2025 NBA Draft Thread: Detroit Pick Edition

[KGdaBom]

I read mixed things about Tyrese Proctor:

- an excellent shooter this year 40.5% 3PT, but only 68% FT

- good passer and scorer, three seasons with ~30MPG, but only 1.8 FTA, 2.2APG, 10.8PPG

- excellent defender but is not viewed as top perimeter defender of this draft

One thing is clear: he is NOT a pure PG, but if he can defend PG/SG, facilitate and hit open threes in NBA (see Delon Wright) would you draft him at 31? In ideal world he gets undrafted and signs two-way contract with MIN, and follows McLaughlin development path.

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Tankathon has him 48th on the Big Board. Excellent defender at Combo guard might be worth the 31st pick. I'd hope for young combo guard Ben Saraf, PG Walter Clayton Jr, or SG Cedric Coward at that spot. If we want a big there I think Kalkbrenner or Raynaud would be good. If Yaxel Lendeborg is somehow still available I'd be all over that pick.

[KGdaBom]

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Demin will be in top-10, no way he falls down to 17th, he also shoots well in pre draft workouts. But, I can see him as an ideal fit next to Edwards. Demin is a true offensive engine, he is not only a facilitator like Tyus Jones, Monte Morris. He can create out of pick-and-rolls. The only problem is that under Finch this team is trying to get away from pick-and-roll based offense, but Conley example shows that it might be also due to players skillset. Towns is not natural pick-n-roll, Gobert bad hands require precision passing.

Young 6'9.5" combo guard with ++ assist is intriguing, but a horrible shooter so far in actual games regardless of pre draft workouts. If he makes it to 17 I'd probably take him. Tankathon has him going 18 so never say never.

[jpatrick]

Watch on YouTube

Demin will be in top-10, no way he falls down to 17th, he also shoots well in pre draft workouts. But, I can see him as an ideal fit next to Edwards. Demin is a true offensive engine, he is not only a facilitator like Tyus Jones, Monte Morris. He can create out of pick-and-rolls. The only problem is that under Finch this team is trying to get away from pick-and-roll based offense, but Conley example shows that it might be also due to players skillset. Towns is not natural pick-n-roll, Gobert bad hands require precision passing.

Young 6'9.5" combo guard with ++ assist is intriguing, but a horrible shooter so far in actual games regardless of pre draft workouts. If he makes it to 17 I'd probably take him. Tankathon has him going 18 so never say never.

I don’t know. I watched 3-4 BYU games, and he struggled to create separation. Great passer. Great size. Struggled to shoot. May or may not have had some kind of injury but that narrative comes out for everyone who struggled.

I saw him as a less dynamic Josh Giddey. I thought Giddey seemed a bit more creative/quick with the ball when he was in the NBL. Giddey was also always a monster rebounder, which I don’t see in Demin.

Demin is a high upside guy. But if he ends up being a lesser Giddey, that doesn’t work here. Giddey was played off the floor and needed up being traded because if forced to play off the play, he struggled.

I just took a look at his game log. After his first five games (when he played all very low level teams), against major college teams over the next 28 games, Demin shot 22% from three the rest of the season. Because he’s not a great athlete, he’s going to have to shoot it well to make the rest of his game work, whether that’s on or off ball. Pick and roll doesn’t work if the defender can go under on every screen.

[KGdaBom]

Watch on YouTube

Demin will be in top-10, no way he falls down to 17th, he also shoots well in pre draft workouts. But, I can see him as an ideal fit next to Edwards. Demin is a true offensive engine, he is not only a facilitator like Tyus Jones, Monte Morris. He can create out of pick-and-rolls. The only problem is that under Finch this team is trying to get away from pick-and-roll based offense, but Conley example shows that it might be also due to players skillset. Towns is not natural pick-n-roll, Gobert bad hands require precision passing.

Young 6'9.5" combo guard with ++ assist is intriguing, but a horrible shooter so far in actual games regardless of pre draft workouts. If he makes it to 17 I'd probably take him. Tankathon has him going 18 so never say never.

I don’t know. I watched 3-4 BYU games, and he struggled to create separation. Great passer. Great size. Struggled to shoot. May or may not have had some kind of injury but that narrative comes out for everyone who struggled.

I saw him as a less dynamic Josh Giddey. I thought Giddey seemed a bit more creative/quick with the ball when he was in the NBL. Giddey was also always a monster rebounder, which I don’t see in Demin.

