2025 Draft prospects - thread 2

[GuardianEnzo]

Noa is the guy I want, but I suspect he'll be gone by 12. He can easily be the Matas of this draft. I also agree that Traore is being massively underrated. He's an incredibly natural playmaker with good size. Might be a reach at 12 but I wouldn't be remotely surprised if he winds up being among the 6-8 best players in the draft.

It's pretty funny to see Sabonis getting ripped apart here. Fans seem to have broken down the Euro center reality into Jokic and Vuc, as if there's nothing in-between. Sabonis is a far better overall player than Vuc. Not saying I'd give up a ton for him, but at a modest cost he certainly makes you better.

[Chi town]

Noa is the guy I want, but I suspect he'll be gone by 12. He can easily be the Matas of this draft. I also agree that Traore is being massively underrated. He's an incredibly natural playmaker with good size. Might be a reach at 12 but I wouldn't be remotely surprised if he winds up being among the 6-8 best players in the draft.

It's pretty funny to see Sabonis getting ripped apart here. Fans seem to have broken down the Euro center reality into Jokic and Vuc, as if there's nothing in-between. Sabonis is a far better overall player than Vuc. Not saying I'd give up a ton for him, but at a modest cost he certainly makes you better.

Agree on Noa and to a lesser extent Traore.

No way on Sabonis. Vuc is 20M and Sabonis 45M.
I’ll take Vuc all day at that price.

[tunit213]

I see how valuable an Ausar Thompson type player is in this league. I think every team is or will be looking for that type of athletic defender. I’m not saying Carter Bryant is Ausar by no means, but it’s why he’s my top choice. Bryant at the 3 and Matas at the 4 are the perfect players to put next to Giddey and Coby.

Jalen and Collins are good enough at Center for next seasons rebuild. Build up their trade value and flip one or both at the trade deadline for picks.

[Chi town]

I see how valuable an Ausar Thompson type player is in this league. I think every team is or will be looking for that type of athletic defender. I’m not saying Carter Bryant is Ausar by no means, but it’s why he’s my top choice. Bryant at the 3 and Matas at the 4 are the perfect players to put next to Giddey and Coby.

Jalen and Collins are good enough at Center for next seasons rebuild. Build up their trade value and flip one or both at the trade deadline for picks.

AK has made it clear he wants to win not build a winner. Highly doubt he would be trading players that will help us win for picks that won’t.

Penda is an elite defender and has the chops to be just like 2nd team all defense Camara. Think Coward is going to be a JDub type defender too.

[MGB8]

I dunno, seeing Indiana, who has less top talent than NY still beat them because despite NY being an elite defensive team, they can still score do to shooting at all 5 spots…. and seeing Gobert again being a non-impact despite his paint anchoring due to OKCs threat to shoot from all 5 (though Hartenstein didn’t take any and Chet went 1/6 from 3)….

Really not interested in drafting non-shooters. Guys with form who actually project to be good shooters (high FT%, etc.)… like Matas looked and like Jakas in this draft… fine.

But a CMB who shoots 70% from FT (and overlaps with Giddey and Matas, where neither guy should be defending fast guys on the perimeter, for different reasons)…. no thanks unless the YouTube’s make one think superstar (which from the little I saw, wasn’t the case for me).

Honestly, where I the Bulls, I would try hard to move up to try to grab a guy who could be a legit lead scorer on a good team (VJ, maybe Johnson) to hedge on Coby. If Jakas falls enough and it only takes a small move up, would try to move up for him, too.

[MGB8]

If Queen falls to the Bulls, which given analytics seems possible, I think you have to roll the dice on him (absent say a KJ also dropping).

He’s an NBA player - but the question is whether he is a Bobby Portis type rotation offensive big or whether given his natural talent, he can be more. With a 9’1.5” reach (compared to, say, Maluach’s 9’6”) he has enough length to give you hope that he can develop on D, even if he lacks explosion (though has excellent body control).

[League Circles]

It feels crazy to think that some of the best available perimeter players at 12 are far from assured to be better for what our team will need than Ball, Ayo, and even Patrick and Terry. But that's how I feel. Most of the talented guys simply seem far too redundant with Coby/Giddey and/or project to make our poor defense even worse.

IMO, this team has NO CHANCE to be something serious in the long term without 2 STRONG defenders flanking Matas, Giddey and Coby.

[sco]

It feels crazy to think that some of the best available perimeter players at 12 are far from assured to be better for what our team will need than Ball, Ayo, and even Patrick and Terry. But that's how I feel. Most of the talented guys simply seem far too redundant with Coby/Giddey and/or project to make our poor defense even worse.

