2025 Draft Thread - Part 2

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I think Fears and Lendeborg are safe bets at 6 and 18. I still like Queen.

Hell, I think I'd like all 3..... I think each could cover a base we don't yet have covered...

Absolutely!

As to the risks Queen brings, yeah -- & at 6 you'd hope to have a less risky prospect to pick. Still, every single draft pick comes with risks. There's no way around that. You just pick your poison.

I'll have no quibble with whatever choice Will makes in that regard.

All the same, if I could trade our 3 picks for Brooklyn's 4 picks (8, 26, 27, 36), I wouldn't hesitate....

[nate33]

Dream scenario is Tre Johnson at #6, Danny Wolf at #18, and absorb a bad contract or something to move up from #40 to the late 20's and grab Yaxel.

PG Carrington/AJ
SG Tre Johnson/Poole
SF Bilal/Champagnie
PF Kyshawn/Yaxel
C Sarr/Wolf

(And our veterans: Smart, Kispert, Middleton)

That's a team with length and athleticism at every position. There's no superstar, but there's a bunch of good young guys who could become quality two-way players. I suppose Sarr, Tre, and Bilal have at least a remote chance of becoming true stars.

[Dat2U]

I have to agree -- tho, when you look at Wolf's numbers at Yale (i.e. vs. a weaker schedule), they are essentially no different from his UM numbers.

I see Lendeborg as a Forward prospect, btw, rather than a Center. If I had to put $$ on success, I'd put it on Lendeborg over Wolf. Be interesting to see how it works out (&, as usual, I hope both of them are terrific!).

I just watched a scouting report on him and learned that he missed his entire sophomore and junior seasons in high school because he was academically ineligible. I would have to know more about his AAU background, but it might get real interesting if it turns out that he has substantially less experience in organized basketball than his peers. It might suggest more-than-expected improvement going forward for a guy who is already 22.

Thing is... I can't bring to mind a single case of a guy who put up numbers like Lendeborg's but didn't go on to do very well in the league. Now, obviously, I don't have the means or time to do a truly exhaustive search, but still....

Me too. I have not found a reason to dislike his game or translatability to the next level.

Outside of Cooper Flagg, there's not a PF I like more than Lendeborg.

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GMs are smart, & Lendeborg might be off the board when our #18 pick comes up -- but if he's there I have no trouble grabbing him.

[Dat2U]

Dream scenario is Tre Johnson at #6, Danny Wolf at #18, and absorb a bad contract or something to move up from #40 to the late 20's and grab Yaxel.

PG Carrington/AJ
SG Tre Johnson/Poole
SF Bilal/Champagnie
PF Kyshawn/Yaxel
C Sarr/Wolf

(And our veterans: Smart, Kispert, Middleton)

That's a team with length and athleticism at every position. There's no superstar, but there's a bunch of good young guys who could become quality two-way players. I suppose Sarr, Tre, and Bilal have at least a remote chance of becoming true stars.

Yeah, I'd very happy with that as well. I think Wolf returns top 10 value if he shoots it well enough. He's a 'straw that stirs the drink' type that is offensive ceiling raiser at C.

Tre is just a rock solid prospect for me. The best and most complete shooter in the draft (C&S, off the dribble & movement shooting - coming off screens & curls) has a 6-11 wingspan and solid handle. I'm in, I'm not going to over think it. The defensive concerns can be addressed with effort. The role and shot selection concerns can be managed by coaching and better teammates. I'm not concerned. As he gets stronger, he can even improve as a finisher.

[DCZards]

Tre J. is my pick at 6 assuming Fears or someone else goes 5. But I think Tre might go 5 leaving the Zards with Fears, Maluach, Kon, Queen, and a few other options. I’d probably lean toward Maluach but would be fine with Fears…with Bryant as my dark horse.

At 18 I’m all in for Cedric Coward…great combo of size, athleticism, and shooting. I know he’ll be 22 before the start of the season but that’s too much talent to pass on.

Sorber would be my second option at 18…he’s rock solid both fundamentally and physically.

[FAH1223]

I am on a mock draft on another forum

It has gone

1. Dallas Mavericks- Cooper Flagg, F, Duke
2. San Antonio Spurs- Dylan Harper, G, Rutgers
3. Philadelphia 76ers- Ace Bailey, F, Rutgers
4. Charlotte Hornets- Tre Johnson, G, Texas
5. Utah Jazz- V.J. Edgecombe, G, Baylor
6. Washington Wizards -

Should I take Fears? Queen? We aren't doing trades so it is what it is.

[closg00]

I am on a mock draft on another forum

It has gone

1. Dallas Mavericks- Cooper Flagg, F, Duke
2. San Antonio Spurs- Dylan Harper, G, Rutgers
3. Philadelphia 76ers- Ace Bailey, F, Rutgers
4. Charlotte Hornets- Tre Johnson, G, Texas
5. Utah Jazz- V.J. Edgecombe, G, Baylor
6. Washington Wizards -

Should I take Fears? Queen? We aren't doing trades so it is what it is.

