2025 Draft Thread - Part 2

[tontoz]

Kon kind of reminds me of Hayward, Kispert, JJ Reddick, or Wally Szczerbiak. Has a bit of Kevin Love to his game too.

Don't forget Larry Bird and Chris Mullin.

[The Consiglieri]

We did last year. QED.

On the regular? ...

Jaylen Martin was/is a 2 way player. The other 9 guys, yes, on the regular roster.

Who are they though?

Sounds like Martin played less than 1/5 of the season for us? A handful of games in March and April.

That's not really what I'm talking about.

I'm talking about rolling out a core roster of the 15+3, that has 2/3's regular roster contributors or close to it (of the 15) that are that young. I don't think that was ever true at the same time though, was it? And if it was, it was probably non-entitities playing next to no minuts.

If we roll out a core group of '23, '24, and '25 draftees in our core 15 roster that is 10 deep on the regular next year, that's what I'm talking about, in the locker room, consistently, I just can't see a team, really any team, doing that. Did we really? To me Patrick was gone after a month, Jaylen was only here a month or so, and barely played to begin with.....

This is another topic I know, but it is kinda related as it's about how much utility there would be in drafting and bringing in 4-5 rookies or whatever, and I just can't see any FO doing that, especially when the roster already includes how many '23's and '24 class prospects (I think there's at least 7 or 8).

[dckingsfan]

I'm happy that we are hinting that we are interested in Fears, presumably as a bluff to get Brooklyn to trade up. Hopefully, Brooklyn trades up to #5 and drafts Fears, leaving Johnson for us.

If Johnson, Edgecombe and Bailey are all gone when we draft, I would trade down to #8 with Brooklyn. I'd want a future pick, but I guess I'd take the #19 pick.

I still don't know who I would take at #8, but I do know that I don't love any one of Maluach, Queen, Sorber, Knueppel, CMB or Bryant enough that I would cry in my beer if someone drafted them at #7. I would just shrug my shoulders and take one of the other guys. I think I like Maluach the best out of that bunch, but I could be talked into one of the others based on their workouts and interviews.

I think we are giving too much credibility to the mocks. The top 5 are clear but after that everyone is guessing and could be way off.

Agreed and I only think the order of the first two is "set in stone".

[80sballboy]

Kon kind of reminds me of Hayward, Kispert, JJ Reddick, or Wally Szczerbiak. Has a bit of Kevin Love to his game too.

Don't forget Larry Bird and Chris Mullin.

Joe Harris combined with Tyler Herro and Tomas Sataransky.

[The Consiglieri]

But what do you think is true of that zone of interest to us (2-8).

To me it seems pretty clear, I think there might one faller from the group but I am pretty consistently hearing the same guys:

Tier 1:
Flagg
Harper

Tier 2:
VJ
Bailey

Tier 3:
Tre
Fears
Kon
Mystery guy (Bryant, Maluach, someone else?)

I do think that we probably know 7 of the top 8 guys, but we don't know the order of 3-8, and there's probably one surprise, maybe 2, who end up inside the top 8.

I'm also curious if the reservations about Tre Johnson that so many teams supposedly had, are still in play and if so, are those teams in slots 4-8, teams that had them, or not?

[80sballboy]

https://hoopshype.com/lists/aggregate-2025-nba-mock-draft-6-0-post-combine-scouting-and-intel/

Interesting quote about Fears, which I know has been pretty much stated here, but this is reportedly from a Pro Scout

A pro scout told HoopsHype: “With Fears, you have a modern-day big point guard. However, he’s not a true facilitator; his average is around 4 assists, something like that. And how does that translate to the NBA? He’s just not a good shooter, which worries me. Is it that bad, or does it look like it could be fixable? Maybe, but he was below 30% from three.”

[The Consiglieri]

So weird, because he also gets repped as a really good facilitator, but I can't deny the stats, looking at the raw assists #'s, it wasn't great, I wonder if scouts who do buy him there see the skills necessary to be one, if not the #'s.

We all already know, the 3 ball wasn't really there at all beyond periodically, just not remotely consistent, he looked like a guy who would typically sit at 20-30% rather than 30-40%.

[payitforward]

On the regular? ...

Jaylen Martin was/is a 2 way player. The other 9 guys, yes, on the regular roster.