IMO, this team has NO CHANCE to be something serious in the long term without 2 STRONG defenders flanking Matas, Giddey and Coby.

I totally agree! If we could keep Jones and Ball, we could count them a 1 strong defender. I don't see any of the C prospects being that sort of defender. I'd rather go 3-D forwards like Fleming and Bryant.

[Chi town]

It feels crazy to think that some of the best available perimeter players at 12 are far from assured to be better for what our team will need than Ball, Ayo, and even Patrick and Terry. But that's how I feel. Most of the talented guys simply seem far too redundant with Coby/Giddey and/or project to make our poor defense even worse.

IMO, this team has NO CHANCE to be something serious in the long term without 2 STRONG defenders flanking Matas, Giddey and Coby.

I totally agree! If we could keep Jones and Ball, we could count them a 1 strong defender. I don't see any of the C prospects being that sort of defender. I'd rather go 3-D forwards like Fleming and Bryant.

When we lose Vuc the ball will move better but we will also struggle to score at times and def in the halfcourt. Coby is the only guy that can get his win bucket but Buz can and will show he can more next season.

We need those defenders but we also need a bucket getter. Most important is rim protection.

[LateNight]

It feels crazy to think that some of the best available perimeter players at 12 are far from assured to be better for what our team will need than Ball, Ayo, and even Patrick and Terry. But that's how I feel. Most of the talented guys simply seem far too redundant with Coby/Giddey and/or project to make our poor defense even worse.

IMO, this team has NO CHANCE to be something serious in the long term without 2 STRONG defenders flanking Matas, Giddey and Coby.

I totally agree! If we could keep Jones and Ball, we could count them a 1 strong defender. I don't see any of the C prospects being that sort of defender. I'd rather go 3-D forwards like Fleming and Bryant.

When we lose Vuc the ball will move better but we will also struggle to score at times and def in the halfcourt. Coby is the only guy that can get his win bucket but Buz can and will show he can more next season.

We need those defenders but we also need a bucket getter. Most important is rim protection.

For good or bad, I predict the GM will acquire Kuminga for that reason

[sco]

It feels crazy to think that some of the best available perimeter players at 12 are far from assured to be better for what our team will need than Ball, Ayo, and even Patrick and Terry. But that's how I feel. Most of the talented guys simply seem far too redundant with Coby/Giddey and/or project to make our poor defense even worse.

IMO, this team has NO CHANCE to be something serious in the long term without 2 STRONG defenders flanking Matas, Giddey and Coby.

I totally agree! If we could keep Jones and Ball, we could count them a 1 strong defender. I don't see any of the C prospects being that sort of defender. I'd rather go 3-D forwards like Fleming and Bryant.

When we lose Vuc the ball will move better but we will also struggle to score at times and def in the halfcourt. Coby is the only guy that can get his win bucket but Buz can and will show he can more next season.

We need those defenders but we also need a bucket getter. Most important is rim protection.

I'll say it this way. I think we need a better bucket getter (i.e. a true #1 option) to replace Coby. I say it that way because I think our best chance to succeed going forward is to develop Matas into a #1 or #2 option scorer. IMO adding another high shot volume player into our starting line-up without moving Coby will likely result in the reversal of the steps forward that our 3 core guys took after Zach left.

[sco]

I totally agree! If we could keep Jones and Ball, we could count them a 1 strong defender. I don't see any of the C prospects being that sort of defender. I'd rather go 3-D forwards like Fleming and Bryant.

When we lose Vuc the ball will move better but we will also struggle to score at times and def in the halfcourt. Coby is the only guy that can get his win bucket but Buz can and will show he can more next season.

We need those defenders but we also need a bucket getter. Most important is rim protection.

For good or bad, I predict the GM will acquire Kuminga for that reason

You may be right on this. I think the outcome will be bad in the same way that adding Vuc was not good. Our defense will go into the absolute toilet, unless we are also trading Coby.

[League Circles]

It feels crazy to think that some of the best available perimeter players at 12 are far from assured to be better for what our team will need than Ball, Ayo, and even Patrick and Terry. But that's how I feel. Most of the talented guys simply seem far too redundant with Coby/Giddey and/or project to make our poor defense even worse.

IMO, this team has NO CHANCE to be something serious in the long term without 2 STRONG defenders flanking Matas, Giddey and Coby.

I totally agree! If we could keep Jones and Ball, we could count them a 1 strong defender. I don't see any of the C prospects being that sort of defender. I'd rather go 3-D forwards like Fleming and Bryant.