Fears is the last big swing in the Top-10 after Ace, so you take him or trade down. Goddammit us dropping to 6.

[nate33]

I am on a mock draft on another forum

It has gone

1. Dallas Mavericks- Cooper Flagg, F, Duke
2. San Antonio Spurs- Dylan Harper, G, Rutgers
3. Philadelphia 76ers- Ace Bailey, F, Rutgers
4. Charlotte Hornets- Tre Johnson, G, Texas
5. Utah Jazz- V.J. Edgecombe, G, Baylor
6. Washington Wizards -

Should I take Fears? Queen? We aren't doing trades so it is what it is.

Fears is the last big swing in the Top-10 after Ace, so you take him or trade down. Goddammit us dropping to 6.

Yeah. I think you have to take Fears.

[Dat2U]

I am on a mock draft on another forum

It has gone

1. Dallas Mavericks- Cooper Flagg, F, Duke
2. San Antonio Spurs- Dylan Harper, G, Rutgers
3. Philadelphia 76ers- Ace Bailey, F, Rutgers
4. Charlotte Hornets- Tre Johnson, G, Texas
5. Utah Jazz- V.J. Edgecombe, G, Baylor
6. Washington Wizards -

Should I take Fears? Queen? We aren't doing trades so it is what it is.

This is the scenario I fear the most as far as the top five is concerned as the draft completely flattens out for the next 20 prospects or so.

So in real life, I'd be looking at moving down and acquiring future assets or even moving up.

Locked at 6, anything other than Malauach, Knueppel & Fears will sound like a reach so shock 'em all and take Will Riley.

[doclinkin]

Tre J. is my pick at 6 assuming Fears or someone else goes 5. But I think Tre might go 5 leaving the Zards with Fears, Maluach, Kon, Queen, and a few other options. I’d probably lean toward Maluach but would be fine with Fears…with Bryant as my dark horse.

At 18 I’m all in for Cedric Coward…great combo of size, athleticism, and shooting. I know he’ll be 22 before the start of the season but that’s too much talent to pass on.

Sorber would be my second option at 18…he’s rock solid both fundamentally and physically.

At 6.
I trade up for Ace.
Extort a haul for Fears from Brooklyn, take Maluach at 8 (plus something of their 19, 26, 27).
Or shrug and take Tre if he falls.
If they stick and select Fears I'm okay with it on upside. He's young, growing, shoots great from the FT line, bank on improvement and early losses.

At 18.
I take Sorber if he is there. Even trade 40 + junk to trade up for him if he's within reach. Or some of the Nets haul.
If no Sorber I take Yaxel.

If we get some combo of 19, 26, 27
I try to package something to trade up for Carter Bryant. Noah Essengue.
Otherwise I'm happy with something of Rasheer Fleming. Danny Wolf. Noa Penda. CMB (since I expect him to fall). Likewise Derik Queen if he falls. A risk early, a steal late.

At 40 if we still have it.
Try to trade up for Tahad Pettiford. Let him star for the GoGo until he forces his way onto the roster.
Look hard at Hansen Yang and Rocco Zikarsky. (Unless we went big early).
Then take Myles Byrd instead and throw him into our GoGo-to-Pro pipeline.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

If you just can't get enough draft talk,I like this guy, does a good breakdown of the prospects...

Watch on YouTube

[popper]

I'm still all in on Maluach at 6, especially after watching him bury one three after another during a recent workout film. He's not even 19 years old. He could end up being the best player in the draft. Who knows?

[DCZards]

If you just can't get enough draft talk,I like this guy, does a good breakdown of the prospects...

Watch on YouTube

This guy is pretty thorough and thoughtful. Has my guy Carter Bryant as the third best player in this draft. That’s crazy! Looks like I’m not the only one foolish enough to consider drafting him at 6.

He has Maluach at 5 and Fears above Johnson at 7 & 8, which is kinda reassuring given that one of them is almost certain to be there at 6.

[payitforward]

Put me with Popper -- if we are making the #6 pick, I really want Maluach. Including over Tre.

If there's a trade down with Brooklyn that gets us 26, I do it.

6 for 8 & 36 would be a pretty good deal. 6 & 40 for 8 & 27 would be even better...

[NatP4]

That CMB+Sarr front court could be so dynamic. Perfect fit. Still think CMB turns out to be the 3rd or 4th best player in the class.

Always played next to a floor spacing 5 at South Carolina, never had to take 3s. The shooting upside is there, but his fit as a small ball C/low post defender next to a floor spacing Sarr would be elite.