Who are they though?

Sounds like Martin played less than 1/5 of the season for us? A handful of games in March and April.

That's not really what I'm talking about.

I'm talking about rolling out a core roster of the 15+3, that has 2/3's regular roster contributors or close to it (of the 15) that are that young. I don't think that was ever true at the same time though, was it? And if it was, it was probably non-entitities playing next to no minuts.

If we roll out a core group of '23, '24, and '25 draftees in our core 15 roster that is 10 deep on the regular next year, that's what I'm talking about, in the locker room, consistently, I just can't see a team, really any team, doing that. Did we really? To me Patrick was gone after a month, Jaylen was only here a month or so, and barely played to begin with.....

This is another topic I know, but it is kinda related as it's about how much utility there would be in drafting and bringing in 4-5 rookies or whatever, and I just can't see any FO doing that, especially when the roster already includes how many '23's and '24 class prospects (I think there's at least 7 or 8).

Over 11,400 minutes were played by guys 23 or younger last year. Out of 19,700. No problem.....

[TheBlackCzar]

Various scenarios in play right now:

1. Trade up for #3 with Philly. Take Ace.

2. Utah trades #5 to Brooklyn. They take Fears.
We pick between Tre and Maluach. Or Edge. Depending on the Hornets @ #4.

3. Utah does something else. Brooklyn trades up for our #6 takes Fears. Pelicans needing a PG, take Jakucionas. We take Maluach at #8 + other considerations. I want 2026 picks, but 19 also helps.

4. No trades materialize. Stick at 6. Looking at one of Tre. Fears. Maluach. & Everybody else.


I like scenarios 1&3 depending on the deal.

I don't see any scenario Washington would even consider Fears over Queen. A scoring playmaking passing C don't grow on trees.

This thinking when dude is going to be one of the worst athletes in an athletic league is just bad asset allocation... I'm sorry but he doesn't have any great attributes... he can't jump, he's not quick, he's not fast...... I know Luka and Joker, but he's neither and Fears could be a very good lead guard...
We need a player out this draft to fit in with our team, not slow everybody down because he can't control his diet..... If they wanna try him at 18 cool, but at 6 hellz nah.... 18 you can see if he'll ever get his physical in order, and maybe that'll make his very poor defensive effort improve....


I really don't know how you can watch TreJ and think he's anything like SGA... That shows whoever said that, doesn't watch film, because if they did this is an impossible conclusion to come to.....

[tontoz]

I really don't know how you can watch TreJ and think he's anything like SGA... That shows whoever said that, doesn't watch film, because if they did this is an impossible conclusion to come to.....

That guy Leif watches a ton of college ball but I doubt he watches much NBA. I also suspect he wasn't evaluating college prospects back when SGA was in college.

Tre is like Klay with more off the dribble/playmaking. I don't like the Booker comparison because Tre is much more of a volume threat from 3.

[Dat2U]

I really don't know how you can watch TreJ and think he's anything like SGA... That shows whoever said that, doesn't watch film, because if they did this is an impossible conclusion to come to.....

That guy Leif watches a ton of college ball but I doubt he watches much NBA. I also suspect he wasn't evaluating college prospects back when SGA was in college.

Tre is like Klay with more off the dribble/playmaking. I don't like the Booker comparison because Tre is much more of a volume threat from 3.

I was thinking Klay too. To be honest, his feel for the game has me leaning Tre over Ace atm.

[Dat2U]

https://hoopshype.com/lists/aggregate-2025-nba-mock-draft-6-0-post-combine-scouting-and-intel/

Interesting quote about Fears, which I know has been pretty much stated here, but this is reportedly from a Pro Scout

A pro scout told HoopsHype: “With Fears, you have a modern-day big point guard. However, he’s not a true facilitator; his average is around 4 assists, something like that. And how does that translate to the NBA? He’s just not a good shooter, which worries me. Is it that bad, or does it look like it could be fixable? Maybe, but he was below 30% from three.”

Nolan Traore is the facilitator who can score a little bit. Fears is the scorer who can pass a little bit. I don't think they are really that far apart. Neither is a consistent shooter. Neither is going to be a good defender. Both are quick, below the rim types with good ball-skills that allow them to get into the paint.