Tbh I think Fleming can play C and Bryant can guard the 2 position, so I roughly agree. But I think Maluach, Zikarsky, Sorber and Beringer all have potential at the 5 spot on D. I'm now very intrigued by Zikarsky. Could be the sleeper of the draft. Might be my #1 C prospect over Maluach and Sorber. Beringer is very interesting but so raw I don't think he's on my top 12 board.

[League Circles]

It feels crazy to think that some of the best available perimeter players at 12 are far from assured to be better for what our team will need than Ball, Ayo, and even Patrick and Terry. But that's how I feel. Most of the talented guys simply seem far too redundant with Coby/Giddey and/or project to make our poor defense even worse.

IMO, this team has NO CHANCE to be something serious in the long term without 2 STRONG defenders flanking Matas, Giddey and Coby.

I totally agree! If we could keep Jones and Ball, we could count them a 1 strong defender. I don't see any of the C prospects being that sort of defender. I'd rather go 3-D forwards like Fleming and Bryant.

I like Jones but barring trade I think keeping him crowds our roster too much. Yes he's a good defender at the 1 spot and a good distributor. Very smart, crafty player. But I'm looking for a seriously athletic defender at the 2/3 spot to cover for Giddey and Coby. I don't think Jones is that. If we didn't have Ball, Carter etc under contract I'd be more interested. He also can't shoot from 3 in the way I'd want, though defense is my priority.

I'm calling it now - don't be ultra shocked if Dalen Terry is our starting 2 this year LOL. If we draft a big, and Ayo and Patrick start slow (easy to envision for either of them), I think it will happen. Yes Huerter is a better overall player than Dalen but we desperately need a true defender out there IMO.

[sco]

It feels crazy to think that some of the best available perimeter players at 12 are far from assured to be better for what our team will need than Ball, Ayo, and even Patrick and Terry. But that's how I feel. Most of the talented guys simply seem far too redundant with Coby/Giddey and/or project to make our poor defense even worse.

IMO, this team has NO CHANCE to be something serious in the long term without 2 STRONG defenders flanking Matas, Giddey and Coby.

I totally agree! If we could keep Jones and Ball, we could count them a 1 strong defender. I don't see any of the C prospects being that sort of defender. I'd rather go 3-D forwards like Fleming and Bryant.

I like Jones but barring trade I think keeping him crowds our roster too much. Yes he's a good defender at the 1 spot and a good distributor. Very smart, crafty player. But I'm looking for a seriously athletic defender at the 2/3 spot to cover for Giddey and Coby. I don't think Jones is that. If we didn't have Ball, Carter etc under contract I'd be more interested. He also can't shoot from 3 in the way I'd want, though defense is my priority.

I'm calling it now - don't be ultra shocked if Dalen Terry is our starting 2 this year LOL. If we draft a big, and Ayo and Patrick start slow (easy to envision for either of them), I think it will happen. Yes Huerter is a better overall player than Dalen but we desperately need a true defender out there IMO.

I like your bold prediction on Terry (just because I like bold predictions, not because I agree). I like that Terry is a worker and it possible he can get there, but IMO he was neither a good enough defender, and isn't good enough on offense to be a net positive. I think the starter will be Ball, because he solves the 2/3 defense issue. He just can't play more than 24MPG, with likely Ayo backing him up.

[Chi town]

I totally agree! If we could keep Jones and Ball, we could count them a 1 strong defender. I don't see any of the C prospects being that sort of defender. I'd rather go 3-D forwards like Fleming and Bryant.

When we lose Vuc the ball will move better but we will also struggle to score at times and def in the halfcourt. Coby is the only guy that can get his win bucket but Buz can and will show he can more next season.

We need those defenders but we also need a bucket getter. Most important is rim protection.

For good or bad, I predict the GM will acquire Kuminga for that reason

I think AK would acquire him thinking he would be a great fit in our pace offense and helps our athletic profile a lot. Problem is he has NO gravity with his 3 and teams would force him and Giddey to shoot.

Don’t think the juice is worth the squeeze. At all.

[sco]

When we lose Vuc the ball will move better but we will also struggle to score at times and def in the halfcourt. Coby is the only guy that can get his win bucket but Buz can and will show he can more next season.

We need those defenders but we also need a bucket getter. Most important is rim protection.

For good or bad, I predict the GM will acquire Kuminga for that reason

I think AK would acquire him thinking he would be a great fit in our pace offense and helps our athletic profile a lot. Problem is he has NO gravity with his 3 and teams would force him and Giddey to shoot.

Don’t think the juice is worth the squeeze. At all.