Demin is a high upside guy. But if he ends up being a lesser Giddey, that doesn’t work here. Giddey was played off the floor and needed up being traded because if forced to play off the play, he struggled.

I just took a look at his game log. After his first five games (when he played all very low level teams), against major college teams over the next 28 games, Demin shot 22% from three the rest of the season. Because he’s not a great athlete, he’s going to have to shoot it well to make the rest of his game work, whether that’s on or off ball. Pick and roll doesn’t work if the defender can go under on every screen.

Guys this tall capable of playing PG are very few and far between. His court awareness and decision making are uncanny. He may pass up shots a little too much. I'm going to assume his shot is improving due to the pre draft workouts report and age, but yes he must improve the shot. He's young improving and I'd roll the dice on him.

[cmoss84]

I wonder if TC can find another Isaiah Hartenstein in this draft: a mobile, high IQ high motor big, with good hands and strength, not necessarily a shooter. Hartenstein is 7'0", 7'2" wingspan, 250 lbs and 9'2" standing reach. I found interesting that Hartenstein had vertical leap 25.5. Some measurements from combine:

CMB: 6'6.5", 7'0", 240lbs, 9'1.5", vertical 34.5
Queen: 6'9", 7'0", 248lbs, 9'1.5", vertical 28
Wolf: 6'10", 7'2", 250lbs, 9'1", vertical 30
Fleming: 6'8", 7'5", 230lbs, 9'1.5"", vertical 30
Lendeborg: 6'8.5", 7'4", 234lbs, 9'1", vertical 31
Condon: 6'11", 7'0", 220lbs, 8'11", vertical 34.5
Sorber: 6'9", 7'6", 260lbs, 9'1.5", -
Niederhauser: 6'11", 7'4", 240lbs, 9'3", vertical 37

A lot of intriguing stuff here. Good list. Niederhauser crazy measurements. Know he can't shoot, but does he have any feel for the game?

[Slim Tubby]

I read mixed things about Tyrese Proctor:

- an excellent shooter this year 40.5% 3PT, but only 68% FT

- good passer and scorer, three seasons with ~30MPG, but only 1.8 FTA, 2.2APG, 10.8PPG

- excellent defender but is not viewed as top perimeter defender of this draft

One thing is clear: he is NOT a pure PG, but if he can defend PG/SG, facilitate and hit open threes in NBA (see Delon Wright) would you draft him at 31? In ideal world he gets undrafted and signs two-way contract with MIN, and follows McLaughlin development path.

Watch on YouTube

Tankathon has him 48th on the Big Board. Excellent defender at Combo guard might be worth the 31st pick. I'd hope for young combo guard Ben Saraf, PG Walter Clayton Jr, or SG Cedric Coward at that spot. If we want a big there I think Kalkbrenner or Raynaud would be good. If Yaxel Lendeborg is somehow still available I'd be all over that pick.

I'd be afraid to draft Coward. Scary pick.

Sent from my N152DL using RealGM mobile app

[jpatrick]

I read mixed things about Tyrese Proctor:

- an excellent shooter this year 40.5% 3PT, but only 68% FT

- good passer and scorer, three seasons with ~30MPG, but only 1.8 FTA, 2.2APG, 10.8PPG

- excellent defender but is not viewed as top perimeter defender of this draft

One thing is clear: he is NOT a pure PG, but if he can defend PG/SG, facilitate and hit open threes in NBA (see Delon Wright) would you draft him at 31? In ideal world he gets undrafted and signs two-way contract with MIN, and follows McLaughlin development path.

Watch on YouTube

Tankathon has him 48th on the Big Board. Excellent defender at Combo guard might be worth the 31st pick. I'd hope for young combo guard Ben Saraf, PG Walter Clayton Jr, or SG Cedric Coward at that spot. If we want a big there I think Kalkbrenner or Raynaud would be good. If Yaxel Lendeborg is somehow still available I'd be all over that pick.

I'd be afraid to draft Coward. Scary pick.

Sent from my N152DL using RealGM mobile app

I think Coward goes before we pick. Very pure shot, great athlete, good BBIQ, and insane measurements. He’s never going to be a creator. But as a 3/D wing, he’s really good. I could see a Robert Covington type role.

[KGdaBom]

I read mixed things about Tyrese Proctor:

- an excellent shooter this year 40.5% 3PT, but only 68% FT

- good passer and scorer, three seasons with ~30MPG, but only 1.8 FTA, 2.2APG, 10.8PPG

- excellent defender but is not viewed as top perimeter defender of this draft

One thing is clear: he is NOT a pure PG, but if he can defend PG/SG, facilitate and hit open threes in NBA (see Delon Wright) would you draft him at 31? In ideal world he gets undrafted and signs two-way contract with MIN, and follows McLaughlin development path.

