised. And tbh Klutch doesn’t sign too many NBA scrubs besides the ones who are LeBron’s teammates.
deeps6x wrote:I guarantee you that (Jaylen) Brown and (Kris) Dunn are drafted OUT of the top 5.
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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 7 

Post#1797 » by God Squad » Thu May 22, 2025 3:21 pm

Have individual or group workouts begun yet?
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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 7 

Post#1798 » by grant101 » Thu May 22, 2025 3:24 pm

Jtoneller1 wrote:I'm going to go on record saying that Yaxel is my sleeper pick this year and I'm hoping for a Agbaji + #39 for a pick in the 20s to take him. His statistical profile and background are eerily similar to Mogbo but with a little more size and significantly better touch/ball-handling. Like Mogbo, he'll be turning 23 in his rookie year and he had a long and winding collegiate career. He had trouble academically but if you listen to his combine interviews, he sounds very intelligent, self-aware and humble.

He's a late-bloomer type who hasn't been playing organized basketball for that long and has shown consistent improvement from year to year. His defensive play-making and passing in general are excellent for his size, showing a high level BBIQ. His shooting has rapidly improved and his form looks good to my eye. He's not terribly athletic but his handle/strength combo is very functional for his position as a 4/5. He's equally adept using either hand and is just nifty and nimble as a ball handler overall. I also love the emotion he plays with as he frequently gets amped up over big plays and carries himself like a leader.

I see Yaxel as an elite 7th guy on a good team, kind of like a bigger Josh Hart.

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It's crazy to me that he only started playing 6 years ago. He has such a great feel for the game. I'm with you on him being perhaps the biggest sleeper (Toumani Camara-level). Yaxel turning into a valuable contributor is perhaps my safest bet (outside of Flagg being incredible)
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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 7 

Post#1799 » by WuTang_OG » Thu May 22, 2025 3:25 pm

wasserman updated
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25193838-2025-nba-mock-draft-trade-ideas-combine-measurements-cooper-flagg-analysis

Love Kon I think he's in the league for 12+

Size: 6'6", 217 lbs

Age: 19

Nationality: USA

Pro Comparisons: Cameron Johnson

Every team figures to have some level of interest in Kon Knueppel's shotmaking, efficient scoring and easy fit. The question is who'll see upside through the athletic limitations.

Viewed as a safe pick with a valued, bankable skill in shooting, Knueppel also flashed strong driving ability and high-level, ball-screen playmaking reads.

Team Fit: Only the Washington Wizards averaged fewer threes per game than the Raptors, making Knueppel an obvious candidate at No. 9. But he should also be in the best-player-available conversation at this point of the lottery.
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Re: 2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 7 

Post#1800 » by RoteSchroder » Thu May 22, 2025 3:27 pm

Jtoneller1 wrote:
grant101 wrote:When thinking about who's most likely to become a solid pro outside the top 10, I keep returning to Yaxel Lendeborg. I like others like Markovic, Broome, Yang, Coward, etc., but I feel like I must be missing something with Lendeborg because the eye-test, measurements and stats all suggest he might be the most well-rounded prospect outside of Flagg. He looks and plays with the poise of a 16-game player. Am I crazy? Is his age really THAT big a factor?

I love him too. I would definitely look at trading one of our guards to pick him in the mid-late first

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His scoring is quite ugly here, bball IQ might not quite be there, probably best suited as a defensive role player. His 3 point shooting isn’t where I’d want it to be for an older rookie either. He should be serviceable, but I don’t see anything particularly special on O

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