Where? Show me. None of the indicators look particularly good. I guess your excited about 70% from the FT line? The form its self looks stiff and needs to be completely reworked. I saw he made a total of 14 jumpers on the year - which includes mid-range looks. This is not "shooting upside". This is slightly better than "starting from scratch".

I think adding non-shooters to a team of poor shooters is how you stunt offensive development of your young core and make it harder for everyone else to score. I just don't view CMB as this game-changing, all-NBA potential defender or a Draymond Green-like point forward capable of running offensive sets, making high level reads and hitting open 3s. Drafting the next Jarred Vanderbilt chasing the ghost of Draymond's upside is just waste of resources and a valuable pick.

I think he has all-NBA defensive potential. Doesn’t need to become a high volume 3pt shooter to be a game-changer. Potential is there, 70% from the free throw line on 275 attempts is pretty substantial.

After his Sophomore season, Draymond Green was 2-17 from 3 in his college career, Siakam was 3-17, Adebayo didn’t take a 3 in college. Mobley shot 30% from 3 in college (made 12 total).

All of them shot a lower FT% than CMB through their age 20 seasons.

Vanderbilt per 36 in college: 12.4 points 16.6 rebounds 2.1 assists 1.6 blocks 0.9 steals 2.3 turnovers 5.6 fouls on a 47.6% TS

CMB per 36 in college: 19.8 points 9.7 rebounds 2.8 assists 1.6 blocks 1.7 steals 2.9 turnovers 3.0 fouls on 63% TS

I see no comparison between the two. Vanderbilt had no scoring potential whatsoever, was just a hustle player that played limited minutes.

[dobrojim]

I've been saying Maluach for a while. But I'd have to
think hard about it if Johnson is there. He's got a lot
to like. Take Johnson 1st, then a big @ 18. Or Maluach,
because size matters.

It'll be interesting to see or debate who is the best player
in this draft in 3-5 years. Flagg seems obvious but a lot
can happen in 5 years.

PS - Maluach has already shown in workouts he can
stroke 3s.

My wet dream - Maluach/Johnson @ 6, Sorber/Wolf/
Vax/Fleming @ 18

[nate33]

That CMB+Sarr front court could be so dynamic. Perfect fit. Still think CMB turns out to be the 3rd or 4th best player in the class.

Always played next to a floor spacing 5 at South Carolina, never had to take 3s. The shooting upside is there, but his fit as a small ball C/low post defender next to a floor spacing Sarr would be elite.

Where? Show me. None of the indicators look particularly good. I guess your excited about 70% from the FT line? The form its self looks stiff and needs to be completely reworked. I saw he made a total of 14 jumpers on the year - which includes mid-range looks. This is not "shooting upside". This is slightly better than "starting from scratch".

I think adding non-shooters to a team of poor shooters is how you stunt offensive development of your young core and make it harder for everyone else to score. I just don't view CMB as this game-changing, all-NBA potential defender or a Draymond Green-like point forward capable of running offensive sets, making high level reads and hitting open 3s. Drafting the next Jarred Vanderbilt chasing the ghost of Draymond's upside is just waste of resources and a valuable pick.

I think he has all-NBA defensive potential. Doesn’t need to become a high volume 3pt shooter to be a game-changer. Potential is there, 70% from the free throw line on 275 attempts is pretty substantial.

After his Sophomore season, Draymond Green was 2-17 from 3 in his college career, Siakam was 3-17, Adebayo didn’t take a 3 in college. Mobley shot 30% from 3 in college (made 12 total).

All of them shot a lower FT% than CMB through their age 20 seasons.

Vanderbilt per 36 in college: 12.4 points 16.6 rebounds 2.1 assists 1.6 blocks 0.9 steals 2.3 turnovers 5.6 fouls on a 47.6% TS

CMB per 36 in college: 19.8 points 9.7 rebounds 2.8 assists 1.6 blocks 1.7 steals 2.9 turnovers 3.0 fouls on 63% TS

I see no comparison between the two. Vanderbilt had no scoring potential whatsoever, was just a hustle player that played limited minutes.

CMB attempted just 34 3-pointers last year. With the sample size so low, it's real hard to put much stock in the results. For example, I wonder what percentage of those attempts were wild heaves as the shot clock expired? If, say, 5 of them were heaves, then instead of a .265 3P%, it's really something closer to 31%.

[nate33]

Read on Twitter

[NatP4]

Is there really anything to read into with 34 3pt attempts in his 19 year old season?

Bam Adebayo made 8 3s in his first 6 NBA seasons combined. Really did not start taking 3s until this year. Siakam&Draymond couldn't space the floor at all until their age 24 seasons. CMB has yet to turn 20.

If you take CMB in the lottery, you are taking him as a core piece because you like the fit next to a floor spacing (hopefully) C in Sarr. CMB functions as the true defensive anchor/rebounder/screen setting small ball C, Sarr can drift around the perimeter.