[payitforward]

...rolling out a core roster of the 15+3, that has 2/3's regular roster contributors or close to it (of the 15) that are that young....

Again... 4 guys, average age 20, played 40% of our minutes last year.

[closg00]

Stolen from the GB, interesting stats that should be viewed with some caution considering the different teams offenses etc.

Read on Twitter

[mhd]

It’s real hard to trade away guys into raw cap space. If Kispert gets traded, the likelihood is that we will be taking back a contract.

Het Nate, could you explain how we might be able to get the best of the 2029 Bucks and Boston 1st again (we're rooting for Portland not to make the playoffs in 2026 and 2027, but to make it in 2028, correct?

That’s correct. Because in that scenario, they will end up trading their FRP to Chicago in 2028. That means their 2029 pick will be encumbered so they get removed from a complicated pick trade scenario in 2029. With Portland out of the picture the only parties left in the 2029 trade are us and Milwaukee, which leaves us with a straight up pick swap scenario with Milwaukee that year.

How so? It's still very confusing. Wouldn't we then get the swap rights with the Bucks pick (that Portland owns in 2028) if Portland loses its pick to Chicago in 2028 due to the Blazers making the playoffs? How is their 2029 1st encumbered? Right now, Portland gets the best and worst of Portland's, Bucks, and Celtics 1sts in 2029, and we get the 2nd best of those three in 2029. Even if Portland loses its pick in 2028 to Chicago, how does that help us in 2029? I think it helps in 2028 from what I gather, but it's super complicated (in essence as I stated above, we get swap rights with the Bucks).

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Looks like the nets don't have a pg under contract for next season so the Fears rumor might be legit.

A thought just occurred to me that Kon would be a good fit on a team that has stars in place and is looking to win next season, like Philly.

Philadelphia had an early favorite before injury for ROTY, who they drafted from Duke in the 2024 draft. Why wouldn't they want Kon?

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Apparently AI did a mock draft and had us picking Queen at 6 and Sorber at 18.

Looks like AI has a ways to go.


https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2025/05/20/nba-mock-draft-2025-ai-predictions-picks/83744650007/

This is the best possible Wizards draft.

[tontoz]

OKC doesn't have a weak defender in their playoff rotation. Seems like everyone is a good defender.

Just food for thought.

[doclinkin]

Question: which player possibly available at 6 looks the most like what we see on the floor for the Thunder this postseason?

Collin Murray Boyles. As an upgraded Lu Dort. Big body long armed player able to defend any position. Dort shot poorly from outside in College and as a rookie, but has added this to his game. I can see CMB following a similar progression.

If I could steal him on a trade up from 18, I'd rather do it that way though.

CMB has made 9 3s total in 2 college seasons. Dort made 54 in one college season.

CMB also led the conference in scoring efficiency. He hasn’t had to shoot from outside. CMB was trash from 3 but is smart and fiercely competitive. I would not rule out him adding anything to his game that he needs to earn minutes.

The point with Dort though is that a team needs that one defender that plays big or small equally well. CMB does. Can guard literally every position. One way or the other.

As for comparison to Draymond. (In other folks posts). Every other draft year I dismiss any side-by-side with Dray and anyone else. But I was tracking him when he played for Izzo since his sophomore year when he popped up on various stat searches. CMBs numbers this year are practically a Xerox of Dray’s sophomore year. Except that CMB scored more efficiently on higher usage. Even despite that he can’t go right. Scouts have pointed it out. And yet no one could stop him anyway.

Put simply I don’t know the ways that CMB will adjust. I just know he *will* adjust and succeed. His mobility and anticipation on defense and read/react understanding of the game is simply too good to fail. I said the same about Draymond back then. You just see it in his game. He’s steps ahead of everyone.

[DCZards]

OKC doesn't have a weak defender in their playoff rotation. Seems like everyone is a good defender.

Just food for thought.

It really is the model isn't it...long, athletic defenders with quick, disruptive hands.

Last year's champs, Boston, also excelled on D, with above average defenders in Brown, Holiday, White, and Horford.

The OKC model is one that Dawkins is well aware of and helped to build. That's why I think Carter Bryant has a decent chance of being the Zards pick at 6. He's young, athletic, long, and elite on D.