I tend to agree with you, he gives me Julius Randle vibes. That said, the situation looks like a "AK special" where he is looking for his next Giddey trade.

[League Circles]

I totally agree! If we could keep Jones and Ball, we could count them a 1 strong defender. I don't see any of the C prospects being that sort of defender. I'd rather go 3-D forwards like Fleming and Bryant.

I like Jones but barring trade I think keeping him crowds our roster too much. Yes he's a good defender at the 1 spot and a good distributor. Very smart, crafty player. But I'm looking for a seriously athletic defender at the 2/3 spot to cover for Giddey and Coby. I don't think Jones is that. If we didn't have Ball, Carter etc under contract I'd be more interested. He also can't shoot from 3 in the way I'd want, though defense is my priority.

I'm calling it now - don't be ultra shocked if Dalen Terry is our starting 2 this year LOL. If we draft a big, and Ayo and Patrick start slow (easy to envision for either of them), I think it will happen. Yes Huerter is a better overall player than Dalen but we desperately need a true defender out there IMO.

I like your bold prediction on Terry (just because I like bold predictions, not because I agree). I like that Terry is a worker and it possible he can get there, but IMO he was neither a good enough defender, and isn't good enough on offense to be a net positive. I think the starter will be Ball, because he solves the 2/3 defense issue. He just can't play more than 24MPG, with likely Ayo backing him up.

Terry needs to stop fouling so much, but other than that I think he's as good of a defender as we have, and is a pretty ideal athlete for defensive versatility at the 2/3 (and occasionally 1 and 4 spots if needed).

I think Ball's minutes restriction is over, but I still see him as coming off the bench (though maybe closing games) just cause he's our second best distributor and is best used when Giddey is out. Defensively he's very, very good though.

[sco]

I like Jones but barring trade I think keeping him crowds our roster too much. Yes he's a good defender at the 1 spot and a good distributor. Very smart, crafty player. But I'm looking for a seriously athletic defender at the 2/3 spot to cover for Giddey and Coby. I don't think Jones is that. If we didn't have Ball, Carter etc under contract I'd be more interested. He also can't shoot from 3 in the way I'd want, though defense is my priority.

I'm calling it now - don't be ultra shocked if Dalen Terry is our starting 2 this year LOL. If we draft a big, and Ayo and Patrick start slow (easy to envision for either of them), I think it will happen. Yes Huerter is a better overall player than Dalen but we desperately need a true defender out there IMO.

I like your bold prediction on Terry (just because I like bold predictions, not because I agree). I like that Terry is a worker and it possible he can get there, but IMO he was neither a good enough defender, and isn't good enough on offense to be a net positive. I think the starter will be Ball, because he solves the 2/3 defense issue. He just can't play more than 24MPG, with likely Ayo backing him up.

Terry needs to stop fouling so much, but other than that I think he's as good of a defender as we have, and is a pretty ideal athlete for defensive versatility at the 2/3 (and occasionally 1 and 4 spots if needed).

I think Ball's minutes restriction is over, but I still see him as coming off the bench (though maybe closing games) just cause he's our second best distributor and is best used when Giddey is out. Defensively he's very, very good though.

I don't think Terry can guard 1's or 2's...he's too slow, that's where he fouls. IIRC, Ball started before he went down, but his minutes were often staggered with Giddey, to your point. IMO he's best used primarily as backup PG and then to finish games.

[League Circles]

I like your bold prediction on Terry (just because I like bold predictions, not because I agree). I like that Terry is a worker and it possible he can get there, but IMO he was neither a good enough defender, and isn't good enough on offense to be a net positive. I think the starter will be Ball, because he solves the 2/3 defense issue. He just can't play more than 24MPG, with likely Ayo backing him up.

Terry needs to stop fouling so much, but other than that I think he's as good of a defender as we have, and is a pretty ideal athlete for defensive versatility at the 2/3 (and occasionally 1 and 4 spots if needed).

I think Ball's minutes restriction is over, but I still see him as coming off the bench (though maybe closing games) just cause he's our second best distributor and is best used when Giddey is out. Defensively he's very, very good though.

I don't think Terry can guard 1's or 2's...he's too slow, that's where he fouls. IIRC, Ball started before he went down, but his minutes were often staggered with Giddey, to your point. IMO he's best used primarily as backup PG and then to finish games.

Man I can't wrap my head around the idea that Terry isn't quick enough to defend guards. IMO that's a great strength of his - I think he fouls due to overagression and lack of experience and respect from officials. He definitely covers ground as quickly defensively as anyone on our roster IMO.