Watch on YouTube

Tankathon has him 48th on the Big Board. Excellent defender at Combo guard might be worth the 31st pick. I'd hope for young combo guard Ben Saraf, PG Walter Clayton Jr, or SG Cedric Coward at that spot. If we want a big there I think Kalkbrenner or Raynaud would be good. If Yaxel Lendeborg is somehow still available I'd be all over that pick.

I'd be afraid to draft Coward. Scary pick.

Sent from my N152DL using RealGM mobile app

I'm assuming this post was a pun based on his name. Very punny.

[KGdaBom]

Tankathon has him 48th on the Big Board. Excellent defender at Combo guard might be worth the 31st pick. I'd hope for young combo guard Ben Saraf, PG Walter Clayton Jr, or SG Cedric Coward at that spot. If we want a big there I think Kalkbrenner or Raynaud would be good. If Yaxel Lendeborg is somehow still available I'd be all over that pick.

I'd be afraid to draft Coward. Scary pick.

Sent from my N152DL using RealGM mobile app

I think Coward goes before we pick. Very pure shot, great athlete, good BBIQ, and insane measurements. He’s never going to be a creator. But as a 3/D wing, he’s really good. I could see a Robert Covington type role.

Tankathon has him going 36 at the moment. He could be there for us or he might not.

[jpatrick]

Watch on YouTube

[Slim Tubby]

Tankathon has him 48th on the Big Board. Excellent defender at Combo guard might be worth the 31st pick. I'd hope for young combo guard Ben Saraf, PG Walter Clayton Jr, or SG Cedric Coward at that spot. If we want a big there I think Kalkbrenner or Raynaud would be good. If Yaxel Lendeborg is somehow still available I'd be all over that pick.

I'd be afraid to draft Coward. Scary pick.

Sent from my N152DL using RealGM mobile app

I'm assuming this post was a pun based on his name. Very punny.

:)

On a serious note, Coward had private workouts for OKC and BOS. That alone tells me he's worth looking at harder based on their talent evaluators.

I'm almost always a BPA kind of guy in the Draft but I'm not sure we need another Wing considering our issues at PG and backup C.

I prefer Walter Clayton Jr but my gut tells me that 17 and maybe 31 might both be on the move. The pending FA of Randle, Naz and NAW make it difficult to project what we do.

I'll continue to trust Connelly.

Sent from my N152DL using RealGM mobile app

[cmoss84]

I'd be afraid to draft Coward. Scary pick.

Sent from my N152DL using RealGM mobile app

I'm assuming this post was a pun based on his name. Very punny.

:)

On a serious note, Coward had private workouts for OKC and BOS. That alone tells me he's worth looking at harder based on their talent evaluators.

I'm almost always a BPA kind of guy in the Draft but I'm not sure we need another Wing considering our issues at PG and backup C.

I prefer Walter Clayton Jr but my gut tells me that 17 and maybe 31 might both be on the move. The pending FA of Randle, Naz and NAW make it difficult to project what we do.

I'll continue to trust Connelly.

Sent from my N152DL using RealGM mobile app

Count me in at a roll of the dice on Ant II

[Guidus88]

Have you already discussed about Asa Newell?

6’9 in socks
Super athlete/seems very quick
Promising 3pt scooter
Georgia University ❤️

Could be our starting PF in a couple of years

[Norseman79]

Have you already discussed about Asa Newell?

6’9 in socks
Super athlete/seems very quick
Promising 3pt scooter
Georgia University ❤️

Could be our starting PF in a couple of years

Or next year....

[BlacJacMac]

Tankathon has him 48th on the Big Board. Excellent defender at Combo guard might be worth the 31st pick. I'd hope for young combo guard Ben Saraf, PG Walter Clayton Jr, or SG Cedric Coward at that spot. If we want a big there I think Kalkbrenner or Raynaud would be good. If Yaxel Lendeborg is somehow still available I'd be all over that pick.

I'd be afraid to draft Coward. Scary pick.

Sent from my N152DL using RealGM mobile app

I think Coward goes before we pick. Very pure shot, great athlete, good BBIQ, and insane measurements. He’s never going to be a creator. But as a 3/D wing, he’s really good. I could see a Robert Covington type role.

He’d be hard to pass on at 17. Dude is an extraordinary shooter with a freak body.

He and Ant in the backcourt would be pretty much impossible to defend.

[Mattya]

Watch on YouTube

Demin will be in top-10, no way he falls down to 17th, he also shoots well in pre draft workouts. But, I can see him as an ideal fit next to Edwards. Demin is a true offensive engine, he is not only a facilitator like Tyus Jones, Monte Morris. He can create out of pick-and-rolls. The only problem is that under Finch this team is trying to get away from pick-and-roll based offense, but Conley example shows that it might be also due to players skillset. Towns is not natural pick-n-roll, Gobert bad hands require precision passing.

Young 6'9.5" combo guard with ++ assist is intriguing, but a horrible shooter so far in actual games regardless of pre draft workouts. If he makes it to 17 I'd probably take him. Tankathon has him going 18 so never say never.

I don’t know. I watched 3-4 BYU games, and he struggled to create separation. Great passer. Great size. Struggled to shoot. May or may not have had some kind of injury but that narrative comes out for everyone who struggled.

I saw him as a less dynamic Josh Giddey. I thought Giddey seemed a bit more creative/quick with the ball when he was in the NBL. Giddey was also always a monster rebounder, which I don’t see in Demin.

Demin is a high upside guy. But if he ends up being a lesser Giddey, that doesn’t work here. Giddey was played off the floor and needed up being traded because if forced to play off the play, he struggled.

I just took a look at his game log. After his first five games (when he played all very low level teams), against major college teams over the next 28 games, Demin shot 22% from three the rest of the season. Because he’s not a great athlete, he’s going to have to shoot it well to make the rest of his game work, whether that’s on or off ball. Pick and roll doesn’t work if the defender can go under on every screen.

Yea, plus there are questions about his defense. If he can't guard point guards then he is just an extra facilitator on the floor.

[minimus]

How many screen assist had Gobert today? 3-4? I want TC to draft a bigman who can set good screens AND provide defense by playing high drop, just like Gobert did today. Sorber fits these criteria, Wolf is a bad defender. Who else? CMB? Fleming?

[jpatrick]

The more I watch this team, I think we need a Conley-like true PG to get us set, let Ant work off actions to make us life a bit easier. I also don’t think that’s Dilly. I just think he’s too small to be a starter in the playoffs. Can’t have that big of a defensive liability playing 35 minutes.

Floor general types: Demin, Jakucionis, Traore, maybe Saraf if he falls to the second. I doubt we go this route because I doubt they have given up on Dillingham as the future, but I would consider it at either 17, 31, or trade/FA.

[Mattya]

The more I watch this team, I think we need a Conley-like true PG to get us set, let Ant work off actions to make us life a bit easier. I also don’t think that’s Dilly. I just think he’s too small to be a starter in the playoffs. Can’t have that big of a defensive liability playing 35 minutes.

Floor general types: Demin, Jakucionis, Traore, maybe Saraf if he falls to the second. I doubt we go this route because I doubt they have given up on Dillingham as the future, but I would consider it at either 17, 31, or trade/FA.

We are at our best when Conley is hitting shots and opening up lanes for drives for his floaters. Our offense gets bogged down so much when Conley isn't hitting shots or turns down shots. Apparently Traore has had a strong shooting finish to his season, but the perfect fit is Walter Clayton. He is going to space the floor so much for Ant and Randle. Plus he has shown a very solid ability to feed his lob threat bigs.

[minimus]

The more I watch this team, I think we need a Conley-like true PG to get us set, let Ant work off actions to make us life a bit easier. I also don’t think that’s Dilly. I just think he’s too small to be a starter in the playoffs. Can’t have that big of a defensive liability playing 35 minutes.

Floor general types: Demin, Jakucionis, Traore, maybe Saraf if he falls to the second. I doubt we go this route because I doubt they have given up on Dillingham as the future, but I would consider it at either 17, 31, or trade/FA.

We are at our best when Conley is hitting shots and opening up lanes for drives for his floaters. Our offense gets bogged down so much when Conley isn't hitting shots or turns down shots.

This. I think that most fans completely forgot, that last season Conley was among NBA leaders in 3PT accuracy, both pullup, side steps, step backs. The empty side pick-n-roll with Rudy was the only play that they were able to run.

Apparently Traore has had a strong shooting finish to his season, but the perfect fit is Walter Clayton. He is going to space the floor so much for Ant and Randle. Plus he has shown a very solid ability to feed his lob threat bigs.

I am not sure whether Walter Clayton is an upgrade over DDV. I am intrigued by Traore and Saraf potential